bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the algal microbiome on industrial production of microalgae
Authors: Lian Jie , Wijffels Rene H. , Smidt Hauke , Sipkema Detmer
Published: July 2018

Microbes are ubiquitously distributed, and they are also present in algae production systems. The algal microbiome is a pivotal part of the alga holobiont and has a key role in modulating algal populations in nature. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the role of bacteria in artificial systems ranging from laboratory flasks to industrial ponds. Coexisting microorganisms, and predominantly bacteria, are often regarded as contaminants in algal research, but recent studies manifested that many algal symbionts not only promote algal growth but also offer advantages in downstream processing. Because of the high expectations for microalgae in a bio‐based economy, better understanding of benefits and risks of algal–microbial associations is important for the algae industry. Reducing production cost may be through applying specific bacteria to enhance algae growth at large scale as well as through preventing the growth of a broad spectrum of algal pathogens. In this review, we highlight the latest studies of algae–microbial interactions and their underlying mechanisms, discuss advantages of large‐scale algal–bacterial cocultivation and extend such knowledge to a broad range of biotechnological applications.
Testing clustering strategies for metabarcoding‐based investigation of community–environment interactions
Authors: Xiong Wei , Zhan Aibin
Published: July 2018

The degradation of freshwater ecosystems has become a common ecological and environmental problem globally. Owing to the complexity of biological communities, there remain tremendous technical challenges for investigating influence of environmental stressors (e.g., chemical pollution) on biological communities. High‐throughput sequencing‐based metabarcoding provides a powerful tool to reveal complex interactions between environments and biological communities. Among many technical issues, the clustering strategies for operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which are crucial for assessing biodiversity of communities, may affect final conclusions. Here, we used zooplankton communities along an environmental pollution gradient in the Chaobai River in Northern China to test different clustering strategies, including nonclustering and clustering with varied thresholds. Our results showed that though the number of OTUs estimated by nonclustering strategies and clustering strategies with divergence thresholds of 99%–97% largely varied, they were able to identify the same set of significant environmental and spatial variables responsible for geographical distributions of zooplankton communities. In addition, the ecological conclusions obtained by clustering thresholds of 99%–97% were consistent with nonclustering strategies, where for all eight clustering scenarios we detected that species sorting predicted by environmental variables overrode dispersal as the dominant factor in structuring zooplankton communities. However, clustering with the divergence thresholds of <95% affected the environmental and spatial variables identified. We conclude that both newly developed nonclustering methods and traditional clustering methods with divergence thresholds ≥97% were reliable to reveal mechanisms of complex community–environment interactions, although different clustering strategies could lead to largely varied biodiversity estimates such as those for α‐diversity.
Targeted resequencing of codingDNAsequences forSNPdiscovery in nonmodel species
Authors: Förster Daniel W. , Bull James K. , Lenz Dorina , Autenrieth Marijke , Paijmans Johanna L. A. , Kraus Robert H. S. , Nowak Carsten , Bayerl Helmut , Kuehn Ralph , Saveljev Alexander P. , Sindičić Magda , Hofreiter Michael , Schmidt Krzysztof , Fickel Jörns
Published: July 2018

Targeted capture coupled with high‐throughput sequencing can be used to gain information about nuclear sequence variation at hundreds to thousands of loci. Divergent reference capture makes use of molecular data of one species to enrich target loci in other (related) species. This is particularly valuable for nonmodel organisms, for which often no a priori knowledge exists regarding these loci. Here, we have used targeted capture to obtain data for 809 nuclear codingDNAsequences (CDS) in a nonmodel organism, the Eurasian lynxLynx lynx, using baits designed with the help of the published genome of a related model organism (the domestic catFelis catus). Using this approach, we were able to survey intraspecific variation at hundreds of nuclear loci inL. lynxacross the species’ European range. A large set of biallelic candidateSNPs was then evaluated using a high‐throughputSNPgenotyping platform (Fluidigm), which we then reduced to a final 96SNP‐panel based on assay performance and reliability; validation was carried out with 100 additional Eurasian lynx samples not included in theSNPdiscovery phase. The 96SNP‐panel developed fromCDSperformed very successfully in the identification of individuals and in population genetic structure inference (including the assignment of individuals to their source population). In keeping with recent studies, our results show that genicSNPs can be valuable for genetic monitoring of wildlife species.
Negotiating Tradition and Contemporary Education: An Enrichment Center for Jewish Ultra‐Orthodox Children in Israel
Authors: Haller Rachel , Golden Deborah , Tavecchio Louis
Published: July 2018

This paper addresses the negotiations of Haredi (Jewish Ultra‐Orthodox) kindergarten teachers with contemporary educational understandings as these emerge in a Haredi Enrichment Center for kindergarten children. Using the prism of Thirdspace, a close look at the themes around which the Enrichment Center and its activities were organized reveals the cultural strategies involved in the amendments that contemporary ideas and practices must undergo in order to be conceptually accepted and practically implemented by Haredi educators.
Immune sensitization during 1 year in the Antarctic high‐altitude Concordia Environment
Authors: Feuerecker Matthias , Crucian Brian E. , Quintens Roel , Buchheim Judith‐Irina , Salam Alex P. , Rybka Ales , Moreels Marjan , Strewe Claudia , Stowe Raymond , Mehta Satish , Schelling Gustav , Thiel Manfred , Baatout Sarah , Sams Clarence , Choukèr Alexander
Published: July 2018

Background

Antarctica is a challenging environment for humans. It serves as a spaceflight ground analog, reflecting some conditions of long‐duration exploration class space missions. The French‐Italian Concordia station in interior Antarctica is a high‐fidelity analog, located 1000 km from the coast, at an altitude of 3232 m. The aim of this field study was to characterize the extent, dynamics, and key mechanisms of the immune adaptation in humans overwintering at Concordia for 1 year.

Methods

This study assessed immune functions in fourteen crewmembers. Quantitative and phenotypic analyses from human blood were performed using onsite flow cytometry together with specific tests on receptor‐dependent and receptor‐independent functional innate and adaptive immune responses. Transcriptome analyses and quantitative identification of key response genes were assessed.

Results

Dynamic immune activation and a two‐step escalation/activation pattern were observed. The early phase was characterized by moderately sensitized global immune responses, while after 3‐4 months, immune responses were highly upregulated. The cytokine responses to an ex vivo stimulation were markedly raised above baseline levels. These functional observations were reflected at the gene transcriptional level in particular through the modulation of hypoxia‐driven pathways.

Conclusions

This study revealed unique insights into the extent, dynamics, and genetics of immune dysfunctions in humans exposed for 1 year to the Antarctic environment at the Concordia station. The scale of immune function was imbalanced toward a sensitizing of inflammatory pathways.
The Importance of Mutual Understanding Between External Accountants and Owner–Managers of SMEs
Authors: De Bruyckere Stefanie , Verplancke Frederik , Everaert Patricia , Sarens Gerrit , Coppens Carine
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the perspective of the owner–manager of a small or medium‐sized enterprise (SME) on the importance of mutual understanding with an external accountant. Mutual understanding means that the owner–manager understands what the accountant is saying and feels understood by the accountant. The results, based on 310 completed surveys of Belgian owner–managers, show that owner–managers who have a high level of mutual understanding use the advice of their external accountant more extensively. This is in turn positively linked to the financial health of an SME. Furthermore, several drivers that enable the establishment of a high level of mutual understanding are explored. Owner–managers with a high level of mutual understanding consider their accountant as a strategic partner, experience a high level of proactive behaviour with them, have a higher frequency of formal contact, and perceive informal contact as important. External accountants should consider these opportunities in their client management and training of internal staff. Education of clients and openness also seem very important, as the level of a client's accounting knowledge, the number of accounting topics owner–managers deal with, and transparency towards the accountant are significantly positively related to mutual understanding.
Patient‐reported outcomes of blue‐light flexible cystoscopy with hexaminolevulinate in the surveillance of bladder cancer: results from a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Smith Angela B. , Daneshmand Siamak , Patel Sanjay , Pohar Kamal , Trabulsi Edouard , Woods Michael , Downs Tracy , Huang William , Taylor Jennifer , Jones Jeffrey , O'Donnell Michael , Bivalacqua Trinity , DeCastro Joel , Steinberg Gary , Kamat Ashish , Resnick Matthew , Konety Badrinath , Schoenberg Mark , Jones J Stephen , Lotan Yair ,   Flexible Blue Light Study Group Collaborators
Published: July 2018

Objective

To evaluate blue‐light flexible cystoscopy (BLFC) with hexaminolevulinate in the office surveillance of patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer with a high risk of recurrence by assessing its impact on pain, anxiety, subjective value of the test and patient willingness to pay.

Materials and Methods

A prospective, multicentre, phase III study was conducted during which the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety, Pain and ‘Was It Worth It’ questionnaires were administered at baseline, after surveillance with BLFC and after resection for those referred to the operating room. Comparisons of scores were performed between groups.

Results

A total of 304 patients were enrolled, of whom 103 were referred for surgical examination. Of these, 63 were found to have histologically confirmed malignancy. Pain levels were low throughout the study. Anxiety levels decreased after BLFC (∆ = −2.6), with a greater decrease among those with negative pathology results (P = 0.051). No differences in anxiety were noted based on gender, BLFC results, or test performance (true‐positive/false‐positive). Most patients found BLFC ‘worthwhile’ (94%), would ‘do it again’ (94%) and ‘would recommend it to others’ (91%), with no differences based on BLFC results or test performance. Most patients undergoing BLFC (76%) were willing to pay out of pocket.

Conclusions

Anxiety decreased after BLFC in patients with negative pathology, including patients with false‐positive results. Most of the patients undergoing BLFC were willing to pay out of pocket, found the procedure worthwhile and would recommend it to others, irrespective of whether they had a positive BLFC result or whether this was false‐positive after surgery.
Shear fatigue strength of resin composite bonded to dentin at physiological frequency
Authors: Tsujimoto Akimasa , Barkmeier Wayne W. , Erickson Robert L. , Fischer Nicholas G. , Markham Mark D. , Takamizawa Toshiki , Latta Mark A. , Miyazaki Masashi
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the shear fatigue strengths of a resin composite bonded to dentin. Three adhesive systems – a two‐step self‐etch adhesive (OptiBond XTR; Kerr) and two universal adhesives [Scotchbond Universal (3M ESPE) and G‐Premio Bond (GC)] – were used in self‐etch mode to bond a resin composite to dentin at a physiologic frequency of 2 Hz over 50,000, 100,000, and 1,000,000 cycles. A staircase method of fatigue testing was used. Twenty specimens were used for each test condition. There was no significant difference in shear fatigue strength across the cycling periods for the three individual adhesives. Differences in shear fatigue strength were found among the three adhesives within each cycling period. Regardless of the adhesive used in self‐etch mode for bonding a resin composite to dentin, shear fatigue strength was not influenced by the number of cycles used for testing.
Maximum gait speed is associated with a wide range of cognitive functions in Japanese older adults with a Clinical Dementia Rating of 0.5
Authors: Umegaki Hiroyuki , Makino Taeko , Yanagawa Madoka , Nakashima Hirotaka , Kuzuya Masafumi , Sakurai Takashi , Toba Kenji
Published: July 2018

Aim

Physical and cognitive functions are mutually associated. However, it is unknown which markers of physical functions or body composition are most strongly associated with cognition. Here, we explored the association between body composition/physical performance and comprehensive neuropsychological assessments in an effort to identify reliable markers of cognition among factors in body composition/physical performance, including both usual and maximum gait speeds.

Methods

We examined a total of 161 Japanese individuals (71 men, 90 women; aged 76.3 ± 7.2 years) with a Clinical Dementia Rating of 0.5 and a Mini‐Mental State Examination score >24. A battery of neuropsychological assessments, physical functional assessments and measurements of body composition was carried out. We conducted a multiple regression analysis to investigate the associations between cognitive performance and the factors in body composition and physical performance with adjustments for age, sex, and number of school years.

Results

Maximum gait speed was the factor most widely associated with cognitive performance among the factors of body composition and physical performance.

Conclusion

Maximum gait speed might be the best marker for cognition in this population of older individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1323–1329.
Epigenetic status of subtelomere of peripheral leukocytes corresponds to cardiographic parameters with a sex association
Authors: Maeda Toyoki , Horiuchi Takahiko , Makino Naoki
Published: July 2018

Aim

The telomere length of somatic cells is associated with systemic aging. The attrition of somatic telomere length is accelerated in pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases. However, clinical parameters of cardiac function have not been well studied in this regard. The present study examined how cardiac function was affected by telomere length and the subtelomeric methylation of peripheral leukocytes.

Methods

Telomere length was assessed by Southern blotting analysis of genomic DNA extracted from peripheral leukocytes. Subtelomeric methylation was assessed by comparison between the Southern blotting results with a restriction enzyme Msp I and those with Hpa II, a methylation‐sensitive isoschizomer of Msp I.

Results

The following parameters were associated with telomere length and/or the subtelomeric methylation status in a sex‐associated manner: PR interval, the voltage of QRS complex, QRS interval, QT interval and T wave voltage in electrocardiogram; and ejection fraction, the diameter of the left ventricle at the end diastolic phase, aortic root diameter and inferior vena cava diameter in echocardiogram.

Conclusions

Cardiac function correlates not only with telomere length, but also with the distribution of the telomere length and subtelomeric DNA methylation status. These imply that the loss of young cells, the accumulation of old cells and the acceleration of such changes in the cell population relate to phenotypes of cardiac aging with relative sex specificity. Furthermore, the PR interval showed a very close association with telomeric parameters in both sexes. Hence, PR is the most reliable candidate as an indicator of biological aging in both sexes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1415–1419.
Effective permeation of 2.5 and 5% lidocaine hydrochloride in human skin using iontophoresis technique
Authors: Manjunatha Roopa G. , Sharma Sunil , Narayan Ravi Prakash , Koul Veena
Published: July 2018

Background

Lidocaine Hydrochloride (HCL) is one of the commonest topical local anesthetic drugs. The permeation of the lidocaine can be enhanced by iontophoresis (IOP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the permeability of 2.5 and 5% lidocaine permeation in ex vivo human skin using different IOP waveform.

Methods

Continuous and modulated IOP at the current density of 0.5 mA/cm2 were applied across human skin (n = 3) in donor chamber of vertical diffusion cell at 2.5 and 5% lidocaine concentration. High Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to determine lidocaine concentration.

Results

Findings revealed that lidocaine concentration increased effectively in a time‐dependent manner in both modulated and continuous IOP at 2.5 and 5% lidocaine concentration. Compared to the passive group, the flux of lidocaine with modulated and continuous IOP were higher of about six and ten‐fold, respectively. However, no significant difference was observed between continuous and modulated IOP groups at both lidocaine concentrations. At 2.5% lidocaine concentration, the permeation time taken by modulated and continuous IOP to attain therapeutic levels of 142 and 164 μg/cm2, respectively, was approximately 10 minutes. At 5% lidocaine, the therapeutic permeation of 129 and 147 μg/cm2, respectively, was achieved at approximately 5 minutes after applying iontophoresis waveform.

Conclusion

Study shows that modulated IOP can be a promising alternative method in clinical settings aside from continuous IOP. Based on the clinical requirements, IOP can be used at 2.5 and 5% lidocaine concentration depending on need of relatively short or very short onset action.
Risk aversion, ambiguity aversion and the incentive problem with interim participation constraints
Authors: Wang Hongxia , Wang Jianli , Xia Xinping
Published: July 2018

This work focuses on the effect of the principal's aversion toward both risk and ambiguity on the design of incentive contracts with interim participation constraints. We investigate how the second‐best outputs are affected by the strength of the principal's risk aversion and ambiguity aversion, respectively. Our result implies that the principal with more risk aversion is ready to delegate a bigger production quantity to the inefficient agent. We also show how the principal's aversion to ambiguity affects the production quantity allocated to the inefficient agent and clarify whether ambiguity aversion reinforces the effect of risk aversion.
Physiolytics at the workplace: Affordances and constraints of wearables use from an employee's perspective
Authors: Mettler Tobias , Wulf Jochen
Published: July 2018

Wearables paired with data analytics and machine learning algorithms that measure physiological (and other) parameters are slowly finding their way into our workplace. Several studies have reported positive effects from using such “physiolytics” devices and purported the notion that it may lead to significant workplace safety improvements or to increased awareness among employees concerning unhealthy work practices and other job‐related health and well‐being issues. At the same time, physiolytics may cause an overdependency on technology and create new constraints on privacy, individuality, and personal freedom. While it is easy to understand why organizations are implementing physiolytics, it remains unclear what employees think about using wearables at their workplace. Using an affordance theory lens, we, therefore, explore the mental models of employees who are faced with the introduction of physiolytics as part of corporate wellness or security programs. We identify five distinct user types each of which characterizes a specific viewpoint on physiolytics at the workplace: the freedom loving, the individualist, the cynical, the tech independent, and the balancer. Our findings allow for better understanding the wider implications and possible user responses to the introduction of wearable technologies in occupational settings and address the need for opening up the “user black box” in IS use research.
Skin closure in arthroplasty surgery: Current practice
Authors: Barrow Jonathan , Divecha Hiren , Board Tim
Published: July 2018

The study by Smith et al. (2010) concluded that clips are associated with 3 times the infection rate compared with subcuticular sutures in orthopaedic surgery (P = .01).For hip surgery, there was a 4‐fold increase. We aimed to determine the trends and influences in skin closure and wound care for hip and knee arthroplasty in the northwest region as well as what would change surgeons' current practice. A short online survey was emailed to consultants in the northwest of England enquiring about their current practice in superficial skin closure, what has influenced this, and finally what would change their practice. Returned surveys were then analysed. A total of 45 consultants responded (response rate of 40.2%). In both hip and knee arthroplasty, clips were the most commonly used superficial skin closure material (53% and 63%, respectively). Personal experience was the greatest influence on the choice of closure material in both hip and knees (84% and 93% respectively). A total of 66% of hip and 76% of knee surgeons would change their closure material if there was evidence to support this. Hip and knee arthroplasty surgeons are influenced by their personal experience, and most use clips as their skin closure method. Most would change their practice with evidence of one material over another. We conclude that there is need for a prospective, well‐powered, multi‐centre randomised control trial to determine the skin closure material that has the lowest return‐to‐theatre rate in arthroplasty surgery.
The importance of using 24‐hour and nighttime blood pressure for the identification of white coat hypertension: Data from the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Anstey D. Edmund , Colantonio Lisandro D. , Yano Yuichiro , Booth John N. , Muntner Paul
Published: July 2018

We calculated the prevalence of white coat hypertension (WCH) using out‐of‐clinic blood pressure (BP) in the daytime period; daytime and 24‐hour periods; and daytime, 24‐hour, and nighttime periods among 199 African Americans with clinic‐measured systolic/diastolic BP ≥140/90 mm Hg in the Jackson Heart Study. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was measured among participants with WCH and 374 participants with sustained normotension (ie, non‐hypertensive clinic, daytime, 24‐hour, and nighttime BP). The prevalence of WCH was 29.6%, 21.1%, and 10.6% using daytime BP; daytime and 24‐hour BP; and daytime, 24‐hour, and nighttime BP, respectively. Compared with sustained normotension, LVMI was higher when WCH was defined using daytime BP (adjusted mean difference [95% CI] 5.0 [−0.2, 10.1] g/m2), but not when defined using daytime and 24‐hour BP or daytime, 24‐hour, and nighttime BP (adjusted mean difference [95% CI] 3.9 [−1.9, 9.7] and 0.4 [−7.3,8.2] g/m2, respectively). Using only daytime BP overestimates the prevalence of WCH among African Americans.
Brown rice‐specific γ‐oryzanol as a promising prophylactic avenue to protect against diabetes mellitus and obesity in humans
Authors: Masuzaki Hiroaki , Kozuka Chisayo , Okamoto Shiki , Yonamine Masato , Tanaka Hideaki , Shimabukuro Michio
Published: July 2018

Chronic overconsumption of animal fats causes a variety of health problems, including diabetes mellitus and obesity. Underlying molecular mechanisms encompass leptin resistance, a decrease in rewarding effects of physical activities, xanthine oxidase‐induced oxidative stress in vasculature and peripheral tissue, impaired activation of incretin signaling, deviation in food preference, and dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Based on our clinical observation that daily intake of brown rice effectively ameliorates bodyweight gain, impaired glucose tolerance/insulin resistance and dependence on fatty foods in obese, prediabetes men, a line of research on brown rice (rice bran)‐derived γ‐oryzanol in mice experiments, cultured cells and human clinical trials is underway in our laboratory. Our works in mice showed that γ‐oryzanol, an ester mixture of ferulic acid and several kinds of phytosterols, acts as a molecular chaperone, thereby attenuating the strong preference for animal fats through suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the hypothalamus. In pancreatic islets from both high‐fat diet‐induced and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice, γ‐oryzanol ameliorates endoplasmic reticulum stress and protects β‐cells against apoptosis. Noticeably, γ‐oryzanol also acts as a potent inhibitor against deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferases in the brain reward system (striatum) in mice, thereby attenuating, at least partly, the preference for a high‐fat diet through the epigenetic modulation of striatal dopamine D2 receptor. Because dopamine D2 receptor signaling in the brain reward system is considerably attenuated in obese humans and rodents, γ‐oryzanol might represent a unique property to ameliorate both hedonic and metabolic dysregulation of feeding behavior, highlighting a promising prophylactic avenue to protect against metabolic derangement.
A novel SCN9A splicing mutation in a compound heterozygous girl with congenital insensitivity to pain, hyposmia and hypogeusia
Authors: Marchi Margherita , Provitera Vincenzo , Nolano Maria , Romano Marcello , Maccora Simona , D'Amato Ilaria , Salvi Erika , Gerrits Monique , Santoro Lucio , Lauria Giuseppe
Published: July 2018

Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting with a spectrum of clinical features caused by mutations in different genes. A 10‐year‐old girl with CIP, hyposmia and hypogeusia, and her unaffected twin and parents underwent next generation sequencing of SCN9A exons and flanking splice sites. Transcript analysis from whole blood successfully assayed the effect of the mutation on the mRNA splicing by polymerase chain reaction amplification on cDNA and Sanger sequencing. We identified the novel splicing variant c.1108‐2A>G compound with the p.Arg896Gln (c.2687G>A) missense mutation previously described in a homozygous patient. The new intronic variant was predicted to induce exon 10 skipping. Conversely, SCN9A mRNA assay demonstrated its partial deletion with a loss of 46 nucleotides causing a premature stop codon in position p.Gln369 (NP_002968). Genetic analysis showed that the two variants were biallelic, being the mother and brother heterozygous carriers of the missense mutation, and the father heterozygous for the splicing mutation. Skin biopsy showed lack of Meissner's corpuscles, loss of epidermal nociceptors and normal autonomic organ innervation. We report a novel splicing mutation and provide clues on its pathogenic effect, broadening the spectrum of genotypes and phenotypes associated to CIP.
Low serum vitamin D level is associated with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Gençosmanoğlu Türkmen Gulenay , Vural Yilmaz Zehra , Dağlar Korkut , Kara Özgür , Sanhal Cem Yaşar , Yücel Aykan , Uygur Dilek
Published: July 2018

Aim

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a unique hepatic disorder of pregnancy and is related to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. The pathogenesis of the disease is not clear and appears to be multifactorial. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D (Vit D) plays a role in hepatobiliary homeostasis and in various liver diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between serum Vit D level and ICP.

Methods

A total of 40 pregnant women with ICP and 40 healthy pregnant women were included in this controlled cross‐sectional study. Their demographic characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), gestational week, gravidity and parity, and laboratory parameters, including 25(OH) Vit D3levels, liver function tests, fasting and postprandial bile acid concentrations, were recorded. Gestational age at delivery, birth weight (BW), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, meconium staining of amniotic fluid and appearance pulse grimace activity respiration (APGAR) score at 5 min were obtained from medical records for assessment of perinatal outcomes.

Results

There was no significant difference between groups in terms of demographic characteristics. The mean serum 25(OH) Vit D3level was significantly lower in pregnant women with ICP compared to control pregnant women (8.6 ± 4.9, 11.3 ± 6.1;P=0.033), and it was significantly lower in severe disease than mild disease (6.9 ± 2.1, 10.3 ± 6.2, respectively;P=0.029). We also found that lower serum 25(OH) Vit D3levels were significantly and inversely correlated with fasting and postprandial bile acid levels. However, in subgroup analyses in ICP pregnant women, there was no difference in mean 25(OH) Vit D3levels for women with or without perinatal complications.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that low levels of 25(OH) Vit D3were associated with ICP disease and its severity. However, further larger studies are needed to evaluate the effect of Vit D in the pathogenesis and outcome of the disease.
Asymptotic Theory and Unified Confidence Region for an Autoregressive Model
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Peng Liang
Published: July 2018

Although some unified inferences for the coefficient in an AR(1) model have been proposed in the literature, it remains open as to how to construct a unified confidence region for the intercept and the coefficient jointly without a prior on whether the sequence is stationary or unit root or near unit root or moderate deviations from a unit root or explosive and whether the sequence has a zero or nonzero constant intercept. After deriving the joint limit of the least squares estimator for all of these cases, this article proposes a unified empirical likelihood confidence region by first splitting the data into two parts and then constructing some weighted score equations. The good finite sample performance of the proposed method is demonstrated via a simulation study. Real data applications are provided as well.
Livestock grazing and forest structure regulate the assembly of ecological clusters within plant networks in eastern Australia
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Travers Samantha K. , Val James , Oliver Ian
Published: July 2018

Questions

How do changes in grazing intensity by different herbivores and differences in forest structure affect the assembly of ecological clusters within plant ecological networks in dryland plant communities?

Location

Eastern Australia across an area of 0.4 million km2.

Methods

We used correlation network analysis and structural equation modelling to examine how changes in grazing intensity, by different herbivores, and differences in forest structure (tree canopy cover, basal area and density) and soil fertility influenced the assembly of ecological clusters of plant communities (i.e. relative abundance of ecological clusters formed by co‐occurring plant species within an ecological network) in three forested communities from eastern Australia.

Results

Livestock grazing and forest structure regulated the relative abundance of ecological clusters within plant networks, but their effects on these plant assemblies were highly dependent on the ecological cluster and forest community type, with no single winner or loser across forest types, conditions or grazing intensities. Thus, the relative abundance of some ecological clusters increased under grazing while others declined, a response that was maintained across different forest structures. The relative importance of grazing, forest structure and soil fertility varied across forest community type. The two eucalypt communities exhibited mixed effects of grazing and forest structure (Eucalyptus largiflorens) or forest structure only (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). In the third (Callitris glaucophylla) community, grazing played a larger role in controlling the plant community assembly. Soil fertility (soil C and P) effects were of a similar magnitude to grazing and forest structure, but the effects differed among clusters.

Conclusions

Livestock grazing and forest structure regulated the relative abundance of ecological clusters within networks of plant communities in forests in eastern Australia. Our study uses a novel approach of ecological clusters to show that differences in grazing and forest structure will always disadvantage some plant ecological clusters. Furthermore, changes in one cluster will ultimately affect other clusters. Any changes in management therefore will have varied effects on different ecological plant clusters.
A marketization process in dispute: An analysis of serviced housing for the elderly in Finland, 2000–14
Authors: Toikko Timo , Rantanen Teemu
Published: July 2018

Marketization can be viewed as a potential response to the economic challenges of the public sector. The present study is focused on the development of marketization in serviced housing for the elderly in municipalities within Finland. Marketization is approached by asking the question: What kind of municipality‐level factors are associated with marketization and its development? The data consist of 290 municipalities and cover the years 2000–14. According to the study, the size of the municipality, the political distribution of the municipality council, and the economic situation of the municipality are found to be associated with marketization. More preciesly, the municipality size was found to be a kind of prism, which creates two different realities when it is linked with political distribution and transfers. In the case of big municipalities, the big share of Green‐Left council members on municipality councils has been associated with a low level of marketization. However, in the case of small‐ and medium‐sized municipalities, the low level of marketization has been associated with the government statutory transfers between the state and municipalities, which has helped smaller municipalities to avoid fiscal stress. In a policy context, the present study suggests that the marketization process can be slowed down by supporting the economically weakest municipalities to avoid fiscal stress. On the other hand, the marketization process can be supported by creating bigger municipalities which are then attractive enough to create an effective market mechanism.
River functioning prior to the rise of land plants: A uniformitarian outlook
Authors: Ielpi Alessandro
Published: July 2018

The study of geomorphic processes in barren landscapes, Precambrian and modern, has wide implications for planetary science. A long‐held status quo has been that, prior to the Palaeozoic evolution of vegetation, fluvial channels would have been invariably shallow, wide, braided in planform and flashier in discharge than vegetated ones. These assumptions are challenged through a threefold analysis of channel morphometry, discharge regimes and planform style. Measurements of modern and Proterozoic channel sections reveal overlapping morphometric ranges irrespective of climate and vegetation, pointing to shared scalar properties. Discharge regimes and planform styles inferred from Proterozoic records are akin to the spectrum observed in modern systems. Current criteria employed to identify meandering planforms are biased towards mud‐prone systems, and fail to address the sand‐rich nature of prevegetation alluvium. Vegetation forcing on river functioning cannot be entirely downplayed, although available data are construed towards an uniformitarian appraisal of pre‐Silurian fluvial dynamics.
Estimating the Green's function using a single channel dual-beam interferometer
Authors: Hitchman Sam , van Wijk Kasper , Snieder Roel
Published: July 2018

Cross-correlation of independent, equipartitioned wavefields is a well-established method to estimate the elastic Green's function, commonly termed seismic interferometry. In this article, the sum of a wavefield recorded at two locations in a single channel is used to estimate the Green's function via the autocorrelation; the result contains some predicted artefacts. The underlying theory and hardware required to estimate the Green's function is presented and compared to traditional seismic interferometry. This technique is used to estimate the elastic Green's function between two locations on an aluminum block with surface scatterers. Wavefields excited via rapid thermoelastic expansion of the surface using a pulsed laser are detected by a dual-beam heterodyne interferometer. The detector is capable of directly recording the sum of a wavefield measured at two locations in a single channel. This method could be an effective, low cost, and non-contacting technique for structural monitoring, particularly where ambient noise has established equipartitioned wavefields in the structure.
Macrophages that fix or break the heart
Authors: Lichtman Andrew
Published: July 2018

Human myocardium contains different types of macrophages with heterogenous functions and origins.
Vaccination with the Conserved Caveolin-1 Binding Motif in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein gp41 Delays the Onset of Viral Infection and Provides Partial Protection in Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Challenged Cynomolgus Macaques
Authors: Hovanessian Ara G. , Soundaramourty Calaiselvy , Benferhat Rima , Le Grand Roger , Dereuddre-Bosquet Nathalie , Krust Bernard , Estaquier Jérôme
Published: July 2018

In HIV-1-producing cells, gp41 exists in a complexed form with caveolin-1, an interaction most probably mediated by the caveolin-1 binding motif. This sequence is highly conserved in every single HIV-1 isolate, thus suggesting that there is constant selective pressure to preserve this sequence for a specific function in the HIV infectious cycle. Consequently, the CBM sequence may represent the “Achilles' heel” of HIV-1 in the development of an efficient vaccine. Our results demonstrate that macaques immunized with the CBM-based peptides displayed a delay in the onset of viral infection and CD4 depletion, as well as a significant induction of antigen-specific memory T cell response, which is essential for the control of HIV/SIV infections. Finally, as HIV-infected individuals lack anti-CBM immune responses, CBM-based vaccines could have applications as a therapeutic vaccine in AIDS patients.
Roles of the Phosphorylation of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 UL51 at a Specific Site in Viral Replication and Pathogenicity
Authors: Kato Akihisa , Oda Shinya , Watanabe Mizuki , Oyama Masaaki , Kozuka-Hata Hiroko , Koyanagi Naoto , Maruzuru Yuhei , Arii Jun , Kawaguchi Yasushi
Published: July 2018

HSV-1 UL51 is conserved in all members of the
Herpesviridae
family. This viral protein is phosphorylated and functions in viral cell-cell spread and cytoplasmic virion maturation in HSV-1-infected cells. Although the downstream effects of HSV-1 UL51 have been clarified, there is a lack of information on how this viral protein is regulated as well as the significance of the phosphorylation of this protein in HSV-1-infected cells. In this study, we show that the phosphorylation of UL51 at Ser-184 promotes viral replication, cell-cell spread, and nuclear egress in cell cultures and viral pathogenicity in mice. This is the first report to identify the mechanism by which UL51 is regulated as well as the significance of UL51 phosphorylation in HSV-1 infection. Our study may provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of other herpesviral UL51 homologs.
Faecal microbiota transplantation alters gut microbiota in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: results from a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled study
Authors: Halkjær Sofie Ingdam , Christensen Alice Højer , Lo Bobby Zhao Sheng , Browne Patrick Denis , Günther Stig , Hansen Lars Hestbjerg , Petersen Andreas Munk
Published: July 2018

Objective

IBS is associated with an intestinal dysbiosis and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been hypothesised to have a positive effect in patients with IBS. We performed a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial to investigate if FMT resulted in an altered gut microbiota and improvement in clinical outcome in patients with IBS.

Design

We performed this study in 52 adult patients with moderate-to-severe IBS. At the screening visit, clinical history and symptoms were assessed and faecal samples were collected. Patients were randomised to FMT or placebo capsules for 12 days and followed for 6 months. Study visits were performed at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months, where patients were asked to register their symptoms using the IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) and IBS-specific quality of life (IBS-QoL). Prior to each visit, faecal samples were collected.

Results

A significant difference in improvement in IBS-SSS score was observed 3 months after treatment (p=0.012) favouring placebo. This was similar for IBS-QoL data after 3 months (p=0.003) favouring placebo. Patients receiving FMT capsules had an increase in faecal microbial biodiversity while placebos did not.

Conclusion

In this randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled study, we found that FMT changed gut microbiota in patients with IBS. But patients in the placebo group experienced greater symptom relief compared with the FMT group after 3 months. Altering the gut microbiota is not enough to obtain clinical improvement in IBS. However, different study designs and larger studies are required to examine the role of FMT in IBS.

Trial registration number

NCT02788071.
Metabolic phenotype of skeletal muscle in early critical illness
Authors: Puthucheary Zudin A , Astin Ronan , Mcphail Mark J W , Saeed Saima , Pasha Yasmin , Bear Danielle E , Constantin Despina , Velloso Cristiana , Manning Sean , Calvert Lori , Singer Mervyn , Batterham Rachel L , Gomez-Romero Maria , Holmes Elaine , Steiner Michael C , Atherton Philip J , Greenhaff Paul , Edwards Lindsay M , Smith Kenneth , Harridge Stephen D , Hart Nicholas , Montgomery Hugh E
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To characterise the sketetal muscle metabolic phenotype during early critical illness.

Methods

Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies and serum samples (days 1 and 7) were obtained from 63 intensive care patients (59% male, 54.7±18.0 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 23.5±6.5).

Measurements and main results

From day 1 to 7, there was a reduction in mitochondrial beta-oxidation enzyme concentrations, mitochondrial biogenesis markers (PGC1α messenger mRNA expression (−27.4CN (95% CI −123.9 to 14.3); n=23; p=0.025) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (−1859CN (IQR −5557–1325); n=35; p=0.032). Intramuscular ATP content was reduced compared tocompared with controls on day 1 (17.7mmol/kg /dry weight (dw) (95% CI 15.3 to 20.0) vs. 21.7 mmol/kg /dw (95% CI 20.4 to 22.9); p<0.001) and decreased over 7 days (−4.8 mmol/kg dw (IQR −8.0–1.2); n=33; p=0.001). In addition, the ratio of phosphorylated:total AMP-K (the bioenergetic sensor) increased (0.52 (IQR −0.09–2.6); n=31; p<0.001). There was an increase in intramuscular phosphocholine (847.2AU (IQR 232.5–1672); n=15; p=0.022), intramuscular tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (0.66 µg (IQR −0.44–3.33); n=29; p=0.041) and IL-10 (13.6 ng (IQR 3.4–39.0); n=29; p=0.004). Serum adiponectin (10.3 µg (95% CI 6.8 to 13.7); p<0.001) and ghrelin (16.0 ng/mL (IQR −7–100); p=0.028) increased. Network analysis revealed a close and direct relationship between bioenergetic impairment and reduction in muscle mass and between intramuscular inflammation and impaired anabolic signaling. ATP content and muscle mass were unrelated to lipids delivered.

Conclusions

Decreased mitochondrial biogenesis and dysregulated lipid oxidation contribute to compromised skeletal muscle bioenergetic status. In addition, intramuscular inflammation was associated with impaired anabolic recovery with lipid delivery observed as bioenergetically inert. Future clinical work will focus on these key areas to ameliorate acute skeletal muscle wasting.

Trial registration number

NCT01106300.
The influence of natural flow and temperature and introduced brown trout on the temporal variation in native fish abundance in a “reference” stream
Authors: Hayes John W. , Goodwin Eric O. , Clapcott Joanne E. , Shearer Karen A.
Published: July 2018

Understanding what drives variation in fish abundance at reference sites provides perspective for assessing the effects of human alterations to river flow and land use. We examined temporal variation in fish community abundance in a headwater tributary of a large river in the upper South Island (New Zealand) over 10 years. We were interested in the influence of natural flow variation and temperature on native fish abundance within the context of potential competition/predation pressure from juvenile introduced trout. Results from biannual sampling highlighted the dominating influence of floods on fish population dynamics, overriding biotic effects. We found no evidence for adverse effects of trout on native fish, and flow-related habitat performed more poorly in explaining variation in fish abundance than low- and median-flow statistics. Differences in temporal variation in abundance between species were largely consistent with life histories that provide resistance and (or) resilience to flood flows and relative insensitivity to low flows. Long-term data (≥10 years) are needed for detecting meaningful trends and quantifying the effects of human activities on fish community abundance.
Curcuminoids Induce Reactive Oxygen Species and Autophagy to Enhance Apoptosis in Human Oral Cancer Cells
Authors: Hsiao Yung-Ting , Kuo Chao-Lin , Chueh Fu-Shin , Liu Kuo-Ching , Bau Da-Tian , Chung Jing-Gung
Published: July 2018

Numerous studies support the use of herbal medicine or natural products for chemotherapy in human cancers. Reports have associated curcumin (CUR), dimethoxy curcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) with numerous biological activities including anticancer activities, but no available information have shown that these induced apoptotic cell death and autophagy in human oral cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of CUR, DMC and BDMC on the cell viability, apoptotic cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca[Formula: see text], mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and caspase activities using flow cytometry assay and autophagy by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) and acridine orange (AO) staining in human oral cancer SAS cells. Results indicated that CUR, DMC and BDMC decreased total viable cell number through the induction of cell autophagy and apoptosis in SAS cells. Cells were pretreated with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), 3-methyladenine (3MA), rapamycin and carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoro-methylketone (Z-VAD-fmk) and then were treated with CUR, DMC and BDMC that led to increased total viable cell number when compared to CUR, DMC and BDMC treatments only. Results indicated induced apoptotic cell death through ROS, mitochondria-dependent pathway and induction of cell autophagy. Based on those observations, we suggest that CUR, DMC and BDMC could be used as a potential anticancer agent in human oral cancer.