bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La percusión corporal como instrumento para mejorar la agilidad motriz
Authors: Cañabate Ortíz Dolors , Diez Dauder Sara , Zagalaz M.ª Luisa
Published: November 2017

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer la disciplina artística, conocida por el nombre de percusión corporal, como herramienta para mejorar la coordinación de los alumnos en tareas que requieren un cierto grado de agilidad motriz en las sesiones de Educación Física.
Esta investigación se fundamenta en un estudio correlacional apoyado por otro exploratorio descriptivo. Se utiliza una metodología empírico-analítica basada en un estudio transversal y ex-post-facto con el objetivo de determinar la relación existente (o inexistente) entre dos variables, agilidad motriz y percusión corporal. Participaron en la investigación 88 alumnos
de 5º curso de educación primaria y se cuenta con la colaboración de expertos en la materia: once profesionales de la educación que están relacionados con el mundo de la percusión corporal, dos de ellos formadores de body-percusión y un bailarín profesional formado en percusión corporal en la Rudra Béjart School-Lausanne que aportan el análisis más cualitativo de la investigación. Los resultados afirman la correlación entre las dos variables cuantitativas, siendo estas reforzadas
por los expertos.
La negociación, piedra angular de las investigaciones
Authors: Santos Guerra Miguel Ángel , De la Rosa Moreno Lourdes
Published: November 2017

El artículo consta de dos partes complementarias. Una de ellas trata de explicar la importancia de los procesos de negociación en la realización de investigaciones y evaluaciones. Importancia que se basa en cinco razones: ética de los procesos de producción y aplicación del conocimiento,
rigor de las indagaciones, eficacia de los hallazgos para la mejora, estrategia para mantener contextos en que se pueda investigar y aprendizaje de los y las participantes. Se plantean las distintas fases de la negociación: inicial, de proceso y de informes, con especial atención a esta
última. De ella se estudian las exigencias,los tipos, las características y los procedimientos de actuación.
La segunda parte muestra, a modo de ejemplo, un caso concreto de negociación de una investigación cualitativa sobre la participación de familias inmigrantes en la escuela, con sus diversas fases, exigencias y virtualidades.
Se cierra el artículo con algunas consideraciones finales y con la correspondiente bibliografía.
Materiales didácticos para todos: el carácter inclusivo de fotovoz
Authors: Parrilla Latas Ángeles , Raposo-Rivas Manuela , Martínez-Figueira Esther , Doval M.ª Isabel
Published: November 2017

Fotovoz es una metodología de investigación-acción participativa que a través de un uso de fotografías y otros recursos producidos por los participantes promueve la reflexión y mejora sobre cuestiones relacionadas con sus propias necesidades y la comunidad a la que pertenecen. Este artículo, constituye un primer acercamiento a la reflexión sobre el papel que fotovoz puede jugar en la promoción de prácticas inclusivas. Basándonos en su desarrollo en una investigación llevada a cabo en seis escuelas de Educación Infantil y Primaria de una misma localidad gallega, se describe dicha metodología y se analiza su posible valor no solo como estrategia de investigación sino también como estrategia didáctica considerando su capacidad para crear y desarrollar procesos y materiales educativos pensados para todos y con la participación de todos. El análisis señala cómo en fotovoz se dan cita cuestiones conceptuales, de carácter epistemológico, ético y práctico, que  convergen de manera clara con los principios y planteamientos de la Educación Inclusiva. Esto nos permite resignificar fotovoz como una metodología participativa, de investigación y enseñanza-aprendizaje, de marcado carácter inclusivo.
Avances de la investigación en educación y TIC en aulas hospitalarias
Authors: Peirats Chacón José , Granados Saiz Jesús , Morote Blanco Diana
Published: November 2017

Últimamente ha proliferado la utilización de aplicaciones didácticas digitales en torno a la educación del alumnado convaleciente. No obstante, son escasos los trabajos que han estudiado de forma global las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) y sus materiales en las aulas hospitalarias (AH). Desde ese punto de vista, hemos realizado un análisis de los avances alcanzados en las investigaciones desarrolladas sobre experiencias educativas, evaluando el impacto
de las TIC y comprobando que el alumnado hospitalizado puede conectarse con la comunidad educativa y su entorno. La metodología llevada a cabo ha sido la revisión
bibliográfica que nos ha permitido organizar, clasificar y analizar las fuentes documentales sobre el tema en cuestión. Destacando entre los resultados la importancia de la calidad de las conexiones con el mundo exterior en los proyectos
de integración de las TIC y el desarrollo e impacto de las aplicaciones didácticas
innovadoras. Concluimos señalando que las TIC han mejorado la comunicación
y coordinación curricular entre centros educativos, familia y hospital, además de
ofrecer nuevas formas para aprender mediadas con materiales digitalizados.
Materiales y recursos didácticos contra la discriminación y la exclusión en el deporte en edad escolar
Authors: Rodríguez-Groba Ana , Eirín-Nemiña Raúl , Alonso-Ferreiro Almudena
Published: November 2017

El artículo presenta algunos resultados de un proyecto europeo centrado en la  prevención de la discriminación y la violencia en el deporte base. Se especifican y
presentan las raíces desde las que emerge la preocupación por la violencia y la discriminación en este campo y se sientan las bases teóricas que han guiado este recorrido. Para responder a esta realidad se sigue un enfoque metodológico centrado en el Círculo Deming. Los resultados del proyecto se materializan en la elaboración de materiales didácticos, recursos y formación online, que han sido creados en base a las necesidades detectadas en los distintos países. El análisis de los distintos contextos europeos, la propia formación y el feedback enviado por los destinatarios, dan cuenta de la necesidad de analizar, trabajar y formar sobre los distintos tipos de discriminación, directa e indirecta, que pueden tener lugar en la práctica deportiva de los más jóvenes. Se destacan además, las posibilidades que nos ofrece un espacio multimedia y conectado, donde se favorece el intercambio de experiencias y visiones, enriqueciendo los materiales y la propia formación llevada a cabo en seis idiomas. Se hace énfasis en la importancia del rol de entrenadores/as, profesorado y familias, y en la erradicación y prevención de la violencia y discriminación en el deporte.
The genome of an intranuclear parasite, Paramicrosporidium saccamoebae, reveals alternative adaptations to obligate intracellular parasitism
Authors: Quandt C Alisha , Beaudet Denis , Corsaro Daniele , Walochnik Julia , Michel Rolf , Corradi Nicolas , James Timothy Y
Published: November 2017

Intracellular parasitism often results in gene loss, genome reduction, and dependence upon the host for cellular functioning. Rozellomycota is a clade comprising many such parasites and is related to the diverse, highly reduced, animal parasites, Microsporidia. We sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Paramicrosporidium saccamoebae [Rozellomycota], an intranuclear parasite of amoebae. A canonical fungal mitochondrial genome was recovered from P. saccamoebae that encodes genes necessary for the complete oxidative phosphorylation pathway including Complex I, differentiating it from most endoparasites including its sequenced relatives in Rozellomycota and Microsporidia. Comparative analysis revealed that P. saccamoebae shares more gene content with distantly related Fungi than with its closest relatives, suggesting that genome evolution in Rozellomycota and Microsporidia has been affected by repeated and independent gene losses, possibly as a result of variation in parasitic strategies (e.g. host and subcellular localization) or due to multiple transitions to parasitism.
Morphological and molecular data confirm the transfer of homostylous species in the typically distylous genus Galianthe (Rubiaceae), and the description of the new species Galianthe vasquezii from Peru and Colombia
Authors: Florentín Javier Elias , Cabaña Fader Andrea Alejandra , Salas Roberto Manuel , Janssens Steven , Dessein Steven , Cabral Elsa Leonor
Published: November 2017

Galianthe (Rubiaceae) is a neotropical genus comprising 50 species divided into two subgenera, Galianthe subgen. Galianthe, with 39 species and Galianthe subgen. Ebelia, with 11 species. The diagnostic features of the genus are: usually erect habit with xylopodium, distylous flowers arranged in lax thyrsoid inflorescences, bifid stigmas, 2-carpellate and longitudinally dehiscent fruits, with dehiscent valves or indehiscent mericarps, plump seeds or complanate with a wing-like strophiole, and pollen with double reticulum, rarely with a simple reticulum. This study focused on two species that were originally described under Diodia due to the occurrence of fruits indehiscent mericarps: Diodia palustris and D. spicata. In the present study, classical taxonomy is combined with molecular analyses. As a result, we propose that both Diodia species belong to Galianthe subgen. Ebelia. The molecular position within Galianthe, based on ITS and ETS sequences, has been supported by the following morphological characters: thyrsoid, spiciform or cymoidal inflorescences, bifid stigmas, pollen grains with a double reticulum, and indehiscent mericarps. However, both species, unlike the remainder of the genus Galianthe, have homostylous flowers, so the presence of this type of flower significantly modifies the generic concept. In this framework, a third homostylous species, Galianthe vasquezii, from the Andean region is also described. Until now, this species remained cryptic under specimens of Galianthe palustris It differs however from the latter by having longer calyx lobes, the presence of dispersed trichomes inside the corolla lobes (vs. glabrous), fruits that are acropetally dehiscent (vs. basipetally dehiscent), and its Andean geographical distribution (vs. Paranaense). Additionally, a lectotype has been chosen for Diodia palustris, Borreria pterophora has been placed under synonymy of Galianthe palustris, and Galianthe boliviana is reported for the first time from Peru. A key of all Galianthe species with indehiscent mericarps is also provided.
Do rotational shear-cushioning shoes influence horizontal ground reaction forces and perceived comfort during basketball cutting maneuvers?
Authors: Lam Wing-Kai , Qu Yi , Yang Fan , Cheung Roy T.H.
Published: November 2017

Background

Court shoe designs predominantly focus on reducing excessive vertical ground reaction force, but shear force cushioning has received little attention in the basketball population. We aimed to examine the effect of a novel shoe-cushioning design on both resultant horizontal ground reaction forces and comfort perception during two basketball-specific cutting movements.

Methods

Fifteen university team basketball players performed lateral shuffling and 45-degree sidestep cutting at maximum effort in basketball shoes with and without the shear-cushioning system (SCS). Paired t-tests were used to examine the differences in kinetics and comfort perception between two shoes.

Results

SCS shoe allowed for larger rotational material deformation compared with control shoes, but no significant shoe differences were found in braking phase kinetics during both cutting movements (P = 0.35). Interestingly, a greater horizontal propulsion impulse was found with the SCS during 45-degree cutting (P < 0.05), when compared with the control. In addition, players wearing SCS shoes perceived better forefoot comfort (P = 0.012). During lateral shuffling, there were no significant differences in horizontal GRF and comfort perception between shoe conditions (P > 0.05).

Discussion

The application of a rotational shear-cushioning structure allowed for better forefoot comfort and enhanced propulsion performance in cutting, but did not influence the shear impact. Understanding horizontal ground reaction force information may be useful in designing footwear to prevent shear-related injuries in sport populations.
NMR analysis of the backbone dynamics of the small GTPase Rheb and its interaction with the regulatory protein FKBP38
Authors: De Cicco Maristella , Kiss Leo , Dames Sonja A.
Published: November 2017

Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) is a small GTPase that regulates mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and, thereby, cell growth and metabolism. Here we show that cycling between the inactive GDP‐ and the active GTP‐bound state modulates the backbone dynamics of a C‐terminal truncated form, RhebΔCT, which is suggested to influence its interactions. We further investigated the interactions between RhebΔCT and the proposed Rheb‐binding domain of the regulatory protein FKBP38. The observed weak interactions with the GTP‐analogue‐ (GppNHp‐) but not the GDP‐bound state, appear to accelerate the GDP to GTP exchange, but only very weakly compared to a genuine GEF. Thus, FKBP38 is most likely not a GEF but a Rheb effector that may function in membrane targeting of Rheb.
Reverse Estuarine Circulation Due to Local and Remote Wind Forcing, Enhanced by the Presence of Along‐Coast Estuaries
Authors: Giddings S. N. , MacCready P.
Published: November 2017

Estuarine exchange flow governs the interaction between oceans and estuaries and thus plays a large role in their biogeochemical processes. This study investigates the variability in estuarine exchange flow due to offshore oceanic conditions including upwelling/downwelling, and the presence of a river plume offshore (from a neighboring estuary). We address these processes via numerical simulations at the mouth of the Salish Sea, a large estuarine system in the Northeast Pacific. An analysis of the Total Exchange Flow indicates that during the upwelling season, the exchange flow is fairly consistent in magnitude and oriented in a positive (into the estuary at depth and out at the surface) direction. However, during periods of downwelling favorable winds, the exchange flow shows significantly more variability including multiple reversals, consistent with observations, and surface intrusions of the Columbia River plume which originates 250 km to the south. Numerical along‐strait momentum budgets show that the exchange flow is forced dominantly by the pressure gradients, particularly the baroclinic. The pressure gradient is modified by Coriolis and sometimes advection, highlighting the importance of geostrophy and local adjustments. In experiments conducted without the offshore river plume, reversals still occur but are weaker, and the baroclinic pressure gradient plays a reduced role. These results suggest that estuaries along strong upwelling coastlines should experience significant modulation in the exchange flow during upwelling versus downwelling conditions. Additionally, they highlight the importance of nearby estuaries impacting one‐another, not only in terms of connectivity, but also altering the exchange flow.
A Systematic Study of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Interactions
Authors: Pradhan Prajal , Costa Luís , Rybski Diego , Lucht Wolfgang , Kropp Jürgen P.
Published: November 2017

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) have set the 2030 agenda to transform our world by tackling multiple challenges humankind is facing to ensure well‐being, economic prosperity, and environmental protection. In contrast to conventional development agendas focusing on a restricted set of dimensions, the SDGs provide a holistic and multidimensional view on development. Hence, interactions among the SDGs may cause diverging results. To analyze the SDG interactions we systematize the identification of synergies and trade‐offs using official SDG indicator data for 227 countries. A significant positive correlation between a pair of SDG indicators is classified as a synergy while a significant negative correlation is classified as a trade‐off. We rank synergies and trade‐offs between SDGs pairs on global and country scales in order to identify the most frequent SDG interactions. For a given SDG, positive correlations between indicator pairs were found to outweigh the negative ones in most countries. Among SDGs the positive and negative correlations between indicator pairs allowed for the identification of particular global patterns. SDG 1 (No poverty) has synergetic relationship with most of the other goals, whereas SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production) is the goal most commonly associated with trade‐offs. The attainment of the SDG agenda will greatly depend on whether the identified synergies among the goals can be leveraged. In addition, the highlighted trade‐offs, which constitute obstacles in achieving the SDGs, need to be negotiated and made structurally nonobstructive by deeper changes in the current strategies.
Changing Weather Extremes Call for Early Warning of Potential for Catastrophic Fire
Authors: Boer Matthias M. , Nolan Rachael H. , Resco De Dios Víctor , Clarke Hamish , Price Owen F. , Bradstock Ross A.
Published: November 2017

Changing frequencies of extreme weather events and shifting fire seasons call for enhanced capability to forecast where and when forested landscapes switch from a nonflammable (i.e., wet fuel) state to the highly flammable (i.e., dry fuel) state required for catastrophic forest fires. Current forest fire danger indices used in Europe, North America, and Australia rate potential fire behavior by combining numerical indices of fuel moisture content, potential rate of fire spread, and fire intensity. These numerical rating systems lack the physical basis required to reliably quantify forest flammability outside the environments of their development or under novel climate conditions. Here, we argue that exceedance of critical forest flammability thresholds is a prerequisite for major forest fires and therefore early warning systems should be based on a reliable prediction of fuel moisture content plus a regionally calibrated model of how forest fire activity responds to variation in fuel moisture content. We demonstrate the potential of this approach through a case study in Portugal. We use a physically based fuel moisture model with historical weather and fire records to identify critical fuel moisture thresholds for forest fire activity and then show that the catastrophic June 2017 forest fires in central Portugal erupted shortly after fuels in the region dried out to historically unprecedented levels.
Expected Seismicity and the Seismic Noise Environment of Europa
Authors: Panning Mark P. , Stähler Simon C. , Huang Hsin‐Hua , Vance Steven D. , Kedar Sharon , Tsai Victor C. , Pike William T. , Lorenz Ralph D.
Published: November 2017

Seismic data will be a vital geophysical constraint on internal structure of Europa if we land instruments on the surface. Quantifying expected seismic activity on Europa both in terms of large, recognizable signals and ambient background noise is important for understanding dynamics of the moon, as well as interpretation of potential future data. Seismic energy sources will likely include cracking in the ice shell and turbulent motion in the oceans. We define a range of models of seismic activity in Europa's ice shell by assuming each model follows a Gutenberg‐Richter relationship with varying parameters. A range of cumulative seismic moment release between 1016and 1018 Nm/yr is defined by scaling tidal dissipation energy to tectonic events on the Earth's moon. Random catalogs are generated and used to create synthetic continuous noise records through numerical wave propagation in thermodynamically self‐consistent models of the interior structure of Europa. Spectral characteristics of the noise are calculated by determining probabilistic power spectral densities of the synthetic records. While the range of seismicity models predicts noise levels that vary by 80 dB, we show that most noise estimates are below the self‐noise floor of high‐frequency geophones but may be recorded by more sensitive instruments. The largest expected signals exceed background noise by ∼50 dB. Noise records may allow for constraints on interior structure through autocorrelation. Models of seismic noise generated by pressure variations at the base of the ice shell due to turbulent motions in the subsurface ocean may also generate observable seismic noise.
Seismic Wave Propagation in Icy Ocean Worlds
Authors: Stähler Simon C. , Panning Mark P. , Vance Steven D. , Lorenz Ralph D. , van Driel Martin , Nissen‐Meyer Tarje , Kedar Sharon
Published: November 2017

Seismology was developed on Earth and shaped our model of the Earth's interior over the twentieth century. With the exception of the Philae lander, all in situ extraterrestrial seismological effort to date was limited to other terrestrial planets. All have in common a rigid crust above a solid mantle. The coming years may see the installation of seismometers on Europa, Titan, and Enceladus, so it is necessary to adapt seismological concepts to the setting of worlds with global oceans covered in ice. Here we use waveform analyses to identify and classify wave types, developing a lexicon for icy ocean world seismology intended to be useful to both seismologists and planetary scientists. We use results from spectral‐element simulations of broadband seismic wavefields to adapt seismological concepts to icy ocean worlds. We present a concise naming scheme for seismic waves and an overview of the features of the seismic wavefield on Europa, Titan, Ganymede, and Enceladus. In close connection with geophysical interior models, we analyze simulated seismic measurements of Europa and Titan that might be used to constrain geochemical parameters governing the habitability of a sub‐ice ocean.
In Situ Exfoliated, N‐Doped, and Edge‐Rich Ultrathin Layered Double Hydroxides Nanosheets for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Yanyong , Xie Chao , Zhang Zhiyuan , Liu Dongdong , Chen Ru , Wang Shuangyin
Published: November 2017

The number of catalytically reactive sites and their intrinsic electrocatalytic activity strongly affect the performance of electrocatalysts. Recently, there are growing concerns about layered double hydroxides (LDHs) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Exfoliating LDHs is an effective method to increase the reactive sites, however, a traditional liquid phase exfoliation method is usually very labor‐intensive and time‐consuming. On the other hand, proper heteroelement doping and edge engineering are helpful to tune the intrinsic activity of reactive sites. In this work, bulk CoFe LDHs are successfully exfoliated into ultrathin CoFe LDHs nanosheets by nitrogen plasma. Meanwhile, nitrogen doping and defects are introduced into exfoliated ultrathin CoFe LDHs nanosheets. The number of reactive sites can be increased efficiently by the formation of ultrathin CoFe LDHs nanosheets, the nitrogen dopant alters the surrounding electronic arrangement of reactive site facilitating the adsorption of OER intermediates, and the electrocatalytic activity of reactive sites can be further tuned efficiently by introducing defects which increase the number of dangling bonds neighboring reactive sites and decrease the coordination number of reactive sites. With these advantages, this electrocatalyst shows excellent OER activity with an ultralow overpotential of 233 mV at 10 mA cm−2.
Cell‐Based Drug Delivery and Use of Nano‐and Microcarriers for Cell Functionalization
Authors: Timin Alexander S. , Litvak Maxim M. , Gorin Dmitry A. , Atochina‐Vasserman Elena N. , Atochin Dmitriy N. , Sukhorukov Gleb B.
Published: November 2017

Cell functionalization with recently developed various nano‐ and microcarriers for therapeutics has significantly expanded the application of cell therapy and targeted drug delivery for the effective treatment of a number of diseases. The aim of this progress report is to review the most recent advances in cell‐based drug vehicles designed as biological transporter platforms for the targeted delivery of different drugs. For the design of cell‐based drug vehicles, different pathways of cell functionalization, such as covalent and noncovalent surface modifications, internalization of carriers are considered in greater detail together with approaches for cell visualization in vivo. In addition, several animal models for the study of cell‐assisted drug delivery are discussed. Finally, possible future developments and applications of cell‐assisted drug vehicles toward targeted transport of drugs to a designated location with no or minimal immune response and toxicity are addressed in light of new pathways in the field of nanomedicine.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Sulfur Cathode during Discharge in MgTFSI2–DME Electrolyte
Authors: Gao Tao , Ji Xiao , Hou Singyuk , Fan Xiulin , Li Xiaogang , Yang Chongying , Han Fudong , Wang Fei , Jiang Jianjun , Xu Kang , Wang Chunsheng
Published: November 2017

Rechargeable magnesium/sulfur battery is of significant interest because its energy density (1700 Wh kg−1 and 3200 Wh L−1) is among the highest of all battery chemistries (lower than Li/O2 and Mg/O2 but comparable to Li/S), and Mg metal allows reversible operation (100% Coulombic efficiency) with no dendrite formation. This great promise is already justified in some early reports. However, lack of mechanistic study of sulfur reaction in the Mg cation environment has severely hindered our understanding and prevents effective measures for performance improvement. In this work, the very first systematic fundamental study on Mg/S system is conducted by combining experimental methods with computational approach. The thermodynamics and reaction pathway of sulfur cathode in MgTFSI2–DME electrolyte, as well as the associated kinetics are thoroughly investigated. The results here reveal that sulfur undergoes a consecutive staging pathway in which the formation and chain‐shortening of polysulfide occur at early stage accompanied by the dissolution of long‐chain polysulfide, and solid‐state transition from short‐chain polysulfide to magnesium sulfide occurs at late stage. The former process is much faster than the latter due to the synergetic effect of the mediating effect of dissolved polysulfide and the fast diffusion of Mg ion in the amorphous intermediate.
Electronic Transport and Ferroelectric Switching in Ion‐Bombarded, Defect‐Engineered BiFeO3 Thin Films
Authors: Saremi Sahar , Xu Ruijuan , Dedon Liv R. , Gao Ran , Ghosh Anirban , Dasgupta Arvind , Martin Lane W.
Published: November 2017

Despite continued interest in the multiferroic BiFeO3 for a diverse range of applications, use of this material is limited by its poor electrical leakage. This work demonstrates some of the most resistive BiFeO3 thin films reported to date via defect engineering achieved via high‐energy ion bombardment. High leakage in as‐grown BiFeO3 thin films is shown to be due to the presence of moderately shallow isolated trap states, which form during growth. Ion bombardment is shown to be an effective way to reduce this free carrier transport (by up to ≈4 orders of magnitude) by trapping the charge carriers in bombardment‐induced, deep‐lying defect complexes and clusters. The ion bombardment is also found to give rise to an increased resistance to switching as a result of an increase in defect concentration. This study demonstrates a systematic ion‐dose‐dependent increase in the coercivity, extension of the defect‐related creep regime, increase in the pinning activation energy, decrease in the switching speed, and broadening of the field distribution of switching. Ultimately, the use of such defect‐engineering routes to control materials will require identification of an optimum range of ion dosage to achieve maximum enhancement in resistivity with minimum impact on ferroelectric switching.
Maternal Chlamydia infection during pregnancy among younger mothers and risk of gastroschisis in singleton offspring
Authors: Horslev Tessa , Binongo José N. , Kancherla Vijaya
Published: November 2017

Background

Prevalence of gastroschisis has been increasing in the United States (US) since 1980s. Genital infection with Chlamydia has also been increasing in prevalence, particularly among younger women. The etiology of gastroschisis is unknown. Ongoing research suggests multiple causal factors may be involved, including Chlamydia infection in mothers during pregnancy.

Methods

Using birth certificate data from 2014 US vital records, we conducted a population‐based case–control study to examine the association between prenatal Chlamydia exposure in young women (16–25 years of age) and gastroschisis in singleton offspring. Cases consisted of live births with gastroschisis, and controls had no major birth defects reported in their birth certificate. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (cOR and aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

There were 809 cases (95.6% were isolated cases) and 1,260,293 controls. Chlamydia during pregnancy was reported in 4.5% of case and 3.6% control mothers (p = .21). Case mothers were significantly more likely to be younger (16–20 years of age) at the time of delivery compared to control mothers (p < .0001). We found no significant association between Chlamydia infection during pregnancy and gastroschisis (cOR = 1.24; 95% CI = 0.89–1.73 and aOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.66–1.70).

Conclusion

With the caveat of possible misclassification of exposure and outcome variables in birth certificate data, we found no significant association between prenatal exposure to Chlamydia and gastroschisis in the offspring born to younger mothers. Future studies should refine measures by focusing on relevant risk period and biomarkers.
Maternal separation affects expression of stress response genes and increases vulnerability to ethanol consumption
Authors: de Almeida Magalhães Taciani , Correia Diego , de Carvalho Luana Martins , Damasceno Samara , Brunialti Godard Ana Lúcia
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Maternal separation is an early life stress event associated with behavioral alterations and ethanol consumption. We aimed to expand the current understanding on the molecular mechanisms mediating the impact of postnatal stress on ethanol consumption.

Methods

In the first experiment (T1), some of the pups were separated from their mothers for 6 hr daily (Maternal Separation group ‐ MS), whereas the other pups remained in the cage with their respective mothers (Control group ‐ C). In the second experiment (T2), mice from both groups were subjected to the model of free‐choice between water and sucrose solution or between water and ethanol solution. Maternal behavior was assessed at the end of T1. At the end of both T1 and T2, pups were subjected to the light/dark box behavioral test and blood corticosterone concentrations were analyzed.

Results

Our maternal separation protocol led to intense maternal care and affected weight gain of the animals. The expression of stress response genes was altered with higher levels of Crh and Pomc being observed in the hypothalamus, and higher levels of Crhr1, Crhr2, Htr2a and lower levels of Nr3c1 and Htr1a being observed in the hippocampus after T1. At the end of T2, we observed higher levels of Avp and Pomc in the hypothalamus, and higher levels of Crhr1, Crhr2, Nr3c1, Slc6a4, Bdnf and lower levels of Htr1a in the hippocampus. Additionally, maternal separation increased vulnerability to ethanol consumption during adolescence and induced changes in anxiety/stress‐related behavior after T2. Furthermore, voluntary ethanol consumption attenuated stress response and modified expression of reward system genes: enhancing Drd1 and Drd2, and reducing Gabbr2 in the striatum.

Conclusion

Maternal separation induced behavioral changes and alterations in the expression of key genes involved in HPA axis and in the serotonergic and reward systems that are likely to increase vulnerability to ethanol consumption in adolescence. We demonstrated, for the first time, that ethanol consumption masked stress response by reducing the activity of the HPA axis and the serotonergic system, therefore, suggesting that adolescent mice from the MS group probably consumed ethanol for stress relieving purposes.
Epidemiologic profile and clinical course of four confirmed rickettsiosis cases in Southern Mexico during 2016
Authors: Dzul‐Rosado Karla R. , Mendez Nina , Lugo‐Caballero Cesar , Zavala‐Castro Jorge E. , Gomez‐Carro Salvador
Published: November 2017

Key Clinical Message

Domestic animals can carry ticks or fleas, which constitute common vectors of rickettsial infections. The contact with them should be considered as suggestive of rickettsial infections in symptomatic patients. Misdiagnosis might occur in regions where other vector‐borne diseases are endemic. Anamnesis is essential for an accurate clinical diagnosis.
Global microRNA expression profiling in the liver biopsies of hepatitis B virus–infected patients suggests specific microRNA signatures for viral persistence and hepatocellular injury
Authors: Singh Avishek Kumar , Rooge Sheetalnath Babasaheb , Varshney Aditi , Vasudevan Madavan , Bhardwaj Ankit , Venugopal Senthil Kumar , Trehanpati Nirupama , Kumar Manoj , Geffers Robert , Kumar Vijay , Sarin Shiv Kumar
Published: November 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can manipulate the microRNA (miRNA) regulatory networks in infected cells to create a permissive environment for viral replication, cellular injury, disease onset, and its progression. The aim of the present study was to understand the miRNA networks and their target genes in the liver of hepatitis B patients involved in HBV replication, liver injury, and liver fibrosis. We investigated differentially expressed miRNAs by microarray in liver biopsy samples from different stages of HBV infection and liver disease (immune‐tolerant [n = 8], acute viral hepatitis [n = 8], no fibrosis [n = 16], early [F1+F2, n = 19] or late [F3+F4, n = 14] fibrosis, and healthy controls [n = 7]). miRNA expression levels were analyzed by unsupervised principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering. Analysis of miRNA–mRNA regulatory networks identified 17 miRNAs and 18 target gene interactions with four distinct nodes, each representing a stage‐specific gene regulation during disease progression. The immune‐tolerant group showed elevated miR‐199a‐5p, miR‐221‐3p, and Let‐7a‐3p levels, which could target genes involved in innate immune response and viral replication. In the acute viral hepatitis group, miR‐125b‐5p and miR‐3613‐3p were up, whereas miR‐940 was down, which might affect cell proliferation through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway. In early fibrosis, miR‐34b‐3p, miR‐1224‐3p, and miR‐1227‐3p were up, while miR‐499a‐5p was down, which together possibly mediate chronic inflammation. In advanced fibrosis, miR‐1, miR‐10b‐5p, miR‐96‐5p, miR‐133b, and miR‐671‐5p were up, while miR‐20b‐5p and miR‐455‐3p were down, possibly allowing chronic disease progression. Interestingly, only 8 of 17 liver‐specific miRNAs exhibited a similar expression pattern in patient sera. Conclusion: miRNA signatures identified in this study corroborate previous findings and provide fresh insight into the understanding of HBV‐associated liver diseases which may be helpful in developing early‐stage disease diagnostics and targeted therapeutics. (Hepatology 2018;67:1695‐1709)
A clinico‐pathologic study of placenta percreta
Authors: Hubinont Corinne , Mhallem Mina , Baldin Pamela , Debieve Frederic , Bernard Pierre , Jauniaux Eric
Published: November 2017

Objective

To review a single‐center case series of placenta percreta and to evaluate risk factors and the impact of surgical techniques used in previous cesarean delivery.

Methods

The present retrospective cohort study included pregnancies with placenta percreta managed between January 1, 2002, and March 31, 2017, at Saint Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. The data reviewed included demographics, outcomes, inter‐pregnancy interval, and surgical techniques used for uterine closure in previous cesarean delivery. A cases series of non‐accreta placenta previa was used as a control group.

Results

There were 19 pregnancies included in the study. The most common ultrasonography signs in the study group were loss of the clear zone (14/17; 82%), placental lacunae (17/17; 100%), and subplacental hypervascularity (11/14; 79%). Median gravidity, parity, and number of previous cesarean deliveries were higher (P<0.05) and inter‐pregnancy interval was longer (P<0.05) in the study group than the control group. There was no difference between the groups in the surgical techniques used for previous cesarean deliveries.

Conclusion

The prenatal ultrasonography diagnosis of placenta percreta is accurate and facilitates optimal management by a specialized multidisciplinary team. Multicenter studies are required to further evaluate the impact of the surgical techniques used for prior cesarean delivery on the risks of placenta percreta in subsequent pregnancies.
Modulation of cell responses to Ag‐(MeO2MA‐co‐OEGMA): Effects of nanoparticle surface hydrophobicity and serum proteins on cellular uptake and toxicity
Authors: Anderson Christopher R. , Gnopo Yehou D. M. , Gambinossi Filippo , Mylon Steven E. , Ferri James K.
Published: November 2017

Nanoparticle (NP) interactions with cellular systems are influenced by both NP physico‐chemical properties and the presence of surface‐bound proteins that are adsorbed in biological environments. Here, we characterize cellular responses to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate‐co‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate) (poly(MeO2MAx‐co‐OEGMAy)) brushes with tunable hydrophobicity and explore how these responses are modulated by the presence or absence of serum proteins. Poly(MeO2MAx‐co‐OEGMAy) with variable composition (5–10% OEGMA) was fabricated to elicit differential hydrophobicity at 37°C for AgNPs capped with these copolymers. The increase in Ag‐(MeO2MAx‐co‐OEGMAy) surface hydrophobicity from (x:y) = 90:10 to (x:y) = 95:5 led to enhanced cytotoxicity of L‐929 fibroblasts and a concomitant increase in cell uptake and reactive oxygen species generation in the presence of serum proteins. These responses were attenuated significantly in serum‐free environments. Broad inhibition of PI3 kinase‐mediated endocytosis reduced both cell uptake and cytotoxicity in the presence or absence of serum proteins. In contrast, selective inhibition of clathrin‐ and caveolae‐mediated endocytosis markedly decreased cell uptake and cytotoxicity in response to Ag‐(MeO2MA95‐co‐OEGMA5) exclusively in the presence of serum proteins, whereas cell responses to the more hydrophilic Ag‐(MeO2MA90‐co‐OEGMA10) were less affected by the inhibition of these pathways with or without serum proteins. This study demonstrates an important role for both NP surface hydrophobicity and the presence of serum proteins in directing cell uptake and subsequent cellular responses, which we suggest has broad application in the design of polymer‐functionalized NPs for specific biological outcomes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1061–1071, 2018.
Pathological kinematic patterns of the tarsal complex in stage II adult‐acquired flatfoot deformity
Authors: Wang Chen , Wang Heng , Cao Shengxuan , Wang Shaobai , Ma Xin , Wang Xu , Huang Jiazhang , Zhang Chao , Chen Li , Geng Xiang , Wang Kan
Published: November 2017

The in vivo kinematic characteristics of the tarsal joints during gait stance phase were still unclear in adult‐acquired foot deformity (AAFD). This study included seven healthy subjects (14 feet) and 12 stage II AAFD patients (14 feet). The 3D models of tarsal bones were reconstructed based on CT scan. Each subject took standard gait on the single fluoroscopy system. Continuous lateral fluoroscopic images were collected. The key postures during the stance phase were selected. The 2D‐3D registration technique was applied to explore the spatial motions of the tarsal joints in 6 degrees of freedom (DOF). During the whole stance phase, the AAFD talo‐navicular joint (TNJ) exhibited ROM of 13 ± 6° in the sagittal plane while the normal subjects showed ROM of 7 ± 3° (p = 0.004). In AAFD, the subtalar joint (STJ) demonstrated 19 ± 8° and 7 ± 3° of motion in coronal and horizontal plane, respectively, while the normal subjects showed 14 ± 4°(p = 0.031) and 11 ± 3° (p = 0.014) of motion, respectively. Additionally STJ of AAFD patients showed significantly less dorsiflexion during the weight acceptance and showed significantly less external rotation both during the weight acceptance and single limb support of stance phase. In conclusion, for stage II AAFD patients, the talonavicular joint and the subtalar joint showed hypermobility in dorsi/planterflexion and inversion/eversion, respectively, during the gait stance phase while the internal/external rotation of the subtalar joint was reduced. The current study improves our understanding of the pathological kinematics of the tarsal complex in AAFD patients. Notice should be taken about these tarsal joints mobility in AAFD during clinical practice. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:477–482, 2019.
The role of soil chemical properties, land use and plant diversity for microbial phosphorus in forest and grassland soils
Authors: Sorkau Elisabeth , Boch Steffen , Boeddinghaus Runa S. , Bonkowski Michael , Fischer Markus , Kandeler Ellen , Klaus Valentin H. , Kleinebecker Till , Marhan Sven , Müller Jörg , Prati Daniel , Schöning Ingo , Schrumpf Marion , Weinert Jan , Oelmann Yvonne
Published: November 2017

Management intensity modifies soil properties, e.g., organic carbon (Corg) concentrations and soil pH with potential feedbacks on plant diversity. These changes might influence microbial P concentrations (Pmic) in soil representing an important component of the P cycle. Our objectives were to elucidate whether abiotic and biotic variables controlling Pmic concentrations in soil are the same for forests and grasslands, and to assess the effect of region and management on Pmic concentrations in forest and grassland soils as mediated by the controlling variables. In three regions of Germany, Schwäbische Alb, Hanich‐Dün, and Schorfheide‐Chorin, we studied forest and grassland plots (each n = 150) differing in plant diversity and land‐use intensity. In contrast to controls of microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), Pmic was strongly influenced by soil pH, which in turn affected phosphorus (P) availability and thus microbial P uptake in forest and grassland soils. Furthermore, Pmic concentrations in forest and grassland soils increased with increasing plant diversity. Using structural equation models, we could show that soil Corg is the profound driver of plant diversity effects on Pmic in grasslands. For both forest and grassland, we found regional differences in Pmic attributable to differing environmental conditions (pH, soil moisture). Forest management and tree species showed no effect on Pmic due to a lack of effects on controlling variables (e.g., Corg). We also did not find management effects in grassland soils which might be caused by either compensation of differently directed effects across sites or by legacy effects of former fertilization constraining the relevance of actual practices. We conclude that variables controlling Pmic or Cmic in soil differ in part and that regional differences in controlling variables are more important for Pmic in soil than those induced by management.
Rapid authentication of edible bird's nest by FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics
Authors: Guo Lili , Wu Yajun , Liu Mingchang , Ge Yiqiang , Chen Ying
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Edible bird's nests (EBNs) have been traditionally regarded as a kind of medicinal and healthy food in China. For economic reasons, they are frequently subjected to adulteration with some cheaper substitutes, such as Tremella fungus, agar, fried pigskin, and egg white. As a kind of precious and functional product, it is necessary to establish a robust method for the rapid authentication of EBNs with small amounts of samples by simple processes. In this study, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) system was utilized and its feasibility for identification of EBNs was verified.

RESULTS

FTIR spectra data of authentic and adulterated EBNs were analyzed by chemometrics analyses including principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM) and one‐class partial least squares (OCPLS). The results showed that the established LDA and SVM models performed well and had satisfactory classification ability, with the former 94.12% and the latter 100%. The OCPLS model was developed with prediction sensitivity of 0.937 and specificity of 0.886. Further detection of commercial EBN samples confirmed these results.

CONCLUSION

FTIR is applicable in the scene of rapid authentication of EBNs, especially for quality supervision departments, entry–exit inspection and quarantine, and customs administration. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound–Induced Lesions in Liver Tissue Ex Vivo
Authors: Haddadi Samaneh , Ahmadian Mohammad Taghi
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Recent advances in the field of acoustics and piezoelectric and ultrasound transducers have led to new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. One method of treatment with ultrasonic waves is high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, which is a thermal therapeutic method used to treat malignant tumors. Although a variety of treatment‐planning strategies using ultrasonic waves have been investigated, little clinical success has been achieved. Computational modeling is a powerful tool for predicting device performance.

Methods

The heating induced by a concave transducer with operating powers of 85 and 135 W was studied, and the experimental results presented in this article verify its applicability. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear acoustic field were performed by using the Westervelt and Khokhlov‐Zabolotskaya‐Kuznetsov equations. Heat transfer was measured for the 2 operational powers, and the results were compared with ex vivo experimental results. In addition, thermal dose contours for both the simulation and experimental results were calculated to investigate the ablated area.

Results

Good agreement was found between the experimental and numerical results. The results show that the average temperature deviations calculated at the focal point were 12.8% and 4.3% for transducer powers of 85 and 135 W, respectively.

Conclusions

This study provides guidance to HIFU practitioners in determining lesion size and identifying nonlinear effects that should be considered in HIFU procedures.