bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can the indicators of chronic ethanol consumption be minimized by a continuous flaxseed intake?
Authors: Latini Juliana Tomaz Pacheco , Vicente Gabriela Câmara , Velarde Luis Guillermo Coca , Benedicto Hildebrando Gomes , de Castro Resende Ângela , Teixeira Michelle Teixeira , de Almeida Kátia Calvi Lenzi , Boaventura Gilson Teles
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of flaxseed in animals subjected to ethanol‐induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty‐four male rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): control group (CG) which received a control diet and water ad libitum; flaxseed group (FG) which received control diet with an addition of 25% flaxseed flour and water ad libitum; ethanol control group (ECG) which received control diet and a solution of 10% ethanol (v/v) as the only liquid source; and ethanol flaxseed group (EFG) which received control diet with an addition of 25% flaxseed flour and a solution of 10% ethanol (v/v) as the only liquid source. The animals were euthanized at 60 days, when blood was collected for biochemical analysis and liver was collected for histomorphometric analysis. Rats fed with diets containing flaxseed showed lower values of alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.020) and lower concentration of total bilirubin (P = 0.006), direct bilirubin (P = 0.013) and indirect bilirubin (P = 0.018) compared to ECG and EFG. The groups receiving flaxseed diets demonstrated higher expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme (P < 0.001) than CG and ECG but did not affect thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) expression (P = 0.055). Regarding liver analysis, the ECG and EFG showed larger hepatocyte nuclei and paler cytoplasm than the groups who had not received ethanol, and less in fluid accumulation (oedema) in the cytoplasm than was seen in the FG and EFG livers. These latter two groups showed fewer fatty cells than was seen in the groups that had not been given flaxseed, so that the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis was not justified. In conclusion, therefore, this study showed that the indicators of ethanol chronic consumption can be reduced by the introduction of continuous flaxseed dietary intake.
Resilience training: Effects on occupational stress and resilience of critical care nurses
Authors: Babanataj Reihaneh , Mazdarani Shahrzad , Hesamzadeh Ali , Gorji Mohammadali Heidari , Cherati Jamshid Yazdani
Published: October 2018

Aim

Working as a nurse, by its nature, causes a high degree of stress. Nurses are exposed to the higher levels of occupational, physical, and mental stresses in critical care units than the nurses in other units of a hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of training for resilience on the intensive care unit nurses' occupational stress and resilience level.

Methods

This study is a quasi‐experimental intervention study that was done by recruiting 30 nurses who were selected from critical care units of an educational hospital in Sari City, Iran, through convenience sampling between April 2015 and February 2016. The resilience training was provided in 5 sessions of 90 to 120 minutes. The pretest‐posttest approach was used in this study, and the nurses completed the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale, and Expanded Nursing Stress Scale, before and 2 weeks after the training program.

Results

The mean score of the occupational stress of the participants decreased significantly after the intervention (P = .001), and the mean score of resilience increased significantly after the intervention (P = .001).

Conclusion

The results confirm the effectiveness of resilience training on occupational stress and resilience level of nurses working in the intensive care units.
Concept development in Nursing and Midwifery: An overview of methodological approaches
Authors: Beecher Claire , Devane Declan , White Mark , Greene Richard , Dowling Maura
Published: October 2018

Background

Over the past four decades, there has been a growing focus on the resolution of conceptual problems through the process of concept development. As the focus on this area has grown, so too has the number of debates in the literature on methodological aspects of concept development.

Aim

To provide an overview of the essential methodological considerations of concept development.

Design

Discussion paper. An overview is presented of the methodological considerations of commonly used concept development strategies and methods within nursing and midwifery.

Data Sources

Literature dating from the inception of concept development in nursing and midwifery.

Implications for Nursing and Midwifery

The robust development of concepts is a vital component in advancing the knowledge base of nursing and midwifery theory and practice. However, the complexity of the concept development literature may serve to exacerbate the challenges of developing a given concept, in particular for the novice researcher.

Conclusion

The methodological considerations discussed provides guidance in determining the most appropriate strategy and method of concept development.
The size anomaly in European financial stock returns
Authors: Muns Sander
Published: October 2018

Large financial institutions in Europe earn significantly lower risk‐adjusted returns than their smaller counterparts. This pattern is absent in other industries. We interpret this as evidence of the latent government guarantees that protect large European financial institutions from tail events. Panel regressions suggest that unconditional on distress, the expected guarantees increase with size, leverage, and the government debt‐to‐GDP ratio. These determinants can be associated with a higher likelihood of being involved in a systemic crisis and thus receiving more government guarantees.
My Chancy Life as a Statistician
Authors: Rao J. N. K.
Published: October 2018

In this short article, I will attempt to provide some highlights of my chancy life as a statistician in chronological order spanning over 60 years, 1954 to present.
Surface engineering of the flexible metallic substrate by SDP‐Gd‐Zr‐O layer for IBAD‐MgO templates
Authors: Chu Jingyuan , Zhao Yue , Jiang Guangyu , Wu Wei , Zhang Zhiwei , Hong Zhiyong , Jin Zhijian
Published: October 2018

Tuning substrate properties is an effective methodology to modulate the texture development of MgO films deposited by ion beam‐assisted deposition (IBAD) process for epitaxial oxide films. Herein, a solution deposition planarization (SDP) technique is employed to deposit Gd‐Zr‐O layer for engineering surface properties of the flexible metal substrate. The correlation between the Gd‐Zr‐O thin film microstructure and the IBAD‐MgO texture is investigated. The coordinated study on atomic force microscopy (AFM) and reflection high‐energy electron diffraction (RHEED) reveal that the grain coarsening during high‐temperature sintering negatively influences the texture formation of IBAD‐MgO. Moreover, the chemical environment of the atoms on the surface of Gd‐Zr‐O seed layer also plays a critical role, which is normally overlooked. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates that the carbon residue and intermediate phase result in the poor texture of the IBAD‐MgO. This phenomenon is related to the partial decomposition and synthesis reactions due to the lower sintering temperature or reduced surface to volume ratio. We demonstrate the high‐quality texture of IBAD‐MgO layer, deposited on mono‐coated thick Gd‐Zr‐O film, by using optimal heat‐treatment conditions. The cross‐sectional TEM images present the dense Gd‐Zr‐O film with Gd2Zr2O7 nanograins. The multifunctionalities, such as planarization, a barrier layer, and seed layer, of Gd‐Zr‐O layers are realized in full‐stacked CeO2/LaMnO3/IBAD‐MgO/SDP‐Gd‐Zr‐O/C276 samples. This work demonstrates a route for simplifying the architecture of 2G‐HTS using Gd‐Zr‐O layer and explores the effect of the surface properties on texture formation in IBAD‐MgO layer.
Prostaglandin E2 increases migration and proliferation of human glioblastoma cells by activating transient receptor potential melastatin 7 channels
Authors: Tian Yafei , Yang Tingting , Yu Shuntai , Liu Cuiyun , He Min , Hu Changlong
Published: October 2018

Recent studies showed that both prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) play important roles in migration and proliferation of human glioblastoma cells. In this study, we tested the association between PGE2 and TRPM7. We found that PGE2 increased TRPM7 currents in HEK293 and human glioblastoma A172 cells. The PGE2 EP3 receptor antagonist L‐798106 abrogated the PGE2 stimulatory effect, while EP3 agonist 17‐phenyl trinor prostaglandin E2 (17‐pt‐PGE2) mimicked the effect of PEG2 on TRPM7. The TRPM7 phosphotransferase activity‐deficient mutation, K1646R had no effect on PGE2 induced increase of TRPM7 currents. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) activity by Rp‐cAMP increased TRPM7 currents. TRPM7 PKA phosphorylation site mutation S1269A abolished the PGE2 effect on TRPM7 currents. PGE2 increased both mRNA and membrane protein expression of TRPM7 in A172 cells. Knockdown of TRPM7 by shRNA abrogated the PGE2 stimulated migration and proliferation of A172 cells. Blockage of TRPM7 with 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB) or NS8593 had a similar effect as TRPM7‐shRNA. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that PGE2 activates TRPM7 via EP3/PKA signalling pathway, and that PGE2 enhances migration and proliferation of human glioblastoma cells by up‐regulation of the TRPM7 channel.
Madecassoside inhibits estrogen deficiency‐induced osteoporosis by suppressing RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Yao Lingya , Xu Ke , Jin Haiming , Chen Kai , Wang Ziyi , Liu Qian , Cao Zhen , kenny Jacob , Liu Yuhao , Tickner Jennifer , Xu Huazi , Xu Jiake
Published: October 2018

Osteoporosis is the most common osteolytic disease characterized by excessive osteoclast formation and resultant bone loss, which afflicts millions of patients around the world. Madecassoside (MA), isolated from Centella asiatica, was reported to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities, but its role in osteoporosis treatment has not yet been confirmed. In our study, MA was found to have an inhibitory effect on the RANKL‐induced formation and function of OCs in a dose‐dependent manner without cytotoxicity. These effects were attributed to its ability to suppress the activity of two transcription factors (NFATc1 and c‐Fos) indispensable for osteoclast formation, followed by inhibition of the expression of bone resorption‐related genes and proteins (Acp5/TRAcP, CTSK, ATP6V0D2/V‐ATPase‐d2, and integrin β3). Furthermore, we examined the underlying mechanisms and found that MA represses osteoclastogenesis by blocking Ca2+ oscillations and the NF‐κB and MAPK pathways. In addition, the therapeutic effect of MA on preventing bone loss in vivo was further confirmed in an ovariectomized mouse model. Therefore, considering its ability to inhibit RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis and the underlying mechanisms, MA might be a potential candidate for treating osteolytic bone diseases.
The contrary functions of lncRNA HOTAIR/miR‐17‐5p/PTEN axis and Shenqifuzheng injection on chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells
Authors: Jia Jianguang , Zhan Dankai , Li Jing , Li Zhixiang , Li Hongbo , Qian Jun
Published: October 2018

This study was implemented to figure out whether lncRNA HOTAIR/miR‐17‐5p/PTEN axis played a role that was opposite to Shenqifuzheng (SQFZ) injection in regulating the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells. The gastric cancer tissues were gathered and four gastric cancer cell lines were prepared, including BGC‐823, MGC‐803, SGC‐7901, and MKN28. Moreover, cisplatin, adriamycin, mitomycin, and 5‐fluoroura were managed as the chemo‐therapeutics, and SQFZ was prepared as a Chinese medicine. Striking distinctions of HOTAIR, miR‐17‐5p, and PTEN expressions were observed between gastric cancer tissues and para‐carcinoma normal tissues (P < 0.05). MKN28 was associated with the highest resistance to cisplatin, adriamycin, mitomycin, and 5‐fluoroura among all the cell types, and SQFZ significantly improved the MKN28 cells’ sensitivity to the drugs (P < 0.05). The over‐expressed HOTAIR and miR‐17‐5p, as well as under‐expressed PTEN tended to significantly facilitate the viability, EMT process and proliferation of MKN28 cells that were subject to treatment of chemo‐therapies (P < 0.05). SQFZ could amplify the effects of si‐HOTAIR, miR‐17‐5p inhibitor, and pcDNA‐PTEN on boosting the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells (P < 0.05). In addition, HOTAIR was also found to directly target miR‐17‐5p, and PTEN appeared to be subject to the modification of HOTAIR and miR‐17‐5p in its acting on the viability, proliferation, EMT process, and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. The HOTAIR/miR‐17‐5p/PTEN axis could be regarded as the potential treatment targets for gastric cancer, and adjuvant therapy of SQFZ injection could assist in further improving the treatment efficacy of chemo‐therapies for gastric cancer.
Preterm birth: high vulnerability and no resiliency? Reflections on van Lieshout et al. (2018)
Authors: Wolke Dieter
Published: October 2018

Globally, 15 million babies are born preterm (<37 weeks gestation) each year, representing 11% of all live births. In the UK, around 7% of children are born preterm each year and around 15% of all preterm born are born more than 8 weeks early (VPT; very preterm) or below 1,500 g birth weight (VLBW). Prematurity is the major cause of infant mortality despite largely increased survival in recent decades attributable to advances in antenatal and neonatal care. Very and extremely preterm born infants (EPT; <28 weeks gestation) often spend many weeks and months in neonatal care before discharge.
Herbivores and plant defences affect selection on plant reproductive traits more strongly than pollinators
Authors: Santangelo James S. , Thompson Ken A. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: October 2018

Pollinators and herbivores can both affect the evolutionary diversification of plant reproductive traits. However, plant defences frequently alter antagonistic and mutualistic interactions, and therefore, variation in plant defences may alter patterns of herbivore‐ and pollinator‐mediated selection on plant traits. We tested this hypothesis by conducting a common garden field experiment using 50 clonal genotypes of white clover (Trifolium repens) that varied in a Mendelian‐inherited chemical antiherbivore defence—the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). To evaluate whether plant defences alter herbivore‐ and/or pollinator‐mediated selection, we factorially crossed chemical defence (25 cyanogenic and 25 acyanogenic genotypes), herbivore damage (herbivore suppression) and pollination (hand pollination). We found that herbivores weakened selection for increased inflorescence production, suggesting that large displays are costly in the presence of herbivores. In addition, herbivores weakened selection on flower size but only among acyanogenic plants, suggesting that plant defences reduce the strength of herbivore‐mediated selection. Pollinators did not independently affect selection on any trait, although pollinators weakened selection for later flowering among cyanogenic plants. Overall, cyanogenic plant defences consistently increased the strength of positive directional selection on reproductive traits. Herbivores and pollinators both strengthened and weakened the strength of selection on reproductive traits, although herbivores imposed ~2.7× stronger selection than pollinators across all traits. Contrary to the view that pollinators are the most important agents of selection on reproductive traits, our data show that selection on reproductive traits is driven primarily by variation in herbivory and plant defences in this system.
Sensory ecology of ostariophysan alarm substances
Authors: Maximino Caio , do Carmo Silva Rhayra X. , dos Santos Campos Kimberly , de Oliveira Jeisiane S. , Rocha Sueslene P. , Pyterson Maryana P. , dos Santos Souza Dainara P. , Feitosa Leonardo M. , Ikeda Saulo R. , Pimentel Ana F. N. , Ramos Pâmila N. F. , Costa Bruna P. D. , Herculano Anderson M. , Rosemberg Denis B. , Siqueira‐Silva Diógenes H. , Lima‐Maximino Monica
Published: October 2018

Chemical communication of predation risk has evolved multiple times in fish species, with conspecific alarm substance (CAS) being the most well understood mechanism. CAS is released after epithelial damage, usually when prey fish are captured by a predator and elicits neurobehavioural adjustments in conspecifics which increase the probability of avoiding predation. As such, CAS is a partial predator stimulus, eliciting risk assessment‐like and avoidance behaviours and disrupting the predation sequence. The present paper reviews the distribution and putative composition of CAS in fish and presents a model for the neural processing of these structures by the olfactory and the brain aversive systems. Applications of CAS in the behavioural neurosciences and neuropharmacology are also presented, exploiting the potential of model fish [e.g., zebrafish Danio rerio, guppies Poecilia reticulata, minnows Phoxinus phoxinus) in neurobehavioural research.
“Planting the Seed”: Perceived Benefits of and Strategies for Discussing Long‐Term Prognosis with Older Adults
Authors: Moré Jayaji M. , Lang‐Brown Sean , Romo Rafael D. , Lee Sei J. , Sudore Rebecca , Smith Alexander K.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To characterize the goals and approaches of clinicians with experience discussing long‐term prognostic information with older adults.

Design

We used a semistructured interview guide containing 2 domains of perceived benefits and strategies to explore why and how clinicians choose to discuss long‐term prognosis, defined as life expectancy on the scale of years, with patients.

Setting

Clinicians from home‐based primary care practices, community‐based clinics, and academic medical centers across San Francisco.

Participants

Fourteen physicians, including 11 geriatricians and 1 geriatric nurse practitioner, with a mean age of 40 and a mean 9 years in practice.

Measurements

Clinician responses were analyzed qualitatively using the constant comparisons approach.

Results

Perceived benefits of discussing long‐term prognosis included establishing realistic expectations for patients, encouraging conversations about future planning, and promoting shared decision‐making through understanding of patient goals of care. Communication strategies included adapting discussions to individual patient preferences and engaging in multiple conversations over time. Clinicians preferred to communicate prognosis in words and with a visual aid, although most did not know of a suitable visual aid.

Conclusion

Engaging in customized longitudinal discussions of long‐term prognosis aids clinicians in anchoring conversations about future planning and preparing patients for the end of life. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2367–2371, 2018.
The Five‐Star Skilled Nursing Facility Rating System and Care of Disadvantaged Populations
Authors: Zuckerman Rachael B. , Wu Shannon , Chen Lena M. , Joynt Maddox Karen E. , Sheingold Steven H. , Epstein Arnold M.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To examine characteristics and locations of high‐ and low‐quality skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and whether certain vulnerable individuals were differentially discharged to facilities with lower quality ratings.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Medicare‐certified SNFs providing postacute care.

Participants

SNF stays (N=1,195,166) of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older admitted to 14,033 SNFs within 2 days of hospital discharge.

Measurements

We used Medicare claims from October 2013 to September 2014 and SNF 5‐star ratings published on Nursing Home Compare. We describe the characteristics and populations of facilities according to quality, and the location of low (1 star) and high (5 stars) quality facilities. We used logistic regression models to estimate odds of admission to a low‐quality facility after hospital discharge according to race, ethnicity, dual Medicare–Medicaid enrollment, functional status, discharge from a safety‐net or low‐quality hospital, and residence in a county with more low‐quality SNFs.

Results

More than one‐fifth (22.2%) of the facilities had a 5‐star (high quality) rating, and 15.9% had a one‐star (low quality) rating. Low‐quality facilities were more likely to be in the south (44%), for profit (85%), and larger (>70 beds (86%)). Dual enrollment was the strongest predictor of admission to a 1‐star facility (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.51–1.55), although racial or ethnic minority status (black: OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.22–1.28; Hispanic: OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06–1.14) and geographic prevalence of facilities (for a 10% increase in 1‐star beds located in the county of individual's residence: OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.26–1.27) were also significant predictors.

Conclusion

Vulnerable groups are more likely to be discharged to lower‐quality facilities for postacute care. Policy‐makers should monitor disparities in SNF quality. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:108–114, 2019.
A cross sectional study to evaluate the oral health status of children with intellectual disabilities in the National Capital Region of India (Delhi‐NCR)
Authors: Makkar A. , Indushekar K. R. , Saraf B. G. , Sardana D. , Sheoran N.
Published: October 2018

Background

Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) have usually been reported to have poorer levels of oral hygiene and higher prevalence of dental caries than their compeers. The present study was conducted to assess the status of dental caries and oral hygiene in different categories of institutionalised children with ID (syndromic and non‐syndromic) registered in various special schools of Delhi (National Capital Region, India).

Methods

The present cross sectional study was conducted on 269 children [52 with cerebral palsy (CP), 35 with Down syndrome (DS), 30 with autism and 152 with non‐syndromic intellectual disability] attending nine special schools who were examined for dental caries [Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index for permanent teeth (DMFT); decayed, missing/indicated for extraction, filled index for primary teeth (dmft) and prevalence of caries] and oral hygiene status [Oral Hygiene Index‐simplified (OHI‐S)]. The levels of disability were classified according to Stanford Binet scale as severe (IQ ≤ 35), moderate (IQ = 36–51) and mild (IQ = 52–67). Statistical analysis was performed using one way analysis of variance and post hoc test to compare the levels between groups at a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results

Mean DMFT, dmft and OHI‐S indices scores for all the children irrespective of the category and the level of ID were 2.12 ± 1.95, 0.97 ± 1.60 and 2.05 ± 1.07, respectively. As the level of ID increased among these children, the mean DMFT index and OHI‐S index increased with no significant effect on dmft. However, children with severe ID had higher OHI‐S and DMFT scores than children with mild or moderate ID. The dental caries prevalence was 86.53%, 68.57%, 76% and 86.18% in children with CP, DS, autism and non‐syndromic intellectual disability, respectively.

Conclusions

The level of caries in permanent teeth and oral hygiene deteriorated with the increasing severity of ID as indicated by DMFT and OHI‐S scores (severe > mild, moderate). However, the level of caries (dmft) was not affected by the level of ID in primary dentition. The prevalence of dental caries was highest among children with CP and least among children with DS.
In vivo molecular imaging of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chaney Aisling , Williams Steve R. , Boutin Herve
Published: October 2018

It has become increasingly evident that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Increased glial cell activation is consistently reported in both rodent models of AD and in AD patients. Moreover, recent genome wide association studies have revealed multiple genes associated with inflammation and immunity are significantly associated with an increased risk of AD development (e.g. TREM2). Non‐invasive in vivo detection and tracking of neuroinflammation is necessary to enhance our understanding of the contribution of neuroinflammation to the initiation and progression of AD. Importantly, accurate methods of quantifying neuroinflammation may aid early diagnosis and serve as an output for therapeutic monitoring and disease management. This review details current in vivo imaging biomarkers of neuroinflammation being explored and summarizes both pre‐clinical and clinical results from molecular imaging studies investigating the role of neuroinflammation in AD, with a focus on positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

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Are All Private Benefits of Control Ineffective? Principal–Principal Benefits, External Governance Quality, and Firm Performance
Authors: Sauerwald Steve , Heugens Pursey P. M. A. R. , Turturea Roxana , van Essen Marc
Published: October 2018

Private benefits of control (PBC) are benefits that controlling shareholders consume, but that are not shared with minority shareholders. Research focusing on the value protection role of corporate governance typically frames PBC as principal–principal (PP) agency costs, and interprets them as a form of minority shareholder expropriation that decreases firm performance. Taking a value creation perspective of corporate governance, however, we propose a more nuanced role for PBC. Specifically, we see them also as PP agency benefits that compensate controlling shareholders for their monitoring and advisory services, which can increase firm performance. Since both PP costs and benefits affect firm performance, we theorize that PBC enhance firm performance at a diminishing rate. Furthermore, we show that the effect of PBC on firm performance is more positive when country‐level external governance mechanisms are strong.
Effects of Mentally Subtracting Positive Events on Affective Status in Japanese College Students
Authors: Hatori Kenji , Ishimura Ikuo , Kodama Masahiro
Published: October 2018

This study examined the effect on positive and negative emotions in Japanese college students of mentally subtracting grateful events. Participants (N = 62) were randomly assigned to one of the following three conditions: (a) writing with surprise the ways that a positive thing or event might never have happened or might never have been part of life (the mentally subtracting a present good [MS] group), (b) writing without surprise the ways in which a positive thing or event happened easily or was certain to become a part of life (the counting gratitude group), and (c) no writing control. The results of analysis of variance showed that the MS group experienced significantly increased positive emotion and decreased negative emotion between pre‐test and post‐test. Furthermore, the MS group showed significantly greater positive emotion than the control group at post‐test. Surprise mediated the effects of the MS group intervention on positive emotion but not on negative emotion. Issues related to gratitude induction and mediation of surprise are discussed.
Sleep spindle characteristics and sleep architecture are associated with learning of executive functions in school‐age children
Authors: Vermeulen Marije C. M. , Van der Heijden Kristiaan B. , Swaab Hanna , Van Someren Eus J. W.
Published: October 2018

The macro‐ and microstructural characteristics of sleep electroencephalography have been associated with several aspects of executive functioning. However, only a few studies have addressed the association of sleep characteristics with the learning involved in the acquisition of executive functions, and no study has investigated this for planning and problem‐solving skills in the developing brain of children. The present study examined whether children's sleep stages and microstructural sleep characteristics are associated with performance improvement over repeated assessments of the Tower of Hanoi task, which requires integrated planning and problem‐solving skills. Thirty children (11 boys, mean age 10.7 years, SD = 0.8) performed computerized parallel versions of the Tower of Hanoi three times across 2 days, including a night with polysomnographically assessed sleep. Pearson correlations were used to evaluate the associations of Tower of Hanoi solution time improvements across repeated assessments with sleep stages (% of total sleep time), slow‐wave activity, and fast and slow spindle features. The results indicated a stronger performance improvement across wake in children with more Stage N2 sleep and less slow‐wave sleep. Stronger improvements across sleep were present in children in whom slow spindles were more dense, and in children in whom fast spindles were less dense, of shorter duration and had less power. The findings indicate that specific sleep electroencephalography signatures reflect the ability of the developing brain to acquire and improve on integrated planning and problem‐solving skills.
Liver transplant listing for hepatitis C‐associated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma has fallen in the United Kingdom since the introduction of direct‐acting antiviral therapy
Authors: Vaziri Arash , Gimson Alexander , Agarwal Kosh , Aldersley Mark , Bathgate Andrew , MacDonald Douglas , McPherson Stuart , Mutimer David , Gelson William
Published: October 2018

Following the introduction of direct‐acting antivirals (DAA), there have been reports of declining incidence of hepatitis C (HCV)‐related liver disease as a liver transplantation indication. In this study, we assessed the impact of DAA on liver transplant indications in the UK and waiting list outcomes for patients with HCV. We assessed UK adult elective liver transplant registrants between 2006 and 2017. The aetiology of liver disease at registration was reclassified using an accepted hierarchical system and changes were assessed over time and compared before and after the introduction of DAA. Registration UKELD scores and 1‐year waiting list outcomes were also compared. The proportion of waiting list patients registered with HCV‐related cirrhosis reduced after the introduction of DAA from 10.5% in 2013 to 4.7% in 2016 (P < 0.001). Alcohol‐related liver disease (ARLD) was the leading indication for liver transplantation followed by liver cancer (26.1% and 18.4% in 2016, respectively). The proportion of registrations with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with HCV reduced from 46.4% in 2013 to 33.7% in 2016 (P = 0.002). For patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis at one year the outcomes of death, transplantation, delisting due to improvement or deterioration and awaiting a graft at 1 year were similar. For patients with HCV‐related HCC, the proportion dying at 1 year reduced significantly from 2.9% to 0.0% (P = 0.04). These data demonstrate an association between DAA and reduced listing rates for HCV‐related cirrhosis and HCC, but no significant changes in waiting list outcomes other than reduced mortality in the HCC group.
Increasing hepatitis C virus screening in people who inject drugs in Switzerland using rapid antibody saliva and dried blood spot testing: A cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Girardin François , Hearmon Natalie , Negro Francesco , Eddowes Lucy , Bruggmann Philip , Castro Erika
Published: October 2018

People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key high‐risk group for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection due to the sharing of needles and drug‐preparation equipment. However, only approximately 50% of PWID are currently screened for HCV in Switzerland. At present, screening of PWID occurs in general practice via venepuncture. Compared to venepuncture, screening via rapid antibody saliva and dried blood spot (DBS) tests is well adapted to PWID, who typically have difficult venous access. The cost‐effectiveness of an increased access screening programme of PWID (increased screening using rapid antibody saliva tests and DBS tests [semi‐quantitative viraemia and viral genotype]) was analysed through a decision tree screening model combined with the outputs of a Markov treatment model. Sensitivity and scenario analyses examined the uncertainty of results. At a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of CHF 100 000 (USD 105 000) per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY), the increased access screening programme was cost‐effective compared to current screening, with a base case incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of CHF 7 940 (USD 8337) per QALY. The net monetary benefit was CHF 959 802 668 (USD 1 007 792 801) for the PWID population and CHF 94 469 (USD 99 192) per person. The increased access screening programme had a 97.0% probability of being cost‐effective compared to the current screening method at the WTP threshold of CHF 100 000 (USD 105 000). The results showed an increased access screening programme that uses tests which are better suited to the PWID population to be more cost‐effective, due to the increased uptake that rapid antibody saliva and DBS tests generate.
Polarization of granulocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells by hepatitis C core protein is mediated via IL‐10/STAT3 signalling
Authors: Wang Meng , Ping Yu , Li Zhiqin , Li Jieyao , Zhang Zhen , Yue Dongli , Chen Xinfeng , Wang Liping , Huang Lan , Huang Jianmin , Yang Li , Zhao Xuan , Yang Shuangning , Li Hong , Shi Jijing , Li Jiansheng , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2018

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been described as suppressors of T‐cell function in many malignancies. Impaired T‐cell responses have been observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHC), which is reportedly associated with the establishment of persistent HCV infection. Therefore, we hypothesized that MDSCs also play a role in chronic HCV infection. MDSCs in the peripheral blood of 206 patients with CHC and 20 healthy donors were analyzed by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy donors cultured with hepatitis C virus core protein (HCVc) were stimulated with or without interleukin 10 (IL‐10). Compared to healthy donors and certain CHC patients with sustained viral response (SVR), CHC patients without SVR presented with a dramatic elevation of G‐MDSCs with the HLA‐DR−/lowCD33+CD14−CD11b+phenotype in peripheral blood. The frequency of G‐MDSCs in CHC patients was positively correlated with serum HCVc, and G‐MDSCs were induced from healthy PBMCs by adding exogenous HCVc. Furthermore, we revealed a potential mechanism by which HCVc mediates G‐MDSC polarization; activation of ERK1/2 resulting in IL‐10 production and IL‐10‐activated STAT3 signalling. Finally, we confirmed that HCVc‐induced G‐MDSCs suppress the proliferation and production of IFN‐γ in autologous T‐cells. We also found that the frequency of G‐MDSCs in serum was associated with CHC prognosis. HCVc maintains immunosuppression by promoting IL‐10/STAT3‐dependent differentiation of G‐MDSCs from PBMCs, resulting in the impaired functioning of T‐cells. G‐MDSCs may thus be a promising biomarker for predicting prognosis of CHC patients.
The causes of upper tree limits in the mountain ranges of Central Europe north of the Alps – A stem growth perspective
Authors: Kašpar Jakub , Treml Václav
Published: October 2018

Questions

Globally, mean growing season temperature at the climatic treeline was found to converge to a common isotherm, presumably related to similar growth limitations by low temperature. However, temperatures for high‐elevation tree limits are often higher than the corresponding thermal limit for tree growth, suggesting that trees are regionally absent from the potential treeline. We explore whether the regional uppermost tree stands in Central Europe are limited by low growing season temperature, reflect the action of a “summit syndrome” (harsh climatic conditions near summits of insufficiently high mountains), or have resulted from historical land use or other disturbances.

Location

Mountains of Central Europe, north and east of the Alps (48–51°N, 10–20°E).

Methods

In each region, the highest elevation, 3‐m tall individuals of Picea abies were sampled to measure radial and height growth and to record symptoms of wind‐induced damage (abrasion, bending, breakage). Trees were grouped based on their growth performance and growing season temperature. Differences in variables indicative of a summit syndrome (wind‐induced damage, elevation distance to nearest summit, height increment above 2 m stem height) were tested among groups.

Results

We identified four particular groups of trees. The first contains trees characterized by low growth rates at cold tree limits located distant from summit areas. These trees are considered to represent the climatic treeline. The second group consists of trees growing well at relatively “warm” tree limits located near summits. These upper tree limits are probably a consequence of disturbances, human interventions or tree establishment lagging behind the warming over the past century. Trees from the remaining two groups are characterized by intermediate temperatures and growth rates. They are usually located near summits and exhibit various ranges of symptoms of mechanical impact due to summit conditions. Their current range limits reflect a combination of the repeated loss of biomass, thermally‐limited growth and restricted space for further upslope advance.

Conclusions

Our study shows that comparing tree growth, growing season temperature and symptoms of biomass loss is helpful for explaining the formation of regional upper tree limits.
Economic Decline and Extreme‐Right Electoral Threat: How District‐Level Factors Shape the Legislative Debate on Immigration
Authors: Tzelgov Eitan , Olander Petrus
Published: October 2018

This research examines the degree to which legislators respond to their districts by analyzing immigration‐related legislative speeches from the Swedish parliament (2005–16). Using a text‐scaling method, we find that the immigration discourse fluctuates between “socioeconomic responsibility” and “cultural difference” poles. We argue that socioeconomic declines and extreme‐right party success serve as an indication to MPs that there is demand for “cultural difference” rhetoric on immigration. Our statistical analyses support the argument and demonstrate that district‐level economic declines can lead to an increase in the salience of cultural framing of migrants, especially in districts with a higher share of foreign residents. We also find that district‐level extreme‐right electoral success has a significant influence on legislative immigration discourse. Overall, the results have implications for studies of legislative texts, dyadic representation, and the impact of the populist right on legislative politics in Europe.
The novel regulators CheP and CheQ control the core chemotaxis operon cheVAW in Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Cha Guihong , Chen Zimin , Mo Ran , Lu Guangwen , Gao Beile
Published: October 2018

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of foodborne gastrointestinal illness worldwide, and chemotaxis plays an important role in its host colonization and pathogenesis. Although many studies on chemotaxis have focused on the physical organization and signaling mechanism of the system’s protein complex, much less is known about the transcriptional regulation of its components. Here, we describe two novel regulators, CJJ81176_0275 and CJJ81176_0276 (designated as CheP and CheQ), which specifically activate the transcription of the chemotaxis core genes cheV, cheA and cheW in C. jejuni and they are also essential for chemotactic responses. CheP has a single HD‐related output domain (HDOD) domain and can promote CheQ binding to the cheVAW operon promoter through a protein‐protein interaction. Mutagenesis analyses identified key residues critical for CheP function and/or interaction with CheQ. Further structural characterization of CheQ revealed a novel fold with strong positive surface charges that allow for its DNA binding. These findings reveal the gene regulatory mechanism of the chemotaxis system in an important bacterial pathogen and provide potential anti‐virulence targets for campylobacteriosis treatment. In addition, ChePQ is an example of how proteins with the widespread but functionally obscure HDOD can coordinate with a signal output DNA‐binding protein/domain to regulate the expression of important signaling pathways.
Effects of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio on renal function and histologic lesions in patients with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Junlin , Zhang Rui , Wang Yiting , Wu Yucheng , Li Hanyu , Han Qianqian , Guo Ruikun , Wang Tingli , Wang Jiali , Grung Pramesh , Liu Fang
Published: October 2018

Aim

Chronic low‐grade inflammation related to diabetic nephropathy (DN) may affect the serum neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We aimed to examine the cross‐sectional relationships of NLR with renal function and structural lesions of DN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

The study retrospectively included 247 patients with T2DM and biopsy‐proven DN. The severity of different pathological lesions was evaluated based on the criteria of Renal Pathology Society. The patients were divided into two groups based on the median (2.42) of NLR level, group 1: NLR < 2.42 (n = 122) and group 2: NLR ≥ 2.42 (n = 125). Renal dysfunction was defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. The influence of NLR on renal dysfunction was evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The spearman's rank‐correlation test indicted that NLR was positively correlated with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (r = 0.170, P = 0.007) and serum fibrinogen (r = 0.261, P < 0.001), whereas negatively related with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = −0.233, P < 0.001). However, the NLR level demonstrated no association with glomerular lesions, interstitial inflammation and arteriolar hyalinosis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher level of NLR (≥2.42) was significantly associated with renal dysfunction when adjusting for some important baseline clinical and pathological variables (odds ratio, 2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–4.97; P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Increased NLR affects renal function and histologic lesions in patients with T2DM and may be an important factor for the progression of DN.
Interaction between row‐type genes in barley controls meristem determinacy and reveals novel routes to improved grain
Authors: Zwirek Monika , Waugh Robbie , McKim Sarah M.
Published: October 2018

Hordeum species develop a central spikelet flanked by two lateral spikelets at each inflorescence node. In ‘two‐rowed’ spikes, the central spikelet alone is fertile and sets grain, while in ‘six‐rowed’ spikes, lateral spikelets can also produce grain. Induced loss‐of‐function alleles of any of five Six‐rowed spike (VRS) genes (VRS1‐5) cause complete to intermediate gains of lateral spikelet fertility. Current six‐row cultivars contain natural defective vrs1 and vrs5 alleles. Little information is known about VRS mechanism(s).

We used comparative developmental, expression and genetic analyses on single and double vrs mutants to learn more about how VRS genes control development and assess their agronomic potential.

We show that all VRS genes repress fertility at carpel and awn emergence in developing lateral spikelets. VRS4, VRS3 and VRS5 work through VRS1 to suppress fertility, probably by inducing VRS1 expression. Pairing vrs3, vrs4 or vrs5 alleles increased lateral spikelet fertility, despite the presence of a functional VRS1 allele. The vrs3 allele caused loss of spikelet identity and determinacy, improved grain homogeneity and increased tillering in a vrs4 background, while with vrs5, decreased tiller number and increased grain weight.

Interactions amongst VRS genes control spikelet infertility, determinacy and outgrowth, and novel routes to improving six‐row grain.
Insights from in vivo micro‐CT analysis: testing the hydraulic vulnerability segmentation in Acer pseudoplatanus and Fagus sylvatica seedlings
Authors: Losso Adriano , Bär Andreas , Dämon Birgit , Dullin Christian , Ganthaler Andrea , Petruzzellis Francesco , Savi Tadeja , Tromba Giuliana , Nardini Andrea , Mayr Stefan , Beikircher Barbara
Published: October 2018

The seedling stage is the most susceptible one during a tree′s life. Water relations may be crucial for seedlings due to their small roots, limited water buffers and the effects of drought on water transport. Despite obvious relevance, studies on seedling xylem hydraulics are scarce as respective methodical approaches are limited.

Micro‐CT scans of intact Acer pseudoplatanus and Fagus sylvatica seedlings dehydrated to different water potentials (Ψ) allowed the simultaneous observation of gas‐filled versus water‐filled conduits and the calculation of percentage loss of conductivity (PLC) in stems, roots and leaves (petioles or main veins). Additionally, anatomical analyses were performed and stem PLC measured with hydraulic techniques.

In A. pseudoplatanus, petioles showed a higher Ψ at 50% PLC (Ψ50 −1.13MPa) than stems (−2.51 MPa) and roots (−1.78 MPa). The main leaf veins of F. sylvatica had similar Ψ50 values (−2.26 MPa) to stems (−2.74 MPa) and roots (−2.75 MPa). In both species, no difference between root and stems was observed. Hydraulic measurements on stems closely matched the micro‐CT based PLC calculations.

Micro‐CT analyses indicated a species‐specific hydraulic architecture. Vulnerability segmentation, enabling a disconnection of the hydraulic pathway upon drought, was observed in A. pseudoplatanus but not in the especially shade‐tolerant F. sylvatica. Hydraulic patterns could partly be related to xylem anatomical traits.
Litter type and termites regulate root decomposition across contrasting savanna land‐uses
Authors: Smith Stuart W. , Speed James D. M. , Bukombe John , Hassan Shombe N. , Lyamuya Richard D. , Mtweve Philipo Jacob , Sundsdal Anders , Graae Bente J.
Published: October 2018

Decomposition is a vital ecosystem process, increasingly modified by human activity. Theoretical frameworks and empirical studies that aim to understand the interplay between human land‐use, macro‐fauna and decomposition processes have primarily focused on leaf and wood litter. For a whole‐plant understanding of how land‐use and macro‐fauna influence decomposition, investigating root litter is required. Using litterbags, we quantified rates of root decomposition across contrasting tropical savanna land‐uses, namely wildlife and fire‐dominated protected areas and livestock pastureland without fire. By scanning litterbags for termite intrusion, we differentiated termite and microbial driven decomposition. Root litter was buried underneath different tree canopies (leguminous and non‐leguminous trees) and outside canopies to account for savanna landscape effects. Additionally, we established a termite cafeteria‐style experiment and common garden to explore termite selectivity of root litter and root trait relationships, respectively. After one year, we found no significant differences in root litter mass loss between wildlife dominated areas and pastureland. Instead, we found consistent species differences in root litter mass loss across land‐uses and additive and non‐additive effects of termites on root decomposition across plant species. Termite selectivity for root litter species occurred for both root and leaf litter buried near termite mounds, but was not explained by root traits measured in the common garden. Termite foraging was greater under leguminous tree canopies than other canopies; however, this did not influence rates of root decomposition. Our study suggests that land‐use has a weak direct effect on belowground processes in savannas. Instead, changes in herbaceous species composition and termite foraging have stronger impacts on belowground decomposition. Moreover, termites were not generalist decomposers of root litter, but their impact varies depending on plant species identity and likely associated root traits. This root litter selectivity by termites is likely to be an important contributor to spatial heterogeneity in savanna nutrient cycling.