bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breed is associated with the ABCB1‐1Δ mutation in Australian dogs
Authors: Soussa RW , Woodward A , Marty M , Cannon CM
Published: November 2019

Objective

The ABCB1 gene encodes P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), a cellular membrane pump. One functional mutation that leads to expression of a less functional form of P‐gp, ABCB1‐1Δ, has been described in dogs. Individuals with this mutation can have severe adverse reactions to common veterinary pharmaceuticals that are known substrates of this pump. We investigated the detection of this mutation in samples submitted to two Australian diagnostic laboratories.

Methods

A total of 4842 dogs across 27 breeds were tested for the ABCB1‐1Δ mutation from buccal swabs or EDTA blood using standard PCR, multiplex PCR, or genotyping chip. Statistical analysis was applied to determine the proportions and odds ratios of the ABCB1‐1Δ mutation in herding breeds compared with non‐herding breeds.

Results

The ABCB1‐1Δ mutation was detected in nine breeds. The most commonly affected breeds were collies, Australian shepherds, white Swiss shepherds, and Shetland sheepdogs. Of 32 dogs in 18 non‐herding breeds tested, one cocker spaniel and one labradoodle were positive for the mutation, both heterozygous.

Conclusion

The most frequently affected breeds for ABCB1‐1Δ mutation are the collie, Australian shepherd, white Swiss shepherd and Shetland sheepdog. As the mutation is associated with an increased incidence of adverse reactions to commonly used pharmaceuticals, veterinarians need to be aware of the breeds at most risk of carrying this mutation and consider testing these individuals prior to administering these medications.
The critical aspects of co‐creating and co‐capturing sustainable value in service business models
Authors: Aagaard Annabeth , Ritzén Sofia
Published: November 2019

Numerous researchers and practitioners emphasize the potential to create value through sustainable business models (SBMs). However, little attention has been paid to how sustainable value is proposed, created, delivered, and captured in the organization, and how customers perceive sustainable value in service. The aim of this paper is to explore this research gap empirically through a case study of sustainable value (co‐)creation through SBMs of sustainable service innovations as experienced among two hotels' managers, employees and customers. The contributions of the study relate to the development of SBMs in service, where the value processes happen simultaneously and where the element value perception has to be added to the extant SBM literature, which is closely related to the creation and delivery of physical goods as in product‐oriented industries. The study also contributes through the dual perspective (providers and customers) on sustainable value proposition, value creation and value capture. The findings reveal different key aspects in creating and capturing sustainable value through SBMs and sustainable service innovation. The managerial implications for creating and implementing SBM in service stress the need for employee engagement, customer involvement and targeted and personal communication educating internal and external sustainability ambassadors.
New addiction to the NRF2‐related factor NRF3 in cancer cells: Ubiquitin‐independent proteolysis through the 20S proteasome
Authors: Kobayashi Akira , Waku Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2019

Accumulating evidence has revealed that human cancers develop by sequentially mutating pivotal genes, including driver genes, and acquiring cancer hallmarks. For instance, cancer cells are addicted to the transcription factor NRF2 (NFE2L2), which is a driver gene that utilizes the cellular cytoprotection system against oxidative stress and metabolic pathway reprogramming for sustaining high growth. Our group has recently discovered a new addiction to the NRF2‐related factor NRF3 (NFE2L3) in cancer. For many years, the physiological function of NRF3 remained obscure, in part because Nrf3‐deficient mice do not show apparent abnormalities. Nevertheless, human cancer genome databases suggest critical roles of NRF3 in cancer because of high NRF3 mRNA induction in several cancer types, such as colorectal cancer and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with a poor prognosis. We found that NRF3 promotes tumor growth and malignancy by activating ubiquitin‐independent 20S proteasome assembly through inducing the expression of the proteasome maturation protein (POMP) chaperone and thereby degrading the tumor suppressors p53 and Rb. The NRF3‐POMP‐20S proteasome axis has an entirely different effect on cancer than NRF2. In this review, we describe recent research advances regarding the new cancer effector NRF3, including unclarified ubiquitin‐independent proteolysis by the NRF3‐POMP‐20S proteasome axis. The expected development of cancer therapeutic interventions for this axis is also discussed.
Elite artificial bees' colony algorithm to solve robot's fuzzy constrained routing problem
Authors: Abbaszadeh Sori Ali , Ebrahimnejad Ali , Motameni Homayun
Published: November 2019

One of the fundamental challenges of the robotics field is robot's movement. That is, why route planning is an eminent issue of robotics research and it is used to enhance autonomy of moving robots in complex environments. The objective of route planning problem is to find the shortest route without collide from initiation point to destination point so that the amount of energy consumption by robot would not exceed a predefined amount. Because neither the amount of energy consumption nor the robot's passed distance index cannot be measured precisely due to environmental conditions, and fuzzy data is used for modeling the problem and the problem would be called “Robot Fuzzy Constrained shortest Route” problem. The main contributions of this study are fivefold: (i) The mathematical model of fuzzy constrained shortest route problem (FCSRP) is formulated; (ii) An elite artificial bees' colony (EABC) algorithm is used to solve the robot's FSCRP; (iii) The proposed EABC algorithm is simulated with two fuzzy networks; (iv) The performance of the proposed approach is compared with the performance of genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization algorithm; and (v) The results show the convergence speed of the EABC algorithm is higher than the existing algorithms.
The effects of dapagliflozin on cardio‐renal risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes with or without renin‐angiotensin system inhibitor treatment: a post hoc analysis
Authors: Scholtes Rosalie A. , van Raalte Daniël H. , Correa‐Rotter Ricardo , Toto Robert D. , Heerspink Hiddo J. L. , Cain Valerie , Sjöström C. David , Sartipy Peter , Stefánsson Bergur V.
Published: November 2019

Aims

Renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) are the most effective treatments for diabetic kidney disease but significant residual renal risk remains, possibly because of other mechanisms of kidney disease progression unrelated to RAS that may be present. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors reduce albuminuria and may complement RASi by offering additional renal protection. This post hoc analysis investigated the effects of dapagliflozin on cardio‐renal risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with increased albuminuria treated with or without RASi at baseline.

Materials and methods

We evaluated the effects of dapagliflozin 10 mg/day over 12–24 weeks across 13 placebo‐controlled studies in patients with T2D with a urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g at baseline. Patients were divided into two subgroups based on treatment with or without RASi at baseline.

Results

Compared with patients with RASi at baseline (n = 957), patients without RASi (n = 302) were younger, had a shorter duration of diabetes (7 vs. 12 years), higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and lower UACR, serum uric acid (sUA), body weight and systolic blood pressure. Placebo‐adjusted treatment effects of dapagliflozin on UACR, eGFR, glycated haemoglobin and haematocrit over 24 weeks were similar across groups. Mean reductions in body weight and sUA were more distinct in patients without RASi treatment at baseline.

Conclusions

Treatment with dapagliflozin over 24 weeks provides similar clinically relevant improvements in metabolic and haemodynamic parameters, and similar reductions in UACR, in patients with T2D with elevated albuminuria treated with or without RASi at baseline.
Comparing the feasibility and accuracy of three‐dimensional ultrasound to two‐dimensional ultrasound and computed tomography angiography in the assessment of carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Song Shinjeong , Heo Ran , Lee Sang‐Eun , Park Jinki , Lee Jinyong , Kim Sujin , Cho In Jeong , Chang Hyuk‐Jae
Published: November 2019

Aims

Two‐dimensional ultrasound (2D‐US) is the mainstay imaging technique used to evaluate carotid atherosclerosis. An automated single sweep three‐dimensional ultrasound (3D‐US) technique became available. We evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of 3D‐US in the assessment of carotid plaques compared to those of 2D‐US. Carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used as a reference.

Methods and results

Among 126 stroke patients who underwent carotid 2D‐US, 73 underwent 3D‐US and carotid CTA. 3D‐US was pursued when there were carotid plaques or when area stenosis was ≥ 20% by 2D‐US. Both 2D‐ and 3D‐US images of the carotid arteries were acquired using a dedicated ultrasound system that was equipped with the single sweep volumetric transducer. In total, 266 arteries from 73 patients were selected for comparison of the detection rate of carotid plaques between 2D‐ and 3D‐US. Among the 73 patients, carotid CTA detected 139 plaques. 3D‐US demonstrated a higher detection rate of carotid plaques than did 2D‐US (108 plaques (77.9%) vs. 70 plaques (50.4%)) when using carotid CTA as a reference standard. Carotid plaque volume (PV) of 133 vessels from 73 patients were quantitatively evaluated using both 3D‐US and carotid CTA. Plaque volume of carotid artery was comparable between 3D‐US and CTA (148.5 ± 133.0 mm3 vs. 154.1 ± 134.6 mm3, P = .998, R: 0.9825, P‐value for r < .001).

Conclusion

3D‐US using a single sweep technique was a feasible and accurate method of detecting arterial plaques and assessing plaque volume.
Human‐dominated land uses favour species affiliated with more extreme climates, especially in the tropics
Authors: Williams Jessica J. , Bates Amanda E. , Newbold Tim
Published: November 2019

Rapid human population growth has driven conversion of land for uses such as agriculture, transportation and buildings. The removal of natural vegetation changes local climate, with human‐dominated land uses often warmer and drier than natural habitats. Yet, it remains an open question whether land‐use changes influence the composition of ecological assemblages in a direction consistent with the mechanism of local climatic change. Here, we used a global database of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians) to test whether human‐dominated land uses systematically favour species with distinctive realised climatic niches. We 1) explored the responses of community‐average temperature and precipitation niches to different types of land use, 2) quantified the abundances of species with distinctive climatic niches across land uses and 3) tested for differences in emergent patterns in communities from tropical versus temperate latitudes. We found that, in comparison to species from undisturbed natural habitats, the average animal found in human‐altered habitats lives in areas with higher maximum and lower minimum temperatures and higher maximum and lower minimum precipitation levels. We further found that tropical assemblages diverged more strongly than temperate assemblages between natural and human‐altered habitats, possibly because tropical species are more sensitive to climatic conditions. These results strongly implicate the role of land‐use change in favouring species affiliated with more extreme climatic conditions, thus systematically reshaping the composition of terrestrial biological assemblages. Our findings have the potential to inform species' vulnerability assessments and highlight the importance of preserving local climate refugia.
The effects of straw incorporation with plastic film mulch on soil properties and bacterial community structure on the loess plateau
Authors: Li Yüze , Hu Yingchun , Song Duanpu , Liang Shihan , Qin Xiaoliang , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: November 2019

The application of plastic film mulch and the return and incorporation of crop straw into topsoil as independent treatments affect soil physicochemical properties, including nutrient balance/cycling. It remains unclear whether combining straw incorporation and plastic film mulch significantly affects soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities. We conducted a two‐factor (plastic film mulch application and maize straw incorporation) randomized block design experiment with four treatments: no plastic film mulch or straw incorporation (C), plastic film mulch (M), straw incorporation without mulch (CS) and straw incorporation with mulch (MS). Soil was sampled at the end of the growing cycle after 3 years of treatment. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3−‐N) concentrations significantly improved after straw incorporation. Plastic film mulch had a significant negative effect on soil bacterial richness, whereas straw incorporation had no effect. Straw incorporation had a significant positive effect on bacterial diversity, whereas plastic film mulch had no effect. The MS and M treatments had significantly more Proteobacteria than the C and CS treatments. Formation of the soil bacterial community structure was driven by soil TN, NO3−‐N and SOC in the treatments with straw incorporation, and soil ammonium‐nitrogen (NH4+‐N) in the treatments without straw incorporation. In conclusion, plastic film mulch coupled with straw incorporation can significantly change the taxonomical and functional composition of soil bacterial communities and enhance soil bacterial diversity by affecting carbon and nitrogen cycling in cropland soils of farmland, especially in arid and semiarid regions.

Highlights

SOC, TN and NO3−–N concentrations significantly improved after straw incorporation

Straw incorporation had a greater effect on bacterial communities than plastic film mulch

Soil bacterial community structure was driven by soil TN, NO3−–N and SOC after straw incorporation

Soil bacterial community structure was driven by soil NH4+‐N without straw incorporation.
A novel tool to assess the effect of intraspecific spatial niche variation on species distribution shifts under climate change
Authors: Martin Youri , Van Dyck Hans , Legendre Pierre , Settele Josef , Schweiger Oliver , Harpke Alexander , Wiemers Martin , Ameztegui Aitor , Titeux Nicolas
Published: November 2019

Aim

Niche‐based models often ignore spatial variation in the climatic niche of a species across its occupied range and the related variation in the response to changing climate conditions. This assumption may lead to inaccurate predictions of species distribution shifts under climate change. Models have been developed to address this issue, but most of them depend upon prior knowledge on evolutionary lineages, phenotypic traits or ecological processes underlying local adaptation or adaptive plasticity. As such information is often lacking, these models are not frequently used to predict distribution shifts for many species. This limits our ability to explore general patterns of change across species.

Innovation

Here, we propose a modelling framework that can be applied across a large sample of species to assess their distribution shifts under future climate while exploring the effect of intraspecific spatial variation in the response to climate conditions. The proposed approach does not require a detailed understanding of the processes underlying such variation. The geographical distribution of a species is split into spatial subsets along the gradient of occupied climate conditions. These subsets are considered as proxies for intraspecific spatial niche variation. Local models are built with each subset and their predictions are assembled across the study area under different dispersal assumptions. Using European butterflies as an example, we show that this approach can be used to explore the uncertainty about predicted distribution shifts arising from intraspecific spatial variation in sensitivity and response to changing climate conditions.

Main conclusions

Our modelling approach is not intended to replace advanced modelling methods based on species‐specific knowledge of ecological and evolutionary processes, but it is useful as an exploratory tool to detect species for which detailed information on intraspecific responses to climate conditions is likely to make a difference for prediction of future distribution shifts.
Clinical application of Web Accessible Population Pharmacokinetic Service—Hemophilia (WAPPS‐Hemo): Patterns of blood sampling and patient characteristics among clinician users
Authors: McEneny‐King Alanna , Yeung Cindy HT , Edginton Andrea N. , Iorio Alfonso , Croteau Stacy E.
Published: November 2019

Background

Use of population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) to facilitate PK‐informed prophylaxis in clinical practice has gained momentum among haemophilia providers due to the accessibility of tools such as the Web Accessible Population Pharmacokinetic Service—Hemophilia (WAPPS‐Hemo) and availability of extended half‐life (EHL) factor concentrates. It is unknown how clinicians implement PopPK.

Aim

To investigate the evolution of PopPK use in clinical practice by comparing blood sampling strategies, patient features, and factor group between initial and recent periods of WAPPS‐Hemo availability.

Methods

PK data for haemophilia A and haemophilia B patients from two time periods were extracted from the WAPPS‐Hemo database: early availability (10/2015‐09/2016) and recent use (10/2017‐09/2018). We compared patient characteristics (age, body weight, haemophilia type), product type and dose, and blood sampling times between the time frames.

Results

Over 1900 eligible infusions were submitted to WAPPS‐Hemo during the periods studied, with 85% representing FVIII concentrates. In the recent cohort, PK profiles were requested for younger patients (median age 18 vs 26 years), with increased proportional EHL FVIII use (29% vs 14% of infusions). High‐use centres generally submitted fewer blood samples per infusion than non‐high‐use centres, although the number of samples collected by non‐high‐use centres decreased significantly over time. During both periods, blood sample timing was generally consistent with ISTH recommended windows.

Conclusion

The use of WAPPS‐Hemo by haemophilia providers grew by over threefold between the time periods investigated. While sampling times have included key time points proposed first by Björkman since early WAPPS‐Hemo usage, a trend towards minimizing sampling was observed.
CuO (Bromosphaerol) and CeMo (8 Hydroxyquinoline) microcontainers incorporated into commercial marine paints
Authors: Kordas George
Published: November 2019

We developed CuO and CeMo microcontainers, which were filled with Bromosphaerol (CuO (BR)), Sea‐Nine 211 (CuO (SN)) and 8‐Hydroxyquinoline (CeMo (8‐HQ)). We created coatings on metals using the basic resins we took from the WILKENS and Re‐Turn companies without additives of the companies. The coatings were studied in the laboratory after exposure to marine environment in Mikrolimano harbor in a distance of 12 km southwest from the city of Piraeus in the east coast of the Saronic Gulf (WILKENS) and Singapore harbor (Re‐Turn). Laboratory measurements showed that CeMo (8‐HQ) coatings exhibit better anticorrosion stability of paints in sea water than commercial paints. With regard to the incorporation of CuO (BR) into commercial paints, the results showed a drastic improvement in antifouling behavior from that resulting from commercial paints. The contact angle with water is improved by Θ = 70° to Θ = 115° possible through morphology of the surface due to the effect of the incorporation of microcontainers ensuring a better cruising behavior of the ship. This entails a dramatic rise in cruising speed, reducing fuel consumption and reducing air pollution. The technology was tested by the partial painting of two ships with our technology, one ship which traveled for a year in the Adriatic Sea (Sea Anemos) and the other traveled over a year in the Nord Sea (Berge Arzew).
Dual regulation of Li+ migration of Li6.4La3Zr1.4M0.6O12 (M = Sb, Ta, Nb) by bottleneck size and bond length of M−O
Authors: Xiang Xing , Chen Fei , Yang Wenyun , Yang Jinbo , Ma Xiaobai , Chen Dongfeng , Su Kai , Shen Qiang , Zhang Lianmeng
Published: November 2019

Bottleneck size is the minimum Li+ migration channel of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and it greatly influences the Li+ conductivity. Doping different elements on the Zr site of LLZO can adjust the bottleneck size and improve the Li+ conductivity. However, the regulation mechanism is not clear. In this work, Li6.4La3Zr1.4M0.6O12 (M = Sb, Ta, Nb) has been prepared and the bottleneck size has been adjusted by doping different pentavalent ions. The results manifest that the cell parameter and bottleneck size decrease with the rise of the radius of doped pentavalent ions. This is because larger pentavalent ion leads to larger bond length of M–O, and weaker covalent component between M5+ and O2‐, corresponding, the formal charge on the M5+ become larger, and the bond length of La–O slightly decreases due to the coulomb repulsion between La3+ and M5+ increase. While, the activation energy drop firstly and then rise with the rise of bottleneck size because of the migration of Li+ not only relate to the size of the migration channel but also to the strength of M–O covalent bonding. The bottleneck size and bond length of M–O synergistically affect the migration of Li+.
Systematic screening identifies a 2‐gene signature as a high‐potential prognostic marker of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma/myxofibrosarcoma
Authors: Hu Qinsheng , Zhou Shijie , Hu Xuefeng , Zhang Hua , Huang Shishu , Wang Yunbing
Published: November 2019

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network confirmed that undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) share a high level of genomic similarities and fall into a single spectrum of tumour. However, no molecular prognostic biomarkers have been identified in UPS/MFS. In this study, by extracting data from TCGA‐Sarcoma (SARC), we explored relapse‐related genes, their prognostic value and possible mechanisms of the dysregulations. After systematic screening, ITGA10 and PPP2R2B were included to construct a 2‐gene signature. The 2‐gene signature had an AUC value of 0.83 and had an independent prognostic value in relapse‐free survival (RFS) (HR: 2.966, 95%CI: 1.995‐4.410 P < .001), and disease‐specific survival (DSS) (HR: 2.283, 95%CI: 1.358‐3.835, P = .002), as a continuous variable. Gene‐level copy number alterations (CNAs) were irrelevant to their dysregulation. Two CpG sites (cg15585341 and cg04126335) around the promoter of ITGA10 showed strong negative correlations with ITGA10 expression (Pearson's r < −0.6). Transcript preference was observed in PPP2R2B expression. The methylation of some CpG sites in two gene body regions showed at least moderate positive correlations (Pearson's r > .4) with PPP2R2B expression. Besides, the 2‐gene signature showed a moderate negative correlation with CD4 + T cell infiltration. High‐level CD4 + T cell infiltration and neutrophil infiltration were associated with significantly better RFS. Based on these findings, we infer that the 2‐gene signature might be a potential prognostic marker in patients with UPS/MFS. Considering the potential benefits of immunotherapy for UPS/MFS patients, it is imperative to explore the predictive value of this signature in immunotherapeutic responses in the future.
Nominal GDP Targeting with Heterogeneous Labor Supply
Authors: BULLARD JAMES , SINGH AARTI
Published: November 2019

We study nominal gross domestic product (GDP) targeting as optimal monetary policy in a model with a credit market friction following Azariadis et al. (2018), henceforth ABSS. We extend the ABSS framework to allow for heterogeneous labor supply. We show that nominal GDP targeting continues to characterize optimal monetary policy in this setting. We also analyze the incomplete markets equilibrium that exists when the monetary policymaker pursues a suboptimal policy, and show how an extension to more general preferences can limit the ability of the policymaker to provide full insurance to households in this setting.
When I say … entrustability
Authors: ten Cate Olle
Published: November 2019

In this latest contribution to the "When I say…" series, the author clarifies defining features of the words 'entrustable' and 'entrustability' while highlighting confusions that can arise when used differently.
The zinc finger proteins ZC3H20 and ZC3H21 stabilise mRNAs encoding membrane proteins and mitochondrial proteins in insect‐form Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Liu Bin , Kamanyi Marucha Kevin , Clayton Christine
Published: November 2019

ZC3H20 and ZC3H21 are related trypanosome proteins with two C(x)8C(x)5C(x)3H zinc finger motifs. ZC3H20 is present at a low level in replicating mammalian‐infective bloodstream forms, but becomes more abundant when they undergo growth arrest at high density; ZC3H21 appears only in the procyclic form of the parasite, which infects Tsetse flies. Each protein binds to several hundred mRNAs, with overlapping but not identical specificities. Both increase expression of bound mRNAs, probably through recruitment of the MKT1‐PBP1 complex. At least 28 of the bound mRNAs decrease after depletion of ZC3H20, or of ZC3H20 and ZC3H21 together; their products include procyclic‐specific proteins of the plasma membrane and energy metabolism. Simultaneous depletion of ZC3H20 and ZC3H21 causes procyclic forms to shrink and stop growing; in addition to decreases in target mRNAs, there are other changes suggestive of loss of developmental regulation. The bloodstream‐form‐specific protein RBP10 controls ZC3H20 and ZC3H21 expression. Interestingly, some ZC3H20/21 target mRNAs also bind to and are repressed by RBP10, allowing for dynamic regulation as RBP10 decreases and ZC3H20 and ZC3H21 increase during differentiation.
Role of depressive symptoms in subjective memory complaint in older adults with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Song Dan , Yu Doris S. F. , Li Polly W. C. , He Guijuan , Shen Cuizhen , Chen Guolin , Sun Qiuhua
Published: November 2019

Aims

To explore the independent relationship between depressive symptoms and subjective memory complaint (SMC) amongst older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) after adjusting for objective cognitive function and other important confounding factors.

Background

subjective memory complaint is a core symptom of MCI and is often the primary reason for older adults with MCI to seek for medical help. Improving subjective memory amongst older adults with MCI is important to enhance their quality of life and potentially delay further cognitive decline. Depressive symptoms, which are highly prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms amongst older adults with MCI, may be one of the reasons that affect an individual's self‐perception of memory function. However, there is a dearth of studies to provide a thorough evaluation of the independent relationship between depressive symptoms and SMC amongst older adults with MCI.

Design

A descriptive correlational study.

Methods

A consecutive sample (N = 154) of adults aged over 60 years was recruited from a community healthcare centre between June and September 2016. MCI was detected using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Depressive symptoms and subjective memory were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale and Memory Inventory for the Chinese, respectively. Hierarchical regression was performed to explore the relationship between SMC and depressive symptoms, with control over objective cognitive function, socio‐demographic and health‐related confounding factors.

Results

After controlling objective cognitive function and other confounding factors, SMC was independently associated with depressive symptoms (standardised β = 0.336, p < .001). This psychological status even explained for a greater variance (R2 = 8.8%) for SMC compared with objective cognitive function (R2 = 2.4%).

Conclusion

subjective memory complaint was independently associated with depressive symptoms in older adults with MCI. Early detection and management of depressive symptoms are highly important amongst this clinical cohort.

Implications for practice

Early detection and prompt treatment of depressive symptoms is a highly prioritised care agenda in managing SMC in older adults with MCI.
The genetic architecture of vitiligo
Authors: Roberts Genevieve H. L. , Santorico Stephanie A. , Spritz Richard A.
Published: November 2019

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which destruction of skin melanocytes results in patches of white skin and hair. Genome‐wide linkage studies and genome‐wide association studies in European ancestry cases identified over 50 vitiligo susceptibility loci, defining a model of melanocyte‐directed autoimmunity. Vitiligo heritability is exceedingly high, ~2/3 coming from common and ~1/3 from rare genomic variants; ~20% of vitiligo risk is environmental. Vitiligo genetic risk is polygenic, with greater additive risk in multiplex vitiligo families than simplex cases. Vitiligo age‐of‐onset is bimodal, also involving a major genetic component; a MHC enhancer haplotype confers extreme risk for vitiligo (OR 8.1) and early disease onset, increasing expression of HLA‐DQB1 mRNA and HLA‐DQ protein and thus perhaps facilitating presentation of triggering antigens. Vitiligo triggering also involves a major environmental component; dramatic delay in vitiligo age‐of‐onset, especially from 1973 to 2004, suggests that exposure or response to a key vitiligo environmental trigger diminished during this period. Together, these findings provide deep understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis and genetic architecture, suggesting that vitiligo represents a tractable model for investigating complex disease genetic architecture and predictive aspects of personalized medicine.
Particle sliding down an arbitrary concave curve in the Lagrangian formalism
Authors: Balart Leonardo , Belmar-Herrera Sebastián
Published: November 2019

We apply the method of Lagrange multipliers to the problem of a particle sliding on an arbitrary concave downward surface under the action of gravity to obtain the point where it leaves the surface.
Shigella flexneri
Adherence Factor Expression in
In Vivo
-Like Conditions
Authors: Chanin Rachael B. , Nickerson Kourtney P. , Llanos-Chea Alejandro , Sistrunk Jeticia R. , Rasko David A. , Kumar Deepak Kumar Vijaya , de la Parra John , Auclair Jared R. , Ding Jessica , Li Kelvin , Dogiparthi Snaha Krishna , Kusber Benjamin J. D. , Faherty Christina S.
Published: November 2019

Bacterial pathogens have evolved to regulate virulence gene expression at critical points in the colonization and infection processes to successfully cause disease. The
Shigella
species infect the epithelial cells lining the colon to result in millions of cases of diarrhea and a significant global health burden. As antibiotic resistance rates increase, understanding the mechanisms of infection is vital to ensure successful vaccine development. Despite significant gains in our understanding of
Shigella
infection, it remains unknown how the bacteria initiate contact with the colonic epithelium. Most pathogens harbor multiple adherence factors to facilitate this process, but
Shigella
was thought to have lost the ability to produce these factors. Interestingly, we have identified conditions that mimic some features of gastrointestinal transit and that enable
Shigella
to express adherence structural genes. This work highlights aspects of genetic regulation for
Shigella
adherence factors and may have a significant impact on future vaccine development.
Plate-tectonic processes at ca. 2.0 Ga: Evidence from >600 km of plate convergence
Authors: Yin An , Brandl Günther , Kröner Alfred
Published: November 2019

We addressed when plate-tectonic processes first started on Earth by examining the ca. 2.0 Ga Limpopo orogenic belt in southern Africa. We show through palinspastic reconstruction that the Limpopo orogen originated from >600 km of west-directed thrusting, and the thrust sheet was subsequently folded by north-south compression. The common 2.7–2.6 Ga felsic plutons in the Limpopo thrust sheet and the absence of an arc immediately predating the 2.0 Ga Limpopo thrusting require the Limpopo belt to be an intracontinental structure. The similar duration (∼40 m.y.), slip magnitude (>600 km), slip rate (>15 mm/yr), tectonic setting (intracontinental), and widespread anatexis to those of the Himalayan orogen lead us to propose the Limpopo belt to have developed by continent-continent collision. Specifically, the combined Zimbabwe-Kaapvaal craton (ZKC, named in this study) in the west (present coordinates) was subducting eastward below an outboard craton (OC), which carried an arc equivalent to the Gangdese batholith in southern Tibet prior to the India-Asia collision. The ZKC-OC collision at ca. 2.0 Ga triggered a westward jump in the plate convergence boundary, from the initial suture zone to the Limpopo thrust within the ZKC. Subsequent thrusting accommodated >600 km of plate convergence, possibly driven by ridge push from the west side of the ZKC. As intracontinental plate convergence is a key modern plate-tectonic process, the development of the Limpopo belt implies that the operation of plate tectonics, at least at a local scale, was ongoing by ca. 2.0 Ga on Earth.
Relationship between aldose reductase enzyme and the signaling pathway of protein kinase C in an in vitro diabetic retinopathy model
Authors: Sarikaya Mutlu , Yazihan Nuray , Daş Evcimen Net
Published: November 2019

Protein kinase C (PKC) and aldose reductase (AR) enzyme activities are increased in diabetes and complications are include retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. However, the relationship between PKC and AR and the underlying molecular mechanisms is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between these two enzymes and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms by the related signaling molecules. The effects of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress on AR and PKC enzymes and the signaling molecules such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inhibitor kappa B-alpha (IkB-α), total c-Jun, phospho c-Jun, and stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK)/Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK) were evaluated in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19). AR, PKC protein levels, and related signaling molecules increased with hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. The AR inhibitor sorbinil decreased PKC expression and activity and all signaling molecule protein levels. Increased AR expression during hyperglycemia and oxidative stress was found to be correlated with the increase in PKC expression and activity in both conditions. Decreased expression and activity of PKC and the protein levels of related signaling molecules with the AR inhibitor sorbinil showed that AR enzyme may play a key role in the expression of PKC enzyme and oxidative stress during diabetes.
The use of particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique in the biomonitoring of catarinense coal basin ecosystems: a review
Authors: Zocche Jairo José , de Andrade Vanessa Moraes , Pinho Ricardo Aurino , Dias Johnny Ferraz
Published: November 2019

Brazilian coal residues contain high sulfide levels and several environmentally relevant metals and metalloids. Herein, we present a review about the use of the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique in the analysis of chemical elements content in the biotic and abiotic compartments of Catarinense Coal Basin (CCB). The content of P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn in the soil and vegetables from coal-mining areas were found to be higher than those in the reference area. The same patterns were observed in frogs relative to the contents of P, S, K, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn; to bats concerning the contents of P, S and Fe; and to mice fed with juice of vegetables from coal mining-areas, regarding the contents of P, K, Fe, Cu and Zn. The results suggest a possible contamination of the wild species that inhabit the coal-mined areas and that people consuming food from coal-mining areas may ingest significant amounts of chemical elements that pose a risk to health, since they contain both essential and toxic elements in a wide range of concentrations, which can do more harm than good.
Stability analysis of convection–diffusion equations of different finite-element spaces at discrete times
Authors: Akuamoah Saviour W. , Seadawy Aly R. , Lu Dianchen
Published: November 2019

The convection-controlled diffusion problem is hyperbolic in nature and its solutions tend to have numerical shocks. To solve the problem of time dependence, it is common to use finite-element method in the spatial region, while the algorithm proposed in the past with finite differential procedure is mostly limited to the fixed finite-element grid of the spatial region. We often need to use different finite-element spaces at different times, such as the spread of flame, oil and water frontier problems; so many mathematicians and engineers have set their sights on the use of dynamic finite-element space, but also put across a lot of dynamic finite-element methods in giving the general parabola problem of the variable-mesh finite-element method. The principal purpose of this paper is to adopt different spatial grids for different time layers, and project the approximate solution of the previous time layer to the present time layer to act as the initial value of the current layer to enable us deduce the stability at discrete times.
Universal Perceptron Theory on Decomposition Structures of n-Bit Boolean Functions
Authors: He Qinbin , Chen Fangyue
Published: November 2019

By using the universal perceptron theory, a decomposition algorithm called improved distance and DNA-like decomposition algorithm (ID-DNA-like DA) is proposed to investigate the linear decomposition structures of [Formula: see text]-bit Boolean functions. The specific linear decomposition structure of an [Formula: see text]-bit Boolean function is generated by the proposed decomposition algorithm ([Formula: see text]). Especially, the linear decomposition structure of 4-bit Boolean function is shown to have the following properties: the total number of 4-bit Boolean functions is 65[Formula: see text]536 and the number of linearly separable Boolean functions is 1882; the number of 2-length decomposition Boolean functions is not less than 41[Formula: see text]366; the number of 3-length decomposition Boolean functions does not exceed 22[Formula: see text]286; and the number of 4-length decomposition Boolean functions is only 2. At the same time, it is shown that the decomposition length of [Formula: see text]-bit Boolean function does not exceed [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. In addition, a concept of the [Formula: see text]-bit Boolean function decomposition structure figure is proposed. By decomposition calculation, the related results of decomposition structure figures show that there is some symmetry with a strong self-similar fractal feature.
Design of a Remote Real-Time Monitoring System for Multiple Physiological Parameters Based on Smartphone
Authors: Al-Naggar Noman Q. , Al-Hammadi Husam Mohammed , Al-Fusail Adel Mohammed , AL-Shaebi Zakarya Ali
Published: November 2019

Background. Utilization of the widely used wearable sensor and smartphone technology for remote monitoring represents a healthcare breakthrough. This study aims to design a remote real-time monitoring system for multiple physiological parameters (electrocardiogram, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and temperature) based on smartphones, considering high performance, autoalarm generation, warning transmission, and security through more than one method. Methods. Data on monitoring parameters were acquired by the integrated circuits of wearable sensors and collected by an Arduino Mega 250 R3. The collected data were transmitted via a Wi-Fi interface to a smartphone. A patient application was developed to analyze, process, and display the data in numerical and graphical forms. The abnormality threshold values of parameters were identified and analyzed to generate an autoalarm in the system and transmitted with data to a doctor application via a third-generation (3G) mobile network and Wi-Fi. The performance of the proposed system was verified and evaluated. The proposed system was designed to meet main (sensing, processing, displaying, real-time transmission, autoalarm generation, and threshold value identification) and auxiliary requirements (compatibility, comfort, low power consumption and cost, small size, and suitability for ambulatory applications). Results. System performance is reliable, with a sufficient average accuracy measurement (99.26%). The system demonstrates an average time delay of 14 s in transmitting data to a doctor application via Wi-Fi compared with an average time of 68 s via a 3G mobile network. The proposed system achieves low power consumption against time (4 h 21 m 30 s) and the main and auxiliary requirements for remotely monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously with secure data. Conclusions. The proposed system can offer economic benefits for remotely monitoring patients living alone or in rural areas, thereby improving medical services, if manufactured in large quantities.
Alterations in the Levels of Growth Factors in Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder: A Longitudinal Study during the Treatment with Fluoxetine
Authors: Becerril-Villanueva Enrique , Pérez-Sánchez Gilberto , Alvarez-Herrera Samantha , Girón-Pérez Manuel Iván , Arreola Rodrigo , Cruz-Fuentes Carlos , Palacios Lino , de la Peña Francisco R. , Pavón Lenin
Published: November 2019

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has a prevalence of 5% in adolescents. Several studies have described the association between the inflammatory response and MDD, but little is known about the relationship between MDD and growth factors, such as IL-7, IL-9, IL-17A, VEGF, basic FGF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF. It must be appointed that there are scarce reports on growth factors in adolescents with MDD and even fewer with a clinical follow-up. In this work, we evaluated the levels of growth factors (IL-7, IL-9, IL-17A, VEGF, basic FGF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF) in MDD adolescents and the clinical follow-up during eight weeks of treatment with fluoxetine.Methods. All patients were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV-TR, and the severity of the symptoms was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Growth factors IL-7, IL-9, IL-17A, VEGF, basic FGF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF were quantified by cytometric bead array using serum samples from 22 adolescents with MDD and 18 healthy volunteers.Results. All patients showed clinical improvement since the fourth week of pharmacological treatment according to the HDRS. Considerably higher levels of IL-7, IL-9, IL-17A, VEGF, basic FGF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF were detected in MDD adolescents as compared to healthy volunteers. A significant but temporal decrease was detected in basic FGF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF at week four of fluoxetine administration.Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show alterations in the levels of growth factors, such as IL-7, IL-9, IL-17A, VEGF, basic FGF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF in MDD adolescents during eight weeks of clinical follow-up. These disturbances might be involved in the physiopathology of MDD since such growth factors have been proven to participate in the neural development and correct functioning of the CNS; therefore, subtle alterations in it may contribute to MDD.
Alexithymia, Psychological Distress, and Social Impairment in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Quinto Rossella Mattea , Sampogna Francesca , Fania Luca , Ciccone Davide , Fusari Roberta , Mastroeni Simona , Iani Luca , Abeni Damiano
Published: November 2019

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by deep-seated nodules, abscesses, and draining fistulas. HS has a substantial adverse impact on patients’ lives. Only a few studies investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and emotional dysregulation in patients with HS. Alexithymia, namely the difficulty in describing or recognizing emotions, has been associated with various psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with HS and its association with demographic and clinical variables, quality of life indices, and psychological distress. Methods: Ninety outpatients with HS completed the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Dermatology Life Quality Index, the Skindex-17, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Information on sociodemographic and clinical variables was retrieved from clinical records. Results: Alexithymia or borderline alexithymia was observed in 44.4% of patients with HS, with a higher prevalence of the alexithymic trait in women than in men (51.7 vs. 31.2%). We did not find any association between alexithymia and clinical variables. Of the entire sample analyzed, 46.1% reported high psychological distress; among them, 78% reported alexithymia or borderline alexithymia compared to 16.7% among GHQ noncases. Furthermore, HS patients with alexithymia or borderline alexithymia showed significantly higher scores on the Skindex-17 psychosocial scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and a lower score on the mental component of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, than nonalexithymic patients. Conclusions: Dermatologists should consider alexithymia in the diagnosis and treatment of HS patients, given its important role in psychological and psychosocial distress.
Ischemia-Induced Transplant Arteriosclerosis in the Rat
Authors: Wanders A. , Akyürek M.L. , Waltenberger J. , Ren Z.P. , Stafberg C. , Funa K. , Larsson E. , Fellström B.
Published: November 2019

The effect of cold graft ischemia time on the development of transplant arteriosclerosis was investigated. Aorta grafts from DA or PVG rats were stored in a cold perfusion solution for 1, 4, or 24 hours before being orthotopically transplanted to PVG recipients. After observation times ranging from 2 to 8 weeks, the grafts were examined for various cell populations. Regional changes in the intima and media layers were measured by using an image analysis system. The arteriosclerosis-like changes seen in syngeneic grafts with the longest ischemia time could be almost as prominent as those seen in the al-logeneic transplants. The magnitude of the regional intima changes in the syngeneic group correlated well with the ischemia time and in the allogeneic group with the observation time. The cell composition found in the intima and media of the allogeneic vessels consisted of macrophages, T-lymphocytes, MHC class II-expressing cells, and smooth muscle cells, whereas the syngeneic grafts contained almost exclusively smooth muscle cells and macro-phages. We therefore conclude that the damage due to prolonged cold ischemia time is sufficient to cause pronounced graft arteriosclerosis. The patho-physiological mechanism leading to ischemia-induced arteriosclerosis is different from the one seen in the allogeneic situation.

(Arterio-scler Throtnb Vase Biol
. 1995;15:145-155.)