bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of patients with gout and achievement of target serum urate levels at a tertiary rheumatology service in Australia
Authors: Bavanendrakumar Mathuja , Robinson Philip C.
Published: August 2019

Background

Gout is common crystal arthritis that is often managed sub‐optimally.

Aims

To determine what proportion of patients treated for gout by the tertiary level rheumatology service at the Royal Brisbane Hospital between 2014 and 2018 reached target serum urate (SU) levels. Secondary aims included exploring the demographic characteristics of those who did and did not reach target.

Method

The records of patients who were treated at least once either as in inpatient or outpatient by the rheumatology service at the Royal Brisbane Hospital between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018 were reviewed. Clinical status, treatment characteristics and outcome were recorded and analysed.

Results

There were 129 patients who met the inclusion criteria for the study, the majority of patients were male and 39% had tophaceous gout. Fifty‐four (42%) had been intentionally discharged from clinic, 50 (85%) of those patients had reached their SU target, the remaining eight (15%) were discharged with a plan for other services to continue their therapy to reach SU target. Forty patients (31%) had ongoing follow up, with 16 (40%) of these at target and 24 (60%) not at target. Thirty‐five (27%) were not attending, five (4%) had died and 30 (23%) had failed to attend follow‐up appointments, none of these patients was at target at their last known SU level.

Conclusion

Despite effective therapy the number of patients treated for gout at a large public metropolitan teaching hospital reaching SU target was low. Almost one‐quarter of patients in the study discontinued contact with the clinic. The reasons for this are not clear and are likely multifactorial.
Molecular mechanism of tumour necrosis factor alpha regulates hypocretin (orexin) expression, sleep and behaviour
Authors: Zhan Shuqin , Che Pulin , Zhao Xue‐ke , Li Ning , Ding Yan , Liu Jianghong , Li Spring , Ding Karyn , Han Lynn , Huang Zhaoyang , Wu Liyong , Wang Yuping , Hu Meng , Han Xiaosi , Ding Qiang
Published: August 2019

Hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2 (orexin A and B) regulate sleep, wakefulness and emotion. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) is an important neuroinflammation mediator. Here, we examined the effects of TNF‐α treatment on hypocretin expression in vivo and behaviour in mice. TNF‐α decreased hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2 expression in a dose‐dependent manner in cultured hypothalamic neurons. TNF‐α decreased mRNA stability of prepro‐hypocretin, the single precursor of hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2. Mice challenged with TNF‐α demonstrated decreased expression of prepro‐hypocretin, hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2 in hypothalamus. In response to TNF‐α, prepro‐hypocretin mRNA decay was increased in hypothalamus. TNF‐α neutralizing antibody restored the expression of prepro‐hypocretin, hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2 in vivo in TNF‐α challenged mice, supporting hypocretin system can be impaired by increased TNF‐α through decreasing hypocretin expression. Repeated TNF‐α challenge induced muscle activity during rapid eye movement sleep and sleep fragmentation, but decreased learning, cognition and memory in mice. TNF‐α neutralizing antibody blocked the effects of TNF‐α; in contrast, hypocretin receptor antagonist enhanced the effects of TNF‐α. The data support that TNF‐α is involved in the regulation of hypocretin expression, sleep and cognition. The findings shed some lights on the role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Ongoing hybridization obscures phylogenetic relationships in the Drosophila subquinaria species complex
Authors: Ginsberg Paul S. , Humphreys Devon P. , Dyer Kelly A.
Published: August 2019

Inferring evolutionary relationships among recently diverged lineages is necessary to understand how isolating barriers produce independent lineages. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships between three incompletely isolated and closely related mushroom‐feeding Drosophila species. These species form the Drosophila subquinaria species complex and consist of one Eurasian species (D. transversa) and two widespread North American species (D. subquinaria and D. recens) that are sympatric in central Canada. Although patterns of pre‐ and post‐mating isolation among these species are well characterized, previous work on their phylogenetic relationships is limited and conflicting. In this study, we generated a multi‐locus data set of 29 loci from across the genome sequenced in a population sample from each species, and then, we inferred species relationships and patterns of introgression. We find strong statistical support that D. subquinaria is paraphyletic, showing that samples from the geographic region sympatric with D. recens are most closely related to D. recens, whereas samples from the geographic region allopatric with D. recens are most closely related to D. transversa. We present several lines of evidence that both incomplete lineage sorting and gene flow are causing phylogenetic discordance. We suggest that ongoing gene flow primarily from D. recens into D. subquinaria in the sympatric part of their ranges causes phylogenetic uncertainty in the evolutionary history of these species. Our results highlight how population genetic data can be used to disentangle the sources of phylogenetic discordance among closely related species.
Sex differences in nutrient intake can reduce the potential for sexual conflict over fitness maximization by female and male crickets
Authors: Ng Soon Hwee , Simpson Stephen J. , Simmons Leigh W.
Published: August 2019

As females and males have different roles in reproduction, they are expected to require different nutrients for the expression of reproductive traits. However, due to their shared genome, both sexes may be constrained in the regulation of nutrient intake that maximizes sex‐specific fitness. Here, we used the Geometric Framework for nutrition to examine the effect of macronutrient and micronutrient intakes on lifespan, fecundity and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that signal mate quality to prospective mates in female field crickets, Teleogryllus oceanicus. In addition, we contrasted nutritional effects on life‐history traits between males and females to determine how sex differences influence nutrient regulation. We found that carbohydrate intake maximized female lifespan and protein intake influenced CHC expression, while early life fecundity (cumulative fecundity at day 21) and lifetime fecundity were dependent on both macronutrient and micronutrient intakes. Fecundity required different nutrient blends to those required to optimize sperm viability in males, generating the potential for sexual conflict over macronutrient intake. The regulation of protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) intakes by virgin and mated females initially matched that of males, but females adjusted their intake to a higher P:C ratio, 1P:2C, that maximized fecundity as they aged. This suggests that a sex‐specific, age‐dependent change in intake target for sexually mature females, regardless of their mating status, adjusts protein consumption in preparation for oviposition. Sex differences in the regulation of nutrient intake to optimize critical reproductive traits in female and male T. oceanicus provide an example of how sexual conflict over nutrition can shape differences in foraging between the sexes.
Evolution and diversity of the courtship repertoire in the Drosophila montium species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Chen Ai‐li , Chen Chuan‐cheng , Katoh Toru , Katoh Takehiro K. , Watada Masayoshi , Toda Masanori J. , Ritchie Michael G. , Wen Shuo‐yang
Published: August 2019

Changes in elements of courtship behaviour can influence sexual isolation between species. Large‐scale analyses of changes, including loss and gain of courtship elements, across a relatively complete phylogenetic group are rare but needed to understand the significance of such changes, for example whether the gain and loss of courtship elements are essentially arbitrary or equally reversible. In most species of Drosophila, courtship, including singing, mainly occurs before mounting as premounting courtship. The Drosophila montium species group is unusual because loss of premounting courtship and gain of post‐mounting one has been detected in this group. Here, we provide an extensive analysis on the courtship repertoire and songs of 42 species in this group. Synchronously captured video and audio recordings were analysed to describe courtship patterns and male courtship songs, and changes were analysed in a phylogenetic context. Ancestral state reconstruction suggests that a gain of post‐mounting courtship singing at the ancestor of this species group has been accompanied by a concurrent decrease in the incidence of premounting courtship singing and has led to subsequent further decrease and eventually complete loss of premounting courtship song in several lineages. Alongside this evolutionary trend towards post‐mounting courtship, sine song and a special type of “high pulse repetition song” have become more widely used for courtship during species diversification in the montium group. It is likely that the elaboration of post‐mounting courtship behaviours is associated with changes in the relative importance of pre‐ and post‐mounting components of mating systems, such as sperm competition or cryptic female choice.
Resistance to three thrips species in Capsicum spp. depends on site conditions and geographic regions
Authors: Visschers Isabella G. S. , Peters Janny L. , Timmermans Lisa L. H. , Edwards Else , Ferrater Jedeliza B. , Balatero Conrado H. , Stratongjun Mongkol , Bleeker Petra M. , van Herwijnen Zeger , Glawe Grit A. , Bruin Jan , van Dam Nicole M. , Macel Mirka
Published: August 2019

Capsicum species are commercially grown for pepper production. This crop suffers severely from thrips damage and the identification of natural sources of thrips resistance is essential for the development of resistant cultivars. It is unclear whether resistance to Frankliniella occidentalis as assessed in a specific environment holds under different conditions. Additionally, other thrips species may respond differently to the plant genotypes. Screening for robust and general resistance to thrips encompasses testing different Capsicum accessions under various conditions and with different thrips species. We screened 11 Capsicum accessions (C. annuum and C. chinense) for resistance to F. occidentalis at three different locations in the Netherlands. Next, the same 11 accessions were screened for resistance to Thrips palmi and Scirtothrips dorsalis at two locations in Asia. This resulted in a unique analysis of thrips resistance in Capsicum at five different locations around the world. Finally, all accessions were also screened for resistance to F. occidentalis in the Netherlands using a leaf disc choice assay, allowing direct comparison of whole plant and leaf disc assays. Resistance to F. occidentalis was only partially consistent among the three sites in the Netherlands. The most susceptible accessions were consistently susceptible, but which accession was the most resistant differed among sites. In Asia, one C. chinense accession was particularly resistant to S. dorsalis and T. palmi, but this was not the most resistant accession to F. occidentalis. Overall, resistance to F. occidentalis correlated with S. dorsalis but not with T. palmi resistance in the C. annuum accessions. Damage inflicted on leaf discs reflected damage on the whole plant level. Our study showed that identifying broad spectrum resistance to thrips in Capsicum may prove to be challenging. Breeding programmes should focus on developing cultivars suitable for growing in defined geographic regions with specific thrips species and abiotic conditions.
What Do Clinicians Caring for Aging Patients Need to Know About Private Long‐Term Care Insurance?
Authors: McGarry Brian E. , Grabowski David C.
Published: August 2019

Preparing for future long‐term care (LTC) needs is a critical component of successful aging. Clinicians with aging patient panels may be a valuable source of information about the importance of LTC planning and the mechanisms available to do so, including private LTC insurance (LTCi). This article provides an overview, from a clinician's perspective, of current LTC financing and the key questions patients should consider when assessing LTCi. Although actual purchasing decisions likely require support from impartial financial experts, clinicians may be well positioned to help initiate difficult conversations about LTC planning and point patients to unbiased resources concerning LTCi. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2167–2173, 2019
Cutaneous inflammation differentially regulates the expression and function of Angiotensin‐II types 1 and 2 receptors in rat primary sensory neurons
Authors: Benitez Sergio G. , Seltzer Alicia M. , Messina Diego N. , Foscolo Mabel R. , Patterson Sean I. , Acosta Cristian G.
Published: August 2019

Neuropathic and inflammatory pain results from cellular and molecular changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The type‐2 receptor for Angiotensin‐II (AT2R) has been involved in this type of pain. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, including the role of the type‐1 receptor for Angiotensin‐II (AT1R). Here, we used a combination of immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, RT‐PCR and in vitro and in vivo pharmacological manipulation to examine how cutaneous inflammation affected the expression of AT1R and AT2R in subpopulations of rat DRG neurons and studied their impact on inflammation‐induced neuritogenesis. We demonstrated that AT2R‐neurons express C‐ or A‐neuron markers, primarily IB4, trkA, and substance‐P. AT1R expression was highest in small neurons and co‐localized significantly with AT2R. In vitro, an inflammatory soup caused significant elevation of AT2R mRNA, whereas AT1R mRNA levels remained unchanged. In vivo, we found a unique pattern of change in the expression of AT1R and AT2R after cutaneous inflammation. AT2R increased in small neurons at 1 day and in medium size neurons at 4 days. Interestingly, cutaneous inflammation increased AT1R levels only in large neurons at 4 days. We found that in vitro and in vivo AT1R and AT2R acted co‐operatively to regulate DRG neurite outgrowth. In vivo, AT2R inhibition impacted more on non‐peptidergic C‐neurons neuritogenesis, whereas AT1R blockade affected primarily peptidergic nerve terminals. Thus, cutaneous‐induced inflammation regulated AT1R and AT2R expression and function in different DRG neuronal subpopulations at different times. These findings must be considered when targeting AT1R and AT2R to treat chronic inflammatory pain.

image

Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14737.
Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of Guillain‐Barré syndrome in Colombia
Authors: Gómez Ángela , Díaz Andrés , Carrión‐Penagos Julián , Reyes Julián , Reyes Saúl
Published: August 2019

Despite the wide literature describing the features of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in different populations worldwide, Colombian data are very scarce. We aim to characterize patients with GBS in a general hospital setting in Colombia. We conducted a retrospective chart review of GBS cases managed at the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, from 2011 to 2016. Twenty‐three patients were included. The most commonly reported symptoms were paresthesias (65%), pain (61%), proximal (22%) and distal (74%) limb weakness, and facial palsy (30%). 9% of patients had Fisher syndrome and 21% had other variants: Bickerstaff, pharyngeal‐cervical‐brachial pattern, and facial diplegia. There was a predominance of the demyelinating form (70%), with only 22% of patients presenting with the axonal variants. Our results are concordant with previous studies in Colombia.
Socio‐economic differentiation from a class‐analytic perspective: The case of smallholder tree‐crop farmers in Limpopo, South Africa
Authors: Olofsson Malin
Published: August 2019

South African agrarian policy aims to integrate smallholder tree‐crop farmers into high‐end value chains with growth and employment potential, generally neglecting socio‐economic differentiation amongst them. This paper aims to analyse socio‐economic differentiation amongst tree‐crop farmers in Vhembe District, Limpopo, using a class‐based analysis based on livelihood diversification and accumulation. Cluster analysis of survey data and semi‐structured interviews reveals that most tree‐crop farmers engage in petty commodity production, internally differentiated by their combination of income sources and livelihood strategies. Farmers' ability to engage in accumulation and upward class mobility is generally severely constrained by limited access to capital. Agricultural diversification offers livelihood potential but limited possibility for accumulation, whereas salaried nonfarm work offers more promising prospects for accumulation but limited livelihood opportunities. A minority demonstrated characteristics of small‐scale capitalist farmers, internally differentiated by their reliance on salaried employment or agricultural production. The findings challenge the notion of an undifferentiated class of market‐oriented smallholders.
Immediate return of fertility function following a bariatric surgery: A case report
Authors: Kongkit Jaruwan , Charoenvidhya Dhirapatara , Udomsawaengsup Suthep , Boonchaya‐anant Patchaya
Published: August 2019

Obesity in women of childbearing age is linked to lower fertility rates due to chronic oligoovulation and anovulation. Effective weight loss treatment such as bariatric surgery can improve fertility potential. However, pregnancy during the first 12 months after bariatric surgery should be avoided due to an active catabolic state and may increase the potential risk of fetal growth restriction. Here, we report a case with an immediate return of fertility function following a bariatric surgery with favorable outcomes. A 30‐year‐old woman with obesity, history of polycystic ovarian syndrome and infertility become pregnant within 2‐month period following bariatric surgery. She first recognized her pregnancy at the gestational age of 8 weeks. Micronutrient laboratory results at baseline were normal except for low 25‐OH vitamin D level of 18.7 ng/dL. She continued to lose her weight during the first trimester but was able to gain some weight during the second and third trimesters. Close fetal ultrasonography monitoring was done during each trimester. The fetal ultrasonography showed an appropriate fetal weight, a normal Doppler study and no abnormality detected in the fetus. Finally, at 36 weeks of gestation, a 2380‐g female baby was delivered successfully.
A review of recent advances in histopathological assessment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chegini Soudeh , Mitsimponas Konstantinos , Shakib Kaveh
Published: August 2019

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common non‐cutaneous head and neck (H&N) malignancy. Referrals for suspected SCC are seen by oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) surgeons and represent the bulk of 2‐week wait referrals. The diagnosis and treatment of SCC is heavily influenced by national and international guidelines. The majority of research and funding is directed towards this condition. This has led to continuous changes to update these guidelines. However, there remain areas of controversy and conflicting evidence. This article summarises articles pertinent to pathologists between 2016 and 2018 published in the leading British OMFS journal. A total of 22 published articles relating to the histopathology of non‐cutaneous H&N SCC were selected.
Laboratory reform counteracts the WHO hepatitis C elimination strategy in Germany
Authors: Kramer Jan , Wolffram Ingmar , Früh Uli , Bätz Olaf , Berg Thomas , Wiegand Johannes
Published: August 2019

The World Health Organization and the German government have announced an initiative to eliminate chronic hepatitis C until the year 2030. To reach this goal, one important step is adequate screening and detection of so far undiagnosed infections. The most common initial test is anti‐HCV. This parameter was extra‐budgetary reimbursed by statuary healthcare insurances in the past. However, this policy has changed after a nationwide laboratory reform which should reduce the laboratory costs of patients insured in the statuary healthcare insurances. We therefore analysed the impact of the laboratory reform on the order of anti‐HCV tests in 510 656 anonymized patient data sets before and after the initiation of the reform. The number of anti‐HCV tests declined by 9.4% in quarters I‐III 2018 in comparison with the same time period of the year 2017. The number of HBsAg tests declined by 7.4%, indicating that the reduced anti‐HCV laboratory orders are not parameter‐specific, but most likely a surrogate of the intention of the laboratory reform to generally lower the demands of blood samples and laboratory costs. Thus, the scenario is an important example, how political decisions of the medical self‐government influence the screening setting for viral hepatitis: if the current policy is not changed, the laboratory reform directly counteracts the WHO hepatitis C elimination strategy in Germany.
Neuronal clusterin expression is associated with cognitive protection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Gregory J. M. , Elliott E. , McDade K. , Bak T. , Pal S. , Chandran S. , Abrahams S. , Smith C.
Published: August 2019

Aims

Clusterin is a topologically dynamic chaperone protein with the ability to participate in both intra‐ and extacellular proteostasis. Clusterin has been shown to be upregulated in the spinal cord of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has been shown to protect against TDP‐43 protein misfolding in animal and cell models. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between the pathological burden of TDP‐43 misfolding and cognitive deficits in ALS, demonstrating high specificity, but correspondingly low sensitivity owing to a subset of individuals with no evidence of cognitive deficits despite a high burden of TDP‐43 pathology, called mismatch cases.

Methods

Hypothesizing that differences in the ability to cope with protein misfolding in these cases may be due to differences in expression of protective mechanisms such as clusterin expression, we assessed the spatial expression of clusterin and another chaperone protein, HspB8, in post mortem brain tissue of mismatch cases. We employed a modified in situ hybridization technique called BaseScope, with single cell, single transcript resolution.

Results

Mismatch cases demonstrated differential spatial expression of clusterin, with a predominantly neuronal pattern, compared to cases with cognitive manifestations of their TDP‐43 pathology who demonstrated a predominantly glial distribution of expression.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that, in individuals with TDP‐43 pathology, predominantly neuronal expression of clusterin in extra‐motor brain regions may indicate a cell protective mechanism delaying clinical manifestations such as cognitive dysfunction.
Genetic variation influencing hemoglobin levels and risk for anemia across populations
Authors: Barrera‐Reyes Paloma K. , Tejero M. Elizabeth
Published: August 2019

Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is the outcome of the interaction between genetic variation and environmental factors, including nutritional status, sex, age, and altitude. Genetic diversity influencing this protein is complex and varies widely across populations. Variants related to abnormal Hb or altered characteristics of the erythrocytes increase the risk for anemia. The most prevalent are related to the inherited globin abnormalities affecting Hb production and structure. Malaria‐endemic regions harbor the highest frequencies of variants associated with the most frequent monogenic diseases and the risk for nonnutritional anemia and are considered as public health problems. Variation in genes encoding for enzymes and membrane proteins in red blood cells also influence erythrocyte life span and risk for anemia. Most of these variants are rare. Interindividual variability of hematological parameters is also influenced by common genetic variation across the whole genome. Some of the identified variants are associated with Hb production, erythropoiesis, and iron metabolism. Specialized databases have been developed to organize and update the large body of available information on genetic variation related to Hb variation, their frequency, geographical distribution, and clinical significance. Our present review analyzed the underlying genetic factors that affect Hb concentrations, their clinical relevance, and geographical distribution across populations.
What Drives Commodity Returns? Market, Sector or Idiosyncratic Factors?
Authors: Ma Jun , Vivian Andrew , Wohar Mark E.
Published: August 2019

This paper examines the relationship between 43 commodity returns using a dynamic factor model with time varying stochastic volatility. The dynamic factor model decomposes each commodity return into a common (market), sector‐specific and commodity‐specific component. It enables the variance attributed to each component to be estimated at each point in time. We find the return variation explained by the common factor has increased substantially for the recent period and is statistically significant for the vast majority of commodities since 2004 (at each point in time) This phenomenon is the strongest for non‐perishable products. We link the amount of variation explained by the common factor to economic variables.
Opening‐up labor mobility? Rising powers' rulemaking in trade agreements
Authors: Lavenex Sandra , Jurje Flavia
Published: August 2019

This article analyzes China's and India's role as emerging rulemakers in one of the most contested fields of international cooperation: labor mobility. It shows how both countries have seized the trade venue to negotiate labor mobility clauses that go well beyond the original preferences of established powers. Whereas India's more vocal claims have faced resistance, China's success in concluding far‐reaching bilateral deals with Western countries is explained with stronger domestic regulatory capability and capacity. Maintaining a technocratic approach in trade negotiations, supported by the centralization of relevant competences in the trade ministry and consistently synchronizing external commitments with domestic reforms, China has been able to convey its market power into regulatory influence. As a result, the global standard for negotiating mobility in trade agreements has risen – notwithstanding the enduring stalemate at the multilateral level.
The effect of action observation and motor imagery combinations on upper limb kinematics and EMG during dart‐throwing
Authors: Romano Smith Stephanie , Wood Greg , Coyles Ginny , Roberts James W. , Wakefield Caroline J.
Published: August 2019

Recent research has begun to employ interventions that combine action observation and motor imagery (AOMI) with positive results. However, little is known about the underpinning facilitative effect on performance. Participants (n = 50) were randomly allocated to one of five training groups: action observation (AO), motor imagery (MI), simultaneous action observation and motor imagery (S‐AOMI), alternate action observation and motor imagery (A‐AOMI), and control. The task involved dart‐throwing at a concentric circle dartboard at pre‐ and post‐test. Interventions were conducted 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Data were collected from performance outcomes and mean muscle activation of the upper and forearm muscles. Angular velocity and peak angular velocity measurements of the elbow were also collected from the throwing arm. Results showed performance of the A‐AOMI group improved to a significantly greater degree than the AO (P = .04), MI (P = .04), and control group (P = .02), and the S‐AOMI group improved to a greater degree than the control group (P = .02). Mean muscle activation of the triceps brachii significantly reduced in the S‐AOMI and A‐AOMI (P < .01) groups, and participants in the AO (P = .04), A‐AOMI, and S‐AOMI (P < .01) groups significantly reduced activation in the bicep brachii from pre‐ to post‐test. Peak angular velocity significantly decreased from pre‐ to post‐test in both A‐AOMI and S‐AOMI (P < .01) groups. The results reaffirm the benefits of AOMI for facilitating skill learning and provide an insight how these interventions produce favorable changes in EMG and movement kinematics.
AtERF#111/ABR1 is a transcriptional activator involved in the wounding response
Authors: Bäumler Judith , Riber Willi , Klecker Maria , Müller Leon , Dissmeyer Nico , Weig Alfons R. , Mustroph Angelika
Published: August 2019

AtERF#111/ABR1 belongs to the group X of the ERF/AP2 transcription factor family (GXERFs) and is shoot specifically induced under submergence and hypoxia. It was described to be an ABA‐response repressor, but our data reveal a completely different function. Surprisingly, AtERF#111 expression is strongly responsive to wounding stress. Expression profiling of ERF#111‐overexpressing (OE) plants, which show morphological phenotypes like increased root hair length and number, strengthens the hypothesis of AtERF#111 being involved in the wounding response, thereby acting as a transcriptional activator of gene expression. Consistent with a potential function outside of oxygen signalling, we could not assign AtERF#111 as a target of the PRT6 N‐degron pathway, even though it starts with a highly conserved N‐terminal Met−Cys (MC) motif. However, the protein is unstable as it is degraded in an ubiquitin‐dependent manner. Finally, direct target genes of AtERF#111 were identified by microarray analyses and subsequently confirmed by protoplast transactivation assays. The special roles of diverse members of the plant‐specific GXERFs in coordinating stress signalling and wound repair mechanisms have been recently hypothesized, and our data suggest that AtERF#111 is indeed involved in these processes.
Trials and Triumphs of the Nigerian Media in the Quest for Nation-Building
Authors: Alemoh Thomas Anomoaphe , Ukwela Comfort Ojoma
Published: August 2019

There is no doubt that journalism has gained a foothold in Nigeria as a profession. From the colonial times to the present day, the Nigerian media, as an institution, has proved relevant in the gradual evolution into nationhood of the diverse entities that make up the nation. But one thing is glaring and that is: in spite of the enormous input the Nigerian press has made through an avalanche of sacrifices to the development of the nation, not much scholarly attention is accorded such feats.Emphasis tends to be more on the isolated cases of dysfunctional role the media has played as an institution in the Nigerian society. This paper seeks to redirect intellectual focus to an objective evaluation of the contributions the Nigerian media has made to the development of the country even though, as a caveat, the study does not intend to serve as an alibi for the shortcomings of the press in Nigeria.
High-frequency social communication in Sotalia guianensis
Authors: Barbosa Mariana , Bittencourt Lis , G. Andrade Luciana , L. Bisi Tatiana , Lailson-Brito José , F. Azevedo Alexandre
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to investigate the use of high ultrasonic frequencies (above 40 kHz) in the Sotalia guianensis whistle repertoire. The whistles were classified as high-frequency (HF) whistles and very high-frequency (VHF) whistles. Seven parameters were extracted and a general linear mixed effects model was performed between the total number of whistles and VHF ones. Frequency parameters of HF and VHF whistles were the highest reported for this species so far. However, VHF whistles were rare and occurred in situations of high acoustic activity, which may represent a strategy used by dolphins to deal with higher levels of vocalization rates.
HER2 reduces the STING
Authors: Williams Erin R.
Published: August 2019

The receptor tyrosine kinase HER2 inhibits STING activation and limits the immune response to DNA virus infection and cancer.
Antecedent Carbapenem Exposure as a Risk Factor for Non-Carbapenemase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Marimuthu Kalisvar , Ng Oon Tek , Cherng Benjamin Pei Zhi , Fong Raymond Kok Choon , Pada Surinder Kaur , De Partha Pratim , Ooi Say Tat , Smitasin Nares , Thoon Koh Cheng , Krishnan Prabha Unny , Ang Michelle Lay Teng , Chan Douglas Su Gin , Kwa Andrea Lay Hoon , Deepak Rama Narayana , Chan Yu Kit , Chan Yvonne Fu Zi , Huan Xiaowei , Zaw Linn Kyaw , Tee Nancy Wen Sim , Tan Thean Yen , Koh Tse Hsien , Lin Raymond Tzer Pin , Hsu Li Yang , Sengupta Sharmila , Paterson David L. , Perencevich Eli , Harbarth Stephan , Teo Jeanette , Venkatachalam Indumathi ,   for the CaPES Study Group, Cherng Benjamin , Su Gin Douglas Chan , Rama Narayana Deepak , De Partha Pratim , Li Yang Hsu , Venkatachalam Indumathi , Teo Jeanette , Marimuthu Kalisvar , Tse Hsien Koh , Tee Nancy , Smitasin Nares , Oon Tek Ng , Say Tat Ooi , Krishnan Prabha Unny , Fong Raymond , Lin Tzer Pin Raymond , Pada Surinder Kaur , Thean Yen Tan , Koh Cheng Thoon
Published: August 2019

Carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE) can be mechanistically classified into carbapenemase-producingEnterobacteriaceae(CPE) and non-carbapenemase-producing carbapenem nonsusceptibleEnterobacteriaceae(NCPCRE). We sought to investigate the effect of antecedent carbapenem exposure as a risk factor for NCPCRE versus CPE. Among all patients with CRE colonization and infection, we conducted a case-control study comparing patients with NCPCRE (cases) and patients with CPE (controls).
Inhibition of CorA-Dependent Magnesium Homeostasis Is Cidal in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Park Yumi , Ahn Yong-Mo , Jonnala Surendranadha , Oh Sangmi , Fisher Julia M. , Goodwin Michael B. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Via Laura E. , Bayliss Tracy , Green Simon R. , Ray Peter C. , Wyatt Paul G. , Barry Clifton E. , Boshoff Helena I.
Published: August 2019

Mechanisms of magnesium homeostasis in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
are poorly understood. Here, we describe the characterization of a pyrimidinetrione amide scaffold that disrupts magnesium homeostasis in the pathogen by direct binding to the CorA Mg
2+
/Co
2+
transporter. Mutations in domains of CorA that are predicted to regulate the pore opening in response to Mg
2+
ions conferred resistance to this scaffold.
Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Characterization of 100 Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Collected from Food Processing Environments over a Four-Year Period
Authors: Hurley Daniel , Luque-Sastre Laura , Parker Craig T. , Huynh Steven , Eshwar Athmanya K. , Nguyen Scott V. , Andrews Nicholas , Moura Alexandra , Fox Edward M. , Jordan Kieran , Lehner Angelika , Stephan Roger , Fanning Séamus
Published: August 2019

This study extends current understanding of the genetic diversity among
L. monocytogenes
from various food products and food processing environments. Application of WGS-based strategies facilitated tracking of this pathogen of importance to human health along the production chain while providing insights into the pathogenic potential for some of the
L. monocytogenes
isolates recovered. These analyses enabled the grouping of selected isolates into three putative virulence categories according to their genotypes along with informing selection for phenotypic assessment of their pathogenicity using the zebrafish embryo infection model. It has also facilitated the identification of those isolates with genes conferring tolerance to commercially used biocides. Findings from this study highlight the potential for the application of WGS as a proactive tool to support food safety controls as applied to
L. monocytogenes
.
Novel Multiplex Immunoassays for Quantification of IgG against Group B
Streptococcus
Capsular Polysaccharides in Human Sera
Authors: Buffi Giada , Galletti Bruno , Stella Maria , Proietti Daniela , Balducci Evita , Romano Maria Rosaria , Mori Elena , Fabbrini Monica , Giuliani Marzia Monica , Berti Francesco , Margarit Immaculada
Published: August 2019

Group B streptococcal infections can cause death in neonates up to 3 months of age. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in GBS-colonized mothers has limited early infections but has no impact after the first week of life. The development of a maternal vaccine to address this unmet medical need has been identified as a priority by the World Health Organization, and the GBS CPSs are considered the best antigen targets. However, to date there are no accepted standardized assays to measure immune responses to the investigational vaccines and for establishment of serocorrelates of protection. Here, we describe the performance of two microsphere-based pentaplex immunoassays for the determination of antibodies recognizing the five most frequent GBS serotypes. Our data confirm that an assay based on biotinylated polysaccharides coupled to streptavidin microspheres would be suitable for the intended purpose.
SAMHD1 Regulates Human Papillomavirus 16-Induced Cell Proliferation and Viral Replication during Differentiation of Keratinocytes
Authors: James Claire D. , Prabhakar Apurva T. , Otoa Raymonde , Evans Michael R. , Wang Xu , Bristol Molly L. , Zhang Kun , Li Renfeng , Morgan Iain M.
Published: August 2019

HPVs are causative agents in human cancers and are responsible for around of 5% of all cancers. A better understanding of the viral life cycle in keratinocytes will facilitate the development of novel therapeutics to combat HPV-positive cancers. Here, we present a unique keratinocyte model to identify host proteins that specifically interact with HPV16. Using this system, we report that a cellular gene, SAMHD1, is regulated by HPV16 at the RNA and protein levels in keratinocytes. Elimination of SAMHD1 from these cells using CRISPR/Cas9 editing promotes enhanced cellular proliferation by HPV16 in keratinocytes and elevated viral replication but not in keratinocytes that do not have HPV16. Our study demonstrates a specific intricate interplay between HPV16 and SAMHD1 during the viral life cycle and establishes a unique model system to assist exploring host factors critical for HPV pathogenesis.
Late postcholecystectomy Mirizzi syndrome due to a sessile gall bladder remnant calculus managed by laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy: a feasible surgical option
Authors: Desai Gunjan S , Pande Prasad , Narkhede Rajvilas , Wagle Prasad
Published: August 2019

Postcholecystectomy Mirizzi syndrome (PCMS) is an uncommon entity that can occur due to cystic duct stump calculus, gall bladder remnant calculus or migrated surgical clip. It can be classified into early PCMS or late PCMS. It is often misdiagnosed and the management depends on the site of impaction of stone or clip. Endoscopy can be performed for cystic duct stump calculus. However, surgery is the treatment for remnant gall bladder calculus. Role of laparoscopic management is controversial. We present here a case of a 48-year-old woman with late PCMS due to an impacted calculus in a sessile gall bladder remnant following a subtotal cholecystectomy, managed with laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy, review the literature, provide tips for safe laparoscopy for PCMS and summarise our algorithmic approach to the management of the postcholecystectomy syndrome.
Impact of a nurse engagement intervention on pain, agitation and delirium assessment in a community intensive care unit
Authors: Tan Carolyn M , Camargo Mercedes , Miller Franziska , Ross Katie , Maximous Ramez , Yung Priscilla , Marshall Carl , Fleming Dimitra , Law Madelyn , Tsang Jennifer LY
Published: August 2019

Background

In 2013, the Society of Critical Care Medicine published a revised version of the ICU Pain, Agitation, and Delirium (PAD) guidelines. Immobility and sleep were subsequently added in 2018. Despite the well-established advantages of implementing these guidelines, adoption and adherence remain suboptimal. This is especially true in community settings, where PAD assessment is performed less often, and the implementation of PAD guidelines has not yet been studied. The purpose of this prospective interventional study is to evaluate the effect of a multifaceted nurse engagement intervention on PAD assessment in a community intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

All patients admitted to our community ICU for over 24 hours were included. A 20-week baseline audit was performed, followed by the intervention, and a 20-week postintervention audit. The intervention consisted of a survey, focus groups and education sessions. Primary outcomes included rates of daily PAD assessment using validated tools.

Results

There were improvements in the number of patients with at least one assessment per day of pain (67.5% vs 59.3%, p=0.04), agitation (93.1% vs 78.7%, p<0.001) and delirium (54.2% vs 39.4%, p<0.001), and the number of patients with target Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale ordered (63.1% vs 46.8%, p=0.002). There was a decrease in the rate of physical restraint use (10.0% vs 30.9%, p<0.001) and no change in self-extubation rate (0.9% vs 2.5%, p=0.2).

Conclusion

The implementation of a multifaceted nurse engagement intervention has the potential to improve rates of PAD assessment in community ICUs. Screening rates in our ICU remain suboptimal despite these improvements. We plan to implement multidisciplinary interventions targeting physicians, nurses and families to close the observed care gap.
Rumen bacterial diversity of Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) associated with different forage types on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cui Xiongxiong , Wang Zhaofeng , Yan Tianhai , Chang Shenghua , Wang Hong , Hou Fujiang
Published: August 2019

Diet is the great determinant of bacterial composition in the rumen. However, little is known about the rumen bacterial community of Tibetan sheep living in the special ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) of China. In the present study, we used high-throughput sequencing to investigate the rumen bacterial community of Tibetan sheep associated with two primary diets: alpine pasture diet (a continuation of the sheep’s natural grazing diet) and oat (Avena sativa) hay diet on the QTP. The results showed that bacterial community richness and species diversity of the oat hay diet group were significantly greater than that of the native pasture diet group (p < 0.05). Principal co-ordinate analysis and analysis of similarities revealed that the bacterial community of the oat hay diet group was distinctly different from that of the native pasture diet group (p < 0.05). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant microbial phyla in the rumen. The rumen of oat-hay-fed sheep had higher proportions of Proteobacteria and novel bacteria species than the rumen of native-pasture-fed sheep. Actinobacteria, an uncommon bacterial phylum, occurred only in the oat-hay-fed group. At the genus level, Komagataeibacter, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214 showed significantly higher relative abundance in the oat-hay-fed sheep than in the native-pasture-fed sheep (p < 0.05). This study is the first of the QTP to employ high-throughput sequencing to examine the influence of diet on the rumen microbiome of Tibetan sheep.
Welcome to AI matters 5(2)
Authors: McGovern Amy , Leite Iolanda
Published: August 2019

Welcome to the second issue of the fifth volume of the AI Matters Newsletter. We have exciting news from SIGAI Vice-Chair Sanmay Das: "We are delighted to announce that the first ever ACM SIGAI Industry Award for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence will be awarded to the Decision Service created by the Real World Reinforcement Learning Team from Microsoft! The award will be presented at IJCAI 2019. For more on the award and the team that received it, please see https://sigai.acm.org/awards/industry_award.html."
AI policy matters
Authors: Medsker Larry
Published: August 2019

AI Policy is a regular column in
AI Matters
featuring summaries and commentary based on postings that appear twice a month in the
AI Matters
blog (https://sigai.acm.org/aimatters/blog/). We welcome everyone to make blog comments so we can develop a rich knowledge base of information and ideas representing the SIGAI members.
Context-conscious fairness in using machine learning to make decisions
Authors: Lee Michelle Seng Ah
Published: August 2019

The increasing adoption of machine learning to inform decisions in employment, pricing, and criminal justice has raised concerns that algorithms may perpetuate historical and societal discrimination. Academics have responded by introducing numerous definitions of "fairness" with corresponding mathematical formalisations, proposed as one-size-fits-all, universal conditions. This paper will explore three of the definitions and demonstrate their embedded ethical values and contextual limitations, using credit risk evaluation as an example use case. I will propose a new approach - context-conscious fairness - that takes into account two main trade-offs: between aggregate benefit and inequity and between accuracy and interpretability. Fairness is not a notion with absolute and binary measurement; the target outcomes and their trade-offs must be specified with respect to the relevant domain context.
Developmental Responses to Water and Salinity in Root Systems
Authors: Dinneny José R.
Published: August 2019

Roots provide the primary mechanism that plants use to absorb water and nutrients from their environment. These functions are dependent on developmental mechanisms that direct root growth and branching into regions of soil where these resources are relatively abundant. Water is the most limiting factor for plant growth, and its availability is determined by the weather, soil structure, and salinity. In this review, we define the developmental pathways that regulate the direction of growth and branching pattern of the root system, which together determine the expanse of soil from which a plant can access water. The ability of plants to regulate development in response to the spatial distribution of water is a focus of many recent studies and provides a model for understanding how biological systems utilize positional cues to affect signaling and morphogenesis. A better understanding of these processes will inform approaches to improve crop water use efficiency to more sustainably feed a growing population.
Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay: Status and Prospects
Authors: Dolinski Michelle J. , Poon Alan W.P. , Rodejohann Werner
Published: August 2019

Neutrinoless double-beta decay is a forbidden, lepton-number-violating nuclear transition whose observation would have fundamental implications for neutrino physics, theories beyond the Standard Model, and cosmology. In this review, we summarize the theoretical progress to understand this process, the expectations and implications under various particle physics models, and the nuclear physics challenges that affect the precise predictions of the decay half-life. We also provide a synopsis of the current and future large-scale experiments that aim to discover this process in physically well-motivated half-life ranges.
The First fm/c of Heavy-Ion Collisions
Authors: Schlichting S. , Teaney D.
Published: August 2019

We present an introductory review of the early-time dynamics of high-energy heavy-ion collisions and the kinetics of high-temperature quantum chromodynamic matter. The equilibration mechanisms in the quark–gluon plasma uniquely reflect the nonabelian and ultrarelativistic character of the many-body system. Starting with a brief exposé of the key theoretical and experimental questions, we provide an overview of the theoretical tools employed in weak coupling studies of the early-time nonequilibrium dynamics. We highlight theoretical progress in understanding different thermalization mechanisms in weakly coupled nonabelian plasmas, and discuss their relevance in describing the approach to local thermal equilibrium during the first fm/ c of a heavy-ion collision. We also briefly discuss some important connections to the phenomenology of heavy-ion collisions.