bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical modelling of deep rolling influence over crankshaft bending and correlation with fatigue behaviour
Authors: Fonseca Luiz G. Aun , Cantisano Artur , Faria Alfredo R.
Published: October 2019

The requirements for mechanical reliability of automotive crankshafts are continuously increasing, thus pushing the demand for an optimized processing. Nonetheless, the manufacturing‐induced residual stresses at critical sites for fatigue enhancement are not clarified in the state‐of‐the‐art on the topic. In particular, there is a lack of information on the effect of final manufacturing stages to improve the component life endurance, such as deep rolling, in the overall stress state while the component is under operational loads. This study deepens the validation of a finite element deep rolling model under development with the aid of an in‐house developed crankshaft resonance fatigue test rig. The stress state obtained from the deep rolling simulation was input as a predefined stress field for the simulation of operational conditions experimented at the test rig. Test results produced cracks at the fillet radii of the cast iron crankshafts as anticipated. Overlapping the fractography with the simulation's final stress field yielded interesting correlation with the crack morphology. This contributed with a strong indication of the model correctness. Moreover, it can be further implemented to indicate whether the process parameters such as roller force and angle are fully optimized for each particular crankshaft application.
Population status and distribution of whitespotted conger (Conger myriaster) in Yellow Sea: An important migratory species along coastal China with limited data
Authors: Li Min , Jiao Yan , Bi Rujia , Ren Yiping
Published: October 2019

Whitespotted conger (Conger myriaster) is a marine migratory species with important economic and ecological values in Northwestern Pacific. The population status and distribution of whitespotted conger may have changed in the eastern coastal water of China owing to the intensive fishing pressure and human activities in the past few decades. There have been miscellaneous concerns about its population trend and potential environment‐driven variations in spatiotemporal distribution. Delta‐generalized linear models, generalized linear mixed models, and a set of correlation analyses were performed to answer the above concerns, and a stratified random sampling‐designed bottom trawl survey from 2011 to 2017 in Haizhou Bay of the central Yellow Sea was conducted to collect samples. Our study suggested that whitespotted conger remained a relatively stable population status with slight fluctuations likely caused by climate variability during 2011–2017. The hierarchical generalized linear mixed models with spatial random effect performed better than the generalized linear model and the common generalized linear mixed models. Spatiotemporal differences of whitespotted conger were significantly associated with bottom water salinity, depth, sampling time, and space, which were probably mainly influenced by a combination of the Cold Water Mass, the Yellow Sea Warm Current, and the Yellow Sea Coastal Current. The predicted spatiotemporal distribution of whitespotted conger has a monthly variation matching its seasonable migration and an overall higher abundance in the deeper water than that in the neritic areas in Haizhou Bay.
Limitations of cross‐ and multigenerational plasticity for marine invertebrates faced with global climate change
Authors: Byrne Maria , Foo Shawna A. , Ross Pauline M. , Putnam Hollie M.
Published: October 2019

Although cross generation (CGP) and multigenerational (MGP) plasticity have been identified as mechanisms of acclimation to global change, the weight of evidence indicates that parental conditioning over generations is not a panacea to rescue stress sensitivity in offspring. For many species, there were no benefits of parental conditioning. Even when improved performance was observed, this waned over time within a generation or across generations and fitness declined. CGP and MGP studies identified resilient species with stress tolerant genotypes in wild populations and selected family lines. Several bivalves possess favourable stress tolerance and phenotypically plastic traits potentially associated with genetic adaptation to life in habitats where they routinely experience temperature and/or acidification stress. These traits will be important to help ‘climate proof’ shellfish ventures. Species that are naturally stress tolerant and those that naturally experience a broad range of environmental conditions are good candidates to provide insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in CGP and MGP. It is challenging to conduct ecologically relevant global change experiments over the long times commensurate with the pace of changing climate. As a result, many studies present stressors in a shock‐type exposure at rates much faster than projected scenarios. With more gradual stressor introduction over longer experimental durations and in context with conditions species are currently acclimatized and/or adapted to, the outcomes for sensitive species might differ. We highlight the importance to understand primordial germ cell development and the timing of gametogenesis with respect to stressor exposure. Although multigenerational exposure to global change stressors currently appears limited as a universal tool to rescue species in the face of changing climate, natural proxies of future conditions (upwelling zones, CO2 vents, naturally warm habitats) show that phenotypic adjustment and/or beneficial genetic selection is possible for some species, indicating complex plasticity–adaptation interactions.
Interannual variation of terrestrial carbon cycle: Issues and perspectives
Authors: Piao Shilong , Wang Xuhui , Wang Kai , Li Xiangyi , Bastos Ana , Canadell Josep G. , Ciais Philippe , Friedlingstein Pierre , Sitch Stephen
Published: October 2019

With accumulation of carbon cycle observations and model developments over the past decades, exploring interannual variation (IAV) of terrestrial carbon cycle offers the opportunity to better understand climate–carbon cycle relationships. However, despite growing research interest, uncertainties remain on some fundamental issues, such as the contributions of different regions, constituent fluxes and climatic factors to carbon cycle IAV. Here we overviewed the literature on carbon cycle IAV about current understanding of these issues. Observations and models of the carbon cycle unanimously show the dominance of tropical land ecosystems to the signal of global carbon cycle IAV, where tropical semiarid ecosystems contribute as much as the combination of all other tropical ecosystems. Vegetation photosynthesis contributes more than ecosystem respiration to IAV of the global net land carbon flux, but large uncertainties remain on the contribution of fires and other disturbance fluxes. Climatic variations are the major drivers to the IAV of net land carbon flux. Although debate remains on whether the dominant driver is temperature or moisture variability, their interaction,that is, the dependence of carbon cycle sensitivity to temperature on moisture conditions, is emerging as key regulators of the carbon cycle IAV. On timescales from the interannual to the centennial, global carbon cycle variability will be increasingly contributed by northern land ecosystems and oceans. Therefore, both improving Earth system models (ESMs) with the progressive understanding on the fast processes manifested at interannual timescale and expanding carbon cycle observations at broader spatial and longer temporal scales are critical to better prediction on evolution of the carbon–climate system.
Accelerating Streamline Tracking in Groundwater Flow Modeling on GPUs
Authors: Ji Xiaohui , Luo Mulan , Wang Xu‐Sheng
Published: October 2019

Streamline simulation in groundwater flow modeling is a time‐consuming process when a large number of streamlines are analyzed. We develop a parallelization method on graphics processing units (GPUs) for the semi‐analytical particle tracking algorithm developed by Pollock (1988). Compute Unified Device Architecture was used to implement the parallel method. Forward and backward tracking of a streamline is handled by an individual thread. A GPU includes a grid of blocks where a block handles 32 threads. We use multi‐GPUs to accelerate streamline tracking in a flow model with millions of particles. The method was examined to simulate streamlines for identifying three‐dimensional (3D) flow systems in a Tóthian basin. The speedup exceeds 1000 when 8 NVIDIA GPUs are used to simulate 5 million or more streamlines.
Correlation of miR‐181a and three HOXA genes as useful biomarkers in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Xu Peipei , Zhou Di , Yan Guijun , Ouyang Jian , Chen Bing
Published: October 2019

Introduction

MiR‐181a is a small, noncoding RNA that plays important roles in the pathogenesis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A group of HOXA genes, including HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA11, has been established as an independent predictor for AML prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between miR‐181a and HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA11 and explore their roles in predicting prognosis in AML.

Patients and Methods

Bone marrow samples of 46 untreated AML patients and 9 healthy donors were collected. Mononuclear cells were purified using density‐gradient centrifugation in Ficoll, and quantitative real‐time PCR was used to detect miR‐181a and HOXA gene expression level.

Results

HOXA7, HOXA9, and HOXA11 were negatively correlated with miR‐181a, and their expression levels varied among AML subtypes, karyotypes, and risk status. Higher miR‐181a and lower HOXA gene expressions were significantly associated with lower risk status and better response to chemotherapy.

Conclusion

In our study, we found miR‐181a expression was negatively correlated with three HOXA genes and they were associated with AML risk status and prognosis in granulocytic AML. It further supported that miR‐181a could be a useful marker for AML prognosis and possibly worked by regulating HOXA gene clusters.
Mendelian randomization analysis revealed potential causal factors for systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mo Xingbo , Guo Yufan , Qian Qiyu , Fu Mengzhen , Lei Shufeng , Zhang Yonghong , Zhang Huan
Published: October 2019

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many loci for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, identification of functionally relevant genes remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to highlight potential causal genes for SLE in the GWAS loci. By applying Mendelian randomization (MR) methods, such as summary data‐based MR (SMR), generalized SMR and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, we identified DNA methylations in 15 loci and mRNA expression of 21 genes that were causally associated with SLE. The identified genes enriched in 14 specific KEGG pathways (e.g. SLE, viral carcinogenesis) and two GO terms (interferon‐γ‐mediated signaling pathway and innate immune response). Among the identified genes, UBE2L3 and BLK variants were significantly associated with UBE2L3 and BLK methylations and gene expressions, respectively. UBE2L3 was up‐regulated in SLE patients in several types of immune cells. Methylations (e.g. cg06850285) and mRNA expression of UBE2L3 were causally associated with SLE. Methylation site cg09528494 and mRNA expression of BLK were causally associated with SLE. BLK single nucleotide polymorphisms that were significantly associated with SLE were strongly associated with plasma cathepsin B level. Deep analysis identified that plasma cathepsin B level was causally associated with SLE. In summary, this study identified hundreds of DNA methylations and genes as potential risk factors for SLE. Genetic variants in UBE2L3 gene might affect SLE by influencing gene expression. Genetic variants in BLK gene might affect SLE by influencing BLK gene expression and plasma cathepsin B protein level.
Variance minimizing strategies for stochastic processes with applications to tracking stock indices
Authors: Colwell David B. , El‐Hassan Nadima , Kwon Oh Kang
Published: October 2019

This paper extends the notion of variance optimal hedging of contingent claims under the incomplete market setting to the hedging of entire processes and applies the results to the problem of tracking stock indices. Sufficient conditions under which this is possible are given, along with the corresponding variance minimizing strategy. The performances of tracking error variance (TEV) minimizing, locally risk minimizing, and variance minimizing strategies in tracking stock indices are investigated using both simulated and historical market data. In particular, it is shown using S&P500 data over the period 2000 and 2015 that the TEV of the variance minimizing strategy is statistically lower than other strategies at the 95% confidence level for 6‐month holding periods.
Dissolution kinetics of alumina in molten CaO–Al2O3–FetO–MgO–SiO2 oxide representing the RH slag in steelmaking process
Authors: Park Young‐Joon , Cho Yong‐Min , Cha Woo‐Yeol , Kang Youn‐Bae
Published: October 2019

In order to effectively remove alumina inclusions suspending in ultra‐low C steel during RH process, the dissolution kinetics of alumina in molten CaO–Al2O3–FetO–MgO–SiO2 oxide was investigated. A crucible dissolution technique was used where the alumina crucible was allowed to dissolve in the slag of various conditions ((% CaO)/(% Al2O3), (% FetO), temperature). The obtained data were interpreted using a kinetic mass transport equation to obtain the mass transport coefficient (km) in each condition. Increasing (% CaO)/(% Al2O3), (% FetO), and temperature increased the dissolution rate as well as the km provided that the slag composition is not close to its saturation composition by alumina. In order to simulate the dissolution of alumina inclusion in the RH slag, which cannot be measured by a confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) at present due to the opaqueness of the slag, the modified invariant interface approximation was employed. Along with the obtained km, the viscosity of slag, and a reference experiment using the CSLM, the dissolution kinetics of alumina inclusion in the FetO‐containing RH slag was predicted. The time required for the dissolution of alumina inclusions from liquid steel to RH slag was discussed.
Experience of family function, family involvement, and self‐management in adult patients with type 2 diabetes: A thematic analysis
Authors: Bennich Birgitte B. , Munch Lene , Overgaard Dorthe , Konradsen Hanne , Knop Filip K. , Røder Michael , Vilsbøll Tina , Egerod Ingrid
Published: October 2019

Aim

To describe the patient's experience of family function and its importance in diabetes‐related self‐management.

Background

Many patients fail to reach the targeted glycemic level due to low self‐management adherence. Knowledge is needed regarding the impact of family function on diabetes self‐management.

Design

A qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

A purposive sample of 20 patients with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected in March‐June 2017 via audio‐recorded semi‐structured interviews, field notes and Eco‐maps. Analysed using thematic framework matrix and thematic analysis.

Results

Four themes were identified: (1) Downplaying disease. The disease was trivialized creating a barrier to family involvement; (2) Second guessing. When diabetes was not discussed, patient and family made their own assumptions; (3) Going it alone. The participants preferred sole disease responsibility to maintain usual family life; (4) No regrets. The participants managed their disease with medications only to maintain family cohesion and ‘the good life’.

Conclusion

The participants in our study downplayed the consequences of type 2 diabetes and chose to control their disease medically rather than by lifestyle changes. They renounced family involvement to maintain their lifestyle and promote family cohesion.

Impact

During clinical check‐ups, patients should be encouraged to involve their family in lifestyle changes. Healthcare professionals need to recognize illness‐ and treatment beliefs and the impact of family function in disease management.
Effectiveness of blood pressure–lowering treatment by the levels of baseline Framingham risk score: A post hoc analysis of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)
Authors: Zhang Ling , Sun Xiuting , Liao Lizhen , Zhang Shaozhao , Zhou Huimin , Zhong Xiangbin , Zhuang Xiaodong , Liao Xinxue
Published: October 2019

This was a post hoc analysis of Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), aimed to investigate whether intensive blood pressure treatment has differential therapeutic outcomes on patients with different baseline Framingham risk score (FRS). The 9298 SPRINT participants were categorized into low‐risk (baseline FRS < 10%), intermediate‐risk (FRS = 10%‐20%), or high‐risk (FRS > 20%) arms. The primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome not resulting in myocardial infarction, stroke, acute decompensated heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes. Serious adverse events were defined as hypotension, syncope, and bradycardia. Multiple Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for study outcomes with intensive compared with standard SBP treatment between these three groups. After a median follow‐up time of 3.26 years, the primary outcome hazard ratio (HR) for intensive versus standard treatment was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.61‐0.88, P = .0044) in the high‐risk arm. And, for all‐cause mortality, the hazard ratio with intensive SBP treatment was 1.58 (95% CI: 0.55‐1.06), 0.9 (95% CI: 0.26‐9.50), and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.34‐0.82) in three arms (all P values for interaction > 0.05). Effects of intensive versus standard SBP control on serious adverse events were similar among patients with different FRS. Our results suggested that regardless of the FRS level, the intensive blood pressure control was beneficial.
Low‐level laser therapy 810‐nm up‐regulates macrophage secretion of neurotrophic factors via PKA‐CREB and promotes neuronal axon regeneration in vitro
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Sun Jiakai , Zheng Qiao , Hu Xueyu , Wang Zhe , Liang Zhuowen , Li Kun , Song Jiwei , Ding Tan , Shen Xuefeng , Zhang Jianxin , Qiao Lin
Published: October 2019

Macrophages play key roles in the secondary injury stage of spinal cord injury (SCI). M1 macrophages occupy the lesion area and secrete high levels of inflammatory factors that hinder lesion repair, and M2 macrophages can secrete neurotrophic factors and promote axonal regeneration. The regulation of macrophage secretion after SCI is critical for injury repair. Low‐level laser therapy (810‐nm) (LLLT) can boost functional rehabilitation in rats after SCI; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. To explore this issue, we established an in vitro model of low‐level laser irradiation of M1 macrophages, and the effects of LLLT on M1 macrophage polarization and neurotrophic factor secretion and the related mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that LLLT irradiation decreased the expression of M1 macrophage‐specific markers, and increased the expression of M2 macrophage‐specific markers. Through forward and reverse experiments, we verified that LLLT can promote the secretion of various neurotrophic factors by activating the PKA‐CREB pathway in macrophages and finally promote the regeneration of axons. Accordingly, LLLT may be an effective therapeutic approach for SCI with clinical application prospects.
Annual Research Review: Umbrella synthesis of meta‐analyses on child maltreatment antecedents and interventions: differential susceptibility perspective on risk and resilience
Authors: van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. , Coughlan Barry , Reijman Sophie
Published: October 2019

Child maltreatment in the family context is a prevalent and pervasive phenomenon in many modern societies. The global perpetration of child abuse and neglect stands in stark contrast to its almost universal condemnation as exemplified in the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. Much work has been devoted to the task of prevention, yet a grand synthesis of the literature is missing. Focusing on two core elements of prevention, that is, antecedents for maltreatment and the effectiveness of (preventative) interventions, we performed an umbrella review of meta‐analyses published between January 1, 2014, and December 17, 2018. Meta‐analyses were systematically collected, assessed, and integrated following a uniform approach to allow their comparison across domains. From this analysis of thousands of studies including almost 1.5 million participants, the following risk factors were derived: parental experience of maltreatment in his or her own childhood (d = .47), low socioeconomic status of the family (d = .34), dependent and aggressive parental personality (d = .45), intimate partner violence (d = .41), and higher baseline autonomic nervous system activity (d = .24). The effect size for autonomic stress reactivity was not significant (d = −.10). The umbrella review of interventions to prevent or reduce child maltreatment showed modest intervention effectiveness (d = .23 for interventions targeting child abuse potential or families with self‐reported maltreatment and d = .27 for officially reported child maltreatment cases). Despite numerous studies on child maltreatment, some large gaps in our knowledge of antecedents exist. Neurobiological antecedents should receive more research investment. Differential susceptibility theory may shed more light on questions aimed at breaking the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment and on the modest (preventive) intervention effects. In combination with family‐based interaction‐focused interventions, large‐scale socioeconomic experiments such as cash transfer trials and experiments with vouchers to move to a lower‐poverty area might be tested to prevent or reduce child maltreatment. Prevalence, antecedents, and preventive interventions of prenatal maltreatment deserve continuing scientific, clinical, and policy attention.
Association between the ferritin level and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Sun Ce , Wu Qi‐Jun , Gao Shan‐Yan , Ma Zhi‐Min , Liu Ya‐Shu , Zhang Jia‐Yu , Zhao Yu‐Hong
Published: October 2019

Aims/Introduction

The relationship between ferritin and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not been established. Thus, we carried out a meta‐analysis based on the current literature.

Materials and Methods

We searched relevant databases on Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science before 10 May 2019 to determine the relationship between ferritin and the risk of GDM. The relative risks and 95% confidence intervals of GDM risk were summarized using a random effects model. Studies using categories of ferritin as exposure were combined by dose–response analysis. We carried out both linear and non‐linear trends. We also carried out subgroup analysis, whether or not the studies adjusted for potential confounders, and meta‐regression analysis to explore the source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to explore the robustness of the meta‐analysis results.

Results

A total of 10 studies involving 4,690 participants were identified. The summary relative risk comparing persons with the highest concentration categories of ferritin with the lowest concentration categories of ferritin was 1.87 (95% confidence interval 1.50–2.34; I2 = 20.1%). Linear dose–response showed that an increase in ferritin of 10 μg/L increased the risk of GDM by 8% (1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.13, I2 = 55.1%; n = 4). A non‐linear dose–response relationship also showed a consistently increasing risk of GDM with increased ferritin. No evidence of publication bias was detected.

Conclusions

The findings from this meta‐analysis suggest that increased ferritin levels are associated with an increased risk of GDM; however, we require further prospective cohort studies to confirm the results, especially the dose–response relationship between ferritin and GDM.
(In)Efficient Interbank Networks
Authors: CASTIGLIONESI FABIO , NAVARRO NOEMI
Published: October 2019

We study the efficiency properties of the formation of an interbank network. Banks face a trade‐off by establishing connections in the interbank market. On the one hand, banks improve the diversification of their liquidity risk and therefore can obtain a higher expected payoff. On the other hand, banks not sufficiently capitalized have risk‐shifting incentives that expose them to the risk of bankruptcy. Connecting to such risky banks negatively affects expected payoff. We show that both the optimal and the decentralized networks are characterized by a core‐periphery structure. The core is made of the safe banks, whereas the periphery is populated by the risky banks. Nevertheless, the two network structures coincide only if counterparty risk is sufficiently low. Otherwise, the decentralized network is underconnected as compared to the optimal one. Finally, we analyze mechanisms that can avoid the formation of inefficient interbank networks.
The Aggregate and Distributional Effects of Financial Globalization: Evidence from Macro and Sectoral Data
Authors: FURCERI DAVIDE , LOUNGANI PRAKASH , OSTRY JONATHAN D.
Published: October 2019

We take a fresh look at the aggregate and distributional effects of policies to liberalize international capital flows—financial globalization. Both country‐ and industry‐level results suggest that such policies have led on average to limited output gains while contributing to significant increases in inequality. The country‐level results are based on 228 capital account liberalization episodes spanning 149 advanced and developing economies from 1970 to the present. Difference‐in‐difference estimation using industry‐level data for 23 advanced economies suggests that liberalization episodes reduce the share of labor income, particularly for industries with higher external financial dependence, higher natural propensity to use layoffs to adjust to idiosyncratic shocks, and higher elasticity of substitution between capital and labor.
Virtual endocranial and inner ear endocasts of the Paleocene ‘condylarth’ Chriacus: new insight into the neurosensory system and evolution of early placental mammals
Authors: Bertrand Ornella C. , Shelley Sarah L. , Wible John R. , Williamson Thomas E. , Holbrook Luke T. , Chester Stephen G.B. , Butler Ian B. , Brusatte Stephen L.
Published: October 2019

The end‐Cretaceous mass extinction allowed placental mammals to diversify ecologically and taxonomically as they filled ecological niches once occupied by non‐avian dinosaurs and more basal mammals. Little is known, however, about how the neurosensory systems of mammals changed after the extinction, and what role these systems played in mammalian diversification. We here use high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning to describe the endocranial and inner ear endocasts of two species, Chriacus pelvidens and Chriacus baldwini, which belong to a cluster of ‘archaic’ placental mammals called ‘arctocyonid condylarths’ that thrived during the ca. 10 million years after the extinction (the Paleocene Epoch), but whose relationships to extant placentals are poorly understood. The endocasts provide new insight into the paleobiology of the long‐mysterious ‘arctocyonids’, and suggest that Chriacus was an animal with an encephalization quotient (EQ) range of 0.12–0.41, which probably relied more on its sense of smell than vision, because the olfactory bulbs are proportionally large but the neocortex and petrosal lobules are less developed. Agility scores, estimated from the dimensions of the semicircular canals of the inner ear, indicate that Chriacus was slow to moderately agile, and its hearing capabilities, estimated from cochlear dimensions, suggest similarities with the extant aardvark. Chriacus shares many brain features with other Paleocene mammals, such as a small lissencephalic brain, large olfactory bulbs and small petrosal lobules, which are likely plesiomorphic for Placentalia. The inner ear of Chriacus also shares derived characteristics of the elliptical and spherical recesses with extinct species that belong to Euungulata, the extant placental group that includes artiodactyls and perissodactyls. This lends key evidence to the hypothesized close relationship between Chriacus and the extant ungulate groups, and demonstrates that neurosensory features can provide important insight into both the paleobiology and relationships of early placental mammals.
Multiple steps characterise ventricular layer attrition to form the ependymal cell lining of the adult mouse spinal cord central canal
Authors: Cañizares Marco A. , Albors Aida Rodrigo , Singer Gail , Suttie Nicolle , Gorkic Metka , Felts Paul , Storey Kate G.
Published: October 2019

The ventricular layer of the spinal cord is remodelled during embryonic development and ultimately forms the ependymal cell lining of the adult central canal, which retains neural stem cell potential. This anatomical transformation involves the process of dorsal collapse; however, accompanying changes in tissue organisation and cell behaviour as well as the precise origin of cells contributing to the central canal are not well understood. Here, we describe sequential localised cell rearrangements which accompany the gradual attrition of the spinal cord ventricular layer during development. This includes local breakdown of the pseudostratified organisation of the dorsal ventricular layer prefiguring dorsal collapse and evidence for a new phenomenon, ventral dissociation, during which the ventral‐most floor plate cells separate from a subset that are retained around the central canal. Using cell proliferation markers and cell‐cycle reporter mice, we further show that following dorsal collapse, ventricular layer attrition involves an overall reduction in cell proliferation, characterised by an intriguing increase in the percentage of cells in G1/S. In contrast, programmed cell death does not contribute to ventricular layer remodelling. By analysing transcript and protein expression patterns associated with key signalling pathways, we provide evidence for a gradual decline in ventral sonic hedgehog activity and an accompanying ventral expansion of initial dorsal bone morphogenetic protein signalling, which comes to dominate the forming the central canal lining. This study identifies multiple steps that may contribute to spinal cord ventricular layer attrition and adds to increasing evidence for the heterogeneous origin of the spinal cord ependymal cell population, which includes cells from the floor plate and the roof plate as well as ventral progenitor domains.
Methods of pain control during endometrial biopsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Charoenkwan Kittipat , Nantasupha Chalaithorn
Published: October 2019

Aim

To review effectiveness of methods for reducing pain during endometrial biopsy.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that examined effectiveness of pain control methods for endometrial biopsy. Risk of bias was assessed from sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data and selective outcome reporting. Heterogeneity was examined from forest plot, statistical tests of homogeneity, and I2 statistic. For meta‐analysis of pain scores, weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated.

Results

Twenty‐six studies were included in the review. Marginally significant reduction in the pain score during the procedure in participants with intrauterine lidocaine relative to control was observed (mean difference [MD] −1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.70 to 0.09, P = 0.07). Subgroup analysis showed that in studies that used low‐pressure suction devices, intrauterine lidocaine was associated with statistically significant reduction in pain during the procedure (MD −2.22, 95% CI −3.72 to −0.73, P = 0.004). There was a significantly lower pain score during biopsy in the anesthetic spray group compared to control (MD −0.96, 95% CI −1.53 to −0.39, P = 0.001). Significant heterogeneity on types of intervention and outcome measures among studies that examined paracervical block and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) was observed. However, paracervical block and NSAID were associated with significant pain reduction compared to placebo in most of the related studies.

Conclusion

Intrauterine anesthetics, anesthetic cervical spray, paracervical block and oral NSAID provide effective pain control during endometrial biopsy.
Receiving Prosocial Behavior: Examining the Reciprocal Associations between Positive Peer Treatment and Psychosocial and Behavioral Outcomes
Authors: Stotsky Miriam T. , Bowker Julie C. , Etkin Rebecca G.
Published: October 2019

This study investigates the prospective and reciprocal associations between positive peer treatment and psychosocial (popularity, preference, psychological distress) and behavioral (prosocial behavior) outcomes during early adolescence. Participants were 270 young adolescents (52% boys; Mage = 11.84 years) who completed peer nomination and self‐report measures as part of a 7‐month longitudinal study (Wave 1; Feb. Grade 6; Wave 2: May, Grade 6; Wave 3: Sept., Grade 7). Cross‐lagged autoregressive path models revealed reciprocal associations between positive peer treatment and prosocial behavior, such that Wave 1 positive peer treatment predicted increases in Wave 2 prosocial behavior and vice versa. Findings are novel, highlight the importance of considering positive peer treatment during adolescence, and set the stage for future work in this area.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay for the detection of Plasmopara viticola infecting grapes
Authors: Marimuthu Karthick , Ayyanar Kamalakannan , Varagur Ganesan Malathi , Vaikuntavasan Paranidharan , Uthandi Sivakumar , Mathiyazhagan Kavino , Nagaraj Gowrisri
Published: October 2019

Grapes downy mildew caused by obligate oomycete plant pathogen Plasmopara viticola is a devastating disease worldwide, resulting in significant yield and quality losses. A field survey was conducted in two major grapes cultivated areas of Tamil Nadu for the incidence of grapevine downy mildew. The disease incidence was 43.42%–76.69%, and the highest disease incidence of 76.69% was observed in the Theni district. Totally eight P. viticola isolates were collected from different places in Coimbatore and Theni districts. These isolates were confirmed through microscopic observation and sequencing of COX 2 gene, and the phylogenetic tree was developed to study their phylogenetic relationship among the isolates which shows 97–100% sequence similarity with other P. viticola isolates and less sequence similarity with Plasmopara species. The loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed based on the CesA4 gene sequence of P. viticola. The assay developed was more sensitive as it detected P. viticola genomic DNA up to 20 fmg. LAMP assay specificity was proved by carrying out the assay with genomic DNA extracted from other Oomycetes and fungal plant pathogens. Finally, LAMP assay was validated by testing seventy‐eight grapevine leaf samples collected from seven different locations. LAMP assay showed a positive reaction in sixty‐two samples tested out of seventy‐eight samples tested. Therefore, the LAMP assay described should helpful for early and specific detection of downy mildew pathogen and help in mitigating disease incidence.
Heuchera root rot, a new disease for Plectosphaerella cucumerina
Authors: Elmer Wade , Li DeWei , Yavuz Sumeyra , Madeiras Angela , Schultes Neil
Published: October 2019

A Plectosphaerella sp. was isolated from an undescribed root rot of the herbaceous ornamental Heuchera sanguine (Coral Bells) in Massachusetts. Morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences derived from internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, large subunit (LSU) of rDNA, calmodulin (CaM), β‐tubulin 2 (Tub) and transcription elongation factor 1 (Ef‐1α) loci identified the fungus as a member of Plectosphaerella cucumerina. A test of Koch's postulates on an isolate of P. cucumerina indicated that it was a pathogen causing root rot in Heuchera sp. The pathogen caused greatest damage to small transplants (1–4 g) as opposed the larger transplants (9–13 g) and in separate studies was found to infect seedlings of cucumbers, melons and pumpkins. Plectosphaerella cucumerina is reported for the first time in Heuchera sp. Given the importance of Heuchera to the ornamental industry, and the rapid dissemination that can occur with propagated material in the horticultural trade, caution should be exercised to prevent the spread of P. cucumerina.
Effect of Illicium verum or Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts on the anti‐stress ability, and mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and TNF‐α in Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire and Chinese native Licha‐black nursery piglets
Authors: Jiang Shan , Yang Zaibin , Huang Libo , Yang Weiren , Song Danping , Liu Faxiao , Ge Jinshan , Wang Yuxi , Jiang Shuzhen
Published: October 2019

Plant extracts are considered to be an effective alternative to antibiotics in response to weaning stress in piglets. This study evaluated the effect of Illicium verum extracts (IVE) or Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts (ELE) on growth performance, serum and liver antioxidant ability of nursery piglets, as well as the difference of IVE and ELE on Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) and Chinese native Licha‐black (LCB) piglets. A total of 96 nursery piglets (48 DLY and 48 LCB piglets) with an average body weight of 11.22 ± 0.32 kg were randomly divided into four treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial design. Each treatment had four replicates with 3 DLY and 3 LCB piglets per replicate respectively. Treatments included: basal diet, basal diet + 500 mg/kg IVE, basal diet + 250 mg/kg ELE and basal diet + 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CHL). All piglets were housed individually for the 42 days trial period after 7 days adaptation. Results showed that there were significant interactions (p < .05) between piglets species and dietary treatments in average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency, serum and hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic integral optical density (IOD) of α‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α), hepatic relative mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/TNF‐α and protein expression of TNF‐α. Regardless of piglets species, supplementation with IVE and ELE increased (p < .05) ADG and feed efficiency, T‐SOD and GSH‐Px in serum and liver, hepatic IOD of Nrf2, hepatic mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2/TNF‐α. However, CHL treatment resulted in lower (p < .05) serum GSH‐Px and hepatic mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2/TNF‐α, and higher hepatic MDA and IOD of TNF‐α. Compared to LCB, DLY piglets had higher (p < .05) ADG and feed efficiency, serum and hepatic MDA, and protein expression of TNF‐α, but lower (p < .05) ADFI, liver index, serum and hepatic GSH‐Px, hepatic IOD of TNF‐α, mRNA expressions of Nrf2/TNF‐α were observed. In conclusion, Illicium verum (500 mg/kg) and Eucommia ulmoides leaf (250 mg/kg) extracts can increase the growth performance and antioxidant ability of DLY and LCB piglets, while chlortetracycline produces undesirable side‐effects on the antioxidant ability of DLY and LCB piglets. Illicium verum and Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts produced different antioxidant effects in DLY and LCB piglets with the Chinese native Licha‐black pig responding better than Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire.
Pharmacokinetics, tissue residues, and ex vivo pharmacodynamics of tylosin against Mycoplasma anatis in ducks
Authors: Elazab Sara T. , Elshater Nahla S. , Hashem Yousreya H. , Park Seung‐Chun , Hsu Walter H.
Published: October 2019

The pharmacokinetics of tylosin were investigated in 3 groups of ducks (n = 6). They received a single dose of tylosin (50 mg/kg) by intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and oral administrations, respectively. Plasma samples were collected at various time points to 24 hr post‐administration to evaluate tylosin concentration over time. Additionally, tylosin residues in tissues and its withdrawal time were assessed using 30 ducks which received tylosin orally (50 mg/kg) once daily for 5 consecutive days. After IV administration, the volume of distribution, elimination half‐life, area under the plasma concentration–time curve, and the total body clearance were 7.07 ± 1.98 L/kg, 2.04 hr, 19.47 µg hr/ml, and 2.82 L hr−1 kg−1, respectively. After IM and oral administrations, the maximum plasma concentrations were 3.70 and 2.75 µg/ml achieved at 1 and 2 hr, and the bioavailability was 93.95% and 75.77%, respectively. The calculated withdrawal periods of tylosin were 13, 8, and 5 days for kidney, liver, and muscle, respectively. For the pharmacodynamic profile, the minimum inhibitory concentration for tylosin against M. anatis strain 1,340 was 1 µg/ml. The calculated optimal oral dose of tylosin against M. anatis in ducks based on the ex vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling was 61 mg kg−1 day−1.
Interaction of herbs and tree saplings is mediated by soil fertility and stand evergreenness in southern Appalachian forests
Authors: Gafta Dan , Peet Robert K.
Published: October 2019

Aims

Competitive inhibition of temperate forest tree recruits by herbs is likely important on sites with high fertility owing to faster height growth and consequent pre‐emption of light. We explored the site conditions and stand structure under which herbaceous growth has an impact on tree regeneration.

Location

Plot data from 610 forest sites were collected from five areas across the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Methods

Several plant guilds were distinguished based on various biological traits. Deterministic models of forest understorey were validated through recursive path analysis. The numerical analyses were performed both on all plots and on a subset of 150 plots free of evergreen shrubs.

Results

In general, total herb cover increased with soil fertility, but in sites without evergreen shrubs no relationship emerged. Total herb cover varied inversely with woody stem density (saplings excluded), but the slope was much less steep in the absence of evergreen shrubs. Tree sapling density displayed a left‐tailed, asymmetric response with respect to total herb cover, but a symmetric unimodal response against tall herb cover. The shape of the distribution of tree stems by diameter class shifted from unimodal under a very sparse herbaceous layer to negative exponential in stands with mid to high herb cover. This was due to the suppressive impact of evergreen shrubs on understorey vegetation, which led to a positive covariance between total herb cover and tree sapling density. These two understorey variables became unrelated in the path model built on the subset without evergreen shrubs, but a similar model involving tall herbs revealed a direct negative effect of tall herb cover on tree sapling density.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence of tree recruits exclusion by tall herbs on fertile sites but not on acidic sites, where herb interference is much reduced by the suppressive effect of evergreen shrubs and trees on herbaceous layer vegetation.
Systematic review of the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition using food products
Authors: Lelijveld Natasha , Beedle Alexandra , Farhikhtah Arghanoon , Elrayah Eglal Elamin , Bourdaire Jessica , Aburto Nancy
Published: October 2019

There is currently a lack of international guidance on the most appropriate treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), and discrepancies in national treatment guidelines exist. We aimed to explore whether food interventions are effective for MAM children 6–59 months old and whether they result in better outcomes compared with no treatment or management with nutrition counselling. A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2018, identifying studies that compared treating MAM children with food products versus management with counselling or no intervention. A total of 673 abstracts were screened, 101 full texts were read, and one study was identified that met our inclusion criteria. After broadening the criteria to include micronutrients in the control group and enrolment based on out‐dated anthropometric criteria, 11 studies were identified for inclusion. Seven of these found food products to be superior for anthropometric outcomes compared with counselling and/or micronutrient supplementation; two of the studies found no significant benefit of a food product intervention; and two studies were inconclusive. Hence, the majority of studies in this review found that food products resulted in greater anthropometric gains than counselling or micronutrient interventions. This was especially true if the supplementary food provided was of suitable quality and provided for an adequate duration. Improving quality of and adherence to counselling may improve its effectiveness, particularly in food secure contexts. There is currently a paucity of comparable studies on this topic as well as a lack of studies that include important functional outcomes beyond anthropometric proxies.
The Sec1/Munc18‐like proteins TgSec1 and TgVps45 play pivotal roles in assembly of the pellicle and sub‐pellicle network in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Cao Shinuo , Chen Heming , Liang Xiaohan , Fu Jiawen , Wang Shida , Zheng Jun , Zhang Zhaoxia , Pang Yu , Wang Jingfei , Shen Bang , Jia Honglin
Published: October 2019

Post‐Golgi vesicle trafficking is indispensable for precise movement of proteins to the pellicle, the sub‐pellicle network and apical secretory organelles in Apicomplexa. However, only a small number of molecular complexes involved in trafficking, tethering and fusion of vesicles have been identified in Toxoplasma gondii. Consequently, it is unclear how complicated vesicle trafficking is accomplished in this parasite. Sec1/Munc18‐like (SM) proteins are essential components of protein complexes involved in vesicle fusion. Here, we found that depletion of the SM protein TgSec1 using an auxin‐inducible degron‐based conditional knockout strategy led to mislocalization of plasma membrane proteins. By contrast, conditional depletion of the SM protein TgVps45 led to morphological changes, asymmetrical loss of the inner membrane complex and defects in nucleation of sub‐pellicular microtubules, polarization and symmetrical assembly of daughter parasites during repeated endodyogeny. TgVps45 interacts with the SNARE protein TgStx16 and TgVAMP4‐1. Conditional ablation of TgStx16 causes the similar growth defect like TgVps45 deficiency suggested they work together for the vesicle fusion at TGN. These findings indicate that these two SM proteins are crucial for assembly of pellicle and sub‐pellicle network in T. gondii respectively.