bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Convergent validity of actigraphy with polysomnography and parent reports when measuring sleep in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Esbensen A. J. , Hoffman E. K. , Stansberry E. , Shaffer R.
Published: January 2018

Background

There is a need for rigorous measures of sleep in children with Down syndrome as sleep is a substantial problem in this population and there are barriers to obtaining the gold standard polysomnography (PSG). PSG is cost‐prohibitive when measuring treatment effects in some clinical trials, and children with Down syndrome may not cooperate with undergoing a PSG. Minimal information is available on the validity of alternative methods of assessing sleep in children with Down syndrome, such as actigraphy and parent ratings. Our study examined the concurrent and convergent validity of different measures of sleep, including PSG, actigraphy and parent reports of sleep among children with Down syndrome.

Method

A clinic (n = 27) and a community (n = 47) sample of children with Down syndrome were examined. In clinic, children with Down syndrome wore an actigraph watch during a routine PSG. In the community, children with Down syndrome wore an actigraph watch for a week at home at night as part of a larger study on sleep and behaviour. Their parent completed ratings of the child's sleep during that same week.

Results

Actigraph watches demonstrated convergent validity with PSG when measuring a child with Down syndrome's total amount of sleep time, total wake time after sleep onset and sleep period efficiency. In contrast, actigraph watches demonstrated poor correlations with parent reports of sleep, and with PSG when measuring the total time in bed and total wake episodes. Actigraphy, PSG and parent ratings of sleep demonstrated poor concurrent validity with clinical diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Conclusion

Our current data suggest that actigraph watches demonstrate convergent validity and are sensitive to measuring certain sleep constructs (duration, efficiency) in children with Down syndrome. However, parent reports, such as the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, may be measuring other sleep constructs. These findings highlight the importance of selecting measures of sleep related to target concerns.
Long‐term outcomes post chronic total occlusion intervention—implications of completeness of revascularization
Authors: Goel Pravin K. , Khanna Roopali , Pandey CM , Ashfaq Fauzia
Published: January 2018

Background

Long term clinical outcomes post chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention may depend not only on CTO success/failure alone but also on Completeness of revascularization.

Objectives

To determine long term outcomes post CTO intervention and relate them to both success versus failure and Complete Revascularization (CR) versus Incomplete Revascularization (IR).

Methods

Consecutive patients taken up for CTO intervention with at‐least one CTO vessel between Jan 2006 to Dec 2015 were included. Clinical, procedural and follow up details were recorded in a pre‐specified custom made software. Primary endpoint of the study was survival free of major adverse event individual, death, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularisation (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and recurrent or continued angina. Each individual adverse event was considered as a secondary end point.

Results

A total of 632 patients were enrolled in study with follow up data available in 549 (86%) constituting the study group with 490 (89.3%) success and 59 (11.7%) failure. Complete revascularization (CR) was obtained in 410 (74.7%). Follow up was median 2.9 years with inter‐quartile range 1.1‐4.8 years. Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed a better EFS with both CTO success versus failure (P = 0.03)and CR versus IR (P = 0.017). Individual adverse outcomes however were not significantly different in CTO success versus failure group but significantly better when analyzed with respect to CR versus IR including death (P = 0.049) and recurrent angina (P = 0.024). Repeat intervention and MI were not different by either analysis.

Conclusions

Successful CTO PCI results in a better long term event free survival but the difference between the groups is more if analyzed with respect to completeness of revascularization rather than CTO success/failure alone.
Roosting ecology of Stenodermatinae bats (Phyllostomidae): evolution of foliage roosting and correlated phenotypes
Authors: Garbino Guilherme S. T. , Tavares Valéria da Cunha
Published: January 2018

Roosting ecology has probably shaped several aspects of bat evolution. Although Phyllostomidae species are known to use more types of roosts than any other chiropteran lineage, foliage roosting is almost entirely restricted to the frugivorous members of the subfamily Stenodermatinae. There are relatively few studies on the roosting ecology of stenodermatines other than leaf tent users, and there have been few attempts to reconstruct the evolution of the peculiar foliage‐roosting habits of these fruit bats.

Our aim was to reconstruct the evolution of foliage roosting in the Phyllostomidae phylogeny, and to test correlation hypotheses between roost types, pelage markings, and body size.

We performed ancestral character reconstructions using stochastic mappings on a molecular phylogeny of Phyllostomidae and reviewed literature records on roosts used by Stenodermatinae. Correlations between roosting habits and pelage patterns were calculated using phylogenetic logistic regressions.

Over 1200 records of roost use for 48 Stenodermatinae bat species were found in the literature. Most of the observations consisted of foliage roosting records; the second most common type of roost were caves and crevices, which was followed by holes in standing trees.

Our results support a single origin of foliage roosting in Phyllostomidae, which we interpreted as a synapomorphy uniting Rhinophyllinae with the Stenodermatinae. We estimated a minimum of two origins of tent roosting within Phyllostomidae, and our reconstruction suggests that it was basal in the Rhinophyllinae + Stenodermatinae clade.

Pelage markings of stenodermatines explained the type of roost, indicating that having white stripes or white spots contrasting with background pelage is related to foliage roosting. Species that use leaf tents are smaller than ones that do not, but group size does not appear to be correlated with tent use.

Further studies of foliage‐roosting bat species that do not use leaf tents may shed light on the mode of evolution of this complex behavioural character.
Taste, choice and timing: Investigating resident and carer preferences for meals in aged care homes
Authors: Milte Rachel , Ratcliffe Julie , Chen Gang , Miller Michelle , Crotty Maria
Published: January 2018

There has been little empirical investigation of the preferences of people living in aged care homes for food services. The aim of the present study was to elicit consumer preferences and their willingness to pay for food service in aged care homes. Current residents or their family members were invited to take part in the discrete choice experiment questionnaire administered via interview. Of the 109 eligible residents and 175 eligible family members approached for consent 121 (43%) participated, including 43 residents. Participant preferences were influenced by food taste, choice in relation to serving size, timing of meal selection, visual appeal, and additional cost. Participants indicated they would be willing to pay an additional $24 (US$18.42) per week for food which tasted excellent and $8 (US$6.14) per week to have choice in serving sizes. The study found that respondents were willing to pay a premium to receive food that met their expectations of taste, and for a high level of control over serving sizes, which has implications for the funding and provision of food and dining in long‐term care in the future.
Association between obstructive sleep apnea and atopic dermatitis in children: A nationwide, population‐based cohort study
Authors: Hu Je‐Ming , Lin Chin‐Sheng , Chen Sy‐Jou , Chen Chao‐Yang , Lin Cheng‐Li , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: January 2018

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with systemic inflammation and may have a similar pathogenesis as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, to date, studies on the association between AD and OSA are limited.

Objectives

This study evaluated the association between OSA and AD in children in a large‐scale, population‐based cohort.

Methods

A total of approximately 120 736 children (<18 years) with newly diagnosed AD and 120 736 age‐ and sex‐matched patients without AD from 2000 to 2007 were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2007. The Kaplan‐Meier test was used for measuring the cumulative incidence of OSA in each cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used for evaluating the risk of OSA in patients with or without AD between the two cohorts.

Results

The Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative incidence curves of OSA were significantly higher in patients with AD than in those without AD (log‐rank test, P < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, urbanization level, and comorbidities, patients with AD had a higher risk of OSA than those without AD (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.86, 95% confidence interval = 1.43‐2.42). Compared with patients without AD, patients with AD exhibited a higher risk of developing OSA, irrespective of underlying comorbidities.

Conclusion

This nationwide, population‐based cohort study revealed an increased risk of OSA in children with AD. Therefore, comprehensive evaluation and aggressive risk reduction for OSA are recommended in these patients.
Generation mean analysis of horticultural traits in mid‐late cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) under sub temperate conditions of Western Himalayas
Authors: Verma Arti , Singh Yudhvir
Published: January 2018

Suitable breeding procedure for crop improvement mainly depends on the type and relative amount of genetic components and presence of non‐allelic interactions. Therefore, the study was carried out during three successive rabi seasons 2013‐14, 2014‐15 and 2015‐16 in mid hill zone of North‐western Himalayas, India with objective to estimate the main genetic effects including digenic non‐allelic interactions controlling horticultural traits in cauliflower. The generation mean analysis was carried out on six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2) of six crosses involving four diverse parents of cauliflower. The results obtained revealed that the nature and magnitude of gene effects differed in different crosses and showed importance of duplicate epistasis in the inheritance of curd diameter and curd size index, whose effect can be wiped out by following sophisticated selection procedure such as reciprocal recurrent selection and/or biparental mating in early segregating generation. Complementary type of epistasis was recorded in most of the cross combinations for the important yield traits, which indicates the importance of heterosis breeding for the development of high yielding varieties.
Tree hydraulic traits are coordinated and strongly linked to climate‐of‐origin across a rainfall gradient
Authors: Li Ximeng , Blackman Chris J. , Choat Brendan , Duursma Remko A. , Rymer Paul D. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Tissue David T.
Published: January 2018

Plant hydraulic traits capture the impacts of drought stress on plant function, yet vegetation models lack sufficient information regarding trait coordination and variation with climate‐of‐origin across species. Here, we investigated key hydraulic and carbon economy traits of 12 woody species in Australia from a broad climatic gradient, with the aim of identifying the coordination among these traits and the role of climate in shaping cross‐species trait variation. The influence of environmental variation was minimized by a common garden approach, allowing us to factor out the influence of environment on phenotypic variation across species. We found that hydraulic traits (leaf turgor loss point, stomatal sensitivity to drought [Pgs], xylem vulnerability to cavitation [Px], and branch capacitance [Cbranch]) were highly coordinated across species and strongly related to rainfall and aridity in the species native distributional range. In addition, trade‐offs between drought tolerance and plant growth rate were observed across species. Collectively, these results provide critical insight into the coordination among hydraulic traits in modulating drought adaptation and will significantly advance our ability to predict drought vulnerability in these dominant trees species.
Plasticity of photosynthetic heat tolerance in plants adapted to thermally contrasting biomes
Authors: Zhu Lingling , Bloomfield Keith J. , Hocart Charles H. , Egerton John J.G. , O'Sullivan Odhran S. , Penillard Aurore , Weerasinghe Lasantha K. , Atkin Owen K.
Published: January 2018

In many biomes, plants are subject to heatwaves, potentially causing irreversible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Field surveys have documented global, temperature‐dependent patterns in photosynthetic heat tolerance (PHT); however, it remains unclear if these patterns reflect acclimation inPHTor inherent differences among species adapted to contrasting habitats. To address these unknowns, we quantified seasonal variations inTcrit(high temperature where minimal chlorophyll‐afluorescence rises rapidly, reflecting disruption to photosystem II) in 62 species native to 6 sites from 5 thermally contrasting biomes across Australia.Tcritand leaf fatty acid (FA) composition (important for membrane stability) were quantified in three temperature‐controlled glasshouses in 20 of those species.Tcritwas greatest at hot field sites and acclimated seasonally (summer > winter, increasing on average 0.34 °C per °C increase in growth temperature). The glasshouse study showed thatTcritwas inherently higher in species from warmer habitats (increasing 0.16 °C per °C increase in origin annual mean maximum temperature) and acclimated to increasing growth temperature (0.24 °C °C−1). Variations inTcritwere positively correlated with the relative abundance of saturated FAs, with FAs accounting for 40% ofTcritvariation. These results highlight the importance of both plastic adjustments and inherent differences determining contemporary continent‐wide patterns inPHT.
Evolution of the biosynthesis of two hydroxyacetophenones in plants
Authors: Parent Geneviève J. , Giguère Isabelle , Mageroy Melissa , Bohlmann Joerg , MacKay John J.
Published: January 2018

Acetophenones are phenolic metabolites of plant species. A metabolic route for the biosynthesis and release of 2 defence‐related hydroxyacetophenones in white spruce (Picea glauca) was recently proposed to involve 3 phases: (a) biosynthesis of the acetophenone aglycons catalysed by a currently unknown set of enzymes, (b) formation and accumulation of the corresponding glycosides catalysed by a glucosyltransferase, and (c) release of the aglycons catalysed by a glucosylhydrolase (PgβGLU‐1). We tested if this biosynthetic model is conserved across Pinaceae and land plant species. We assayed and surveyed the literature and sequence databases for possible patterns of the presence of the acetophenone aglycons piceol and pungenol and their glucosides, as well as sequences and expression of Pgβglu‐1 orthologues. In the Pinaceae, the 3 phases of the biosynthetic model are present and differences in expression of Pgβglu‐1 gene orthologues explain some of the interspecific variation in hydroxyacetophenones. The phylogenetic signal in the metabolite phenotypes was low across species of 6 plant divisions. Putative orthologues of PgβGLU‐1 do not form a monophyletic group in species producing hydroxyacetophenones. The biosynthetic model for acetophenones appears to be conserved across Pinaceae, whereas convergent evolution has led to the production of acetophenone glucosides across land plants.
OsPRR37confers an expanded regulation of the diurnal rhythms of the transcriptome and photoperiodic flowering pathways in rice
Authors: Liu Chuan , Qu Xuefeng , Zhou Yanhao , Song Gaoyuan , Abiri Naghmeh , Xiao Yuhui , Liang Fan , Jiang Daiming , Hu Zhongli , Yang Daichang
Published: January 2018

The circadian clock enables organisms to rapidly adapt to the ever‐changing environmental conditions that are caused by daily light/dark cycles. Circadian clock genes universally affect key agricultural traits, particularly flowering time. Here, we show thatOsPRR37, a circadian clock gene, delays rice flowering time in an expression level‐dependent manner. Using high‐throughput mRNA sequencing on anOsPRR37overexpressing transgenic line (OsPRR37‐OE5) and the recipient parent Guangluai4 that contains the loss‐of‐functionOsprr37, we identify 14,992 genes that display diurnal rhythms, which account for 52.9% of the transcriptome. OverexpressingOsPRR37weakens the transcriptomic rhythms and alters the phases of rhythmic genes. In total, 3,210 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are identified, among which 1,863 rhythmic DEGs show a correlation between the change of absolute amplitudes and the mean expression levels. We further reveal that OsPRR37 functions as a transcriptional repressor to repress the expression levels and amplitudes of day‐phased clock genes. More importantly,OsPRR37confers expanded regulation on the evening‐phased rhythmic DEGs by repressing the morning‐phased rhythmic DEGs. Further study shows thatOsPRR37expands its regulation on flowering pathways by repressingEhd1. Thus, our results demonstrate an expanded regulation mechanism of the circadian clock on the diurnal rhythms of the transcriptome.
Entrainment of Arabidopsis roots to the light:dark cycle by light piping
Authors: Nimmo Hugh G.
Published: January 2018

Correct operation of the plant circadian clock is crucial for optimal growth and development. Recent evidence has shown that the plant clock is tissue specific and potentially hierarchical, implying that there are signalling mechanisms that can synchronise the clock in different tissues. Here, I have addressed the mechanism that allows the shoot and root clocks to be synchronised in light:dark cycles but not in continuous light. Luciferase imaging data from 2 different Arabidopsis accessions with 2 different markers show that the period of the root clock is much less sensitive to blue light than to red light. Decapitated roots were imaged either in darkness or with the top section of root tissue exposed to light. Exposure to red light reduced the period of the root tissue maintained in darkness, whereas exposure to blue light did not. The data indicate that light can be piped through root tissue to affect the circadian period of tissue in darkness. I propose that the synchronisation of shoots and roots in light:dark cycles is achieved by light piping from shoots to roots.
Rapid, successful treatment of atopic dermatitis recalcitrant to topical corticosteroids
Authors: Lewis Daniel J. , Feldman Steven R.
Published: January 2018

Atopic dermatitis is responsive to midpotency topical corticosteroids, which are the mainstay of treatment, yet many patients have disease that is “resistant” to triamcinolone prescribed for outpatient use. Such resistance is often due to poor adherence, but patients and caregivers may remain adamant that the steroid was ineffective and assure the physician that it was applied as recommended. We describe the case of a young girl with a 2‐year history of atopic dermatitis resistant to triamcinolone whose condition rapidly improved with continued use of triamcinolone. Our case raises the ethical dilemma of whether physicians should base treatment plans on what patients report or what evidence on adherence suggests.
Acral pigmented Spitz nevus in a child with transepidermal migration of melanocytes: Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic features
Authors: Iriarte Christopher , Rao Babar , Haroon Attiya , Kirkorian Anna Yasmine
Published: January 2018

Acral pigmented Spitz nevi are seldom reported in the literature. We report a new case on the palm of a 4‐year‐old girl that demonstrated correlation between features observed on dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). Histopathology revealed a benign intraepidermal Spitz nevus with transepidermal elimination of melanocytes that showed on RCM as focal atypical bright cells concerning for malignancy. This case is one of few reports in the literature combining dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, and histology for an acral Spitz nevi, which are rarely evaluated by RCM given the thickness of the stratum corneum in acral sites.
Neutrophilic superficial eccrine ductitis: Proposal of a new disease concept
Authors: Nagai Hiroshi , Nishigori Chikako
Published: January 2018

A 3‐year‐old Japanese boy presented with a 3‐month history of itchy erythematous papules on his trunk and forearms, the histologic findings of which were characterized by predominantly neutrophilic inflammation within and around the eccrine sweat ducts and obliteration and disruption of the superficial eccrine sweat ducts. Although the skin disorder had some clinical and histopathologic similarity to miliaria and neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis, it was ultimately conformed to be neither disorder. Based on this and a case report in the Japanese literature of a 1‐year‐old boy with erythematous eruptions whose clinical and histopathologic findings were similar to those in our case, we propose the skin disorder in our case, referred to as “neutrophilic superficial eccrine ductitis,” as a unique entity.
Isotretinoin‐induced acne fulminans without systemic symptoms with concurrent exuberant granulation tissue
Authors: Li Alvin W. , Antaya Richard J.
Published: January 2018

Acne fulminans is a severe form of acne characterized by painful, inflammatory nodules that progress into ulcers and concurrent systemic symptoms. Treatment of acne with isotretinoin can precipitate a syndrome called isotretinoin‐induced acne fulminans without systemic symptoms. An exuberant granulation tissue response, another known adverse event associated with isotretinoin, can occur concurrently, inhibiting wound repair and complicating treatment. We report a case of isotretinoin‐induced acne fulminans without systemic symptoms with exuberant granulation tissue response that was treated successfully with topical clobetasol ointment.
Delayed‐type hypersensitivity to vaccine aluminum adjuvant causing subcutaneous leg mass and urticaria in a child
Authors: Gordon Samantha C. , Bartenstein Diana W. , Tajmir Shahein H. , Song Johanna S. , Hawryluk Elena B.
Published: January 2018

A 3‐year‐old girl presented with a 7‐month history of a waxing and waning left thigh mass associated with pruritus and erythema at the site of two previous DTaP‐HepB‐IPV vaccinations. Patch testing was positive to aluminum chloride, supporting a diagnosis of vaccine granuloma secondary to aluminum allergy; her symptoms had been well controlled with antihistamines and topical steroids. Injection site granulomas are a benign but potentially bothersome reaction to aluminum‐containing immunizations that can be supportively managed, and we encourage strict adherence to the recommended vaccine schedule in this setting. Patch testing is a sensitive, noninvasive diagnostic tool for patients presenting with this clinical finding, and dermatologist awareness can prevent unnecessary medical examination and provide reassurance.
Potassium iodide in refractory, recurrent pediatric Sweet syndrome: Guidance in dosing and monitoring
Authors: Tangtatco Jennifer Aileen Ang , Ho Nhung , Drucker Aaron , Forse Catherine
Published: January 2018

We describe a 5‐month‐old boy with clinical and histopathologic presentation of Sweet syndrome. He responded to systemic corticosteroids, with multiple flares on tapering; potassium iodide was added, which provided complete resolution of Sweet syndrome. Potassium iodide has been used in only a few cases, and no standard dosage has been established in children. We discuss calculation of a pediatric dosage for potassium iodide in Sweet syndrome.
Vitiligoid variant of lichen sclerosus in young girls with darker skin types
Authors: Dennin Margaret H. , Stein Sarah L. , Rosenblatt Adena E.
Published: January 2018

Background/Objectives

Vitiligo and lichen sclerosus are autoimmune disorders characterized by white discoloration, and both frequently affect the anogenital region. Vitiligoid lichen sclerosus refers to a superficial variant of lichen sclerosus in which the lesion appears clinically to be vitiligo based on the predominant presentation of depigmentation and minimal inflammation and sclerosis but histologically is consistent with lichen sclerosus. A limited number of reports have described vitiligoid lichen sclerosus, and from these reports, it appears to primarily affect darker‐skinned people.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 7 girls with darker skin types seen in our pediatric dermatology clinic who presented with a clinical overlap of vitiligo and lichen sclerosus. All had primarily well‐demarcated, depigmented patches characteristic of vitiligo, but the lesions were symptomatic (pruritus, pain, bleeding, constipation), a presentation more consistent with lichen sclerosus.

Results

The girls were all treated with high‐potency topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, or both. The associated symptoms improved or resolved, but most had minimal improvement of the depigmentation.

Conclusions

The girls presented in this series appear to have had vitiligoid lichen sclerosus, given the clinical overlap of lichen sclerosus and vitiligo affecting the anogenital region, particularly given that they did not have depigmented patches elsewhere on their body. Previous cases of vitiligoid lichen sclerosus have been reported in darker skin types, and our findings support this possible predisposition. It is important for clinicians to assess patients presenting with genital depigmentation for overlapping features of vitiligo and lichen sclerosus and determine appropriate management.
Clinical features and nail clippings in 52 children with psoriasis
Authors: Uber Marjorie , Carvalho Vânia O. , Abagge Kerstin T. , Robl Imoto Renata , Werner Betina
Published: January 2018

Background/Objectives

Nail clipping, the act of cutting the distal portion of a nail for microscopic analysis, can complement the diagnosis of skin diseases with nail involvement, such as psoriasis. This study aimed to describe histopathologic findings on 81 nails from 52 children and adolescents with skin psoriasis and to determine whether these changes correlated with the severity of skin and nail involvement.

Methods

Children with psoriasis were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study to obtain Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) scores. The most altered nails were processed using periodic acid‐Schiff with diastase staining.

Results

Fifty‐two patients with a median age of 10.5 years were included. The median Nail Psoriasis Severity Index score of the 20 nails from these patients was 17 (range 3‐80). The most common findings were pitting (94.2%), leukonychia (73.0%), and longitudinal ridges (63.5%). Eighty‐one nail fragments were collected by clipping. Neutrophils were found in 6 samples (7.6%) and serous lakes in 15 (19%). Median nail plate thickness was 0.3 mm (range 0.1‐0.63 mm). Patients whose nails had neutrophils had a higher median PASI score (6.1 vs 2.0, P = .03). Patients whose nails had serous lakes had higher median PASI (5.3 vs 1.9, P = .008) and NAPSI (median 45.0 vs 18.0, P = .006) scores.

Conclusion

There seems to be a correlation between some microscopic nail features in children with psoriasis and their PASI and NAPSI scores, so nail clippings from children with suspected psoriasis may help with diagnosis, especially in the presence of neutrophils, and in excluding onychomycosis.
An investigation of relational turbulence and depressive symptoms in newly married women
Authors: SCOTT ALLISON M. , STAFFORD LAURA
Published: January 2018

This study uses the relational turbulence model to examine depressive symptoms in newly married women. It reports data from a pre‐/posttest study in which 152 women completed an online survey during their engagement and 6 months after their wedding. Nearly 12% of the women reported reliable and clinically meaningful increases in depressive symptoms after their wedding. Using panel data analysis, this study found that increases in self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, and relationship uncertainty as well as in partner interference were associated with increases in depressive symptoms. This novel test of the relational turbulence model examined the impact of change in (rather than level of) relational turbulence, and the findings extend previous work by demonstrating how mechanisms of relational turbulence impact mental health.
Independent and mentored video review of OSCEs
Authors: Mookherjee Somnath , Strujik Jennie , Cunningham Matthew , Kaplan Elizabeth , Çoruh Bas¸ak
Published: January 2018

Background

Video review of OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) performance allows students to analyse their performance, identify actions and behaviours for correction or reinforcement, and develop a plan for improvement of clinical skills. Student perceptions of the utility of independent and mentored video review are unknown.

Methods

We created a pilot programme of post‐OSCE structured video review. Students were randomised to mentored (M) or independent (I) review. In the mentored group, a faculty member facilitated the process. Both groups completed an assessment rubric and created an action plan. We examined student perceptions of the process, helpful elements of each type of review and perceived impact after a follow‐up OSCE.

Results

The mentored group (n = 12) was more comfortable watching themselves than the independent group (n = 11); using a five‐point Likert scale, where 1 indicates ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 indicates ‘strongly agree’: 3.5 ± 1.2 (I) versus 4.5 ± 0.2 (M) (p = 0.02). The mentored group more strongly agreed that their clinical skills would improve: 3.6 ± 1.1 (I) versus 4.9 ± 0.2 (M) (p < 0.01). After the follow‐up OSCE, the mentored group (n = 10) tended to feel more strongly that their clinical skills had improved compared with the independent group (n = 9): 3.6 ± 1.3 (I) versus 4.3 ± 0.7 (M) (p = 0.14).

Discussion

This pilot study demonstrates the utility of using a structured framework for post‐OSCE video review, both for the assessment of performance and for the development of a behavioural action plan. There are advantages to using a mentor‐guided model, but further study is needed to determine whether actual OSCE performances improve as a consequence.

Video review of OSCE performance allows students to analyse their performance
False friends? Empirical evidence on trade policy substitution in regional trade agreements
Authors: Silberberger Magdalene , Stender Frederik
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we examine the interplay of regional economic integration and the use of bilateral antidumping (AD) measures. Our empirical analysis brings three central findings to light: (i) we find that regional trade agreements (RTAs) generally reduce the likelihood of AD activity among integration partners; (ii) in addition, an improvement in the tariff treatment between trading partners—regardless of whether expressed as the directly faced tariff or as a tariff margin—generally leads to a lower likelihood of bilateral AD and (iii) regarding the interaction of both events, however, a reciprocally higher tariff margin between integration partners leads to a higher likelihood of bilateral AD than an equal tariff margin among non‐integration trading partners. The latter effect seems to be primarily driven by those RTAs with a participation of “South” countries.
Worldwide policies on epilepsy and blood donation: a survey among blood services
Authors: Kellens A. , De Buck E. , Emonds M.‐P. , Vandekerckhove P. , Lagae L.
Published: January 2018

Background and objectives

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by the appearance of seizures. Often, epilepsy patients are temporarily or permanently excluded from blood donation. To gain a better understanding of the policies that are currently applied, we performed a survey among blood services.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, Web‐based questionnaire using the online Questback tool was developed and distributed to 46 representatives of blood services worldwide. The questionnaire was composed of nine questions.

Results

A total of 27 respondents, representing blood services in 26 countries on five continents, participated in the survey. Current policies range from permanent acceptance over temporary exclusion to permanent exclusion. Rationales for these different policies are diverse. The majority of blood services (59·3%) apply temporary exclusion as their policy, though no consensus exists on the length of time that epilepsy patients have to be medication‐free or seizure‐free. None of the respondents could provide data about adverse events in epilepsy patients during the blood donation process.

Conclusions

The results of this survey indicate a large discrepancy in policies applied worldwide. A lack of scientific evidence could be one of the underlying reasons. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to further research the potential risks for donors and recipients regarding blood donation by people with epilepsy. This can then serve as a base for evidence‐based policymaking and lead to safer and more effective blood transfusion programmes.
Amustaline (S‐303) treatment inactivates high levels of Chikungunya virus in red‐blood‐cell components
Authors: Aubry M. , Laughhunn A. , Santa Maria F. , Lanteri M. C. , Stassinopoulos A. , Musso D.
Published: January 2018

Background and objectives

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections have been reported in all continents, and the potential risk for CHIKV transfusion‐transmitted infections (TTIs) was demonstrated by the detection of CHIKV RNA‐positive donations in several countries. TTIs can be reduced by pathogen inactivation (PI) of blood products. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of amustaline and glutathione (S‐303/GSH) to inactivate CHIKV in red‐blood‐cell concentrates (RBCs).

Material and Methods

Red‐blood‐cells were spiked with high level of CHIKV. Infectious titres and RNA loads were measured before and after PI treatment. Residual CHIKV infectivity was also assessed after five successive cell culture passages.

Results

The mean CHIKV titres in RBCs before inactivation was 5·81 ± 0·18 log10 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50)/mL, and the mean viral RNA load was 10·49 ± 0·15 log10 genome equivalent (GEq)/mL. No CHIKV TCID was detected after S‐303 treatment nor was replicative CHIKV particles and viral RNA present after five cell culture passages of samples obtained immediately after S‐303 treatment.

Conclusion

Chikungunya virus was previously shown to be inactivated by the PI technology using amotosalen and ultraviolet A light for the treatment of plasma and platelets. This new study demonstrates that S‐303/GSH can inactivate high titres of CHIKV in RBCs.
Children's early bilingualism and musical training influence prosodic discrimination of sentences in an unknown language
Authors: Stepanov Arthur , Pavlič Matic , Stateva Penka , Reboul Anne
Published: January 2018

This study investigated whether early bilingualism and early musical training positively influence the ability to discriminate between prosodic patterns corresponding to different syntactic structures in otherwise phonetically identical sentences in an unknown language. In a same-different discrimination task, participants (N = 108) divided into four groups (monolingual non-musicians, monolingual musicians, bilingual non-musicians, and bilingual musicians) listened to pairs of short sentences in a language unknown to them (French). In discriminating phonetically identical but prosodically different sentences, musicians, bilinguals, and bilingual musicians outperformed the controls. However, there was no interaction between bilingualism and musical training to suggest an additive effect. These results underscore the significant role of both types of experience in enhancing the listeners' sensitivity to prosodic information.
Energy Efficiency in Children With Myelomeningocele During Acute Use of Assistive Devices: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sansom Jennifer K. , Ulrich Beverly D.
Published: January 2018

Due to increased metabolic demands during walking, ∼50% of children with myelomeningocele transition to wheelchair use during adolescence/early adulthood. The purpose of our pilot study involving children with myelomeningocele was to determine: (a) energy expenditure needs during acute use of common assistive devices and (b) if walking poles are a feasible assistive device. Oxygen uptake was recorded for eight (5–12 years old) children in four conditions: independent, walker, crutches, and poles. Acute pole use did not significantly differ from independent walking net energy consumption or cost. Participants consumed more energy while walking with the walker than independently. Our pilot results suggest that (a) acute use of common assistive devices while walking increases energy consumption and cost versus independent and (b) poles are feasible assistive devices, resulting in slightly increased energy requirements. Poles may have provided “just enough” support with minimal change in energy requirements for our participants and, with practice, may enable children with myelomeningocele to remain community ambulators.
Influence of Type I Fimbriae and Fluid Shear Stress on Bacterial Behavior and Multicellular Architecture of Early Escherichia coli Biofilms at Single-Cell Resolution
Authors: Wang Liyun , Keatch Robert , Zhao Qi , Wright John A. , Bryant Clare E. , Redmann Anna L. , Terentjev Eugene M.
Published: January 2018

Biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces in the food and medical industry can cause severe contamination and infection, yet how biological and physical factors determine the cellular architecture of early biofilms and the bacterial behavior of the constituent cells remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined the specific role of type I fimbriae in nascent stages of biofilm formation and the response of microcolonies to environmental flow shear at the single-cell resolution. The results show that type I fimbriae are not required for reversible adhesion from plankton, but they are critical for the irreversible adhesion of
Escherichia coli
strain MG1655 cells that form biofilms on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces. Besides establishing firm cell surface contact, the irreversible adhesion seems necessary to initiate the proliferation of
E. coli
on the surface. After the application of shear stress, bacterial retention is dominated by the three-dimensional architecture of colonies, independent of the population size, and the multilayered structure could protect the embedded cells from being insulted by fluid shear, while the cell membrane permeability mainly depends on the biofilm population size and the duration of the shear stress.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial biofilms could lead to severe contamination problems in medical devices and food processing equipment. However, biofilms are usually studied at a rough macroscopic level; thus, little is known about how individual bacterium behavior within biofilms and the multicellular architecture are influenced by bacterial appendages (e.g., pili/fimbriae) and environmental factors during early biofilm formation. We applied confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to visualize
Escherichia coli
microcolonies at a single-cell resolution. Our findings suggest that type I fimbriae are vital to the initiation of bacterial proliferation on surfaces. We also found that the fluid shear stress affects the biofilm architecture and cell membrane permeability of the constituent bacteria in a different way: the onset of the biofilm is linked with the three-dimensional morphology, while membranes are regulated by the overall population of microcolonies.
Incidence of Facultative Bacterial Endosymbionts in Spider Mites Associated with Local Environments and Host Plants
Authors: Zhu Yu-Xi , Song Yue-Ling , Zhang Yan-Kai , Hoffmann Ary A. , Zhou Jin-Cheng , Sun Jing-Tao , Hong Xiao-Yue
Published: January 2018

Spider mites are frequently associated with multiple endosymbionts whose infection patterns often exhibit spatial and temporal variation. However, the association between endosymbiont prevalence and environmental factors remains unclear. Here, we surveyed endosymbionts in natural populations of the spider mite,Tetranychus truncatus, in China, screening 935 spider mites from 21 localities and 12 host plant species. Three facultative endosymbiont lineages,Wolbachia,Cardinium, andSpiroplasma, were detected at different infection frequencies (52.5%, 26.3%, and 8.6%, respectively). Multiple endosymbiont infections were observed in most local populations, and the incidence of individuals with theWolbachia-Spiroplasmacoinfection was higher than expected from the frequency of each infection within a population. Endosymbiont infection frequencies exhibited associations with environmental factors:Wolbachiainfection rates increased at localities with higher annual mean temperatures, whileCardiniumandSpiroplasmainfection rates increased at localities from higher altitudes.Wolbachiawas more common in mites fromLycopersicon esculentumandGlycine maxcompared to those fromZea mays. This study highlights that host-endosymbiont interactions may be associated with environmental factors, including climate and other geographically linked factors, as well as the host's food plant.

IMPORTANCEThe aim of this study was to examine the incidence of endosymbiont distribution and the infection patterns in spider mites. The main findings are that multiple endosymbiont infections were more common than expected and that endosymbiont infection frequencies were associated with environmental factors. This work highlights that host-endosymbiont interactions need to be studied within an environmental and geographic context.
Candida albicans β-Glucan-Containing Particles Increase HO-1 Expression in Oral Keratinocytes via a Reactive Oxygen Species/p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Ishida Yoko , Ohta Kouji , Naruse Takako , Kato Hiroki , Fukui Akiko , Shigeishi Hideo , Nishi Hiromi , Tobiume Kei , Takechi Masaaki
Published: January 2018

Oral keratinocytes provide the first line of host defense against oral candidiasis. We speculated that interactions of fungal cell wall components with oral keratinocytes regulate the stress response against
Candida
infection and examined the expression of genes induced by heat-killed
Candida albicans
in oral immortalized keratinocytes using a cDNA microarray technique. Of 24,000 genes revealed by that analysis, we focused on HO-1, a stress-inducible gene, as its expression was increased by both heat-killed and live
C. albicans
. In histological findings, HO-1 expression in the superficial layers of the oral epithelium following
Candida
infection was elevated compared to that in healthy epithelium. We then investigated fungal cell wall components involved in induction of HO-1 expression and found that β-glucan-containing particles (β-GPs) increased its expression. Furthermore, β-glucan was observed on the surface of both heat-killed
C. albicans
and
Candida
cells that had invaded the oral epithelium. Fungal β-GPs also promoted induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), NADPH oxidase activation, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, while those specific inhibitors inhibited the HO-1 expression induced by fungal β-GPs. Moreover, fungal β-GPs induced Nrf2 translocation into nuclei via p38 MAPK signaling, while the HO-1 expression induced by fungal β-GPs was inhibited by Nrf2-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). Finally, knockdown of cells by HO-1- and Nrf2-specific siRNAs resulted in increased β-GP-mediated ROS production compared to that in the control cells. Our results show that the HO-1 induced by fungal β-GPs via ROS/p38 MAPK/Nrf2 from oral keratinocytes may have important roles in host defense against the stress caused by
Candida
infection in the oral epithelium.
Nonstructural Protein σ1s Is Required for Optimal Reovirus Protein Expression
Authors: Phillips Matthew B. , Stuart Johnasha D. , Simon Emily J. , Boehme Karl W.
Published: January 2018

Reovirus nonstructural protein σ1s is required for the establishment of viremia and hematogenous viral dissemination. However, the function of σ1s during the reovirus replication cycle is not known. In this study, we found that σ1s was required for efficient reovirus replication in simian virus 40 (SV40)-immortalized endothelial cells (SVECs), mouse embryonic fibroblasts, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and T84 human colonic epithelial cells. In each of these cell lines, wild-type reovirus produced substantially higher viral titers than a σ1s-deficient mutant. The σ1s protein was not required for early events in reovirus infection, as evidenced by the fact that no difference in infectivity between the wild-type and σ1s-null viruses was observed. However, the wild-type virus produced markedly higher viral protein levels than the σ1s-deficient strain. The disparity in viral replication did not result from differences in viral transcription or protein stability. We further found that the σ1s protein was dispensable for cell killing and the induction of type I interferon responses. In the absence of σ1s, viral factory (VF) maturation was impaired but sufficient to support low levels of reovirus replication. Together, our results indicate that σ1s is not absolutely essential for viral protein production but rather potentiates reovirus protein expression to facilitate reovirus replication. Our findings suggest that σ1s enables hematogenous reovirus dissemination by promoting efficient viral protein synthesis, and thereby reovirus replication, in cells that are required for reovirus spread to the blood.

IMPORTANCE
Hematogenous dissemination is a critical step in the pathogenesis of many viruses. For reovirus, nonstructural protein σ1s is required for viral spread via the blood. However, the mechanism by which σ1s promotes reovirus dissemination is unknown. In this study, we identified σ1s as a viral mediator of reovirus protein expression. We found several cultured cell lines in which σ1s is required for efficient reovirus replication. In these cells, wild-type virus produced substantially higher levels of viral protein than a σ1s-deficient mutant. The σ1s protein was not required for viral mRNA transcription or viral protein stability. Since reduced levels of viral protein were synthesized in the absence of σ1s, the maturation of viral factories was impaired, and significantly fewer viral progeny were produced. Taken together, our findings indicate that σ1s is required for optimal reovirus protein production, and thereby viral replication, in cells required for hematogenous reovirus dissemination.