bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Viola mirabilis (Violaceae) using a next‐generation sequencing platform
Authors: Kang Jong‐Soo , Lee Byoungyoon , Kwak Myounghai
Published: January 2017

We isolated and characterized microsatellite loci in Viola mirabilis (Violaceae), an endangered species from South Korea. Twenty‐three polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and tested in Korean, Chinese and Japanese populations. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to eight. The observed and expected heterozygosities within the three populations were 0.000–0.625 and 0.469–0.695, respectively. A total of six loci in the Korean population, one locus in the Chinese population and seven loci in the Japanese population deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. We expect that these newly developed microsatellite markers will contribute to understanding the phylogeography and population genetics of V. mirabilis, which will aid in developing conservation strategies for this species.
Comparative genomics of Mortierella elongata and its bacterial endosymbiont Mycoavidus cysteinexigens
Authors: Uehling J. , Gryganskyi A. , Hameed K. , Tschaplinski T. , Misztal P. K. , Wu S. , Desirò A. , Vande Pol N. , Du Z. , Zienkiewicz A. , Zienkiewicz K. , Morin E. , Tisserant E. , Splivallo R. , Hainaut M. , Henrissat B. , Ohm R. , Kuo A. , Yan J. , Lipzen A. , Nolan M. , LaButti K. , Barry K. , Goldstein A. H. , Labbé J. , Schadt C. , Tuskan G. , Grigoriev I. , Martin F. , Vilgalys R. , Bonito G.
Published: January 2017

Endosymbiosis of bacteria by eukaryotes is a defining feature of cellular evolution. In addition to well‐known bacterial origins for mitochondria and chloroplasts, multiple origins of bacterial endosymbiosis are known within the cells of diverse animals, plants and fungi. Early‐diverging lineages of terrestrial fungi harbor endosymbiotic bacteria belonging to the Burkholderiaceae. We sequenced the metagenome of the soil‐inhabiting fungus Mortierella elongata and assembled the complete circular chromosome of its endosymbiont, Mycoavidus cysteinexigens, which we place within a lineage of endofungal symbionts that are sister clade to Burkholderia. The genome of M. elongata strain AG77 features a core set of primary metabolic pathways for degradation of simple carbohydrates and lipid biosynthesis, while the M. cysteinexigens (AG77) genome is reduced in size and function. Experiments using antibiotics to cure the endobacterium from the host demonstrate that the fungal host metabolism is highly modulated by presence/absence of M. cysteinexigens. Independent comparative phylogenomic analyses of fungal and bacterial genomes are consistent with an ancient origin for M. elongata – M. cysteinexigens symbiosis, most likely over 350 million years ago and concomitant with the terrestrialization of Earth and diversification of land fungi and plants.
Differential Recruitment of Brain Regions During Response Inhibition in Children Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol
Authors: Kodali Vikas N. , Jacobson Joseph L. , Lindinger Nadine M. , Dodge Neil C. , Molteno Christopher D. , Meintjes Ernesta M. , Jacobson Sandra W.
Published: January 2017

Background

Response inhibition is a distinct aspect of executive function that is frequently impaired in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). We used a Go/NoGo (GNG) task in a functional MRI protocol to investigate differential activation of brain regions in the response inhibition network in children diagnosed with full or partial fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS/PFAS), compared with healthy controls.

Methods

A rapid, event‐related task with 120 Go and 60 NoGo trials was used to study children aged 8 to 12 years—8 with FAS/PFAS, 17 controls. Letters were projected sequentially, with Go and NoGo trials randomly interspersed across the task. BOLD signal in the whole brain was contrasted for the correct NoGo minus correct Go trials between the FAS/PFAS and control groups.

Results

Compared to the FAS/PFAS group, controls showed greater activation of the inferior frontal and anterior cingulate network linked to response inhibition in typically developing children. By contrast, the FAS/PFAS group showed greater BOLD response in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and other middle prefrontal regions, suggesting compensation for inefficient function of pathways that normally mediate inhibitory processing. All group differences were significant after control for potential confounding variables. None of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on activation of the regions associated with response inhibition were attributable to the effects of this exposure on IQ.

Conclusions

This is the first FASD GNG study in which all participants in the exposed group met criteria for a diagnosis of full FAS or PFAS. Although FASD is frequently comorbid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the pattern of brain activation seen in these disorders differs, suggesting that different neural pathways mediate response inhibition in FASD and that different interventions for FASD are, therefore, warranted.
Higher 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with greater odds of remission with anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α medications among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Winter R. W. , Collins E. , Cao B. , Carrellas M. , Crowell A. M. , Korzenik J. R.
Published: January 2017

Background

Vitamin D has been linked to disease activity among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Prior investigation has also suggested that vitamin D levels may affect duration of therapy with anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (anti‐TNF‐α) medications among patients with IBD.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and odds of reaching remission while on an anti‐TNF‐α medication.

Methods

A total of 521 IBD patients enrolled in the Brigham and Women's IBD Centre database were eligible for inclusion. Patients treated with anti‐TNF‐α therapy who had vitamin D levels drawn within 6 months prior or 2 weeks after initiation of anti‐TNF‐α medication and who had reported remission status at 3 months were included. A logistic regression model adjusting for age, gender, IBD diagnosis, anti‐TNF‐α medication (infliximab vs. adalimumab) and first or subsequent anti‐TNF‐α medication was used to identify the effect of vitamin D level on initial response to anti‐TNF‐α therapy.

Results

A total of 173 patients were included in the final analysis. On logistic regression, patients with normal vitamin D levels n = 122 at the time of anti‐TNF‐α medication initiation had a 2.64 increased odds of remission at 3 months compared to patients with low vitamin D levels n = 51 when controlling for age, gender, diagnosis, type of anti‐TNF‐α medication and first or subsequent anti‐TNF‐α medication (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.31–5.32, P = 0.0067).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that vitamin D levels may influence initial response to anti‐TNF‐α medication and that low vitamin D levels may pre‐dispose patients to decreased odds of remission.
Complications of percutaneous liver biopsy with Klatskin needles: a 36‐year single‐centre experience
Authors: Takyar V. , Etzion O. , Heller T. , Kleiner D. E. , Rotman Y. , Ghany M. G. , Fryzek N. , Williams V. H. , Rivera E. , Auh S. , Liang T. J. , Hoofnagle J. H. , Koh C.
Published: January 2017

Background

Liver biopsy is the gold standard in evaluating liver diseases but is susceptible to complications. Safety data on aspiration needle biopsies remain limited.

Aim

To evaluate the safety of percutaneous liver biopsy performed with Klatskin needle.

Methods

Clinical and biochemical data were retrospectively retrieved from sequential subjects who underwent liver biopsy with Klatskin needle from 1978 to 2015. Subjects with complications underwent thorough chart reviews for hospital course.

Results

Of 3357 biopsies performed, complications occurred in 135 (4%) biopsies with 33 (1%) resulting in major complications. Severe pain occurred in 78 (2.3%) subjects and bleeding occurred in 21 (0.6%) subjects. Biliary injury occurred in 8 (0.2%) biopsies. Three subjects died as a result of massive intraperitoneal bleeding. Compared to viral hepatitis, biopsies performed with certain diagnosis had significantly higher odds of major complications: NRH (OR: 17), DILI (OR: 20), GVHD (OR: 32) and HCC (OR: 34). Subjects with major complications had higher pre‐biopsy median AP (153 vs. 78 U/L, P < 0.001), ALT (105 vs. 64 U/L, P < 0.05), AST (62 vs. 47 U/L, P < 0.02), along with marginally lower total bilirubin (1.0 vs. 0.7 mg/dL, P < 0.01) and albumin (3.7 vs. 4.0 g/dL, P < 0.001). By multivariate backward logistic regression, platelets ≤100 K/μL and aPTT >35 were independent risk factors of post‐biopsy bleeding.

Conclusion

Klatskin needle liver biopsies are safe with rare procedural morbidity. Our data suggests certain acutely ill subjects and those with systemic illnesses may be at higher risk of major complications. Clinicians should weigh the risks and benefits of liver biopsy in these patients with other alternative approaches.
Retracted: EphB3‐targeted regulation of miR‐149 in the migration and invasion of human colonic carcinoma HCT116 and SW620 cells
Authors: Zhang Guodong , Liu Xiaozhu , Li Yinfeng , Wang Yan , Liang Huankun , Li Kangyan , Li Laiqing , Chen Cuicui , Sun Wenqiao , Ren Shoulei , Zhu Pengfei , Zhang Licheng
Published: January 2017

microRNAs play key roles during various crucial cell processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Also, microRNAs have been shown to possess oncogenic and tumor‐suppressive functions in human cancers. Here, we describe the regulation and function of miR‐149 in colorectal cancer cell lines. miR‐149 expression patterns were detected in human colorectal cell lines and tissue samples, and then focused on its role in regulation of cell growth, migration, invasion, and its target gene identification. Furthermore, the function of the target gene of miR‐149 was analyzed in vitro and in vivo. miR‐149 expression was downregulated in human colorectal cancer HCT116 and SW620 cell lines compared to the normal colon epithelial NCM460 cell line using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction methods. Further studies indicated that introduction of miR‐149 was able to suppress cell migration and invasion. Then, EphB3 was identified as a direct target gene of miR‐149 in colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, experiments in vitro showed that knockdown expression of EphB3 could suppress cell proliferation and invasion, and ectopic expression of EphB3 restored the phenotypes of CRC cell lines transfected with miR149. In addition, silencing of EphB3 significantly affected cycle progression distribution and increased apoptosis in CRC cell lines. Finally, in vivo results demonstrated that knockdown of EphB3 by siRNA inhibited tumor growth. In conclusion,the important role of miR‐149 in colorectal cancer progression suggesting that miR‐149 may serve as a therapeutic target for colorectal cancer treatment.
Variations in crestal cortical bone thickness at dental implant sites in different regions of the jawbone
Authors: Ko Yi‐Chun , Huang Heng‐Li , Shen Yen‐Wen , Cai Jyun‐Yi , Fuh Lih‐Jyh , Hsu Jui‐Ting
Published: January 2017

Background

Dental implants have become reliable and predictable tools for treating missing teeth. The survival rate of dental implants is markedly influenced by the host bone quality and quantity of the jawbone. A better host bone provides higher initial stability of the dental implant, resulting in better osseointegration and a higher success rate. Host bone quality and quantity are determined by the crestal cortical bone thickness and inner cancellous bone density.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the crestal cortical bone thickness at dental implant sites in different regions of the jawbone through the use of dental cone‐beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images.

Materials and Methods

A total of 661 dental implant sites (81 in the anterior mandible, 122 in the anterior maxilla, 224 in the posterior mandible, and 234 in the posterior maxilla) were obtained from the jawbones of 173 humans. The data were subjected to statistical analysis to determine any correlation between crestal cortical bone thicknesses and jawbone regions using one‐way analysis of variance with Tukey's post‐test.

Results

The crestal cortical bone thicknesses at dental implant sites in the four regions decreased in the following order: posterior mandible (1.07 ± 0.47 mm, mean ± SD) >anterior mandible (0.99 ± 0.36 mm) >anterior maxilla (0.82 ± 0.30 mm) >posterior maxilla (0.75 ± 0.35 mm).

Conclusion

The dental CBCT data demonstrate that crestal cortical bone thickness varies markedly between dental implant sites in the four regions of the jawbone.
Sustainability and comanagement of subsistence hunting in an indigenous reserve in Guyana
Authors: Shaffer Christopher A. , Milstein Marissa S. , Yukuma Charakura , Marawanaru Elisha , Suse Phillip
Published: January 2017

Although hunting is a key component of subsistence strategies of many Amazonians, it is also one of the greatest threats to wildlife. Because indigenous reserves comprise over 20% of Amazonia, effective conservation often requires that conservation professionals work closely with indigenous groups to manage resource use. We used hunter‐generated harvesting data in spatially explicit biodemographic models to assess the sustainability of subsistence hunting of indigenous Waiwai in Guyana. We collected data through a hunter self‐monitoring program, systematic follows of hunters, and semistructured interviews. We used these data to predict future densities of 2 indicator species, spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus) and bearded sakis (Chiropotes sagulatus), under different scenarios of human population expansion and changing hunting technology. We used encounter rates from transect surveys and hunter catch‐per‐unit effort (CPUE) to validate model predictions. Paca (Cuniculus paca) (198 /year), Currosaw (Crax alector) (168), and spider monkey (117) were the most frequently harvested species. Predicted densities of spider monkeys were statistically indistinguishable from empirically derived transect data (Kolmogorov–SmirnovD= 0.67,p= 0.759) and CPUE (D= 0.32,p= 1.000), demonstrating the robustness of model predictions.AtelespaniscusandC. sagulatuswere predicted to be extirpated from <13% of the Waiwai reserve in 20 years, even under the most intensive hunting scenarios. Our results suggest Waiwai hunting is currently sustainable, primarily due to their low population density and use of bow and arrow. Continual monitoring is necessary, however, particularly if human population increases are accompanied by a switch to shotgun‐only hunting. We suggest that hunter self‐monitoring and biodemographic modeling can be used effectively in a comanagement approach in which indigenous parabiologists continuously provide hunting data that is then used to update model parameters and validate model predictions.
Exploring Collaborative Civic Leadership Among Young Tunisians: Inviting Despair, Creating Hope
Authors: Kincaid Sarah McLewin
Published: January 2017

This article explores how civically engaged youth in Tunisia are approaching collaboration with noncivically engaged youth to promote greater levels of civic participation. This article is based on qualitative research conducted in Tunis, Tunisia during the summer of 2015 with 16 youth, all under the age of 35. This article will explore youth attitudes regarding civic engagement and barriers to participation in postauthoritarian Tunisia. This article also explores how civically engaged youth utilize informal social spaces such as coffee shops, universities, and social media sites to stir a sense of hope and pride in activism. This research provides a rich snapshot of civically and noncivically engaged youth who comprise 51% of Tunisia's population and led the 2011 revolution that burgeoned the so‐called Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East. These findings bring into question labels such as “politically inactive” and “potential ISIS fighters” that are employed in the dominant narrative on Tunisian youth. Finally, this research suggests that Tunisian youth wield powerful leadership skills that will continue to play a critical role in the transformation of civic and social norms.
Double trouble: A case of periprocedural detection of intracardiac thrombus and aortic root dissection during emergent transfemoral TAVR
Authors: Corredor Carlos , Horlick Eric , Tsang Wendy , Meineri Massimiliano
Published: January 2017

We report a case of emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a 65‐year‐old patient presenting with decompensated severe aortic stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used effectively to obtain measurements of the aortic annulus and for intra‐procedural guidance. At baseline, we detected a left atrial appendage thrombus and a localized aortic root dissection after balloon valvuloplasty. The case highlights the important role that TEE may play during TAVR procedures.
Successful small intestinal resection and anastomosis in a late term broodmare with colic via a standing left flank laparotomy
Authors: Howes D. A. , Kerr T. A. , McQuillan R. , Kerr R. T. , Connell J. S.
Published: January 2017

A late term broodmare presented with low‐grade intestinal colic. Clinical findings were consistent with a small intestinal lesion requiring surgical intervention. The risks of general anaesthesia to the fetus, combined with clinical findings in an otherwise quiet natured horse influenced the decision to choose an alternative standing left flank approach first. A small intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed successfully and the mare delivered a healthy foal without complications a month later. Standing colic surgery might be a preferred alternative to general anaesthesia in certain circumstances as discussed in this case report.
Coupled biochar amendment and limited irrigation strategies do not affect a degraded soil food web in a maize agroecosystem, compared to the native grassland
Authors: Pressler Yamina , Foster Erika J. , Moore John C. , Cotrufo M. Francesca
Published: January 2017

Climate change is predicted to increase climate variability and frequency of extreme events such as drought, straining water resources in agricultural systems. Thus, limited irrigation strategies and soil amendments are being explored to conserve water in crop production. Biochar is the recalcitrant, carbon‐based coproduct of biomass pyrolysis during bioenergy production. When used as a soil amendment, biochar can increase soil water retention while enhancing soil properties and stimulating food webs. We investigated the effects of coupled biochar amendment and limited irrigation on belowground food web structure and function in an irrigated maize agroecosystem. We hypothesized that soil biota biomass and activity would decrease with limited irrigation and increase with biochar amendment and that biochar amendment would mitigate the impact of limited irrigation on the soil food web. One year after biochar addition, we extracted, identified, and estimated the biomass of taxonomic groups of soil biota (e.g., bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and arthropods) from wood‐derived biochar‐amended (30 Mg ha−1) and nonamended soils under maize with limited (two‐thirds of full) and full irrigation. We modeled structural and functional properties of the soil food web. Neither biochar amendment nor limited irrigation had a significant effect on biomass of the soil biota groups. Modeled soil respiration and nitrogen mineralization fluxes were not different between treatments. A comparison of the structure and function of the agroecosystem soil food web and a nearby native grassland revealed that in this temperate system, the negative impact of long‐term conventional agricultural management outweighed the impact of limited irrigation. One year of biochar amendment did not mitigate nor further contribute to the negative effects of historical agricultural management.
Radio‐cephalic fistula recovered with drainage to forearm basilic vein
Authors: Norton de Matos António , Sousa Clemente Neves , Almeida Paulo , Teles Paulo , Loureiro Luís , Teixeira Gabriela , Rego Duarte , Teixeira Sérgio
Published: January 2017

Dysfunction problems with vascular access are a concern to patients and dialysis units. The vascular surgeon should analyse such dysfunction and perform a careful assessment of the vascular network in order to find new fistula layouts. We introduce and discuss the case of creation of a radio‐cephalic fistula with outflow into the forearm basilic vein through rotation of the forearm basilic vein toward the cephalic vein in the forearm of an 88‐year‐old hemodialysis male patient. This technique enables extending fistula patency and improves cost efficiency.
An in vitro model yields ‘importin’ new insights into chronic traumatic encephalopathy: damaged astrocytes stop ‘thrombospondin’ to the injury
Authors: Jaber Sausan M. , Polster Brian M.
Published: January 2017

Read the highlighted article ‘Defective synthesis and release of astrocytic thrombospondin‐1 mediates the neuronal TDP‐43 proteinopathy, resulting in defects in neuronal integrity associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy: in vitro studies’ on page 645.
Tamoxifen and its active metabolites inhibit dopamine transporter function independently of the estrogen receptors
Authors: Mikelman Sarah R. , Guptaroy Bipasha , Gnegy Margaret E.
Published: January 2017

As one of the primary mechanisms by which dopamine signaling is regulated, the dopamine transporter (DAT) is an attractive pharmacological target for the treatment of diseases based in dopaminergic dysfunction. In this work we demonstrate for the first time that the commonly prescribed breast cancer therapeutic tamoxifen and its major metabolites, 4‐hydroxytamoxifen and endoxifen, inhibit DAT function. Tamoxifen inhibits [3H]dopamine uptake into human DAT (hDAT)‐N2A cells via an uncompetitive or mixed mechanism. Endoxifen, an active metabolite of tamoxifen, asymmetrically inhibits DAT function in hDAT‐N2A cells, showing a preference for the inhibition of amphetamine‐stimulated dopamine efflux as compared to dopamine uptake. Importantly, we demonstrate that the effects of tamoxifen and its metabolites on the DAT occur independently of its activity as selective estrogen receptor modulators. This work suggests that tamoxifen is inhibiting DAT function through a previously unidentified mechanism.

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A Mean‐Preserving Increase in Ambiguity and Portfolio Choices
Authors: Huang Yi‐Chieh , Tzeng Larry Y.
Published: January 2017

This article investigates under what conditions an increase in ambiguity reduces demand for an uncertain asset (or raises demand for coinsurance). We find that the comparative statics of ambiguity and of risks have structural similarities under the smooth ambiguity aversion model (Klibanoff, Marinacci, and Mukerji, ()). The determinant condition on ambiguity preferences is analogous to that on risk preferences. However, the comparative statics have fundamental differences under the ‐maxmin model (Ghirardato, Maccheroni, and Marinacci, ()). When relative risk aversion is less than 1, only an increase in ambiguity, which broadens support for an investor's belief in the probability of the return distribution in the manner of a strong increase in risk, can reduce demand for an uncertain asset.
The Role of Innovation Intermediaries in Firm‐Innovation Community Collaboration: Navigating the Membership Paradox
Authors: Lauritzen Ghita Dragsdahl
Published: January 2017

Research on user innovation shows that tensions in collaborations between firms and innovation communities can hinder innovation, and that innovation intermediaries can help resolve these tensions by bridging opposing interests. Despite the compelling role of innovation intermediaries, few studies on such mediation exist. Using an embedded case study, this article examines the role of an innovation intermediary that facilitates online innovation contests for client firms and identifies an apparent membership paradox evolving around three key tensions of power, competence, and identity. The article reveals that innovation intermediaries shape new understandings of power, competence, and identity that shift focus from resolving tensions to managing paradoxes. The membership paradox (re)appears at both the project level (between control and openness) and at the individual level, between professionalism and personality for employees and between imitation and authenticity for community participants. This article contributes to the user innovation literature by demonstrating how opposing firm and community interests are mediated through managing new forms of membership uncertainty. Moreover, the lens of paradox management offers a novel dimension to explaining why tensions that arise between firms and innovation communities are difficult to resolve, and also how the ensuing gaps in mutual understanding might be tackled. Theoretical and managerial implications of these findings for user innovation researchers and practitioners are discussed.
EXPLORING CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS' COORDINATION OF EUROPEAN UNION AFFAIRS
Authors: JENSEN MADS DAGNIS
Published: January 2017

This study explores the coordination mechanisms managed by the central governments of the European Union (EU) in order to develop negotiation positions for their plenipotentiaries in the Council. Utilizing novel data from an expert survey, the first part examines the relationships within and between the structures and processes of EU coordination, the actors involved, and the mechanisms' efficacy. The analysis shows that highly formalized coordination mechanisms are associated with developing timely, clear and consistent negotiation positions. The second part allocates the 28 member states' EU coordination mechanisms into different clusters, including unicentric, pluricentric, decentric, proactive, reactive, politicized, depoliticized, high efficacy and low efficacy. Intriguing differences are identified, such as the fact that the Central and Eastern European member states' mechanisms are typically more reactive where coordination centres on the national capital and the Council negotiations.
Commuting stress process and self‐regulation at work: Moderating roles of daily task significance, family interference with work, and commuting means efficacy
Authors: Zhou Le , Wang Mo , Chang Chu‐Hsiang , Liu Songqi , Zhan Yujie , Shi Junqi
Published: January 2017

Based on self‐regulation theories of stress processes, this study proposed a model to examine the within‐person mediation relationship between morning commuting stressors and self‐regulation at work via morning commuting strain. In addition, the study examined the moderating roles of daily task significance, daily family interference with work, and commuting means efficacy in this mediation model. Results from 45 bus commuters’ daily diary data over a period of 15 workdays indicated that the amount of morning commuting stressors experienced by the bus commuters was positively related to their morning commuting strain, which, in turn, had a negative impact on self‐regulation at work. At the within‐person level, daily task significance buffered the negative indirect relationship between morning commuting stressors and self‐regulation at work via morning commuting strain, whereas daily family interference with work in the morning exacerbated this negative indirect relationship. Further, at the between‐person level, commuting means efficacy buffered this negative indirect relationship such that the negative indirect effect was weaker for workers with higher (vs. lower) commuting means efficacy. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA‐II) producing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of lung with multiple liver metastases: A case report
Authors: Kurohama Hirokazu , Mihara Yumi , Izumi Yasumori , Kamata Masatsugu , Nagashima Seiji , Komori Atsumasa , Matsuoka Yojiro , Ueki Nozomi , Nakashima Masahiro , Ito Masahiro
Published: January 2017

A 78‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital for multiple lung and liver tumors. Initial clinical diagnosis was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with lung metastases because of a high value of serum protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA‐II) (6,705 mAU/mL). However, a review of a prior CT showed the lung tumor had existed 6 months before liver tumors were detected. The tumors progressed rapidly and the patient died 37 days after admission. Autopsy revealed that both lung and liver tumors exhibited the histology of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells expressed not only neuroendocrine markers but also PIVKA‐II diffusely. Hepatoid differentiation was not detected. Background liver did not show any chronic liver disease. The final diagnosis was PIVKA‐II producing LCNEC of the lung with multiple liver metastases. PIVKA‐II producing tumors other than HCC are extremely rare. To our best knowledge, this is the first case report of PIVKA‐II producing neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.
Growing larger with domestication: a matter of physiology, morphology or allocation?
Authors: Milla R. , Matesanz S.
Published: January 2017

Domestication might affect plant size. We investigated whether herbaceous crops are larger than their wild progenitors, and the traits that influence size variation.

We grew six crop plants and their wild progenitors under common garden conditions. We measured the aboveground biomass gain by individual plants during the vegetative stage. We then tested whether photosynthesis rate, biomass allocation to leaves, leaf size and specific leaf area (SLA) accounted for variations in whole‐plant photosynthesis, and ultimately in aboveground biomass.

Despite variations among crops, domestication generally increased the aboveground biomass (average effect +1.38, Cohen's d effect size). Domesticated plants invested less in leaves and more in stems than their wild progenitors. Photosynthesis rates remained similar after domestication. Variations in whole‐plant C gains could not be explained by changes in leaf photosynthesis. Leaves were larger after domestication, which provided the main contribution to increases in leaf area per plant and plant‐level C gain, and ultimately to larger aboveground biomass.

In general, cultivated plants have become larger since domestication. In our six crops, this occurred despite lower investment in leaves, comparable leaf‐level photosynthesis and similar biomass costs of leaf area (i.e. SLA) than their wild progenitors. Increased leaf size was the main driver of increases in aboveground size. Thus, we suggest that large seeds, which are also typical of crops, might produce individuals with larger organs (i.e. leaves) via cascading effects throughout ontogeny. Larger leaves would then scale into larger whole plants, which might partly explain the increases in size that accompanied domestication.
A Non-Stationary Spatial Model for Temperature Interpolation Applied to the State of Rio De Janeiro
Authors: Cunha Marcelo , Gamerman Dani , Fuentes Montserrat , Paez Marina
Published: January 2017

We propose a model for spatial and temporal interpolation and prediction for a set of monthly minimum temperature measurements from 37 stations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1961 to 2010. The model is based on a hierarchical specification where data are modelled with a regression structure for the mean and a non-stationary spatial representation for the spatially structured noise term. The regression term is also allowed to contain spatial dependence through coefficients and its covariates. A novel structure is assumed for the spatial non-stationarity, based on a generalization of a currently proposed convolution of stationary models. It allows more flexibility in the model specification and automatically selects the number of model components. This model provides superior performance when compared with two special cases: one stationary, and one non-stationary, provided by a sum of locally stationary processes. The results show a growth in the spread of temperature, with largely urbanized, warmest areas growing warmer, and largely forested, coolest areas growing cooler.
Globalization and Development in Contemporary India: Cultural Perspective
Authors: Srivastava Shobhit , Khan Altamash
Published: January 2017

It is fair to say that the impact of globalization in the cultural sphere has most generally been viewed in a pessimistic light. Typically, it has been associated with the destruction of cultural identities, victims of the accelerating encroachment of a homogenized, westernized, consumer culture. The contemporary phase of globalization which began in the post-cold war era i.e.in 90’s, when in 1991 govt. of India followed the policy of LPG (Liberalization, privatization and globalization). Ever since then there have been numerous changes in various areas i.e. political, social and economical. Here in we will focus on social arena which largely includes the following: (i) Culture which can be in present scenario be termed as global cultural diversity, (ii) Education and health sector affected by SAP (Structural adjustment programme), (iii) Social institution i.e. family, marriage and kinship, (iii) Bazaar culture. Here in, we will be critically analyzing the above mentioned aspects and will examine how globalization is transforming the Indian society.
Reporting and Reparations: News Coverage and the Decision to Compensate the Forcefully Sterilized in North Carolina
Authors: Nelson J. P. , Davis Terri B. , Atkins Lacey
Published: January 2017

Forced sterilization was an accepted legal practice in the United States during the beginning and middle of the previous century. It was promoted by an international movement to prevent procreation by those deemed unworthy of reproduction (Black, 2003). North Carolina has recently decided to pay reparations to forced sterilization victims (Editorial (Winston-Salem Journal), 2013) and the state of Virginia has more recently emulated this decision (Martz & Nolan 2015). This analysis will discuss the common eugenic history of many states but will also highlight North Carolina’s distinctiveness on this issue. The qualitative portion of the analysis will explain the historical reasons North Carolina would be likely to be the first state to adopt this policy. Our quantitative analysis will examine the role of news coverage of sterilization policy in North Carolina and its relationship to the decision to adopt a policy of reparations.
Evidence for apical-basal transition in the delay of the reflection components of otoacoustic emissions
Authors: Moleti A. , Pistilli D. , Sisto R.
Published: January 2017

Stimulus-frequency, transient-evoked, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) have been measured in eight normal-hearing human ears over a wide stimulus level range, with high spectral resolution. The single-reflection component of the response was isolated using time-frequency filtering, and its average delay was measured as a function of frequency and stimulus level. The apical-basal transition was studied by fitting the average delay of the filtered single-reflection OAEs, expressed in number of cycles, to a three-slope power-law function with two knot frequencies. The results show that the scale-invariant prediction of constant dimensionless delay approximately holds only over a narrow intermediate frequency range (1–2.5 kHz). Below 1 kHz, and, to some extent, above 2.5 kHz, the dimensionless delay increases with frequency, at all stimulus levels. Comparison with the numerical simulations of a delayed-stiffness active cochlear model show that the increase of tuning with frequency reported by behavioral experiments only partly explains this result. The low-frequency scaling symmetry breaking associated with the deviation of the Greenwood tonotopic map from a pure exponential function is also insufficient to explain the steep low-frequency increase of the OAE delay. Other sources of symmetry breaking, not included in the model, could therefore play a role.
Post hoc assessment of the immunogenicity of bioengineered factor VIIa demonstrates the use of preclinical tools
Authors: Lamberth Kasper , Reedtz-Runge Stine Louise , Simon Jonathan , Klementyeva Ksenia , Pandey Gouri Shankar , Padkjær Søren Berg , Pascal Véronique , León Ileana R. , Gudme Charlotte Nini , Buus Søren , Sauna Zuben E.
Published: January 2017

A computational and experimental strategy assesses the immunogenicity risk of bioengineered therapeutic proteins.
Pharmacological rescue of diabetic skeletal stem cell niches
Authors: Tevlin Ruth , Seo Eun Young , Marecic Owen , McArdle Adrian , Tong Xinming , Zimdahl Bryan , Malkovskiy Andrey , Sinha Rahul , Gulati Gunsagar , Li Xiyan , Wearda Taylor , Morganti Rachel , Lopez Michael , Ransom Ryan C. , Duldulao Christopher R. , Rodrigues Melanie , Nguyen Allison , Januszyk Michael , Maan Zeshaan , Paik Kevin , Yapa Kshemendra-Senarath , Rajadas Jayakumar , Wan Derrick C. , Gurtner Geoffrey C. , Snyder Michael , Beachy Philip A. , Yang Fan , Goodman Stuart B. , Weissman Irving L. , Chan Charles K. F. , Longaker Michael T.
Published: January 2017

Local delivery of a missing growth factor to the skeletal stem cell niche restores bone healing in diabetic mice.
Targeting Aurora kinase A and JAK2 prevents GVHD while maintaining T
reg
and antitumor CTL function
Authors: Betts Brian C. , Veerapathran Anandharaman , Pidala Joseph , Yang Hua , Horna Pedro , Walton Kelly , Cubitt Christopher L. , Gunawan Steven , Lawrence Harshani R. , Lawrence Nicholas J. , Sebti Said M. , Anasetti Claudio
Published: January 2017

Inhibiting Aurora kinase A and JAK2 signal transduction pathways permits the differentiation of potent regulatory T cells while neutralizing alloreactive T cells and preventing graft-versus-host disease without impairing antitumor responses.
Endomicroscope sheds light on cervical tissue
Authors: Evans Conor L.
Published: January 2017

A pilot study of a handheld fluorescence endomicroscope demonstrates both in vivo imaging and differentiation of normal from precancerous cervical tissue.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Invasion-Resistant Cells Identifies Laminin α2 as a Host Factor for Bacterial Invasion
Authors: van Wijk Xander M. , Döhrmann Simon , Hallström Björn M. , Li Shangzhong , Voldborg Bjørn G. , Meng Brandon X. , McKee Karen K. , van Kuppevelt Toin H. , Yurchenco Peter D. , Palsson Bernhard O. , Lewis Nathan E. , Nizet Victor , Esko Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2017

To understand the role of glycosaminoglycans in bacterial cellular invasion, xylosyltransferase-deficient mutants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were created using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated gene 9 (CRISPR-
cas9
) gene targeting. When these mutants were compared to the pgsA745 cell line, a CHO xylosyltransferase mutant generated previously using chemical mutagenesis, an unexpected result was obtained. Bacterial invasion of pgsA745 cells by group B Streptococcus (GBS), group A
Streptococcus
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
was markedly reduced compared to the invasion of wild-type cells, but newly generated CRISPR-
cas9
mutants were only resistant to GBS. Invasion of pgsA745 cells was not restored by transfection with xylosyltransferase, suggesting that an additional mutation conferring panresistance to multiple bacteria was present in pgsA745 cells. Whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) uncovered a deletion in the gene encoding the laminin subunit α2 (
Lama2
) that eliminated much of domain L4a. Silencing of the long
Lama2
isoform in wild-type cells strongly reduced bacterial invasion, whereas transfection with human
LAMA2
cDNA significantly enhanced invasion in pgsA745 cells. The addition of exogenous laminin-α2β1γ1/laminin-α2β2γ1 strongly increased bacterial invasion in CHO cells, as well as in human alveolar basal epithelial and human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Thus, the L4a domain in laminin α2 is important for cellular invasion by a number of bacterial pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Pathogenic bacteria penetrate host cellular barriers by attachment to extracellular matrix molecules, such as proteoglycans, laminins, and collagens, leading to invasion of epithelial and endothelial cells. Here, we show that cellular invasion by the human pathogens group B
Streptococcus
, group A
Streptococcus
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
depends on a specific domain of the laminin α2 subunit. This finding may provide new leads for the molecular pathogenesis of these bacteria and the development of novel antimicrobial drugs.
Physical and cultural determinants of postpartum pelvic floor support and symptoms following vaginal delivery: a protocol for a mixed-methods prospective cohort study
Authors: Nygaard Ingrid E , Clark Erin , Clark Lauren , Egger Marlene J , Hitchcock Robert , Hsu Yvonne , Norton Peggy , Sanchez-Birkhead Ana , Shaw Janet , Sheng Xiaoming , Varner Michael
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress and urgency urinary incontinence, and faecal incontinence, are common and arise from loss of pelvic support. Although severe disease often does not occur until women become older, pregnancy and childbirth are major risk factors for PFDs, especially POP. We understand little about modifiable factors that impact pelvic floor function recovery after vaginal birth. This National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Program Project, ‘Bridging physical and cultural determinants of postpartum pelvic floor support and symptoms following vaginal delivery’, uses mixed-methods research to study the influences of intra-abdominal pressure, physical activity, body habitus and muscle fitness on pelvic floor support and symptoms as well as the cultural context in which women experience those changes.

Methods and analysis

Using quantitative methods, we will evaluate whether pelvic floor support and symptoms 1 year after the first vaginal delivery are affected by biologically plausible factors that may impact muscle, nerve and connective tissue healing during recovery (first 8 weeks postpartum) and strengthening (remainder of the first postpartum year). Using qualitative methods, we will examine cultural aspects of perceptions, explanations of changes in pelvic floor support, and actions taken by Mexican-American and Euro-American primipara, emphasising early changes after childbirth. We will summarise project results in a resource toolkit that will enhance opportunities for dialogue between women, their families and providers, and across lay and medical discourses. We anticipate enrolling up to 1530 nulliparous women into the prospective cohort study during the third trimester, following those who deliver vaginally 1 year postpartum. Participants will be drawn from this cohort to meet the project's aims.

Ethics and dissemination

The University of Utah and Intermountain Healthcare Institutional Review Boards approved this study. Data are stored in a secure password-protected database. Papers summarising the primary results and ancillary analyses will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
The Maimed Martian, credible intervals and bias against benefit
Authors: Kault David
Published: January 2017

A sad little story about a maimed Martian astronaut is used to illustrate a method of improving confidence interval (CI) calculations. CIs in medical statistics are currently calculated from the data available in a clinical trial or meta-analysis considered in isolation from all other information available on earth. Likewise, the Martian in the story uses only information available to it, in isolation from further information from earth. However, there is further objective knowledge available to people on earth to improve the Martian's estimate. In the same way, we have objective prior knowledge available to us outside of the current clinical trial results which we can use to improve CI calculations. This prior knowledge is incorporated into the CI calculations using Bayesian methods. The objective prior knowledge that is available is the fact that there were researchers who felt it worthwhile to conduct the trial and journal editors who felt it worthwhile publishing the results. It is shown here that the use of this information contracts the width of the log CI by a factor of about three quarters on average. Unlike standard CIs, these new intervals also have the advantage of being directly interpretable in terms of probabilities. These probabilities also enable calculation of improved point estimates. These calculations are applied to 100 randomly selected Cochrane systematic reviews and show serious problems in assessing medical treatments. For treatments not involving new drugs or devices, it is shown that there is evidence of a bias towards a negative assessment. The calculations here make a quantitative adjustment for publication bias. They show that the proportion of negative assessments do not reflect an appropriate adjustment for publication bias.
Monitoring adolescents and young people with inflammatory bowel disease during transition to adult healthcare
Authors: Brooks Alenka J , Smith Philip J , Lindsay James O
Published: January 2017

The transition of adolescents and young people (AYP) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from paediatric to adult healthcare requires coordination between healthcare care providers to achieve optimum outcomes. Transition into adulthood is a time of major challenges physically, developmentally, emotionally and psychosocially for AYP living with IBD. Healthcare professionals must monitor the AYP progress proactively with attention to each of these parameters throughout the transition period to ensure that milestones are attained, and skills for self-management are formed. Thus, achieving the desired goals in both clinical and pastoral areas requires intensive monitoring from a multidisciplinary team across healthcare providers.
Functioning and health-related quality of life following injury in older people: a systematic review
Authors: Brown Katherine , Cameron Ian D , Keay Lisa , Coxon Kristy , Ivers Rebecca
Published: January 2017

Aim and background

There is growing evidence around the impact of injury and recovery trajectories but little focuses on older people, despite rising burden. The aim of this review was to describe the evidence for postinjury functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older people.

Method

A systematic search of three databases and an extensive search of the grey literature was carried out on prospective injury outcome studies in older people (age ≥65 years) that used a generic health status outcome measure. The search results were reported using PRISMA reporting guidelines, and risk of bias was assessed using a modification of the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool.

Results

There was limited evidence on functioning and HRQoL postinjury in older people. There were 367 studies identified, with 13 eligible for inclusion. Most focused on hip fracture or traumatic brain injury. Older people appeared to have poorer postinjury functioning and HRQoL compared with younger adults or preinjury levels. Poor preinjury function, pre-existing conditions and increasing age were associated with poorer outcomes, whereas preinjury-independent living was associated with better outcomes.

Discussion

The studies were heterogeneous, limiting synthesis. There was a lack of evidence around the impact of injury on older people in terms of paid work and unpaid work. It was unclear if existing injury outcome guidelines are appropriate for older people.

Conclusions

Further research is required on older people's postinjury course, outcomes and determinants. This will require standardised methodologies and qualitative studies. The findings will inform clinical care, policy development, health and compensation systems.