bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny of PaussusL. (Carabidae: Paussinae): unravelling morphological convergence associated with myrmecophilous life histories
Authors: ROBERTSON JAMES A. , MOORE WENDY
Published: September 2016

Ant nest beetles (Paussus L.) are ecologically fascinating and phenotypically bizarre. Obligate myrmecophiles, Paussus have undergone extreme adaptations for life with ants and their profound range of phenotypic diversity has been difficult to reconcile in a systematic framework. We conducted a detailed morphological study of Paussus utilizing novel techniques and character systems in order to discover anatomical apomorphies diagnostic of the major clades of Paussus strongly supported by molecular data. Bayesian inference (BI) of molecules alone, morphology alone and varying combinations of the two data types reveal that morphology is informative for placing Paussus species, despite the extreme phenotypic diversity and convergence prevalent in the group. We propose a new classification for Paussus based on this phylogeny. The genus Paussus is revised to include all genera, subgenera and species formerly classified as Paussus by Nagel (2003) in addition to Hylopaussus syn.n., Hylotorus syn.n. and Granulopaussus syn.n. The following species are transferred to Paussus: Paussus sebakuanus (Péringuey) comb.n., Paussus gracilis (Reichensperger) comb.n., Paussus bucephalus Gyllenhal, Paussus caroli (Reichensperger) comb.n., Paussus uelensis (Reichensperger) comb.n., Paussus hottentottus (Westwood) comb.n., Paussus blanchardi (Raffray) comb.n., Paussus basilewskyi (Luna de Carvalho) comb.n., Paussus granulatus Westwood, Paussus sankuruensis Reichensperger, Paussus leleupi (Reichensperger) comb.n., Paussus reichenspergeri (Luna de Carvalho) comb.n. We formally delineate and diagnose the following major subgroups of Paussus: Paussus I series, comprising the subgenera Bohemanipaussus Luna de Carvalho stat. rev. sensu n., Bathypaussus Wasmann stat. rev. sensu n., and Edaphopaussus Kolbe stat. rev. sensu n.; the Paussus II series comprising the subgenera Paussus L. stat. rev. sensu n., Klugipaussus Kolbe stat. rev. sensu n., Scaphipaussus Fowler stat. rev. sensu n., Hylotorus Dalman stat.n. sensu n., and Anapaussus Wasmann stat. rev. sensu n.; and the Paussus III series comprising the subgenera Lineatopaussus Kolbe stat. rev. sensu n. and Shuckardipaussus Kolbe stat. rev. sensu n.
Xenograft of microencapsulated Sertoli cells restores glucose homeostasis in db/db mice with spontaneous diabetes mellitus
Authors: Luca Giovanni , Arato Iva , Mancuso Francesca , Calvitti Mario , Falabella Giulia , Murdolo Giuseppe , Basta Giuseppe , Cameron Don F. , Hansen Barbara C. , Fallarino Francesca , Baroni Tiziano , Aglietti Maria Chiara , Tortoioli Cristina , Bodo Maria , Calafiore Riccardo
Published: September 2016

Background

Increased abdominal fat and chronic inflammation in the expanded adipose tissue of obesity contribute to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). The emerging immunoregulatory and anti‐inflammatory properties of Sertoli cells have prompted their application to experimental models of autoimmune/inflammatory disorders, including diabetes.

The main goal of this work was to verify whether transplantation of microencapsulated prepubertal porcine Sertoli cells (MC‐SC) in the subcutaneous abdominal fat depot of spontaneously diabetic and obese db/db mice (homozygous for the diabetes spontaneous mutation [Leprdb]) would: (i) improve glucose homeostasis and (ii) modulate local and systemic immune response and adipokines profiles.

Methods

Porcine prepubertal Sertoli cells were isolated, according to previously established methods and enveloped in Barium alginate microcapsules by a mono air‐jet device. MC‐SC were then injected in the subcutaneous abdominal fat depot of db/db mice.

Results

We have preliminarily shown that graft of MC‐SC restored glucose homeostasis, with normalization of glycated hemoglobin values with improvement of the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test in 60% of the treated animals. These results were associated with consistent increase, in the adipose tissue, of uncoupling protein 1 expression, regulatory B cells, anti‐inflammatory macrophages and a concomitant decrease of proinflammatory macrophages. Furthermore, the treated animals showed a reduction in inducible NOS and proinflammatory molecules and a significant increase in an anti‐inflammatory cytokine such as IL‐10 along with concomitant rise of circulating adiponectin levels. The anti‐hyperglycemic graft effects also emerged from an increased expression of GLUT‐4, in conjunction with downregulation of GLUT‐2, in skeletal muscle and liver, respectively.

Conclusions

Preliminarily, xenograft of MC‐SC holds promises for an effective cell therapy approach for treatment of experimental T2D.
Excitation of lateral habenula neurons as a neural mechanism underlying ethanol‐induced conditioned taste aversion
Authors: Tandon Shashank , Keefe Kristen A. , Taha Sharif A.
Published: September 2016

Key points

The lateral habenula (LHb) has been implicated in regulation of drug‐seeking behaviours through aversion‐mediated learning.

In this study, we recorded neuronal activity in the LHb of rats during an operant task before and after ethanol‐induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to saccharin.

Ethanol‐induced CTA caused significantly higher baseline firing rates in LHb neurons, as well as elevated firing rates in response to cue presentation, lever press and saccharin taste.

In a separate cohort of rats, we found that bilateral LHb lesions blocked ethanol‐induced CTA.

Our results strongly suggest that excitation of LHb neurons is required for ethanol‐induced CTA, and point towards a mechanism through which LHb firing may regulate voluntary ethanol consumption.

Ethanol, like other drugs of abuse, has both rewarding and aversive properties. Previous work suggests that sensitivity to ethanol's aversive effects negatively modulates voluntary alcohol intake and thus may be important in vulnerability to developing alcohol use disorders. We previously found that rats with lesions of the lateral habenula (LHb), which is implicated in aversion‐mediated learning, show accelerated escalation of voluntary ethanol consumption. To understand neural encoding in the LHb contributing to ethanol‐induced aversion, we recorded neural firing in the LHb of freely behaving, water‐deprived rats before and after an ethanol‐induced (1.5 g kg−1 20% ethanol, i.p.) conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to saccharin taste. Ethanol‐induced CTA strongly decreased motivation for saccharin in an operant task to obtain the tastant. Comparison of LHb neural firing before and after CTA induction revealed four main differences in firing properties. First, baseline firing after CTA induction was significantly higher. Second, firing evoked by cues signalling saccharin availability shifted from a pattern of primarily inhibition before CTA to primarily excitation after CTA induction. Third, CTA induction reduced the magnitude of lever press‐evoked inhibition. Finally, firing rates were significantly higher during consumption of the devalued saccharin solution after CTA induction. Next, we studied sham‐ and LHb‐lesioned rats in our operant CTA paradigm and found that LHb lesion significantly attenuated CTA effects in the operant task. Our data demonstrate the importance of LHb excitation in regulating expression of ethanol‐induced aversion and suggest a mechanism for its role in modulating escalation of voluntary ethanol intake.
A Novel Restraining System for a Powerless Advancing Ship: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Investigation
Authors: Chen Xu-jun , Liu Jun-yi , Hearn Grant E. , Xiong Ye-ping , Wu Guang-huai
Published: September 2016

A novel flexible restraining system is proposed to protect a waterway crossing road, a railway, or a combined bridge when a powerless advancing ship approaches such a structure. Direct collision with principal bridge supports is not addressed under the assumption that the restraining system is located some distance upstream of the non-navigational bridge, assuming the ship cannot engage propulsive system in reverse to reduce the speed of ship advance. Ship-independent seabed-located gravity anchors are to be ultimately dragged to dissipate ship kinetic energy. A mathematical model of the proposed method of restraint is developed and the resulting movements of ship and anchors are predicted for two distinct ship forms. These ships' responses are investigated for initial ship velocity, angle of approach, and point of contact with restraining cable of different investigated spans in the presence and absence of a current. The theoretical simulations agree reasonably well with the related model measurements given the existence of ship sway and yaw motions are not addressed. The results are sufficient to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed system. Predictions and observations suggest that the smaller the restraining cable span and the closer the ship is located to the anchors (initially vertically below the ends of the restraining cable), the more effective is the retraining process.
Hyperelastic “bone”: A highly versatile, growth factor–free, osteoregenerative, scalable, and surgically friendly biomaterial
Authors: Jakus Adam E. , Rutz Alexandra L. , Jordan Sumanas W. , Kannan Abhishek , Mitchell Sean M. , Yun Chawon , Koube Katie D. , Yoo Sung C. , Whiteley Herbert E. , Richter Claus-Peter , Galiano Robert D. , Hsu Wellington K. , Stock Stuart R. , Hsu Erin L. , Shah Ramille N.
Published: September 2016

A new, mechanically elastic biomaterial can be custom 3D-printed, is surgically friendly, and promotes robust bone regeneration.
Stiff discipline for cells in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Bhattacharya Mallar
Published: September 2016

Vascular stiffness drives glutaminase expression, promoting anaplerosis necessary for development of pulmonary hypertension.
What pediatric nonprogressors and natural SIV hosts teach us about HIV
Authors: Chahroudi Ann , Silvestri Guido
Published: September 2016

A subset of HIV-infected children shows an unusually benign course of infection that recapitulates key immunological aspects of the natural SIV infection of sooty mangabeys (Muenchhoff
et al.
).
CAG Expansions Are Genetically Stable and Form Nontoxic Aggregates in Cells Lacking Endogenous Polyglutamine Proteins
Authors: Zurawel Ashley A. , Kabeche Ruth , DiGregorio Sonja E. , Deng Lin , Menon Kartikeya M. , Opalko Hannah , Duennwald Martin L. , Moseley James B. , Supattapone Surachai
Published: September 2016

Proteins containing polyglutamine (polyQ) regions are found in almost all eukaryotes, albeit with various frequencies. In humans, proteins such as huntingtin (Htt) with abnormally expanded polyQ regions cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease (HD). To study how the presence of endogenous polyQ aggregation modulates polyQ aggregation and toxicity, we expressed polyQ expanded Htt fragments (polyQ Htt) in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
. In stark contrast to other unicellular fungi, such as
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
,
S. pombe
is uniquely devoid of proteins with more than 10 Q repeats. We found that polyQ Htt forms aggregates within
S. pombe
cells only with exceedingly long polyQ expansions. Surprisingly, despite the presence of polyQ Htt aggregates in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, no significant growth defect was observed in
S. pombe
cells. Further, PCR analysis showed that the repetitive polyQ-encoding DNA region remained constant following transformation and after multiple divisions in
S. pombe
, in contrast to the genetic instability of polyQ DNA sequences in other organisms. These results demonstrate that cells with a low content of polyQ or other aggregation-prone proteins can show a striking resilience with respect to polyQ toxicity and that genetic instability of repetitive DNA sequences may have played an important role in the evolutionary emergence and exclusion of polyQ expansion proteins in different organisms.

IMPORTANCE
Polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins encoded by repetitive CAG DNA sequences serve a variety of normal biological functions. Yet some proteins with abnormally expanded polyQ regions cause neurodegeneration through unknown mechanisms. To study how distinct cellular environments modulate polyQ aggregation and toxicity, we expressed CAG-expanded huntingtin fragments in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
. In stark contrast to many other eukaryotes,
S. pombe
is uniquely devoid of proteins containing long polyQ tracts. Our results show that
S. pombe
cells, despite their low content of endogenous polyQ proteins, exhibit striking and unexpected resilience with respect to polyQ toxicity and that genetic instability of repetitive DNA sequences may have played an important role in the emergence and expansion of polyQ domains in eukaryotic evolution.
Chlamydial Protease-Like Activity Factor and Type III Secreted Effectors Cooperate in Inhibition of p65 Nuclear Translocation
Authors: Patton Michael John , McCorrister Stuart , Grant Chris , Westmacott Garrett , Fariss Robert , Hu Pingzhao , Zhao Kaiqiong , Blake Mary , Whitmire Bill , Yang Chunfu , Caldwell Harlan D. , McClarty Grant
Published: September 2016

The chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) is hypothesized to be an important secreted virulence factor; however, challenges in denaturing its proteolytic activity have hampered attempts to identify its legitimate targets. Here, we use a genetic and proteomic approach to identify authentic CPAF targets. Human epithelial cells infected with CPAF-sufficient and CPAF-deficient chlamydiae were lysed using known CPAF-denaturing conditions. Their protein profiles were analyzed using isobaric mass tags and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Comparative analysis of CPAF-sufficient and CPAF-deficient infections identified a limited number of CPAF host and chlamydial protein targets. Host targets were primarily interferon-stimulated gene products, whereas chlamydial targets were type III secreted proteins. We provide evidence supporting a cooperative role for CPAF and type III secreted effectors in blocking NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation, resulting in decreased beta interferon and proinflammatory cytokine synthesis. Genetic complementation of null organisms with CPAF restored p65 nuclear translocation inhibition and proteolysis of chlamydial type III secreted effector proteins (T3SEs). We propose that CPAF and T3SEs cooperate in the inhibition of host innate immunity.

IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatisis an important human pathogen responsible for over 100 million infections each year worldwide. Its success as an intracellular pathogen revolves around its ability to evade host immunity. The chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) is a conserved serine protease secreted into the host cytosol of infected cells that is thought to play an important role in immune evasion. Currently, CPAF’s authenticin situtarget(s) and mechanism of action in immune evasion are poorly characterized. Using a CPAF-deficient strain and high-throughput proteomics, we report novel CPAF host and chlamydial targets. Host targets were primarily interferon-stimulated genes, whereas chlamydial targets were exclusively type III secreted proteins. We propose a novel mechanism for CPAF and type III secreted proteins in the evasion of host innate immune responses. These findings provide new insights into CPAF’s function as a virulence factor and a better understanding of how chlamydiae evade host immunity.
Acinetobacter baumannii Coordinates Urea Metabolism with Metal Import To Resist Host-Mediated Metal Limitation
Authors: Juttukonda Lillian J. , Chazin Walter J. , Skaar Eric P.
Published: September 2016

During infection, bacterial pathogens must adapt to a nutrient metal-limited environment that is imposed by the host. The innate immune protein calprotectin inhibits bacterial growth
in vitro
by chelating the divalent metal ions zinc (Zn
2+
, Zn) and manganese (Mn
2+
, Mn), but pathogenic bacteria are able to cause disease in the presence of this antimicrobial protein
in vivo.
One such pathogen is
Acinetobacter baumannii
, a Gram-negative bacterium that causes pneumonia and bloodstream infections that can be complicated by resistance to multiple antibiotics.
A. baumannii
inhibition by calprotectin is dependent on calprotectin Mn binding, but the mechanisms employed by
A. baumannii
to overcome Mn limitation have not been identified. This work demonstrates that
A. baumannii
coordinates transcription of an NRAMP family Mn transporter and a urea carboxylase to resist the antimicrobial activities of calprotectin. This NRAMP family transporter facilitates Mn accumulation and growth of
A. baumannii
in the presence of calprotectin.
A. baumannii
is found to utilize urea as a sole nitrogen source, and urea utilization requires the urea carboxylase encoded in an operon with the NRAMP family transporter. Moreover, urea carboxylase activity is essential for calprotectin resistance in
A. baumannii
. Finally, evidence is provided that this system combats calprotectin
in vivo
, as deletion of the transporter impairs
A. baumannii
fitness in a mouse model of pneumonia, and this fitness defect is modulated by the presence of calprotectin. These findings reveal that
A. baumannii
has evolved mechanisms to subvert host-mediated metal sequestration and they uncover a connection between metal starvation and metabolic stress.

IMPORTANCE
Acinetobacter baumannii
is a bacterium that causes bloodstream, wound, urinary tract, and pneumonia infections, with a high disease burden in intensive care units. Treatment of
A. baumannii
infection is complicated by resistance to most antibiotics in use today, and resistance to last-resort therapies has become commonplace. New treatments for
A. baumannii
infection are desperately needed, but our current understanding of the bacterial factors required to cause infection is limited. We previously found that the abundant innate immune protein calprotectin inhibits the growth of
A. baumannii
by withholding essential metals
.
Despite this,
A. baumannii
is still able to infect wild-type mice, which produce calprotectin during infection. Here, we identify factors employed by
A. baumannii
during infection to overcome calprotectin-mediated metal sequestration. Moreover, we expose a connection between metal starvation and metabolism that may be a “chink in the armor” of
A. baumannii
and lead to new treatment options.
A Bacillus anthracis Genome Sequence from the Sverdlovsk 1979 Autopsy Specimens
Authors: Sahl Jason W. , Pearson Talima , Okinaka Richard , Schupp James M. , Gillece John D. , Heaton Hannah , Birdsell Dawn , Hepp Crystal , Fofanov Viacheslav , Noseda Ramón , Fasanella Antonio , Hoffmaster Alex , Wagner David M. , Keim Paul
Published: September 2016

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that occurs naturally in wild and domestic animals but has been used by both state-sponsored programs and terrorists as a biological weapon. A Soviet industrial production facility in Sverdlovsk, USSR, proved deficient in 1979 when a plume of spores was accidentally released and resulted in one of the largest known human anthrax outbreaks. In order to understand this outbreak and others, we generated a
Bacillus anthracis
population genetic database based upon whole-genome analysis to identify all single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across a reference genome. Phylogenetic analysis has defined three major clades (A, B, and C), B and C being relatively rare compared to A. The A clade has numerous subclades, including a major polytomy named the trans-Eurasian (TEA) group. The TEA radiation is a dominant evolutionary feature of
B. anthracis
, with many contemporary populations having resulted from a large spatial dispersal of spores from a single source. Two autopsy specimens from the Sverdlovsk outbreak were deep sequenced to produce draft
B. anthracis
genomes. This allowed the phylogenetic placement of the Sverdlovsk strain into a clade with two Asian live vaccine strains, including the Russian Tsiankovskii strain. The genome was examined for evidence of drug resistance manipulation or other genetic engineering, but none was found. The Soviet Sverdlovsk strain genome is consistent with a wild-type strain from Russia that had no evidence of genetic manipulation during its industrial production. This work provides insights into the world’s largest biological weapons program and provides an extensive
B. anthracis
phylogenetic reference.

IMPORTANCE
The 1979 Russian anthrax outbreak resulted from an industrial accident at the Soviet anthrax spore production facility in the city of Sverdlovsk. Deep genomic sequencing of two autopsy specimens generated a draft genome and phylogenetic placement of the Soviet Sverdlovsk anthrax strain. While it is known that Soviet scientists had genetically manipulated
Bacillus anthracis
with the potential to evade vaccine prophylaxis and antibiotic therapeutics, there was no genomic evidence of this from the Sverdlovsk production strain genome. The whole-genome SNP genotype of the Sverdlovsk strain was used to precisely identify it and its close relatives in the context of an extensive global
B. anthracis
strain collection. This genomic identity can now be used for forensic tracking of this weapons material on a global scale and for future anthrax investigations.
Acute severe hyponatraemia secondary to polydipsia and associated herbal remedy use
Authors: Toovey Oliver T R , Edmond Ian R , Makris Nikolaos
Published: September 2016

A 47-year-old woman presented with seizures secondary to euvolaemic hyponatraemia. A collateral history revealed recent increased oral fluid intake and increased use of herbal remedies including valerian root over the New Year period. There was no history of psychiatric disease to support psychogenic polydipsia. She responded to careful sodium replacement in the intensive care unit and was discharged with no neurological sequelae.
Thirty years of investigation on the ergogenic effects of sodium citrate: is it time for a fresh start?
Authors: de Salles Painelli Vitor , Lancha Junior Antonio Herbert
Published: September 2016

Sodium citrate (SCit) supplementation has been studied for several years as a strategy to reduce the muscle fatigue induced by H+ion accumulation within the skeletal muscle during high-intensity, short-duration exercise. Several investigations have been published on this matter, and appear to indicate that SCit is not effective as an ergogenic aid, despite its ability to increase extracellular buffering capacity. In this short report, we briefly discuss the SCit results previously published in the literature and consider them in light of new and promising findings, which appear to address issues associated with previous study designs. We also suggest possible reasons for the current lack of reported ergogenic effects from this nutritional strategy and make recommendations that may re-define research in this area.
Actual and preferred contraceptive sources among young people: findings from the British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles
Authors: Geary Rebecca S , Tomes Caroline , Jones Kyle G , Glasier Anna , Macdowall Wendy , Datta Jessica , Sonnenberg Pam , Wellings Kaye , French Rebecca S , Mercer Catherine H , Johnson Anne M
Published: September 2016

Objective

To describe actual and preferred contraceptive sources among young people in Britain and whether discordance between these is associated with markers of sexual risk behaviour or poor sexual health.

Design

Cross-sectional probability sample survey.

Setting

British general population.

Participants

3869 men and women aged 16–24 years interviewed for the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) between 2010 and 2012.

Main outcome measures

Reported source of contraceptive method(s) and preferred source if all were available and easily accessible.

Results

Of the 75% of young people (aged 16–24) who were heterosexually active (1619 women, 1233 men), >86% reported obtaining contraceptives in the past year. Most common sources were general practice (women, 63%) and retail (men, 60%): using multiple sources was common (women 40%, men 45%). Healthcare sources were preferred by 81% of women and 57% of men. Overall, 32% of women and 39% of men had not used their preferred source. This discordance was most common among men who preferred general practice (69%) and women who preferred retail (52%). Likelihood of discordance was higher among women who usually used a less effective contraceptive method or had an abortion. It was less likely among men who usually used a less effective method of contraception and men who were not in a steady relationship.

Conclusions

Most young people in Britain obtained contraception in the past year but one-third had not used their preferred source. Healthcare sources were preferred. Discordance was associated with using less effective contraception and abortion among young women. Meeting young people's preference for obtaining contraception from healthcare sources could improve uptake of effective contraception to reduce unwanted pregnancies.
Dietary diversity, socioeconomic status and maternal body mass index (BMI): quantile regression analysis of nationally representative data from Ghana, Namibia and Sao Tome and Principe
Authors: Amugsi Dickson A , Dimbuene Zacharie T , Bakibinga Pauline , Kimani-Murage Elizabeth W , Haregu Tilahun Nigatu , Mberu Blessing
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To (a) assess the association between dietary diversity (DD) score, socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal body mass index (BMI), and (b) the variation of the effects of DD and SES at different points of the conditional distribution of the BMI.

Methods

The study used Demographic and Health Surveys round 5 data sets from Ghana, Namibia and Sao Tome and Principe. The outcome variable for the analysis was maternal BMI. The DD score was computed using 24-hour dietary recall data. Quantile regression (QR) was used to examine the relationship between DD and SES, and maternal BMI, adjusting for other covariates. The QR allows the covariate effects to vary across the entire distribution of maternal BMI.

Results

Women who consumed an additional unit of DD achieved an increase of 0.245 in BMI for those in the 90th quantile in Ghana. The effect of household wealth increases for individuals across all quantiles of the BMI distribution and in all the 3 countries. A unit change in the household wealth score was associated with an increase of 0.038, 0.052 and 0.065 units increase in BMI for individuals in the 5th quantile in Ghana, Namibia and Sao Tome and Principe, respectively. Also, 0.237, 0.301 and 0.174 units increased for those in the 90th quantile in Ghana, Namibia and Sao Tome and Principe, respectively. Education had a significant positive effect on maternal BMI across all quantiles in Namibia and negative effect at the 5th, 10th and 90th quantiles in Sao Tome and Principe.

Conclusions

There is heterogeneity in the effects of DD and SES on maternal BMI. Studies focusing on the effects of diet and socioeconomic determinants on maternal BMI should examine patterns of effects at different points of the conditional distribution of the BMI and not just the average effect.
Strategies and impacts of patient and family engagement in collaborative mental healthcare: protocol for a systematic and realist review
Authors: Menear Matthew , Gervais Michel , Careau Emmanuelle , Chouinard Maud-Christine , Cloutier Guylaine , Delorme André , Dogba Maman Joyce , Dugas Michèle , Gagnon Marie-Pierre , Gilbert Michel , Harvey Diane , Houle Janie , Kates Nick , Knowles Sara , Martin Neasa , Nease Donald , Pluye Pierre , Samson Esther , Zomahoun Hervé Tchala Vignon , Légaré France
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Collaborative mental healthcare (CMHC) has garnered worldwide interest as an effective, team-based approach to managing common mental disorders in primary care. However, questions remain about how CMHC works and why it works in some circumstances but not others. In this study, we will review the evidence on one understudied but potentially critical component of CMHC, namely the engagement of patients and families in care. Our aims are to describe the strategies used to engage people with depression or anxiety disorders and their families in CMHC and understand how these strategies work, for whom and in what circumstances.

Methods and analysis

We are conducting a review with systematic and realist review components. Review part 1 seeks to identify and describe the patient and family engagement strategies featured in CMHC interventions based on systematic searches and descriptive analysis of these interventions. We will use a 2012 Cochrane review of CMHC as a starting point and perform new searches in multiple databases and trial registers to retrieve more recent CMHC intervention studies. In review part 2, we will build and refine programme theories for each of these engagement strategies. Initial theory building will proceed iteratively through content expert consultations, electronic searches for theoretical literature and review team brainstorming sessions. Cluster searches will then retrieve additional data on contexts, mechanisms and outcomes associated with engagement strategies, and pairs of review authors will analyse and synthesise the evidence and adjust initial programme theories.

Ethics and dissemination

Our review follows a participatory approach with multiple knowledge users and persons with lived experience of mental illness. These partners will help us develop and tailor project outputs, including publications, policy briefs, training materials and guidance on how to make CMHC more patient-centred and family-centred.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015025522.
Mapping site index and volume increment from forest inventory, Landsat, and ecological variables in Tahoe National Forest, California, USA
Authors: Huang Shengli , Ramirez Carlos , Conway Scott , Kennedy Kama , Kohler Tanya , Liu Jinxun
Published: September 2016

High-resolution site index (SI) and mean annual increment (MAI) maps are desired for local forest management. We integrated field inventory, Landsat, and ecological variables to produce 30 m SI and MAI maps for the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) where different tree species coexist. We converted species-specific SI using adjustment factors. Then, the SI map was produced by (i) intensifying plots to expand the training sets to more climatic, topographic, soil, and forest reflective classes, (ii) using results from a stepwise regression to enable a weighted imputation that minimized the effects of outlier plots within classes, and (iii) local interpolation and strata median filling to assign values to pixels without direct imputations. The SI (reference age is 50 years) map had an R2of 0.7637, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 3.60, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.07 m. The MAI map was similarly produced with an R2of 0.6882, an RMSE of 1.73, and a MAE of 1.20 m3·ha−1·year−1. Spatial patterns and trends of SI and MAI were analyzed to be related to elevation, aspect, slope, soil productivity, and forest type. The 30 m SI and MAI maps can be used to support decisions on fire, plantation, biodiversity, and carbon.
Early inflation to late-time acceleration in f(G) model
Authors: Dutta Malay Krishna , Sarkar Kaushik , Modak B.
Published: September 2016

We present some solutions in Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) spacetime in the modified theory of gravity with a general Gauss–Bonnet (GB) term f(G) and R2 including an ideal fluid. We present evolution of the universe introducing an ansatz without a prior choice of f(G) in one approach, while in other class of model, the solutions are obtained assuming few simple forms of f(G). Some of the solutions show early inflationary expansion, further in one solution the fluctuation of the deceleration parameter q is evident at the end of inflation. In all cases, late-time transition to accelerating universe at redshift z [Formula: see text] 0.7 is realizable.
Energy spectra and fluence of the neutrons produced in deformed space-time conditions
Authors: Cardone F. , Rosada A.
Published: October 2016

In this work, spectra of energy and fluence of neutrons produced in the conditions of deformed space-time (DST), due to the violation of the local Lorentz invariance (LLI) in the nuclear interactions are shown for the first time. DST-neutrons are produced by a mechanical process in which AISI 304 steel bars undergo a sonication using ultrasounds with 20 kHz and 330 W. The energy spectrum of the DST-neutrons has been investigated both at low (less than 0.4 MeV) and at high (up to 4 MeV) energy. We could conclude that the DST-neutrons have different spectra for different energy intervals. It is therefore possible to hypothesize that the DST-neutrons production presents peculiar features not only with respect to the time (asynchrony) and space (asymmetry) but also in the neutron energy spectra.
Exploring Technology Evolution Using Patent Classification: A Case of Cochlear Implant Technology Patents
Authors: Arunagiri Srigowtham , Mathew Mary
Published: October 2016

Understanding technology evolution through periodic landscaping is an important stage of strategic planning in R&D management. In fields like that of healthcare, where initial R&D investment is huge and good medical products serve patients better, activities of periodic landscaping become crucial for planning. Approximately 5% of the world’s population has hearing disabilities. Current hearing aid products meet less than 10% of the global needs. Patent data and classifications on cochlear implants from 1977–2010 show the technology evolution in the area of such an implant. We attempt to highlight emergence and disappearance of patent classes over a period of time indicating changes in growth of cochlear implant technologies. Using network analysis technique we explore and capture the technology evolution in patent classes by showing what emerged or disappeared over time. Dominant classes are identified. The sporadic influence of university research in cochlear implants is also discussed.
Great Bear Snow Shed on the Coquihalla Highway, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Nichol Douglas
Published: September 2016

Canadians claim that the recently constructed Coquihalla Highway over the Rocky Mountains is one of the most spectacular and scenic superhighways in the world (Fig. 1). Unfortunately in winter snow avalanche activity is widespread and about 150 avalanche sites affect almost 17 km of the route. In one critical area a roof structure called the Great Bear Snow Shed has been constructed over the highway to protect traffic throughout the winter. This particular area of extreme avalanche hazard has a history of high avalanche frequency. Here heavy snowfall, steep terrain and adverse geological factors combine to create potentially unsafe ground above the road (Fig. 2).

The Coquihalla Highway is a four-lane dual carriage-way and the only tollway in British Columbia. It starts approximately 200 km east of Vancouver near the township of Hope on the Trans-Canada Highway and runs northeastwards for 195 km through Merritt to rejoin the Trans-Canada Highway at Kamloops. The new highway follows a series of mountain corridors through the rugged Cascade Ranges and thereby reduces the Hope-Kamloops travel distance by 80 km. The main corridors are primarily glacial in origin and contain extensive deposits of moraine and fluvioglacial drift in the valley bottoms. Along the route elevations greater than 1900 m are commonplace and relief may be as much as 1300 m. The annual snowfall in this part of the Cascade Range is usually less than 8 m, but in particularly cold years the snowpack may reach depths of more than 16 m. Extensive drifting during
Phreatomagmatic maar-diatreme volcanoes and their incremental growth: a model
Authors: Lorenz Volker , Suhr Peter , Suhr Stefan
Published: September 2016

We report here a growth model for phreatomagmatic maar-diatreme volcanoes with respect to the number of eruptions documented in the tephra beds of maar tephra rings and the upper bedded diatreme facies. We show that the number of tephra beds in large diatremes is larger than that in maar tephra rings. Base surges that lack sufficient momentum to scale high maar crater walls deposit their tephra only inside the crater. Thus the total number of eruptions at large maar-diatreme volcanoes will be larger than the number recorded in maar tephra rings. As many maar-diatreme volcanoes erupt dominantly accidental clasts, an incremental mathematical model was applied to study the growth of diatremes. The model is based only on the ejection of distinct amounts of accidental clasts per unit eruption and the chosen number of eruptions is assumed to be identical. The incremental growth of cone-shaped diatremes follows cube-root functions with respect to diameter and depth and slows down with ongoing eruptions. In nature, small and large maar-diatreme volcanoes are formed and filled syn-eruptively, mostly by tephra, depending on the duration and quantity of magma involved in phreatomagmatic eruptions. In our opinion, this mathematical model is the only current method able to model the growth of diatremes.
Protein coingestion with alcohol following strenuous exercise attenuates alcohol-induced intramyocellular apoptosis and inhibition of autophagy
Authors: Smiles William J. , Parr Evelyn B. , Coffey Vernon G. , Lacham-Kaplan Orly , Hawley John A. , Camera Donny M.
Published: September 2016

Alcohol ingestion decreases postexercise rates of muscle protein synthesis, but the mechanism(s) (e.g., increased protein breakdown) underlying this observation is unknown. Autophagy is an intracellular “recycling” system required for homeostatic substrate and organelle turnover; its dysregulation may provoke apoptosis and lead to muscle atrophy. We investigated the acute effects of alcohol ingestion on autophagic cell signaling responses to a bout of concurrent (combined resistance- and endurance-based) exercise. In a randomized crossover design, eight physically active males completed three experimental trials of concurrent exercise with either postexercise ingestion of alcohol and carbohydrate (12 ± 2 standard drinks; ALC-CHO), energy-matched alcohol and protein (ALC-PRO), or protein (PRO) only. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest and 2 and 8 h postexercise. Select autophagy-related gene (Atg) proteins decreased compared with rest with ALC-CHO ( P < 0.05) but not ALC-PRO. There were parallel increases ( P < 0.05) in p62 and PINK1 commensurate with a reduction in BNIP3 content, indicating a diminished capacity for mitochondria-specific autophagy (mitophagy) when alcohol and carbohydrate were coingested. DNA fragmentation increased in both alcohol conditions ( P < 0.05); however, nuclear AIF accumulation preceded this apoptotic response with ALC-CHO only ( P < 0.05). In contrast, increases in the nuclear content of p53, TFEB, and PGC-1α in ALC-PRO were accompanied by markers of mitochondrial biogenesis at the transcriptional ( Tfam, SCO2, and NRF-1) and translational (COX-IV, ATPAF1, and VDAC1) level ( P < 0.05). We conclude that alcohol ingestion following exercise triggers apoptosis, whereas the anabolic properties of protein coingestion may stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis to protect cellular homeostasis.
Deletion of proton-sensing receptor GPR4 associates with lower blood pressure and lower binding of angiotensin II receptor in SFO
Authors: Sun Xuming , Tommasi Ellen , Molina Doris , Sah Renu , Brosnihan K. Bridget , Diz Debra , Petrovic Snezana
Published: September 2016

Diets rich in grains and meat and low in fruits and vegetables (acid-producing diets) associate with incident hypertension, whereas vegetarian diets associate with lower blood pressure (BP). However, the pathways that sense and mediate the effects of acid-producing diets on BP are unknown. Here, we examined the impact of the deletion of an acid sensor GPR4 on BP. GPR4 is a proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptor and an acid sensor in brain, kidney, and blood vessels. We found that GPR4 mRNA was higher in subfornical organ (SFO) than other brain regions. GPR4 protein was abundant in SFO and present in capillaries throughout the brain. Since SFO partakes in BP regulation through the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), we measured BP in GPR4−/− and GPR4+/+ mice and found that GPR4 deletion associated with lower systolic BP: 87 ± 1 mmHg in GPR4−/− ( n = 35) vs. 99 ± 2 mmHg ( n = 29) in GPR4+/+; P < 0.0001, irrespective of age and sex. Angiotensin II receptors detected by 125I-Sarthran binding were lower in GPR4−/− than GPR4+/+ mice in SFO and in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus. Circulating angiotensin peptides were comparable in GPR4−/− and GPR4+/+ mice, as were water intake and excretion, serum and urine osmolality, and fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, or chloride. A mild metabolic acidosis present in GPR4−/− mice did not associate with elevated BP, implying that deficiency of GPR4 may preclude the effect of chronic acidosis on BP. Collectively, these results posit the acid sensor GPR4 as a novel component of central BP control through interactions with the RAS.
Learning the trajectory of a moving visual target and evolution of its tracking in the monkey
Authors: Bourrelly Clara , Quinet Julie , Cavanagh Patrick , Goffart Laurent
Published: September 2016

An object moving in the visual field triggers a saccade that brings its image onto the fovea. It is followed by a combination of slow eye movements and catch-up saccades that try to keep the target image on the fovea as long as possible. The accuracy of this ability to track the “here-and-now” location of a visual target contrasts with the spatiotemporally distributed nature of its encoding in the brain. We show in six experimentally naive monkeys how this performance is acquired and gradually evolves during successive daily sessions. During the early exposure, the tracking is mostly saltatory, made of relatively large saccades separated by low eye velocity episodes, demonstrating that accurate (here and now) pursuit is not spontaneous and that gaze direction lags behind its location most of the time. Over the sessions, while the pursuit velocity is enhanced, the gaze is more frequently directed toward the current target location as a consequence of a 25% reduction in the number of catch-up saccades and a 37% reduction in size (for the first saccade). This smoothing is observed at several scales: during the course of single trials, across the set of trials within a session, and over successive sessions. We explain the neurophysiological processes responsible for this combined evolution of saccades and pursuit in the absence of stringent training constraints. More generally, our study shows that the oculomotor system can be used to discover the neural mechanisms underlying the ability to synchronize a motor effector with a dynamic external event.
Neurons as oscillators
Authors: Stiefel Klaus M. , Ermentrout G. Bard
Published: September 2016

Regularly spiking neurons can be described as oscillators. In this article we review some of the insights gained from this conceptualization and their relevance for systems neuroscience. First, we explain how a regularly spiking neuron can be viewed as an oscillator and how the phase-response curve (PRC) describes the response of the neuron's spike times to small perturbations. We then discuss the meaning of the PRC for a single neuron's spiking behavior and review the PRCs measured from a variety of neurons in a range of spiking regimes. Next, we show how the PRC can be related to a number of common measures used to quantify neuronal firing, such as the spike-triggered average and the peristimulus histogram. We further show that the response of a neuron to correlated inputs depends on the shape of the PRC. We then explain how the PRC of single neurons can be used to predict neural network behavior. Given the PRC, conduction delays, and the waveform and time course of the synaptic potentials, it is possible to predict neural population behavior such as synchronization. The PRC also allows us to quantify the robustness of the synchronization to heterogeneity and noise. We finally ask how to combine the measured PRCs and the predictions based on PRC to further the understanding of systems neuroscience. As an example, we discuss how the change of the PRC by the neuromodulator acetylcholine could lead to a destabilization of cortical network dynamics. Although all of these studies are grounded in mathematical abstractions that do not strictly hold in biology, they provide good estimates for the emergence of the brain's network activity from the properties of individual neurons. The study of neurons as oscillators can provide testable hypotheses and mechanistic explanations for systems neuroscience.
Subjective Score Predictor: A New Evaluation Function of Distorted Image Quality
Authors: Luo Xiaoyan , Wang Shining , Yuan Ding
Published: September 2016

Image quality assessment (IQA) is a method to evaluate the perceptual performance of image. Many objective IQA algorithms are developed from the objective comparison of image features, which are mainly trained and evaluated from the ground truth of subjective scores. Due to the inconsistent experiment conditions and cumbersome observing processes of subjective experiments, it is imperative to generate the ground truth for IQA research via objective computation methods. In this paper, we propose a subjective score predictor (SSP) aiming to provide the ground truth of IQA datasets. In perfect accord with distortion information, the distortion strength of distorted image is employed as a dependent parameter. To further be consistent with subjective opinion, on the one hand, the subjective score of source image is viewed as a quality base value, and, on the other hand, we integrate the distortion parameter and the quality base value into a human visual model function to obtain the final SSP value. Experimental results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed SSP in the following aspects: effective performance to reflect the distortion strength, competitive ground truth, and valid evaluation for objective IQA methods as well as subjective scores.
Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase‐1 in Response to Wild Thyme Treatment Protects against Hypertension and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Mihailovic-Stanojevic Nevena , Miloradović Zoran , Ivanov Milan , Bugarski Branko , Jovović Đurđica , Karanović Danijela , Vajić Una-Jovana , Komes Draženka , Grujić-Milanović Jelica
Published: September 2016

High blood pressure is the most powerful contributor to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and inverse correlation between consumption of polyphenol‐rich foods or beverages and incidence of cardiovascular diseases gains more importance. Reactive oxygen species plays an important role in the development of hypertension. We found that wild thyme (a spice plant, rich in polyphenolic compounds) induced a significant decrease of blood pressure and vascular resistance in hypertensive rats. The inverse correlation between vascular resistance and plasma heme oxygenase‐1 suggests that endogenous vasodilator carbon monoxide generated by heme oxidation could account for this normalization of blood pressure. Next product of heme oxidation, bilirubin (a chain‐breaking antioxidant that acts as a lipid peroxyl radical scavenger), becomes significantly increased after wild thyme treatment and induces the reduction of plasma lipid peroxidation in hypertensive, but not in normotensive rats. The obtained results promote wild thyme as useful supplement for cardiovascular interventions.