bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss in children
Authors: Johnson Kaalan , Tabangin Meredith , Meinzen‐Derr Jareen , Cohen Aliza P. , Greinwald John H.
Published: August 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Determine the prevalence of high‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HFSNHL) in our hearing loss population and a diagnostic algorithm for these patients.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

We identified patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at our pediatric tertiary care institution from 1981 to 2010. Based on audiometric profiles, these patients were subdivided into those with a flat SNHL configuration and those with HFSNHL. Imaging and genetic testing data and data regarding age at diagnosis, laterality, and risk factors were obtained for both groups. Comparisons were then made between the two groups.

Results

Of 2,867 patients included in the study, 7.6% had HFSNHL. Age at diagnosis was significantly higher in HFSNHL patients (8.3 years vs. 6.1 years; P < .0001). These patients also had a significantly higher proportion of unilateral versus bilateral loss (49.1% vs. 26.1%; P < .0001); unilateral losses were also less severe. Genetic testing showed no significant difference between groups in the proportion of patients tested or in those who tested positive. Similarly, imaging data revealed no difference in the proportion of patients tested in the two groups; however, overall diagnostic yield was significantly higher in flat SNHL patients (29.5% vs.17.3; P = .02).

Conclusions

The positive predictive value of simple genetic testing is similar to that of imaging studies. However, given cost differences between genetic testing and imaging, it is prudent to perform genetic testing as the initial diagnostic test. Determination of whether high‐throughput, multigene diagnostic platforms offer an added benefit in the evaluation of children requires further study.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:1236–1240, 2016
A low‐cost transcervical laryngeal injection trainer
Authors: Cabrera‐Muffly Cristina , Clary Matthew S. , Abaza Mona
Published: August 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To develop a low‐cost, easy‐to‐construct model for education in transcervical laryngeal injection techniques. To validate the simulator among both fellowship‐trained laryngologists and otolaryngology resident learners.

Study Design

Survey.

Methods

A transcervical laryngeal injection model was constructed. Fourteen otolaryngology residents used the model to practice vocal fold injection techniques. Survey feedback was obtained from all residents.

Results

Most learners agreed or strongly agreed that the simulator was easy to use (93%), was a good method to learn transcervical laryngeal injection technique (79%), improved their confidence with the procedure (78%), and could be applied to patients (72%). One hundred percent of the learners agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend the simulator to other learners.

Conclusion

Residents can be taught transcervical laryngeal injection techniques with a low‐cost, easily constructed simulator prior to treating patients. This allows for a low‐stress environment in which the learner can practice injection techniques. Resident feedback about the transcervical laryngeal injection simulator was very positive, including unanimous recommendation for use in other learners.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 126:901–905, 2016
Convergence of Random to Power‐Law Networks Using a Multi‐objective Non‐linear Programming Model
Authors: Petridis Nikolaos E.
Published: August 2015

Networks are a powerful and useful tool for analysing complex systems. Three main types of networks have been proposed in the relative literature in order to interpret adequately evolving or stationary phenomena. In this research, two network structures are analysed; the first type is the random network, which was initially introduced by Erdos and Rényi. Random networks properties remain the same over time, and they do not exhibit high degree of clustering, whereas the second structure studied, the power‐law network that have been examined by Albert and Barabási, can incorporate attributes that are observed in natural networks (i.e. the World Wide Web and the authors' collaboration). In this study, an attempt is made to investigate the conditions under which random network and power law (or scale free) converge into one at a given time point. Three main metrics are used in order to examine the proximity between the studied structures: (i) clustering coefficient, (ii) average path length and (iii) degree distribution. Considering the difference of the corresponding metrics of each network type as an objective function, a multi‐objective discontinuous non‐linear programming model is employed using the weighted sum model as a solution approach. A statistical meta‐analysis is performed using a multivariate logit model in order to assess the effect of each network's specific variables on the objective function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developments and advances concerning the hyperpolarisation technique SABRE
Authors: Mewis Ryan E.
Published: August 2015

To overcome the inherent sensitivity issue in NMR and MRI, hyperpolarisation techniques are used. Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) is a hyperpolarisation technique that utilises parahydrogen, a molecule that possesses a nuclear singlet state, as the source of polarisation. A metal complex is required to break the singlet order of parahydrogen and, by doing so, facilitates polarisation transfer to analyte molecules ligated to the same complex through the J‐coupled network that exists. The increased signal intensities that the analyte molecules possess as a result of this process have led to investigations whereby their potential as MRI contrast agents has been probed and to understand the fundamental processes underpinning the polarisation transfer mechanism. As well as discussing literature relevant to both of these areas, the chemical structure of the complex, the physical constraints of the polarisation transfer process and the successes of implementing SABRE at low and high magnetic fields are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Students Speak/Resources
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2015

Students Speak

Personal contact makes huge difference in online courses

Resources

Implement the ‘8 Keys’ to veterans' success

Develop upskilling services for adult learners
Assessment of the utility of contact‐based restraints in accelerating the prediction of protein structure using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Raval Alpan , Piana Stefano , Eastwood Michael P. , Shaw David E.
Published: August 2015

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a well‐established tool for the computational study of protein structure and dynamics, but its application to the important problem of protein structure prediction remains challenging, in part because extremely long timescales can be required to reach the native structure. Here, we examine the extent to which the use of low‐resolution information in the form of residue–residue contacts, which can often be inferred from bioinformatics or experimental studies, can accelerate the determination of protein structure in simulation. We incorporated sets of 62, 31, or 15 contact‐based restraints in MD simulations of ubiquitin, a benchmark system known to fold to the native state on the millisecond timescale in unrestrained simulations. One‐third of the restrained simulations folded to the native state within a few tens of microseconds—a speedup of over an order of magnitude compared with unrestrained simulations and a demonstration of the potential for limited amounts of structural information to accelerate structure determination. Almost all of the remaining ubiquitin simulations reached near‐native conformations within a few tens of microseconds, but remained trapped there, apparently due to the restraints. We discuss potential methodological improvements that would facilitate escape from these near‐native traps and allow more simulations to quickly reach the native state. Finally, using a target from the Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment, we show that distance restraints can improve simulation accuracy: In our simulations, restraints stabilized the native state of the protein, enabling a reasonable structural model to be inferred.
Observed surface lysine acetylation of human carbonic anhydrase II expressed in Escherichia coli
Authors: Mahon Brian P. , Lomelino Carrie L. , Salguero Antonieta L. , Driscoll Jenna M. , Pinard Melissa A. , McKenna Robert
Published: August 2015

Acetylation of surface lysine residues of proteins has been observed in Escherichia coli (E. coli), an organism that has been extensively utilized for recombinant protein expression. This post‐translational modification is shown to be important in various processes such as metabolism, stress‐response, transcription, and translation. As such, utilization of E. coli expression systems for protein production may yield non‐native acetylation events of surface lysine residues. Here we present the crystal structures of wild‐type and a variant of human carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) that have been expressed in E. coli and exhibit surface lysine acetylation and we speculate on the effect this has on the conformational stability of each enzyme. Both structures were determined to 1.6 Å resolution and show clear electron density for lysine acetylation. The lysine acetylation does not distort the structure and the surface lysine acetylation events most likely do not interfere with the biological interpretation. However, there is a reduction in conformational stability in the hCA II variant compared to wild type (∼4°C decrease). This may be due to other lysine acetylation events that have occurred but are not visible in the crystal structure due to intrinsic disorder. Therefore, surface lysine acetylation events may affect overall protein stability and crystallization, and should be considered when using E. coli expression systems.
Security analysis of a homomorphic signature scheme for network coding
Authors: Cheng Chi , Jiang Tao , Liu Yining , Zhang Mingwu
Published: August 2015

Recently, Liu and Wang proposed a homomorphic signature scheme for network coding, which was claimed to resist against pollution attacks. However, we show that in Liu and Wang's scheme, after several generations, the adversary is able to launch a successful forgery attack with a high probability. Therefore, Liu and Wang's scheme is not secure. After analyzing the cause of the attack, an improved scheme is given, which can combat against the proposed attack in an efficient way. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐parametric estimation of random effects in a logistic regression model using conditional inference
Authors: Petersen Jørgen Holm
Published: August 2015

This paper describes a new approach to the estimation in a logistic regression model with two crossed random effects where special interest is in estimating the variance of one of the effects while not making distributional assumptions about the other effect. A composite likelihood is studied. For each term in the composite likelihood, a conditional likelihood is used that eliminates the influence of the random effects, which results in a composite conditional likelihood consisting of only one‐dimensional integrals that may be solved numerically. Good properties of the resulting estimator are described in a small simulation study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Child Illustrators
Authors: Villarreal Alicia , Minton Sylvia , Martinez Miriam
Published: August 2015

In picture books, illustrations often play a critical role in helping authors tell stories. Instruction in the elements of composition including visual, textual, and peritextual features enhances meaning for children when they are given the opportunity to become authors of their own picturebooks. This study was conducted in a fourth grade classroom and discusses the need for teachers to increase children's understanding of the nature of picture books to build visual literacy and simultaneously support children's development as authors. The authors discuss visual features and design elements found within these books. They also present theory and practical implications for the instruction of pictorial devices when children create their own stories through the form of picturebooks. Knowledge of these various devices can promote critical thinking in young writers.
Helping Couples Fulfill the “Highest of Life's Goals”: Mate Selection, Marriage Counselling, and Genetic Counseling in United States
Authors: Stillwell Devon
Published: August 2015

This article traces the history of modern genetic counseling to mate selection and marriage counselling practices of the early‐20th century. Mate selection revolved around a belief that human heredity could be improved and genetic diseases eradicated through better breeding. Marriage counselling, though interested in reproduction, was also concerned with the emotional and psychological well‐being of couples. These two practices coalesced most obviously in the work of well‐known geneticist Sheldon Reed. Even as marriage and genetic counselling diverged in the post‐WWII period, vestiges of these practices remain in contemporary counseling experiences with family planning and genetic screening programs. Emphasizing points of continuity between “positive” eugenic ideologies and modern genetic practices elaborates the diverse origins of genetic counseling. It also exposes how genetic counselors have become involved in genetic enterprises beyond standard clinical settings, and prods at key issues in the interaction between genetic science and social values.
School and peer influences on the academic outcomes of African American adolescents
Authors: Butler‐Barnes Sheretta T. , Estrada‐Martinez Lorena , Colin Rosa J. , Jones Brittni D.
Published: August 2015

Little scholarship explores how adolescents' beliefs about school and peers influence the academic outcomes of African American boys and girls. The sample included 612 African American boys (N = 307, Mage = 16.84) and girls (N = 305, Mage = 16.79). Latent class analysis (LCA) revealed unique patterns for African American boys and girls. Findings indicate that for African American boys, school attachment was protective, despite having peers who endorsed negative achievement values. Furthermore, socio‐economic (SES) status was associated with higher grade point averages (GPA) for African American girls. Overall, these findings underscore the unique role of school, peer, and gendered experiences in lives of African American adolescents.
Finding the Truth in Medical Imaging: Painting the Picture of Appropriateness for Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Canada
Authors: Vanderby Sonia , Peña-Sánchez Juan Nicolás , Kalra Neil , Babyn Paul
Published: August 2015

Background

Questions about the appropriateness of medical imaging exams, particularly related to magnetic resonance exams, have arisen in recent years. However, the prevalence of inappropriate imaging in Canada is unclear as inappropriate exam proportion estimates are often based on studies from other countries. Hence, we sought to compare and summarize Canadian studies related to magnetic resonance imaging appropriateness.

Methods

We completed a systematic literature search identifying studies related to magnetic resonance appropriateness in Canada published between 2003 and 2013. Two researchers independently searched and evaluated the literature available. Articles that studied or discussed magnetic resonance appropriateness in Canada were selected based on titles, abstracts, and, where necessary, full article review. Articles relating solely to other modalities or countries were excluded, as were imaging appropriateness guidelines and reviews.

Results

Fourteen articles were included: 8 quantitative studies and 6 editorials/commentaries. The quantitative studies reported inappropriate proportions of magnetic resonance exams ranging from 2%-28.5%. Our review also revealed substantial variations among study methods and analyses. Common topics identified among editorials/commentaries included reasons for obtaining imaging in general and for selecting a specific modality, consequences of inappropriate imaging, factors contributing to demand, and suggested means of mitigating inappropriate medical imaging use.

Conclusions

The available studies do not support the common claim that 30% of medical imaging exams in Canada are inappropriate. The actual proportion of inappropriate magnetic resonance exams has not yet been established conclusively in Canada. Further research, particularly on a widespread national scale, is needed to guide healthcare policies.
Conocimientos y actitudes sobre terapias alternativas y complementarias en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud
Authors: Ballesteros-Peña Sendoa , Fernández-Aedo Irrintzi
Published: August 2015

Introducción: Las terapias alternativas y complementarias (TAC) han generado en el contexto sanitario actual tanto seguidores como detractores.
Objetivo: Explorar los conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes sobre las TAC en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud.
Método: Estudio descriptivo desarrollado en la Universidad del País Vasco (España) en el curso académico 2013-2014. Una muestra representativa de estudiantes cumplimentó un cuestionario anónimo con preguntas sobre conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes sobre el uso de las TAC. Se calcularon estadísticos descriptivos para cada ítem y disciplina. La comparación entre proporciones se realizó mediante la estimación de intervalos de confianza al 95%.
Resultados: Un total de 605 alumnos completaron el cuestionario (32.6% enfermería; 32.2% medicina; 28.6% farmacia; 6.6% fisioterapia). Las terapias más conocidas en las que los alumnos habían recibido formación fueron la homeopatía (25.3%) y la acupuntura (12.6%). Ambas terapias fueron percibidas como bastante o muy efectivas por el 32.7 y el 44.1% de los encuestados. Se objetivó una mayor proporción de estudiantes de enfermería y fisioterapia con actitudes favorables hacia las TAC, que de estudiantes de medicina y farmacia. El 27.4% de los estudiantes recomendaría a sus pacientes acudir a las TAC como primera medida terapéutica ante determinado tipo de circunstancias, y el 27.1% consideró que las terapias no avaladas por la ciencia deberían ser descartadas de la praxis clínica. El 59.2% reclamó la necesidad de formación sobre éstas terapias en la universidad y el 67.9% consideró que los profesionales debían poseer capacidades para educar e informar a sus pacientes.
Conclusiones: Existe gran desconocimiento sobre las TAC. Homeopatía y acupuntura son las más conocidas y la percepción sobre su efectividad es desigual entre estudiantes, siendo los de enfermería y fisioterapia quienes presentan actitudes más favorables hacia las TAC.
Effects on Social Support Networks: Exploring the Impact of Type and Severity of Abuse Experienced by Children and Adolescents
Authors: Quirk Felicity A. , Rickwood Debra J.
Published: August 2015

The importance of social networks for young people who have experienced abuse and neglect remains an underdeveloped area of research and practice. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between abuse experienced by children and adolescents and subsequent outcomes on their social support networks. The study sample consisted of 85 clients (aged 8–15) of a service specifically for children reported to child protection due to child abuse and neglect. Abuse was measured using the Harm Consequences Assessment (HCA), which recorded the level of abuse experienced in five domains: Abandonment/No Appropriate Carer, Developmental and Medical Harm, Emotional and Psychological Harm, Physical Harm and Injury, and Sexual Harm. This also ranked abuse experienced in terms of severity: concerning, serious or extreme. Social network was measured using the Social Network Map. Analyses revealed a very high level of abuse for most young people across multiple domains. Social support was most evident in the “other family” category, and a relatively high level of perceived support was reported. There were few significant associations between levels of abuse and social support networks. However, one significant effect evident was for those young people who had not experienced developmental abuse who reported a significantly better network quality in work/school area of life than those who had experienced concerning or serious developmental abuse. This study contributes to an important body of emerging evidence on social support networks for children who have experienced maltreatment.
Abnormalities in the WFU strain ofTaenia crassiceps(Cyclophyllidea: Taeniidae) following years of propagation in mice
Authors: Aguilar-Vega L. , García-Prieto L. , Zurabian R.
Published: August 2015

Asexually proliferatingTaenia crassiceps(Zeder, 1800) metacestodes isolated within past decades have been successfully sub-cultured under experimental conditions usingMus musculusLinnaeus, 1758 mice. However, during their development, morphological irregularities of scolex structures have been reported in two of the three strains of this cestode species maintained in mice – ORF and KBS. The main goal of this work is to describe the abnormalities observed in a sample of 118 cysticerci of the thirdT.crassicepsstrain used at present – WFU. Morphological abnormalities were detected in 39.8% of the evaginated scoleces; they consisted of supernumerary suckers (n= 2), duplicated (n= 2) or absent rostellum (n= 1), as well as absent or aberrant (n= 29) hooks, which were significantly shorter when compared to the large and short hook lengths referred to in the literature.
Words, Words, Words
Authors: Elmes Simon
Published: August 2015

It's difficult to imagine the relatively civilised, slightly worn corridors of London's old Broadcasting House, headquarters of the BBC, as being the frontline in a war. No trenches; no barbed wire; not a sign of battle-fatigue to be seen … Yet here whizz-bangs are almost as frequent as they were at the Somme. For frontline this indeed is; a place where battle-royal is pitched between the opposing camps of linguistic orthodoxy and originality. The spot where, like a pair of weirdly-named opponents from Gulliver's Travels, the Descriptivists do battle with the Prescriptivists.
Rationalizing the Attitude-Acquisition Conundrum in Cameroon Pidgin English
Authors: Tanda Vincent A.
Published: August 2015

This paper seeks to rationalize the attitude-acquisition conundrum which is witnessed with Cameroon Pidgin English (CPE), an English-based pidgin spoken in Cameroon. According to Baker (1992: 10), ‘attitude’ refers to a hypothetical construct used to explain the direction and persistence of human behavior. In second-language acquisition literature, the use of the term ‘attitude’ has very often conjured up associated notions such as behavior, motivation, prestige and importance, which are seen to be important determinants of levels of success in L2 learning/acquisition. A positive attitude is said to fortify the motivation to learn a language; to be a successful learner, a positive attitude towards the target language is necessary. However, as McKenzie (2008: 4) notes, the relationship between attitude and L2 learning/acquisition is a rather complex one, which varies according to social context. Among other things, a positive attitude towards an L2 is also driven by factors such as (1) the socioeconomic value of the L2, (2) the L2's status-raising potential and (3) its perceived instrumental value.
A constructionist approach to the teaching of phrasal verbs
Authors: Torres-Martínez Sergio
Published: August 2015

The central issue of the present article is the analysis of phrasal verbs (hereafter termed multiword verbs [MWVs]) from the perspective ofconstruction grammars(Goldberg, 1995; Suttle and Goldberg, 2011). As is well known, English MWVs present special challenges to L2 learners due, among other things, to the shapelessness of their conceptual components and the ensuing impossibility to arrive at equivalent word-meaning correspondences (mappings) in the learners’ mother language (see Gilletteet al., 1999). This brings us to the first theoretical claim of this paper – namely, that MWVs (also termed phrasal verbs, verb-particle collocations, verb-particle combinations etc.) are lexical chunks that can be retrieved by speakers either as wholes, without special recourse to syntactic parsing, or as verb-particle semantic associations (Cappelleet al., 2010). This idea is combined with the notion that MWVs inherit their syntax-semantics from prototypicalArgument Structure Constructions(Goldberg, 2013a) withinVerb Argument Constructions(VACs) frames. VACs are thus associated with prototype verbs like‘go‘, ‘come’, ‘get’, ‘put’, etc., to project their meaning upon less-frequent verbs occupying aV-slot frame(a verbal position). It follows that MWVs function ashyponymsthat express specific semantic nuances not available in prototype verbs. For example, in the sentence ‘Aryascooped upa rock and hurled it at Joffrey's head’ (George R. R. Martin,A Game of Thrones[1996]), the verbscoop upsuggests acaused motionusually conveyed by the verbLIFT, i.e. the prototype of thesimple transitive Verb Argument Construction. From this vantage, it is suggested that a way to activate the weak verb-object interface is through its assignation to specific prototypesbootstrapping(providing an initial basis for) both the conceptualisation of the MWVs and their potential mapping to specific words (which I term inherited surface forms).
Annual rings in a native Hawaiian tree,Sophora chrysophylla, on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi
Authors: Francisco Kainana S. , Hart Patrick J. , Li Jinbao , Cook Edward R. , Baker Patrick J.
Published: August 2015

Annual rings are not commonly produced in tropical trees because they grow in a relatively aseasonal environment. However, in the subalpine zones of Hawaiʻi's highest volcanoes, there is often strong seasonal variability in temperature and rainfall. Using classical dendrochronological methods, annual growth rings were shown to occur inSophora chrysophylla, a native tree species on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi. Chronologies were established from nearby non-native, live conifer trees and these were used to verify the dates from a total of 52 series from 22S. chrysophyllatrees, establishing an 86-y chronology (1926–2011). Ring-width patterns were significantly correlated with monthly rainfall from August of the previous year. This study is the first in the eastern tropical Pacific region to demonstrate annual growth rings in trees.
Asymmetries in children's production of relative clauses: data from English and Korean
Authors: KIM CHAE-EUN , O'GRADY WILLIAM
Published: August 2015

We report here on a series of elicited production experiments that investigate the production of indirect object and oblique relative clauses by monolingual child learners of English and Korean. Taken together, the results from the two languages point toward a pair of robust asymmetries: children manifest a preference for subject relative clauses over indirect object relative clauses, and for direct object relative clauses over oblique relative clauses. We consider various possible explanations for these preferences, of which the most promising seems to involve the requirement that the referent of the head noun be easily construed as what the relative clause is about.
Principal bundles as Frobenius adjunctions with application to geometric morphisms
Authors: TOWNSEND CHRISTOPHER
Published: August 2015

Using a suitable notion of principalG-bundle, defined relative to an arbitrary cartesian category, it is shown that principal bundles can be characterised as adjunctions that stably satisfy Frobenius reciprocity. The result extends from internal groups to internal groupoids. Since geometric morphisms can be described as certain adjunctions that are stably Frobenius, as an application it is proved that all geometric morphisms, from a localic topos to a bounded topos, can be characterised as principal bundles.
Crystal structure of fingolimod hydrochloride, C19H34ClNO2
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Zhong Kai , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: August 2015

The crystal structure of fingolimod hydrochloride (C19H34ClNO2) has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Fingolimod hydrochloride crystallizes in space groupP21/n(#14) witha= 7.137 53(5),b= 5.957 98(4),c= 49.5196(4) Å,β= 91.0808(7)°,V= 2105.46(2) Å3, andZ= 4. The structure consists of a “lipid bilayer” packing. The polar ends of the molecules make O–H···Cl and N–H···Cl hydrogen bonds to the chloride anion, and the octyl side chains pack adjacent to each other. The hydrogen bonds form three types of chains with graph sets C1,2(7), C1,2(7), and C1,2(8). The result is a complex chain of hydrogen bonds parallel to theb-axis. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in future releases of the Powder Diffraction File™.
Powder diffraction data on Ca0.9Nd0.1Ti0.9Al0.1O3
Authors: Murugesan G. , Nithya R. , Kalainathan S.
Published: August 2015

Single crystals of Ca0.9Nd0.1Ti0.9Al0.1O3 (CNTAO) were grown using optical floating zone technique and the grown crystals were characterized by Laue diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction techniques for crystal quality and its composition, respectively. The powder pattern of CNTAO was indexed and refined using GSAS program to an orthorhombic structure with space group Pbnm (#62), a = 5.3832(1), b = 5.4343(1), c = 7.6389(2) Å, V = 223.4677 Å3′, and Z = 4.
Molecular phylogeny of genus Musa determined by simple sequence repeat markers
Authors: Feng Huimin , Chen You , Li Bo , Wu Yaoting
Published: August 2015

Musa L. was previously separated into five sections (Eumusa, Rhodochlamys, Callimusa, Australimusa and Ingentimusa) based on basic chromosome numbers and morphological characters. However, several molecular analyses currently support restructuring of Musa species into two sections, Musa and Callimusa. The application of simple sequence repeat molecular marker analysis to Musa phylogeny provided valuable, supplemental information about the classification of, and relationships between, Musa species and subspecies. Totally, 28 accessions of Musa acuminata Colla subspecies and varieties and 25 accessions of other Musa species were evaluated; 12 primers produced 91 polymorphic bands, polymorphic information content ranged from 0.4473 to 0.8394 (average = 0.7226), indicating that the primers showed a high level of polymorphism. Our results generally agreed with previous phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data. One clade comprised species of sections Australimusa and Callimusa (X= 10/9); most species of sections Eumusa and Rhodochlamys (X= 11) formed the other clade. The relationships between most species were as expected; however, some species did not conform to findings of previous studies. A wide range of variability was observed in the M. acuminata complex. M. acuminata var. chinensis and M. acuminata subsp. 522 showed the most distant relationships to other subspecies: Musa laterita, Musa ornata and Musa velutina clustered with M. acuminata var. chinensis, suggesting that they may constitute a secondary gene pool for the improvement of cultivated bananas. Molecular data indicated that Musa tongbiguanensis Chen You & Yao-Ting Wu, which was observed and described by our research group in Yunnan, China, was a distinct, new species.
Feeding habits of the sea turtles Caretta caretta and Lepidochelys olivacea in south-eastern Brazil
Authors: Di Beneditto Ana Paula Madeira , Fulgencio De Moura Jailson , Siciliano Salvatore
Published: August 2015

Studies of the feeding habits of sea turtles are important in identifying their feeding grounds and preferred prey, thus helping with management decisions regarding habitat protection. The present study describes, for the first time, the feeding habits of the sea turtlesCaretta carettaandLepidochelys olivaceain Rio de Janeiro State, south-eastern Brazil (22°06′S–22°55′S). The stomach contents of fiveC. carettaand fiveL. olivacearecovered between 2009 and 2010 were analysed to identify the prey species. A common feeding pattern was noted for both species, with bottom-dwelling prey (fish, crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms), common in shallow environments, constituting the main food items. All fish and brachyuran crustacean species identified in the stomach contents were by-catch in small-scale shrimp fisheries that operate along the study area. The coastal waters of Rio de Janeiro State represent a new feeding ground forL. olivacea, expanding its preferential habitat during the non-reproductive period. The results provide strong evidence for the likelihood that sea turtles are interacting with fisheries due to an overlapping between feeding and fishery grounds. An evaluation of carcasses washed up on beaches is needed for a better understanding of the effects on the population dynamics of sea turtles.
Maternal group B Streptococcus and the infant gut microbiota
Authors: Cassidy-Bushrow A. E. , Sitarik A. , Levin A. M. , Lynch S. V. , Havstad S. , Ownby D. R. , Johnson C. C. , Wegienka G.
Published: August 2015

Early patterns of gut colonization may predispose children to adult disease. Exposures in utero and during delivery are associated with the infant gut microbiome. Although ~35% of women carry group B strep (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) during pregnancy, it is unknown if GBS presence influences the infant gut microbiome. As part of a population-based, general risk birth cohort, stool specimens were collected from infant’s diapers at research visits conducted at ~1 and 6 months of age. Using the Illumina MiSeq (San Diego, CA) platform, the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. Infant gut bacterial community compositional differences by maternal GBS status were evaluated using permutational multivariate analysis of variance. Individual operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were tested using a zero-inflated negative binomial model. Data on maternal GBS and infant gut microbiota from either 1 (n=112) or 6-month-old stool (n=150) specimens was available on 262 maternal-child pairs. Eighty women (30.5%) were GBS+, of who 58 (72.5%) were given intrapartum antibiotics. After adjusting for maternal race, prenatal antifungal use and intrapartum antibiotics, maternal GBS status was statistically significantly associated with gut bacterial composition in the 6 month visit specimen (Canberra R2=0.008, P=0.008; Unweighted UniFrac R2=0.010, P=0.011). Individual OTU tests revealed that infants of GBS+ mothers were significantly enriched for specific members of the Clostridiaceae, Ruminococcoceae, and Enterococcaceae in the 6 month specimens compared with infants of GBS- mothers. Whether these taxonomic differences in infant gut microbiota at 6 months lead to differential predisposition for adult disease requires additional study.
Mental health among UK inner city non-heterosexuals: the role of risk factors, protective factors and place
Authors: Woodhead C. , Gazard B. , Hotopf M. , Rahman Q. , Rimes K. A. , Hatch S. L.
Published: August 2015

Background.

Sexual minorities experience excess psychological ill health globally, yet the UK data exploring reasons for poor mental health among sexual minorities is lacking. This study compares the prevalence of a measure of well-being, symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD), lifetime suicidal ideation, harmful alcohol and drug use among inner city non-heterosexual and heterosexual individuals. It is the first UK study which aims to quantify how much major, everyday and anticipated discrimination; lifetime and childhood trauma; and coping strategies for dealing with unfair treatment, predict excess mental ill health among non-heterosexuals. Further, inner city and national outcomes are compared.

Methods.

Self-report survey data came from the South East London Community Health study (N = 1052) and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (N = 7403).

Results.

Adjustments for greater exposure to measured experiences of discrimination and lifetime and childhood trauma had a small to moderate impact on effect sizes for adverse health outcomes though in fully adjusted models, non-heterosexual orientation remained strongly associated with CMD, lifetime suicidal ideation, harmful alcohol and drug use. There was limited support for the hypothesis that measured coping strategies might mediate some of these associations. The inner city sample had poorer mental health overall compared with the national sample and the discrepancy was larger for non-heterosexuals than heterosexuals.

Conclusions.

Childhood and adult adversity substantially influence but do not account for sexual orientation-related mental health disparities. Longitudinal work taking a life course approach with more specific measures of discrimination and coping is required to further understand these associations. Sexual minorities should be considered as a priority in the design and delivery of health and social services.
Die methodische Beurteilung und qualitative Bewertung psychometrischer Tests am Beispiel aktueller Verfahren zur Erfassung der Lese- und/oder Rechtschreibleistung
Authors: Galuschka Katharina , Rothe Josefine , Schulte-Körne Gerd
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Es wird ein Verfahren zur Testbeurteilung vorgestellt, das eine schnelle und objektive methodische Bewertung psychometrischer Verfahren erlaubt. Dadurch kann die Entscheidungsfindung und Beurteilungskompetenz der Anwender, welches Verfahren über eine hohe methodische Qualität verfügt und eingesetzt werden kann, erleichtert und strukturiert werden. Das Beurteilungsvorgehen wird am Beispiel der psychometrischen Erfassung von Lese- und/oder Rechtschreibleistungen vorgestellt. Es wird demnach zusätzlich ein Überblick über aktuelle deutschsprachige psychometrische Testverfahren zur Erfassung von Lese- und/oder Rechtschreibleistungen gegeben. Damit konnten Testverfahren, die bevorzugt zur Erfassung von Lese- und/oder Rechtschreibleistungen heranzuziehen sind, identifiziert werden. Diese sind im Bereich der Beurteilung von Leseleistungen der ELFE 1–6, der LGVT 6–12, die LESEN 6–7, die LESEN 8–9 und die WLLP-R. Im Bereich der Beurteilung von Rechtschreibleistungen gelten der DERET 1–2+, der DERET 3–4+, der WRT 1+, der WRT 2+, der WRT 3+, der WRT 4+ sowie die HSP 1–10 als Verfahren mit hohem Qualitätsstandard.
Biallelic RFX6 mutations can cause childhood as well as neonatal onset diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sansbury Francis H , Kirel Birgül , Caswell Richard , Lango Allen Hana , Flanagan Sarah E , Hattersley Andrew T , Ellard Sian , Shaw-Smith Charles J
Published: August 2015

Neonatal diabetes is a highly genetically heterogeneous disorder. There are over 20 distinct syndromic and non-syndromic forms, including dominant, recessive and X-linked subtypes. Biallelic truncating or mis-sense mutations in the DNA-binding domain of the RFX6 transcription factor cause an autosomal recessive, syndromic form of neonatal diabetes previously described as Mitchell–Riley syndrome. In all, eight cases have been reported, with the age at onset of diabetes in the first 2 weeks of life. Here we report two individuals born to double first cousins in whom intestinal atresias consistent with a diagnosis of Mitchell–Riley syndrome were diagnosed at birth, but in whom diabetes did not present until the ages of 3 and 6 years. Novel compound heterozygous RFX6 nonsense mutations (p.Arg726X/p.Arg866X) were identified at the 3′ end of the gene. The later onset of diabetes in these patients may be due to incomplete inactivation of RFX6. Genetic testing for RFX6 mutations should be considered in patients presenting with intestinal atresias in the absence of neonatal diabetes.
Field propagation-induced directionality of carrier-envelope phase-controlled photoemission from nanospheres
Authors: Süßmann F. , Seiffert L. , Zherebtsov S. , Mondes V. , Stierle J. , Arbeiter M. , Plenge J. , Rupp P. , Peltz C. , Kessel A. , Trushin S. A. , Ahn B. , Kim D. , Graf C. , Rühl E. , Kling M. F. , Fennel T.
Published: August 2015

Near-fields of non-resonantly laser-excited nanostructures enable strong localization of ultrashort light fields and have opened novel routes to fundamentally modify and control electronic strong-field processes. Harnessing spatiotemporally tunable near-fields for the steering of sub-cycle electron dynamics may enable ultrafast optoelectronic devices and unprecedented control in the generation of attosecond electron and photon pulses. Here we utilize unsupported sub-wavelength dielectric nanospheres to generate near-fields with adjustable structure and study the resulting strong-field dynamics via photoelectron imaging. We demonstrate field propagation-induced tunability of the emission direction of fast recollision electrons up to a regime, where nonlinear charge interaction effects become dominant in the acceleration process. Our analysis supports that the timing of the recollision process remains controllable with attosecond resolution by the carrier-envelope phase, indicating the possibility to expand near-field-mediated control far into the realm of high-field phenomena.
Quantitative analysis reveals how EGFR activation and downregulation are coupled in normal but not in cancer cells
Authors: Capuani Fabrizio , Conte Alexia , Argenzio Elisabetta , Marchetti Luca , Priami Corrado , Polo Simona , Di Fiore Pier Paolo , Sigismund Sara , Ciliberto Andrea
Published: August 2015

Ubiquitination of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that occurs when Cbl and Grb2 bind to three phosphotyrosine residues (pY1045, pY1068 and pY1086) on the receptor displays a sharp threshold effect as a function of EGF concentration. Here we use a simple modelling approach together with experiments to show that the establishment of the threshold requires both the multiplicity of binding sites and cooperative binding of Cbl and Grb2 to the EGFR. While the threshold is remarkably robust, a more sophisticated model predicted that it could be modulated as a function of EGFR levels on the cell surface. We confirmed experimentally that the system has evolved to perform optimally at physiological levels of EGFR. As a consequence, this system displays an intrinsic weakness that causes—at the supraphysiological levels of receptor and/or ligand associated with cancer—uncoupling of the mechanisms leading to signalling through phosphorylation and attenuation through ubiquitination.
Paths and determinants for Penicillium janthinellum to resist low and high copper
Authors: Xu Jian , Chen Guo-Li , Sun Xue-Zhe , Fan Xian-Wei , You-Zhi Li
Published: August 2015

Copper (Cu) tolerance was well understood in fungi yeasts but not in filamentous fungi. Filamentous fungi are eukaryotes but unlike eukaryotic fungi yeasts, which are a collection of various fungi that are maybe classified into different taxa but all characterized by growth as filamentous hyphae cells and with a complex morphology. The current knowledge of Cu resistance of filamentous fungi is still fragmental and therefore needs to be bridged. In this study, we characterized Cu resistance of Penicillium janthinellum strain GXCR and its Cu-resistance-decreasing mutants (EC-6 and UC-8) and conducted sequencing of a total of 6 transcriptomes from wild-type GXCR and mutant EC-6 grown under control and external Cu. Taken all the results together, Cu effects on the basal metabolism were directed to solute transport by two superfamilies of solute carrier and major facilitator, the buffering free CoA and Acyl-CoA pool in the peroxisome, F-type H+-transporting ATPases-based ATP production, V-type H+-transporting ATPases-based transmembrane transport, protein degradation and alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs. Roles of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in resistance to low and high Cu were defined. The backbone paths, signaling systems and determinants that involve resistance of filamentous fungi to high Cu were determined, discussed and outlined in a model.
Stability of HIB-Cul3 E3 ligase adaptor HIB Is Regulated by Self-degradation and Availability of Its Substrates
Authors: Zhou Zizhang , Xu Congyu , Chen Ping , Liu Chen , Pang Shu , Yao Xia , Zhang Qing
Published: August 2015

The HIB-Cul3 complex E3 ligase regulates physiological homeostasis through regulating its substrate stability and its activity can be modulated by changing HIB abundance. However, regulation of HIB remains elusive. Here we provide evidence that HIB is degraded through the proteasome by Cul3-mediated polyubiquitination in K48 manner in Drosophila. Strikingly, HIB is targeted for degradation by itself. We further identify that three degrons (52LKSS56T, 76LDEE80S and 117MESQ121R) and K185 and K198 of HIB are essential for its auto-degradation. Finally, we demonstrate that HIB-Cul3 substrates, Ci and Puc, can effectively protect HIB from HIB-Cul3-mediated degradation. Taken together, our study indicates that there is an exquisite equilibrium between the adaptor and targets to achieve the tight control of the HIB, which is essential for maintaining suitable Hh and JNK signaling. And the mechanism of adaptor self-degradation and reciprocal control of the abundance between adaptor and its substrates is also applied to BTB-Cul3 E3 ligase adaptor dKeap1, dDiablo and dKLHL18.
Fast analysis of 29 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lung Shih-Chun Candice , Liu Chun-Hu
Published: August 2015

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs are ubiquitous in the environment. Some of them are probable carcinogens and some are source markers. This work presents an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-APPI-MS/MS) method for simultaneous analysis of 20 PAHs and nine nitro-PAHs. These compounds are separated in 15 minutes in the positive mode and 11 minutes in the negative mode, one half of GC/MS analysis time. Two pairs of precursor/product ions are offered, which is essential for confirmation. This method separates and quantifies benzo[a]pyrene (the most toxic PAHs) and non-priority benzo[e]pyrene (isomers, little toxicity) to avoid overestimation of toxin levels, demonstrating its importance for health-related researches. With 0.5% 2,4-difluoroanisole in chlorobenzene as the dopant, limits of detection of PAHs except acenaphthylene and those of nitro-PAHs except 2-nitrofluoranthene are below 10 pg and 3 pg, respectively, mostly lower than or comparable to those reported using LC-related systems. The responses were linear over two orders of magnitude with fairly good accuracy and precision. Certified reference materials and real aerosol samples were analyzed to demonstrate its applicability. This fast, sensitive and reliable method is the first UHPLC-APPI-MS/MS method capable of simultaneously analyzing 29 environmentally and toxicologically important PAHs and nitro-PAHs.
Quadruplex-and-Mg2+ Connection (QMC) of DNA
Authors: Kankia Besik
Published: August 2015

This work highlights a novel method of coupling of nucleic acids through formation of an extraordinary stable, specific and fully reversible quadruplex-and-Mg2+ connection (QMC). QMC employs the monomolecular tetrahelical architecture of DNA and has two key components: (i) shape complementarity between QMC partners, which is introduced by specific modifications of the quadruplexes and (ii) Mg2+ ions. The on-rate of QMC formation is between 105–106 M−1 s−1, while the off-rate is undetectable even at 80 °C. However, QMC dissociates rapidly upon removal of Mg2+ ions (i.e., by EDTA). QMC is characterized by high specificity, as even a single-nucleotide modification of one of the connectors inhibits complex-formation. QMC has the potential to revolutionize biotechnology by introducing a new class of capture molecules with major advantages over traditional systems such as streptavidin-biotin. The advantages include reversibility, multiplexing, higher stability and specificity, longer shelf life and low cost.