bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Explanatory Model of Dating Violence Risk Factors in Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Aizpitarte Alazne , Alonso‐Arbiol Itziar , Van de Vijver Fons J. R.
Published: May 2017

Dating violence is a serious public health issue that needs further understanding in terms of risk factors that may be involved in it. The main goal of this study was to test a mediational model of dating violence risk factors. The sample was composed of 477 secondary and college students from Spain (59% females). A dynamic developmental explanatory model considering aggressiveness, insecure attachment, interparental conflict, and peer dating violence was tested using a multigroup structural equation model. Aggressiveness partially mediated the relation between anxious attachment and dating violence and fully mediated the association between interparental conflict resolution and dating violence. Furthermore, perceived peer dating violence was a direct predictor of dating violence. Implications for prevention and intervention plans are discussed.
Melatonin ameliorates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury through SIRT3‐dependent regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis
Authors: Zhai Mengen , Li Buying , Duan Weixun , Jing Lin , Zhang Bin , Zhang Meng , Yu Liming , Liu Zhenhua , Yu Bo , Ren Kai , Gao Erhe , Yang Yang , Liang Hongliang , Jin Zhenxiao , Yu Shiqiang
Published: May 2017

Sirtuins are a family of highly evolutionarily conserved nicotinamide adenine nucleotide‐dependent histone deacetylases. Sirtuin‐3 (SIRT3) is a member of the sirtuin family that is localized primarily to the mitochondria and protects against oxidative stress‐related diseases, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Melatonin has a favorable effect in ameliorating MI/R injury. We hypothesized that melatonin protects against MI/R injury by activating the SIRT3 signaling pathway. In this study, mice were pretreated with or without a selective SIRT3 inhibitor and then subjected to MI/R operation. Melatonin was administered intraperitoneally (20 mg/kg) 10 minutes before reperfusion. Melatonin treatment improved postischemic cardiac contractile function, decreased infarct size, diminished lactate dehydrogenase release, reduced the apoptotic index, and ameliorated oxidative damage. Notably, MI/R induced a significant decrease in myocardial SIRT3 expression and activity, whereas the melatonin treatment upregulated SIRT3 expression and activity, and thus decreased the acetylation of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). In addition, melatonin increased Bcl‐2 expression and decreased Bax, Caspase‐3, and cleaved Caspase‐3 levels in response to MI/R. However, the cardioprotective effects of melatonin were largely abolished by the selective SIRT3 inhibitor 3‐(1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine (3‐TYP), suggesting that SIRT3 plays an essential role in mediating the cardioprotective effects of melatonin. In vitro studies confirmed that melatonin also protected H9c2 cells against simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury (SIR) by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis, while SIRT3‐targeted siRNA diminished these effects. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that melatonin treatment ameliorates MI/R injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis via activating the SIRT3 signaling pathway.
The role of melatonin in the neurodevelopmental etiology of schizophrenia: A study in human olfactory neuronal precursors
Authors: Galván‐Arrieta Tania , Trueta Citlali , Cercós Montserrat G. , Valdés‐Tovar Marcela , Alarcón Salvador , Oikawa Julian , Zamudio‐Meza Horacio , Benítez‐King Gloria
Published: May 2017

Dim light exposure of the mother during pregnancy has been proposed as one of the environmental factors that affect the fetal brain development in schizophrenia. Melatonin circulating levels are regulated by the environmental light/dark cycle. This hormone stimulates neuronal differentiation in the adult brain. However, little is known about its role in the fetal human brain development. Olfactory neuronal precursors (ONPs) are useful for studying the physiopathology of neuropsychiatric diseases because they mimic all the stages of neurodevelopment in culture. Here, we first characterized whether melatonin stimulates neuronal differentiation in cloned ONPs obtained from a healthy control subject (HCS). Then, melatonin effects were evaluated in primary cultures of ONPs derived from a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ) and an age‐ and gender‐matched HCS. Axonal formation was evidenced morphologically by tau immunostaining and by GSK3β phosphorylated state. Potassium‐evoked secretion was assessed as a functional feature of differentiated neurons. As well, we report the expression of MT1/2 receptors in human ONPs for the first time. Melatonin stimulated axonal formation and ramification in cloned ONPs through a receptor‐mediated mechanism and enhanced the amount and velocity of axonal and somatic secretion. SZ ONPs displayed reduced axogenesis associated with lower levels of pGSK3β and less expression of melatonergic receptors regarding the HCS ONPs. Melatonin counteracted this reduction in SZ cells. Altogether, our results show that melatonin signaling is crucial for functional differentiation of human ONPs, strongly suggesting that a deficit of this indoleamine may lead to an impaired neurodevelopment which has been associated with the etiology of schizophrenia.
Melatonin protects bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells against iron overload‐induced aberrant differentiation and senescence
Authors: Yang Fan , Yang Lei , Li Yuan , Yan Gege , Feng Chao , Liu Tianyi , Gong Rui , Yuan Ye , Wang Ning , Idiiatullina Elina , Bikkuzin Timur , Pavlov Valentin , Li Yang , Dong Chaorun , Wang Dawei , Cao Yang , Han Zhenbo , Zhang Lai , Huang Qi , Ding Fengzhi , Bi Zhengang , Cai Benzhi
Published: May 2017

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are an expandable population of stem cells which can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Dysfunction of BMSCs in response to pathological stimuli contributes to bone diseases. Melatonin, a hormone secreted from pineal gland, has been proved to be an important mediator in bone formation and mineralization. The aim of this study was to investigate whether melatonin protected against iron overload‐induced dysfunction of BMSCs and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we found that iron overload induced by ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) caused irregularly morphological changes and markedly reduced the viability in BMSCs. Consistently, osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was significantly inhibited by iron overload, but melatonin treatment rescued osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Furthermore, exposure to FAC led to the senescence in BMSCs, which was attenuated by melatonin as well. Meanwhile, melatonin was able to counter the reduction in cell proliferation by iron overload in BMSCs. In addition, protective effects of melatonin on iron overload‐induced dysfunction of BMSCs were abolished by its inhibitor luzindole. Also, melatonin protected BMSCs against iron overload‐induced ROS accumulation and membrane potential depolarization. Further study uncovered that melatonin inhibited the upregulation of p53, ERK and p38 protein expressions in BMSCs with iron overload. Collectively, melatonin plays a protective role in iron overload‐induced osteogenic differentiation dysfunction and senescence through blocking ROS accumulation and p53/ERK/p38 activation.
Exploring the value of mental health nurses working in primary care in England: A qualitative study
Authors: McLeod K. , Simpson A.
Published: May 2017

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Primary care and, in particular, general practice (GP) are often first point of access to health care. International evidence suggests that healthcare systems oriented towards primary care may produce better outcomes, at lower costs and with higher user satisfaction. Despite this, there are noted deficiencies and variations in the quality of care in primary care for patients with mental health problems.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Emerging models of providing mental health services in primary care are poorly understood. This paper evaluates a mental health nurse‐led Primary Care Liaison Service (PCLS), developed in 2011 in inner London.

The findings suggest that this type of service can improve the quality of care for people presenting with mental health problems within primary care, specifically due to improved integration, clinical effectiveness, patient‐centred care, access and efficiency. The study also highlighted challenges such as staff retention within this new role and setting appropriate referral criteria.

What are the implications for practice?

This is a relatively new service, and the cost‐effectiveness is not yet fully understood; however, commissioners may want to consider the potential benefits of a similar service in their area. The extent to which the findings are transferable will depend on service configuration and local demographics which can vary.

Further research within this area could give more detail on the impact of such teams on health outcomes, recovery rates, secondary care referrals and accident and emergency attendances, and its cost‐effectiveness.

Aims/Question

General practice is typically the first point of access to healthcare. This study explores what value a Primary Care Liaison Nurse (PCLN) service, established in 2011, can bring to people with mental health problems in primary care.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were used to elicit participants’ experiences and perspectives on the value of a PCLN service. Participants included ten interviews with seven general practitioners and three senior practitioners working in primary care mental health services. Thematic analysis, based on a 6‐phase approach, was used to describe and explore the data collected.

Results

Five main themes were derived from the thematic analysis of the interviews relating to: integration; clinical effectiveness; patient centred care; access; and efficiency.

Discussion

The study suggests that the PCLN service can improve the quality of care and is generally highly valued by its stakeholders. The study identifies particularly valued elements of the service, including having a duty worker, as well as aspects which could be improved, such as patient criteria.

Implications for practice

This is a relatively new service and the cost‐effectiveness is not yet fully understood; however, commissioners may want to consider the potential benefits of a similar service in their area.
The transcriptional landscape of seasonal coat colour moult in the snowshoe hare
Authors: Ferreira Mafalda S. , Alves Paulo C. , Callahan Colin M. , Marques João P. , Mills L. Scott , Good Jeffrey M. , Melo‐Ferreira José
Published: May 2017

Seasonal coat colour change is an important adaptation to seasonally changing environments but the evolution of this and other circannual traits remains poorly understood. In this study, we use gene expression to understand seasonal coat colour moulting in wild snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). We used hair colour to follow the progression of the moult, simultaneously sampling skin from three moulting stages in hares collected during the peak of the spring moult from white winter to brown summer pelage. Using RNA sequencing, we tested whether patterns of expression were consistent with predictions based on the established phases of the hair growth cycle. We found functionally consistent clustering across skin types, with 766 genes differentially expressed between moult stages. “White” pelage showed more differentially expressed genes that were upregulated relative to other skin types, involved in the transition between late telogen (quiescent stage) and the onset of anagen (proliferative stage). Skin samples from transitional “intermediate” and “brown” pelage were transcriptionally similar and resembled the regressive transition to catagen (regressive stage). We also detected differential expression of several key circadian clock and pigmentation genes, providing important means to dissect the bases of alternate seasonal colour morphs. Our results reveal that pelage colour is a useful biomarker for seasonal change but that there is a consistent lag between the main gene expression waves and change in visible coat colour. These experiments establish that developmental sampling from natural populations of nonmodel organisms can provide a crucial resource to dissect the genetic basis and evolution of complex seasonally changing traits.
Efficiency Gains in Rank‐ordered Multinomial Logit Models
Authors: Beresteanu Arie , Zincenko Federico
Published: May 2017

This paper considers estimation of discrete choice models when agents report their ranking of the alternatives (or some of them) rather than just the utility maximizing alternative. We investigate the parametric conditional rank‐ordered Logit model. We show that conditions for identification do not change even if we observe ranking. Moreover, we fill a gap in the literature and show analytically and by Monte Carlo simulations that efficiency increases as we use additional information on the ranking.
High‐density genotyping of the A.E. Watkins Collection of hexaploid landraces identifies a large molecular diversity compared to elite bread wheat
Authors: Winfield Mark O. , Allen Alexandra M. , Wilkinson Paul A. , Burridge Amanda J. , Barker Gary L.A. , Coghill Jane , Waterfall Christy , Wingen Luzie U. , Griffiths Simon , Edwards Keith J.
Published: May 2017

The importance of wheat as a food crop makes it a major target for agricultural improvements. As one of the most widely grown cereal grains, together with maize and rice, wheat is the leading provider of calories in the global diet, constituting 29% of global cereal production in 2015. In the last few decades, however, yields have plateaued, suggesting that the green revolution, at least for wheat, might have run its course and that new sources of genetic variation are urgently required. The overall aim of our work was to identify novel variation that may then be used to enable the breeding process. As landraces are a potential source of such diversity, here we have characterized the A.E. Watkins Collection alongside a collection of elite accessions using two complementary high‐density and high‐throughput genotyping platforms. While our results show the importance of using the appropriate SNP collection to compare diverse accessions, they also show that the Watkins Collection contains a substantial amount of novel genetic diversity which has either not been captured in current breeding programmes or which has been lost through previous selection pressures. As a consequence of our analysis, we have identified a number of accessions which carry an array of novel alleles along with a number of interesting chromosome rearrangements which confirm the variable nature of the wheat genome.
Distinctive Properties of Dark Reversion Kinetics between Two Red/Green‐Type Cyanobacteriochromes and their Application in the Photoregulation of cAMP Synthesis
Authors: Fushimi Keiji , Enomoto Gen , Ikeuchi Masahiko , Narikawa Rei
Published: May 2017

Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are photoreceptors that bind to a linear tetrapyrrole within a conserved cGMP‐phosphodiesterase/adenylate cyclase/FhlA (GAF) domain and exhibit reversible photoconversion. Red/green‐type CBCR GAF domains that photoconvert between red‐ (Pr) and green‐absorbing (Pg) forms occur widely in various cyanobacteria. A putative phototaxis regulator, AnPixJ, contains multiple red/green‐type CBCR GAF domains. We previously reported that AnPixJ's second domain (AnPixJg2) but not its fourth domain (AnPixJg4) shows red/green reversible photoconversion. Herein, we found that AnPixJg4 showed Pr‐to‐Pg photoconversion and rapid Pg‐to‐Pr dark reversion, whereas AnPixJg2 showed a barely detectable dark reversion. Site‐directed mutagenesis revealed the involvement of six residues in Pg stability. Replacement at the Leu294/Ile660 positions of AnPixJg2/AnPixJg4 showed the highest influence on dark reversion kinetics. AnPixJg2_DR6, wherein the six residues of AnPixJg2 were entirely replaced with those of AnPixJg4, showed a 300‐fold faster dark reversion than that of the wild type. We constructed chimeric proteins by fusing the GAF domains with adenylate cyclase catalytic regions, such as AnPixJg2‐AC, AnPixJg4‐AC and AnPixJg2_DR6‐AC. We detected successful enzymatic activation under red light for both AnPixJg2‐AC and AnPixJg2_DR6‐AC, and repression under green light for AnPixJg2‐AC and under dark incubation for AnPixJg2_DR6‐AC. These results provide platforms to develop cAMP synthetic optogenetic tools.
Crystal Effects on Mesobilirubin: A Combined NMR Spectroscopic and Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Song Chen , Matysik Jörg , Mark Franz
Published: May 2017

We report solid‐state NMR investigations of crystal effects in powdered mesobilirubin‐IXα, an open‐chain tetrapyrrole that is structurally related to bilirubin‐IXα but hydrogenated at the 3‐ and 18‐vinyl groups. 13C and 15N cross‐polarization magic‐angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR experiments were performed on the compound at natural abundance. To facilitate the spectral analysis, density functional calculations were carried out at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level of theory, using an enneameric cluster to simulate the solid. The 1H, 13C and 15N chemical shift data calculated for the enneamer are in a good agreement with those observed in the experimental spectra, and the relative order of the calculated resonances was thus used to confirm the tentative assignments obtained mainly from the heteronuclear correlation spectra. The observed signal splittings of a small subset of the 13C resonances in the peripheral regions of the two terminal rings provide evidence for microcrystalline heterogeneity of the powdered compound.
Structural and Vibrational Characterization of the Chromophore Binding Site of Bacterial Phytochrome Agp1
Authors: Takiden Aref , Velazquez‐Escobar Francisco , Dragelj Jovan , Woelke Anna Lena , Knapp Ernst‐Walter , Piwowarski Patrick , Bart Franz , Hildebrandt Peter , Mroginski Maria Andrea
Published: May 2017

Agp1 is a prototypical bacterial phytochrome from Agrobacterium fabrum harboring a biliverdin cofactor which reversibly photoconverts between a red‐light‐absorbing (Pr) and a far‐red‐light‐absorbing (Pfr) states. The reaction mechanism involves the isomerization of the bilin‐chromophore followed by large structural changes of the protein matrix that are coupled to protonation dynamics at the chromophore binding site. Histidines His250 and His280 participate in this process. Although the three‐dimensional structure of Agp1 has been solved at high resolution, the precise position of hydrogen atoms and protonation pattern in the chromophore binding pocket has not been investigated yet. Here, we present protonated structure models of Agp1 in the Pr state involving appropriately placed hydrogen atoms that were generated by hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics‐ and electrostatic calculations and validated against experimental structural‐ and spectroscopic data. Although the effect of histidine protonation on the vibrational spectra is weak, our results favor charge neutral H250 and H280 both protonated at Nε. However, a neutral H250 with a proton at Nε and a cationic H280 may also be possible. Furthermore, the present QM/MM calculations of IR and Raman spectra of Agp1 containing isotope‐labeled BV provide a detailed vibrational assignment of the biliverdin modes in the fingerprint region.
Characterization of the Blue–Light‐Activated Adenylyl Cyclase mPAC by Flash Photolysis and FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Kerruth Silke , Langner Pit , Raffelberg Sarah , Gärtner Wolfgang , Heberle Joachim
Published: May 2017

The recently discovered photo‐activated adenylyl cyclase (mPAC from Microcoleus chthonoplastes) is the first PAC that owes a light‐, oxygen‐ and voltage‐sensitive (LOV) domain for blue‐light sensing. The photoreaction of the mPAC receptor was studied by time‐resolved UV/vis and light‐induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption difference spectroscopy. The photocycle comprises of the typical triplet state LOV715 and the thio‐adduct state LOV390. While the adduct state decays with a time constant of 8 s, the lifetime of the triplet state is with 656 ns significantly shorter than in all other reported LOV domains. The light‐induced FTIR difference spectrum shows the typical bands of the LOV390 and LOV450 intermediates. The negative S‐H stretching vibration at 2573 cm−1 is asymmetric suggesting two rotamer configurations of the protonated side chain of C194. A positive band at 3632 cm−1 is observed, which is assigned to an internal water molecule. In contrast to other LOV domains, mPAC exhibits a second positive feature at 3674 cm−1 which is due to the O‐H stretch of a second intrinsic water molecule and the side chain of Y476. We conclude that the latter might be involved in the dimerization of the cyclase domain which is crucial for ATP binding.
Light‐Induced Conformational Changes in the Plant Cryptochrome Photolyase Homology Region Resolved by Selective Isotope Labeling and Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Sommer Constanze , Dietz Marina S. , Patschkowski Thomas , Mathes Tilo , Kottke Tilman
Published: May 2017

Plant cryptochromes are photoreceptors that regulate flowering, circadian rhythm and photomorphogenesis in response to blue and UV‐A light. It has been demonstrated that the oxidized flavin cofactor is photoreduced to the neutral radical state via separate electron and proton transfer. Conformational changes have been found in the C‐terminal extension, but few studies have addressed the changes in secondary structure in the sensory photolyase homology region (PHR). Here, we investigated the PHR of the plant cryptochrome from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by light‐induced infrared difference spectroscopy in combination with global 13C and 15N isotope labeling. Assignment of the signals is achieved by establishing a labeling strategy for cryptochromes that preserves the flavin at natural abundance. We demonstrate by UV/vis spectroscopy that the integrity of the sample is maintained and by mass spectrometry that the global labeling was highly efficient. As a result, difference bands are resolved at full intensity that at natural abundance are compensated by the overlap of flavin and protein signals. These bands are assigned to prominent conformational changes in the PHR by blue light illumination. We postulate that not only the partial unfolding of the C‐terminal extension but also changes in the PHR may mediate signaling events.
Quantum Chemical Spin Densities for Radical Cations of Photosynthetic Pigment Models
Authors: Artiukhin Denis G. , Stein Christopher J. , Reiher Markus , Neugebauer Johannes
Published: May 2017

The spin densities of radical cations of magnesium porphyrin, magnesium chlorine and a truncated chlorophyll a model are calculated with density‐functional theory and multiconfigurational quantum chemical methods. The latter serve as a reference for approximate density‐functional theory which yields spin densities that may suffer from the self‐interaction error. We carried out complete active space self‐consistent field calculations with increasing active orbital spaces to systematically converge qualitatively correct spin densities. In particular, for the magnesium chlorine and chlorophyll a model radical cations, this is not easy to achieve because of the lower symmetry compared to magnesium porphyrin. Strategies had to be employed which allowed us to consider very large active orbital spaces. We explored restricted active space self‐consistent field and density‐matrix renormalization group calculations. Based on these reference data, we assessed the accuracy of different density‐functional approximations. We show that in particular, exchange–correlation model potentials with correct asymptotic behavior yield good spin densities, and we find, in agreement with previous studies on different classes of compounds, that hybrid functionals systematically increase spin‐polarization effects with increasing amounts of exact exchange. Our results provide a starting point for investigations of spin densities of more complex systems such as the hinge model for the primary electron donor in photosystem II.
Phytochromes from Agrobacterium fabrum
Authors: Lamparter Tilman , Krauß Norbert , Scheerer Patrick
Published: May 2017

Agrobacterium fabrum is a widely used model bacterium for gene transfer from pro‐ to eukaryote, for genetics and metabolism. The phytochrome system of Agrobacterium, encompassing the two phytochromes Agp1 and Agp2, has provided deep insight into phytochrome action in a bacterial organism. This review summarizes recent results on phytochrome evolution, phytochrome regulation of conjugation and plant infection and biochemical studies including the crystal structure of Agp1‐PCM, the photosensory core module of Agp1.
Sensory Rhodopsin I and Sensory Rhodopsin II Form Trimers of Dimers in Complex with their Cognate Transducers
Authors: Orekhov Philipp , Bothe Arne , Steinhoff Heinz‐Jürgen , Shaitan Konstantin V. , Raunser Stefan , Fotiadis Dimitrios , Schlesinger Ramona , Klare Johann P. , Engelhard Martin
Published: May 2017

Archaeal photoreceptors consist of sensory rhodopsins in complex with their cognate transducers. After light excitation, a two‐component signaling chain is activated, which is homologous to the chemotactic signaling cascades in enterobacteria. The latter system has been studied in detail. From structural and functional studies, a picture emerges which includes stable signaling complexes, which assemble to receptor arrays displaying hexagonal structural elements. At this higher order structural level, signal amplification and sensory adaptation occur. Here, we describe electron microscopy data, which show that also the archaeal phototaxis receptors sensory rhodopsin I and II in complex with their cognate transducers can form hexagonal lattices even in the presence of a detergent. This result could be confirmed by molecular dynamics calculations, which revealed similar structural elements. Calculations of the global modes of motion displayed one mode, which resembles the “U”‐”V” transition of the NpSRII:NpHtrII complex, which was previously argued to represent a functionally relevant global conformational change accompanying the activation process [Ishchenko et al. (2013) J. Photochem. Photobiol. B 123, 55‐58]. A model of cooperativity at the transmembrane level is discussed.
The Expanded Red/Green Cyanobacteriochrome Lineage: An Evolutionary Hot Spot
Authors: Fushimi Keiji , Ikeuchi Masahiko , Narikawa Rei
Published: May 2017

This article highlights the paper by Rockwell et al. in the current issue of Photochemistry and Photobiology. Rockwell et al. describe the discovery of novel two‐Cys photocycles within the “expanded red/green” (XRG) cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) lineage. Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis revealed that several XRG CBCRs possess a second Cys residue in the DXCF (Asp‐Xaa‐Cys‐Phe) motif conserved among the DXCF CBCR lineage. Spectral studies identified that these CBCRs showed green/blue or ultraviolet/blue reversible photoconversion abilities. The green/blue reversible photocycle had not been reported previously among the XRG CBCR lineage. Based on these findings, Rockwell et al. replaced three amino acid residues in a red/green reversible CBCR, NpR6012g4, and succeeded in constructing a violet/green reversible photocycle. These findings, together with previous studies, provide a good explanation for the evolutionary flexibility of the XRG CBCRs.
Hierarchical models for white mould in snap bean
Authors: Shah D. A. , Dillard H. R. , Pethybridge S. J.
Published: May 2017

Limitations on the acceptable proportion (incidence) of pods with white mould may lead to the rejection of entire fields of processing snap bean. The low tolerances (no more than 2% to 6% of pods with white mould) are difficult to estimate with sufficient precision in the field when time is limited. These constraints motivated this study of white mould across three spatial hierarchical levels: pods, plants and quadrats consisting of two adjacent plants within rows. Hierarchical relationships are required when designing formal rules for estimating the incidence of pods with white mould from units higher in the spatial hierarchy. Disease assessments were made on all pods from 38 within‐row transects of 40 plants each of the snap bean cultivar Hystyle. Using probability‐based principles, equations were derived and fitted to data on the incidence of white mould on pods (ipod), plants (ipad) and quadrats (iq(2)), which led to a function directly linking ipod to iq(2). The variance of ipod increased with iq(2), but that may be of little consequence at the lower values of iq(2) likely to be associated with ipod values at processor‐set tolerances. For example, at iq(2) = 0.1 there was a 92% probability that ipod was less than 0.02. Assessing iq(2) may be more efficient than directly estimating ipod because iq(2) was about an order of magnitude higher than ipod. Results suggest it may be feasible to design sampling plans for estimating the proportion of pods with white mould from an assessment of the proportion of diseased quadrats.
Clinical characteristics and survival of systemic sclerosis patients with pulmonary hypertension and elevated wedge pressure: Observations from the PHAROS cohort
Authors: Lammi Matthew R. , Saketkoo Lesley A. , Gordon Jessica K. , Lauto Paula , Fagan Karen , Steen Virginia D. ,   on behalf of the PHAROS Investigators
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease commonly associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). When associated with elevated pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is either in‐proportion (post‐capillary PH) or higher than expected (combined PH) relative to the increased PAWP.

Methods

Patients from the PHAROS registry (a prospective observational cohort of SSc‐PH patients) who had mean PAP ≥ 25 and PAWP > 15 on right heart catheterization were stratified based on diastolic pressure gradient (DPG). Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to compare survival and PH‐related hospitalization. Baseline factors were compared between patients dying and those who survived using Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 59 patients were included, of whom 21 (36%) patients were classified as combined PH and 38 (64%) had post‐capillary PH. No baseline characteristics were significantly different between the two groups. There were no differences in survival or PH‐related hospitalization between the groups. The only baseline factor independently associated with death was lower 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) (hazard ratio (HR): 1.33 per 25 m decrease, 95% CI: 1.11–1.59, P = 0.002). PH‐specific medications were started during follow‐up in significantly more patients in the combined PH group compared with the post‐capillary group (86% vs 50%, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Outcomes were similar between SSc patients with post‐capillary PH and combined pre‐ and post‐capillary PH. 6MWD at baseline can predict risk for death in SSc patients with PH and an elevated PAWP. More patients with combined PH were started on PH‐specific medications, and the clinical benefit of treating this subgroup specifically in SSc patients needs further exploration.
Crosstalk Between Enzyme Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and Regulatory T Cell Immunity in the Global Burden of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Lekic A. , Brekalo Z. , Kvesic A. , Kovacevic M. , Baricev‐Novakovic Z. , Sutic I. , Bulog A. , Sutic I. , Pavisic V. , Mrakovcic‐Sutic I.
Published: May 2017

Changes in immune and inflammatory responses may play a crucial role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, as an autoimmune, chronic and progressive inflammatory disease. Immunological activity and vascular inflammation during atherosclerosis can be modulated by autoimmune responses against self‐antigens, according to changeable risk factors (cholesterol, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) in the vascular wall, fatty acids, etc.), and accompanied by accumulation of leucocytes and proinflammatory cytokines, which stimulate the transcription of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), whose concentration are increased in foam cell‐rich regions. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a unique subpopulation of T cells specialized in the regulation of immune response and in the suppression of proatherogenic T cells. The aim of our study was to examine the interactions between the concentration of enzyme matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP‐2 and 9) in urine and the percentage of Tregs in peripheral blood of two groups of patients: with carotid artery stenosis (CAS), undergoing surgery and with mild atherosclerosis (A) from general practice. The method of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) was used to determine enzyme MMP expression, and Tregs was examined by flow cytometric analysis. Our data have showed a large increase in the enzyme MMP‐2 and 9 in the urine of CAS and A patients in comparison with healthy controls and indicated this method as an easy marker for the monitoring of the development of atherosclerosis. Simultaneously, the diminished number of Tregs in the same patients pointed the importance of these regulatory mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis and possible Tregs‐mediated therapy.
Interrelationships and diversification of ArgynnisFabricius and SpeyeriaScudder butterflies
Authors: DE MOYA ROBERT S. , SAVAGE WESLEY K. , TENNEY CHRIS , BAO XIAOSHAN , WAHLBERG NIKLAS , HILL RYAN I.
Published: May 2017

Diverse radiations of insects are often associated with adaptations to host plants, and well‐resolved phylogenetic relationships are required to fully understand them. Palearctic Argynnis and related subgenera, together with North American Speyeria butterflies make up a radiation whose species hypotheses are confounded by shared wing colour patterns between sympatric populations of closely related recognized species. Previous studies of this group indicate that Speyeria is a lineage within Argynnis, but sampling in these studies has either involved too few Speyeria species or incomplete sampling of Argynnis species. Thus, no comprehensive phylogenetic analysis exists for all members that answers the question of monophyly of Speyeria, or other subgeneric taxa, and their relationship to Argynnis species. We completed a phylogenetic analysis of all North American Speyeria species and all but one species within Argynnis, using one mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase I, COI) and four nuclear genes [elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α), wingless (WG), glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and ribosomal protein S5 (RPS5)]. The results indicate three major lineages within Argynnis s.l.: two Palearctic and one containing both Palearctic and Nearctic species. In summary, the phylogenetic analyses suggest the need for reorganization into three natural groups: Argynnis, Fabriciana and Speyeria. Within each of these genera the phylogenetic hypothesis indicates an evolutionary history marked by rapid diversification and potential extinction, followed by ongoing lineage sorting. The position of North American Speyeria is nested within the Palearctic lineages, which indicates that the radiation began in Asia and was fuelled by existing Viola diversity in North America. Dating analyses of Viola and Speyeria corroborate this hypothesis. The current North American Speyeria species are mixed on the tree, indicating a recent and ongoing radiation. These results provide needed clarity on the evolution of this group, which contains species of conservation concern.
Blood transfusion in the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis—a single‐center experience of patient blood management in 210 cases
Authors: Ohrt‐Nissen Søren , Bukhari Naeem , Dragsted Casper , Gehrchen Martin , Johansson Pär I. , Dirks Jesper , Stensballe Jakob , Dahl Benny
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can be associated with substantial blood loss, requiring allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. This study describes the use of RBC and the effect of a standardized perioperative patient blood management program.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients treated with posterior instrumented fusion were consecutively enrolled over a 6‐year period. Patient blood management strategies were implemented in 2011, including prophylactic tranexamic acid, intraoperative permissive hypotension, restrictive fluid therapy (including avoidance of synthetic colloids), restrictive RBC trigger according to institutional standardized protocol, the use of cell savage, and goal‐directed therapy according to thrombelastography.

RESULTS

In total, 210 patients were included. 64 patients (31%) received RBC transfusions. A decline in the intraoperative rate of RBC transfusion was observed, from 77% in 2011 to 13% in 2016 (p < 0.001). Patients in the transfusion group had a significantly larger major curve, lower preoperative hemoglobin, higher estimated blood loss, and an increased use of crystalloid volume resuscitation. Multiple logistic regression showed that significant predictors for RBC transfusion were preoperative hemoglobin level (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27‐0.57), estimated blood loss (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15‐1.42), and year of surgery (indicating the effect of patient blood management) (OR per year, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58‐0.99).

CONCLUSION

A perioperative patient blood management program substantially reduced the need for RBC transfusion. A preoperative evaluation of anemia is essential to further minimize transfusion rates.
Comparison of transfusion thresholds during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Sawyer Alexandra A. , Wise Linda , Ghosh Santu , Bhatia Jatinder , Stansfield Brian K.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to assess complications and patient outcomes associated with a lower reflexive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion threshold for neonates undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for hypoxic respiratory failure.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit of neonates undergoing ECMO support for refractory hypoxic respiratory failure for more than 24 hours between December 2009 and December 2014. Seventy‐two neonates received ECMO support for hypoxic respiratory failure for longer than 24 hours during the study period. Patient cohorts were determined based on transfusion threshold of hematocrit (Hct) level of less than 40% (December 2009‐October 2012) and Hct level of less than 35% (November 2012‐December 2014).

RESULTS

Patients who had a lower threshold for transfusion (Hct < 35) had a lower mean Hct (38.3% vs. 41.4%, p < 0.0001) and received less total RBC transfusion volume (10.4 mL/kg/day vs. 13.3 mL/kg/day, p = 0.002) while undergoing ECMO support. Survival off ECMO, survival to discharge, and complication rates were similar between the cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

A lower Hct threshold of 35% is associated with a reduction in RBC transfusion volume and does not appear to alter complication rates or patient outcomes for neonates receiving ECMO support for respiratory failure.
Altered timing of riboflavin and ultraviolet light pathogen inactivation improves platelet in vitro quality
Authors: Schubert Peter , Culibrk Brankica , Karwal Simrath , Serrano Katherine , Levin Elena , Yi QiLong , Thiele Thomas , Greinacher Andreas , Marschner Susanne , Devine Dana V.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

The platelet (PLT) storage lesion is in part caused by the collection and/or production process. Pathogen inactivation (PI) further accelerates its development leading to a reduced in vitro PLT functionality and hence quality. Although the treatment of PLT concentrates (PCs) with riboflavin and ultraviolet light PI should occur within 22 hours of collection, in this study the impact of treatment timing on in vitro PLT quality was investigated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Apheresis PCs were PI treated on the day of production or on Days 1, 3, or 4 of storage or left untreated as control. A panel of in vitro variables was used to monitor quality throughout 7‐day storage, including metabolism, PLT activation, and release of microparticles. Changes in phosphorylation profiles of proteins in the lysate and levels of PLT factor 4, thrombospondin, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the releasate were analyzed by immunoblots or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

By Day 7 of storage, units illuminated on Day 4 showed a smaller impact of the PI process than units treated on the day of production or one day after on PLT quality such as PLT activation; metabolic activity; microvesicle and EGF release; and phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and HSP27. PCs treated on Day 3 of storage displayed an intermediate effect.

CONCLUSION

The timing of PI treatment of PCs influences in vitro PLT quality. Based on these results, timing recommendations should be reconsidered. If PI is applied, inventory management in blood banks might improve with a more flexible collection and treatment regime.
Jackie (and Jill) Robinson in the Statehouse: Gender and Educational Attainment Influences on Office-Holding and Leadership Positions in the U.S. States
Authors: Neiman Jayme L.
Published: May 2017

While legislative gender disparity has declined over the past few decades, gender imbalance has continued to be a stubborn fact of representative democracy in the United States. This divide persists even though females have caught up in terms of the historical educational gap. These societal shifts have been significant, however little time has been devoted to analysis of legislator education levels and none to the relationship with gender in the extant literature. This paper seeks to fill that gap, looking at the intersection through the lens of one of the prevailing theories of the expectations of female candidates and legislators.
Effect of Blended Instructional Strategy on Commerce Students Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State-Nigeria
Authors: J. Etim Paulinus
Published: May 2017

Teaching and learning are dynamic activities that are predicated on a number of factors. The pedagogical strategy used determines the effectiveness of the teacher and students’ academic performance. This study was therefore on the effect of blended instructional strategy on Commerce students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State-Nigeria. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were raised to direct the study. The study adopted the pretest- postest non randomized quasi experimental design. Diffusion of Innovative theory and the Material-First-Rationale-Model were used to develop Commerce Instructional Package for experimentation. Two schools out of the 13 secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area met the requirement for selection and were used for the study. The sample size of 240 students in both the urban and rural schools were selected and used for the study using the simple random sampling technique. An instructional package on Commerce was developed and used in treating the experimental groups while the control groups were taught using the expository teaching strategy. Both the control and the experimental groups were pretested before treatment. Commerce Performance Test was used to examine the effect of the package and the difference in students’ performance. All the students in both control and the experimental groups were post-tested. Their scripts were marked and their scores used for analysis with the help of mean and Analysis of Co-variance. Results of the analysis showed a significant difference in academic performance of Commerce students taught with blended instructional strategy and those taught with expository method. There was also a significant difference in academic performance of male and female students as well as those students in urban and rural school location. Based on these results, the following recommendations were made to improve the teaching of Commerce and academic performance of students namely that blended instruction should be adopted in teaching Commerce and that in-service training, seminars and workshops should be organised by Government and other stake holders in Education to update the knowledge of teachers in the use of ICTs and web-based instructional strategies among other recommendations.
Backside absorbing layer microscopy: Watching graphene chemistry
Authors: Campidelli Stéphane , Abou Khachfe Refahi , Jaouen Kevin , Monteiller Jean , Amra Claude , Zerrad Myriam , Cornut Renaud , Derycke Vincent , Ausserré Dominique
Published: May 2017

This new microscopy technique achieves unprecedented contrast for the study of nanomaterials and their chemical modification.
Emergence of topological semimetals in gap closing in semiconductors without inversion symmetry
Authors: Murakami Shuichi , Hirayama Motoaki , Okugawa Ryo , Miyake Takashi
Published: May 2017

Closing of a band gap of inversion-asymmetric semiconductors always leads either to a Weyl semimetal or to a nodal-line semimetal
The exceptional sediment load of fine-grained dispersal systems: Example of the Yellow River, China
Authors: Ma Hongbo , Nittrouer Jeffrey A. , Naito Kensuke , Fu Xudong , Zhang Yuanfeng , Moodie Andrew J. , Wang Yuanjian , Wu Baosheng , Parker Gary
Published: May 2017

We analyze why the sediment discharges of fine-grained rivers are an order of magnitude larger than predicted by current theory.
Selected Probiotic Lactobacilli Have the Capacity To Hydrolyze Gluten Peptides during Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion
Authors: Francavilla Ruggiero , De Angelis Maria , Rizzello Carlo Giuseppe , Cavallo Noemi , Dal Bello Fabio , Gobbetti Marco
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the capacity of probiotic lactobacilli to hydrolyze immunogenic gluten peptides. Eighteen commercial strains of probiotic lactobacilli with highly variable peptidase activity (i.e., aminopeptidase N, iminopeptidase, prolyl endopeptidyl peptidase, tripeptidase, prolidase, prolinase, and dipeptidase), including toward Pro-rich peptides, were tested in this study. Ten probiotic strains were selected on the basis of their specific enzyme activity. When pooled, these 10 strains provided the peptidase portfolio that is required to completely degrade the immunogenic gluten peptides involved in celiac disease (CD). The selected probiotic mixture was able to completely hydrolyze well-known immunogenic epitopes, including the gliadin 33-mer peptide, the peptide spanning residues 57 to 68 of the α9-gliadin (α9-gliadin peptide 57-68), A-gliadin peptide 62-75, and γ-gliadin peptide 62-75. During digestion under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the pool of 10 selected probiotic lactobacilli strongly hydrolyzed the wheat bread gluten (ca. 18,000 ppm) to less than 10 ppm after 360 min of treatment. As determined by multidimensional chromatography (MDLC) coupled to nanoelectrospray ionization (nano-ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), no known immunogenic peptides were detected in wheat bread that was digested in the presence of the probiotics. Accordingly, the level of cytokines (interleukin 2 [IL-2], IL-10, and interferon gamma [IFN-γ]) produced by duodenal biopsy specimens from CD patients who consumed wheat bread digested by probiotics was similar to the baseline value (negative control). Probiotics that specifically hydrolyze gluten polypeptides could also be used to hydrolyze immunogenic peptides that contaminate gluten-free products. This could provide a new and safe adjunctive therapy alternative to the gluten-free diet (GFD).

IMPORTANCE
This study confirmed that probiotic
Lactobacillus
strains have different enzymatic abilities for hydrolyzing polypeptides, including the Pro-rich epitopes involved in the pathology of CD. Ten lactobacilli with complementary peptidase activities that hydrolyze gluten peptides during simulated gastrointestinal digestion were selected and tested. The results collected showed the potential of probiotic formulas as novel dietary treatments for CD patients.