bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification criteria and indicators of palm oil industrial liquid waste processing technology
Authors: Ishak Aulia , Bin Ali Amir Yazid
Published: July 2019

Every year the development of the palm oil industry continuously. Crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO) are processed in the palm oil industry. Comparison of the amount of oil produced with the product produced is 30% of the raw material, so that 70% of the processed oil will be solid or liquid waste. The development of the palm oil industry then result in an increase in the amount of waste that will be produced. The amount of waste that will be produced by the oil palm industry if not handled properly and effectively will result in a significant damage to the environment which is dangerous. Oil palm industry activities that are processed starting from raw materials to producing finished products will disrupt the environment of people around the plant because of the waste and engine noise that occurs. There are many alternative technologies available to process the palm oil industry, the problem is that it is difficult to determine the right technology. This study can explain the application of various criteria analysis (MCA) in assessing indicators and criteria for palm oil waste that occur both solid and liquid in the palm oil industry. These methods are used when participatory decision making will be carried out by experts representing various stakeholders and professionals in their fields using their opinions and analysis and expert opinions in assessing various criteria and indicators (C & I).
Sex Matters: A Multivariate Pattern Analysis of Sex- and Gender-Related Neuroanatomical Differences in Cis- and Transgender Individuals Using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Baldinger-Melich Pia , Urquijo Castro Maria F , Seiger René , Ruef Anne , Dwyer Dominic B , Kranz Georg S , Klöbl Manfred , Kambeitz Joseph , Kaufmann Ulrike , Windischberger Christian , Kasper Siegfried , Falkai Peter , Lanzenberger Rupert , Koutsouleris Nikolaos
Published: July 2019

Univariate analyses of structural neuroimaging data have produced heterogeneous results regarding anatomical sex- and gender-related differences. The current study aimed at delineating and cross-validating brain volumetric surrogates of sex and gender by comparing the structural magnetic resonance imaging data of cis- and transgender subjects using multivariate pattern analysis. Gray matter (GM) tissue maps of 29 transgender men, 23 transgender women, 35 cisgender women, and 34 cisgender men were created using voxel-based morphometry and analyzed using support vector classification. Generalizability of the models was estimated using repeated nested cross-validation. For external validation, significant models were applied to hormone-treated transgender subjects (n = 32) and individuals diagnosed with depression (n = 27). Sex was identified with a balanced accuracy (BAC) of 82.6% (false discovery rate [pFDR] < 0.001) in cisgender, but only with 67.5% (pFDR = 0.04) in transgender participants indicating differences in the neuroanatomical patterns associated with sex in transgender despite the major effect of sex on GM volume irrespective of the self-identification as a woman or man. Gender identity and gender incongruence could not be reliably identified (all pFDR > 0.05). The neuroanatomical signature of sex in cisgender did not interact with depressive features (BAC = 74.7%) but was affected by hormone therapy when applied in transgender women (P < 0.001).
Deregulating mitochondrial metabolite and ion transport has beneficial effects in yeast and human cellular models for NARP syndrome
Authors: Su Xin , Rak Malgorzata , Tetaud Emmanuel , Godard François , Sardin Elodie , Bouhier Marine , Gombeau Kewin , Caetano-Anollés Derek , Salin Bénédicte , Chen Huimei , di Rago Jean-Paul , Tribouillard-Tanvier Déborah
Published: July 2019

The m.8993T>G mutation of the mitochondrial MT-ATP6 gene has been associated with numerous cases of neuropathy, ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa and maternally inherited Leigh syndrome, which are diseases known to result from abnormalities affecting mitochondrial energy transduction. We previously reported that an equivalent point mutation severely compromised proton transport through the ATP synthase membrane domain (FO) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and reduced the content of cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV or COX) by 80%. Herein, we report that overexpression of the mitochondrial oxodicarboxylate carrier (Odc1p) considerably increases Complex IV abundance and tricarboxylic acid-mediated substrate-level phosphorylation of ADP coupled to conversion of α-ketoglutarate into succinate in m.8993T>G yeast. Consistently in m.8993T>G yeast cells, the retrograde signaling pathway was found to be strongly induced in order to preserve α-ketoglutarate production; when Odc1p was overexpressed, this stress pathway returned to an almost basal activity. Similar beneficial effects were induced by a partial uncoupling of the mitochondrial membrane with the proton ionophore, cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone. This chemical considerably improved the glutamine-based, respiration-dependent growth of human cytoplasmic hybrid cells that are homoplasmic for the m.8993T>G mutation. These findings shed light on the interdependence between ATP synthase and Complex IV biogenesis, which could lay the groundwork for the creation of nutritional or metabolic interventions for attenuating the effects of mtDNA mutations.
High-Throughput Segmentation of Tiled Biological Structures using Random-Walk Distance Transforms
Authors: Baum Daniel , Weaver James C , Zlotnikov Igor , Knötel David , Tomholt Lara , Dean Mason N
Published: July 2019

Various 3D imaging techniques are routinely used to examine biological materials, the results of which are usually a stack of grayscale images. In order to quantify structural aspects of the biological materials, however, they must first be extracted from the dataset in a process called segmentation. If the individual structures to be extracted are in contact or very close to each other, distance-based segmentation methods utilizing the Euclidean distance transform are commonly employed. Major disadvantages of the Euclidean distance transform, however, are its susceptibility to noise (very common in biological data), which often leads to incorrect segmentations (i.e., poor separation of objects of interest), and its limitation of being only effective for roundish objects. In the present work, we propose an alternative distance transform method, the random-walk distance transform, and demonstrate its effectiveness in high-throughput segmentation of three microCT datasets of biological tilings (i.e., structures composed of a large number of similar repeating units). In contrast to the Euclidean distance transform, the random-walk approach represents the global, rather than the local, geometric character of the objects to be segmented and, thus, is less susceptible to noise. In addition, it is directly applicable to structures with anisotropic shape characteristics. Using three case studies—tessellated cartilage from a stingray, the dermal endoskeleton of a starfish, and the prismatic layer of a bivalve mollusc shell—we provide a typical workflow for the segmentation of tiled structures, describe core image processing concepts that are underused in biological research, and show that for each study system, large amounts of biologically-relevant data can be rapidly segmented, visualized, and analyzed.
Mitochondrial Ecophysiology: Assessing the Evolutionary Forces That Shape Mitochondrial Variation
Authors: McKenzie Jessica L , Chung Dillon J , Healy Timothy M , Brennan Reid S , Bryant Heather J , Whitehead Andrew , Schulte Patricia M
Published: July 2019

The mitonuclear species concept hypothesizes that incompatibilities between interacting gene products of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are a major factor establishing and maintaining species boundaries. However, most of the data available to test this concept come from studies of genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA, and clines in the mitochondrial genome across contact zones can be produced by a variety of forces. Here, we show that using a combination of population genomic analyses of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and studies of mitochondrial function can provide insight into the relative roles of neutral processes, adaptive evolution, and mitonuclear incompatibility in establishing and maintaining mitochondrial clines, using Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) as a case study. There is strong evidence for a role of secondary contact following the last glaciation in shaping a steep mitochondrial cline across a contact zone between northern and southern subspecies of killifish, but there is also evidence for a role of adaptive evolution in driving differentiation between the subspecies in a variety of traits from the level of the whole organism to the level of mitochondrial function. In addition, studies are beginning to address the potential for mitonuclear incompatibilities in admixed populations. However, population genomic studies have failed to detect evidence for a strong and pervasive influence of mitonuclear incompatibilities, and we suggest that polygenic selection may be responsible for the complex patterns observed. This case study demonstrates that multiple forces can act together in shaping mitochondrial clines, and illustrates the challenge of disentangling their relative roles.
Positive effects of low LDL-C and statins on bone mineral density: an integrated epidemiological observation analysis and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Gloria Hoi-Yee , Cheung Ching-Lung , Au Philip Chun-Ming , Tan Kathryn Choon-Beng , Wong Ian Chi-Kei , Sham Pak-Chung
Published: July 2019

Background

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is suggested to play a role in osteoporosis but its association with bone metabolism remains unclear. Effects of LDL-C-lowering drugs on bone are also controversial. We aim to determine whether LDL-C is linked causally to bone mineral density (BMD) and assess the effects of LDL-C-lowering drugs on BMD.

Methods

Association between blood lipid levels and BMD was examined by epidemiological observation analyses in a US representative cohort NHANES III (n = 3638) and the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study (HKOS; n = 1128). Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), employing genetic data from a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) of blood lipids (n = 188 577), total body BMD (TB-BMD) (n = 66 628) and estimated BMD (eBMD) (n= 142 487), was performed to infer causality between LDL-C and BMD. Genetic proxies for LDL-C-lowering drugs were used to examine the drugs’ effects on BMD.

Results

In the NHANES III cohort, each standard deviation (SD) decrease in LDL-C was associated with a 0.045 SD increase in femoral neck BMD (95% CI: 0.009 − 0.081; P = 0.015). A similar increase in BMD was observed in the HKOS at femoral neck and lumbar spine. In MR analysis, a decrease in genetically predicted LDL-C was associated with an increase in TB-BMD {estimate per SD decrease, 0.038 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.002 − 0.074]; P = 0.038} and eBMD [0.076 (0.042 − 0.111); P = 1.20x10−5]. Reduction in TB-BMD was causally associated with increased LDL-C [0.035 (0.033 − 0.066); P = 0.034]. Statins’ LDL-C-lowering proxies were associated with increased TB-BMD [0.18 (0.044 − 0.316); P = 9.600x10−3] and eBMD [0.143 (0.062 − 0.223); P = 5.165x10−4].

Conclusions

Negative causal association exists between LDL-C level and BMD. Statins’ LDL-C-lowering effect increases BMD, suggesting their protective effect on bone.
Even Today, a Western and Gendered Social Science: Persistent Geographic and Gender Biases in Undergraduate IR Teaching
Authors: Knight Sarah Cleeland
Published: July 2019

A perennial critique of international relations is that the field focuses disproportionately on the United States and Europe and contains a gender bias in terms of ignoring issues of particular concern to women. The field is also infamous for how difficult it is for female scholars to publish and have their publications cited. This study evaluates these claims of bias in the area of undergraduate international relations teaching by analyzing an original dataset of 48 introduction to international relations syllabi from ten countries. The study analyzes the authors of required readings and the theories and empirical topics taught, and finds that the geographic and gender biases are both firmly in place. The first finding is that courses assign readings predominantly from US-resident, US-trained, male authors, even those courses taught outside the United States and those taught by female faculty. A second finding is that assigned readings focus overwhelmingly on the United States more than any other country or region, and only 1 percent of readings focus specifically on gender-related issues.
Insights on Funeral Practices and Insects Associated With the Tombs of King Ferrante II d’Aragona and Other Renaissance Nobles
Authors: Loni Augusto , Fornaciari Antonio , Canale Angelo , Giuffra Valentina , Vanin Stefano , Benelli Giovanni
Published: July 2019

The impressive Sacristy of the Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore contains 38 wooden sarcophagi with the bodies of 10 Aragonese princes and other Neapolitan nobles, who died in the 15th and 16th centuries. To improve the knowledge about the entomofauna associated with bodies in archaeological contexts, herein we provide insights on the funerary practices and the insect community associated to Ferrante II King of Naples and other Italian Renaissance mummies of the Aragonese dynasty buried in the Basilica of St. Domenico Maggiore. We identified 842 insect specimens: 88% were Diptera (Muscidae, Fanniidae, and Phoridae), followed by 9% Lepidoptera (Tineidae) and 3% Coleoptera (Dermestidae and Ptinidae). Ninety-seven percent of the specimens were collected from the coffin of Francesco Ferdinando d’Avalos, which was the best preserved. A lack of fly species characterizing the first colonization waves of exposed bodies was noted. The most common fly was the later colonizing muscid Hydrotaea capensis (Wiedemann); only a few Fanniidae (Fannia spp.) were retrieved. The lack of blowflies, coupled with recording H. capensis as the dominant fly, supports our hypothesis that corpses have been kept indoors for a long time under confined environmental conditions. Other explanations include odorous oils/balms having been used in the embalming process, causing the delay or stopping the arrival of first colonizer flies. Hermetically sealing of the coffin with bitumen may also have played a role in preventing access to the corpses. This scenario describes a historical context characterized by a well-advanced knowledge of body preparation, with specific burial techniques adopted for nobles.
Elastic fiber system evaluated in the digestive organ of rats
Authors: Inoue Kouji , Kuroda Noriyuki , Sato Tetsuji
Published: July 2019

According to our previous reports, the intraperiodontal elastic fiber system comprises oxytalan fibers, whereas all types of elastic system fibers are present in the gingiva. Much remains to be elucidated regarding the topographic development of the elastic fiber system that constitutes the walls of the digestive organs. This study aimed to examine the topographic development of the elastic fiber system in the periodontal tissue, oral cavity and digestive tract of rats at light- and electron microscopic levels. At embryonic day 20, in situ hybridization revealed the mRNA expression of tropoelastin in the putative gingival lamina propria but not in the dental follicle. At the postnatal stage, the masticatory mucous membrane of the gingiva and hard palate comprised three different types of elastic system fibers (oxytalan, elaunin and elastic fibers). Conversely, the elastic fiber system comprised elaunin and elastic fibers in other oral mucosae and the lining mucosae of digestive tract organs (the esophagus, stomach and small intestine).

The findings of our study suggest that the elastic fiber system is mainly related to tissue resistance in the periodontal ligament and tissue elasticity in the oral mucosae without masticatory mucosae and the overlying mucosa of digestive tracts and both functions in the gingiva and hard palate, respectively. The appearance of elaunin fibers in the periodontium of rats aged 14 weeks suggests the expression of tropoelastin induced by mechanical stressors such as mastication. The intraperiodontal difference in the distribution of elaunin fibers suggests heterogeneity among fibroblasts constituting the periodontium.
The Role of APAL/ST8SIA6-AS1 lncRNA in PLK1 Activation and Mitotic Catastrophe of Tumor Cells
Authors: Luo Man-Li , Li Jingjing , Shen Liping , Chu Junjun , Guo Qiannan , Liang Guorun , Wu Wei , Chen Jianing , Chen Rufu , Song Erwei
Published: July 2019

Background

Tumor growth can be addicted to vital oncogenes, but whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential to cancer survival is largely uncharacterized.

Methods

We retrieved Gene Expression Omnibus datasets to identify lncRNA overexpression in 257 cancers vs 196 normal tissues and analyzed the association of ST8SIA6-AS1 (termed Aurora A/Polo-like-kinase 1 [PLK1]–associated lncRNA, APAL) with the clinical outcomes of multiple types of cancer from public RNA sequencing and microarray datasets as well as from in-house cancer cohorts. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed to explore the role of APAL in cancers in vitro and in vivo. RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to investigate APAL-interacting proteins. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results

APAL is overexpressed in multiple human cancers associated with poor clinical outcome of patients. APAL knockdown causes mitotic catastrophe and massive apoptosis in human breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer cells. Overexpressing APAL accelerates cancer cell cycle progression, promotes proliferation, and inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Mechanism studies show that APAL links up PLK1 and Aurora A to enhance Aurora A-mediated PLK1 phosphorylation. Notably, targeting APAL inhibits the growth of breast and lung cancer xenografts in vivo (MCF-7 xenografts: mean tumor weight, control = 0.18 g [SD = 0.03] vs APAL locked nucleic acids = 0.07 g [SD = 0.02], P < .001, n = 8 mice per group; A549 xenografts: mean tumor weight control = 0.36 g [SD = 0.10] vs APAL locked nucleic acids = 0.10 g [SD = 0.04], P < .001, n = 9 mice per group) and the survival of patient-derived breast cancer organoids in three-dimensional cultures.

Conclusions

Our data highlight the essential role of lncRNA in cancer cell survival and the potential of APAL as an attractive therapeutic target for a broad-spectrum of cancers.
Patient care without borders: a systematic review of medical and surgical tourism
Authors: Foley Brittany M , Haglin Jack M , Tanzer Joshua Ray , Eltorai Adam E M
Published: July 2019

Background

Medical tourism (MT) is an increasingly utilized modality for acquiring medical treatment for patients globally. This review assimilates the current literature regarding MT, with particular focus on the applications, ethics and economics.

Methods

A systematic review of MEDLINE and PubMed Central databases for publications relating to MT from 2005 to 2018 yielded 43 articles for this review.

Results

Patients seeking elective bariatric, cosmetic and orthopedic surgery abroad are motivated by significantly lower costs, all-inclusive vacation packages and reduced wait times. Complication rates as high as 56% include infection, poor aesthetic and functional outcome and adverse cardiovascular events. Cross-border reproductive care has steadily increased due to less restrictive policies in select countries; however, the depth of research on outcomes and quality of care is abysmal. Stem cell therapy promise treatments that are often not well researched and offer minimal evidence of efficacy, yet patients are drawn to treatment through anecdotal advertisements and a last sense of hope. Transplant surgery sought to decrease wait times carries many of the similar aforementioned risks and may contribute to the practice of organ trafficking in countries with high rates of poverty. Patients and countries alike are motivated by a plethora of factors to engage in the MT industry but may be doing so without accurate knowledge of the quality, safety or potential for economic gain. Safety is of utmost importance to prevent surgical complications and the spread of treatment-resistant bacteria.

Conclusions

MT is growing in popularity and complexity. The lack of standardization in its definition and regulation leads to difficulty in epidemiologic and economic analysis and ethical issues of informed consent and health equity. The findings of this review may be used by the stakeholders of MT, including patients and providers, to enhance informed decision-making and quality of care.
Ionization degree and magnetic diffusivity in the primordial star-forming clouds
Authors: Nakauchi Daisuke , Omukai Kazuyuki , Susa Hajime
Published: July 2019

Magnetic fields play such roles in star formation as the angular momentum transport in star-forming clouds, thereby controlling circumstellar disc formation and even binary star formation efficiency. The coupling between the magnetic field and gas is determined by the ionization degree in the gas. Here, we calculate the thermal and chemical evolution of the primordial gas by solving chemical reaction network where all the reactions are reversed. We find that at ∼1014–1018 cm−3, the ionization degree becomes 100–1000 times higher than the previous results due to the lithium ionization by thermal photons trapped in the cloud, which has been omitted so far. We construct the minimal chemical network which can reproduce correctly the ionization degree as well as the thermal evolution by extracting 36 reactions among 13 species. Using the obtained ionization degree, we evaluate the magnetic field diffusivity. We find that the field dissipation can be neglected for global fields coherent over ≳ a tenth of the cloud size as long as the field is not so strong as to prohibit the collapse. With magnetic fields strong enough for ambipolar diffusion heating to be significant, the magnetic pressure effects to slow down the collapse and to reduce the compressional heating become more important, and the temperature actually becomes lower than in the no-field case.
A study of gamma-ray burst afterglows as they first come into view of the SwiftUltraviolet and Optical Telescope
Authors: Page M J , Oates S R , De Pasquale M , Breeveld A A , Emery S W K , Kuin N P M , Marshall F E , Siegel M H , Roming P W A
Published: July 2019

We examine the emission from optically bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows, as the Ultraviolet and Optical Telescope (UVOT) on the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory first begins observing, following the slew to target the GRB, while the pointing of the Swift satellite is still settling. We verify the photometric quality of the UVOT settling data using bright stars in the field of view. In the majority of cases, we find no problems with the settling exposure photometry, but in one case, we excise the first second of the exposure to mitigate a spacecraft attitude reconstruction issue, and in a second case, we exclude the first second of the exposure in which the UVOT photocathode voltage appears to be ramping up. Of a sample of 23 afterglows which have peak V magnitudes <16, we find that all are detected in the settling exposures, when Swift arrives on target. For nine of the GRBs, the UVOT settling exposure took place before the conclusion of the prompt gamma-ray emission. Five of these GRBs have well-defined optical peaks after the settling exposures, with rises of >0.5 mag in their optical light curves, and there is a marginal trend for these GRBs to have long T90. Such a trend is expected for thick-shell afterglows, but the temporal indices of the optical rises and the timing of the optical peaks appear to rule out thick shells.
Humean Laws and (Nested) Counterfactuals
Authors: Loew Christian , Jaag Siegfried
Published: July 2019

Humean reductionism about laws of nature is the view that the laws reduce to the total distribution of non-modal or categorical properties in spacetime. A worry about Humean reductionism is that it cannot motivate the characteristic modal resilience of laws under counterfactual suppositions and that it thus generates wrong verdicts about certain nested counterfactuals. In this paper, we defend Humean reductionism by motivating an account of the modal resilience of Humean laws that gets nested counterfactuals right.
Managerial Short-Termism and Investment: Evidence from Accelerated Option Vesting*
Authors: Ladika Tomislav , Sautner Zacharias
Published: July 2019

We show that executives cut investment when their incentives become more short term. We examine a unique event in which hundreds of firms eliminated option vesting periods to avoid a drop in income under accounting rule FAS 123-R. This event allowed executives to exercise options earlier and thus profit from boosting short-term performance. Our identification exploits that FAS 123-R’s adoption was staggered almost randomly by firms’ fiscal year-ends. CEOs cut investment and reported higher short-term earnings after option acceleration, and they subsequently increased equity sales.
Irritability and brain volume in adolescents: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations
Authors: Dennis Emily L , Humphreys Kathryn L , King Lucy S , Thompson Paul M , Gotlib Ian H
Published: July 2019

Irritability is garnering increasing attention in psychiatric research as a transdiagnostic marker of both internalizing and externalizing disorders. These disorders often emerge during adolescence, highlighting the need to examine changes in the brain and in psychological functioning during this developmental period. Adolescents were recruited for a longitudinal study examining the effects of early life stress on the development of psychopathology. The 151 adolescents (73 M/78 F, average age = 11.5 years, standard deviation = 1.1) were scanned with a T1-weighted MRI sequence and parents completed reports of adolescent irritability using the Affective Reactivity Index. Of these 151 adolescents, 94 (46 M/48 F) returned for a second session (average interval = 1.9 years, SD = 0.4). We used tensor-based morphometry to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between irritability and regional brain volume. Irritability was associated with brain volume across a number of regions. More irritable individuals had larger hippocampi, insula, medial orbitofrontal cortex and cingulum/cingulate cortex and smaller putamen and internal capsule. Across the brain, more irritable individuals also had larger volume and less volume contraction in a number of areas that typically decrease in volume over the developmental period studied here, suggesting delayed maturation. These structural changes may increase adolescents’ vulnerability for internalizing and externalizing disorders.
Brief CBT for insomnia delivered in primary care to patients endorsing suicidal ideation: a proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial
Authors: Pigeon Wilfred R , Funderburk Jennifer S , Cross Wendi , Bishop Todd M , Crean Hugh F
Published: July 2019

A brief cognitive-behavioral insomnia therapy significantly improved insomnia and depression for primary care patients with insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and either major depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder.
A Needs Analysis of Parents Following Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young
Authors: McDonald Kristie , Sharpe Louise , Yeates Laura , Semsarian Christopher , Ingles Jodie
Published: July 2019

The sudden cardiac death (SCD) of a young person is a devastating event for any parent. Inherited heart disease is often either identified or assumed to be the cause. Few studies have explored the psychosocial impact to the surviving at-risk family members. We sought to investigate the needs of parents who have experienced the SCD of their child (≤45 years). A quantitative needs analysis questionnaire was developed based on semi-structured interviews, including one focus group, and a review of relevant literature. There were 38 parents who completed a cross-sectional quantitative survey. Parents’ perceived needs for information and support spanned medical, psychosocial, spiritual and financial domains. Medical information and support needs were identified as the most important domains, followed by psychosocial, spiritual and financial information and support needs. Importantly, psychosocial information and support needs were reported as the most unmet need, endorsed by 54% of parents. Medical information and support needs were reported as unmet by almost one third of parents. The two most endorsed needs were “To have the option of whether or not you would pursue genetic testing for yourself or family members” and “To understand what happened”. This work demonstrates for the first time, the multifactorial needs of parents after SCD in the young. With the greatest unmet need reported as psychosocial needs, there is clear necessity to find ways of integrating psychological support in to the care of families after SCD in the young.

KEY QUESTIONS

What is already known about this subject?

There is currently very little known about the needs of families following a sudden cardiac death due to inherited heart diseases. We know there is significant risk of poor psychological outcomes including posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief, even years after the death, however this is one of the first studies to formally evaluate the needs of parents during this time.

What does this study add?

We show that medical information and support needs are ranked very highly, but psychosocial support needs are the most unmet. Our findings provide a platform for developing an approach to delivering psychosocial support interventions in this population.

How might this impact on clinical practice?

Currently clinical and research efforts in this setting focus on clinical and genetic aspects of care. Here we show the critical need to also focus on the psychological care needs in this population. These data will help to guide services in integrating psychological support in to their multidisciplinary clinic models.
Accuracy of ECG Chest Electrode Placements by Paramedics; an observational study
Authors: Gregory Pete , Lodge Stephen , Kilner Tim , Paget Suzy
Published: July 2019

Background

The use of the 12-lead ECG is common in UK paramedic practice but its value depends upon accurate placement of the ECG-electrodes. Several studies have shown widespread variation in the placement of chest electrodes by other health professionals but no studies have addressed the accuracy of paramedics. The main objective of this study was to ascertain the accuracy of the chest lead placements by registered paramedics.

Methods

Registered paramedics who attended the Emergency Services Show in Birmingham in September 2018 were invited to participate in this observational study. Participants were asked to place the chest electrodes on a male model in accordance with their current practice. Correct positioning was determined against the Society for Cardiological Science & Technology’s Clinical Guidelines for recording a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (2017) with a tolerance of 19mm being deemed acceptable based upon previous studies.

Results

52 eligible participants completed the study. Measurement of electrode placement in the craniocaudal and mediolateral planes showed a high level of inaccuracy with 3/52 (5.8%) participants able to accurately place all chest leads. In leads V1 - V3, the majority of incorrect placements were related to vertical displacement with most participants able to identify the correct horizontal position. In V4, the tendency was to place the lead too low and to the left of the pre-determined position whilst V5 tended to be below the expected positioning but in the correct horizontal alignment. There was a less defined pattern of error in V6 although vertical displacement was more likely than horizontal displacement.

Conclusions

Our study identified a high level of variation in the placement of chest ECG electrodes which could alter the morphology of the ECG. From a patient safety perspective, we would advocate that paramedics leave the chest electrodes in situ to allow hospital staff to assess the accuracy of the placements.

Key messages

What is already known on this subject

The recording of a prehospital ECG has become increasingly common in sophisticated Emergency Medical Services across the world

The accuracy of precordial ECG electrode placement has been studied with other health professionals and has highlighted varying degrees of accuracy.

Inaccurate electrode placement can lead to aberrant ECG readings and application of unnecessary treatment or the withholding of indicated treatment

What this study adds

In this observational cohort study, we found significant variation in the placement of the precordial ECG electrodes by UK registered paramedics

We recommend that paramedics leave the prehospital ECG electrodes in situ to allow hospital staff to assess the accuracy of the placements.
Controlling swelling and release of hyaluronic acid during aqueous storage by in situ cross-linking during spray drying with alginate
Authors: Wong Dana E. , Cunniffe Julia C. , Scher Herbert B. , Jeoh Tina
Published: July 2019

The success of hyaluronic acid in over-the-counter cosmetics has been limited by its poor storage stability in aqueous environments due to premature swelling and hydrolysis. Here, hyaluronic acid was prepared in dry microparticles, encapsulated by spray-drying in patented in situ calcium cross-linked alginate microcapsules (CLAMs) to minimize swelling and release in aqueous formulations. CLAMs prepared with 61% (d.b.) hyaluronic acid (HA-CLAMs) demonstrated restricted plumping, limited water absorption capacity, and reduced leaching; retaining up to 49 % hyaluronic acid after 2 hrs in water. A new method using chelated soluble calcium resulted in particles with significantly improved hyaluronic acid retention in water. ‘Chelate HA-CLAMs’ exhibited nearly full retention of hyaluronic acid over 2 hr incubation in water, and remained visibly insoluble after 1 year of storage in water at 4°C. Successful hyaluronic acid retention in CLAMs is likely due to the ability of hyaluronic acid to participate in calcium cross-linking.
Mechanics of MTOC clustering and spindle positioning in budding yeast Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Chatterjee Saptarshi , Som Subhendu , Varshney Neha , Satyadev PVS , Sanyal Kaustuv , Paul Raja
Published: July 2019

The dynamic process of mitotic spindle assembly depends on multitudes of inter-dependent interactions involving kinetochores (KTs), microtubules (MTs), spindle pole bodies (SPBs), and molecular motors. Before forming the mitotic spindle, multiple visible microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) coalesce into a single focus to serve as a SPB in the pathogenic budding yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans. To explain this unusual phenomenon in the fungal kingdom, we propose a ‘search and capture’ model, in which cytoplasmic MTs (cMTs) nucleated by MTOCs grow and capture each other to promote MTOC clustering. Our quantitative modeling identifies multiple redundant mechanisms mediated by a combination of cMT-cell cortex interactions and inter-cMT coupling to facilitate MTOC clustering within the physiological time limit as determined by time-lapse live-cell microscopy. Besides, we screen various possible mechanisms by computational modeling and propose optimal conditions that favor proper spindle positioning - a critical determinant for timely chromosome segregation. These analyses also reveal that a combined effect of MT buckling, dynein pull, and cortical push maintains spatiotemporal spindle localization.
Two Forms of Knowledge Representations in the Human Brain
Authors: Wang Xiaoying , Men Weiwei , Gao Jiahong , Caramazza Alfonso , Bi Yanchao
Published: July 2019

Sensory experience shapes what and how knowledge is stored in the brain -- our knowledge about the color of roses depends in part on the activity of color-responsive neurons based on experiences of seeing roses. We study the brain basis of color knowledge in congenitally blind individuals whose color knowledge can only be obtained through language descriptions. We found that some regions support color knowledge only in the sighted. More importantly, a region in the left dorsal anterior temporal lobe supports object color knowledge in both the blind and sighted groups, indicating the existence of a sensory-independent knowledge coding system in both groups. Thus, there are (at least) two forms of object knowledge representations in the human brain: sensory-derived and cognitively-derived knowledge, supported by different brain systems.
Widespread remodelling of proteome solubility in response to different protein homeostasis stresses
Authors: Sui Xiaojing , Pires Douglas E. V. , Nie Shuai , Vecchi Giulia , Vendruscolo Michele , Ascher David B. , Reid Gavin E. , Hatters Danny M.
Published: July 2019

The accumulation of protein deposits in neurodegenerative diseases involves the presence of a metastable subproteome vulnerable to aggregation. To investigate this subproteome and the mechanisms that regulates it, we measured the proteome solubility of the Neuro2a cell line under protein homeostasis stresses induced by Huntington Disease proteotoxicity; Hsp70, Hsp90, proteasome and ER-mediated folding inhibition; and oxidative stress. We found one-quarter of the proteome extensively changed solubility. Remarkably, almost all the increases in insolubility were counteracted by increases in solubility of other proteins. Each stress directed a highly specific pattern of change, which reflected the remodelling of protein complexes involved in adaptation to perturbation, most notably stress granule proteins, which responded differently to different stresses. These results indicate that the robustness of protein homeostasis relies on the absence of proteins highly vulnerable to aggregation and on large changes in aggregation state of regulatory mechanisms that restore protein solubility upon specific perturbations.
Molecular mechanism for the recognition of sequence-divergent CIF peptides by the plant receptor kinases GSO1/SGN3 and GSO2
Authors: Okuda Satohiro , Fujita Satoshi , Moretti Andrea , Hohmann Ulrich , Doblas Verónica G. , Ma Yan , Pfister Alexandre , Brandt Benjamin , Geldner Niko , Hothorn Michael
Published: July 2019

Plants use leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) to sense sequence diverse peptide hormones at the cell surface. A 3.0 Å crystal structure of the LRR-RK GSO1/SGN3 regulating Casparian strip formation in the endodermis reveals a large spiral-shaped ectodomain. The domain provides a binding platform for 21 amino-acid CIF peptide ligands, which are tyrosine sulfated by the tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase TPST/SGN2. GSO1/SGN3 harbors a binding pocket for sulfotyrosine and makes extended backbone interactions with CIF2. Quantitative biochemical comparisons reveal that GSO1/SGN3 – CIF2 represents one of the strongest receptor-ligand pairs known in plants. Multiple missense mutations are required to block CIF2 binding in vitro, and GSO1/SGN3 function in vivo. Using structure-guided sequence analysis we uncover novel CIF peptides conserved among higher plants. Quantitative binding assays with known and novel CIFs suggest that the homologous LRR-RKs GSO1/SGN3 and GSO2 have evolved unique peptide binding properties to control different developmental processes. A quantitative biochemical interaction screen, a CIF peptide antagonist and genetic analyses together implicate SERK LRR-RKs as essential co-receptor kinases required for GSO1/SGN3 and GSO2 receptor activation. 0ur work provides a mechanistic framework for the recognition of sequence-divergent peptide hormones in plants.

Significance Statement

Two sequence-related plant membrane receptor kinases and their shape-complementary co-receptors are shown to selectively sense members of a small family of secreted peptide hormones to control formation of an important diffusion barrier in the plant root.
Examining the relationship between prenatal depression, amygdala-prefrontal structural connectivity and behaviour in preschool children
Authors: Hay Rebecca E. , Reynolds Jess E. , Grohs Melody , Paniukov Dmitrii , Giesbrecht Gerald F. , Letourneau Nicole , Dewey Deborah , Lebel Catherine
Published: July 2019

Prenatal depression is a common, underrecognized, and undertreated condition with negative consequences on child behaviour and brain development. Neurological dysfunction of the amygdala, cingulate cortex and hippocampus are associated with the development of depression and stress disorders in youth and adults. Although prenatal depression is associated with both child behaviour and neurological dysfunction, the relationship between these variables remains unclear. In this study, fifty-four mothers completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) during the second and third trimester of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum. Their children’s behaviour was assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), and the children had diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at age 4.1 +/− 0.8 years. Associations between prenatal depressive symptoms, child behaviour, and child brain structure were investigated. Third trimester EDS scores were associated with altered white matter in the amygdala-frontal tract and the cingulum, controlling for postpartum depression. Externalizing behaviour was sexually differentiated in the amygdala-frontal pathway. Altered structural connectivity between the amygdala and frontal cortex mediated the relationship between third trimester maternal depressive symptoms and child externalizing behaviour in males, but not females. These findings suggest that altered brain structure is a possible mechanism via which prenatal depressive symptoms can impact child behaviour, highlighting the importance of both recognition and intervention in prenatal depression.
Neurology-related protein biomarkers are associated with general fluid cognitive ability and brain volume in older age
Authors: Harris Sarah E. , Cox Simon R. , Bell Steven , Marioni Riccardo E. , Prins Bram P , Pattie Alison , Corley Janie , Muñoz Maniega Susana , Valdés Hernández Maria , Morris Zoe , John Sally , Bronson Paola G. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Starr John M. , Bastin Mark E. , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Butterworth Adam S , Deary Ian J.
Published: July 2019

Identifying the biological correlates of late life cognitive function is important if we are to ascertain biomarkers for, and develop treatments to help reduce, age-related cognitive decline. This study investigated the associations between plasma levels of 91 neurology-related proteins (Olink® Proteomics) and general fluid cognitive ability in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936, N=798), the Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 (LBC1921, N=165), and the INTERVAL BioResource, (N=4,451). In LBC1936, we also examined mediation of protein-cognitive ability associations by MRI-derived indices of brain structure. In the LBC1936, 22 of the proteins and the first principal component (PC) created from a PC analysis of the 91 proteins, were associated with general fluid cognitive ability (β between −0.11 and −0.17, p<0.0029). Total brain volume partially mediated the association between 10 of these proteins and general fluid cognitive ability. Effect sizes for the 22 proteins, although smaller, were all in the same direction as in LBC1936 in an age-matched subsample of INTERVAL. Similar effect sizes were found for the majority of these 22 proteins in the older LBC1921. The associations were not replicated in a younger subset of INTERVAL. In conclusion, we identified plasma levels of a number of neurology-related proteins that were associated with general fluid cognitive ability in later life, some of which were mediated by brain volume.
Reconciling Dimensional and Categorical Models of Autism Heterogeneity: a Brain Connectomics & Behavioral Study
Authors: Tang Siyi , Sun Nanbo , Floris Dorothea L. , Zhang Xiuming , Di Martino Adriana , Yeo B.T. Thomas
Published: July 2019

Background

Heterogeneity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has hindered the development of biomarkers, thus motivating subtyping efforts. Most subtyping studies divide ASD individuals into non-overlapping (categorical) subgroups. However, continuous inter-individual variation in ASD suggests the need for a dimensional approach.

Methods

A Bayesian model was employed to decompose resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of ASD individuals into multiple abnormal RSFC patterns, i.e., categorical subtypes henceforth referred to as “factors”. Importantly, the model allowed each individual to express one or more factors to varying degrees (dimensional subtyping). The model was applied to 306 ASD individuals (age 5.2-57 years) from two multisite repositories. Posthoc analyses associated factors with symptoms and demographics.

Results

Analyses yielded three factors with dissociable whole-brain hypo/hyper RSFC patterns. Most participants expressed multiple (categorical) factors, suggestive of a mosaic of subtypes within individuals. All factors shared abnormal RSFC involving the default network, but the directionality (hypo/hyper RSFC) differed across factors. Factor 1 was associated with core ASD symptoms, while factor 2 was associated with comorbid symptoms. Older males preferentially expressed factor 3. Factors were robust across multiple control analyses and not associated with IQ, nor head motion.

Conclusions

There exist at least three ASD factors with dissociable patterns of whole-brain RSFC, behaviors and demographics. Heterogeneous default network hypo/hyper RSFC across the factors might explain previously reported inconsistencies. The factors differentiated between core ASD and comorbid symptoms - a less appreciated domain of heterogeneity in ASD. These factors are co-expressed in ASD individuals with different degrees, thus reconciling categorical and dimensional perspectives of ASD heterogeneity.
Decision-making flexibility in New Caledonian crows, young children and adult humans in a multi-dimensional tool-use task
Authors: Miller Rachael , Gruber Romana , Frohnwieser Anna , Schiestl Martina , Jelbert Sarah A. , Gray Russell D. , Boeckle Markus , Taylor Alex H. , Clayton Nicola S.
Published: July 2019

The ability to make profitable decisions in natural foraging contexts may be influenced by an additional requirement of tool-use, due to increased levels of relational complexity and additional work-effort imposed by tool-use, compared with simply choosing between an immediate and delayed food item. We examined the flexibility for making the most profitable decisions in a multi-dimensional tool-use task, involving different apparatuses, tools and rewards of varying quality, in 3-5-year-old children, adult humans and tool-making New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides). We also compared our results to previous studies on habitually tool-making orangutans (Pongo abelii) and non-tool-making Goffin’s cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana). Adult humans, cockatoos and crows, though not children and orangutans, did not select a tool when it was not necessary, which was the more profitable choice in this situation. Adult humans, orangutans and cockatoos, though not crows and children, were able to refrain from selecting non-functional tools. By contrast, the birds, though not primates tested, struggled to attend to multiple variables - where two apparatuses, two tools and two reward qualities were presented simultaneously - without extended experience. These findings indicate: (1) in a similar manner to humans and orangutans, New Caledonian crows and Goffin’s cockatoos can flexibly make profitable decisions in some decision-making tool-use tasks, though the birds may struggle when tasks become more complex; (2) children and orangutans may have a bias to use tools in situations where adults and other tool-making species do not.