bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) in Japanese medaka
Authors: Ayanda Isaac O , Yang Min , Yu Zhang , Zha Jinmiao
Published: February 2018

This study investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), a perfluorinated carboxylic chemical (PFC) that has broad applications and distribution in the environment in Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes. Micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay were used for the toxicity study. Three groups of fish were exposed to 0.1 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L concentration of the chemical for 28 days. Another group served as control. Sampling of the fish blood and liver were done after days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 for analysis of different erythrocyte abnormalities and damage to DNA using the MN test and Comet assay respectively. Results showed that there was a significant time and concentration dependent increase (p < 0.05) in percent tail length of DNA and frequency of erythrocyte abnormalities. Nuclear abnormalities observed include micronucleus, fragmented apoptotic cells, lobed nuclei, and bean-shaped cells. Increase in induction of erythrocyte abnormalities and percent tail length of DNA peaked at days 14 and 7, respectively, after which there was a gradual decline. The results indicate that sub-chronic exposure of PFDoA to Japanese medaka caused DNA damage with a simultaneous induction of different erythrocyte abnormalities.
Spermiogenesis and spermatozoon ultrastructure in basal polyopisthocotylean monogeneans, Hexabothriidae and Chimaericolidae, and their significance for the phylogeny of the Monogenea
Authors: Justine Jean-Lou , Poddubnaya Larisa G.
Published: February 2018

Sperm ultrastructure provides morphological characters useful for understanding phylogeny; no study was available for two basal branches of the Polyopisthocotylea, the Chimaericolidea and Diclybothriidea. We describe here spermiogenesis and sperm inChimaericola leptogaster(Chimaericolidae) andRajonchocotyle emarginata(Hexabothriidae), and sperm inCallorhynchocotyle callorhynchi(Hexabothriidae). Spermiogenesis inC. leptogasterandR. emarginatashows the usual pattern of most Polyopisthocotylea with typical zones of differentiation and proximo-distal fusion of the flagella. In all three species, the structure of the spermatozoon is biflagellate, with two incorporated trepaxonematan 9 + “1” axonemes and a posterior nucleus. However, unexpected structures were also seen. An alleged synapomorphy of the Polyopisthocotylea is the presence of a continuous row of longitudinal microtubules in the nuclear region. The sperm ofC. leptogasterhas a posterior part with a single axoneme, and the part with the nucleus is devoid of the continuous row of microtubules. The spermatozoon ofR. emarginatahas an anterior region with membrane ornamentation, and posterior lateral microtubules are absent. The spermatozoon ofC. callorhynchihas transverse sections with only dorsal and ventral microtubules, and its posterior part shows flat sections containing a single axoneme and the nucleus. These findings have important implications for phylogeny and for the definition of synapomorphies in the Neodermata. We point out a series of discrepancies between actual data and interpretation of character states in the matrix of a phylogeny of the Monogenea. Our main conclusion is that the synapomorphy “lateral microtubules in the principal region of the spermatozoon” does not define the Polyopisthocotylea but is restricted to the Mazocraeidea.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Symptomatic Congenital Lunotriquetral Coalition
Authors: Mariotte Benoit , Candelier Gilles , Apard Thomas
Published: February 2018

Symptomatic lunotriquetral coalition is very rare and need open surgery after failure of conservative treatment. We report a case of a symptomatic congenital lunotriquetral coalition type 1 according to the Minaar classification, at the left wrist of a 14-year-old boy. We performed an arthroscopic treatment with two compression screws and without cancellous bone grafting. Healing was obtained at 2 months postoperatively.
Immunsuppressiva-Adhärenz nach Transplantation
Authors: Nöhre Mariel , Erim Yesim , Vitinius Frank , Klewitz Felix , Schiffer Mario , de Zwaan Martina
Published: February 2018

Die Transplantation stellt für viele Patienten mit chronischem Organversagen die bestmögliche und teilweise einzige Therapieoption dar. Häufig erleben die Patienten nach erfolgreicher Transplantation eine deutliche Verbesserung ihres Zustandes, allerdings sind sie nicht geheilt sondern noch immer chronisch krank. Das Leben mit dem transplantierten Organ erfordert die konsequente Einnahme immunsuppressiver Medikation, regelmäßige Arztbesuche und die Befolgung von Empfehlungen zur Infektionsvermeidung. Diese Faktoren sind wichtig für ein langes Transplantatüberleben. Besonders die Non-Adhärenz zur immunsuppressiven Medikation ist ein Risikofaktor für Abstoßung des Transplantats. Die Gründe für non-adhärente Verhaltensweisen sind vielfältig. Allerdings ist es von großer Bedeutung die individuellen Gründe genau zu identifizieren, um ihnen angemessen begegnen zu können. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, einen Überblick über Adhärenz beeinflussende Faktoren zu geben, Möglichkeiten zur Adhärenzerfassung vorzustellen, sowie verschiedene Ansätze zu präsentieren, um die Adhärenz zu verbessern. Randomisiert-kontrollierte Interventionsstudien werden vorgestellt und davon ausgehend Empfehlungen für die Praxis abgeleitet.
Restriktive versus liberale Transfusionspraxis
Authors: Sartorius Jürgen
Published: February 2018

Die Risiken im Zusammenhang mit der Transfusionen von Fremdblut geraten immer wieder in die Diskussion.
Infektionsrisiken durch Kontamination sind in Deutschland zwar inzwischen nahezu ausgeschlossen, jedoch wurden
in der Vergangenheit immer wieder transfusionsbedingte Komplikationen durch Immunmodulationen beobachtet. Dazu
kommt, dass inzwischen viele Analysen zeigen, dass die positiven Auswirkungen der Transfusion auf die
Patienten statistisch nicht zunehmen, wenn die Zahl der Transfusionen steigt. Deshalb fordern verschiedene
Leitlinien und das „Patient Blood Management“: So viele Transfusionen wie nötig, aber so wenig wie möglich.
Dazu geben sie konkrete Empfehlungen zu einer „restriktiven“ Transfusionsroutine, insbesondere in
Operationssälen und Intensivstationen.
Multimodales Patient Blood Management
Authors: Wolf Katrin
Published: February 2018

In unserer zunehmend älter werdenden Gesellschaft nimmt die Zahl an Operationen und Interventionen derzeit
kontinuierlich zu. Damit erhöht sich auch das Risiko für einen perioperativen Blutverlust mit irreversiblem
Erythrozytenverlust und damit notwendigen Bluttransfusionen. Die WHO empfiehlt bereits seit 2010 entsprechende
Gegenmaßnahmen durch entsprechendes umfassendes Patient Blood Management (PBM) zu implementieren. Die
rechtzeitige Anwendung eines multimodalen interdisziplinären Konzepts kann patienteneigene Blutressourcen so
weit wie möglich schonen und damit die Behandlungsqualität und die Patientensicherheit verbessern.
Mittlerweile belegen mehrere Studien die Sicherheit und Wirksamkeit des PBM. Die Transfusionsrate kann
deutlich gesenkt werden und das bedeutet für den Patienten einen signifikant besseres Behandlungsergebnis bei
kürzeren Krankhausaufenthalten. Gleichzeitig ist dies mit massiven Einsparungen verbunden, auch wenn die
Implementierung des PBM sowie die Kosten für Projektmanagement, Diagnostik und Therapie der Anämie
mitberücksichtigt werden müssen.
Klinische Erkenntnisse zu moderner i.v.-Eisentherapie
Authors: Salama-Müller Andera , Reuther Susanne , Meybohm Patrick , Wiedemann Günther J. , Leschke Matthias
Published: February 2018

Die Erfahrungen zur modernen i. v.-Eisentherapie aus den letzten 10 Jahren zeigen deutlich, dass im Rahmen der
Diagnostik und Therapie des Eisenmangels und der Eisenmangel-Anämie insbesondere bei Bestehen von chronischen
Grunderkrankungen, eine Neubewertung verschiedener Parameter sowie Hypothesen notwendig ist. Des Weiteren
zeigen zahlreiche klinische Ergebnisse, dass Eisenmangel von der Eisenmangelanämie als eigene Entität deutlich
abzugrenzen ist, da durch den alleinigen Eisenmangel ein erheblich schlechterer klinischer Verlauf sowie eine
erhöhte Rehospitalisierungs-, Morbiditäts- und Mortalitätsrate zu beobachten ist.
Phenotypic and metabolic variation among spring Brassica napus genotypes during heat stress
Authors: Koscielny C. B. , Hazebroek J. , Duncan R. W.
Published: February 2018

Heat stress can frequently limit the yield of Brassica napus L. grown in Canada because of the often unavoidable concurrence of high temperatures and flowering. Ten B. napus inbred genotypes, an open-pollinated B. napus commercial cultivar and a B. juncea genotype were grown in a greenhouse and subjected to two temperature regimes in a growth chamber for 14 days during flowering: control 22°C/10°C and high 31°C/14°C (day/night). Floral buds were sampled at the end of the 14-day treatments, and an untargeted metabolomic assessment was completed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Flower duration, number of flowers, number of pods, biomass, number of seeds and seed weight were recorded. Yield was reduced by 55% in the heat treatment during winter and by 41% during the subsequent autumn experimental run. Of the 12 genotypes, five were classified as heat-tolerant and four as heat-susceptible based on the calculated heat susceptibility index across two experiments. In total, 25 metabolic markers were identified that discriminated between the heat-tolerant and -susceptible genotypes exposed to the heat treatment. The variation identified within this set of germplasm has provided evidence that variation exists within B. napus to enable genetic gain for heat tolerance.
The representations of racism in immigrant students’ essays in Greece
Authors: Archakis Argiris
Published: February 2018

Racism as a means for accomplishing homogeneity is at the center of this study which draws on Critical Discourse Analysis and focuses on descriptions of racist behaviors included in immigrant students’ school essays. We investigate how the dominant assimilative and homogenizing discourse operates in Greece and how immigrant students position themselves towards this dominant discourse. Our analysis focuses on the ways the immigrant students of our sample construct legitimizing and hybrid resistance identities. We demonstrate that legitimizing identities are found in the vast majority of the essays of our data due to the racist behaviors experienced by immigrant people. On the other hand, the explicit description of such behaviors appears only in few essays. We argue that in these few essays, via referring to racist behaviors of majority people against them, immigrant students manage to build hybrid resistance identities.
Sox7 promotes high-grade glioma by increasing VEGFR2-mediated vascular abnormality
Authors: Kim Il-Kug , Kim Kangsan , Lee Eunhyeong , Oh Dong Sun , Park Chan Soon , Park Seongyeol , Yang Jee Myung , Kim Ju-Hee , Kim Hyung-Seok , Shima David T. , Kim Jeong Hoon , Hong Seok Ho , Cho Young Hyun , Kim Young Hoon , Park Jong Bae , Koh Gou Young , Ju Young Seok , Lee Heung Kyu , Lee Seungjoo , Kim Injune
Published: February 2018

High-grade glioma (HGG) is highly angiogenic, but antiangiogenic therapy has transient clinical benefit in only a fraction of patients. Vascular regulators of these heterogeneous responses remain undetermined. We found up-regulation of Sox7 and down-regulation of Sox17 in tumor endothelial cells (tECs) in mouse HGG. Sox7 deletion suppressed VEGFR2 expression, vascular abnormality, hypoxia-driven invasion, regulatory T cell infiltration, and tumor growth. Conversely, Sox17 deletion exacerbated these phenotypes by up-regulating Sox7 in tECs. Anti-VEGFR2 antibody treatment delayed tumor growth by normalizing Sox17-deficient abnormal vessels with high Sox7 levels but promoted it by regressing Sox7-deficient vessels, recapitulating variable therapeutic responses to antiangiogenic therapy in HGG patients. Our findings establish that Sox7 promotes tumor growth via vessel abnormalization, and its level determines the therapeutic outcome of VEGFR2 inhibition in HGG. In 189 HGG patients, Sox7 expression was heterogeneous in tumor vessels, and high Sox7 levels correlated with poor survival, early recurrence, and impaired vascular function, emphasizing the clinical relevance of Sox7 in HGG.
General dissipative materials for simple histories
Authors: Amendola G. , Fabrizio M. , Golden J.
Published: February 2018

A material with memory typically has a set of many free energy functionals associated with it, all members of which yield the same constitutive relations. An alternative interpretation of this set is explored in the present work.

Explicit formulae are derived for the free energy and total dissipation of an arbitrary material in the cases of step function and sinusoidal/exponential histories. Expressions for the fraction of stored and dissipated energy are deduced. Also, various formulae are given for discrete spectrum materials.

For materials with relaxation function containing one decaying exponential, the associated Day functional is the physical free energy. For more general materials, we seek a best fit of the relaxation function with one decaying exponential to that chosen for the general case. The free energy, total dissipation and fractions of stored and dissipated energies relating to the Day material are derived for the various histories. Similar data, in the case of the general material, are explored for the minimum and maximum free energies and also for a centrally located free energy given in the literature. Various plots of aspects of this data, including comparisons between the behaviour for general and Day materials, are presented and discussed.
On period relations for automorphic 𝐿-functions I
Authors: Januszewski Fabian
Published: February 2018

This paper is the first in a series of two dedicated to the study of period relations of the type
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper L left-parenthesis one half plus k comma normal upper Pi right-parenthesis element-of left-parenthesis 2 pi i right-parenthesis Superscript d dot k Baseline normal upper Omega Subscript left-parenthesis negative 1 right-parenthesis Sub Superscript k Subscript Baseline reverse-solidus bf upper Q left-parenthesis normal upper Pi right-parenthesis comma one half plus k critical comma">

L

(

1
2

+
k
,
Π

)

∈

(
2
π
i

)

d
⋅
k

Ω

(
−
1

)
k

\bf Q

(
Π
)
,

1
2

+
k

critical
,

\begin{equation*} L\Big (\frac {1}{2}+k,\Pi \Big )\;\in \;(2\pi i)^{d\cdot k}\Omega _{(-1)^k}\textrm {\bf Q}(\Pi ),\quad \frac {1}{2}+k\;\text {critical}, \end{equation*}

for certain automorphic representations

Π
\Pi

of a reductive group

G
.

G.

In this paper we discuss the case

G
=

G
L

(
n
+
1
)
×

G
L

(
n
)
.

G=\mathrm {GL}(n+1)\times \mathrm {GL}(n).

The case

G
=

G
L

(
2
n
)

G=\mathrm {GL}(2n)

is discussed in part two. Our method is representation theoretic and relies on the author’s recent results on global rational structures on automorphic representations. We show that the above period relations are intimately related to the field of definition of the global representation

Π
\Pi

under consideration. The new period relations we prove are in accordance with Deligne’s Conjecture on special values of

L
L

-functions, and the author expects this method to apply to other cases as well.
Regional-scale surface temperature variability allows prediction of Pacific bluefin tuna recruitment
Authors: Muhling Barbara A , Tommasi Desiree , Ohshimo Seiji , Alexander Michael A , DiNardo Gerard
Published: February 2018

Future sustainable management of fisheries will require resilience to the effects of environmental variability and climate change on stock productivity. In this study, we examined relationships between sea surface temperature (SST) in the region between Taiwan and the Sea of Japan, and annual recruitment of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis: PBF) over the past 35 years. Spatial correlation maps showed that warmer SSTs south of Shikoku, in the East China Sea and in the Sea of Japan from summer to late fall were associated with above average recruitment. SST anomalies near larval and juvenile habitats were most strongly correlated with local air temperatures. Generalized Additive Models predicting annual PBF recruitment from SST fields suggested that the influence of SST on recruitment was stronger than that of spawning stock biomass. Correlations between SST and recruitment likely reflect biological processes relevant to early juvenile habitat suitability. The influence of late fall SSTs could also be a result of varying availability of age-0 fish to the troll fishery; however, the relative importance of these processes was not clear. Despite these knowledge gaps, the strong predictive power of SST on PBF recruitment can allow more proactive management of this species under varying environmental conditions.
Cost-effectiveness of hydrotherapy versus land-based therapy in patients with musculoskeletal disorders in Singapore
Authors: Teng Monica , Zhou Hui Jun , Lin Liang , Lim Pang Hung , Yeo Doreen , Goh Suzanne , Tjan Soon Yin , Lim Boon Peng
Published: February 2018

Background

The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of hydrotherapy versus land-based therapy in patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Singapore.

Methods

A decision-analytic model was constructed to compare the cost-effectiveness of hydrotherapy to land-based therapy over 3 months from societal perspective. Target population comprised patients with low back pain (LBP), osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR). Subgroup analyses were carried out to determine the cost-effectiveness of hydrotherapy in individual MSDs. Relative treatment effects were obtained through a systematic review of published data.

Results

Compared to land-based therapy, hydrotherapy was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of SGD 27 471 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, which was below the willingness-to-pay threshold of SGD 70 000 per QALY (one gross domestic product per capita in Singapore in 2015). For the respective MSDs, hydrotherapy were dominant (more effective and less costly) in THR and TKR, cost-effective for LBP and RA, and not cost-effective for OA. Treatment adherence and cost of hydrotherapy were key drivers to the ICER values.

Conclusions

Hydrotherapy was a cost-effective rehabilitation compared to land-based therapy for a population with MSDs in Singapore. However, the benefit of hydrotherapy was not observed in patients with OA.
Serum glucose and insulin and risk of cancers of the breast, endometrium, and ovary in postmenopausal women
Authors: Kabat Geoffrey C. , Kim Mimi Y. , Lane Dorothy S. , Zaslavsky Oleg , Ho Gloria Y.F. , Luo Juhua , Nicholson Wanda K. , Chlebowski Rowan T. , Barrington Wendy E. , Vitolins Mara Z. , Lin Xiaochen , Liu Simin , Rohan Thomas E.
Published: February 2018

Limited evidence suggests that hyperinsulinemia may contribute to the risk of breast, endometrial, and, possibly, ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the association of serum glucose and insulin with risk of these cancers in postmenopausal women, while taking into account potential confounding and modifying factors. We studied 21 103 women with fasting baseline insulin and glucose measurements in a subsample of the Women’s Health Initiative. The subsample was composed of four studies within Women’s Health Initiative with different selection and sampling strategies. Over a mean of 14.7 years of follow-up, 1185 breast cancer cases, 156 endometrial cancer cases, and 130 ovarian cancer cases were diagnosed. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by quartile of glucose or insulin. Serum insulin was positively associated with breast cancer risk (multivariable-adjusted HR for highest vs. lowest quartile 1.41, 95% CI: 1.16–1.72, P
trend<0.0003), and glucose and insulin were associated with roughly a doubling of endometrial cancer risk (for glucose: HR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.203.35, P
trend=0.01; for insulin: HR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.32–4.33, P
trend=0.008). These associations remained unchanged or were slightly attenuated after mutual adjustment, adjustment for serum lipids, and assessment of possible reverse causation. Glucose and insulin showed no association with ovarian cancer. Our findings provide support for a role of insulin-related pathways in the etiology of cancers of the breast and endometrium. However, because of the unrepresentative nature of the sample, our results need confirmation in other populations.
Rutaecarpine Suppresses Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis of Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells in Hypoxia Possibly Through HIF-1α–Dependent Pathways
Authors: Deng Jun , Qin Jiajia , Cai Yi , Zhong Xiaobin , Zhang Xu , Yu Shanshan
Published: February 2018

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential roles of Rutaecarpine (Rut) in hypoxia-induced human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) model.

Methods:

HPASMCs were cultured with or without hypoxia followed by Rut administration. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were assessed by CCK-8 and Cell counting method. Flow cytometry was used for the measurement of cell apoptosis rates. The mRNA expression of hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1α and protein levels of HIF-1α, p53, p21, erythropoietin, and vascular endothelial growth factor were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.

Results:

Rut inhibited the proliferation of HPASMCs with IC50 value of 43.5 μmol·L−1. Hypoxia significantly increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis in HPASMCs, whereas Rut rescued this phenomenon at the appropriate concentration. Meanwhile, Rut effectively decreased the protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α. Knockdown of HIF-1α expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly enhanced the proapoptotic effect rather than antiproliferation effect of Rut in HPASMCs. Moreover, Rut simultaneously reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression, whereas increased p53 and p21 protein levels. However, no significant difference was observed in the protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and erythropoietin.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrated that Rut exerted protective effects on HPASMCs against hypoxia partly through the HIF-1α–dependent signaling pathway.
The effects of stair climbing on arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and leg strength in postmenopausal women with stage 2 hypertension
Authors: Wong Alexei , Figueroa Arturo , Son Won-Mok , Chernykh Oksana , Park Song-Young
Published: February 2018

Objective:

Menopause is accompanied by a progressive arterial stiffening associated with increases in blood pressure (BP) and decline in muscular function. It is crucial to prevent or reduce the negative effects of menopause on vascular and muscular function by implementing appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise training. We examined the effects of a stair climbing (SC) regimen on arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]), BP, and leg strength in postmenopausal women with stage 2 hypertension.

Methods:

Using a parallel experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to either SC (n = 21) or nonexercising control group (n = 20) for 12 weeks. Participants in the SC group trained 4 d/wk, climbing 192 steps 2 to 5 times/d. Participants’ brachial-to-ankle PWV (baPWV), BP, and leg strength were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of their assigned intervention.

Results:

There was a significant group by time interaction (P < 0.05) for baPWV, and systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) which significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and leg strength which significantly increased (P < 0.05) after SC compared with no changes in the control. The changes in baPWV were correlated with changes in SBP (r = 0.66, P < 0.05) and leg strength (r = −0.47, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

SC led to reductions in arterial stiffness, BP, and increases in leg strength in stage 2 hypertensive postmenopausal women. The decrease in arterial stiffness partially explained the improvements in SBP and leg strength. SC may be an effective intervention in the prevention and treatment of menopause/aging-related vascular complications and muscle weakness.
Plasma Concentration of Biomarkers Reflecting Endothelial Cell- and Glycocalyx Damage are Increased in Patients With Suspected ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Frydland Martin , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Møller Jacob Eifer , Hadziselimovic Edina , Holmvang Lene , Ravn Hanne Berg , Jensen Lisette Okkels , Pettersson Anna Sina , Kjaergaard Jesper , Lindholm Matias Greve , Johansson Pär Ingemar , Hassager Christian
Published: February 2018

Background:

Mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients developing cardiogenic shock (CS) during hospitalization is high. Catecholamines, ischemia, and inflammation (parameters present in CS) affect the endothelium. We hypothesized that plasma level of biomarkers reflecting endothelial damage would be associated with CS and mortality.

Methods:

In 96% of 1467 consecutive patients with suspected STEMI, biomarkers reflecting endothelial cell- (soluble thrombomodulin, sTM) and glycocalyx- (syndecan-1) damage were measured on admission. Patients were stratified by CS development or not. CS-Patients were substratified by CS on admission (admission-CS), CS developed in the catheterization laboratory (cath. lab.-CS), or late CS.

Results:

STEMI patients with admission-CS (n = 85) and cath.lab.-CS (n = 25) had higher levels of sTM and syndecan-1 compared with no-CS patients (n = 1,299). Late CS-patients (n = 58) had higher levels of sTM (median (25th; 75th percentile) 8.8 (7.0; 11.6) vs. 7.4 (6.0; 9.0) ng/mL, P = 0.0004) but not Syndecan-1 (P = 0.26) compared with no-CS patients. sTM was, however, not independently associated with late CS development (OR (95% CI) 1.07 (0.99–1.16), P = 0.09). Patients with the highest level of sTM and syndecan-1 had the highest 30-day mortality (P
logrank<0.0001). However, neither sTM nor Syndecan-1 was independently associated with 30-day mortality (HR (95% CI) sTM: 1.06 (0.996–1.12), P = 0.07; Syndecan-1: 1.04 (0.99–1.08), P = 0.12).

Conclusion:

Patients with suspected STEMI patients and admission-CS/cath.lab.-CS had elevated admission levels of sTM and Syndecan-1 compared with no CS patients. Patients developing late CS had higher sTM plasma concentration compared with patients without shock. However, the biomarker levels were not independently associated with late CS and mortality.
Measurement of compensatory reserve predicts racial differences in tolerance to simulated hemorrhage in women
Authors: Wenner Megan M. , Hinds Kumba Adia , Howard Jeffrey T. , Nawn Corinne D. , Stachenfeld Nina S. , Convertino Victor A.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The compensatory reserve measurement (CRM) has been established to accurately measure the body's total integrated capacity to compensate for physiologic states of reduced central blood volume and predict hemodynamic decompensation associated with inadequate tissue oxygenation. We previously demonstrated that African American (AA) women have a higher tolerance to reductions in central blood volume. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the CRM would identify racial differences during simulated hemorrhage, before the onset of traditional signs/symptoms.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis during simulated hemorrhage using lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) in 23 AA (22 ± 1 years; 24 ± 1 kg/m2) and 31 white women (WW) (20 ± 1 years; 23 ± 1 kg/m2). Beat-by-beat blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded during progressive lower body negative pressure to presyncope. The BP waveforms were analyzed using a machine-learning algorithm to derive the CRM at each lower body negative pressure stage.

RESULTS

Resting mean arterial BP (AA, 78 ± 3 mm Hg vs. WW, 74 ± 2 mm Hg) and HR (AA, 68 ± 2 bpm vs. WW, 65 ± 2 bpm) were similar between groups. The CRM progressively decreased during LBNP in both groups; however, the rate of decline in the CRM was less (p < 0.05) in AA. The CRM was 4% higher in AA at −15 mm Hg LBNP and progressively increased to 21% higher at −50 mm Hg LBNP (p < 0.05). However, changes in BP and HR were not different between groups.

CONCLUSION

These data support the notion that the greater tolerance to simulated hemorrhage induced by LBNP in AA women can be explained by their greater capacity to protect the reserve to compensate for progressive central hypovolemia compared with WW, independent of standard vital signs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic test, level II.
Factors associated with trauma patients' length of stay at Role 2 facilities in Afghanistan, October 2009 to September 2014
Authors: Staudt Amanda , Gurney Jennifer , Valdez-Delgado Krystal , Suresh Mithun , Trevino Jennifer , Le Tuan , Seery Jason , Shackelford Stacy , Nessen Shawn , Mann-Salinas Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Understanding patients' length of stay at far-forward Role 2 surgical units may help to determine support needs, stabilization requirements, predeployment training, and necessity of increased care capability before or during transport to a higher level of care. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the amount of time patients spent at Role 2 and (2) determine the factors associated with trauma patients' length of stay at Role 2.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Joint Trauma System Role 2 Database. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with extended length of stay at Role 2.

RESULTS

There were 7,912 study patients, and the overall median (interquartile range) amount of time patients spent at Role 2 was 2.5 (1.2–5.5) hours. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of extended stay for civilian/other forces and non–US military patients were 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–1.4) and 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2–1.7) times higher as compared with US military patients, respectively. The aOR of extended stay were higher for patients who received blood transfusions (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–1.6), surgical procedures (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4–1.8), or did not use a tourniquet (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.5). As compared with those injured by an explosion, the adjusted odds of extended stay were 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0–1.4) times higher for patients injured by another mechanism. The odds of extended stay were lower (aOR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2–0.5) for patients who died and higher (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–1.6) for transferred patients as compared with patients who returned to duty.

CONCLUSION

In this study, interventions, patient affiliation, discharge status, and injury mechanism were associated with length of stay at Role 2. Our study results will help inform training and current Role 2 logistic and personnel support needs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic, level III.
Rett syndrome: a neurological disorder with metabolic components
Authors: Kyle Stephanie M. , Vashi Neeti , Justice Monica J.
Published: February 2018

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (
MECP2
), a ubiquitously expressed transcriptional regulator. Despite remarkable scientific progress since its discovery, the mechanism by which
MECP2
mutations cause RTT symptoms is largely unknown. Consequently, treatment options for patients are currently limited and centred on symptom relief. Thought to be an entirely neurological disorder, RTT research has focused on the role of
MECP2
in the central nervous system. However, the variety of phenotypes identified in
Mecp2
mutant mouse models and RTT patients implicate important roles for MeCP2 in peripheral systems. Here, we review the history of RTT, highlighting breakthroughs in the field that have led us to present day. We explore the current evidence supporting metabolic dysfunction as a component of RTT, presenting recent studies that have revealed perturbed lipid metabolism in the brain and peripheral tissues of mouse models and patients. Such findings may have an impact on the quality of life of RTT patients as both dietary and drug intervention can alter lipid metabolism. Ultimately, we conclude that a thorough knowledge of MeCP2's varied functional targets in the brain and body will be required to treat this complex syndrome.
The SKP1-Cullin-F-box E3 ligase βTrCP and CDK2 cooperate to control STIL abundance and centriole number
Authors: Arquint Christian , Cubizolles Fabien , Morand Agathe , Schmidt Alexander , Nigg Erich A.
Published: February 2018

Deregulation of centriole duplication has been implicated in cancer and primary microcephaly. Accordingly, it is important to understand how key centriole duplication factors are regulated. E3 ubiquitin ligases have been implicated in controlling the levels of several duplication factors, including PLK4, STIL and SAS-6, but the precise mechanisms ensuring centriole homeostasis remain to be fully understood. Here, we have combined proteomics approaches with the use of MLN4924, a generic inhibitor of SCF E3 ubiquitin ligases, to monitor changes in the cellular abundance of centriole duplication factors. We identified human STIL as a novel substrate of SCF-βTrCP. The binding of βTrCP depends on a DSG motif within STIL, and serine 395 within this motif is phosphorylated
in vivo
. SCF-βTrCP-mediated degradation of STIL occurs throughout interphase and mutations in the DSG motif causes massive centrosome amplification, attesting to the physiological importance of the pathway. We also uncover a connection between this new pathway and CDK2, whose role in centriole biogenesis remains poorly understood. We show that CDK2 activity protects STIL against SCF-βTrCP-mediated degradation, indicating that CDK2 and SCF-βTrCP cooperate via STIL to control centriole biogenesis.
Male-mediated species recognition among African weakly electric fishes
Authors: Nagel Rebecca , Kirschbaum Frank , Engelmann Jacob , Hofmann Volker , Pawelzik Felix , Tiedemann Ralph
Published: February 2018

Effective communication among sympatric species is often instrumental for behavioural isolation, where the failure to successfully discriminate between potential mates could lead to less fit hybrid offspring. Discrimination between con- and heterospecifics tends to occur more often in the sex that invests more in offspring production, i.e. females, but males may also mediate reproductive isolation. In this study, we show that among twoCampylomormyrusAfrican weakly electric fish species, males preferentially associate with conspecific females during choice tests using live fish as stimuli, i.e. when all sensory modalities potentially used for communication were present. We then conducted playback experiments to determine whether the species-specific electric organ discharge (EOD) used for electrocommunication serves as the cue for this conspecific association preference. Interestingly, onlyC. compressirostrismales associated significantly more with the conspecific EOD waveform when playback stimuli were provided, while no such association preference was observed inC. tamanduamales. Given our results, the EOD appears to serve, in part, as a male-mediated pre-zygotic isolation mechanism among sympatric species. However, the failure ofC. tamanduamales to discriminate between con- and heterospecific playback discharges suggests that multiple modalities may be necessary for species recognition in some African weakly electric fish species.
Optimization of methylene blue removal by stable emulsified liquid membrane using Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs of experiments
Authors: Djenouhat Meriem , Bendebane Farida , Bahloul Lynda , Samar Mohamed E. H. , Ismail Fadhel
Published: February 2018

The stability of an emulsified liquid membrane composed of Span80 as a surfactant, D2EHPA as an extractant and sulfuric acid as an internal phase was first studied according to different diluents and many operating parameters using the Plackett–Burman design of experiments. Then the removal of methylene blue from an aqueous solution has been carried out using this emulsified liquid membrane at its stability conditions. The effects of operating parameters were analysed from the Box–Behnken design of experiments. The optimization of the extraction has been realized applying the response surface methodology and the results showed that the dye extraction yielding 98.72% was achieved at optimized conditions.
Counterfactual quantum erasure: spooky action without entanglement
Authors: Salih Hatim
Published: February 2018

We combine the eyebrow-raising quantum phenomena of erasure and counterfactuality for the first time, proposing a simple yet unusual quantum eraser: A distant Bob can decide to erase which-path information from Alice’s photon, dramatically restoring interference—without previously shared entanglement, and without Alice’s photon ever leaving her laboratory.
Evidence for parallel activation of the pre-supplementary motor area and inferior frontal cortex during response inhibition: a combined MEG and TMS study
Authors: Allen Christopher , Singh Krish D. , Verbruggen Frederick , Chambers Christopher D.
Published: February 2018

This pre-registered experiment sought to uncover the temporal relationship between the inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) during stopping of an ongoing action. Both regions have previously been highlighted as being central to cognitive control of actions, particularly response inhibition. Here we tested which area is activated first during the stopping process using magnetoencephalography, before assessing the relative chronometry of each region using functionally localized transcranial magnetic stimulation. Both lines of evidence pointed towards simultaneous activity across both regions, suggesting that parallel, mutually interdependent processing may form the cortical basis of stopping. Additional exploratory analysis, however, provided weak evidence in support of previous suggestions that the pre-SMA may provide an ongoing drive of activity to the IFC.
Comparative chemical analysis of volatile compounds of
Echinops ilicifolius
using hydrodistillation and headspace solid-phase microextraction and the antibacterial activities of its essential oil
Authors: Mohebat Razieh , Bidoki Mina Zare
Published: February 2018

The volatile compounds from various parts of
Echinops ilicifolius
(Compositae) such as flowers, leaves and roots obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) methods were subsequently analysed by GC and GC/MS and compared. Thirty-seven and 20 components of the flower of
E. ilicifolius
were characterized, representing 99.7% and 100.0% of the total compositions using the HD and HS-SPME methods, respectively. The major constituents of the hydrodistilled oil were identified as linalool (58.6%), geraniol (17.4%),
n
-dodecane (10.9%) and nerol (5.4%), whereas HS-SPME extract was rich in
n
-octane (34.0%),
n
-decane (25.1%),
p
-cymene (11.1%),
γ
-terpinene (5.3%) and 1,8-cineole (5.1%).
n
-Hexadecanoic acid (32.3%), linalool (16.4%) and geraniol (8.3%) were the main components among 43 constituents identified in hydrodistilled extract of the leaf, representing 99.5% of the total components detected, whereas 16 compounds representing 99.9% of the HS-SPME method were identified, among which
n
-decane (32.6%),
p
-cymene (14.0%),
n
-octane (10.3%), limonene (9.2%),
γ
-terpinene (9.1%), 1,8-cineole (7.9%) and
α
-pinene (5.9%) were the major ones. Among 23 components comprising 91.2% of the total hydrodistilled oil detected,
n
-decane (23.1%),
n
-dodecane (14.5%), silphiperfol-4,7(14)-diene (11.1%), selin-11-en-4-a-ol (9.5%),
n
-hexadecanoic acid (7.8%) and
n
-tetradecane (5.3%) were the main constituents in the root of
E. ilicifolius
, whereas 1,8-cineole (29.0%),
n
-decane (12.6%),
n
-octane (12.6%), camphor (12.0%),
p
-cymene (9.6%) and
γ
-terpinene (5.9%) were the main components among the 20 constituents characterized in HS-SPME extract, representing 99.9% of the total components detected. The antibacterial activity of the flower, leaf and root oils of
E. ilicifolius
against six Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined using the MIC method. The growth inhibitory zone (mm) was also measured.
Numerical study of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation and dispersive shock waves
Authors: Grava T. , Klein C. , Pitton G.
Published: February 2018

A detailed numerical study of the long time behaviour of dispersive shock waves in solutions to the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) I equation is presented. It is shown that modulated lump solutions emerge from the dispersive shock waves. For the description of dispersive shock waves, Whitham modulation equations for KP are obtained. It is shown that the modulation equations near the soliton line are hyperbolic for the KPII equation while they are elliptic for the KPI equation leading to a focusing effect and the formation of lumps. Such a behaviour is similar to the appearance of breathers for the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the semiclassical limit.
Intrinsic stochastic differential equations as jets
Authors: Armstrong J. , Brigo D.
Published: February 2018

We explain how Itô stochastic differential equations (SDEs) on manifolds may be defined using 2-jets of smooth functions. We show how this relationship can be interpreted in terms of a convergent numerical scheme. We also show how jets can be used to derive graphical representations of Itô SDEs, and we show how jets can be used to derive the differential operators associated with SDEs in a coordinate-free manner. We relate jets to vector flows, giving a geometric interpretation of the Itô–Stratonovich transformation. We show how percentiles can be used to give an alternative coordinate-free interpretation of the coefficients of one-dimensional SDEs. We relate this to the jet approach. This allows us to interpret the coefficients of SDEs in terms of ‘fan diagrams’. In particular, the median of an SDE solution is associated with the drift of the SDE in Stratonovich form for small times.
Globular cluster formation and evolution in the context of cosmological galaxy assembly: open questions
Authors: Forbes Duncan A. , Bastian Nate , Gieles Mark , Crain Robert A. , Kruijssen J. M. Diederik , Larsen Søren S. , Ploeckinger Sylvia , Agertz Oscar , Trenti Michele , Ferguson Annette M. N. , Pfeffer Joel , Gnedin Oleg Y.
Published: February 2018

We discuss some of the key open questions regarding the formation and evolution of globular clusters (GCs) during galaxy formation and assembly within a cosmological framework. The current state of the art for both observations and simulations is described, and we briefly mention directions for future research. The oldest GCs have ages greater than or equal to 12.5 Gyr and formed around the time of reionization. Resolved colour-magnitude diagrams of Milky Way GCs and direct imaging of lensed proto-GCs at
z
∼6 with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) promise further insight. GCs are known to host multiple populations of stars with variations in their chemical abundances. Recently, such multiple populations have been detected in ∼2 Gyr old compact, massive star clusters. This suggests a common, single pathway for the formation of GCs at high and low redshift. The shape of the initial mass function for GCs remains unknown; however, for massive galaxies a power-law mass function is favoured. Significant progress has been made recently modelling GC formation in the context of galaxy formation, with success in reproducing many of the observed GC-galaxy scaling relations.
The electron density function of the Hückel (tight-binding) model
Authors: Estrada Ernesto
Published: February 2018

The Hückel (tight-binding) molecular orbital (HMO) method has found many applications in the chemistry of alternant conjugated molecules, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fullerenes and graphene-like molecules, as well as in solid-state physics. In this paper, we found analytical expressions for the electron density matrix of the HMO method in terms of odd-powers of its Hamiltonian. We prove that the HMO density matrix induces an embedding of a molecule into a high-dimensional Euclidean space in which the separation between the atoms scales very well with the bond lengths of PAHs. We extend our approach to describe a quasi-correlated tight-binding model, which quantifies the number of unpaired electrons and the distribution of effectively unpaired electrons. In this case, we found that the corresponding density matrices induce embedding of the molecules into high-dimensional Euclidean spheres where the separation between the atoms contains information about the spin–spin repulsion between them. Using our approach, we found an analytic expression which explains the bond length alternation in polyenes inside the HMO framework. We also found that spin–spin interaction explains the alternation of distances between pairs of atoms separated by two bonds in conjugated molecules.
High rates of vessel noise disrupt foraging in wild harbour porpoises (
Phocoena phocoena
)
Authors: Wisniewska Danuta Maria , Johnson Mark , Teilmann Jonas , Siebert Ursula , Galatius Anders , Dietz Rune , Madsen Peter Teglberg
Published: February 2018

Shipping is the dominant marine anthropogenic noise source in the world's oceans, yet we know little about vessel encounter rates, exposure levels and behavioural reactions for cetaceans in the wild, many of which rely on sound for foraging, communication and social interactions. Here, we used animal-borne acoustic tags to measure vessel noise exposure and foraging efforts in seven harbour porpoises in highly trafficked coastal waters. Tagged porpoises encountered vessel noise 17–89% of the time and occasional high-noise levels coincided with vigorous fluking, bottom diving, interrupted foraging and even cessation of echolocation, leading to significantly fewer prey capture attempts at received levels greater than 96 dB re 1 µPa (16 kHz third-octave). If such exposures occur frequently, porpoises, which have high metabolic requirements, may be unable to compensate energetically with negative long-term fitness consequences. That shipping noise disrupts foraging in the high-frequency-hearing porpoise raises concerns that other toothed whale species may also be affected.
Trade-offs between microbial growth phases lead to frequency-dependent and non-transitive selection
Authors: Manhart Michael , Adkar Bharat V. , Shakhnovich Eugene I.
Published: February 2018

Mutations in a microbial population can increase the frequency of a genotype not only by increasing its exponential growth rate, but also by decreasing its lag time or adjusting the yield (resource efficiency). The contribution of multiple life-history traits to selection is a critical question for evolutionary biology as we seek to predict the evolutionary fates of mutations. Here we use a model of microbial growth to show that there are two distinct components of selection corresponding to the growth and lag phases, while the yield modulates their relative importance. The model predicts rich population dynamics when there are trade-offs between phases: multiple strains can coexist or exhibit bistability due to frequency-dependent selection, and strains can engage in rock–paper–scissors interactions due to non-transitive selection. We characterize the environmental conditions and patterns of traits necessary to realize these phenomena, which we show to be readily accessible to experiments. Our results provide a theoretical framework for analysing high-throughput measurements of microbial growth traits, especially interpreting the pleiotropy and correlations between traits across mutants. This work also highlights the need for more comprehensive measurements of selection in simple microbial systems, where the concept of an ordinary fitness landscape breaks down.