bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the relationship between multiple parameters of glycemic variability and coronary plaque vulnerability assessed by virtual histology–intravascular ultrasound
Authors: Otowa‐Suematsu Natsu , Sakaguchi Kazuhiko , Komada Hisako , Nakamura Tomoaki , Sou Anna , Hirota Yushi , Kuroda Masaru , Shinke Toshiro , Hirata Ken‐ichi , Ogawa Wataru
Published: September 2017

Aims/Introduction

Increased glycemic variability is an important contributing factor to coronary artery disease. Although various parameters of glycemic variability can be derived by continuous glucose monitoring, the clinical relevance of individual parameters has remained unclear. We have now analyzed the relationship of such parameters to coronary plaque vulnerability.

Materials and Methods

The standard deviation of glucose levels (SD glucose), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), continuous overlapping net glycemic action calculated every 1 h (CONGA‐1) and mean of daily differences (MODD) were calculated from continuous glucose monitoring data for 53 patients hospitalized for percutaneous coronary intervention. The relationship of these parameters to the percentage necrotic core of total plaque volume (%NC) as assessed by virtual histology–intravascular ultrasound (a predictor of coronary plaque rupture) was evaluated.

Results

All parameters of glycemic variability were significantly correlated with %NC, with correlation coefficients of 0.593, 0.626, 0.318, and 0.388 for log(SD glucose), log(MAGE), CONGA‐1 and log(MODD), respectively. Simple linear regression analysis showed that the coefficients of determination for %NC and either log(SD glucose; 0.352) or log(MAGE; 0.392) were greater than those for %NC and either CONGA‐1 (0.101) or log(MODD; 0.151), whereas the residual sums of squares for the former relationships (1045.1 and 979.5, respectively) were smaller than those for the latter (1449.3 and 1369.6, respectively).

Conclusions

The present data suggest that SD glucose and MAGE are more highly correlated with coronary plaque vulnerability than are CONGA‐1 and MODD, and are thus likely better predictors of coronary artery disease.
Exome sequencing identifies a TCF4 mutation in a Chinese pedigree with symmetrical acral keratoderma
Authors: Chen P. , Sun S. , Zeng K. , Li C. , Wen J. , Liang J. , Tian X. , Jiang Y. , Zhang J. , Zhang S. , Han K. , Han C. , Zhang X.
Published: September 2017

Background

Symmetrical acral keratoderma (SAK) is a rare skin disorder and its pathogenesis and inheritability are unknown.

Objectives

To investigate the inheritance and pathogenesis of SAK.

Methods

Four SAK cases occurred in a four‐generation Chinese family. Exome sequencing identified SNPs with potential SAK‐related mutations, and a potentially responsible gene transcription factor 4 (TCF4) was identified. TCF4 was then sequenced in all 11 family members, and pedigree analysis was performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry evaluated TCF4 expression in skin lesions. The gene mutation was investigated in human keratinocytes for keratin‐related protein expression.

Results

A novel heterozygous missense mutation, c.85C>A (p.Pro29Thr) was found in TCF4. The mutation showed autosomal dominant inheritance and perfectly cosegregated with the SAK phenotype in all family members. In skin lesions, TCF4 was present in the cytoplasm and membranes of the basal layer, the stratum spinosum and the stratum granulosum of the epidermis. The mutant TCF4 induced overexpression of differentiation markers including KRT1, KRT14, loricrin and involucrin.

Conclusions

A SAK‐related gene mutation in TCF4 may function through transcriptional regulation of keratin.
Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Anncaliia azovica sp. n. (Microsporidia) Infecting Niphargogammarus intermedius (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from the Azov Sea
Authors: Tokarev Yuri S. , Sokolova Yuliya Y. , Vasilieva Aleksandra A. , Issi Irma V.
Published: September 2017

Five out of one hundred adults of Niphargogammarus intermedius caught at the Azov sea shore were found to be infected with microsporidia. The infection was found in the subcuticular fat body and myocytes. Parasites developed in direct contact with host cells, displayed a disporoblastic sporogony and diplokaryotic arrangement of nuclei at all stages. Spores were oval, 4.6–5.8 × 2.6–3.0 μm. Exospore appendages, vesicular–tubular secretions, and the anisofilar polar filament indicated a similarity to Anncaliia species. Sporont surfaces displayed ridges of amorphous material. Meronts and sporonts formed protoplastic extensions, similar to A. vesicularum and A. meligheti. Mature spores possessed a bipartite polaroplast. The polar tube was arranged in one row of 13–18 coils including 0–3 distal coils of lesser diameter. Partial sequencing of SSU, ITS, and LSU regions of rRNA gene (GenBank accessions: KY288064–KY288065) confirmed this new species to be congeneric with A. algerae (#AF069063) and A. meligheti (#AY894423). The SSU gene of this novel microsporidium shared 99.4% sequence similarity to A. algerae and 98.9% to A. meligheti. Genes for HSP70 and RPB1 amplified with primers designed for A. algerae orthologs displayed 99.7% and 97.4% similarity, respectively, between A. algerae and the novel microsporidium. A new species, Anncaliia azovica, is described based on morphological and molecular characterization.
Validation of prognostic scores to predict short‐term mortality in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Song Do Seon , Kim Tae Yeob , Kim Dong Joon , Kim Hee Yeon , Sinn Dong Hyun , Yoon Eileen L , Kim Chang Wook , Jung Young Kul , Suk Ki Tae , Lee Sang Soo , Lee Chang Hyeong , Kim Tae Hun , Choe Won Hyeok , Yim Hyung Joon , Kim Sung Eun , Baik Soon Koo , Jang Jae Young , Kim Hyoung Su , Kim Sang Gyune , Yang Jin Mo , Sohn Joo Hyun , Choi Eun Hee , Cho Hyun Chin , Jeong Soung Won , Kim Moon Young ,   on behalf of the Korean Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure (KACLiF) Study Group
Published: September 2017

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to validate the chronic liver failure‐sequential organ failure assessment score (CLIF‐SOFAs), CLIF consortium organ failure score (CLIF‐C OFs), CLIF‐C acute‐on‐chronic liver failure score (CLIF‐C ACLFs), and CLIF‐C acute decompensation score in Korean chronic liver disease patients with acute deterioration.

Methods

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure was defined by either the Asian Pacific Association for the study of the Liver ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) or CLIF‐C criteria. The diagnostic performances for short‐term mortality were compared by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

Among a total of 1470 patients, 252 patients were diagnosed with ACLF according to the CLIF‐C (197 patients) or AARC definition (95 patients). As the ACLF grades increased, the survival rates became significantly lower. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic of the CLIF‐SOFAs, CLIF‐C OFs, and CLIF‐C ACLFs were significantly higher than those of the Child–Pugh, model for end‐stage liver disease, and model for end‐stage liver disease‐Na scores in ACLF patients according to the CLIF‐C definition (all P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in patients without ACLF or in patients with ACLF according to the AARC definition. The CLIF‐SOFAs, CLIF‐C OFs, and CLIF‐C ACLFs had higher specificities with a fixed sensitivity than liver specific scores in ACLF patients according to the CLIF‐C definition, but not in ACLF patients according to the AARC definition.

Conclusions

The CLIF‐SOFAs, CLIF‐C OFs, and CLIF‐C ACLFs are useful scoring systems that provide accurate information on prognosis in patients with ACLF according to the CLIF‐C definition, but not the AARC definition.
Big Five aspects of personality interact to predict depression
Authors: Allen Timothy A. , Carey Bridget E. , McBride Carolina , Bagby R. Michael , DeYoung Colin G. , Quilty Lena C.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Research has shown that three personality traits—Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness—moderate one another in a three‐way interaction that predicts depressive symptoms in healthy populations. We test the hypothesis that this effect is driven by three lower‐order traits: withdrawal, industriousness, and enthusiasm. We then replicate this interaction within a clinical population for the first time.

Method

Sample 1 included 376 healthy adults. Sample 2 included 354 patients diagnosed with current major depressive disorder. Personality and depressive tendencies were assessed via the Big Five Aspect Scales and Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 in Sample 1, respectively, and by the NEO‐PI‐R and Beck Depression Inventory‐II in Sample 2.

Results

Withdrawal, industriousness, and enthusiasm interacted to predict depressive tendencies in both samples. The pattern of the interaction supported a “best two out of three” principle, in which low risk scores on two trait dimensions protects against a high risk score on the third trait. Evidence was also present for a “worst two out of three” principle, in which high risk scores on two traits are associated with equivalent depressive severity as high risk scores on all three traits.

Conclusions

These results highlight the importance of examining interactive effects of personality traits on psychopathology.
Marine yeasts and bacteria as biological control agents against anthracnose on mango
Authors: Hernandez Montiel Luis G. , Zulueta Rodriguez Ramon , Angulo Carlos , Rueda Puente Edgar O. , Quiñonez Aguilar Evangelina E. , Galicia Ricardo
Published: September 2017

The potential of four yeasts (Debaryomyces hansenii, Rhodotorula minuta, Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus diffluens) and three bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila) with antagonistic capacity against anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in mango cv. Ataulfo fruit was investigated. Germination of C. gloeosporioides spores was significantly inhibited by all marine yeasts and bacteria strains of an in vitro test. When yeasts and bacteria were tested on mango fruit, the marine yeast D. hansenii 1R11CB strain and marine bacteria S. rhizophilaKM02 strain were the best antagonists to anthracnose (C. gloeosporioides), which significantly decreased disease incidence by 56% and 89%, respectively, and reduced lesion diameter by 91% and 92%, respectively. All the isolated strains of the phytopathogen, yeasts and bacteria were molecularly identified. Our results from in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that marine yeasts and bacteria strains can be used as some effective biological control agents for anthracnose in mango.
Polysubstance Use Among Adolescents in a Low Income, Rural Community: Latent Classes for Middle‐ and High‐School Students
Authors: Rose Roderick A. , Evans Caroline B. R. , Smokowski Paul R. , Howard Matthew O. , Stalker Katie L.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Rural communities are currently being impacted by a nationwide epidemic of prescription opioid misuse. Rural adolescent substance users may be at substantial risk for later addiction to these and other drugs.

Methods

This study uses Latent Class Analysis to identify subtypes of polysubstance users among a sample of 7,074 rural adolescents. Separate models were estimated for middle‐ and high‐school youth. Predictive validity was estimated using cumulative ordinal logistic regression of the classes on a set of youth and family characteristics.

Findings

We identified a 4‐class solution for both middle‐ and high‐school students marked by initiation of an increasing number of substances used at greater frequency. These classes included Substance Nonusers, Primarily Alcohol Users, Initiators‐Low Frequency Users, and Initiators‐Moderate‐to‐High Lifetime Frequency Users. About 6%‐10% of youth reported using prescription drugs at least once, and in the moderate‐to‐high frequency class, middle‐school youth were more likely to use prescription drugs and inhalants compared to high‐school youth in the same class. The 4 classes were associated with race/ethnicity, and in high school with receiving free/reduced price lunch.

Conclusion

In general, younger adolescents have lower overall use rates, but within certain classes identified by this analysis, the observed pattern suggests that younger cohorts are turning to prescription drugs and inhalants. These findings support the implementation of universal substance use prevention programs, targeted programs for youth experiencing risk factors associated with substance use, and improved rural substance abuse treatment options.
Comparative Susceptibility of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus; and Channel (♀) × Blue (♂) Hybrid Catfish to Edwardsiella piscicida, Edwardsiella tarda, and Edwardsiella anguillarum
Authors: Reichley Stephen R. , Ware Cynthia , Khoo Lester H. , Greenway Terrence E. , Wise David J. , Bosworth Brian G. , Lawrence Mark L. , Griffin Matt J.
Published: September 2017

Members of the genus Edwardsiella are important pathogens of cultured and wild fish globally. Recent investigations into the phenotypic and genotypic variation of Edwardsiella tarda have led to the segregation of E. tarda into three distinct taxa: E. tarda, Edwardsiella piscicida, and Edwardsiella anguillarum. In catfish aquaculture in the southeastern USA, E. piscicida has been more commonly associated with disease than E. tarda or E. anguillarum, and recent research has demonstrated E. piscicida to be more pathogenic in channel catfish than E. tarda or E. anguillarum. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased prevalence of E. piscicida associated with the culture of channel (♀) × blue (♂) hybrid catfish. This work investigated the comparative susceptibility of channel catfish, blue catfish, and their hybrid cross to molecularly confirmed isolates of E. tarda, E. piscicida, and E. anguillarum. There was significantly higher mortality in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish following intracoelomic injection of E. piscicida. To our knowledge, E. piscicida is the first bacterial pathogen to demonstrate increased pathogenicity in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish.
Cytochrome P450 diversification and hostplant utilization patterns in specialist and generalist moths: Birth, death and adaptation
Authors: Calla Bernarda , Noble Katherine , Johnson Reed M. , Walden Kimberly K. O. , Schuler Mary A. , Robertson Hugh M. , Berenbaum May R.
Published: September 2017

Across insect genomes, the size of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) gene superfamily varies widely. CYPome size variation has been attributed to reciprocal adaptive radiations in insect detoxification genes in response to plant biosynthetic gene radiations driven by co‐evolution between herbivores and their chemically defended hostplants. Alternatively, variation in CYPome size may be due to random “birth‐and‐death” processes, whereby exponential increase via gene duplications is limited by random decay via gene death or transition via divergence. We examined CYPome diversification in the genomes of seven Lepidoptera species varying in host breadth from monophagous (Bombyx mori) to highly polyphagous (Amyelois transitella). CYPome size largely reflects the size of Clan 3, the clan associated with xenobiotic detoxification, and to some extent phylogenetic age. Consistently across genomes, families CYP6, CYP9 and CYP321 are most diverse and CYP6AB, CYP6AE, CYP6B, CYP9A and CYP9G are most diverse among subfamilies. Higher gene number in subfamilies is due to duplications occurring primarily after speciation and specialization (“P450 blooms”), and the genes are arranged in clusters, indicative of active duplicating loci. In the parsnip webworm, Depressaria pastinacella, gene expression levels in large subfamilies are high relative to smaller subfamilies. Functional and phylogenetic data suggest a correlation between highly dynamic loci (reflective of extensive gene duplication, functionalization and in some cases loss) and the ability of enzymes encoded by these genes to metabolize hostplant defences, consistent with an adaptive, nonrandom process driven by ecological interactions.
Sugars from woody tissue photosynthesis reduce xylem vulnerability to cavitation
Authors: De Baerdemaeker Niels J. F. , Salomón Roberto Luis , De Roo Linus , Steppe Kathy
Published: September 2017

Reassimilation of internal CO2 via woody tissue photosynthesis has a substantial effect on tree carbon income and wood production. However, little is known about its role in xylem vulnerability to cavitation and its implications in drought‐driven tree mortality.

Young trees of Populus nigra were subjected to light exclusion at the branch and stem levels. After 40 d, measurements of xylem water potential, diameter variation and acoustic emission (AE) were performed in detached branches to obtain acoustic vulnerability curves to cavitation following bench‐top dehydration.

Acoustic vulnerability curves and derived AE50 values (i.e. water potential at which 50% of cavitation‐related acoustic emissions occur) differed significantly between light‐excluded and control branches (AE50,light‐excluded = −1.00 ± 0.13 MPa; AE50,control = −1.45 ± 0.09 MPa; P = 0.007) denoting higher vulnerability to cavitation in light‐excluded trees.

Woody tissue photosynthesis represents an alternative and immediate source of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) that confers lower xylem vulnerability to cavitation via sugar‐mediated mechanisms. Embolism repair and xylem structural changes could not explain this observation as the amount of cumulative AE and basic wood density did not differ between treatments. We suggest that woody tissue assimilates might play a role in the synthesis of xylem surfactants for nanobubble stabilization under tension.
The complexity of oral physiology and its impact on salivary diagnostics
Authors: Helmerhorst EJ , Dawes C , Oppenheim FG
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Saliva contains biomarkers for systemic as well as oral diseases. This study was undertaken to assess the variability in the sources of such biomarkers (plasma, cells) and attempted to identify saliva deterioration markers in order to improve saliva diagnostic outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Inter‐ and intrasubject variations in salivary gingival crevicular fluid levels were determined by measuring salivary albumin and transferrin levels. The purity of collected glandular secretions was determined by bacterial culture, and the variability in epithelial cell numbers by cell counting and optical density measurement. Saliva sample deterioration markers were identified by RP‐HPLC and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS.

Results

Tenfold variations were observed in plasma‐derived albumin and transferrin levels, emphasizing the need for biomarker normalization with respect to plasma contributions to saliva. Epithelial cell levels varied 50‐fold in samples collected before and after a meal. Salivary fungal levels varied within subjects and among subjects from 0 to >1,000 colony‐forming units per milliliter. In saliva samples incubated for various time intervals at 37°C, five peptides were identified that steadily increased in intensity over time and which could be explored as “deterioration markers.”

Conclusion

Taking saliva characteristics appropriately into account will help realize the promise that this body fluid is suitable to be exploited for reliable healthcare monitoring and surveillance.
Ventricular assist device use in single ventricle congenital heart disease
Authors: Carlo Waldemar F. , Villa Chet R. , Lal Ashwin K. , Morales David L.
Published: September 2017

As VAD have become an effective therapy for end‐stage heart failure, their application in congenital heart disease has increased. Single ventricle congenital heart disease introduces unique physiologic challenges for VAD use. However, with regard to the mixed clinical results presented within this review, we suggest that patient selection, timing of implant, and center experience are all important contributors to outcome. This review focuses on the published experience of VAD use in single ventricle patients and details physiologic challenges and novel approaches in this growing pediatric and adult population.
Acanthamoeba granulomatous amoebic encephalitis after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Coven Scott L. , Song Eunkyung , Steward Sarah , Pierson Christopher R. , Cope Jennifer R. , Ali Ibne K. , Ardura Monica I. , Hall Mark W. , Chung Melissa G. , Bajwa Rajinder P. S.
Published: September 2017

Acanthamoeba encephalitis is a rare, often fatal condition, particularly after HSCT, with 9 reported cases to date in the world literature. Our case was originally diagnosed with ALL at age 3 years, and after several relapses underwent HSCT at age 9 years. At 17 years of age, he was diagnosed with secondary AML for which he underwent a second allogeneic HSCT. He presented with acute‐onset worsening neurological deficits on day +226 after the second transplant and a post‐mortem diagnosis of Acanthamoeba encephalitis was established, with the aid of the CDC.
Performance of aneuploid backcross hybrids between the crop Brassica napus and its wild relative B. rapa
Authors: de Jong T. J. , Escobedo Quevedo K. , van der Veen‐van Wijk C. A. M. , Moshgani M.
Published: September 2017

Crossings between the diploid wild Brassica rapa (AA, 2n = 20) and the tetraploid cultivar B. napus (AACC, 2n = 38) can readily be made. Backcrosses to the wild B. rapa (BC1) produce aneuploids with variable chromosome numbers between 20 and 29. How does survival and performance relate to DNA content of plants?

Growth of the BC1 plants was measured in the lab. One plant in the F1 self‐pollinated spontaneously and produced abundant F2 seeds that were also examined. The number of C‐chromosomes was estimated from DNA values obtained with flow cytometry.

Average DNA value of the BC1 was similar to that of the parents, which shows that C‐chromosomes do not reduce success of pollen or embryos. The average DNA value in the F2 was 13% higher than in the F1, suggesting that extra C‐chromosomes facilitated gamete success and/or embryo survival. Under both optimal and drought stress conditions growth and survival of BC1 hybrids was similar to that of B. rapa. No significant correlations existed between growth or survival and DNA value.

Aneuploid plants were not inferior under the conditions of the growth room and may persist in nature. We discuss other factors, such as herbivory, that could prevent hybrid establishment in the field.
Iron deficiency stress can induce MxNAS1 protein expression to facilitate iron redistribution in Malus xiaojinensis
Authors: Sun C. , Yuan M. , Zhai L. , Li D. , Zhang X. , Wu T. , Xu X. , Wang Y. , Han Z.
Published: September 2017

Iron (Fe) is a vital trace element in plants, and deficiency of this element in apple trees can reduce fruit quality. Nicotianamine (NA) is known to play an important role in Fe transport and endogenous hormone balance. In the present study, we investigated the role of a nicotianamine synthase 1 gene (MxNas1) in an apple species, Malus xiaojinensis, that has a more Fe‐efficient genotype than other apple species and ecotypes.

To characterise the response of M. xiaojinensis to Fe deficiency, we used quantitative Q‐PCR to determine the level of expression of MxNas1 and Western blot to measure protein levels. Immunohistochemical staining and GFP fluorescence localisation of the MxNAS1 protein were also carried out. HPLC and polarised absorption spectrophotometry were performed to investigate the effects of overexpression of MxNas1 in order to elucidate the role of MxNAS1 in the cellular uptake of active Fe in tobacco suspension cells.

We found that MxNas1 expression and protein levels were higher under Fe deficiency stress than under Fe sufficiency. Immunohistochemical staining showed that MxNAS1 was localised mainly in the epidermal and vascular tissues of the roots, vascular tissues of the stem and palisade cells of mature leaves, and in parenchyma cells of young leaves. MxNAS1 was mainly localised in the plasma membranes and vesicles of protoplasts. In addition, overexpression of MxNas1 in stable transgenic tobacco cells increased NA and active Fe content under Fe sufficiency.

The results suggest that MxNas1 expression in M. xiaojinensis is induced in response to Fe deficiency stress, resulting in higher levels of the protein. MxNAS1 may be involved in the redistribution of Fe in M. xiaojinensis under Fe deficiency.
Mass effects, clonality, and phenology but not seed traits predict species success in colonizing restored grasslands
Authors: Mudrák Ondřej , Fajmon Karel , Jongepierová Ivana , Prach Karel
Published: September 2017

Preserved grasslands commonly host species‐rich plant communities but a large part of the grasslands were plowed up in the past. Their restoration often requires a long time and initial restoration measures might trigger ecosystem recovery, which is then followed by spontaneous colonization. We evaluate the establishment success of target grassland species, which were not sown but established spontaneously in the restored grasslands of Bílé Karpaty Mts., SE Czech Republic. According to their key functional traits and incidence in the landscape (mass effect; acquired from the results of a grid mapping project in the region), we examined the frequency of species and their mean cover in 82 restored grasslands. The best predictor of species frequency in the grasslands was their mass effect, followed by a high capacity for clonal growth and late phenology. Seed dispersal traits (seed mass, terminal velocity, epizoochory ranking index) and plant height had no significant effect. Specific leaf area was positively correlated with mass effect. Species having a high cover in the restored grasslands had a high capacity for clonal growth. In the preparation of seed mixtures, we should therefore consider that nonclonal species relying on regeneration from seeds will be generally less able to reproduce and should be promoted by artificial sowing. At the same time, species common in the landscape, which spread well clonally, and those with a late phenology, might be expected to colonize restored meadows on their own, so that sowing them is not necessary.
Matrix Variate Regressions and Envelope Models
Authors: Ding Shanshan , Dennis Cook R.
Published: September 2017

Modern technology often generates data with complex structures in which both response and explanatory variables are matrix valued. Existing methods in the literature can tackle matrix-valued predictors but are rather limited for matrix-valued responses. We study matrix variate regressions for such data, where the response Y on each experimental unit is a random matrix and the predictor X can be either a scalar, a vector or a matrix, treated as non-stochastic in terms of the conditional distribution Y|X. We propose models for matrix variate regressions and then develop envelope extensions of these models. Under the envelope framework, redundant variation can be eliminated in estimation and the number of parameters can be notably reduced when the matrix variate dimension is large, possibly resulting in significant gains in efficiency. The methods proposed are applicable to high dimensional settings.
Hegel on Private Property: A Contextual Reading
Authors: Duncan Samuel
Published: September 2017

Hegel is often read as defending private property and property rights on the basis of the so‐called “developmental thesis,” which holds that the institution of private property is a necessary condition for individuals to develop the basic capabilities required for free choice. In this paper, I challenge the developmental thesis, and present my own interpretation of Hegel's justification of private property and theory of property rights. Reconstructing Hegel's theory requires that we read the Philosophy of Right as a whole and consider the role of property within the context of the political system that Hegel sketches there, rather than merely looking at the Property subsection of the work in isolation, as works that argue for the developmental thesis tend to do.
Cross‐country skiing is associated with lower all‐cause mortality: A population‐based follow‐up study
Authors: Laukkanen J. A. , Laukkanen T. , Kunutsor S. K.
Published: September 2017

The prospective relationship between leisure‐time cross‐country skiing and any fatal events is uncertain. We aimed to assess the associations of leisure‐time cross‐country skiing habits with the risk of all‐cause mortality in a general population. A 12‐month physical activity questionnaire was used at baseline to assess the frequency, average duration, and intensity of cross‐country skiing in a prospective population‐based cohort of 2087 middle‐aged men from eastern Finland. Hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals) were calculated for all‐cause mortality. During a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 26.1 (18.7‐28.0) years, 1028 all‐cause mortality outcomes were recorded. In analyses adjusted for several established risk factors and other potential confounders, when compared to men who did not do any cross‐country skiing, the HRs (95% CIs) of all‐cause mortality were 0.84 (0.73‐0.97) and 0.80 (0.67‐0.96) for men who did 1‐200 and >200 metabolic equivalent‐hours per year of cross‐country skiing, respectively. Similarly, compared to men who did not do any cross‐country skiing, the corresponding adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for all‐cause mortality were 0.84 (0.72‐0.97) and 0.82 (0.69‐0.97) for men who did 1‐60 min/wk and >60 min/wk of cross‐country skiing, respectively. The associations were similar across several subgroups, except for evidence of effect modification by body mass index and history of diabetes. Total volume as well as duration of leisure‐time cross‐country skiing is each inversely and independently associated with all‐cause mortality in a middle‐aged Caucasian male population.
Functional specific‐T‐cell expansion after first cytomegalovirus reactivation predicts viremia control in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Ciáurriz Miriam , Beloki Lorea , Zabalza Amaya , Bandrés Eva , Mansilla Cristina , Pérez‐Valderrama Estela , Lachén Mercedes , Rodríguez‐Calvillo Mercedes , Ramírez Natalia , Olavarría Eduardo
Published: September 2017

The use of preemptive antiviral therapy to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) recipients might result in over‐treatment, inducing drug‐related toxicity and viral resistance. A search for predictive markers is needed to determine requirement for antiviral therapy. Clinical follow‐up, in combination with the use of streptamers (STs) and cytokine‐intracellular staining, could help to identify patients at high risk for CMV reactivations. To study the immune response and reactivation control by CMV‐specific CD8+ T‐cell (CMV‐CTL) populations, we monitored 25 patients who have undergone allo‐HSCT by using ST multimer and intracellular cytokine staining. Our study has revealed that the presence of functional CMV‐specific T cells, determined by early interferon γ production or by significant T‐cell expansion after first CMV reactivation, correlated with short CMV viremia duration and low number of CMV reactivations. By contrast, the absence of functional CMV‐CTLs does correlate with CMV recurrence. These results support that behavior of CMV‐specific subpopulations after reactivation influences reactivations and can guide preemptive therapy.
An exception among diatoms: unique organization of genes involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis in Rhizosolenia setigera CCMP 1694
Authors: Ferriols Victor Marco Emmanuel N. , Yaginuma‐Suzuki Ryoko , Fukunaga Kazunari , Kadono Takashi , Adachi Masao , Matsunaga Shigeki , Okada Shigeru
Published: September 2017

The marine diatom Rhizosolenia setigera is unique among this group of microalgae given that it is only one of a handful of diatom species that can produce highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) hydrocarbons. In our efforts to determine distinguishing molecular characteristics in R. setigera CCMP 1694 that could help elucidate the underlying mechanisms for its ability to biosynthesize HBIs, we discovered the occurrence of independent genes encoding for two isopentenyl diphosphate isomerases (RsIDI1 and RsIDI2) and one squalene synthase (RsSQS), enzymes that catalyze non‐consecutive steps in isoprenoid biosynthesis. These genes are peculiarly fused in all other genome‐sequenced diatoms to date, making their organization in R. setigera CCMP 1694 a clear distinguishing molecular feature. Phylogenetic and sequence analysis of RsIDI1, RsIDI2, and RsSQS revealed that such an arrangement of individually transcribed genes involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis could have arisen through a secondary gene fission event. We further demonstrate that inhibition of squalene synthase (SQS) shifts the flux of exogenous isoprenoid precursors towards HBI biosynthesis suggesting the competition for isoprenoid substrates in the form of farnesyl diphosphate between the sterol and HBI biosynthetic pathways in this diatom.
Mature B cells accelerate wound healing after acute and chronic diabetic skin lesions
Authors: Sîrbulescu Ruxandra F. , Boehm Chloe K. , Soon Erin , Wilks Moses Q. , Ilieş Iulian , Yuan Hushan , Maxner Ben , Chronos Nicolas , Kaittanis Charalambos , Normandin Marc D. , El Fakhri Georges , Orgill Dennis P. , Sluder Ann E. , Poznansky Mark C.
Published: September 2017

Chronic wounds affect 12–15% of patients with diabetes and are associated with a drastic decrease in their quality of life. Here, we demonstrate that purified mature naive B220+/CD19+/IgM+/IgD+ B cells improve healing of acute and diabetic murine wounds after a single topical application. B cell treatment significantly accelerated acute wound closure by 2–3 days in wild‐type mice and 5–6 days in obese diabetic mice. The treatment led to full closure in 43% of chronic diabetic wounds, as compared to only 5% in saline‐treated controls. Applying equivalent numbers of T cells or disrupted B cells failed to reproduce these effects, indicating that live B cells mediated pro‐healing responses. Topically applied B cell treatment was associated with significantly reduced scar size, increased collagen deposition and maturation, enhanced angiogenesis, and increased nerve growth into and under the healing wound. β‐III tubulin+ nerve endings in scars of wounds treated acutely with B cells showed increased relative expression of growth‐associated protein 43. The improved healing associated with B cell treatment was supported by significantly increased fibroblast proliferation and decreased apoptosis in the wound bed and edges, altered kinetics of neutrophil infiltration, as well as an increase in TGF‐β and a significant reduction in MMP2 expression in wound granulation tissue. Our findings indicate that the timeline and efficacy of wound healing can be experimentally manipulated through the direct application of mature, naive B cells, which effectively modify the balance of mature immune cell populations within the wound microenvironment and accelerate the healing process.
A cost minimization analysis of olive oil vs. hyperoxygenated fatty acid treatment for the prevention of pressure ulcers in primary healthcare: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lupiañez‐Pérez Inmaculada , Morilla‐Herrera Juan Carlos , Kaknani‐Uttumchandani Shakira , Lupiañez‐Perez Yolanda , Cuevas‐Fernandez‐Gallego Magdalena , Martin‐Santos Francisco , Caro‐Bautista Jorge , Morales‐Asencio Jose Miguel
Published: September 2017

Pressure ulcers represent a major current health problem and cause an important economic impact on the healthcare system. Most studies on the prevention of pressure ulcers have been carried out in hospital contexts, with respect to the use of hyperoxygenated fatty acids (HOFA), and to date no studies have specifically examined the use of olive oil‐based treatments. Aim: To evaluate the cost of using extra virgin olive oil, rather than HOFA, in the prevention of pressure ulcers among persons with impaired mobility and receiving home care. Study Design: Cost minimization analysis of the results obtained from a noninferiority, triple‐blind, parallel, multicenter, randomized clinical trial. Population attending primary healthcare centers in Andalusia (Spain). Study sample: 831 immobilized patients at risk of suffering pressure ulcers. These persons were included in the study and randomly assigned as follows: 437 to the olive oil group and 394 to the HOFA group. At the end of the follow‐up period, the results obtained by the olive oil group were not inferior to those of the HOFA group, and did not exceed the 10% delta limit. The total treatment cost for 16 weeks was €19,758 with HOFAs and €9,566 with olive oil. Overall, the olive oil treatment was €10,192 less costly. It has been concluded the noninferiority of olive oil makes this product an effective alternative for the prevention of pressure ulcers in patients who are immobilized and in a domestic environment. This treatment enables considerable savings in direct costs.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01595347. Date: 2011‐2013
Freeing Leonardo da Vinci’s Fight for the Standard in the Hall of the Five Hundred at Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio
Authors: Cassella Antonio
Published: September 2017

In June 2017, the author wrote an article in the International Journal of Social Science Studies in which he hypothesized that the Hall of the Five Hundred at Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio has been protecting the central piece of Leonardo da Vinci’s mural Battle of Anghiari: The Fight for the Standard (La lotta per lo stendardo) under Giorgio Vasari’s painting Battle of Marciano for 512 years now. On the evening of August 10, 2017, the author read a veiled message left by Vasari: The vertical line that passes through the center of the Battle of Marciano also passes through the center of the Fight for the Standard. On the evening of August 15, the author read a second secret message left by Vasari: The bottom of Leonardo’s Battle of Anghiari aligns with the floor of the Hall of the Five Hundred. Beyond previous hypotheses, the author envisions here that, after drilling a 1/2-inch hole at 0.915 meters from the floor, on the vertical line that leaves the virtual larynx of the screaming supine soldier in the Battle of Marciano, a laparoscope will point at the virtual larynx of the yelling prostrate soldier in the Fight for the Standard. Our wild assault against the wild and against humanistic intelligence is unsustainable. From a humanistic standpoint, the quantum-computing search to see again the classical-computing conflict attached to the Fight for the Standard will lead to a global Renaissance: The union of ancient knowledge about social values with modern scientific and technological skills will dispel global warming and fundamentalist-driven terrorism, while freeing our descendants to explore the cosmos in the next 7000 years.
Generalized Euler characteristic in power-bounded T-convex valued fields
Authors: Yin Yimu
Published: September 2017

We lay the groundwork in this first installment of a series of papers aimed at developing a theory of Hrushovski–Kazhdan style motivic integration for certain types of nonarchimedean $o$-minimal fields, namely power-bounded $T$-convex valued fields, and closely related structures. The main result of the present paper is a canonical homomorphism between the Grothendieck semirings of certain categories of definable sets that are associated with the $\text{VF}$-sort and the $\text{RV}$-sort of the language ${\mathcal{L}}_{T\text{RV}}$. Many aspects of this homomorphism can be described explicitly. Since these categories do not carry volume forms, the formal groupification of the said homomorphism is understood as a universal additive invariant or a generalized Euler characteristic. It admits not just one, but two specializations to $\unicode[STIX]{x2124}$. The overall structure of the construction is modeled on that of the original Hrushovski–Kazhdan construction.
Solutions of the Schroedinger equation for piecewise harmonic potentials: Remarks on the asymptotic behavior of the wave functions
Authors: Mazzitelli Francisco D. , Mazzitelli Martín D. , Soubelet Pedro I.
Published: September 2017

We discuss the solutions of the Schroedinger equation for piecewise potentials, given by the harmonic oscillator potential for |x|>a and by an arbitrary function for |x|<a, using elementary methods. The study of this problem sheds light on usual errors made in discussions of the asymptotic behavior of the eigenfunctions of the quantum harmonic oscillator and can also be used for the analysis of the eigenfunctions of the hydrogen atom. We present explicit results for the energy levels of a potential of this class, used to model the confinement of electrons in nanostructures.
Unmixing demonstration with a twist: A photochromic Taylor-Couette
device
Authors: Fonda Enrico , Sreenivasan Katepalli R.
Published: September 2017

This article describes an updated version of the famous Taylor-Couette flow reversibility demonstration. The viscous fluid confined between two concentric cylinders is forced to move by the rotating inner cylinder and visualized through the transparent outer cylinder. After a few rotations, a colored blob of fluid appears well mixed. Yet, after reversing the motion for the same number of turns, the blob reappears in the original location as if the fluid has just been unmixed. The use of household supplies makes the device inexpensive and easy to build without specific technical skills. The device can be used for demonstrations in fluid dynamics courses and outreach activities to discuss the concepts of viscosity, creeping flows, the absence of inertia, and time-reversibility.
The game of telephone: a sustained, low-cost, quality improvement initiative to enhance communication between patients and their resident physician
Authors: Schnell Amanda , Stolte Sarah , Taylor Melissa , Broxterman Jane
Published: September 2017

This multidisciplinary quality improvement project was designed to enhance telephone communication between patients and their resident physician while concomitantly creating a standardised telephone communication protocol for resident internal medicine continuity clinics. The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) quality improvement framework model was applied for four distinct cycles. Baseline data were collected regarding open telephone encounters. The initial intervention entailed targeted communication to specific individual residents with open telephone encounters more than one SD above the average. The next cycle involved developing a novel communication process map that was distributed to faculty preceptors and clinic anchor nurses. The faculty preceptors then disseminated the new policies and communication algorithm to resident physicians. Finally, new resident and anchor nurses were educated about the standardised processes through scheduled orientation activities. After 19 months of implementation of this project with four PDSA cycles, resident open telephone encounters decreased by 40.7%. Resident telephone communication in continuity clinics can be improved through targeted individualised communication, implementation of a standardised telephone communication protocol, dissemination of communication algorithms to clinic faculty, residents and nurses and ongoing education to all parties through orientation activities to instil a self-sustaining culture change.
Improving transitions of care: a resident-driven approach to address delays in patient care during the direct admission process
Authors: Goolsarran Nirvani , Huang Li , Ottaviano Lorenzo
Published: September 2017

Background

The direct admission process is a complex system that can be aggravated by inherent gaps in communication leading to inefficient continuity of care and patient safety issues. Bypassing the emergency room, triage is often associated with long periods of unmonitored observation and significant delays in patient assessment. We identified significant communication gaps, delays in placement of admission orders and patient assessment during the direct admission process at our institution. To address this issue, we created and implemented a standardised direct admission flow diagram that consists of a step-by- step direct admission process, which includes a communication device and a triage power plan in the Electronic Medical Record.

Methods

We used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model for Quality improvement to address communication gaps in the direct admission process Baseline measurement confirmed two critical gaps in communication: 1) communication to the Medical Admitting Resident (MAR), the central source of communication of all medicine admissions, and 2) delays in placement of orders and assessment of the patient.

Results

Two months after implementation of a standardised process that addressed the two major gaps in communication, we found that communication to the MAR increased from 16% (7/42) to 100% (15/15). Additionally, the average time for order placement and assessment of patient decreased from 153 minutes to 53 minutes (n=15).

Conclusion

In order to improve the safety of direct admissions, the entire process must be carefully analysed and potential delays in patient assessment should be minimised. A standardised flow diagram that identified and targeted specific communication gaps can minimise delays in patient care.
EMPLOYMENT TYPE, RESIDENTIAL STATUS AND CONSUMER FINANCIAL CAPABILITY: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA HOUSEHOLD FINANCE SURVEY
Authors: CUI XU , XIAO JING JIAN , YI JINGTAO
Published: September 2017

Research on consumer financial capability is important for consumer financial wellbeing and emerging in the literature. However, studies on consumer financial capability in the Chinese context remain limited. To fill up the research gap, we used data from the 2011 China Household Finance Survey to investigate whether employment type and residential status were associated with consumer financial capability in China. Consumer financial capability was measured by the range of financial assets. Results from OLS and Poisson regressions showed that people employed in the government-managed system, with urban residence registration and with non-local rural residence registration had a better financial capability than their respective counterparts. The results have policy implications for improving consumer financial education and supporting vulnerable consumers.
PARENTS’ SOCIAL NETWORK, JOB LOCATION, AND GRADUATE WAGES: EVIDENCE BASED ON THE FIRST JOBS OF GRADUATES FROM A CHINESE COLLEGE
Authors: KONG GAOWEN , LIU SHASHA , KONG DONGMIN
Published: September 2017

This study investigates the effects of parents’ social network (PSN) and job location on graduate wages by using a unique dataset from one Chinese college. First, PSN significantly increases wage premium. Secondly, although graduates who work in their hometowns do not earn higher incomes than those who work outside their hometowns, the former significantly benefit from their PSN. Thirdly, the nepotism channel of PSN may be more important than the information channel, and PSN is more important for female graduates. Our results exhibit robustness to endogeneity. This paper emphasizes the importance of social networks and provides evidence on the intergenerational immobility of socioeconomic status, which raises significant policy implications.