bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylene blue protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP‐induced neurotoxicity by upregulating brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Bhurtel Sunil , Katila Nikita , Neupane Sabita , Srivastav Sunil , Park Pil‐Hoon , Choi Dong‐Young
Published: June 2018

The relatively old, yet clinically used, drug methylene blue (MB) is known to possess neuroprotective properties by reducing aggregated proteins, augmenting the antioxidant response, and enhancing mitochondrial function and survival in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of MB in Parkinson's disease (PD) in vivo and in vitro models by using 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)/1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) with a focus on possible effects on induction of neurotrophic factors. Our results indicate that pretreatment with MB significantly attenuated MPTP‐induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, glial cell activation, and depletion of dopamine. We also found that MB upregulated brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activated its downstream signaling pathways, suggesting that BDNF might be a contributor to MB‐associated neuroprotection. Specific inhibition of the BDNF receptor or extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk) reversed the MB‐mediated protection against MPP+ toxicity, thus implying a role for BDNF and the Erk pathway in the neuroprotective effects. Taken together, our data suggest that MB protects neurons from MPTP neurotoxicity via induction of BDNF. Further study to determine whether MB preserves dopaminergic neurons in the brains of PD patients is warranted.
Recommendations on the most suitable quality‐of‐life measurement instruments for bariatric and body contouring surgery: a systematic review
Authors: de Vries C. E. E. , Kalff M. C. , Prinsen C. A. C. , Coulman K. D. , den Haan C. , Welbourn R. , Blazeby J. M. , Morton J. M. , van Wagensveld B. A.
Published: June 2018

Objective

The objective of this study is to systematically assess the quality of existing patient‐reported outcome measures developed and/or validated for Quality of Life measurement in bariatric surgery (BS) and body contouring surgery (BCS).

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL identifying studies on measurement properties of BS and BCS Quality of Life instruments. For all eligible studies, we evaluated the methodological quality of the studies by using the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist and the quality of the measurement instruments by applying quality criteria. Four degrees of recommendation were assigned to validated instruments (A–D).

Results

Out of 4,354 articles, a total of 26 articles describing 24 instruments were included. No instrument met all requirements (category A). Seven instruments have the potential to be recommended depending on further validation studies (category B). Of these seven, the BODY‐Q has the strongest evidence for content validity in BS and BCS. Two instruments had poor quality in at least one required quality criterion (category C). Fifteen instruments were minimally validated (category D).

Conclusion

The BODY‐Q, developed for BS and BCS, possessed the strongest evidence for quality of measurement properties and has the potential to be recommended in future clinical trials.
Potential cutaneous carcinogenic risk of exposure to UV nail lamp: A review
Authors: Shihab Nahla , Lim Henry W.
Published: June 2018

The increased use of ultraviolet (UV) nail lamps in recent years has generated safety concerns of this device. A UV nail lamp is a source of artificial UVA radiation, often used to dry, harden, and cure the nails at home and in the salon. UVA radiation is known to be mutagenic and can cause damage to the DNA, resulting in cutaneous malignancy. Currently, there are only a few studies that have evaluated UV nail lamp irradiation and its potential carcinogenic risk. We review the literature on UV nail lamps, its safety, effect on nails and hands, and the potential role in increasing the risk of cutaneous malignancy. Based on available data, the carcinogenic risk is low; nonetheless, the use of a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF >30 before UV nail lamp exposure is recommended.
Phototype reproducibility and relation to objectively measured skin sensitivity is best when burn and tan reactivity to sun are answered separately
Authors: Bieliauskiene Giedre , Philipsen Peter A. , Wulf Hans Christian
Published: June 2018

Background/purpose

Skin phototype questionnaires usually ask similar questions, but they differ in how the answers can be given. There is either one combined answer, which includes both tendency to burn and ability to tan, or 2 separate answers about burn and tan, respectively. We tested the reproducibility of different questionnaires and their relation to objectively measured skin phototype.

Method

A total of 149 participants completed 3 skin phototype questionnaires distributed twice with median 3 months interval: (i) a Fitzpatrick questionnaire (FST‐q) with combined answers about tendency to burn and ability to tan, (ii) a detailed questionnaire (Detail‐q) with separate answers to 2 detailed questions about burn and tan and (iii) a short questionnaire (Short‐q) with separate answers to 2 simplified questions about burn and tan. Objective skin phototype measurements were performed by measuring pigment protection factor (PPF) by spectrophotometry.

Results

Good‐to‐very‐good reproducibility for all phototype questionnaires was shown by weighted kappa (κw) values: κw = .65 for the FST‐q with combined (burn and tan) answers; κw = .64 for tendency to burn and κw = .68 for ability to tan for the Detail‐q; and κw = .72 for tendency to burn and κw = .85 for ability to tan for the Short‐q. PPF at all measurement sites was best predicted by the Detail‐q (highest r2 = 0.285 on the outer arm), followed by the Short‐q and by the FST‐q.

Conclusion

The detailed questionnaire with separate answers to 2 detailed questions about tendency to burn and ability to tan has good reproducibility, correlates best with objective skin measurements and is therefore the recommended method for determining skin phototype.
Sun protection behavior and knowledge of patients attending laser clinic to prevent adverse events of laser: A cross‐sectional, single‐center, tertiary care study
Authors: Tempark Therdpong , Lueangarun Suparuj , Chatproedprai Susheera , Panchaprateep Ratchathorn , Pongprutthipan Marisa , Wananukul Siriwan
Published: June 2018

Background

Limited data of sun protection knowledge in laser treatment patients exists therefore, preventative information should be provided by dermatologists to minimize harmful effects.

Objective

To assess sun protection knowledge‐behavior and knowledge to prevent adverse events from laser therapy among patients who visited a laser clinic at a tertiary university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

This is a self‐reported questionnaire, cross‐sectional survey. All participants from the Laser Clinic in KCMH were recruited into the study.

Results

A Total of 385 patients were enrolled into the study; 80.5% female participants. Patients who never received laser treatment significantly lacked proper sun protection knowledge to prevent adverse events of lasers when compared to those who previous received laser treatments regarding the application of sunscreen after laser treatment (56.6% vs 17.4%, P < .001), consistent application of sunscreen 4‐6 weeks prior to receiving laser treatment (60.5% vs 18.9%, P < .001), application of topical corticosteroid after laser (67.1% vs 54.1%, P = .048), and sun protection in the post laser area (41.9% vs 20.4%, P < .001).

Conclusion

The attitude and knowledge of sun protection to prevent adverse events were significantly different among the group of educational levels and previous history of laser treatment.
Proposal for a new nomenclature for CYP51 haplotypes in Zymoseptoria tritici and analysis of their distribution in Europe
Authors: Huf A. , Rehfus A. , Lorenz K. H. , Bryson R. , Voegele R. T. , Stammler G.
Published: June 2018

Zymoseptoria tritici causes septoria tritici blotch (STB), one of the most devastating diseases of wheat worldwide. C‐14 demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) belong to the most relevant fungicides in the control of STB. Intensive and long‐lasting exposure to DMIs has led to an adaptation of Z. tritici towards these fungicides. The most important mechanism leading to reduced DMI sensitivity is based on the accumulation of mutations in the CYP51 gene. Different attempts have been made to describe CYP51 haplotypes in the past. However, due to the ongoing evolution of CYP51, a new nomenclature has become necessary. This study has developed such a new nomenclature and used it to adequately describe 33 different CYP51 haplotypes found in a collection of 331 isolates across Europe in 2016. Nine of these haplotypes were found to represent 85% of all isolates, and have a heterogeneous distribution across Europe. Haplotypes carrying the substitution S524T, which is associated with a decreased sensitivity of Z. tritici to all DMIs, were only found at frequencies of around 5%. These haplotypes were mostly identified in Ireland and the UK and at lower frequencies in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and France. In vitro studies using epoxiconazole and prothioconazole‐desthio revealed similar trends of the nine most frequent haplotypes with respect to their sensitivity towards these compounds. The data here confirm the ongoing evolution of CYP51 in the European population of Z. tritici and helps to establish a new, easy‐to‐apply nomenclature to support future descriptions of CYP51 haplotype development and evolution.
Breast milk transmission of flaviviruses in the context of Zika virus: A systematic review
Authors: Mann Taylor Z. , Haddad Lisa B. , Williams Tonya R. , Hills Susan L. , Read Jennifer S. , Dee Deborah L. , Dziuban Eric J. , Pérez‐Padilla Janice , Jamieson Denise J. , Honein Margaret A. , Shapiro‐Mendoza Carrie K.
Published: June 2018

Background

Since the Zika virus epidemic in the Americas began in 2015, Zika virus transmission has occurred throughout the Americas. However, limited information exists regarding possible risks of transmission of Zika virus and other flaviviruses through breast feeding and human milk. We conducted a systematic review of the evidence regarding flaviviruses detection in and transmission through milk, specifically regarding Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, tick‐borne encephalitis virus, Powassan virus, West Nile virus, dengue virus, and yellow fever virus.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Popline, Virtual Health Library, and WorldCat were searched through June 2017. Two authors independently screened potential studies for inclusion and extracted data. Human and nonhuman (animal) studies describing: 1) confirmed or suspected cases of mother‐to‐child transmission through milk; or 2) the presence of flavivirus genomic material in milk.

Results

Seventeen studies were included, four animal models and thirteen observational studies. Dengue virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus viral ribonucleic acid was detected in human milk, including infectious Zika virus and dengue virus viral particles. Human breast‐feeding transmission was confirmed for only yellow fever virus. There was evidence of milk‐related transmission of dengue virus, Powassan virus, and West Nile virus in animal studies.

Conclusions

Because the health advantages of breast feeding are considered greater than the potential risk of transmission, the World Health Organization recommends that mothers with possible or confirmed Zika virus infection or exposure continue to breast feed. This review did not identify any data that might alter this recommendation.
Head circumference at birth and childhood developmental disorders in a nationwide cohort in Denmark
Authors: Aagaard Kristina , Bach Cathrine Carlsen , Henriksen Tine Brink , Larsen René Tidemand , Matthiesen Niels Bjerregård
Published: June 2018

Background

Early markers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may improve the understanding and early recognition of these disorders. We aimed to estimate the association between head circumference at birth, a measure of cerebral size at birth, and the risk of ADHD and ASD.

Methods

We present a register‐based cohort study of all Danish singletons born alive between 1997 and 2013. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for the statistical analyses. Sibling‐matched analyses were performed to account for unmeasured confounding shared by siblings.

Results

The analyses included 986 909 new‐borns. Compared to normocephalic children, microcephaly was associated with an increased risk of ADHD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 1.32). Macrocephaly was associated with a decreased risk of ADHD (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82, 0.99). Neither microcephaly nor macrocephaly were associated with ASD (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.94, 1.19 and 1.03, 95% CI 0.90, 1.19). The largest difference was found within the normocephalic children. A head circumference at the lower limit of normocephaly compared to a head circumference at the upper limit was associated with an increased risk of ADHD (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.43, 1.63). The sibling analyses confirmed the increased risk of ADHD with decreasing head circumference in the normocephalic children. No other clear associations were present in the sibling analyses.

Conclusions

Within normocephalic children, smaller head circumference at birth was associated with a higher risk of ADHD. Restricted foetal brain growth may be a risk factor for the development of ADHD but not ASD.
Managed retreat of settlements and infrastructures: ecological restoration as an opportunity to overcome maladaptive coastal development in France
Authors: Fouqueray Timothée , Trommetter Michel , Frascaria‐Lacoste Nathalie
Published: June 2018

The effects of climate change on coastal risk factors are increasing due to both rising sea levels and increasingly intense coastal floodings. However, these changes are only just beginning to be incorporated into planning strategies for coastal economies and land use in France. Recent coastal storms marked the turning point, and public authorities have now started to revise coastal management legislation, stating that the managed retreat of settlements and infrastructure is the preferred strategy to adapt to climate change. To date, this managed retreat has almost exclusively been discussed in relation to the current political, social, and economic obstacles that make it difficult to relocate equipment and houses inland. Here, we add to this discussion by depicting how the careful ecological restoration of dunes and salt marshes on land made available by managed retreat could overcome some of these obstacles. First, we describe three possible strategies to adapt to sea‐level rise as well as the maladaptation of the current strategy. Then, we focus on the limitations and advantages of ecological restoration in terms of managed retreat and vice versa. Finally, we depict how a new kind of land lease, introduced in draft legislation, can help tackle the multitemporal and multispatial issues that currently hinder managed retreat.
Rediscovering the origins and inclusion of the public trust doctrine in South African environmental law: A speculative analysis
Authors: Blackmore Andrew Craig
Published: June 2018

The public trust doctrine was deliberately included in South African environmental legislation; in the best interests of citizens and future generations, it empowers citizens to ensure that the government safeguards the country's natural and cultural environment. This article examines South Africa's environmental law in order to derive an understanding of the origins and potential application of the doctrine. While the prima facie origin of the doctrine is the Bill of Rights right in South Africa's 1996 Constitution, multilateral environmental agreements in Africa appear to have had a significant influence on how the doctrine was conceptualized and embraced. This observation dispels the notion that the doctrine was a hermetic import into South Africa's environmental law from the United States. Furthermore, the analysis finds that the environmental right in South Africa's Constitution parallels the health and wellbeing right granted to its citizens.
Prevalence of Zika Virus (Zikv) in blood donors from a hemotherapy service of the southern region of Brazil
Authors: Diefenbach C. F. , Slavov S. N. , Kashima S. , Ferreira A. R. , Hespanhol M. R. , Bandeira B. S. , Vizzotto B. S. , Krause L. M. F. , Martins J. S.
Published: June 2018

Background and objectives

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitos. A discussed transmission route is by blood transfusion due to the large number of ZIKV asymptomatic cases. The objective of the study was to estimate the ZIKV IgG seroprevalence and RNA presence in blood donors from a Hemotherapy Service in Southern Brazil due to the fact that until the end of 2016, 851 ZIKV suspected cases, 51.2% of which were with autochthons transmission were reported in this Brazilian region.

Materials and methods

Five hundred blood samples were collected from blood donors between 5 December 2016 and 6 January 2017 in the Hemotherapy Service of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. All samples were tested for the presence of ZIKV RNA by the use of TaqMan® real‐time PCR and 182 of these were serologically assessed for ZIKV IgG.

Results

No samples showed positive results for ZIKV RNA. However, the serological survey detected one positive sample for ZIKV IgG and four samples with optical density values in the grey zone (consequently three of them confirmed as Dengue IgG‐positive). This indicates a 0.55% seroprevalence of ZIKV IgG among volunteer blood donors in the city of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that although the transfusion risk of ZIKV in the south part of the country can be currently considered as low, further outbreaks cannot be excluded due to lack of herd immunity to ZIKV. Our study adds to the national and global prevalence of ZIKV among blood donors and its implications for the transfusion safety.
Genetic analysis of Turkish martens: Do two species of the genus Martes occur in Anatolia?
Authors: İbiş Osman , Koepfli Klaus‐Peter , Özcan Servet , Tez Coşkun
Published: June 2018

Stone marten (Martes foina) and European pine marten (M. martes) occur in western Eurasia. Current distributions of martens within Turkey and phylogenetic relationships among the Turkish and other populations of the two species within Eurasia remain relatively unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine genetic diversity within Martes populations inhabiting Turkey and to reveal the phylogenetic relationships among the Turkish and conspecific populations of the two marten species, using mitochondrial cytochrome b (CytB) sequences. Twenty‐four (24) haplotypes were identified among 86 marten samples collected across Turkey, including 23 novel haplotypes. Genetic distances among the Turkish haplotypes ranged from 0.1% to 0.8%, with an average of 0.3%. The 24 Turkish haplotypes were analysed together with those of conspecific populations deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic (Bayesian Inference, maximum likelihood, neighbor‐joining) and network analyses revealed that all of the Turkish samples belonged to M. foina and that samples of M. martes were not encountered. Haplotypes of M. foina were divided into five haplogroups. The haplogroup including the two Chinese samples differed markedly from other the haplogroups. The remaining haplogroups contained samples from both the Turkish and European populations. We found that there was a genetically close relationship between the Turkish and the European stone marten populations. As a result of this study, M. martes may not be distributed in the Anatolian part of Turkey, possibly due to a barrier effect of two straits (Dardanelles and Bosporus) and the Caucasus Mountains. On the other hand, M. foina is distributed in both the Anatolian and Thracian parts of Turkey. Our results suggest that Turkey was likely one of the refuges for M. foina during Pleistocene glacial periods and is one of the centres of distribution of stone marten for Europe and the surrounding regions.
Investigation of Physical Activity Report Card Applications by Physical Education and Sport Teachers
Authors: Özgül Fatih , Kangalgil Murat , Çalı Oğuzhan , Yıldız Rahmi
Published: June 2018

The aim of this research is to examine the views of physical education and sports teachers who are trained and practice the physical activity report card applications according to some variables. The Physical Activity Report Card Applications Assessment Scale developed by Özgül et al. (2018) was applied in the study, by reaching 380 physical education and sports teachers (voluntary participation) determined according to the appropriate sampling method. The Cronbach Alpha score of the scale is .83. Scale; "Applicability, Impact, Difficulties, Forcing, Competence and Support" consists of 6 sub-dimensions. The point value that can be taken from the scale ranges from 38 to 190. In the evaluation of the obtained data; Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis Variance Analysis were applied because of the parametric test assumptions were not met and significance level was set to .05. When the subscale and total scores of the teachers were compared according to the school type, statistically significant differences were found between them (p <0.05). The subscale and total scores obtained from the scale according to the age of seniority were compared and the difference was significant (p <0.05). Also, the difference between the mean scores of the "difficulty and support" subscales was found to be significant (p <0.05), while the difference between the other subscales was not significant (p> 0.05). As a result of the research; It can be stated that the physical education and sports teachers participating in the Physical Activity Report Card measurement training do not see themselves enough for these measurements.
Increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease in offspring born from dams of advanced maternal age
Authors: Cooke Christy‐Lynn M. , Shah Amin , Kirschenman Raven D. , Quon Anita L. , Morton Jude S. , Care Alison S. , Davidge Sandra T.
Published: June 2018

Key points

Advanced maternal age increases the risk of pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction, hypertension and premature birth.

Offspring born from compromised pregnancies are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease as adults. However, the effect of advanced maternal age on later‐onset disease in offspring has not been investigated.

In adulthood, male but not female offspring born to dams of advanced maternal age showed impaired recovery from cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

Endothelium‐dependent relaxation was also impaired in male but not female offspring born from aged dams.

Oxidative stress may play a role in the developmental programming of cardiovascular disease in this model.

Given the increasing trend toward delayed parenthood, these findings have significant population and health care implications and warrant further investigation.

Exposure to prenatal stressors, including hypoxia, micro‐ and macronutrient deficiency, and maternal stress, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. It is unclear whether being born from a mother of advanced maternal age (≥35 years old) may also constitute a prenatal stress with cardiovascular consequences in adulthood. We previously demonstrated growth restriction in fetuses from a rat model of advanced maternal age, suggesting exposure to a compromised in utero environment. Thus, we hypothesized that male and female offspring from aged dams would exhibit impaired cardiovascular function as adults. In 4‐month‐old offspring, we observed impaired endothelium‐dependent relaxation in male (P < 0.05) but not female offspring born from aged dams. The anti‐oxidant polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase improved relaxation only in arteries from male offspring of aged dams (ΔEmax: young dam –1.63 ± 0.80 vs. aged dam 11.75 ± 4.23, P < 0.05). Furthermore, endothelium‐derived hyperpolarization‐dependent relaxation was reduced in male but not female offspring of aged dams (P < 0.05). Interestingly, there was a significant increase in nitric oxide contribution to relaxation in females born from aged dams (ΔEmax: young dam –24.8 ± 12.1 vs. aged dam –68.7 ± 7.7, P < 0.05), which was not observed in males. Recovery of cardiac function following an ischaemia‐reperfusion insult in male offspring born from aged dams was reduced by ∼57% (P < 0.001), an effect that was not evident in female offspring. These data indicate that offspring born from aged dams have an altered cardiovascular risk profile that is sex‐specific. Given the increasing trend toward delaying pregnancy, these findings may have significant population and health care implications and warrant further investigation.
Effects of ketamine on the fetal transcriptomic response to umbilical cord occlusion: comparison with hypoxic hypoxia in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Zarate Miguel A. , Chang Eileen I. , Wood Charles E.
Published: June 2018

Key points

The cerebral response to fetal asphyxia is characterized by an upregulation of nucleic acid and chromatin modification processes, as well as a downregulation of metabolic processes at 1 h post‐umbilical cord occlusion (UCO).

Twenty‐four hours post UCO, there was an upregulation of metabolic processes and protein modifications.

UCO did not alter bacterial gene expression levels, nor did it produce a robust inflammatory response compared to maternal hypoxia.

The administration of ketamine produced minimal effects on the fetal response to UCO in the cerebral cortex.

Umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) is known to cause neurological disorders in the neonate. Previously, we have reported that hypoxic hypoxia (HH) stimulates the appearance of bacteria in the fetal brain and upregulates the expression of inflammatory markers in fetal cerebral cortex (CTX) and also that ketamine attenuates these responses. In the present study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that UCO, similar to HH, produces an inflammatory response in the fetal CTX and also that treatment with ketamine reduces these effects. In chronically instrumented fetal sheep (∼125 days), 30 min of partial UCO decreased fetal levels by ∼50%. Half of the fetuses received ketamine (3 mg kg–1) 10 min prior to UCO (n = 4 per group). Fetal brains were collected 1 and 24 h after the experiment and mRNA was extracted and hybridized for microarray analyses. Differentially‐expressed genes were analysed for significant association with gene ontologies and pathways. After 1 h, UCO upregulated nucleic acid processing and chromatin modification and downregulated metabolic processes compared to control. After 24 h, UCO upregulated metabolic and protein modification processes. Ketamine produced minimal effects. UCO did not alter the abundance of bacterial DNA in fetal brain, nor did it upregulate inflammation pathways compared to HH. We conclude that UCO produced time‐dependent responses that did not include bacterial invasion or upregulation of inflammation pathways in fetal CTX. This contrasts with the response to HH, which resulted in the appearance of bacteria in the CTX and upregulated inflammation pathways. These responses in fetal CTX to oxygen deprivation are therefore modified by the maternal or placental response to the stimulus.
Breath‐holding as a means to estimate the loop gain contribution to obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Messineo Ludovico , Taranto‐Montemurro Luigi , Azarbarzin Ali , Oliveira Marques Melania D. , Calianese Nicole , White David P. , Wellman Andrew , Sands Scott A.
Published: June 2018

Key points

A hypersensitive ventilatory control system or elevated “loop gain” during sleep is a primary phenotypic trait causing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Despite the multitude of methods available to assess the anatomical contributions to OSA during wakefulness in the clinical setting (e.g. neck circumference, pharyngometry, Mallampati score), it is currently not possible to recognize elevated loop gain in patients in this context.

Loop gain during sleep can now be recognized using simplified testing during wakefulness, specifically in the form of a reduced maximal breath‐hold duration, or a larger ventilatory response to voluntary 20‐second breath‐holds.

We consider that easy breath‐holding manoeuvres will enable daytime recognition of a high loop gain in OSA for more personalized intervention.

Increased “loop gain” of the ventilatory control system promotes obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in some patients and offers an avenue for more personalized treatment, yet diagnostic tools for directly measuring loop gain in the clinical setting are lacking. Here we test the hypothesis that elevated loop gain during sleep can be recognized using voluntary breath‐hold manoeuvres during wakefulness. Twenty individuals (10 OSA, 10 controls) participated in a single overnight study with voluntary breath‐holding manoeuvres performed during wakefulness. We assessed (1) maximal breath‐hold duration, and (2) the ventilatory response to 20 s breath‐holds. For comparison, gold standard loop gain values were obtained during non‐rapid eye movement (non‐REM) sleep using the ventilatory response to 20 s pulses of hypoxic–hypercapnic gas (6% CO2–14% O2, mimicking apnoea). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was used to maintain airway patency during sleep. Additional measurements included gold standard loop gain measurement during wakefulness and steady‐state loop gain measurement during sleep using CPAP dial‐ups. Higher loop gain during sleep was associated with (1) a shorter maximal breath‐hold duration (r2 = 0.49, P < 0.001), and (2) a larger ventilatory response to 20 s breath‐holds during wakefulness (second breath; r2 = 0.50, P < 0.001); together these factors combine to predict high loop gain (receiver operating characteristic area‐under‐curve: 92%). Gold standard loop gain values were remarkably similar during wake and non‐REM sleep. The results show that elevated loop gain during sleep can be identified using simple breath‐holding manoeuvres performed during wakefulness. This may have implications for personalizing OSA treatment.
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) discrimination of harmonic stimuli with range-dependent signal degradation
Authors: Mulsow Jason , Finneran James J. , Schlundt Carolyn E. , Jones Ryan
Published: June 2018

The importance of perceived sound source distance has been noted in controlled exposure studies with free-ranging marine mammals. Different behavioral reactions have been observed for sonar exposures with a similar received level but differing source distances. This psychophysical study examined bottlenose dolphins' use of range-dependent acoustic features in classifying frequency-modulated tonal stimuli (∼10-kHz fundamental). Repetitive tones with simulated range-dependent high-frequency attenuation (HFA) and reverberation (REV) were presented with roving levels (levels varied ±10 dB). The dolphins were trained to produce a phonic response upon hearing tones simulating relatively distant 30-km sources and to withhold response for closer-range tones. Once this behavior was reliably performed, probe trials with intermediate ranges were used to examine stimulus classification based on HFA and REV. Dolphins responded to nearly all probe trials with ranges of 10 and 20 km, while responses were less frequent at 1 and 2 km. Probes with HFA and REV decoupled from simulated source distance indicated that the dolphins used HFA to a greater degree than REV in response decisions. These results suggest that dolphins can classify harmonic signals based on range-dependent HFA and REV independent of received level, making these cues potentially useful in deciding behavioral reactions to acoustic sources.
Surface curvature effects on the tonal noise of a wall-mounted finite airfoil
Authors: Moreau Danielle J. , Geyer Thomas F. , Doolan Con J. , Sarradj Ennes
Published: June 2018

This paper is concerned with the influence of camber on the noise of a wall-mounted finite airfoil with natural boundary layer transition. Tonal noise measurements taken in an aeroacoustic wind tunnel are presented for airfoils with aspect ratio of 2, NACAxx12 profile and camber between 0 and 6% at 40% chord. The results show camber is an important parameter that determines the operating conditions for which acoustic tone generation occurs and the number and intensity of the tones produced. Airfoils with 0%–2% camber have an acoustic signature that is dominated by a high amplitude primary tone, whereas the spectra of airfoils with higher camber of 4%–6% feature a more pronounced side tone structure. Tonal noise production does not collapse with lift coefficient, demonstrating that the local flow conditions influence the noise source. Tonal noise production is explained in terms of changes to mean flow topology, namely the location of flow separation, which is linked to tonal noise generation. Scaling of airfoil tonal noise is found to vary with angle of attack and pressure gradient. Empirical scaling laws for the primary tone frequency dependence on velocity are also derived for the cambered airfoils.
Electrostatically driven fog collection using space charge injection
Authors: Damak Maher , Varanasi Kripa K.
Published: June 2018

We drastically increase fog harvesting efficiency using space charge injection and electrostatic driving forces.
Practical water production from desert air
Authors: Fathieh Farhad , Kalmutzki Markus J. , Kapustin Eugene A. , Waller Peter J. , Yang Jingjing , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: June 2018

Next-generation MOF device and material for water production from desert air.
Prevalence of Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing in Primary Care Clinics within a Veterans Affairs Health Care System
Authors: Shively Nathan R. , Buehrle Deanna J. , Clancy Cornelius J. , Decker Brooke K.
Published: June 2018

Data are needed from outpatient settings to better inform antimicrobial stewardship. In this study, a random sample of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions by primary care providers (PCPs) at our health care system was reviewed and compared to consensus guidelines.
cis
- and
trans
-Acting Factors Influence Expression of the
norM
-Encoded Efflux Pump of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Levels of Gonococcal Susceptibility to Substrate Antimicrobials
Authors: Rouquette-Loughlin Corinne E. , Dhulipala Vijaya , Reimche Jennifer L. , Raterman Erica , Begum Afrin A. , Jerse Ann E. , Shafer William M.
Published: June 2018

The gonococcal NorM efflux pump exports substrates with a cationic moiety, including quaternary ammonium compounds such as berberine (BE) and ethidium bromide (EB) as well as antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and solithromycin. The
norM
gene is part of a four-gene operon that is transcribed from a promoter containing a polynucleotide tract of 6 or 7 thymidines (T's) between the −10 and −35 hexamers; the majority of gonococcal strains analyzed in this study contained a T-6 sequence.
In Vitro
Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam against Carbapenem-Resistant and Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates
Authors: Yu Fangyou , Lv Jingnan , Niu Siqiang , Du Hong , Tang Yi-Wei , Bonomo Robert A. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Chen Liang
Published: June 2018

Carbapenem-resistant and hypervirulent
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(CR-hvKp) strains have emerged while antimicrobial treatment options remain limited. Herein, we tested the
in vitro
activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and other comparator antibiotics against 65 CR-hvKp isolates.
TRIM41-Mediated Ubiquitination of Nucleoprotein Limits Influenza A Virus Infection
Authors: Patil Girish , Zhao Mengmeng , Song Kun , Hao Wenzhuo , Bouchereau Daniel , Wang Lingyan , Li Shitao
Published: June 2018

Influenza control strategies rely on annual immunization and require frequent updates of the vaccine, which is not always a foolproof process. Furthermore, the current antivirals are also losing effectiveness as new viral strains are often refractory to conventional treatments. Thus, there is an urgent need to find new antiviral mechanisms and develop therapeutic drugs based on these mechanisms. Targeting the virus-host interface is an emerging new strategy because host factors controlling viral replication activity will be ideal candidates, and cellular proteins are less likely to mutate under drug-mediated selective pressure. Here, we show that the ubiquitin E3 ligase TRIM41 is an intrinsic host restriction factor to IAV. TRIM41 directly binds the viral nucleoprotein and targets it for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, thereby limiting viral infection. Exploitation of this natural defense pathway may open new avenues to develop antiviral drugs targeting the influenza virus.
Quality improvement initiative to reduce adverse effects associated with parenteral nutrition overfeeding
Authors: Franck Andrew J
Published: June 2018

Objective

Parenteral nutrition (PN) overfeeding is a potential risk factor in the development of infections and other complications including hyperglycaemia, refeeding syndrome and liver dysfunction. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a quality improvement initiative to reduce PN overfeeding.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of a quality improvement initiative.

Setting

A health system comprised of two US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centres.

Patients

Patients receiving PN.

Interventions

Methods to reduce overfeeding included the use of standardised PN products with lower dextrose to amino acid ratios, reduced use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE), and use of adjusted body weights or guideline-recommended predictive equations for energy requirements.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measures were the doses of kilocalories, amino acids and ILE in each cohort. The proportions of patients developing complications before and after the intervention were evaluated.

Results

The mean maximum total daily kilocalorie dose was 30.2 kcal/kg/day in the preintervention group (n=86) vs 23.4 kcal/kg/day in the postintervention group (n=62) (p<0.001). More patients in the postintervention group received reduced ILE during the first week of PN therapy compared with the preintervention group (p<0.001). The mean maximum total daily amino acid dose in each group was not significantly different. Significantly fewer cases of central line-associated bloodstream infections, hyperglycaemia and liver dysfunction were observed in the postintervention group.

Conclusions

A quality improvement initiative to reduce PN overfeeding was effective in reducing kilocalorie and ILE doses while maintaining similar amino acid doses. Observed complications were reduced following the intervention.
Risk of Dementia after Charcoal-Burning Suicide Attempts: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Shan-Yueh , Chien Wu-Chien , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chang Hsin-An , Kao Yu-Chen , Yeh Hui-Wen , Chou Yu-Ching , Peng Chung-Kan , Shen Chih-Hao , Tzeng Nian-Sheng
Published: June 2018

This study aimed to investigate the association between charcoal-burning suicide attempts and the risk of developing dementia. A nationwide, matched cohort, population-based study enrolled a total of 4103 patients with newly diagnosed charcoal-burning suicide attempts, between 2000 and 2010, which were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, along with 12,309 controls matched for sex and age. After adjusting for confounding factors, Fine and Gray's competing risk analysis was used to compare the risk of developing dementia during the 10-year follow-up period. Of the enrolled patients (n=16,412), dementia developed in 303 (1.85%), including 2.56% in the study group (105 in 4103) and 1.61% (198 in 12,309) in the control group. The Fine and Gray's survival analysis revealed that the patients with charcoal-burning suicide attempts were likely to develop dementia, with a crude HR of 5.170 (95% CI 4.022 to 6.644, p<0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, geographic area and urbanization level of residence, and monthly insured premium, the adjusted HR was 4.220 (95% CI 3.188 to 5.586, p<0.001). Suicide attempts were associated with an increased risk of degenerative dementia in this study. Patients with charcoal-burning suicide attempts had a fourfold risk of dementia than the control group.
Adenotonsillar microbiome: an update
Authors: Johnston James Jordan , Douglas Richard
Published: June 2018

Pathogenic bacteria associated with the adenoids and tonsils cause much morbidity in the paediatric population. Hyperplasia of the adenoids is associated with otitis media with effusion and hyperplasia of the palatine tonsils is associated with both recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea. Most current knowledge of the microbiology of the upper airways has been derived from culture-based studies, which usually reflect only a small fraction of the bacteria present on the mucosal surface. Culture-independent molecular surveys based on 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing are now being employed to determine the microbiota on the surface and within the tissue of adenoids and palatine tonsils. This review describes the new techniques applied in determining the microbiome and summarises the results of studies employing these techniques.
Caroline Mary Evans
Authors: Mosedale Pam
Published: June 2018

A gifted small animal practitioner who did the best she could for her patients. She was loved and respected by family, friends and clients. Horses were also an important part of her life.
Mass formulas: weak radiative correction to computation of proton and neutron to electron rest mass ratios based on discretized QCD
Authors: Filewood Greg
Published: June 2018

This study is to provide the derivation of a weak radiative correction to a previously presented computation of the proton- and neutron-to-electron rest mass ratios based on discretized QCD. The approach has the useful feature that application to both computations provides an internal check on consistency. Expressions for all three generations of the charged lepton masses are also presented as this represents the most rigorous means of falsifying the theory. A description of the conceptual basis of the underlying theory is also given.
The contribution of muscarinic-receptor-mediated responses to epineurial vascular diameter at the sciatic nerve
Authors: Killey Chelsa , Cleary Shane , Orr Julie , Frisbee Jefferson C. , Jackson Dwayne , Twynstra Jasna
Published: June 2018

This study used an anaesthetized rat model to directly observe changes in diameter of the vessels supplying the sciatic nerve in response to acetylcholine (10−4M), a muscarinic receptor agonist, and atropine (10−5M), a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Topical application of acetylcholine resulted in increases in vessel diameter (baseline: 22.0 ± 2.5 μm, acetylcholine: 28.8 ± 3.3 μm), while topical application of atropine resulted in a decrease in diameter (baseline: 26.6 ± 3.2 μm, atropine: 15.5 ± 3.6 μm) of the epineurial vessels. Mean arterial pressure was not affected by either acetylcholine (baseline: 103.8 ± 1.8 mm Hg, acetylcholine: 102.8 ± 3.2 mm Hg) or atropine (baseline: 104.0 ± 1.9 mm Hg, atropine: 105.2 ± 2.2 mm Hg). These data suggest that muscarinic-receptor-mediated responses can affect the diameter of the epineurial vessels at the sciatic nerve. In addition, muscarinic-receptor-mediated responses appear to contribute to baseline diameter of epineurial vessels at the sciatic nerve.
HIGH-FREQUENCY INTERNET SURVEY OF A PROBABILITY SAMPLE OF OLDER SINGAPOREANS: THE SINGAPORE LIFE PANEL®
Authors: VAITHIANATHAN RHEMA , HOOL BRYCE , HURD MICHAEL D. , ROHWEDDER SUSANN
Published: June 2018

Facing a rapidly ageing population, Singapore is presented with urgent policy challenges. Yet there is very little data on the economic, health and family circumstances of older Singaporeans. In response, the Centre for Research on the Economics of Ageing (CREA) at Singapore Management University has been collecting monthly data on a panel of Singaporeans aged between 50 and 70 years. We detail the methodology by which the Singapore Life Panel® (SLP) was constructed using a population-representative sampling frame from the Singapore Department of Statistics. Contact was made with 25,000 households through postal, phone and in-person canvassing. More than 15,200 respondents from over 11,500 households enrolled in the panel. Comparisons between SLP and official statistics show close matching on age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, education, labor force status, income and expenditure. This suggests that the panel is a representative of Singapore’s elderly population. Monthly surveys continue to be administered over the internet, supplemented by phone and in-person outreach to ensure the panel remains representative and hence reliable for informing policy makers. Response rates are remarkably stable at over 8,000 per month. The SLP contains rich data on demographics, health status, socio-economic indicators, contact with government programs and subjective perceptions and is likely to be a key resource for economic research into ageing in Singapore.
Fabrication and characteristic of force sensor based on piezoelectric effect of Li-doped ZnO thin films
Authors: Ai Chunpeng , Zhao Xiaofeng , Bai Yinan , Li Yi , Wen Dianzhong
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a force sensor based on piezoelectric effect of Li-doped ZnO (LZO) thin films was presented, which constituted by Pt/LZO/Pt/Ti functional layers and Si cantilever beam. The chips were designed and fabricated by micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology on silicon wafer with [Formula: see text] orientation. In this sandwich structure, the top electrode (TE) was Pt and bottom electrode (BE) was Pt/Ti, LZO piezoelectric thin films were prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. The microstructure and morphology were analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), analysis results shows that the LZO thin films with highly c-axis orientation and uniform grain size distribution under sputtering power of 220 W. The experimental results show, when external force loaded on the tip of the beam, the output voltage [Formula: see text] was 280.3 mV at external force of 5 N, the sensitivity of the proposed sensor was 46.1 mV/N in the range of 1–5 N.
Correctional Autonomy and Authority in the Rise of Mass Incarceration
Authors: Reiter Keramet , Chesnut Kelsie
Published: June 2018

Much of the literature explaining both mass incarceration and increasingly harsh punishment policies has been dominated by a focus on factors external to prisons, such as macrolevel explanations that point to political factors (like a popular rhetoric of governing through crime) or social structures (like the presence or absence of a strong welfare state). Where scholarship has focused on factors internal to prisons, explanations have often focused less on individual actors or correctional influence and more on processes, such as routinization, legalization, and risk management. This article argues for the importance of an additional explanatory factor in understanding the phenomenon of mass incarceration: the internal and relatively individualized influence of correctional officials, especially mid-level bureaucrats, who exercise autonomy and authority not only over prisoners and prison policy implementation but over policy initiation.