bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐Assessment in Art Education through a Visual Rubric
Authors: Groenendijk Talita , Kárpáti Andrea , Haanstra Folkert
Published: June 2019

A tool for self assessment in secondary art education was developed and tested. The tool includes rubrics for assessing production and reception activities in art education and consists of visual and text rubrics. The criteria in the rubrics are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Visual Literacy which was developed by The European Network of Visual Literacy (ENViL). The way teachers and students use the rubrics, whether they consider them helpful and to what extent students’ self‐assessments are in line with teacher assessments was studied. It was concluded that teachers work with the rubrics intensively and both students and teachers appreciate its visual form. However, it was found that the agreement between teachers and students about the students’ scores was moderate and needed to improve. The results show that it is untrue that students, or boys in particular, overestimate their own performance in art education. The current study contributes to the development of feasible and valid assessment criteria and instruments in secondary art education.
The Role of the New Goods Margin for New EU Countries Trade
Authors: del Rosal Ignacio
Published: June 2019

Recent literature on international trade has devoted increased attention to the role played by the extensive margin of trade for economies engaged in liberalization and structural transformation processes, such as the new EU countries. This article documents the leading role of the new goods margin in trade growth for the new member states that have acceded the EU in 2004 and 2007. Product trade data is used to analyse the trade share of the new goods over the sample period 1999–2014. The results show that the extensive margin of trade grew from 10 to around 50 per cent for most bilateral trade flows of the new EU member states. Further decomposition of the new goods margin shows that the goods already traded though in small volumes at the beginning of the period play a leading role.
Strategies to reduce stigma related to visible chronic skin diseases: a systematic review
Authors: Topp J. , Andrees V. , Weinberger N. A. , Schäfer I. , Sommer R. , Mrowietz U. , Luck‐Sikorski C. , Augustin M.
Published: June 2019

Many patients with a visible chronic skin disease experience discrimination and stigmatization. This results in psychosocial impairments in addition to the burden of disease and emphasizes the urgency to implement effective stigma‐reduction strategies. To synthesize what is known globally about effective interventions to reduce stigma associated with visible chronic skin diseases, a systematic review was conducted. Four electronic databases were searched until May 2018. Studies evaluating interventions to reduce stigmatization in patients with visible chronic skin diseases and applying at least one stigma‐related outcome measure were included. Data were extracted on study design, country, study population, outcome measures and main findings. Results were subsequently synthesized in a narrative review. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools were used to assess study quality. Nineteen studies were included in the review. Study design was very heterogeneous and study quality rather poor. Thirteen studies addresses patients with leprosy in low‐ and middle‐income countries, and one study each targeted patients with onychomycosis, leg ulcer, facial disfigurement, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo and alopecia. Evaluated interventions were mainly multi‐faceted incorporating more than one type of intervention. While 10 studies focused on the reduction in self‐stigma and 4 on the reduction in public stigma, another 5 studies aimed at reducing both. The present review revealed a lack of high‐quality studies on effective approaches to reduce stigmatization of patients with visible chronic skin diseases. Development and evaluation of intervention formats to adequately address stigma is essential to promote patients’ health and well‐being.
Functional responses of cold brewed white tea to high pressure processing
Authors: Uzuner Sibel , Evrendilek Gulsun A.
Published: June 2019

Changes in functional characteristics of cold brewed white tea were quantified in response to high pressure processing (HPP). The multiple functional responses of total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAA), and total caffeine content (TCC) were optimized using Box–Behnken design. Operational HPP conditions involved the ranges of pressure (300–500 MPa), solid (tea leaves)/liquid (water) ratio (SLR; 1–3%), and brewing time (120–600 s). Tea leaves/water ratio was determined as the most important factor with the highest rate of change per 1% increase in SLR for TPC (645.8 mg/L), TCC (11.48%), and TAA (5.09%). The optimum conditions were achieved using 300 MPa, 2.2% SLR, and 600 s brewing time and resulted in 91.9% TAA, 1949.2 mg/L TPC, and 17.5% TCC. APP appeared to be a promising alternative novel technique to minimize TCC and maximize TAA and TPC of cold brewed white tea simultaneously.

Practical applications

The present study quantifies the multiple health‐related responses of cold brewed white tea to high pressure processing (HPP). The HPP approach adopted in the study provides cold brewed white tea with good quality and is cost‐effective in terms of small‐to‐large scale food industries. Joint optimization results can be used to improve the operational conditions of cold brewed white tea by related food processors.
Migmatites record multiple episodes of crustal anatexis and geochemical differentiation in the Sulu ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic zone, eastern China
Authors: Zhou Kun , Chen Yi‐Xiang , Zheng Yong‐Fei , Xu Li‐Juan
Published: June 2019

Partial melting of ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks is common during collisional orogenesis and post‐collisional reworking, indicating that determining the timing and processes involved in this partial melting can provide insights into the tectonic evolution of collisional orogens. This study presents the results of a combined whole‐rock geochemical and zirconological study of migmatites from the Sulu orogen in eastern China. These data provide evidence of multiple episodes of crustal anatexis and geochemical differentiation within the UHP metamorphic rocks. The leucosomes contain higher concentrations of Ba and K and lower concentrations of the rare earth elements (REE), Th and Y, than associated melanosomes and granitic gneisses. The leucosomes also have homogenous Sr–Nd–O isotopic compositions that are similar to proximal (i.e. within the same outcrop) melanosomes, suggesting that the anatectic melts were generated by the partial melting of source rocks that are located within individual outcrops. The migmatites contain zircons with six different types of domains that can be categorized using differences in structures, trace element compositions, and U–Pb ages. Group I domains are relict magmatic zircons that yield middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages and contain high REE concentrations. Group II domains represent newly grown metamorphic zircons that formed at 230 ± 1 Ma during the collisional orogenesis. Groups III, IV, V, and VI zircons are newly grown anatectic zircons that formed at 222 ± 2 Ma, 215 ± 1 Ma, 177 ± 2 Ma, and 152 ± 2 Ma, respectively. The metamorphic zircons have higher Th/U and lower (Yb/Gd)N values, flat heavy REE (HREE) patterns with no significantly negative Eu anomalies relative to the anatectic zircons, which are characterized by low Th/U ratios, steep HREE patterns, and negative Eu anomalies. The first two episodes of crustal anatexis occurred during the Late Triassic at c. 222 Ma and c. 215 Ma as a result of phengite breakdown. The other two episodes of anatexis occurred during the Jurassic period at c. 177 Ma and c. 152 Ma and were associated with extensional collapse of the collision‐thickened orogen. The majority of Triassic anatectic zircons and all of the Jurassic zircons are located within the leucosomes, whereas the melanosomes are dominated by Triassic metamorphic zircons, suggesting that the leucosomes within the migmatites record more episodes of crustal anatexis. Both metamorphic and anatectic zircons have elevated εHf(t) values compared with relict magmatic zircon cores, suggesting that these zircons contain non‐zircon Hf derived from material with more radiogenic Hf isotope compositions. Therefore, the Sulu and Dabie orogens experienced different episodes of reworking during the exhumation and post‐collisional stages.
Can you be too old for oral implants? An update on ageing and plasticity in the oro‐facial sensorimotor system
Authors: Sessle Barry J.
Published: June 2019

This review focuses on the capacity of the brain for plasticity and the utility and efficacy of oral implants in helping to restore oro‐facial sensorimotor functions, especially in elderly patients. The review first outlines the components of the oro‐facial sensorimotor system which encompasses both oro‐facial tissues and a number of brain regions. One such region is the sensorimotor cortex that controls the activity of the numerous oro‐facial skeletal muscles. These muscles are involved in a number of functions including reflexes and the more complex sensorimotor functions of mastication, swallowing and speech. The review outlines the use by the brain of sensory inputs from oro‐facial receptors in order to provide for exquisite sensorimotor control of the activity of the oro‐facial muscles. It highlights the role in this sensorimotor control played by periodontal mechanoreceptors and their sensory inputs to the brain, and how oral implants in concert with the plastic capacity of the brain may, at least in part, compensate for reduced sensorimotor functioning when teeth are lost. It outlines findings of ageing‐related decrements in oro‐facial sensorimotor functions and control. The changes in oro‐facial tissues and the brain that underlie these ageing‐related functional alterations are also considered, along with adaptive and compensatory processes that utilise the brain's capacity for plasticity. The review also notes the evidence that rehabilitation that incorporates adjunctive approaches such as sensorimotor training paradigms in addition to oral prostheses such as implants may enhance these processes and help maintain or facilitate recovery of sensorimotor functioning in the elderly.
SEDIMENTOLOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY AND RESERVOIR POTENTIAL OF SANDSTONES IN THE SILURIAN AKKAS FORMATION, WESTERN IRAQ
Authors: Al‐Juboury A. I. , Howard J. P. , Nichols G. , Vincent S. J. , Manning C. , Vautravers B. P.
Published: June 2019

The source rock potential of “hot shales” in the Silurian Akkas Formation in Iraq has been investigated by numerous studies, but the reservoir potential of sandstone intervals in the formation has received less attention. This study investigates the sedimentology and geochemistry of sandstones from the Akkas Formation in the Akkas‐1, Akkas‐3 and KH5/6 wells in western Iraq. The composition of sandstone samples from the Akkas wells is similar; in general they are classified as sub‐litharenites, quartz‐arenites and sub‐arkoses. Scanning electron microscopic analysis identified extensive microporosity and good pore connectivity, suggesting that these sandstones have the potential to form hydrocarbon reservoirs. The sandstones from the KH5/6 well are more lithic‐rich than those from the Akkas wells and are classified as sub‐litharenites. They have larger, more connected pores and better reservoir potential. Low permeability shale intervals within the Akkas Formation and the conformably‐underlying Ordovician Khabour Formation form barriers to hydrocarbon migration into the Akkas and Khabour sandstones. Hydrocarbon migration from the Akkas “hot shales” in the Akkas field is therefore controlled by faulting and fracturing.

Petrographic and whole rock geochemical analyses showed that the composition of sandstones in the Akkas Formation is different from that of sandstones in the Khabour Formation. The chemical alteration index ranges from 77.39 to 87.06%, indicating intense weathering of the provenance area before sandstone deposition. The studied samples are texturally mature which indicates good potential for fluid storage capacity. A decrease in feldspar content in the Akkas Formation is attributed to possible recycling of sediments from the Khabour Formation into the Akkas Formation following the Hirnantian glaciation, or to longer distance transportation from the source area.
Contrasting effects of high‐intensity photosynthetically active radiation on two bloom‐forming dinoflagellates
Authors: Cooney Elizabeth C. , Fredrickson Kerri A. , Bright Kelley J. , Strom Suzanne L.
Published: June 2019

While light limitation can inhibit bloom formation in dinoflagellates, the potential for high‐intensity photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) to inhibit blooms by causing stress or damage has not been well‐studied. We measured the effects of high‐intensity PAR on the bloom‐forming dinoflagellates Alexandrium fundyense and Heterocapsa rotundata. Various physiological parameters (photosynthetic efficiency Fv/Fm, cell permeability, dimethylsulfoniopropionate [DMSP], cell volume, and chlorophyll‐a content) were measured before and after exposure to high‐intensity natural sunlight in short‐term light stress experiments. In addition, photosynthesis‐irradiance (P‐E) responses were compared for cells grown at different light levels to assess the capacity for photophysiological acclimation in each species. Experiments revealed distinct species‐specific responses to high PAR. While high light decreased Fv/Fm in both species, A. fundyense showed little additional evidence of light stress in short‐term experiments, although increased membrane permeability and intracellular DMSP indicated a response to handling. P‐E responses further indicated a high light‐adapted species with Chl‐a inversely proportional to growth irradiance and no evidence of photoinhibition; reduced maximum per‐cell photosynthesis rates suggest a trade‐off between photoprotection and C fixation in high light‐acclimated cells. Heterocapsa rotundata cells, in contrast, swelled in response to high light and sometimes lysed in short‐term experiments, releasing DMSP. P‐E responses confirmed a low light‐adapted species with high photosynthetic efficiencies associated with trade‐offs in the form of substantial photoinhibition and a lack of plasticity in Chl‐a content. These contrasting responses illustrate that high light constrains dinoflagellate community composition through species‐specific stress effects, with consequences for bloom formation and ecological interactions within the plankton.
TLL1 variants do not predict hepatocellular carcinoma development in HCV cirrhotic patients treated with direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Degasperi Elisabetta , Galmozzi Enrico , Facchetti Floriana , Farina Elisa , D'Ambrosio Roberta , Soffredini Roberta , Iavarone Massimo , Lampertico Pietro
Published: June 2019

Tolloid‐like 1 gene (TLL1) variant rs17047200 has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japanese hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon or direct‐acting antiviral (DAA)‐based regimens. We investigated whether this holds true also in Caucasian cirrhotic patients cured by DAAs. Consecutive Caucasian HCV cirrhotics receiving DAA between December 2014 and December 2016 in a single centre were enrolled. Cirrhosis was defined histologically (METAVIR F4) or by liver stiffness measurement (LSM > 11.9 kPa). TLL1 rs17047200 was analysed by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. 452 patients were enrolled: median age 63 (28‐87) years, 58% males, 47% HCV‐1b, LSM 19.1 (12.0‐75.0) kPa and Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score 4.9 (0.3‐46.0). 96% patients achieved an SVR. TLL1 genotype was AA in 329 (73%) and AT/TT in 123 (27%) (MAF = 0.14, HWE P > 0.05). Patients’ clinical features were similar across TLL1 genotypes. After 33 (3‐47) months from DAA start, 31 patients developed HCC, with a 3‐year estimated cumulative probability being 7.5% (95% CI: 5%‐10%). The cumulative incidence of HCC was 9% in TLL1 AA vs 7% in AT/TT patients (P = 0.55). Male sex (HR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.4‐10.1, P = 0.008), diabetes (HR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.68‐7.27, P = 0.001) and FIB‐4 (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03‐1.14, P = 0.001) were baseline‐independent predictors of HCC. The incidence of HCC was not influenced by TLL1 genotypes even when considering an additional group of 348 noncirrhotic patients, being 2% in AA vs 1% AT/TT patients (P = 0.58). In a large cohort of Caucasian HCV cirrhotics treated with DAA, TLL1 variants do not predict HCC development.
Pharmacokinetic profile of amoxicillin and its glucuronide‐like metabolite when administered subcutaneously to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: Kimble Benjamin , Vogelnest Larry , Gharibi Soraya , Izes Aaron M. , Govendir Merran
Published: June 2019

Amoxicillin was administered as a single subcutaneous injection at 12.5 mg/kg to four koalas and changes in amoxicillin plasma concentrations over 24 hr were quantified. Amoxicillin had a relatively low average ± SD maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.72 ± 0.47 µg/ml; at an average ± SD time to reach Cmax (Tmax) of 2.25 ± 1.26 hr, and an elimination half‐life of 4.38 ± 2.40 hr. The pharmacokinetic profile indicated relatively poor subcutaneous absorption. A metabolite was also identified, likely associated with glucuronic acid conjugation. Bacterial growth inhibition assays demonstrated that all plasma samples other than t = 0 hr, inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 to some extent. Calculated pharmacokinetic indices were used to predict whether this dose could attain a plasma concentration to inhibit some susceptible Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive pathogens. It was predicted that a twice daily dose of 12.5 mg/kg would be efficacious to inhibit susceptible bacteria with an amoxicillin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 0.75 µg/ml such as susceptible Bordetella bronchiseptica, E. coli, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. pathogens.
Similarities between invaders and native species: Moving past Darwin's naturalization conundrum
Authors: Bennett Jonathan A.
Published: June 2019

Darwin's naturalization conundrum states that successful invaders must be closely related to native species to possess the traits to tolerate that environment, but distantly related enough to possess traits allowing exploitation of underutilized niches, thereby minimizing competition. Although influential, this hypothesis is based on several simplistic assumptions. In particular, the relationship among phylogenetic relatedness, similarity, and competition is more complex than assumed and changes with spatial and phylogenetic scale. Competitive interactions are determined by limiting similarity and trait hierarchies associated with separate traits. Successful invaders thus need to be similar to native species in some respects, but different in others. This combination of similarities and differences is unlikely to be conserved. Further, many invasive species are represented in their novel range by genotypes with extreme trait values or plasticity relative to the species mean. Selection for these genotypes may alter the similarity between invasive and native species, thus obscuring the relationship between competition and phylogenetic relatedness. As environmental filtering and competition often act on different spatial scales, approaches assessing how individual traits relate to invasion at these scales (species pools vs local community) may improve our understanding of the relationship between similarity and invasion.
Decreased interferon‐γ production by NK cells from KIR haplotype B carriers in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Mele Dalila , Pasi Annamaria , Cacciatore Rosalia , Mantovani Stefania , Oliviero Barbara , Mondelli Mario U. , Varchetta Stefania
Published: June 2019

Background and Aims

Different population genetics studies showed that interactions between killer‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) and HLA play a role in viral disease outcome, but functional correlates are missing. Building upon our previous work pointing to a regulatory role for KIR3DL1/DS1 in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we analysed whether its expression may affect natural killer (NK) cell function in the presence or absence of its principal ligand HLA‐Bw4 in KIR haplotype A and B carriers, which are characterized by a different representation of activating and inhibitory KIRs.

Methods

We performed KIR and HLA class I genotypic analysis in 54 healthy donors (HD) and 50 HCV+ subjects and examined NK cell cytokine secretion and degranulation in the context of KIR3DL1‐HLA‐Bw4 match stratified by KIR haplotype.

Results

KIR3DL1‐HLA‐Bw4 match induced functional NK cell modulation, reflected by reduced interferon (IFN)γ production in haplotype B HCV+ patients compared to HD. This functional impairment could be ascribed to the KIR3DS1 negative HCV‐infected patient population, whose NK cells also showed a significantly decreased proportion of KIR3DL1. Haplotype A HCV‐infected patients showed increased NK cell degranulation compared with HD in the absence of KIR‐HLA‐Bw4 match and this activity was associated with increased phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1.

Conclusions

Our data show that NK cells from HCV+ patients have an unbalanced ability to produce IFNγ and to kill target cells in haplotype A and B carriers, suggesting the existence of complex functional differences governed by KIR‐HLA interaction, particularly on KIR3DL1 expressing NK cells.
Transcriptomic resilience, symbiont shuffling, and vulnerability to recurrent bleaching in reef‐building corals
Authors: Thomas Luke , López Elora H. , Morikawa Megan K. , Palumbi Stephen R.
Published: June 2019

As climate change progresses and extreme temperature events increase in frequency, rates of disturbance may soon outpace the capacity of certain species of reef‐building coral to recover from bleaching. This may lead to dramatic shifts in community composition and ecosystem function. Understanding variation in rates of bleaching recovery among species and how that translates to resilience to recurrent bleaching is fundamental to predicting the impacts of increasing disturbances on coral reefs globally. We tracked the response of two heat sensitive species in the genus Acropora to repeated bleaching events during the austral summers of 2015 and 2017. Despite a similar bleaching response, the species Acropora gemmifera recovered faster based on transcriptome‐wide gene expression patterns and had a more dynamic algal symbiont community than Acropora hyacinthus growing on the same reef. Moreover, A. gemmifera had higher survival to repeated heat extremes, with six‐fold lower mortality than A. hyacinthus. These patterns suggest that speed of recovery from a first round of bleaching, based on multiple mechanisms, contributes strongly to sensitivity to a second round of bleaching. Furthermore, our data uncovered intragenus variation in a group of corals thought generally to be heat‐sensitive and therefore paint a more nuanced view of the future health of coral reef ecosystems against a backdrop of increasing thermal disturbances.
Anthropization level of Lascaux Cave microbiome shown by regional‐scale comparisons of pristine and anthropized caves
Authors: Alonso Lise , Pommier Thomas , Kaufmann Bernard , Dubost Audrey , Chapulliot David , Doré Jeanne , Douady Christophe J. , Moënne‐Loccoz Yvan
Published: June 2019

Limestone areas across the world develop karstic caves, which are populated by a wide range of macro‐ and microorganisms. Many of these caves display Paleolithic art or outstanding speleothems, and in the last century they have been subjected to anthropization due to touristic management and intense human frequentation. Despite their cultural importance and associated conservation issues, the impact of anthropization on cave biodiversity is not known. Here, we show that anthropization is associated with specific cave biota modifications. We compared diversity in four pristine caves, four anthropized show caves, and the iconic Lascaux Cave with even stronger anthropization. The predominant microbial higher taxa were the same in all caves, but the most anthropized cave (Lascaux) was unique as it differed from the eight others by a higher proportion of Bacteroidetes bacteria and the absence of Euryarchaeota and Woesearchaeota archaea. Anthropization resulted in lower diversity and altered community structure for bacteria and archaea on cave walls, especially in Lascaux, but with a more limited effect on microeukaryotes and arthropods. Our findings fill a key gap in our understanding of the response of karstic communities to anthropization, by revealing that tourism‐related anthropization impacts on the prokaryotic microbiome rather than on eukaryotic residents, and that it shapes cave biota irrespective of cave natural features.
Detection of environmental and morphological adaptation despite high landscape genetic connectivity in a pest grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum)
Authors: Yadav Sonu , Stow Adam J. , Dudaniec Rachael Y.
Published: June 2019

Widespread species that exhibit both high gene flow and the capacity to occupy heterogeneous environments make excellent models for examining local selection processes along environmental gradients. Here we evaluate the influence of temperature and landscape variables on genetic connectivity and signatures of local adaptation in Phaulacridium vittatum, a widespread agricultural pest grasshopper, endemic to Australia. With sampling across a 900‐km latitudinal gradient, we genotyped 185 P. vittatum from 19 sites at 11,408 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using ddRAD sequencing. Despite high gene flow across sites (pairwise FST = 0.0003–0.08), landscape genetic resistance modelling identified a positive nonlinear effect of mean annual temperature on genetic connectivity. Urban areas and water bodies had a greater influence on genetic distance among sites than pasture, agricultural areas and forest. Together, FST outlier tests and environmental association analysis (EAA) detected 242 unique SNPs under putative selection, with the highest numbers associated with latitude, mean annual temperature and body size. A combination of landscape genetic connectivity analysis together with EAA identified mean annual temperature as a key driver of both neutral gene flow and environmental selection processes. Gene annotation of putatively adaptive SNPs matched with gene functions for olfaction, metabolic detoxification and ultraviolet light shielding. Our results imply that this widespread agricultural pest has the potential to spread and adapt under shifting temperature regimes and land cover change.
An agonist of the MscL channel affects multiple bacterial species and increases membrane permeability and potency of common antibiotics
Authors: Wray Robin , Herrera Nadia , Iscla Irene , Wang Junmei , Blount Paul
Published: June 2019

The bacterial MscL channel normally functions as an emergency release valve discharging cytoplasmic solutes upon osmotic stress. The channel opens and passes molecules up to 30 Å and its pore is the largest of any gated channel. Opening the MscL pore inappropriately is detrimental to the bacterial cell, suggesting MscL as a potential novel drug target. A small‐molecule compound, 011A, has been shown to increase sensitivity of the Escherichia coli MscL channel, slow growth, and even decrease viability of quiescent cultures. The mscL gene is highly conserved and found in the vast majority of bacterial species, including pathogens. Here, we test the hypothesis that 011A can influence the growth and viability of other bacterial species, specifically Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium smegmatis, in a MscL‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the 011A compound can increase potency of other antibiotics, presumably by permeabilizing the membrane and allowing easier access of the antibiotic into the cytoplasm. Thus, MscL activators have potential as novel broad‐spectrum antibiotics or adjuvants that work with antibiotics to selectively allow passage across bacterial membranes.
The ligand‐binding domain of a chemoreceptor from Comamonas testosteroni has a previously unknown homotrimeric structure
Authors: Hong Yuan , Huang Zhou , Guo Lu , Ni Bin , Jiang Cheng‐Ying , Li Xiao‐Jing , Hou Yan‐Jie , Yang Wen‐Si , Wang Da‐Cheng , Zhulin Igor B. , Liu Shuang‐Jiang , Li De‐Feng
Published: June 2019

Transmembrane chemoreceptors are widely present in Bacteria and Archaea. They play a critical role in sensing various signals outside and transmitting to the cell interior. Here, we report the structure of the periplasmic ligand‐binding domain (LBD) of the transmembrane chemoreceptor MCP2201, which governs chemotaxis to citrate and other organic compounds in Comamonas testosteroni. The apo‐form LBD crystal revealed a typical four‐helix bundle homodimer, similar to previously well‐studied chemoreceptors such as Tar and Tsr of Escherichia coli. However, the citrate‐bound LBD revealed a four‐helix bundle homotrimer that had not been observed in bacterial chemoreceptor LBDs. This homotrimer was further confirmed with size‐exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation and cross‐linking experiments. The physiological importance of the homotrimer for chemotaxis was demonstrated with site‐directed mutations of key amino acid residues in C. testosteroni mutants.
Invasive aspergillosis in critically ill patients: An autopsy study
Authors: Tejerina Eva E. , Abril Elena , Padilla Rebeca , Rodríguez Ruíz Covadonga , Ballen Aida , Frutos‐Vivar Fernando , Lorente José Ángel , Esteban Andrés
Published: June 2019

Autopsy studies show that IA is among the most commonly missed diagnoses in critically ill patients. And, because of lack of unequivocal diagnostic criteria, a timely diagnosis remains challenging. We investigate the epidemiology of and the clinical risk factors for IA in critically ill patients. We conducted a retrospective, observational study of all consecutive ICU patients with evidence of IA in the postmortem examination. During the period of the study (25 years), 893 postmortem examinations were performed in the ICU. Twenty‐five patients (2.8%) were diagnosed with IA in autopsy. Only ten (40%) were classified as IA ante‐mortem, based on the initiation of antifungal treatment. The most common comorbid conditions were corticosteroid treatment (n = 14, 56%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 11, 44%), immunosuppression (n = 6, 24%) and haematological malignancy (n = 5, 20%). Twenty‐three patients (92%) had three or more risk factors for IA. Critically ill patients with pulmonary infiltrates, treated with high doses intravenous corticosteroids (even for a short period of time), particularly COPD patients who developed worsening respiratory insufficiency despite appropriate treatment were at the highest risk of IA.
Single‐molecule technique: a revolutionary approach to exploring fundamental questions in plant science
Authors: Wu Wen‐Qiang , Zhu Xiaohong , Song Chun‐Peng
Published: June 2019

This article is a Commentary on Song et al. 223: 692–704.
Does a tradeoff between trait plasticity and resource conservatism contribute to the maintenance of alternative stable states?
Authors: Power Simon C. , Verboom G. Anthony , Bond William J. , Cramer Michael D.
Published: June 2019

Phenotypic plasticity facilitates species persistence across resource gradients but may be limited in low‐resource environments requiring resource conservation. We investigated the tradeoff between trait plasticity and resource conservatism across a biome boundary characterized by high turnover in nutrient and light availability, and whether this contributes to the maintenance of alternative stable states.

Differences in plasticity were determined by comparing species’ leaf and foliar nutritional trait responses to light, represented by leaf area index (LAI), and soil nutrient availability across forest–shrubland boundaries in South Africa.

Although forest had higher LAI and soil nutrient availability than shrubland, forest species experienced greater resource variation. With increasing LAI and nutrient availability, forest species increased their leaf size, specific leaf area and leaf area/stem length, and decreased their foliar [N] and [K]. Although these responses are indicative of plasticity, shrubland species appeared to lack plasticity as evidenced by limited trait variation with environmental heterogeneity.

Inhabiting diverse light environments imposed by forests probably selects for plasticity, whereas light‐saturated, fire‐prone, nutrient‐poor environments that select for conservative leaf traits and below‐ground investments compromise plasticity in shrubland species. This pattern suggests a tradeoff between trait plasticity and resource conservatism, which may support the stability of alternative vegetation states.
Determination of sialic acid levels by using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy in periodontitis and gingivitis
Authors: Hernández‐Cedillo Alondra , García-Valdivieso Ma. Guadalupe , Hernández‐Arteaga Aida Catalina , Patiño-Marín Nuria , Vértiz-Hernández Ángel Antonio , José‐Yacamán Miguel , Navarro‐Contreras Hugo Ricardo
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To compare the sialic acid (SA) levels in saliva among periodontitis‐affected, gingivitis and control patients.

Methods

The study involved 93 subjects. The participants were divided into three groups: (1) 30 subjects without periodontal disease (control group); (2) 30 subjects with gingivitis; and (3) 33 subjects with periodontitis. The oral parameters examined were as follows: (a) Simplified Oral Hygiene Index; (b) Calculus Index; (c) Gingival Index; (d) probing pocket depth; and (e) level of epithelial attachment. SA levels in saliva were measured by means of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This method has demonstrated the capacity to detect extremely low concentrations of molecules. The spectrum was calibrated using analytical reagent SA.

Results

The obtained median values for SA concentrations were 5.98, 7.32, and 17.12 mg/dl for control, gingivitis, and periodontitis patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Our measurements by SERS corroborate that in periodontitis‐affected patients, the SA concentration is larger than their concentrations in either control or gingivitis patients. This confirms previous reports and opens the possibility of using SERS as a diagnostic tool.
Effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 with nystatin on oral candidiasis—RCT
Authors: Hu Lijun , Mao Qinghua , Zhou Peiru , Lv Xin , Hua Hong , Yan Zhimin
Published: June 2019

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Streptococcus salivarius K12 as an adjuvant in treating oral candidiasis.

Methods

A total of 56 patients were participated in the randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. The S. salivarius K12 or placebo lozenges plus nystatin tablets were given for up to 4 weeks at 1‐week interval and then followed up for 1 week thereafter. We collected and analyzed the mycological and clinical data, treatment course, and safety data.

Results

At the end of the treatment, significant differences were found in the mycological cure rates between K12 group and control group (90.48% and 55.56%, respectively, p = 0.008). Survival analysis demonstrated no statistical difference in overall cure rates comprehensively considering mycological cure, clinical improvement, and recurrence (p = 0.078), while statistical difference was found in mycological cure (p = 0.013) between the two groups. The median treatment courses of K12 group and control group were 3 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively. No severe events were reported during the study.

Conclusion

Streptococcus salivarius K12 exhibited potential efficacy and safety as an adjuvant in treating oral candidiasis by enhancing mycological cure and shortening the treatment course of conventional antifungal therapy in this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Further large‐scale clinical studies are desired to accumulate more evidence for its clinical applications.
The shadow clinic: Emails, “curbsides,” and “quick peeks” in pediatric dermatology
Authors: Khorsand Kate , Sidbury Robert
Published: June 2019

Background/Objectives

Curbside consultations are common in pediatric dermatology. There are both associated risks and benefits. Email, text messaging, and cell phone cameras have greatly facilitated this practice. We sought to characterize the nature of this practice among pediatric dermatologists and highlight concerns.

Methods

A 21‐question anonymous survey was sent to the 486 active members of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

Results

There were 156 responses (32%). Over 45% of respondents received at least six consults per week. About half (49%) spent 6 minutes or more per case. Almost none of these consultations (3%) were compensated or captured in work relative value units. Most (87%) did not document or have a practice or institutional policy in place to address these consultations. A similar majority (80%) were uncertain if their existing liability insurance covered these activities. Over three‐quarters (76%) of respondents did not think or were unsure that Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act concerns were appropriately addressed.

Conclusions

Curbside consultations in pediatric dermatology are common. They increase access, promote collegiality, and can be used for educational gain. They are also generally not compensated, consume considerable time, risk liability exposure for providers, and potentially compromise patient confidentiality. Effort should be made to standardize this practice so that the benefits are not outweighed by risks.
Pathogenesis and clinical features of alopecia in epidermolysis bullosa: A systematic review
Authors: Xie Danica , Bilgic‐Temel Asli , Abu Alrub Nada , Murrell Dedee F.
Published: June 2019

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic skin diseases characterized by the gene mutations encoding adhesion proteins within the skin. These adhesion proteins are also present in normal hair follicles. Anecdotally, there have been reports of scalp alopecia as a complication of EB and there are scattered cases in the literature, but alopecia has generally been overlooked in severe blistering diseases because it is regarded as a cosmetic issue. Therefore, there is no consensus about the natural history and clinical manifestations of alopecia in EB to allow potential intervention.

Objectives

To review the current literature detailing the pathogenesis and clinical presentations of alopecia in EB patients.

Methods

Relevant human studies were searched in Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE electronic databases up to October 2018.

Results

Only 15 reports detailed 29 EB patients with demographic and clinical manifestations of alopecia. Vertical biopsy sections were the most common method of alopecia diagnosis, and the most common pattern was patchy scalp alopecia (45%) followed by diffuse alopecia (41%). The most robust finding was nonspecific scarring alopecia in all dystrophic EB (DEB) patients and nonspecific nonscarring alopecia in most patients with EB simplex (EBS).

Conclusions

Hair abnormalities observed in EB are of variable severity despite there being no universal validated alopecia scoring system, with alopecia occurring secondary to blistering, or in areas prone to trauma.
An unusual presentation of early congenital syphilis with annular configuration of blisters resembling “string‐of‐pearls”
Authors: Mathews Jerene , Naseem Jahangir Ahmed , Neupane Nischal , Parameswaran Narayanan , Chandrashekar Laxmisha
Published: June 2019

Skin lesions in early congenital syphilis can show considerable variability. A 35‐day‐old infant presented with rhinitis, desquamation of palms and soles, pseudoparalysis of the right upper limb, and annular lesions with peripheral blistering over the chest and abdomen, resembling a “string‐of‐pearls.” A diagnosis of congenital syphilis was made on the basis of radiologic evaluation and reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) in both mother and child. We report this case to highlight the unusual presentation of congenital syphilis with annular configuration of blisters, mimicking a “string‐of‐pearls."
Cold plasma as a novel treatment to reduce the in vitro growth and germination of Colletotrichum species
Authors: Siddique S. S. , St.J. Hardy G. E. , Bayliss K. L.
Published: June 2019

This study investigated the use of cold plasma to reduce the in vitro growth of two postharvest fungal plant pathogens, Colletotrichum alienum and C. fioriniae, isolated from avocados. Cold plasma (CP) was used to treat pure cultures and conidial suspensions of both pathogens, for 180 or 360 s, in either open or sealed environments from varying distances. In an open environment, the 360 s treatment at a distance of 5 cm reduced the colony growth of freshly inoculated cultures to less than 2 mm/day compared to the control of more than 8 mm/day, and treatment of conidial suspensions resulted in almost 100% reduction of conidial germination. In the same environment, the 180 s CP treatment did not significantly reduce the colony growth of fresh or actively growing cultures, but did suppress the germination of conidia by up to 80%. In a sealed environment, the 360 s CP treatment also effectively reduced the growth of freshly inoculated cultures, with no growth for some isolates. Production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species was observed during treatment, and these may have contributed to the reduction in growth and germination. These results demonstrate the potential of CP for the control of two Colletotrichum species.
Dangerous liaisons
Authors: de Sá Pereira Roberto Horácio
Published: June 2019

In this paper I take side on externalist incompatibilism. However, I intend to radicalize the position. First, based on my criticism of Burge's anaphoric proposal, I argue that there is no reasoning‐transparency: the reasoner is blind to the reasoning he is performing. Second, assuming a global form of content‐externalism, I argue that “in the head” are only logical and formal abilities. That is what I call “bite the bullet and swallow it too.”
Subjects, Topics, and Anchoring to the Context
Authors: Hinterhölzl Roland
Published: June 2019

The article discusses the connection between the syntactic and semantic properties of weak, strong, and referentialDPsubjects. In particular, I argue that nominal expressions possess a situation argument and that their interpretation and their distribution follow from the presuppositional requirements that the determiner imposes on the individual argument and situation argument of its complement nominal. These presuppositional requirements, I then argue, are embodied by local relations of the subject to a distinct head in the C domain, Fin0in the system of Rizzi 1997, where specific referential values of discourse antecedents are accessible.
Report from the Eleventh Killer Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor (KIR) Workshop: Novel insights on KIR polymorphism, ligand recognition, expression and function
Authors: Falco Michela , Sivori Simona , Meazza Raffaella , Pende Daniela
Published: June 2019

The Eleventh Killer Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor (KIR) Workshop was held in Camogli (Genoa, Italy) in October 2018. This congress brought together 113 participants working on KIR field. Fifty‐eight studies have been presented, the majority of which included unpublished data. Thus, KIR workshop, allowing the meeting of people sharing their knowledge and experience in a friendly atmosphere, still represents a special event of fruitful discussion and exchange of novel breakthrough, results, and ideas. In this report, we summarize all the scientific contributions highlighting the most recent advances in KIR field. Forty abstracts presented at the KIR Workshop are published in this issue.
Deeply integrating Linked Data with Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Mai Gengchen , Janowicz Krzysztof , Yan Bo , Scheider Simon
Published: June 2019

The realization that knowledge often forms a densely interconnected graph has fueled the development of graph databases, Web‐scale knowledge graphs and query languages for them, novel visualization and query paradigms, as well as new machine learning methods tailored to graphs as data structures. One such example is the densely connected and global Linked Data cloud that contains billions of statements about numerous domains, including life science and geography. While Linked Data has found its way into everyday applications such as search engines and question answering systems, there is a growing disconnect between the classical ways in which Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are still used today and the open‐ended, exploratory approaches used to retrieve and consume data from knowledge graphs such as Linked Data. In this work, we conceptualize and prototypically implement a Linked Data connector framework as a set of toolboxes for Esri's ArcGIS to close this gap and enable the retrieval, integration, and analysis of Linked Data from within GIS. We discuss how to connect to Linked Data endpoints, how to use ontologies to probe data and derive appropriate GIS representations on the fly, how to make use of reasoning, how to derive data that are ready for spatial analysis out of RDF triples, and, most importantly, how to utilize the link structure of Linked Data to enable analysis. The proposed Linked Data connector framework can also be regarded as the first step toward a guided geographic question answering system over geographic knowledge graphs.
Metabolic regulation through the endosomal system
Authors: Gilleron Jerome , Gerdes Jantje M. , Zeigerer Anja
Published: June 2019

The endosomal system plays an essential role in cell homeostasis by controlling cellular signaling, nutrient sensing, cell polarity and cell migration. However, its place in the regulation of tissue, organ and whole body physiology is less well understood. Recent studies have revealed an important role for the endosomal system in regulating glucose and lipid homeostasis, with implications for metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. By taking insights from in vitro studies of endocytosis and exploring their effects on metabolism, we can begin to connect the fields of endosomal transport and metabolic homeostasis. In this review, we explore current understanding of how the endosomal system influences the systemic regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in mice and humans. We highlight exciting new insights that help translate findings from single cells to a wider physiological level and open up new directions for endosomal research.