bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Holistic Representation: A Randomized Pilot Study of Wraparound Services for First‐Time Juvenile Offenders to Improve Functioning, Decrease Motions for Review, and Lower Recidivism
Authors: McCarter Susan Ainsley
Published: April 2016

Mental health diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and school problems are often cited as contributors to adolescents’ involvement with the juvenile justice system. Yet, few youth receive assessment, evaluation, or intervention prior to their involvement with the juvenile courts. This pilot study evaluated whether providing a randomized trial of wraparound forensic social work services in addition to court‐appointed legal services would improve functioning, decrease motions for review, and lower recidivism for first‐time juvenile offenders. Findings indicate statistically significant improvement for youth receiving wraparound services on six out of eight measures. A case study example is provided and implications for service provision are explored.
Loss of SMARCA4 (BRG1) protein expression as determined by immunohistochemistry in small‐cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type distinguishes these tumours from their mimics
Authors: Clarke Blaise A , Witkowski Leora , Ton Nu Tuyet N , Shaw Patricia A , Gilks C Blake , Huntsman David , Karnezis Anthony N , Sebire Neil , Lamovec Janez , Roth Lawrence M , Stewart Colin J R , Hasselblatt Martin , Foulkes William D , McCluggage W Glenn
Published: April 2016

Aims

Molecular investigation of small‐cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type (SCCOHT) has revealed that it is a monogenetic tumour characterized by alteration of SMARCA4 (BRG1), encoding a member of the switch/sucrose non‐fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodelling complex. A large majority of cases show loss of expression of the corresponding SMARCA4/BRG1 protein. Furthermore, three cases of SCCOHT with retained SMARCA4 protein expression showed loss of SMARCB1/INI1 expression. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of loss of SMARCA4 expression as a diagnostic test for SCCOHT.

Methods and results

We performed SMARCA4 and SMARCB1 staining in 245 tumours, many of which were potentially in the differential diagnosis of SCCOHT. We also stained 56 cases of SCCOHT for SMARCA4 and 37 of these for SMARCB1. Fifty‐four of the SCCOHT cases showed complete absence of SMARCA4 expression. The two cases with retained expression showed molecular alteration of SMARCA4. Of the 217 other neoplasms with interpretable staining, all retained SMARCA4 expression. Although the majority showed diffuse, strong nuclear expression, a heterogeneous, typically weak staining pattern was present in 13% of cases. All 37 cases of SCCOHT tested and all other neoplasms, apart from three malignant rhabdoid tumours, showed retained nuclear SMARCB1 expression. Loss of SMARCA4 expression had a sensitivity of 96.55% and specificity of 100%.

Conclusions

Loss of SMARCA4 expression is sensitive and specific for SCCOHT. Although some mimics show heterogeneous expression, there is retention of nuclear staining in at least a part of the tumour; therefore, only complete loss of staining should be regarded as being supportive of SCCOHT.
Nail alterations during pregnancy: a clinical study
Authors: Erpolat Seval , Eser Ayla , Kaygusuz Ikbal , Balci Hatice , Kosus Aydin , Kosus Nermin
Published: April 2016

During pregnancy, cutaneous and appendageal alterations manifest and may cause concern in the subject. The nails may be affected by pregnancy. This study investigated the frequency and nature of nail changes occurring during pregnancy in 312 healthy, 18–40‐year‐old pregnant women in gestation weeks 16–40. After a routine obstetric examination at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic at the study institution, all subjects submitted to an examination of all fingernails and toenails. Only nail alterations that had developed during pregnancy were recorded. Any nail changes that had occurred before the start of gestation were not considered. Data were presented as percentages. The Shapiro–Wilk and chi‐squared tests were used to make categorical comparisons. A P‐value of < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. No nail pathologies were detected in 116 (37.2%) of the 312 subjects. The most commonly found nail change was leukonychia (24.4%). Ingrown toenail (9.0%) and onychoschizia (9.0%) represented the second most common nail changes. Rapid nail growth and subungual hyperkeratosis were observed in 6.7% and 4.2%, respectively, of subjects. When the alterations were evaluated according to gestational age, the most common nail pathology was leukonychia at both 14–28 weeks (16.3%) and 29–42 weeks (27.4%) of pregnancy. Leukonychia, onychoschizia, onycholysis, and brittle nail pathologies were frequently observed at 29–42 weeks of pregnancy (P = 0.047). A large proportion of nail changes that occur during pregnancy are benign and do not require treatment. However, these changes may cause significant cosmetic stress in women.
Maximal independent sets in grid graphs
Authors: Ortiz Carmen , Villanueva Mónica
Published: April 2016

A grid graph is the Cartesian product of two path graphs. Enumerating all maximal independent sets in a graph is a well‐known combinatorial problem. For a general graph, it is . In this work, we provide a polynomial‐time algorithm to generate the whole family of maximal independent sets (mis) of complete grid graphs with two rows. The same algorithm is used in two particular cases: chordless paths and cycles. We apply this result to characterize the independent graph (intersection graph of maximal independent sets) of these three classes of graphs. We also present an alternative proof of Euler's result for grid graphs with three rows that can be used for enumerating the family of mis.
Electrical Remodeling of the Atrioventricular Node Caused by Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Humans
Authors: SAIRAKU AKINORI , NAKANO YUKIKO , SUENARI KAZUYOSHI , TOKUYAMA TAKEHITO , KAWAZOE HIROSHI , MATSUMURA HIROYA , TOMOMORI SHUNSUKE , AMIOKA MICHITAKA , KIHARA YASUKI
Published: April 2016

AV Nodal Remodeling Induced by AF

Background

An animal experiment showed that long‐term atrial pacing or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) caused electrical remodeling of the atrioventricular (AV) node. We aimed to test the hypothesis that persistent AF decreases the AV conductivity in human hearts.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively compared the cardiac electrophysiological properties between patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent catheter ablation (PXAF, N = 254) and those with persistent or longstanding persistent AF (PSAF, N = 213). The PSAF patients were more likely than PXAF patients to have longer atrial‐His (AH) (96.3 ± 25.7 vs. 91.3 ± 20.4 milliseconds; P = 0.02) and His‐ventricle (HV) (43.1 ± 9.4 vs. 41.2 ± 8.6 milliseconds; P = 0.02) intervals. The AV nodal effective refractory period (ERP) (299.1 ± 74.6 vs. 276.2 ± 58.9 milliseconds; P < 0.001) and Wenckebach cycle length (420.9 ± 80.3 vs. 386 ± 58.6 milliseconds; P < 0.001) were also more prolonged in the PSAF patients. We found a dual AV nodal physiology with a similar frequency in both groups. The AH interval, fast pathway ERP, and Wenckebach cycle length in the PSAF patients were more likely than in the PXAF patients to be prolonged among the patients without dual pathways, while those intergroup differences were never seen among the patients with dual pathways. In subgroup analyses including only PSAF patients, there was no difference in the AV conductivity between the patients with persistent AF and those with longstanding persistent AF.

Conclusions

Persistent AF may cause a mild decrease in the AV nodal function in human hearts. Electrical remodeling may be uncommon if dual AV nodal pathways are present, and its extent may not depend on the duration of persistent AF.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Plasma Aldosterone and Renin—A Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Grübler Martin R. , Gaksch Martin , Kienreich Katharina , Verheyen Nicolas , Schmid Johannes , Ó Hartaigh Bríain W. J. , Richtig Georg , Scharnagl Hubert , Meinitzer Andreas , Pieske Burkert , Fahrleitner‐Pammer Astrid , März Winfried , Tomaschitz Andreas , Pilz Stefan
Published: April 2016

Increasing evidence describes a possible interplay between vitamin D insufficiency with increased aldosterone. The authors sought to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in patients with hypertension and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] insufficiency. The Styrian Vitamin D Hypertension Trial was a single‐center, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial conducted from 2011 to 2014. Two hundred patients with arterial hypertension and 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL were enrolled. Study participants were randomized to receive either 2800 IU of vitamin D3 or placebo. The present investigation is a post hoc analysis using analysis of covariance adjusting for baseline differences. A total of 188 participants (mean±standard deviation age, 60.1±11.3 years; 47% women; 25(OH)D, 21.2±5.6 ng/mL) completed the trial. Mean differences between baseline and follow‐up PAC in the control and intervention arm were +3.3 ng/dL and +0.9 ng/dL, respectively (P=.04). The findings indicate that vitamin D3 supplementation significantly decreases PAC in patients with arterial hypertension and 25(OH)D insufficiency.
Genetic architecture and maternal contributions of early‐life survival in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush
Authors: Houde A. L. S. , Wilson C. C. , Pitcher T. E.
Published: April 2016

The influences of additive, non‐additive and maternal effects on early survival (uneyed embryo survival, eyed embryo survival, alevin survival and overall survival to first feeding) were quantified in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush using a 7 × 7 full‐factorial breeding design. Maternal effects followed by non‐additive genetic effects explained around one third of the phenotypic variance of the survival traits. Although the amount of additive genetic effects were low (<1%), suggesting a limited potential of the traits to respond to new selection pressures, how maternal and non‐additive genetic effects may respond to selection under certain circumstances are discussed.
Clinician Effectiveness in Assessing Fitness to Drive of Medically At‐Risk Older Adults
Authors: Meuser Thomas M. , Berg‐Weger Marla , Carr David B. , Shi Shaoxuan , Stewart Daniel
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To model the relative contributions of driver data and clinical judgments to clinical ratings of driver capability for a state licensing authority and to compare ratings with on‐road test results.

Design

Retrospective, logistic regression.

Setting

Missouri Driver License Bureau.

Participants

Adults aged 60 and older (N = 652; 52% male) evaluated by a physician of their choosing and a portion subsequently road tested (n = 286).

Measurements

Clinical data from an evidence‐based physician statement (Form 1528). A three‐level rating (likely capable, unclear, not capable) was collapsed into two outcomes (0 likely capable; 1 unclear, not capable) as the dependent variable. Independent variables (predictors) were age, sex, driving exposure, recent crash or police action, number of medical conditions, medication side effects, driver insight, and disease functional severity rating for driving.

Results

Three variables in the model (Nagelkerke coefficient of determination = 0.64; P < .001) were significant in the expected direction: disease functional severity for driving (odds ratio (OR = 6.65), insight (OR = 2.35), and age (OR = 1.06). Proportionately more drivers rated likely capable (73%) passed the road test than those rated unclear or not capable (62%).

Conclusion

Judgments of disease severity, decrements in driver insight, and older age influenced clinician ratings of driving capability. Correspondence of physician ratings to on‐road test outcomes was imperfect, highlighting the complexities in translation of clinical judgments to on‐road performance. Both means of assessment have important and additive roles in driver licensing.
Psychosocial factors in pregnancy and birthweight: Path analysis
Authors: Dolatian Mahrokh , Mahmoodi Zohreh , Alavi‐Majd Hamid , Moafi Farnoosh , Ghorbani Maryam , Mirabzadeh Arash
Published: April 2016

Aim

Birthweight is known to be affected by several factors. In the present study a relationship model of psychological and economic determinants of birthweight was designed and tested.

Methods

This prospective study involved 400 pregnant women in four districts of Tehran, Iran. The subjects were selected through a multistage sampling method. Seven questionnaires (socioeconomic status; Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale; Perceived Stress Scale; 21‐item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale [DASS‐21]; perceived social support; pregnancy‐related anxiety scale; and domestic violence questionnaire) were used to assess participant psychosocial and economic conditions. In order to collect post‐partum information about the mother and the infant, the women were followed up until delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS‐16 and Lisrel‐8.8.

Results

Based on the obtained path diagram, the greatest adverse effects on birthweight were exerted directly by DASS‐21 score (B = −0.14) and indirectly by stressful life events (B = −0.037). Among variables that affected birthweight in both paths, socioeconomic status and perceived stress had the strongest overall effects on birthweight (B = 0.203 and −0.1024, respectively).

Conclusion

According to the path analysis model, psychosocial and economic factors can directly/indirectly affect birthweight.
Analgesic efficacy of wound infiltration with tramadol after cesarean delivery under general anesthesia: Randomized trial
Authors: Haliloglu Murat , Bilgen Sevgi , Menda Ferdi , Ozcan Pinar , Ozbay Latif , Tatar Sevgi , Unal Durisehvar Ozar , Koner Ozge
Published: April 2016

Aim

To examine whether tramadol wound infiltration decreased postoperative pain following cesarean section (CS) under general anesthesia or reduced the need for analgesics in the immediate postoperative period.

Methods

In this double‐blind, randomized trial, 60 women who underwent elective CS under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of two groups: placebo group (group P; n = 30) or tramadol group (group T; n = 30). Group P received 20 mL local wound infiltration with 0.9% saline solution, and group T received 20 mL local wound infiltration with tramadol 2 mg/mL within a 0.9% saline solution. The primary outcome, cumulative morphine consumption, and secondary outcomes including diclofenac requirement and postoperative pain were recorded.

Results

Numerical rating scale score was lower in group T than in group P at 15 min postoperatively (P < 0.001). Patients in group T required significantly less morphine at all time intervals than those in group P (P < 0.001). There was no difference between groups in need for rescue analgesic dose (P ˃ 0.05).

Conclusion

Wound infiltration with tramadol may be a useful technique in patients undergoing CS under general anesthesia to reduce postoperative pain and improve recovery.
Associations of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrates genetic polymorphisms with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shi Xiaohan , Xie Xiaochuan , Jia Yingxian , Li Shangwei
Published: April 2016

Aim

Recently, the roles of insulin receptor (INSR) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS) polymorphisms in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been extensively studied, with conflicting results. Therefore, we conducted the present systematic review and meta‐analysis to better evaluate associations of INSR and IRS polymorphisms with PCOS.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for eligible articles up to December 2015. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to evaluate associations of INSR and IRS polymorphisms with PCOS.

Results

A total of 28 articles including 2975 PCOS patients and 3011 control subjects were analyzed. The overall analyses and subgroup analyses revealed that IRS‐1 Gly972Arg polymorphism was significantly associated with PCOS for the Caucasian population in GG versus GA (OR = 0.57, 95%CI 0.37–0.89), GG versus GA + AA (OR = 0.57, 95%CI 0.36–0.89), GA versus GG + AA (OR = 1.74, 95%CI 1.13–2.69) and G versus A (OR = 0.63 95%CI 0.43–0.92). Also, IRS‐2 Gly1057Asp polymorphism was significantly associated with PCOS for the Asian ethnicity in GG versus GA (OR = 0.45, 95%CI 0.24–0.83), GG versus AA (OR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.19–0.53), GG versus GA + AA (OR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.21–0.57), AA versus GG + GA (OR = 2.14, 95%CI 1.43–3.20), and G versus A (OR = 0.43, 95%CI 0.32–0.58). However, we detected no significant association between INSR His 1058 C/T polymorphism and PCOS.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that IRS‐1 Gly972Arg polymorphism is associated with PCOS in the Caucasian ethnicity, and IRS‐2 Gly1057Asp polymorphism is correlated with PCOS in the Asian ethnicity. However, INSR His 1058 C/T polymorphism may not be implicated in PCOS. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Transition to Grandparenthood and Job‐Related Attitudes: Do Grandparental Sex and Lineage Matter?
Authors: Wiese Bettina S. , Burk Christian L. , Jaeckel Dalit
Published: April 2016

This study investigated the impact of the transition to grandparenthood on employees' psychological involvement in their job, attitude toward retirement, and retirement‐related hopes and concerns, taking into account sex and lineage. The participants were 152 maternal and paternal grandparents who were assessed at 2 time points (approximately 2 months before and 3 months after the birth of their first grandchild) and 76 control participants who completed the same assessments with an interval of 6 months. Both grandmothers and grandfathers were less involved in their job and had more family‐related hopes and fewer retirement‐related concerns about health, finances, and dependence than control participants. The analyses also revealed lineage effects: Maternal grandparents were less psychologically involved in their job and had a more positive attitude toward retirement, in particular fewer fears of uselessness and loneliness, than paternal grandparents.
Trajectories of Development of Receptive Vocabulary in Individuals with Down Syndrome
Authors: Cuskelly Monica , Povey Jenny , Jobling Anne
Published: April 2016

Receptive vocabulary is an important aspect of cognitive functioning. It appears to be a relative strength with respect to language for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) but little is known about its development as individuals mature. This study was designed to establish the developmental trajectory of receptive language development in individuals with DS from early childhood to midadulthood. Two hundred and six individuals with DS provided Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) scores on 957 occasions, spanning ages from 2 years 7 months to 29 years 7 months. Latent growth curve models were used to establish the trajectory of receptive vocabulary. Gender, maternal education, cohort, and nonverbal intellectual ability were used as predictors of rate of development. Receptive vocabulary was found to increase until around 20 years of age when performance on the PPVT began to deteriorate. The only variable measured that was associated with PPVT performance was nonverbal ability. The rate of increase in receptive vocabulary in individuals with DS across the childhood and adolescent period appears to be slower than for those who are developing typically, and the expected influence of maternal education was not found. The small number of participants contributing data in the older ages included in this study means that the apparent decline in receptive vocabulary scores needs to be interpreted cautiously.
Melatonin as a pro‐osteogenic agent in oral implantology: a systematic review of histomorphometric outcomes in animals and quality evaluation using ARRIVE guidelines
Authors: Arora H. , Ivanovski S.
Published: April 2016

The aim of this review was to evaluate the outcomes of preclinical trials that assessed the use of melatonin as a pro‐osteogenic agent in the field of oral implantology. Melatonin is a hormone that has been shown to have beneficial antioxidant and bone‐metabolic effects. A number of experimental studies have analysed its effect in promoting osseointegration around dental implants in animals. A bibliographic search in PubMed, Scopus and EBSCOhost was performed. Animal studies that quantitatively analysed the pro‐osteogenic effect of melatonin were included. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the ARRIVE guidelines. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The experimental animals used were dogs, rabbits and rats. Melatonin was used in a lyophilized powdered form, an injectable form or as a dipping solution. Six of the eight studies included showed a statistically significant positive effect of melatonin on bone–implant contact and various other histomorphometric parameters. The ARRIVE criteria were generally well reported by the included studies (17.5 ± 1.60/24), although several criteria (including randomization and blinding) were poorly documented, with most of the studies showing a high/unclear risk of bias. The majority of the studies included showed a statistically significant positive effect of melatonin on bone formation around implants. However, the clinical significance of this effect was unclear given the high/unclear risk of bias in the majority of included studies. Given the limited amount of data available, further research should be conducted to evaluate the clinical potential of this pineal hormone in clinically relevant situations, such as compromised sites or patients.
Multidestination Pedestrian Flows in Equilibrium: A Cellular Automaton‐Based Approach
Authors: Crociani Luca , Lämmel Gregor
Published: April 2016

This article presents a new simulation approach for multidestination pedestrian crowds in complex environments. The work covers two major topics. In the first part, a novel cellular automaton (CA) model is proposed. The model describes the pedestrian movement by a set of simple rules and produces fundamental diagrams similar to those derived from laboratory experiments. The second topic of this work describes how the CA can be integrated into an iterative learning cycle where the individual pedestrian can adapt travel plans based on experiences from previous iterations. Depending on the setup, the overall travel behavior moves either toward a Nash equilibrium or the system optimum. The functional interaction of the CA with the iterative learning approach is demonstrated on a set of transport paradoxes. Furthermore, time series of speed and density observed in a small‐scale experiment show a general agreement between the CA simulation and laboratory experiments. The scalability of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a large‐scale scenario.
The effectiveness of sedentary behaviour interventions for reducing body mass index in children and adolescents: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Azevedo Liane B. , Ling Jonathan , Soos Istvan , Robalino Shannon , Ells Louisa
Published: April 2016

Intervention studies have been undertaken to reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) and thereby potentially ameliorate unhealthy weight gain in children and adolescents. We synthesised evidence and quantified the effects of SB interventions (single or multiple components) on body mass index (BMI) or BMI z‐score in this population. Publications up to March 2015 were located through electronic searches. Inclusion criteria were interventions targeting SB in children that had a control group and objective measures of weight and height. Mean change in BMI or BMI z‐score from baseline to post‐intervention were quantified for intervention and control groups and meta‐analyzed using a random effects model. The pooled mean reduction in BMI and BMI z‐score was significant but very small (standardized mean difference = −0.060, 95% confidence interval: −0.098 to −0.022). However, the pooled estimate was substantially greater for an overweight or obese population (standardized mean difference = −0.255, 95% confidence interval: −0.400 to −0.109). Multicomponent interventions (SB and other behaviours) delivered to children from 5 to 12 years old in a non‐educational setting appear to favour BMI reduction. In summary, SB interventions are associated with very small improvement in BMI in mixed‐weight populations. However, SB interventions should be part of multicomponent interventions for treating obese children. © 2016 World Obesity
Divergent evolution of the M3A family of metallopeptidases in plants
Authors: Kmiec Beata , Teixeira Pedro F. , Murcha Monika W. , Glaser Elzbieta
Published: April 2016

Plants, as stationary organisms, have developed mechanisms allowing them efficient resource reallocation and a response to changing environmental conditions. One of these mechanisms is proteome remodeling via a broad peptidase network present in various cellular compartments including mitochondria and chloroplasts. The genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana encodes as many as 616 putative peptidase‐coding genes organized in 55 peptidase families. In this study, we describe the M3A family of peptidases, which comprises four members: mitochondrial and chloroplastic oligopeptidase (OOP), cytosolic oligopeptidase (CyOP), mitochondrial octapeptidyl aminopeptidase 1 (Oct1) and plant‐specific protein of M3 family (PSPM3) of unknown function. We have analyzed the evolutionary conservation of M3A peptidases across plant species and the functional specialization of the three distinct subfamilies. We found that the subfamily‐containing OOP and CyOP‐like peptidases, responsible for oligopeptide degradation in the endosymbiotic organelles (OOP) or in the cytosol (CyOP), are highly conserved in all kingdoms of life. The Oct1‐like peptidase subfamily involved in pre‐protein maturation in mitochondria is conserved in all eukaryotes, whereas the PSPM3‐like protein subfamily is strictly conserved in higher plants only and is of unknown function. Specific characteristics within PSPM3 sequences, i.e. occurrence of a N‐terminal transmembrane domain and amino acid changes in distal substrate‐binding motif, distinguish PSPM3 proteins from other members of M3A family. We performed peptidase activity measurements to analyze the role of substrate‐binding residues in the different Arabidopsis M3A paralogs.
Mortal and Immortal Souls, Ghosts and the (Restless) Dead in Ancient Mesopotamia
Authors: Scurlock JoAnn
Published: April 2016

Ever since their original creation from mortal clay mixed with the flesh and blood of an immortal god, Ancient Mesopotamians had a part of themselves that survived death. We call this death‐surviving part the soul. Ancient Mesopotamians, however, like ancient Greeks, understood this surviving bit as a complex of elements with differing possibilities of survival or, if you will, multiple souls of differing levels of immortality. Of these spiritual essences, one is what we would call a ghost. Unfortunately this was not, like our own ghosts, limited to haunting houses, but fully capable of doing serious harm to the living. Partly this was because the dead, although no longer living, continued to feel hunger and thirst without being able to provide food and drink for themselves, and partly it was because certain bad deaths produced very unhappy ghosts. Ancient Mesopotamians dealt with this problem using a multiplex strategy. Former members of the family received a continual round of offerings as long as the family survived to supply them. If afflicted with spectral attack, there were healing rituals designed to deal with the troublemaker. Finally, special entertainment was provided at festivals of the dead (similar to our Halloween) when ghosts were released from the Netherworld prison to which they were confined for the rest of the year. These festivals also provided an opportunity for last visits with dead family members, consultation with the dead for advice (necromancy) and even witchcraft to revenge oneself on personal enemies. In what follows, I will give a brief overview of the current state of knowledge, with suggestions for further reading.
Effect of CPAP Withdrawal on myocardial perfusion in OSA: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schwarz Esther I. , Schlatzer Christian , Stehli Julia , Kaufmann Philipp A. , Bloch Konrad E. , Stradling John R. , Kohler Malcolm
Published: April 2016

Background and objective

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent and associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Endothelial dysfunction is the proposed causative mechanism. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is presumed to improve cardiovascular outcome in OSA. CPAP withdrawal was recently shown to lead to peripheral endothelial dysfunction. However, it is not known whether short‐term CPAP withdrawal reduces myocardial perfusion in OSA.

Methods

In this double‐blind randomized controlled study, 45 patients with moderate to severe OSA previously adherent to CPAP were assigned to either subtherapeutic or continuing therapeutic CPAP for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was adenosine‐induced myocardial blood flow (MBF) as a measure of endothelial function, assessed by 13N‐ammonia positron emission tomography. Secondary outcomes were measures of dermal and renal microvascular function, morning blood pressure (BP) and heart rate.

Results

Despite return of OSA associated with significant increases in BP (+9.1 mm Hg, 95% CI +4.9 to +13.4 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and heart rate (+9.6 bpm, 95% confidence interval (CI) +4.6 to +14.6 bpm, P < 0.001), CPAP withdrawal had no significant effect on maximal myocardial perfusion capacity (hyperaemic MBF −0.01 ml/min/g, 95% CI −0.33 to +0.24 ml/min/g, P = 0.91), nor renal and dermal microvascular function.

Conclusion

In patients with OSA, a short‐term CPAP withdrawal does not lead to detectable impairment of coronary endothelial function, as has been demonstrated in the brachial artery, despite a clinically relevant increase in BP of nearly 10 mm Hg. There was also no evidence of an impairment of renal or dermal microvascular function.
Does Ideology Matter?*
Authors: Gries Peter Hays
Published: April 2016

Objective

This study revisits the idea that the American public is moderate or nonideological. In this longstanding view, only informed elites maintain consistent ideologies that constrain their political attitudes and behaviors; the mass public is driven instead by partisan identities that they are socialized into. The study explores whether the public's liberal‐to‐conservative self‐placement is temporally stable, and whether it is predictive of political attitudes when pit against partisanship.

Methods

The study examines data from the 2010 American National Election Survey and the 2008–2012 General Social Survey longitudinal panel.

Results

The American public today maintains coherent and consistent ideologies that systematically divide them in their sociopolitical attitudes and policy preferences.

Conclusion

While partisanship is a powerful top‐down driver of the American public's attitudes and policy preferences toward overtly partisan issues and behaviors like Obamacare and voting, on broader sociopolitical issues like abortion, ideology is a powerful bottom‐up driver of attitudes.
Field evaluation of a novel preservation medium to transport sputum specimens for molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a rural African setting
Authors: Omar Shaheed V. , Peters Remco P. H. , Ismail Nazir A. , Jonkman Kelly , Dreyer Andries W. , Said Halima M. , Gwala Thabisile , Ismail Nabila , Fourie P. Bernard
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To assess the performance of an innovative method of transporting sputum to centralised facilities for molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: using a swab to inoculate sputum in a transport medium, PrimeStore® Molecular Transport Medium (PS‐MTM).

Methods

Two sputum specimens were obtained from suspected patients with tuberculosis (TB) at rural healthcare facilities in South Africa. A swab was taken from each specimen and placed into PS‐MTM, prior to it being processed by either liquid culture or Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert).

Results

A total of 141 patients (including 47 with laboratory‐confirmed TB) were included in this analysis. M. tuberculosis was detected at 29% by culture and 29% by Xpert, whereas 31% tested positive by IS6110 real‐time PCR of PS‐MTM from the culture and 36% from the Xpert‐paired specimen. Concordance between the method under evaluation with culture was 82% (McNemar, P = 0.55) and 84% (McNemar, P = 0.05) for Xpert. Stratified by culture result, the detection rate by IS6110 real‐time PCR of PS‐MTM was similar to Xpert for patients with positive culture (P = 0.32), but significantly higher if culture was negative (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

These results suggest that swab collection of sputum into PS‐MTM for transport is a promising method for diagnosis of TB in rural healthcare settings, thereby potentially improving the options available for molecular diagnosis of TB in countries incapable of applying decentralised high‐tech molecular testing.
Supervised oral HIV self‐testing is accurate in rural KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Martínez Pérez Guillermo , Steele Sarah J. , Govender Indira , Arellano Gemma , Mkwamba Alec , Hadebe Menzi , van Cutsem Gilles
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To achieve UNAIDS 90‐90‐90 targets, alternatives to conventional HIV testing models are necessary in South Africa to increase population awareness of their HIV status. One of the alternatives is oral mucosal transudates‐based HIV self‐testing (OralST). This study describes implementation of counsellor‐introduced supervised OralST in a high HIV prevalent rural area.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study conducted in two government‐run primary healthcare clinics and three Médecins Sans Frontières‐run fixed‐testing sites in uMlalazi municipality, KwaZulu‐Natal. Lay counsellors sampled and recruited eligible participants, sought informed consent and demonstrated the use of the OraQuick™ OralST. The participants used the OraQuick™ in front of the counsellor and underwent a blood‐based Determine™ and a Unigold™ rapid diagnostic test as gold standard for comparison. Primary outcomes were user error rates, inter‐rater agreement, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values.

Results

A total of 2198 participants used the OraQuick™, of which 1005 were recruited at the primary healthcare clinics. Of the total, 1457 (66.3%) were women. Only two participants had to repeat their OraQuick™. Inter‐rater agreement was 99.8% (Kappa 0.9925). Sensitivity for the OralST was 98.7% (95% CI 96.8–99.6), and specificity was 100% (95% CI 99.8–100).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates high inter‐rater agreement, and high accuracy of supervised OralST. OralST has the potential to increase uptake of HIV testing and could be offered at clinics and community testing sites in rural South Africa. Further research is necessary on the potential of unsupervised OralST to increase HIV status awareness and linkage to care.
Weather Balloon Ascent Rate
Authors: Denny Mark
Published: April 2016

The physics of a weather balloon is analyzed. The surprising aspect of the motion of these balloons is that they ascend to great altitudes (typically 35 km) at a more or less constant rate. Such behavior is not surprising near the ground—say for a helium-filled party balloon rising from street level to the top of the Empire State building—but it is unexpected for a balloon that rises to altitudes where the air is rarefied. We show from elementary physical laws why the ascent rate is approximately constant.
In defense of derivations,
Authors: Mungan Carl E.
Published: April 2016

At the 2015 AAPT Summer Meeting, I presented four derivations of the formula for motional emf. Such physics derivations involve the construction of explanatory frameworks involving diagrams and mathematical models. Although textbooks devote considerable space to such explanations, many teachers and students spend their time on worksheets, end-of-chapter problems, and the like. The book is reduced to a bank of solved (i.e., example) and unsolved (i.e., homework) questions, along with equations in colored boxes that presumably are to be used to answer those questions. Such an approach encourages fragmentation of knowledge, the view that there is only one right answer to a problem with the goal of physics being to find that answer (neatly boxed of course), and the inability to reason about even a slightly different (much less a novel) situation. If we are to develop scientific literacy, significant course time must be devoted to explaining the structure of and support for the models and equations we use.
How sign languages evolve
Authors: Matacic Catherine
Published: April 2016

Young sign languages develop in predictable ways, offering clues to the evolution of linguistic complexity.
No deadline, fewer requests
Authors: Hand Eric
Published: April 2016

National Science Foundation trial spurs drop in proposals.
Trained immunity: A program of innate immune memory in health and disease
Authors: Netea Mihai G. , Joosten Leo A. B. , Latz Eicke , Mills Kingston H. G. , Natoli Gioacchino , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , O’Neill Luke A. J. , Xavier Ramnik J.
Published: April 2016

Training immune cells to remember

Classical immunological memory, carried out by T and B lymphocytes, ensures that we feel the ill effects of many pathogens only once. Netea
et al.
review how cells of the innate immune system, which lack the antigen specificity, clonality, and longevity of T cell and B cells, have some capacity to remember, too. Termed “trained immunity,” the property allows macrophages, monocytes, and natural killer cells to show enhanced responsiveness when they reencounter pathogens. Epigenetic changes largely drive trained immunity, which is shorter lived and less specific than classical memory but probably still gives us a leg up during many infections.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aaf1098
Light-driven dinitrogen reduction catalyzed by a CdS:nitrogenase MoFe protein biohybrid
Authors: Brown Katherine A. , Harris Derek F. , Wilker Molly B. , Rasmussen Andrew , Khadka Nimesh , Hamby Hayden , Keable Stephen , Dukovic Gordana , Peters John W. , Seefeldt Lance C. , King Paul W.
Published: April 2016

Enzymes make fertilizer with sunlight

Nitrogenase enzymes catalyze the biological production of fixed nitrogen. Because this is not enough to sustain modern agriculture, industrial fertilizers containing ammonia are produced via the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Brown
et al.
developed a way to use nitrogenase enzymes from nitrogen-fixing bacteria to make ammonia in vitro without other biological steps or high-energy inputs. Light-activated CdS nanorods provided electrons to the FeMo nitrogenase enzyme to reduce nitrogen and produce ammonia at rates up to 64% of biological nitrogen fixation. These nanoparticle-protein complexes show the potential for solar-driven ammonia production.

Science
, this issue p.
448
Painting magnetism on a canvas of graphene
Authors: Hollen S. M. , Gupta J. A.
Published: April 2016

Hydrogen adatoms can give long-range magnetic order to graphene

[Also see Report by

González-Herrero
et al.

]
Rethinking Lysenko's legacy
Lysenko's Ghost Epigenetics and Russia
Loren Graham
Harvard University Press, 2016. 219 pp.
Authors: Meloni Maurizio
Published: April 2016

Advances in epigenetics spur modern support for a long-discredited theory of inheritance
Subtype C gp140 Vaccine Boosts Immune Responses Primed by the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative DNA-C2 and MVA-C HIV Vaccines after More than a 2-Year Gap
Authors: Gray Glenda E. , Mayer Kenneth H. , Elizaga Marnie L. , Bekker Linda-Gail , Allen Mary , Morris Lynn , Montefiori David , De Rosa Stephen C. , Sato Alicia , Gu Niya , Tomaras Georgia D. , Tucker Timothy , Barnett Susan W. , Mkhize Nonhlanhla N. , Shen Xiaoying , Downing Katrina , Williamson Carolyn , Pensiero Michael , Corey Lawrence , Williamson Anna-Lise
Published: April 2016

A phase I safety and immunogenicity study investigated South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) DNA vaccine encoding Gag-RT-Tat-Nef and gp150, boosted with modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing matched antigens. Following the finding of partial protective efficacy in the RV144 HIV vaccine efficacy trial, a protein boost with HIV-1 subtype C V2-deleted gp140 with MF59 was added to the regimen. A total of 48 participants (12 U.S. participants and 36 Republic of South Africa [RSA] participants) were randomized to receive 3 intramuscular (i.m.) doses of SAAVI DNA-C2 of 4 mg (months 0, 1, and 2) and 2 i.m. doses of SAAVI MVA-C of 1.45 × 10
9
PFU (months 4 and 5) (
n
= 40) or of a placebo (
n
= 8). Approximately 2 years after vaccination, 27 participants were rerandomized to receive gp140/MF59 at 100 μg or placebo, as 2 i.m. injections, 3 months apart. The vaccine regimen was safe and well tolerated. After the DNA-MVA regimen, CD4
+
T-cell and CD8
+
T-cell responses occurred in 74% and 32% of the participants, respectively. The protein boost increased CD4
+
T-cell responses to 87% of the subjects. All participants developed tier 1 HIV-1C neutralizing antibody responses as well as durable Env binding antibodies that recognized linear V3 and C5 peptides. The HIV-1 subtype C DNA-MVA vaccine regimen showed promising cellular immunogenicity. Boosting with gp140/MF59 enhanced levels of binding and neutralizing antibodies as well as CD4
+
T-cell responses to HIV-1 envelope. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00574600 and NCT01423825.)
Application of Whole-Genome Sequencing Data for O-Specific Antigen Analysis and
In Silico
Serotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates
Authors: Thrane Sandra Wingaard , Taylor Véronique L. , Lund Ole , Lam Joseph S. , Jelsbak Lars
Published: April 2016

Accurate typing methods are required for efficient infection control. The emergence of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technologies has enabled the development of genome-based methods applicable for routine typing and surveillance of bacterial pathogens. In this study, we developed the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
serotyper (PAst) program, which enabled
in silico
serotyping of
P. aeruginosa
isolates using WGS data. PAst has been made publically available as a web service and aptly facilitates high-throughput serotyping analysis. The program overcomes critical issues such as the loss of
in vitro
typeability often associated with
P. aeruginosa
isolates from chronic infections and quickly determines the serogroup of an isolate based on the sequence of the O-specific antigen (OSA) gene cluster. Here, PAst analysis of 1,649 genomes resulted in successful serogroup assignments in 99.27% of the cases. This frequency is rarely achievable by conventional serotyping methods. The limited number of nontypeable isolates found using PAst was the result of either a complete absence of OSA genes in the genomes or the artifact of genomic misassembly. With PAst,
P. aeruginosa
serotype data can be obtained from WGS information alone. PAst is a highly efficient alternative to conventional serotyping methods in relation to outbreak surveillance of serotype O12 and other high-risk clones, while maintaining backward compatibility to historical serotype data.
Characterization of Epitope-Specific Anti-Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Anti-RSV) Antibody Responses after Natural Infection and after Vaccination with Formalin-Inactivated RSV
Authors: Widjaja Ivy , Wicht Oliver , Luytjes Willem , Leenhouts Kees , Rottier Peter J. M. , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. , Haijema Bert Jan , de Haan Cornelis A. M.
Published: April 2016

Antibodies against the fusion (F) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) play an important role in the protective immune response to this important respiratory virus. Little is known, however, about antibody levels against multiple F-specific epitopes induced by infection or after vaccination against RSV, while this is important to guide the evaluation of (novel) vaccines. In this study, we analyzed antibody levels against RSV proteins and F-specific epitopes in human sera and in sera of vaccinated and experimentally infected cotton rats and the correlation thereof with virus neutralization. Analysis of human sera revealed substantial diversity in antibody levels against F-, G (attachment)-, and F-specific epitopes between individuals. The highest correlation with virus neutralization was observed for antibodies recognizing prefusion-specific antigenic site Ø. Nevertheless, our results indicate that high levels of antibodies targeting other parts of the F protein can also mediate a potent antiviral antibody response. In agreement, sera of experimentally infected cotton rats contained high neutralizing activity despite lacking antigenic site Ø-specific antibodies. Strikingly, vaccination with formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) exclusively resulted in the induction of poorly neutralizing antibodies against postfusion-specific antigenic site I, although antigenic sites I, II, and IV were efficiently displayed in FI-RSV. The apparent immunodominance of antigenic site I in FI-RSV likely explains the low levels of neutralizing antibodies upon vaccination and challenge and may play a role in the vaccination-induced enhancement of disease observed with such preparations.

IMPORTANCERSV is an importance cause of hospitalization of infants. The development of a vaccine against RSV has been hampered by the disastrous results obtained with FI-RSV vaccine preparations in the 1960s that resulted in vaccination-induced enhancement of disease. To get a better understanding of the antibody repertoire induced after infection or after vaccination against RSV, we investigated antibody levels against fusion (F) protein, attachment (G) protein, and F-specific epitopes in human and animal sera. The results indicate the importance of prefusion-specific antigenic site Ø antibodies as well as of antibodies targeting other epitopes in virus neutralization. However, vaccination of cotton rats with FI-RSV specifically resulted in the induction of weakly neutralizing, antigenic site I-specific antibodies, which may play a role in the enhancement of disease observed after vaccination with such preparations.