bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta-microRNAs as potential noninvasive markers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Jiang Ning , Ruan Can-Jun , Cheng Xiao-Rui , Wang Lu-Ning , Tan Ji-Ping , Wang Wei-Shan , Liu Fang , Zhou Wen-Xia , Zhang Yong-Xiang
Published: March 2018

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of a microRNA panel as early diagnostic markers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

The differentially expressed serum microRNAs were screened with microarray among cognitively normal controls (CNC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD. QRT-PCR assay was applied to evaluate differentially expressed microRNAs with two independent cohorts including 202 participants. Logistic regression model based on microRNA panel was constructed using a training cohort and then validated using an independent cohort.

Results

First, four differentially expressed serum microRNAs (let-7g, miR-197, miR-126 and miR-29a) were found, which expressions were positively correlated with mini mental state examination (MMSE) score. Second, a microRNA panel with the four microRNAs demonstrated good diagnostic performance for MCI and AD with 84% and 92% accuracy. Third, when combined with MMSE score, the diagnostic performance of the microRNA panel was further improved.

Discussion

Blood microRNAs are potential AD biomarkers that may lead to new diagnostic strategies.
Evolution analysis and expression divergence of the chitinase gene family against Leptosphaeria maculans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection in Brassica napus
Authors: Xu Wen , Zhou Tengsheng , An Bo , Xu Baojiang , Li Genyi
Published: March 2018

Blackleg and sclerotinia stem rot caused by Leptosphaeria maculans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum respectively are two major diseases in rapeseed worldwide, which cause serious yield losses. Chitinases are pathogenesis-related proteins and play important roles in host resistance to various pathogens and abiotic stress responses. However, a systematic investigation of the chitinase gene family and its expression profile against L. maculans and S. sclerotiorum infection in rapeseed remains elusive. The recent release of assembled genome sequence of rapeseed allowed us to perform a genome-wide identification of the chitinase gene family. In this study, 68 chitinase genes were identified in Brassica napus genome. These genes were divided into five different classes and distributed among 15 chromosomes. Evolutionary analysis indicated that the expansion of the chitinase gene family was mainly attributed to segmental and tandem duplication. Moreover, the expression profiling of the chitinase gene family was investigated using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and the results revealed that some chitinase genes were both induced while the other members exhibit distinct expression in response to L. maculans and S. sclerotiorum infection. This study presents a comprehensive survey of the chitinase gene family in B. napus and provides valuable information for further understanding the functions of the chitinase gene family.
Heterosynaptic Plasticity Determines the Set-Point for Cortical Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance
Authors: Field Rachel E. , D’amour James A. , Tremblay Robin , Miehl Christoph , Rudy Bernardo , Gjorgjieva Julijana , Froemke Robert C.
Published: March 2018

Excitation in neural circuits must be carefully controlled by inhibition to regulate information processing and network excitability. During development, cortical inhibitory and excitatory inputs are initially mismatched but become co-tuned or ‘balanced’ with experience. However, little is known about how excitatory-inhibitory balance is defined at most synapses, or the mechanisms for establishing or maintaining this balance at specific set-points. Here we show how coordinated long-term plasticity calibrates populations of excitatory/inhibitory inputs onto mouse auditory cortical pyramidal neurons. Pairing pre- and postsynaptic activity induced plasticity at paired inputs and different forms of heterosynaptic plasticity at the strongest unpaired synapses, which required minutes of activity and dendritic Ca2+ signaling to be computed. Theoretical analyses demonstrated how the relative rate of heterosynaptic plasticity could normalize and stabilize synaptic strengths to achieve any possible excitatory-inhibitory correlation. Thus excitatory-inhibitory balance is dynamic and cell-specific, determined by distinct plasticity rules across multiple excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
Predicting three-dimensional genome organization with chromatin states
Authors: Qi Yifeng , Zhang Bin
Published: March 2018

We introduce a computational model to simulate chromatin structure and dynamics. Starting from one-dimensional genomics and epigenomics data that are available for hundreds of cell types, this model enables de novo prediction of chromatin structures at five-kilo-base resolution. Simulated chromatin structures recapitulate known features of genome organization, including the formation of chromatin loops, topologically associating domains (TADs) and compartments, and are in quantitative agreement with chromosome conformation capture experiments and super-resolution microscopy measurements. Detailed characterization of the predicted structural ensemble reveals the dynamical flexibility of chromatin loops and the presence of cross-talk among neighboring TADs. Analysis of the model’s energy function uncovers distinct mechanisms for chromatin folding at various length scales.
Adaptive landscape of protein variation in human exomes
Authors: Patel Ravi , Sanderford Maxwell D. , Lanham Tamera R. , Tamura Koichiro , Platt Alexander , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Xu Ke , Dudley Joel T. , Scheinfeldt Laura B. , Kumar Sudhir
Published: March 2018

The human genome contains hundreds of thousands of missense mutations. However, only a handful of these variants are known to be adaptive, which implies that adaptation through protein sequence change is an extremely rare phenomenon in human evolution. Alternatively, existing methods may lack the power to pinpoint adaptive variation. We have developed and applied an Evolutionary Probability Approach (EPA) to discover candidate adaptive polymorphisms (CAPs) through the discordance between allelic evolutionary probabilities and their observed frequencies in human populations. EPA reveals thousands of missense CAPs, which suggest that a large number of previously optimal alleles had experienced a reversal of fortune in the human lineage. We explored non-adaptive mechanisms to explain CAPs, including the effects of demography, mutation rate variability, and negative and positive selective pressures in modern humans. Our analyses suggest that a large proportion of CAP alleles have increased in frequency due to beneficial selection. This conclusion is supported by the facts that a vast majority of adaptive missense variants discovered previously in humans are CAPs, and that hundreds of CAP alleles are protective in genotype-phenotype association data. Our integrated phylogenomic and population genetic EPA approach predicts the existence of thousands of signatures of non-neutral evolution in the human proteome. We expect this collection to be enriched in beneficial variation. EPA approach can be applied to discover candidate adaptive variation in any protein, population, or species for which allele frequency data and reliable multispecies alignments are available.
WDR45 contributes to neurodegeneration through regulation of ER homeostasis and neuronal death
Authors: Wan Huida , Wang Qi , Chen Xiuting , Zeng Qiufang , Shao Yanjiao , Fang Houqin , Liao Xun , Li Husong , Liu Minggang , Xu Tian-Le , Li Dali , Liu Minyao , Meng Bo , Tang Bin , Zhang Zhuohua , Liao Lujian
Published: March 2018

Mutations in the autophagy gene WDR45 cause β-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN); however the molecular and cellular mechanism of the disease process is largely unknown. Here we generated constitutive Wdr45 knockout (KO) mice that displayed cognitive impairments, abnormal synaptic transmission and lesions in hippocampus and basal ganglia. Immunohistochemistry analysis shows loss of neurons in prefrontal cortex and basal ganglion in aged mice, and increased apoptosis in these regions, recapitulating a hallmark of neurodegeneration. Quantitative proteomic analysis shows accumulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins in KO mouse. Furthermore, we show that a defect in autophagy results in impaired ER turnover and ER stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is elevated through IRE1α and possibly other kinase signaling pathways, and eventually leads to neuronal apoptosis. Suppression of ER stress, or activation of autophagy through inhibition of mTOR pathway rescues neuronal death. Thus, our study not only provides mechanistic insights for BPAN, but also suggests that a defect in macroautophagy machinery leads to impairment in selective organelle autophagy.
TFAP2 transcription factors are regulators of lipid droplet biogenesis
Authors: Scott Cameron C , Vossio Stefania , Rougemont Jacques , Gruenberg Jean
Published: March 2018

How trafficking pathways and organelle abundance adapt in response to metabolic and physiological changes is still mysterious, although a few transcriptional regulators of organellar biogenesis have been identified in recent years. We previously found that the Wnt signaling directly controls lipid droplet formation, linking the cell storage capacity to the established functions of Wnt in development and differentiation. In the present paper, we report that Wnt-induced lipid droplet biogenesis does not depend on the canonical TCF/LEF transcription factors. Instead, we find that TFAP2 family members mediate the pro-lipid droplet signal induced by Wnt3a, leading to the notion that the TFAP2 transcription factor may function as a “master” regulator of lipid droplet biogenesis.
Histone H3 T11 phosphorylation by Sch9 and CK2 regulates lifespan by controlling the nutritional stress response
Authors: Oh Seunghee , Suganuma Tamaki , Gogol Madelaine M. , Workman Jerry L.
Published: March 2018

Upon nutritional stress, the metabolic status of cells is changed by nutrient signaling pathways to ensure survival. Altered metabolism by nutrient signaling pathways has been suggested to influence cellular lifespan. However, it remains unclear how chromatin regulation is involved in this process. Here, we found that histone H3 threonine 11 phosphorylation (H3pT11) functions as a marker for nutritional stress and aging. Sch9 and CK2 kinases cooperatively regulate H3pT11 under stress conditions. Importantly, H3pT11 defective mutants prolonged chronological lifespan by altering nutritional stress responses. Thus, the phosphorylation of H3T11 by Sch9 and CK2 engages a nutritional stress response to chromatin in the regulation of lifespan.
Contrasting patterns of coding and flanking region evolution in mammalian keratin associated protein-1 genes
Authors: Zhou Huitong , Visnovska Tina , Gong Hua , Schmeier Sebastian , Hickford Jon , Ganley Austen R.D.
Published: March 2018

DNA repeats are common elements in eukaryotic genomes, and their multi-copy nature provides the opportunity for genetic exchange. This exchange can produce altered evolutionary patterns, including concerted evolution where within genome repeat copies are more similar to each other than to orthologous repeats in related species. Here we investigated the genetic architecture of the keratin-associated protein (KAP) gene family,KRTAP1. This family encodes proteins that are important components of hair and wool in mammals, and the genes are present in tandem copies. Comparison ofKRTAP1gene repeats from species across the mammalian phylogeny shows strongly contrasting evolutionary patterns between the coding regions, which have a concerted evolution pattern, and the flanking regions, which have a normal, radiating pattern of evolution. This dichotomy in evolutionary pattern transitions abruptly at the start and stop codons, and we show it is not the result of purifying selection acting to maintain species-specific protein sequences, nor of codon adaptation or reverse transcription ofKRTAP1-nmRNA. Instead, the results are consistent with short-tract gene conversion events coupled with selection for these events in the coding region driving the contrasting evolutionary patterns found in theKRTAP1repeats. Our work shows the power that repeat recombination has to complement selection and finely tune the sequences of repetitive genes. Interplay between selection and recombination may be a more common mechanism than currently appreciated for achieving specific adaptive outcomes in the many eukaryotic multi-gene families, and our work argues for greater emphasis on exploring the sequence structures of these families.
Temporal Control of Transcription by Zelda in living Drosophila embryos
Authors: Dufourt Jeremy , Trullo Antonio , Hunter Jennifer , Fernandez Carola , Lazaro Jorge , Dejean Matthieu , Morales Lucas , Schulz Katharine N , Favard Cyril , Harrison Melissa M , Radulescu Ovidiu , Lagha Mounia
Published: March 2018

Abstract/intro

Pioneer factors have the exquisite ability to engage their target sites at nucleosomal DNA, which leads to a local remodeling of chromatin and the establishment of a transcriptional competence. However, the direct impact of enhancer priming by pioneer factors on the temporal control of gene expression and on mitotic memory remains elusive. In Drosophila embryos, the maternally deposited activator Zelda (Zld) exhibits key pioneer factor properties and indeed regulates the awakening of the zygotic genome. The analysis of thousands of endogenous Zld bound regions in various genetic contexts, as well as the study of isolated synthetic enhancers with static approaches, led to the proposal that Zld could act as a quantitative developmental timer. Here we employ quantitative live imaging methods and mathematical modeling to directly test the effect of Zld on temporal coordination in gene activation and on mitotic memory. Using an automatic tracking software, we quantified the timing of activation in hundreds of nuclei and their progeny in Drosophila embryos. We demonstrate that increasing the number of Zld binding sites accelerates the kinetics of transcriptional activation regardless of their past transcriptional state. In spite of its known pioneering activities, we show that Zld is not a mitotic bookmarker and is neither necessary nor sufficient to foster mitotic memory. Fluorescent recovery after photo-bleaching and fluorescent correlation spectroscopy experiments reveal that, Zld is highly dynamic and exhibits transient binding to chromatin. We propose that Zld low binding rates could be compensated for by local accumulation of Zld in nuclear microenvironments in vivo, thus allowing rapid and coordinated gene activation.
EREFinder: Genome-wide detection of estrogen response elements
Authors: Anderson Andrew P. , Jones Adam G.
Published: March 2018

Motivation

Estrogen response elements (EREs) are specific DNA sequences to which ligand-bound estrogen receptors (ERs) physically bind, allowing them to act as transcription factors for target genes. Locating EREs and ER responsive regions is therefore a potentially important component of the study of estrogen-regulated pathways.

Results

We tested and demonstrated the ability of EREFinder, a novel algorithm we developed, to locate regions of ER-binding across the human genome and show that these regions designated by the program occur more frequently near estrogen responsive genes. EREFinder can handle large input files, has settings to allow for broad and narrow searches, and provides the full output to allow for greater data manipulation. These features facilitate a wide range of hypothesis testing for researchers and make EREFinder an excellent tool to aid in estrogen-related research.

Availability and Implementation

Source code and binaries freely available for download at https://github.com/JonesLabIdaho/EREfinder, implemented in C++ and supported on Linux and MS Windows.

Contact

aanderson@bio.tamu.edu

Supplemental Materials

R scripts can be found at https://github.com/JonesLabIdaho/EREfinder
QTL mapping of natural variation reveals that the developmental regulatorbrunoreduces tolerance toP-element transposition in theDrosophilafemale germline
Authors: Kelleher Erin S. , Jaweria Jaweria , Akoma Uchechukwu , Ortega Lily , Tang Wenpei
Published: March 2018

Transposable elements (TEs) are obligate genetic parasites that propagate in host genomes by replicating in germline nuclei, thereby ensuring transmission to offspring. This selfish replication not only produces deleterious mutations---in extreme cases, TE mobilization induces genotoxic stress that prohibits the production of viable gametes. Host genomes could reduce these fitness effects in two ways: resistance and tolerance. Resistance to TE propagation is enacted by germline specific small-RNA-mediated silencing pathways, such as the piRNA pathway, and is studied extensively. However, it remains entirely unknown whether host genomes may also evolve tolerance, by desensitizing gametogenesis to the harmful effects of TEs. In part, the absence of research on tolerance reflects a lack of opportunity, as small-RNA-mediated silencing evolves rapidly after a new TE invades, thereby masking existing variation in tolerance.

We have exploited the recent the historical invasion of theDrosophila melanogastergenome byP-element DNA transposons in order to study tolerance of TE activity. In the absence of piRNA-mediated silencing, the genotoxic stress imposed byP-elements disrupts oogenesis, and in extreme cases leads to atrophied ovaries that completely lack germline cells. By performing QTL-mapping on a panel of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that lack piRNA-mediated silencing ofP-elements, we uncovered multiple QTL that are associated with differences in tolerance of oogenesis toP-element transposition. We localized the most significant QTL to a small 230 Kb euchromatic region, with the LOD peak occurring in theBrunolocus, which codes for a critical and well-studied developmental regulator of oogenesis. We further demonstrate that multiplebrunoloss-of-function alleles are strong dominant suppressors of ovarian atrophy, allowing for the development of mature egg-chambers in the face ofP-element activity. Genetic and cytological analyses suggest thatbrunotolerance is explained by enhanced retention of germline stem cells in dysgenic ovaries, which are typically lost due to DNA damage. Our observations reveal segregating variation in TE tolerance for the first time, and implicate gametogenic regulators as a source of tolerant variants in natural populations.
Avian thermoregulation in the heat: is evaporative cooling more economical in nocturnal birds?
Authors: O’Connor Ryan S. , Smit Ben , Talbot William A. , Gerson Alexander R. , Brigham R. Mark , Wolf Blair O. , McKechnie Andrew E.
Published: March 2018

Evaporative cooling is a prerequisite for avian occupancy of hot, arid environments, and is the only avenue of heat dissipation when air temperatures (Ta) exceed body temperature (Tb). Whereas diurnal birds can potentially rehydrate throughout the day, nocturnal species typically forgo drinking between sunrise and sunset. We hypothesized that nocturnal birds have evolved reduced rates of evaporative water loss (EWL) and more economical evaporative cooling mechanisms than those of diurnal species that permit them to tolerate extended periods of intense heat without becoming lethally dehydrated. We used phylogenetically-informed regressions to compare EWL and evaporative cooling efficiency (ratio of evaporative heat loss [EHL] and metabolic heat production [MHP]; EHL/MHP) among nocturnal and diurnal birds at high Ta. We analyzed variation in three response variables: 1) slope of EWL at Tabetween 40 and 46°C, 2) EWL at Ta= 46°C, and 3) EHL/MHP at Ta= 46°C. Nocturnality emerged as a weak, negative predictor, with nocturnal species having slightly shallower slopes and reduced EWL compared to diurnal species of similar mass. In contrast, nocturnal activity was positively correlated with EHL/MHP, indicating a greater capacity for evaporative cooling in nocturnal birds. However, our analysis also revealed conspicuous differences among nocturnal taxa. Caprimulgids and Australian-owlet nightjars had shallower slopes and reduced EWL compared to similarly-sized diurnal species, whereas owls had EWL rates comparable to diurnal species. Consequently, our results did not unequivocally demonstrate more economical cooling among nocturnal birds. Owls predominately select refugia with cooler microclimates, but the more frequent and intense heat waves forecast for the 21stcentury may increase microclimate temperatures and the necessity for active heat dissipation, potentially increasing owls’ vulnerability to dehydration and hyperthermia.
X-ray beam-position feedback system with easy-to-use beam-position monitor
Authors: Park Jae Yeon , Kim Yesul , Lee Sangsul , Lim Jun
Published: March 2018

X-ray beam-position stability is indispensable in cutting-edge experiments using synchrotron radiation. Here, for the first time, a beam-position feedback system is presented that utilizes an easy-to-use X-ray beam-position monitor incorporating a diamond-fluorescence screen. The acceptable range of the monitor is above 500 µm and the feedback system maintains the beam position within 3 µm. In addition to being inexpensive, the system has two key advantages: it works without a scale factor for position calibration, and it has no dependence on X-ray energy, X-ray intensity, beam size or beam shape.
trans-(Aniline-κN)dichlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide-κS)platinum(II)
Authors: Wang Weirong , Yuan Caixia
Published: March 2018

In the title compound, [PtCl2(C6H7N)(C2H6OS)], the PtIIion has an approximately square-planar coordination environment. It binds to the N atom of the aniline ligand and istransto the S atom of the dimethyl sulfoxide. The two Cl−anions are also intranspositions. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O, C—H...Cl and C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
A preliminary evaluation of metacognitive beliefs in high functioning children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Campbell Breeanna , Curran Michelle , Inkpen Raymond , Katsikitis Mary , Kannis-Dymand Lee
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Metacognitive beliefs and processes have been found to perpetuate anxiety and depression in youth and adults. However, the presence of metacognitive beliefs in children with autism spectrum disorder is somewhat unclear and has received limited research attention to date. The purpose of this paper is to explore metacognitive beliefs in children with autism and associations with anxiety and depression.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 23 high functioning participants (17 male and 6 female) between the ages of 8 and 12 (M=10.38) diagnosed on the autism spectrum completed the study. Participants completed the Revised Children’s Scale of Anxiety and Depression and the Metacognitions Questionnaire for Children.

Findings

Correlation analyses revealed that positive and negative metacognitive beliefs were found, as hypothesised, to be prevalent in this sample.

Originality/value

Despite methodological limitations, this is one of the first research evaluations to provide evidence for metacognitive beliefs in high functioning children with autism and comorbid anxiety or low mood.
A pilot study on combining risperidone and pivotal response treatment on communication difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Rezaei Mohammad , Moradi AliReza , Tehrani-Doost Mehdi , Hassanabadi HamidReza , Khosrowabadi Reza
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of combined risperidone (RIS) and pivotal response treatment (PRT) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 34 children diagnosed with ASD (mean age of 12.36 years) were randomly divided into two groups: an RIS treatment group (n=18) and an RIS plus PRT (n=16). Communication skills were evaluated with the child communication checklist (CCC).

Findings

Total score of the CCC was increased in both groups after three months compared with the score prior to treatment. The total score of the CCC was significantly higher in the combined treatment group than in the RIS group.

Originality/value

Treatment with RIS combined with PRT may result in a better outcome in communication skill for children with autism than RIS training alone.
Best practice relief supply for emergency services in a developed economy
Authors: Wilson Mark M.J. , Tatham Peter , Payne John , L’Hermitte Cécile , Shapland Michael
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges inherent in planning and responding to disaster events in a multi-agency context where numerous governmental and non-governmental actors and agencies are involved in the planning and response phases. In particular, the authors examine a situation where a lead agency has recently been delegated the responsibility for emergency relief logistics and how it might determine and implement best practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting an iterative inductive approach, the authors gather data and insights from academic literature, emergency management policies, frameworks and documents and exploratory in-depth interviews with 12 key informants who have considerable experience with the challenges of logistic preparation and response to disasters in a developed country context. The data and context are limited to developed counties, especially the state of Queensland, Australia.

Findings

The authors discuss the challenge of achieving coordinated supply chain management where mandated/lead response agencies are required to meet stakeholder and local community expectations and outcomes. From these findings, the authors offer 11 practical recommendations to assist the delivery of best practice in emergency logistics.

Originality/value

Humanitarian logistics is usually examined from a low/middle-income country perspective, yet an efficient and effective disaster response is no less important for developed economies. In this respect, the authors offer a fresh examination of the challenges of delivering best practice for emergency logistics in order to achieve expected community outcomes.
Dynamic truck and trailer routing problem for last mile distribution in disaster response
Authors: Maghfiroh Meilinda F.N. , Hanaoka Shinya
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of the dynamic vehicle routing problem for last mile distribution during disaster response. The authors explore a model that involves limited heterogeneous vehicles, multiple trips, locations with different accessibilities, uncertain demands, and anticipating new locations that are expected to build responsive last mile distribution systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The modified simulated annealing algorithm with variable neighborhood search for local search is used to solve the last mile distribution model based on the criterion of total travel time. A dynamic simulator that accommodates new requests from demand nodes and a sample average estimator was added to the framework to deal with the stochastic and dynamicity of the problem.

Findings

This study illustrates some practical complexities in last mile distribution during disaster response and shows the benefits of flexible vehicle routing by considering stochastic and dynamic situations.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focuses day-to-day distribution on road/land transportation for distribution, and additional transportation modes need to be considered further.

Practical implications

The proposed model offers operational insights for government disaster agencies by highlighting the dynamic model concept for supporting relief distribution decisions. The result suggests that different characteristics and complexities of affected areas might require different distribution strategies.

Originality/value

This study modifies the concept of the truck and trailer routing problem to model locations with different accessibilities while anticipating the information gap for demand size and locations. The results show the importance of flexible distribution systems during a disaster for minimizing the disaster risks.
The British Press and the 1918 Reform Act
Authors: Bingham Adrian
Published: March 2018

This essay provides the first comprehensive study of the British press's reporting of, and discussions about, the electoral reform proposals that became the Representation of the People Act 1918. It shows that, in responding enthusiastically to calls for substantial constitutional change, newspapers from across the ideological spectrum revealed a deep disillusionment with partisan politics and party machines, and imagined a re‐energised democracy that would rise to the complex tasks of post‐war reconstruction. Female voters were to have a significant role in this more inclusive political system, and even long‐standing opponents of women's suffrage chose this moment publicly to alter their position – although by repeatedly framing enfranchisement as an outcome of service to the nation, the language of democratic rights was sometimes blurred. Many newspapers also argued for proportional representation (PR) to create a fairer, less cynical and less strictly‐managed type of politics. These debates marked an important moment in the redefinition of British democracy, and they would have a lasting influence on post‐war political culture. After 1918, the press generally defended this new democracy, even if some commentators expressed anxieties that certain voters lacked the capacity or inclination properly to exercise their political responsibilities. Set against the political turbulence across Europe, and the inevitable disquiet generated by economic dislocation and mass unemployment, it is the resilience of democracy in Britain, rather than its weakness, that is notable. In these difficult times, the press played a crucial role in legitimising and stabilising the parliamentary system and celebrating a more inclusive politics.
Kernel excess mass test for multimodality
Authors: Lee Seonmi , Jang Woncheol , Park Byeong U.
Published: March 2018

In this paper we propose a new statistical procedure for testing the multimodality of an underlying distribution. Peter Hall developed an innovative idea of calibrating the null distribution for the excess mass test statistic using the empirical distribution function. We find that the qualitative characteristics of a smooth underlying distribution function on the number of modes is barely preserved in the excess mass functional by the non‐smooth empirical distribution function. Instead of the empirical distribution function, we propose to use a kernel distribution function estimator. We derive the limiting distribution of the resulting test statistic under strong unimodality, based on which we apply the calibration idea to the proposed test statistic to obtain a cut‐off value. Our numerical study suggests that the calibrated kernel excess mass test has greater power than other existing methods. We also illustrate the use of the proposed method in a case study in astronomy which supports an assumption on a physical property of minor planets in the solar system.
Greedy forward regression for variable screening
Authors: Cheng Ming‐Yen , Feng Sanying , Li Gaorong , Lian Heng
Published: March 2018

In the ultra‐high dimensional setting, two popular variable screening methods with the desirable sure screening property are sure independence screening (SIS) and forward regression (FR). Both are classical variable screening methods, and recently have attracted greater attention under high‐dimensional data analysis. We consider a new and simple screening method that incorporates multiple predictors at each step of forward regression, with decisions on which variables to incorporate based on the same criterion. If only one step is carried out, the new procedure reduces to SIS. Thus it can be regarded as a generalisation and unification of FR and SIS. More importantly, it preserves the sure screening property and has computational complexity similar to FR at each step, yet it can discover the relevant covariates in fewer steps. Thus it reduces the computational burden of FR drastically while retaining the advantages of the latter over SIS. Furthermore, we show that it can find all the true variables if the number of steps taken is the same as the correct model size, which is a new theoretical result even for the original FR. An extensive simulation study and application to two real data examples demonstrate excellent performance of the proposed method.
Dermatochirurgie bei Kindern: Gegenwärtiger Stand zu Indikation, Anästhesie, Analgesie und potentiellen perioperativen Komplikationen
Authors: Crisan Diana , Scharffetter‐Kochanek Karin , Kastler Sabine , Crisan Maria , Manea Avram , Wagner Katja , Schneider Lars Alexander
Published: March 2018

Hintergrund

Anders als Erwachsene benötigen Kinder bei dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen besondere Aufmerksamkeit; die Anwendung verschiedener Analgetika, Anästhetika oder Sedativa erfordert eine gründliche Kenntnis von Pharmakokinetik und ‐dynamik der Medikamente. Außerdem können Medikamente zur Sedierung/Allgemeinanästhesie bei operierten Kindern zu Anästhesie‐ oder Analgesie‐bedingten Komplikationen einschließlich Störungen der geistigen Entwicklung führen.

Ziel

Auf Basis unserer klinischen Erfahrung und einer Literaturübersicht stellen wir die gängigsten in der pädiatrischen Dermatochirurgie verwendeten Analgetika, Anästhetika und Sedativa dar und diskutieren Risiken und Komplikationen nach dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen.

Ergebnisse

Topische Anästhetika können bei Kindern für oberflächliche dermatologische Eingriffe oder vor einer Infiltrationsanästhesie eingesetzt werden. Die Berechnung der empfohlenen Maximaldosen auf Basis des Körpergewichts ist erforderlich, um eine Überdosierung von Lokalanästhetika zu vermeiden. Die Allgemeinanästhesie gilt bei der Dermatochirurgie als sicher und hat eine geringe Nebenwirkungsrate. Allerdings ist bei Kindern im ersten Lebensjahr aufgrund potentieller langfristiger neurologischer Nebenwirkungen Vorsicht angebracht. NSAR und Opioide spielen bei der Analgesie von Kindern eine bedeutende Rolle.

Schlussfolgerungen

Dieser Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über die derzeit verfügbaren Daten zu Analgesie, Anästhesie und Komplikationen, die im Rahmen der pädiatrischen Dermatochirurgie auftreten können. Diese Daten können dabei helfen, die Sicherheit und Qualität der Versorgung zu optimieren und die Beratung der Eltern zu verbessern.
Analgesic effects of local anesthetic cream in cryotherapy for warts: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Lee Chin‐Yu , Tung Tao‐Hsin , Liu Chia‐Yu , Wang Shu‐Hui , Chi Ching‐Chi
Published: March 2018

Background and objective

Local anesthetic cream (LAC) has been used for analgesia in various procedures. However, the analgesic effect of LAC in cryotherapy for warts is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effects of LAC in cryotherapy for warts.

Material and methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of LAC in cryotherapy for warts. We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE on 31 March 2017 for relevant RCTs. Two authors independently selected trials, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. Disagreement was resolved by discussion with a third author.

Results

We included three RCTs with 228 participants. Two included RCTs had a high risk of reporting bias, with one having a high risk of other bias as well. Use of LAC decreased the pain associated with cryotherapy for warts on the hardened skin of children (visual analogue scale, mean difference –20.80, 95 % confidence interval –40.71 to –0.89), but not in adults or on the nonhardened skin of either adults or children.

Conclusions

The available evidence does not support the routine use of LAC applied for ≤ 60 min in cryotherapy for warts.
S2k‐Leitlinie zum Gebrauch von Präparationen zur lokalen Anwendung auf der Haut (Topika)
Authors: Wohlrab Johannes , Staubach Petra , Augustin Matthias , Eisert Lisa , Hünerbein Andreas , Nast Alexander , Reimann Holger , Strömer Klaus , Mahler Vera
Published: March 2018

Diese Leitlinie richtet sich an Assistenz‐ und Fachärzte der Dermatologie sowie an Kostenträger und politische Entscheidungsgremien. Die Leitlinie wurde im formellen Konsensusverfahren (S2k) von Dermatologen unter Einbindung von Apothekern erstellt.

Die Leitlinie stellt allgemeine Aspekte der Pharmakokinetik sowie der regulatorischen Begrifflichkeiten dar. Es werden Empfehlungen zur Indikation von Magistralrezepturen sowie deren Qualitätssicherung gegeben. Die Bedeutung der galenischen Grundlagen und die Problematik bei einer Substitution gegeneinander verschiedener Grundlagen werden dargestellt. Die Leitlinie umfasst Kriterien zur Auswahl einer adäquaten Grundlage sowie spezifische Aspekte zur Therapieplanung. Die Leitlinie gibt Empfehlungen zum Management bei Unverträglichkeiten gegenüber Bestandteilen der Grundlagen oder Hilfsstoffe.
Philip Potter: Faith and Action
Authors: Sjollema Baldwin
Published: March 2018

This article reviews the role of Philip Potter as general secretary of the World Council of Churches (1972–1984), highlighting his background in the Caribbean, his involvement in mission, and his support for the Programme to Combat Racism. In doing so, it considers those issues to which Potter was deeply committed, including the fundamental unity of Christian witness and service, the correlation of faith and action, and the inseparable connection between the personal spiritual life of Christian believers and their obedient action in the world.
Why the damselfishChromis chromisis a key species in theMediterranean rocky littoral – a quantitative perspective
Authors: Pinnegar J. K.
Published: March 2018

The damselfishChromis chromisis typically the most abundant fish species in the rocky littoral environment of the Mediterranean Sea, where it feeds in huge shoals on incoming zooplankton and rests near the seabed each night. Research has shown that large populations ofC. chromisplay a fundamental role by transferring carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus directly from the pelagic system to the littoral in the form of solid and liquid wastes and therefore that this species acts as a vital conduit for nutrients. In addition,C. chromisrepresents a major prey item for predatory fish and seabirds, it has been shown to exert significant predation pressure on coastal zooplankton populations, but it is also a major consumer of fish eggs and hence may have a strong influence on the dynamics of other fish species. In this review paper the contention is thatC. chromisrepresents a key species in the Mediterranean Sea rocky littoral. This view is supported by quantitative evidence that has been amassed over a number of years, but is collated here for the first time.Chromis chromisis of only minor importance to commercial fisheries (it is usually discarded), but trends in population abundance of this species can be indicative of levels of fishing pressure on other commercial species. It has been demonstrated that where predator numbers are able to recover from intensive fishing (e.g.in marine protected areas; MPAs), this is often mirrored by lower densities ofC. chromis. Several papers have championedC. chromisas a possible indicator species for human disturbance. As well as being directly and indirectly affected by fishing, the species is also sensitive to a number of other anthropogenic pressures, most notably poor water quality and noise pollution.
Speech-material and talker effects in speech band importance
Authors: Yoho Sarah E. , Healy Eric W. , Youngdahl Carla L. , Barrett Tyson S. , Apoux Frédéric
Published: March 2018

Band-importance functions created using the compound method [Apoux and Healy (2012). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 1078–1087] provide more detail than those generated using the ANSI technique, necessitating and allowing a re-examination of the influences of speech material and talker on the shape of the band-importance function. More specifically, the detailed functions may reflect, to a larger extent, acoustic idiosyncrasies of the individual talker's voice. Twenty-one band functions were created using standard speech materials and recordings by different talkers. The band-importance functions representing the same speech-material type produced by different talkers were found to be more similar to one another than functions representing the same talker producing different speech-material types. Thus, the primary finding was the relative strength of a speech-material effect and weakness of a talker effect. This speech-material effect extended to other materials in the same broad class (different sentence corpora) despite considerable differences in the specific materials. Characteristics of individual talkers' voices were not readily apparent in the functions, and the talker effect was restricted to more global aspects of talker (i.e., gender). Finally, the use of multiple talkers diminished any residual effect of the talker.
Obesity promotes resistance to anti-VEGF therapy in breast cancer by up-regulating IL-6 and potentially FGF-2
Authors: Incio Joao , Ligibel Jennifer A. , McManus Daniel T. , Suboj Priya , Jung Keehoon , Kawaguchi Kosuke , Pinter Matthias , Babykutty Suboj , Chin Shan M. , Vardam Trupti D. , Huang Yuhui , Rahbari Nuh N. , Roberge Sylvie , Wang Dannie , Gomes-Santos Igor L. , Puchner Stefan B. , Schlett Christopher L. , Hoffmman Udo , Ancukiewicz Marek , Tolaney Sara M. , Krop Ian E. , Duda Dan G. , Boucher Yves , Fukumura Dai , Jain Rakesh K.
Published: March 2018

Targeting IL-6 and potentially FGF-2 overcomes resistance to anti-VEGF therapy in breast cancer.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Novel Ochrobactrum spp. Isolated from Different Avian Hosts in Nigeria
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Killmaster Lindsay F. , Volkening Jeremy D. , Cardenas-Garcia Stivalis , Shittu Ismaila , Meseko Clement A. , Sulaiman Lanre K. , Joannis Tony M. , Miller Patti J. , Afonso Claudio L.
Published: March 2018

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of five multidrug-resistant novel
Ochrobactrum
species strains isolated from a pigeon, a duck, and chickens from Nigeria in 2009.
Draft Genome Sequences of Four Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Serotype O4:H5 Isolates (ATCC 700414, 700415, 700416, and 700417)
Authors: Xu Aixia , Hertrich Sarah , Needleman David S. , Sheen Shiowshuh , Sommers Christopher
Published: March 2018

Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
serotype O4:H5 isolates (ATCC 700414, 700415, 700416, and 700417) were recovered from women with first-time urinary tract infections. Here, we report the draft genome sequences for these four
E. coli
isolates, which are currently being used to validate food safety processing technologies.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Dictyoglomus sp. from an Enrichment Culture of a New Zealand Geothermal Spring
Authors: Reysenbach Anna-Louise , Donaho John A. , Kelley John F. , St. John Emily , Turner Christina , Podar Mircea , Stott Matthew B.
Published: March 2018

A draft genome of a novel
Dictyoglomus
sp., NZ13-RE01, was obtained from a New Zealand hot spring enrichment culture. The 1,927,012-bp genome is similar in both size and G+C content to other
Dictyoglomus
spp. Like its relatives,
Dictyoglomus
sp. NZ13-RE01 encodes many genes involved in complex carbohydrate metabolism.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pittsburgh Sewage-Associated Virus 1
Authors: Cantalupo Paul G. , Pipas James M.
Published: March 2018

We present the complete genome sequence of a virus found in raw sewage collected in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Pittsburgh sewage-associated virus 1 (PSAV1) encodes one large open reading frame with conserved domains typically found in the
Picornavirales
order of viruses. PSAV1 is closely related to
Biomphalaria
virus 2 (BV2).
Acupuncture at BL67 for Mild Postpartum Depression: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: Tian Chen Bin
Published: March 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of acupuncture on mild postpartum depression (PPD).

Methods

15 patients diagnosed with PPD were enrolled in the study. Patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria received acupuncture therapy eight times over 4 weeks in the form of two 20-min treatment sessions per week. The treatment site was the BL67 acupuncture point (on the outside of the fifth toenail). After disinfecting the skin on the toes, sterile steel needles were gently inserted into the acupuncture point until the patient started to feel numb or swollen, a sensation known as de qi. Acupuncture was performed by the same doctor using HuanQiu stainless steel needles that were 0.2 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the clinical effects of this therapy. Questionnaires were distributed to patients before therapy and 1 week after therapy and were immediately completed and checked.

Results

Treatment was associated with symptomatic improvement for all patients who adhered to therapy. The nine patients who completed treatment had an average pain score of 6.66 (SD 0.86); these patients’ average pre-treatment pain score was 10.83 (SD 1.47). Six patients who did not complete treatment had an average pain score of 11.23 (SD 1.48); the average pre-treatment pain score of these patients was 10.5 (SD 2.21). Thus, symptoms did not significantly improve for patients who failed to adhere to the therapy. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to HAMD score before treatment (P=0.363). By contrast, asignificant between-group difference in post-treatment HAMD score was detected (P=0.001). Two patients discontinued treatment due to haemorrhage at the site of needling, and four patients discontinued treatment due to the inconvenience of traffic. There were no significant complications.

Conclusion

Acupuncture therapy at BL67 may alleviate symptoms of mild PPD, however controlled clinical investigations are required to confirm its efficacy and effectiveness for this condition.
What is the prevalence of imaging-defined intra-articular hip pathologies in people with and without pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Heerey Joshua J , Kemp Joanne L , Mosler Andrea B , Jones Denise M , Pizzari Tania , Souza Richard B , Crossley Kay M
Published: March 2018

Background

Intra-articular hip pathologies are thought to be associated with the development of hip and groin pain. A better understanding of the relationship between symptoms and imaging findings may improve the management of individuals with intra-articular hip pathologies.

Objective

To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies in individuals with and without pain.

Methods

Seven electronic databases were searched in February 2017 for studies investigating the prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies using MRI, MRA or CT. Two independent reviewers conducted the search, study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction. Meta-analysis was performed when studies were deemed homogenous, with a strength of evidence assigned to pooled results.

Results

In general, studies were moderate to high risk of bias, with only five studies adjudged to be low risk of bias. The 29 studies reporting on the prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies identified limited evidence of a labral tear prevalence of 62% (95% CI 47% to 75%) in symptomatic individuals, with moderate evidence identifying a labral tear prevalence of 54% (95% CI 41% to 66%) in asymptomatic individuals. Limited evidence demonstrated a cartilage defect prevalence of 64% (95% CI 25% to 91%) in symptomatic individuals, compared with moderate evidence of a cartilage defect prevalence of 12% (95% CI 7% to 21%) in asymptomatic individuals.

Conclusion

The prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies is highly variable in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations. The prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies appears to be higher in symptomatic individuals. However, imaging-defined intra-articular hip pathologies are also frequently seen in asymptomatic individuals, highlighting a potential discordant relationship between imaging pathology and pain.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016035444.