bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life histories predict genetic diversity and population structure within three species of octopus targeted by small-scale fisheries in Northwest Mexico
Authors: Domínguez-Contreras José F. , Munguia-Vega Adrian , Ceballos-Vázquez Bertha P. , Arellano-Martínez Marcial , García-Rodríguez Francisco J. , Culver Melanie , Reyes-Bonilla Hector
Published: February 2018

The fishery for octopus in Northwest Mexico has increased to over 2,000 tons annually, but to date the specific composition of the catch has been ignored. With at least three main species targeted by artisanal fisheries in the region with distinct life histories, the lack of basic biological information about the distribution, metapopulation size and structure of each species could impede effective fisheries management to avoid overexploitation. We tested if different life histories of three species of octopus could help predict observed patterns of genetic diversity, population dynamics, structure and connectivity and how this information could be relevant to the sustainable management of the fishery. We sequenced two mitochondrial genes and genotyped seven nuclear microsatellite loci to identify the distribution of each species in 20 locations from the Gulf of California and the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. We tested five hypotheses derived from population genetic theory based on differences in the fecundity and dispersal potential for each species. We discovered thatOctopus bimaculoideswith low fecundity and direct development (without a planktonic phase) had lower average effective population size and genetic diversity, but higher levels of kinship, population structure, and richness of private alleles, than the other two species. These features indicated limited dispersal and high local recruitment. In contrast,O. bimaculatusandO. hubbsorumwith higher fecundity and planktonic phase as paralarvae had higher effective population size and genetic diversity, and overall lower kinship and population structure thanO. bimaculoides. These observations supported higher levels of gene flow over a larger geographical scale.O. bimaculatuswith the longest planktonic paralarval duration and therefore larger dispersal potential had differences in the calculated parameters possibly associated with increased connectivity. We proposeO. bimaculoidesis more susceptible to over exploitation of small, isolated populations and could have longer recovery times than the other two species. This species may benefit from distinct fishery management within each local population.O. bimaculatusandO. hubbsorummay benefit from fishery management that takes into account metapopulation structure over larger geographic scales and the directionality and magnitude of larval dispersal driven by ocean currents and population connectivity among individuals of each locality. The distribution of each species and variations in their reproductive phenology is also important to consider when establishing marine reserves or seasonal fishing closures.
Optimization of antioxidative peptides from mackerel (Pneumatophorus japonicus) viscera
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Yu Huahua , Xing Ronge , Chen Xiaolin , Liu Song , Li Pengcheng
Published: February 2018

Mackerel (Pneumatophorus japonicus) viscera contain large amount of protein. We used five proteases to hydrolyze the viscera, and the hydrolysate treated by neutrase exhibited the highest nitrogen recovery (NR). Then we optimized the preparation conditions for mackerel viscera hydrolysate (MVH) by response surface methodology and investigated the antioxidant activity of MVH. The optimal conditions were as follows: enzyme concentration of 1,762.87 U/g, pH of 6.76, temperature of 43.75 °C, extraction time of 6.0 h and water/material ratio of 20.37 (v/w), and the maximum NR was 37.84%. Furthermore, the molecular weight distribution of MVH was almost below 3,000 Da determined by TSK G2000 SWXL gel filtration chromatography, and the MVH exhibited good antioxidant activities in various in vitro assays, including DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion scavenging activities, reducing power and similar effectivelness as butylated hydroxytoluene and Vitamin E to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The results suggested that MVH could be used as a potential source of antioxidant peptide in food industries.
Pre‐Alpine (Variscan) Inheritance: A Key for the Location of the Future Valaisan Basin (Western Alps)
Authors: Ballèvre M. , Manzotti P. , Dal Piaz G. V.
Published: February 2018

The boundary between the Helvetic and the Penninic (=Briançonnais) Zones has long been recognized as a major fault (“Penninic Front”) in the Western Alps. A narrow oceanic domain has been postulated at least along part of this boundary (the Valaisan Basin). However, the information provided by the pre‐Triassic basement has not been fully exploited and will be discussed here in detail. The igneous and metamorphic history of the pre‐Triassic basement shows significant differences between the External Massifs from the Helvetic Zone, with abundant Late Carboniferous granites, and the basement of the Briançonnais Zone, including the Internal Massifs (Dora‐Maira, Gran Paradiso, and Monte Rosa), devoid of Carboniferous granites. A major coal‐bearing basin, the “Zone Houillère,” opened along this boundary. This limnic intramontane basin has never been properly investigated. The Zone Houillère is not comparable with the external, paralic, flexural, basins on both sides of the Variscan belt but shows similarities with the Saar‐Saale Basin. Like the latter, we interpret the Zone Houillère as a transtensional basin opened along a major, crustal‐scale, fault zone, namely, the East Variscan Shear Zone. The Permian magmatism and sedimentation displays contrasting distributions, being absent or very localized in the Helvetic Zone, and widespread in the Penninic Zone. The above data indicate that the structural inheritance from the Variscan belt plays a major role in defining the future location of the Valaisan Basin, that is, the boundary between the European paleomargin and the Briançonnais microcontinent.
3D NIR‐II Molecular Imaging Distinguishes Targeted Organs with High‐Performance NIR‐II Bioconjugates
Authors: Zhu Shoujun , Herraiz Sonia , Yue Jingying , Zhang Mingxi , Wan Hao , Yang Qinglai , Ma Zhuoran , Wang Yan , He Jiahuan , Antaris Alexander L. , Zhong Yeteng , Diao Shuo , Feng Yi , Zhou Ying , Yu Kuai , Hong Guosong , Liang Yongye , Hsueh Aaron J. , Dai Hongjie
Published: February 2018

Greatly reduced scattering in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) region (1000–1700 nm) opens up many new exciting avenues of bioimaging research, yet NIR‐II fluorescence imaging is mostly implemented by using nontargeted fluorophores or wide‐field imaging setups, limiting the signal‐to‐background ratio and imaging penetration depth due to poor specific binding and out‐of‐focus signals. A newly developed high‐performance NIR‐II bioconjugate enables targeted imaging of a specific organ in the living body with high quality. Combined with a home‐built NIR‐II confocal set‐up, the enhanced imaging technique allows 900 µm‐deep 3D organ imaging without tissue clearing techniques. Bioconjugation of two hormones to nonoverlapping NIR‐II fluorophores facilitates two‐color imaging of different receptors, demonstrating unprecedented multicolor live molecular imaging across the NIR‐II window. This deep tissue imaging of specific receptors in live animals allows development of noninvasive molecular imaging of multifarious models of normal and neoplastic organs in vivo, beyond the traditional visible to NIR‐I range. The developed NIR‐II fluorescence microscopy will become a powerful imaging technique for deep tissue imaging without any physical sectioning or clearing treatment of the tissue.
Selenolate Anion as an Organocatalyst: Reactions and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Trofymchuk Oleksandra S. , Zheng Zhipeng , Kurogi Takashi , Mindiola Daniel J. , Walsh Patrick J.
Published: February 2018

A new organocatalyst, the selenolate anion [RSe]–, generated from bench‐stable and commercially available diphenyl diselenide or from phenyl benzyl selenide (10 mol%) is introduced. Benchmarking is performed in the conversion of benzylic chlorides into trans‐stilbenes selectively at room temperature. Mechanistic studies support the intermediacy of the selenolate anion and of 1,2‐diphenylethyl phenyl selenide.

magnified image
Relationships between Falling Number, α‐amylase activity, milling, cookie, and sponge cake quality of soft white wheat
Authors: Kiszonas Alecia M. , Engle Douglas A. , Pierantoni Leonardo A. , Morris Craig F.
Published: February 2018

Background and objectives

Falling Number (FN) in wheat is an important quality predictor and carries a significant economic impact. Lower FN is associated with higher α‐amylase activity and poorer soft wheat end‐use quality, especially sponge cake. The objective was to examine wheat samples with a range of FN between 70 > 300 s for α‐amylase activity and sponge cake quality.

Findings

Falling Number was moderately well correlated with α‐amylase activity. Stirring Number, an alternative to FN, was poorly correlated with α‐amylase activity. Milling reduced α‐amylase activity in break and straight‐grade flours compared to grain, but not substantially. Sugar‐snap cookie diameter was unrelated to FN. Japanese sponge cake quality, however, was variably associated with FN and α‐amylase activity.

Conclusions

It seemed that likely the inherent genetic differences in cake quality of specific varieties out‐weighed the effects of α‐amylase (and relationships with FN). In conclusion, field samples of soft white wheat showed the general inverse relationship between FN and α‐amylase activity. However, the relationship was not strong enough to consider FN a highly robust predictor of α‐amylase activity or of sponge cake quality.

Significance and novelty

The results of this study illustrate the complex relationship among FN, α‐amylase, milling, and sponge cake quality.
The connection between the breast and heart in a woman: Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Gulati Martha , Mulvagh Sharon L.
Published: February 2018

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women in the United States and is a major public health issue for all women, but it is of increasing concern to breast cancer survivors. Advancements in early detection and breast cancer therapy have resulted in over 90% of women surviving 5 years past their diagnosis of breast cancer. Nonetheless, with increased survivorship from breast cancer, there has been an increase in cardiovascular disease in these women. The consequences of the treatments for breast cancer may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, there is an overlap of risk factors common to both breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women who survive breast cancer must be recognized, with a focus on the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.
Design factors of femur fracture fixation plates made of shape memory alloy based on the Taguchi method by finite element analysis
Authors: Ko Cheolwoong , Yang Mikyung , Byun Taemin , Lee Sang‐Wook
Published: February 2018

This study proposed a way to design femur fracture fixation plates made of shape memory alloy based on computed tomography (CT) images of Korean cadaveric femurs. To this end, 3 major design factors of femur fracture fixation plates (circumference angle, thickness, and inner diameter) were selected based on the contact pressure when a femur fracture fixation plate was applied to a cylinder model using the Taguchi method. Then, the effects of the design factors were analyzed.

It was shown that the design factors were statistically significant at a level of p = 0.05 concerning the inner diameter and the thickness. The factors affecting the contact pressure were inner diameter, thickness, and circumference angle, in that order. Particularly, in the condition of Case 9 (inner diameter 27 mm, thickness 2.4 mm, and circumference angle 270°), the max. average contact pressure was 21.721 MPa, while the min. average contact pressure was 3.118 MPa in Case 10 (inner diameter 29 mm, thickness 2.0 mm, and circumference angle 210°).

When the femur fracture fixation plate was applied to the cylinder model, the displacement due to external sliding and pulling forces was analyzed. As a result, the displacement in the sliding condition was at max. 3.75 times greater than that in the pulling condition, which indicated that the cohesion strength between the femur fracture fixation plate and the cylinder model was likely to be greater in the pulling condition.

When a human femur model was applied, the max. average contact pressure was 10.76 MPa, which was lower than the yield strength of a human femur (108 MPa). In addition, the analysis of the rib behaviors of the femur fracture fixation plate in relation to the recovery effect of the shape memory alloy showed that the rib behaviors varied depending on the arbitrarily curved shapes of the femur sections.
Species occurrence data reflect the magnitude of animal movements better than the proximity of animal space use
Authors: Stewart Frances E. C. , Fisher Jason T. , Burton A. Cole , Volpe John P.
Published: February 2018

Animal ecologists often use stationary point‐count surveys, such as camera traps, to collect presence–absence data and infer distribution, abundance, and density of species. Rarely do these surveys explicitly consider variations in the magnitude of animal movement despite movement assumptions being implicit in their interpretation. For example, ecologists assume the frequency of species detections at a site is associated with the intensity of local space use, but it may be more indicative of transit through that point en route to other areas. This assumption remains untested, and a resolution is critical to accurate interpretation of species occurrence data. We compared fisher (Pekania pennanti) detections collected from a camera trap array with detailed Global Positioning System‐telemetry data to test whether, at the population level, the spatial and temporal patterns of detections reflected the proximity of space use to sampling sites, or variability in the magnitude of animal movement across the study area. We also used an occupancy modeling framework to quantify the relative contributions of space use proximity and movement magnitude to estimated probabilities of site occupancy and detectability. We demonstrate that, at the population level, detection frequency and estimates of detection probability and occupancy are more closely associated with the magnitude of animal movement around a survey device than the proximity of animal space use. Variations in the magnitude of animal movement within and between species should receive greater consideration when interpreting occurrence data to correctly infer ecological processes. Not accounting for species movement, especially in multi‐species surveys, may bias inferences of ecologic processes and result in misspecified management recommendations.
The origins and early elaboration of projectile technology
Authors: O'Driscoll Corey A. , Thompson Jessica C.
Published: February 2018

The ability of Homo sapiens to kill prey at a distance is arguably one of the catalysts for our current ecological dominance. Many researchers have suggested its origins lie in the African Middle Stone Age or the European Middle Palaeolithic (∼300‐30 thousand years ago), but the perishable components of armatures rarely preserve. Most research on this subject therefore emphasises analysis of armature tip size, shape, and diagnostic impacts or residues. Other lines of evidence have included human skeletal anatomy or analyses of the species composition of faunal assemblages. Projectile Impact Marks (PIMs) on archaeofaunal remains offer an ideal complement to this work, but their potential has been restricted mainly to the later Eurasian zooarchaeological record. A review of current evidence and approaches shows that systematic PIM research could add much to our understanding of early projectile technology, especially in Africa.
Simplified Robust Triple Detection Methods for High Temperature GPC Analysis of Polyolefins
Authors: Ortín Alberto , López Esther , del Hierro Pilar , Sancho‐Tello Juan , Yau Wallace W.
Published: February 2018

Very powerful triple detector high‐temperature gel permeation chromatography (HT‐GPC) systems equipped with concentration, viscosity, and multiple angle light scattering detectors can be found in many polyolefin characterization laboratories. However, the complexity and sometimes lack of robustness of some detection methods often result in failure to achieve the required precision and long‐term reliability to properly support the industrial needs. Two methods for data processing in triple detector HT‐GPC of polyolefins are here described aiming at overcoming those difficulties, specifically those related to the application of multiple angle light scattering. In the first place, we propose here a data processing method using light scattering data collected at only one angle, with application of a dissymmetry correction based on an estimate of the molecular size from the hydrodynamic volume given by the universal calibration. This method (SALSDC: single‐angle light scattering with dissymmetry correction) is simple and robust for molar mass distribution and averages. Long chain branching detection and quantification is another field plagued with lack of precision and inconsistency problems, due to the difficulty in collecting reliable radius of gyration (Rg) data using MALS, for calculation of the g‐index. A novel approach to estimate the g‐index, based on point‐by‐point calculation of the gpcBR index is here described and evaluated.
Characterization and Morphological Distribution of Ethylene Content in Impact Propylene Copolymers
Authors: Santonja‐Blasco Laura , Rungswang Wonchalerm , Alamo Rufina G.
Published: February 2018

The effect of ethylene content, in a range between 8 and 11 mol%, and distribution on the solid‐state morphology of five impact polypropylene copolymers (IPC) have been studied via SEM, fractionation and microstructural characterization via gel permeation chromatography (GPC), high‐temperature thermal‐gradient interaction chromatography (HT‐TGIC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All copolymers display heterophasic morphology, with rubbery droplets randomly distributed in a predominant iPP matrix. While the mass fraction of amorphous ethylene‐propylene rubber molecules is very similar for all IPC studied, the size of the droplets increases from 0.6 to 1.1 μm with increasing ethylene content. This change in droplet size is correlated with changes in the composition of the crystalline ethylene‐propylene (CEP) component extracted via fractionation.
Epigallocatechin Gallate Reduces Amyloid β‐Induced Neurotoxicity via Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress‐Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Du Ke , Liu Mingyan , Zhong Xin , Yao Weifan , Xiao Qinghuan , Wen Quan , Yang Bo , Wei Minjie
Published: February 2018

Scope

We investigated the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the protective effects of EGCG against the neuronal apoptosis in Aβ1‐42‐induced SH‐SY5Y cells and APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Methods and results

Cell viability (CCK8 assay), flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and western blotting were used. EGCG prevented Aβ1‐42‐induced toxicity in SH‐SY5Y cells, increased cell viability, and decreased apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. In a subsequent mechanism study, it was found that this effect contributed to the down‐regulation of GRP78, CHOP, cleaved‐caspase‐12 and ‐3. Moreover, EGCG also reduced the cytotoxicity induced by tunicamycin (TM) and thapsigargin (TG), two ER stress activators. Consistent with the in vitro study, EGCG inhibited neuronal apoptosis in the cortex of APP/PS1 transgenic mice, with the mitigation of ER abnormal ultrastructural swelling and the downregulation of ER‐stress‐associated proteins.

Conclusion

These results indicate that EGCG attenuates the neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) via a novel mechanism that involves inhibition of ER‐stress‐associated neuronal apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting the tremendous potential of EGCG for use in a nutritional preventive strategy against AD.
Using a Vancomycin PBPK Model in Special Populations to Elucidate Case‐Based Clinical PK Observations
Authors: Emoto Chie , Johnson Trevor N. , McPhail Brooks T. , Vinks Alexander A. , Fukuda Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2018

Simultaneous changes in several physiological factors may contribute to the large pharmacokinetic (PK) variability of vancomycin. This study was designed to systematically characterize the effects of multiple physiological factors to the altered PK of vancomycin observed in special populations. A vancomycin physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed as a PK simulation platform to quantitatively assess the effects of changes in physiologies to the PK profiles. The developed model predicted the concentration‐time profiles in healthy adults and diseased patients. The implementation of developmental changes in both renal and non‐renal elimination pathways to the pediatric model improved the predictability of vancomycin clearance. Simulated PK profiles with a 50% decrease in cardiac output (peak plasma concentration (Cmax), 59.9 ng/mL) were similar to those observed in patients before bypass surgery (Cmax, 55.1 ng/mL). The PBPK modeling of vancomycin demonstrated its potential to provide mechanistic insights into the altered disposition observed in patients who have changes in multiple physiological factors.
Two‐Protein Modified Gold Nanoparticles for One‐Step Serological Diagnosis
Authors: Alasel Mohammed , Keusgen Michael
Published: February 2018

Nanoparticles based on noble metals such as gold are characterized by their surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Aggregation of gold nanoparticles causes an interparticle plasmon coupling, which can be observed as a redshift in the maximum absorbance. This behavior is employed in the presented work to detect antibodies in human sera samples. Analysis of Lyme borreliosis is considered as a model in the here case. Therefore, gold nanoparticles are synthesized and modified with two proteins, surface VlsE Borrelia antigen and protein A. The specific interaction of the two proteins with anti‐Borrelia antibodies result in aggregation of the gold nanoparticles. Three different sizes (20, 30, and 40 nm) are tested; a convenient recognition of antibodies is achieved with all sizes using spectroscopic measurements. In addition, 30 nm particles show a very promising colorimetric detection; accumulation of nanoparticles could be easily observed using naked eyes. The size of the modified particles show a crucial impact on the assay time; 3 h, 30 min, and 1 min as incubation time, are needed to obtain considered results when 20, 30, and 40 nm particles are used, respectively. The proposed test can be performed only in one step with no additional washing steps, making it advantageous over the other conventional methods. The test is promising, simple, and suitable for point‐of‐care testing. Applying of the proposed platform to other assays is suggested for rapid analysis.
Effect of Heat Input on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Low Alloy Ultra‐High Strength Structural Steel Welded Joint
Authors: Wen Changfei , Wang Zhaodong , Deng Xiangtao , Wang Guodong , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar
Published: February 2018

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of an ultra‐high strength structural steel welded joint at different heat inputs are investigated by metal active gas arc (MAG) welding technique. It is found that the microstructure of weld metal (WM) contained high volume fraction of acicular ferrite regardless of heat input. However, the acicular ferrite changes from bainite acicular ferrite (B‐AF) to Widmanstätten acicular ferrite (WF‐AF) with the increase in heat input. The microstructure of coarse grain heat affected zone (CGHAZ) is characterized by complete martensite, a mixture microstructure (lath martensite and bainite), and granular bainte, respectively, with increasing heat input from 7.5 to 10.5 and then to18.5 kJ cm−1. The acicular ferrite in WM nucleated at complex oxide inclusions and the number density of inclusions with the size of ≈0.6–1.2 µm significantly increases with the increase in heat input. The maximum drop of strength (113 MPa) occurs when the heat input is up to 18.5 kJ cm−1. High volume fraction of acicular ferrite in WM improves the impact toughness because of increased proportion of high angle grain boundaries and interlocking structure. The heat input should be higher than 7.5 kJ/cm to avoid the formation of welding cold crack and twinned martensite in CGHAZ.
Cover Image, Volume 7, Issue 2
Authors: Gonzalez Gabriel , Sasamoto Yuzuru , Ksander Bruce R. , Frank Markus H. , Frank Natasha Y.
Published: February 2018

The cover image, by Gabriel Gonzalez et al., is based on the Advanced Review Limbal stem cells: identity, developmental origin, and therapeutic potential, DOI: 10.1002/wdev.303.

image
ON HETEROGENEITY IN THE INDIVIDUAL MODEL WITH BOTH DEPENDENT CLAIM OCCURRENCES AND SEVERITIES
Authors: Zhang Yiying , Li Xiaohu , Cheung Ka Chun
Published: February 2018

It is a common belief for actuaries that the heterogeneity of claim severities in a given insurance portfolio tends to increase its dangerousness, which results in requiring more capital for covering claims. This paper aims to investigate the effects of orderings and heterogeneity among scale parameters on the aggregate claim amount when both claim occurrence probabilities and claim severities are dependent. Under the assumption that the claim occurrence probabilities are left tail weakly stochastic arrangement increasing, the actuaries' belief is examined from two directions, i.e., claim severities are comonotonic or right tail weakly stochastic arrangement increasing. Numerical examples are provided to validate these theoretical findings. An application in assets allocation is addressed as well.
MUTUAL INTERPRETABILITY OF ROBINSON ARITHMETIC AND ADJUNCTIVE SET THEORY WITH EXTENSIONALITY
Authors: DAMNJANOVIC ZLATAN
Published: February 2018

An elementary theory of concatenation,QT+, is introduced and used to establish mutual interpretability of Robinson arithmetic, Minimal Predicative Set Theory, quantifier-free part of Kirby’s finitary set theory, and Adjunctive Set Theory, with or without extensionality. The most basic arithmetic and simplest set theory thus turn out to be variants of string theory.
A GRAPH-THEORETIC ANALYSIS OF THE SEMANTIC PARADOXES
Authors: BERINGER TIMO , SCHINDLER THOMAS
Published: February 2018

We introduce a framework for a graph-theoretic analysis of the semantic paradoxes. Similar frameworks have been recently developed for infinitary propositional languages by Cook [5, 6] and Rabern, Rabern, and Macauley [16]. Our focus, however, will be on the language of first-order arithmetic augmented with a primitive truth predicate. Using Leitgeb’s [14] notion of semantic dependence, we assign reference graphs (rfgs) to the sentences of this language and define a notion of paradoxicality in terms of acceptable decorations of rfgs with truth values. It is shown that this notion of paradoxicality coincides with that of Kripke [13]. In order to track down the structural components of an rfg that are responsible for paradoxicality, we show that any decoration can be obtained in a three-stage process: first, the rfg is unfolded into a tree, second, the tree is decorated with truth values (yielding a dependence tree in the sense of Yablo [21]), and third, the decorated tree is re-collapsed onto the rfg. We show that paradoxicality enters the picture only at stage three. Due to this we can isolate two basic patterns necessary for paradoxicality. Moreover, we conjecture a solution to the characterization problem for dangerous rfgs that amounts to the claim that basically the Liar- and the Yablo graph are the only paradoxical rfgs. Furthermore, we develop signed rfgs that allow us to distinguish between ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ reference and obtain more fine-grained versions of our results for unsigned rfgs.
The Influence of Traffic, Area Location, and Other Factors on Operating Room Microbial Load
Authors: Taaffe Kevin , Lee Brandon , Ferrand Yann , Fredendall Lawrence , San Dee , Salgado Cassandra , Shvorin Dotan , Khoshkenar Amin , Reeves Scott ,   the Realizing Improved Patient Care through Human-Centered Design in the Operating Room (RIPCHD.OR) Study Group
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE

To determine how the movement of patients, equipment, materials, staff, and door openings within the operating room (OR) affect microbial loads at various locations within the OR.

DESIGN

Observation and sampling study.

SETTING

Academic health center, public hospital.

METHODS

We first analyzed 27 videotaped procedures to determine the areas in the OR with high and low numbers of people in transit. We then placed air samplers and settle plates in representative locations during 21 procedures in 4 different ORs during 2 different seasons of the year to measure microbial load in colony-forming units (CFU). The temperature and humidity, number of door openings, physical movement, and the number of people in the OR were measured for each procedure. Statistical analysis was conducted using hierarchical regression.

RESULTS

The microbial load was affected by the time of year that the samples were taken. Both microbial load measured by the air samplers and by settle plates in 1 area of the OR was correlated with the physical movement of people in the same area but not with the number of door openings and the number of people in the OR.

CONCLUSIONS

Movement in the OR is correlated with the microbial load. Establishing operational guidelines or developing OR layouts that focus on minimizing movement by incorporating desirable internal storage points and workstations can potentially reduce microbial load, thereby potentially reducing surgical site infection risk.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:391–397
Reevaluation of Late Pleistocene loess profiles at Remizovka (Kazakhstan) indicates the significance of topography in evaluating terrestrial paleoclimate records
Authors: Sprafke Tobias , Fitzsimmons Kathryn E. , Grützner Christoph , Elliot Austin , Marquer Laurent , Nigmatova Saida
Published: February 2018

We report on a loess-paleosol sequence (LPS) near Remizovka, located in the northern Tian Shan piedmont of southeastern Kazakhstan. This site represents a key record for Late Pleistocene climatic fluctuations at the intersection of major northern hemisphere climate subsystems. This paper develops a synthesized dataset of previous conflicting studies at Remizovka by characterizing their (paleo)topographic context, which had remained previously overlooked. Digital elevation models, satellite images, and archival photography characterize recent topographic developments. Two well-developed pedocomplexes, which we investigate in detail and date by luminescence mark the paleotopography during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. Peak dust accumulation rates here occurred during the middle MIS 5 and MIS 4/early MIS 3. These are partially comparable with records from neighboring regions, but not in phase with global ice volume records. This discrepancy may be related to a distinct regional environmental response to larger-scale climatic drivers and local topographic influences on dust deposition patterns. Our findings confirm the potential of the LPS Remizovka to provide high-resolution paleoclimate data for the Late Pleistocene. The three-dimensional stratigraphic reconstruction reinforces the caution required to correctly interpret loess formation processes prior to their interpretation as paleoclimate archives, and provides guidelines for a more suitable approach.
The significance of atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients with epistaxis
Authors: Elwany S , Ibrahim A A , Soliman A I , Bazak R , Ibrahim H A
Published: February 2018

Background:

The relationship between hypertension and epistaxis is controversial and poorly understood. The present research investigated atherosclerosis as a potential risk factor in hypertensive patients with epistaxis.

Methods:

A prospective study of 141 hypertensive patients with epistaxis was conducted. The laboratory tests included full blood count, lipid profile and coagulation profile. All patients underwent funduscopic examination of the eye and were classified in terms of four retinopathy grades.

Results:

There were strong positive correlations between the number of nosebleeds and retinopathy grade and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. There were weak correlations between the number of nosebleeds and blood pressure readings and triglycerides levels. Patients with grade III retinopathy, suggesting atherosclerosis, suffered from more frequent nosebleeds than other patients.

Conclusion:

Atherosclerosis is one of the potential risk factors in hypertensive patients with epistaxis. This may have an impact on treatment choices.
Good correlation between visual analogue scale and numerical rating scale in the assessment of nasal obstruction
Authors: Haye R , Døsen L K , Tarangen M , Shiryaeva O
Published: February 2018

Objective:

Results from telephone interviews may be needed to supplement those from mailed questionnaires when response rates are inadequate. This study assessed the correlation between visual analogue scale ratings used in mailed questionnaires and numerical rating scale scores used in telephone interviews.

Methods:

Patients scheduled for nasal septal surgery routinely respond to a visual analogue scale of obstruction during the day and at night. In this study, they were also asked to verbally rate their sense of obstruction using whole numbers.

Results:

There was no significant difference between visual analogue scale and numerical rating scale obstruction scores.

Conclusion:

Ratings of nasal obstruction obtained with a numerical rating scale in telephone interviews are comparable to visual analogue scale scores in mailed questionnaires.
An event-semantic account of spatial modification in the acquisition of Mandarin
Authors: DENG Xiangjun , YIP Virginia
Published: February 2018

This study investigates Mandarin-speaking children's knowledge of event semantics in interpreting spatial modifiers withzai‘at’ after a posture verb or before a placement verb. The event-semantic principles investigated include subevent modification (Parsons, 1990) and aspect shift (Fong, 1997). We conducted an experimental study using modified forced choice, video choice, and elicited production techniques with five groups of children (two- to six-year-olds) and an adult control group. Three-year-olds were sensitive to the ambiguity ofzai-PPs with placement verbs and posture verbs, suggesting guidance from principles of aspect shift and subevent modification. On the other hand, distributional properties of the input play a role in acquiring the interpretation and word order ofzai: e.g., four-year-olds significantly differed from adults in accepting non-target V-zaisentences, as some verb classes can take postverbal prepositional phrases withzaiwhile others cannot in adult usage.
MARKET POWER AND THE AGGREGATE SAVING RATE
Authors: Giusto Andrea , İşcan Talan B.
Published: February 2018

Can increasing market power cause a decrease in the aggregate savings? We answer this question by using a heterogeneous agents model that features both idiosyncratic labor and capital income risk. Under complete markets, the saving rate does not depend on the degree of market power, but when markets are incomplete, higher markups substantially reduce the aggregate saving rate. This is due to endogenous changes in the distribution of income and wealth. A calibration of the model using the observed changes in market power in the United States since the 1970s closely matches the decline in the US saving rate. Furthermore, when market power increases, the model generates distributional changes that are consistent with the data.
Chir99021 and Valproic acid reduce the proliferative advantage of Apc mutant cells
Authors: Langlands Alistair J. , Carroll Thomas D. , Chen Yu , Näthke Inke
Published: February 2018

More than 90% of colorectal cancers carry mutations inApcthat drive tumourigenesis. A 'just-right' signalling model proposes thatApcmutations stimulate optimal, but not excessive Wnt signalling, resulting in a growth advantage ofApcmutant over wild-type cells. Reversal of this growth advantage constitutes a potential therapeutic approach. We utilised intestinal organoids to compare the growth ofApcmutant and wild-type cells. Organoids derived fromApcMin/+mice recapitulate stages of intestinal polyposis in culture. They eventually form spherical cysts that reflect the competitive growth advantage of cells that have undergone loss of heterozygosity (LOH). We discovered that this emergence of cysts was inhibited by Chiron99021 and Valproic acid, which potentiates Wnt signalling. Chiron99021 and Valproic acid restrict the growth advantage ofApcmutant cells while stimulating that of wild-type cells, suggesting that excessive Wnt signalling reduces the relative fitness ofApcmutant cells. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated that Chiron99021-treatedApcmutant organoids were rendered susceptible to TSA-induced apoptosis, while wild-type cells were protected.
The type 2 diabetes-associated HMG20A gene is mandatory for islet beta cell functional maturity
Authors: Mellado-Gil Jose M. , Fuente-Martín Esther , Lorenzo Petra I. , Cobo-Vuilleumier Nadia , López-Noriega Livia , Martín-Montalvo Alejandro , Gómez Irene de Gracia Herrera , Ceballos-Chávez Maria , Gómez-Jaramillo Laura , Campos-Caro Antonio , Romero-Zerbo Silvana Y. , Rodríguez-Comas Júlia , Servitja Joan-Marc , Rojo-Martinez Gemma , Hmadcha Abdelkrim , Soria Bernat , Bugliani Marco , Marchetti Piero , Bérmudez-Silva Francisco J. , Reyes Jose C. , Aguilar-Diosdado Manuel , Gauthier Benoit R.
Published: February 2018

HMG20A (also known as iBRAF) is a chromatin factor involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation. Recently small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HMG20A gene have been linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) yet neither expression nor function of this T2DM candidate gene in islets is known. Herein we demonstrate that HMG20A is expressed in both human and mouse islets and that levels are decreased in islets of T2DM donors as compared to islets from non-diabetic donors. In vitro studies in mouse and human islets demonstrated that glucose transiently increased HMG20A transcript levels, a result also observed in islets of gestating mice. In contrast, HMG20A expression was not altered in islets from diet-induced obese and pre-diabetic mice. The T2DM-associated rs7119 SNP, located in the 3′ UTR of the HMG20A transcript reduced the luciferase activity of a reporter construct in the human beta 1.1E7 cell line. Depletion of Hmg20a in the rat INS-1E cell line resulted in decreased expression levels of its neuronal target gene NeuroD whereas Rest and Pax4 were increased. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction of HMG20A with the Pax4 gene promoter. Expression levels of Mafa, Glucokinase, and Insulin were also inhibited. Furthermore, glucose-induced insulin secretion was blunted in HMG20A-depleted islets. In summary, our data demonstrate that HMG20A expression in islet is essential for metabolism-insulin secretion coupling via the coordinated regulation of key islet-enriched genes such as NeuroD and Mafa and that depletion induces expression of genes such as Pax4 and Rest implicated in beta cell de-differentiation. More importantly we assign to the T2DM-linked rs7119 SNP the functional consequence of reducing HMG20A expression likely translating to impaired beta cell mature function.
Norisoboldine, a natural AhR agonist, promotes Treg differentiation and attenuates colitis via targeting glycolysis and subsequent NAD+/SIRT1/SUV39H1/H3K9me3 signaling pathway
Authors: Lv Qi , Wang Kai , Qiao Simiao , Yang Ling , Xin Yirong , Dai Yue , Wei Zhifeng
Published: February 2018

Norisoboldine (NOR), a natural aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist, has been demonstrated to attenuate ulcerative colitis (UC) and induce the generation of Treg cells. Under UC condition, hypoxia widely exists in colonic mucosa, and secondary changes of microRNAs (miRs) expressions and glycolysis contribute to Treg differentiation. At present, we worked for exploring the deep mechanisms for NOR-promoted Treg differentiation in hypoxia and its subsequent anti-UC action from the angle of AhR/miR or AhR/glycolysis axis. Results showed that NOR promoted Treg differentiation in hypoxia and the effect was stronger relative to normoxia. It activated AhR in CD4+ T cells under hypoxic microenvironment; CH223191 (a specific AhR antagonist) and siAhR-3 abolished NOR-promoted Treg differentiation. Furthermore, the progress of glycolysis, levels of Glut1 and HK2, and expression of miR-31 rather than miR-219 and miR-490 in CD4+ T cells were downregulated by NOR treatment under hypoxic microenvironment. However, HK2 plasmid but not miR-31 mimic significantly interfered NOR-enhanced Treg polarization. In addition, NOR reduced NAD+ and SIRT1 levels, facilitated the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of SUV39H1 protein, and inhibited the enrichment of H3K9me3 at −1, 201 to −1,500 region of Foxp3 promoter in CD4+ T cells under hypoxic microenvironment, which was weakened by HK2 plasmid, CH223191, and siAhR-3. Finally, the correlation between NOR-mediated activation of AhR, repression of glycolysis, regulation of NAD+/SIRT1/SUV39H1/H3K9me3 signals, induction of Treg cells, and remission of colitis was confirmed in mice with DSS-induced colitis by using CH223191 and HK2 plasmid. In conclusion, NOR promoted Treg differentiation and then alleviated the development of colitis by regulating AhR/glycolysis axis and subsequent NAD+/SIRT1/SUV39H1/H3K9me3 signaling pathway.
Transcriptional repression of DNA repair genes is a hallmark and a cause of cellular senescence
Authors: Collin Guillaume , Huna Anda , Warnier Marine , Flaman Jean-Michel , Bernard David
Published: February 2018

Cellular senescence response is (i) activated by numerous stresses, (ii) is characterized by a stable proliferation arrest, and (iii) by a set of specific features. Timely regulated senescence is thought to be beneficial, whereas chronic senescence such as during normal or premature aging is deleterious as it favors most, if not all, age-related diseases. In this study, using in-house or publicly available microarray analyses of transcriptomes of senescent cells, as well as analyses of the level of expression of several DNA repair genes by RT-qPCR and immunoblot, we show that repression of DNA repair gene expression is associated with cellular senescence. This repression is mediated by the RB/E2F pathway and it may play a causal role in senescence induction, as single DNA repair gene repression by siRNA induced features of premature senescence. Importantly, activating RB independently of direct DNA damage also results in repression of DNA repair genes and in the subsequent induction of DNA damage and senescence. The dogma is that DNA damage observed during cellular senescence is directly provoked by DNA lesions following genotoxic attack (UV, IR, and ROS) or by induction of replicative stress upon oncogenic activation. Our in vitro results support a largely unsuspected contribution of the loss of DNA repair gene expression in the induction and the accumulation of the DNA damage observed in most, if not all, kinds of cellular senescence, and thus in the induction of cellular senescence. Further demonstration using in vivo models will help to generalize our findings.
Senescence-associated secretory factors induced by cisplatin in melanoma cells promote non-senescent melanoma cell growth through activation of the ERK1/2-RSK1 pathway
Authors: Sun Xuerong , Shi Benyan , Zheng Huiling , Min Ling , Yang Jie , Li Xiaoyi , Liao Xiaoxin , Huang Weixing , Zhang Mingmeng , Xu Shun , Zhu Zhe , Cui Hongjing , Liu Xinguang
Published: February 2018

Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy greatly improve the outcome of melanoma, drug resistance and low response rates still maintain the unsubstitutability of traditional chemotherapy. Cisplatin (CDDP) is widely used in different types of tumours with high response rates, but it generally has low efficiency in melanoma. The mechanisms underpinning the phenomena are not sufficiently understood. Here we demonstrated that various melanoma cell lines adopted senescence phenotype after CDDP treatment in contrast to the other types of tumour cells. CDDP treatment induced melanoma A375 cells into senescence through the sequential activation of the DNA damage response and the P53/P21 pathway. All the senescent melanoma cells induced by CDDP alone or the combination of CDDP and dacarbazine developed robust senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), that is, the secretion of multiple cytokines. IL-1α was an early component and an upstream regulator of SASP. Similarly, CDDP either alone or combined with dacarbazine could induce melanoma cell senescence and SASP in either A375 or B16F10 melanoma xenograft mice. The supernatant of senescent A375 cells promoted the growth of normal non-senescent A375 cells and enhanced their expression and secretion of IL-8 through the activation of the ERK1/2-RSK1 pathway. The transplantation of non-senescent and senescent A375 cells together into nude mice showed accelerated tumour growth compared with transplanting non-senescent cells alone; no tumours developed when transplanting senescent cells alone. Following CDDP administration in A375-bearing mice, the intratumour injection of neutralisation antibodies targeting the SASP factors IL-1α or IL-8 evidently delayed tumour growth. The results suggest that the CDDP-induced senescent melanoma cells promote non-senescent cells proliferation through the activation of ERK1/2-RSK1 pathway by the SASP factors. Cell senescence and concomitant SASP may be the particular mechanisms for melanoma to resist chemotherapeutics.
CFTR mutation enhances Dishevelled degradation and results in impairment of Wnt-dependent hematopoiesis
Authors: Sun Huaqin , Wang Yan , Zhang Jieting , Chen Yan , Liu Yanyan , Lin Ziyuan , Liu Mingfeng , Sheng Kai , Liao Huijuan , Tsang Kam Sze , Zhang Xiaohu , Jiang Xiaohua , Xu Wenming , Mao Meng , Chan Hsiao Chang
Published: February 2018

Mutations of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause cystic fibrosis (CF) with a multitude of clinical manifestations. Some CF patients develop clinically significant anemia, suggesting that CFTR may regulate hematopoiesis. Here, we report that cftr mutant zebrafish model exhibits primitive and definitive hematopoietic defects with impaired Wnt signaling. Cftr is found to interact, via its PDZ-binding domain (PDZBD), with Dishevelled (Dvl), a key component of Wnt signaling required for hematopoietic progenitor specification, thus protecting Dvl from Dapper1 (Dpr1)-induced lysosomal degradation. Defective hematopoiesis and impaired Wnt signaling in cftr mutant can be rescued by overexpression of wild-type or channel function-defective G551D mutant CFTR with an intact PDZBD, but not Cftr with mutations in the PDZBD. Analysis of human database (http://r2.amc.nl) shows that CFTR is positively correlated with DVL2 and Wnt-related hematopoietic factors in human blood system. The results reveal a previously unrecognized role of CFTR, which is independent of its channel function, in regulating DVL degradation and thus Wnt signaling required for hematopoiesis in both zebrafish and humans, providing an explanation for the anemic phenotype of CF patients.