bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a-Si thin film on the performance of a-Si/ZnO-stacked piezoelectric energy harvesters
Authors: Jeon Buil , Ha Jaekwon , Yoon Chongsei , Yoon Giwan
Published: December 2018

In this letter, we present the fabrication and characterization of a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based nanogenerator for piezoelectric micro-energy harvesting by combining thin films of amorphous silicon (a-Si) and ZnO. We utilized the a-Si thin film as an interlayer to assemble several a-Si/ZnO-stacked piezoelectric nanogenerators (SZPNGs) on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated polyethylene naphthalate substrates. We investigated the influence of the a-Si layer thickness on the output voltages of the SZPNGs and demonstrated the existence of an optimal a-Si thickness for maximizing the output voltage. Overall, the SZPNGs generated higher output voltages than a conventional ZnO-based piezoelectric nanogenerator (ZPNG) lacking an a-Si interlayer, indicating enhanced performance. In particular, the SZPNG based on the optimal a-Si thickness exhibited a sixfold higher output voltage compared with the conventional ZPNG. This improved performance was ascribed to a combination of the Schottky barrier at the ITO/a-Si interface, preventing the screening effect and the relatively high dielectric constant (εr≈13) of a-Si, minimizing the loss of the piezoelectric potential induced in the ZnO layer. The results herein are expected to assist the development of even more advanced ZnO-based piezoelectric nanogenerators in the future.
Rotational spectroscopy of chiral tetrahydro-2-furoic acid: Conformational landscape, conversion, and abundances
Authors: Xie Fan , Ng Xiaoqian , Seifert Nathan A. , Thomas Javix , Jäger Wolfgang , Xu Yunjie
Published: December 2018

The conformational landscape of tetrahydro-2-furoic acid (THFA), a chiral carboxylic acid which is often used as a precursor in syntheses of pharmaceuticals, was investigated using rotational spectroscopy and theoretical modeling. Extensive manual searches were carried out to identify possible conformers related to the relative orientations of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the COOH functional group, the COOH rotation, and the ring puckering motions in the system. A large number of initial conformational geometries were generated in parallel using a joint semiempirical-molecular dynamics simulation program. The final geometry optimizations were carried out at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/def2-TZVP, B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311++G(2d,p), and MP2/6-311G++(2d,p) levels of theory. Eight conformers within a relative energy span of 10 kJ mol−1 after zero-point energy corrections were identified. Rotational spectra of three conformers were detected experimentally and assigned, as were the spectra of all the 13C isotopologues of the most stable conformer. Based on the achieved experimental sensitivity and the predicted relative abundances at the sample source, some conformers are unexpectedly missing or experience significant depletion, whereas others show noticeable enrichment. Detailed analyses of the conformational conversion barriers were carried out to satisfactorily explain the observed phenomena. The combined experimental rotational spectroscopic and theoretical investigation provides significant insights into the complex conformational landscape of THFA.
Water-Soluble Perylene Diimide for Highly Sensitive and Repeatable Metal Ion Detection with Novel Logic Gate Operation
Authors: Liu Wenxia , Suo Zhiguang , Liu Yihao , Feng Lingyan , Zhang Binbin , Xing Feifei , Zhu Shourong
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we report a synthesised water soluble perylene derivative, N,N′-di(2-aspartic acid)-perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PASP), for highly sensitive and repeatable detection of copper (Cu2+) and aluminium ions (Al3+) and novel logic gate operation. In the presence of metal ions, a dramatic decrease in PASP optical intensity was induced based on the strong interaction between terminal carboxy groups and the metal ions. Detection limits of 0.22 and 0.24 μM were respectively obtained at physiological pH. The signals could be recovered upon the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and P2O74−, which competed for Cu2+ and Al3+ in the PASP-CuII and PASP-AlIII systems and induced their dissociation as secondary sensors for anions. At least four detection cycles were performed with a high recovery efficiency. Based on these phenomena, a novel three-level logic gate (OR-IMP-OR) was performed for smart signal readout with metal ions (Cu2+ and Al3+) and anions (EDTA and P2O74−) as input signals, and the relative change of optical intensity of PASP as output signal. Furthermore, the prepared PASP molecule also responded sensitively to Cu2+ and Al3+ in 10 % diluted serum medium.
Molecular characterisation of the NAM-1 genes in bread wheat in Australia
Authors: Yang Rongchang , Juhasz Angela , Zhang Yujuan , Chen Xueyan , Zhang Yinjun , She Maoyun , Zhang Jingjuan , Maddern Rowan , Edwards Ian , Diepeveen Dean , Islam Shahidul , Ma Wujun
Published: December 2018

The wheat NAM-B1 and NAM-A1 genes are positively associated with grain protein content (GPC) in wheat. We conducted molecular characterisation of the NAM-1 genes in 51 Australian wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.), with the aim of improving GPC and nitrogen-usage efficiency in Australian wheat. In summary, the wild type NAM-B1 gene, which originated from Israel, was identified in two Australian wheat varieties. Five varieties contained a deletion allele, whereas the majority (43) harboured a non-functional NAM-B1 allele and one variety contained both functional and non-functional alleles. Twenty-six Australian wheat varieties contained the NAM-A1a haplotype, which was similar to its well-characterised homoeolog NAM-B1 wild type and associated with high GPC. The NAM-D1 gene in the 51 wheat varieties was also characterised, and no gene variation in the exon regions was noted; only two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in introns 1 and 2 were found among the 51 varieties.
Growing citizen science for conservation to support diverse project objectives and the motivations of volunteers
Authors: Orchard Shane
Published: December 2018

Interest in citizen science has been increasing worldwide, accompanied by research oriented at identifying needs and recommending options for supporting the field. In this context, synthesising research on citizen science is becoming increasingly important. This short communication reviews recent findings in the New Zealand literature with a focus on community-based monitoring, and identifies considerations for supporting further growth of the citizen science field. The perspective offered here is that reducing barriers to participation is the surest way to maintain citizen science momentum, and that this will be assisted by a comprehensive understanding of diversity in the motivations for citizen science activities on the ground. Participant-focussed considerations are useful in both the research design stage and in the context of identifying methods for longer term support.
Two additional Chiastocaulon species (Marchantiophyta: Plagiochilaceae) from the Wet Tropics Bioregion of north-eastern Queensland
Authors: Renner Matt A. M. , Worboys Stuart
Published: December 2018

Two additional species of the liverwort genus Chiastocaulon Carl, namely, C. fasciculatum M.A.M.Renner sp. nov. and C. pachycephalum (De Not.) Herzog, are reported from two mountain tops in the north of the Queensland Wet Tropics Bioregion, namely, Mount Finnigan and Thornton Peak. Given the recent completion of a revision for Chiastocaulon in Australia, the new species provides another cogent demonstration that the bryophyte flora of the Wet Tropics Bioregion is incompletely explored and documented. The new species Chiastocaulon fasciculatum is similar to C. dendroides (Nees) Carl, but can be distinguished by leaf shape and dentition, among other characters. The leaves of C. fasciculatum are ovate and bear two or three prominent equally sized teeth, and the ventral leaf margin bears two to eight smaller teeth, whereas the leaves of C. dendroides are elliptic and bear two unequally sized teeth, the postical of which is largest, and the ventral leaf margin is entire. Chiastocaulon fasciculatum, as far as currently known, is endemic to the Wet Tropics Bioregion. Chiastocaulon pachycephalum, of which the type is from Borneo, is reported for Australia for the first time from specimens collected on Mount Finnigan.
Soil structure and stability in the spermosphere of myxosdiaspore chia (Salvia hispanica L.)
Authors: Amato Mariana , Bochicchio Rocco , Mele Giacomo , Labella Rosanna , Rossi Roberta
Published: December 2018

Mucilage produced by myxodiaspores has been mainly studied for its role in seed ecology. This work investigates changes due to mucilage in soil structure and stability in the spermosphere of the myxodiaspore crop chia (Salvia hispanica L.). In sandy-loam (S) repacked soil sown with chia and subjected to wetting–drying (DW), Computer Assisted X-ray micro tomography showed that extrusion of a mucilage capsule formed a pore of volume twice that of the seed, surrounded by a shell of particles with higher porosity and lower pore size than the bulk soil. In three soils (S; loam, L; and clay-loam, C) the aggregate stability index to wet sieving (Stw) decreased with one and two DW cycles. Application of 2% w/w mucilage increased Stw before and after DW, from 29% in C to more than 60-fold in S. Mucilage-amended samples after DW had higher or equal Stw compared with unamended soil before DW. Soil retained at the surface of hydrated diaspores exposed to water flow changed with soil texture (11.3, 90.5 and 91.7mg on each hydrated seed for S, L and C respectively) and chia genotype (6.7, 9.9 and 12.8mg per hydrated seed in BC and G8 long-day flowering mutants and commercial Black chia respectively). Our results showed that myxodiaspores affected soil structure by providing a microenvironment of altered porosity and high stability around the mucilage capsule extruded by the hydrated seed. This finding characterises a transient but crucial time of crop production around sowing when physical properties of soil surrounding seeds are relevant to stability, germination and plant–microorganism relations.
On the syntax-discourse interface of nonsententials in Mandarin
Authors: Jheng Wei-Cherng Sam
Published: December 2018

This paper aims to develop the empirical and theoretical basis for the necessity of motivating a cartographic approach (Rizzi 1997;Cinque 1999) to the clausal structure of nonsententials (NSs) in Mandarin. Especially noteworthy about NSs is that they are able to encode clause type information, illocutionary force and the discourse rolesspeakerandhearer/addressee, though their structure is considerably reduced. Following the line of reasoning inSigurðsson & Maling (2012)and Tsai (2015a,2015b), I show that NSs have a fully-fledged CP structure, according to the effects exerted upon their interpretation. AdoptingHaegeman’s (2014)sa*P analysis of the discourse particle in West Flemish, I argue that NSs contain a suprasentential structure, a Speech Act layer, dominating ForceP and responsible for the encoding of thespeaker- hearer/addresseerelation sensitive to the immediate context. Crucially, it is argued that the discourse properties surrounding NSs pertain to the articulated CP structure of NSs. The major consequence of the proposed analysis is to show that the theory of discourse is closely tied to the architecture of grammar in general, adding weight to the view that the transparent syntax-discourse mapping results from a set of functional projections layered in the CP periphery.
Lower Systolic Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Event Risk Stratified by Renal Resistive Index in Hospitalized Cardiovascular Patients: J-VAS Study
Authors: Kotruchin Praew , Hoshide Satoshi , Ueno Hiromi , Komori Takahiro , Kario Kazuomi
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The threshold of blood pressure (BP) reduction in cardiovascular patients is debatable due to the J-shaped curve phenomenon, which is particularly observed in patients with increased arterial stiffness. The renal resistive index (RRI) correlates well with systemic arterial stiffness; therefore, we aimed to demonstrate the role of RRI in guiding the choice of optimal BP.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of the hospitalized cardiovascular patients at Jichi Medical University Hospital. All patients had the RRI measurement performed and were assigned to a higher (RRI ≥ 0.8) or lower RRI group. Each group was subdivided by quartiles of the BP at discharge. The primary endpoints were fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, including heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, acute aortic disease, acute arterial occlusion, and stroke.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 1.9 years (3,365 person-years), n = 1,777 (mean age 64.7 years). There were 252 cardiovascular events occurred, 24.0% and 12.2% in the higher and lower RRI populations, P < 0.001. In the higher RRI group, the lowest systolic BP (SBP) quartile (<105 mm Hg) was a risk factor for cardiovascular events when compared with the highest SBP quartile (≥130 mm Hg; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–5.03; P = 0.017). A 1 SD decrease of SBP (17.5 mm Hg) was associated with a 25% increase in the risk of cardiovascular events. In the lower RRI group, these associations were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower SBP at discharge was associated with a risk of cardiovascular events in the hospitalized cardiovascular patients with RRI ≥ 0.8.
The Surgical Treatment of Adult Acquired Buried Penis Syndrome: A New Classification System
Authors: Hesse Madison A , Israel Jacqueline S , Shulzhenko Nikita O , Sanchez Ruston J , Garland Catharine B , Siebert John W , Bentz Michael L , Williams Daniel H , Poore Samuel O
Published: December 2018

Background

Adult acquired buried penis syndrome may be associated with an inability to void, sexual dysfunction, and recurrent infection. Previously published classification systems rely on intraoperative findings, such as penile skin quality.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes after adult acquired buried penis repair and to develop a classification system based on preoperative assessment.

Methods

The authors reviewed data from patients who underwent buried penis reconstruction at a single institution. Patient history and physical examination guided the development of a classification system for surgical planning.

Results

Of the 27 patients included, the mean age was 56 ± 15 years and mean body mass index was 49 ± 14 kg/m2. Patients were classified into 4 groups based on examination findings: (I) buried penis due to skin deficiency, iatrogenic scarring, and/or diseased penile skin (n = 3); (II) excess abdominal skin and fat (n = 6); (III) excess skin and fat with diseased penile skin (n = 16); and (IV) type III plus severe scrotal edema (n = 2). Surgical treatment (eg, excision and grafting, mons suspension, panniculectomy, translocation of testes, and/or scrotectomy) was tailored based on classification. Complications included wound breakdown (n = 3), cellulitis (n = 4), and hematoma (n = 1). Nearly all patients (96%) reported early satisfaction and improvement in their symptoms postoperatively.

Conclusions

Classifying patients with buried penis according to preoperative examination findings may guide surgical decision-making and preoperative counseling and allow for optimized aesthetics to enhance self-esteem and sexual well-being.

Level of Evidence: 4
miR+Pathway: the integration and visualization of miRNA and KEGG pathways
Authors: Pian Cong , Zhang Guangle , Gao Libin , Fan Xiaodan , Li Fei
Published: December 2018

miRNAs represent a type of noncoding small molecule RNA. Many studies have shown that miRNAs are widely involved in the regulation of various pathways. The key to fully understanding the regulatory function of miRNAs is the determination of the pathways in which the miRNAs participate. However, the major pathway databases such as KEGG only include information regarding protein-coding genes. Here, we redesigned a pathway database (called miR+Pathway) by integrating and visualizing the 8882 human experimentally validated miRNA-target interactions (MTIs) and 150 KEGG pathways. This database is freely accessible at http://www.insect-genome.com/miR-pathway. Researchers can intuitively determine the pathways and the genes in the pathways that are regulated by miRNAs as well as the miRNAs that target the pathways. To determine the pathways in which targets of a certain miRNA or multiple miRNAs are enriched, we performed a KEGG analysis miRNAs by using the hypergeometric test. In addition, miR+Pathway provides information regarding MTIs, PubMed IDs and the experimental verification method. Users can retrieve pathways regulated by an miRNA or a gene by inputting its names.
Uterine microbiome—low biomass and high expectations†
Authors: Garcia-Grau Iolanda , Simon Carlos , Moreno Inmaculada
Published: December 2018

The existence of different bacterial communities throughout the female reproductive tract has challenged the traditional view of human fetal development as a sterile event. There is still no consensus on what physiological microbiota exists in the upper reproductive tract of the vast majority of women who are not in periods of infection or pregnancy, and the role of bacteria that colonize the upper reproductive tract in uterine diseases or pregnancy outcomes is not well established. Despite published studies and advances in uterine microbiome sequencing, some study aspects—such as study design, sampling method, DNA extraction, sequencing methods, downstream analysis, and assignment of taxa—have not yet been improved and standardized. It is time to further investigate the uterine microbiome to increase our understanding of the female reproductive tract and to develop more personalized reproductive therapies, highlighting the potential importance of using microbiological assessment in infertile patients.
Differential effects of internal tagging depending on depth treatment in Atlantic salmon: a cautionary tale for aquatic animal tag use
Authors: Wright Daniel W , Stien Lars H , Dempster Tim , Oppedal Frode
Published: December 2018

Electronic tags are widespread tools for studying aquatic animal behavior; however, tags risk behavioral manipulation and negative welfare outcomes. During an experiment to test behavioral differences of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in different aquaculture cage types, including ones expected to elicit deeper swimming behavior, we found negative tagging effects depending on whether cages were depth-modified. In the experiment, data storage tags implanted in Atlantic salmon tracked their depth behavior and survival in unmodified sea-cages and depth-modified sea-cages that forced fish below or into a narrow seawater- or freshwater-filled snorkel tube from a 4 m net roof to the surface. All tagged individuals survived in unmodified cages; however, survival was reduced to 62% in depth-modified cages. Survivors in depth-modified cages spent considerably less time above 4 m than those in unmodified cages, and dying individuals in depth-modified cages tended to position in progressively shallower water. The maximum depth that fish in our study could attain neutral buoyancy was estimated at 22 m in seawater. We calculated that the added tag weight in water reduced this to 8 m, and subtracting the tag volume from the peritoneal cavity where the swim bladder reinflates reduced this further to 4 m. We conclude that the internal tag weight and volume affected buoyancy regulation as well as the survival and behavior of tagged fish. Future tagging studies on aquatic animals should carefully consider the buoyancy-related consequences of internal tags with excess weight in water, and the inclusion of data from dying tagged animals when estimating normal depth behaviors.
Signal or cue: the role of structural colors in flower pollination
Authors: Garcia Jair E , Shrestha Mani , Howard Scarlett R , Petersen Phred , Dyer Adrian G
Published: December 2018

Angle dependent colors, such as iridescence, are produced by structures present on flower petals changing their visual appearance. These colors have been proposed to act as signals for plant–insect communication. However, there is a paucity of behavioral data to allow for interpretations of how to classify these colors either as a signal or a cue when considering the natural conditions under which pollination occurs. We sampled flowers from 6 plant species across various viewpoints looking for changes in the visual appearance of the petals. Spectral characteristics were measured with different instruments to simulate both the spectral and spatial characteristics of honeybee’s vision. We show the presence of color patches produced by angle dependent effects on the petals and the calyx of various species; however, the appearance of the angle dependent color patches significantly varies with viewpoint and would only be resolved by the insect eye at close distances. Behavior experiments with honeybees revealed that pollinators did not use angle dependent colors to drive behavior when presented with novel flower presentations. Results show that angle dependent colors do not comply with the requirements of a signal for plant–pollinator communication since the information transmitted by these colors would be unreliable for potential, free-flying pollination vectors. We thus classify angle dependent colors produced by micro- and ultra-structures as being a cue (a feature which has not evolved for communication), and observe no evidence supporting claims of these angle dependent colors having evolved as visual signal.
Calcium imaging, MEA recordings, and immunostaining images dataset of neuron-astrocyte networks in culture under the effect of norepinephrine
Authors: Bar El Yasmin , Kanner Sivan , Barzilai Ari , Hanein Yael
Published: December 2018

Background

Monitoring the activity and morphology of neuron-astrocyte networks in culture is a powerful tool for studying dynamics, structure, and communication in neuron-astrocyte networks independently or as a model of the sub-brain network. These cultures are known to produce stereotypical patterns of activity, e.g., highly synchronized network bursts resembling sleep or seizure states, thus it enables the exploration of behaviors that can relate to brain function and disease. High-resolution microscopy of calcium imaging combined with simultaneous electrical recording provides a comprehensive overview on the network's dynamics. This setup makes it possible to apply global perturbations of electrical and chemical stimulation on the cultures during the recording task and to record the effects on network activity on-line. Morphological changes in the cultures can be obtained to have a complete dataset for structure-function study of neuron-astrocyte networks in vitro.

Findings

The 4 TB of data presented here was recorded and imaged as part of an accompanying study looking at in vitro structure-function of neuron-astrocyte networks. Simultaneous optical (calcium imaging) and electrical (micro-electrode array) recordings lasted 5–12 minutes and included spontaneous activity recording, electrical and chemical stimulation of neuron-astrocyte, and isolated astrocyte cultures. The data include activity recordings of 58 different cultures, with 1–2 regions of interest recorded for each culture. Production procedures, experimental protocols, and reuse options are included. The data have been suitable to reveal changes in the activity and morphology of the cultures and enabled observation and analysis of neuron-astrocyte and isolated astrocyte culture behaviors under the applied perturbations.

Conclusions

Our dataset is sufficient to show significant changes in activity and morphology of neuron-astrocyte networks in culture under the applied stimulations. More than 100 recordings of 58 different cultures give insight of the observation's significance and led to conclusions about astrocyte activity and neuron-astrocyte network communication. Making it available here will allow others to test new tools for calcium imaging analysis and extracellular neuronal voltage recordings.
The Bad Can Be Good: When Benign and Malicious Envy Motivate Goal Pursuit
Authors: Salerno Anthony , Laran Juliano , Janiszewski Chris
Published: December 2018

Benign and malicious envy are a consequence of an unfavorable upward comparison to another individual (i.e., a negative self-other discrepancy). Benign (malicious) envy occurs when people believe the envied individual deserves (does not deserve) his/her advantage. Prior research has shown that benign envy motivates a person to address the self-other discrepancy via self-improvement, whereas malicious envy does not. This research shows that both types of envy, not just benign envy, can motivate self-improvement, provided that the opportunities to do so occur outside the envy-eliciting domain. Benign envy increases the accessibility of the belief that effort determines whether people are rewarded; hence, it motivates process-focused goal pursuit and the use of products that emphasize effort-dependent self-improvement. Malicious envy increases the accessibility of the belief that the effort does not determine whether people are rewarded; hence, it motivates outcome-focused goal pursuit and the use of products that emphasize effort-independent self-improvement. Implications and potential extensions in the areas of envy, self-conscious emotions, and goals are discussed.
Impact of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cholesterol Guidelines on Statin Eligibility Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals
Authors: Mosepele Mosepele , Regan Susan , Massaro Joseph , Meigs James B , Zanni Markella V , D’Agostino Ralph B , Grinspoon Steven K , Triant Virginia A
Published: December 2018

Background

Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) face elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. There are limited data regarding the application of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) cholesterol guidelines in HIV compared with non-HIV patients.

Methods

Human immunodeficiency virus-infected and demographically similar control patients were assessed for statin recommendation status by ACC/AHA and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Program III (ATPIII), indication for statin recommendation, actual statin prescription, and CVD event. Outcomes were atherosclerotic CVD for ACC/AHA and coronary heart disease for ATPIII.

Results

In a clinical care cohort of 1394 patients infected with HIV, 38.6% (538 of 1394) of patients were recommended for statin therapy by the ACC/AHA guidelines compared with 20.1% (280 of 1394) by the ATPIII guidelines. Of those recommended for statin therapy, actual statin prescription rates were 42.8% (230 of 538) for ACC/AHA and 66.4% (186 of 280) for ATPIII. Among patients infected with HIV with an incident CVD event during follow-up, statin therapy was recommended for 59.2% (42 of 71) of patients by ACC/AHA and 35.2% (25 of 71) by ATPIII, versus 71.6% (141 of 197) by ACC/AHA and 43.1% (85 of 197) by ATPIII in the control group.

Conclusions

In an HIV clinical care cohort, the ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines recommend a higher proportion of patients for statin therapy and identify an increased proportion of patients with a CVD event compared with ATPIII. However, 40% of patients with a CVD event would not have been recommended for statin therapy by ACC/AHA, compared with 29% for controls. This gap in identification of patients infected with HIV at high CVD risk underscores the need for HIV-specific cardiovascular prevention strategies.
Why do breast cancer survivors decline a couple-based intimacy enhancement intervention trial?
Authors: Reese Jennifer Barsky , Sorice Kristen A , Oppenheimer Natalie M , Smith Katherine Clegg , Bober Sharon L , Bantug Elissa T , Schwartz Sharon C , Porter Laura S
Published: December 2018

Recruitment challenges hinder behavioral intervention research in cancer survivors. The purpose was to examine the reasons for declining and intervention preferences of study-eligible breast cancer survivors declining a trial of a four-session couple-based Intimacy Enhancement intervention (refusers) and explore whether refusers differed from participants on key characteristics. Partnered, post-treatment breast cancer survivors reporting sexual concerns who were eligible for but declined participation in the intervention trial were approached to complete a standardized 5-min telephone survey assessing reasons for declining and support preferences. Demographic, clinical, and sexual concerns information were collected during screening. Trial participants and refusers were compared on key variables of age, race, hormone therapy use, time since treatment, level of sexual concerns, and recruitment method using t-tests or chi-square tests. Among the 31 women who declined the trial and completed the survey, the most common reasons for declining were time commitment (74%) and partner noninterest (32%). Most (61%) reported that the telephone format played little to no role in their refusal. Eighty-one percent wanted their partners involved in a program addressing sexual concerns. The two most preferred resources were informational websites (45%) and meeting with a professional (26%). Trial participants and refusers did not differ on any key factors examined. Developing intimacy interventions that are very brief, partner-optional, or that use stepped care may bolster uptake. The methods used to examine study-eligible candidates’ needs and preferences could be employed in other health populations, thus having broader implications for research design.
Using Deep Learning for Image-Based Potato Tuber Disease Detection
Authors: Oppenheim Dor , Shani Guy , Erlich Orly , Tsror Leah
Published: December 2018

Many plant diseases have distinct visual symptoms, which can be used to identify and classify them correctly. This article presents a potato disease classification algorithm that leverages these distinct appearances and advances in computer vision made possible by deep learning. The algorithm uses a deep convolutional neural network, training it to classify the tubers into five classes: namely, four disease classes and a healthy potato class. The database of images used in this study, containing potato tubers of different cultivars, sizes, and diseases, was acquired, classified, and labeled manually by experts. The models were trained over different train-test splits to better understand the amount of image data needed to apply deep learning for such classification tasks. The models were tested over a data set of images taken using standard low-cost RGB (red, green, and blue) sensors and were tagged by experts, demonstrating high classification accuracy. This is the first article to report the successful implementation of deep convolutional networks, popular in object identification, to the task of disease identification in potato tubers, showing the potential of deep learning techniques in agricultural tasks.
Summary Measures of Predictive Power Associated with Logistic Regression Models of Disease Risk
Authors: Hughes G. , Choudhury R. A. , McRoberts N.
Published: December 2018

For an ordinary least-squares regression model, the coefficient of determination (R2) describes the proportion (or percentage) of variance of the response variable explained by the model, and is a widely accepted summary measure of predictive power. A number of R2-analogues are available as summary measures of predictive power associated with logistic regression models, including models of disease risk. Tjur’s R2 and McFadden’s R2 are of particular interest in this context. Both of these metrics have transparent derivations, which reveal that they apply to different aspects of model evaluation. Tjur’s R2 is a measure of separation between (known) actual states (e.g., gold standard determinations of “healthy” or “diseased” status) whereas McFadden’s R2 is a measure of separation between predicted states (e.g., forecasts of disease status based on models of disease risk). This clarifies their interpretation in the context of evaluation of logistic regression models of disease risk. In addition, versions of both Tjur’s R2 and McFadden’s R2 may be obtained from analyses of disease risk that are not preceded by logistic regression analysis. Tjur’s R2 and McFadden’s R2 are shown to be useful, distinct summary measures of predictive power for epidemiological models of disease risk.
Stented versus Stentless Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Small Aortic Root
Authors: Harky Amer , Wong Chris H.M. , Hof Alexander , Froghi Saied , Ahmad Mohammad U. , Howard Callum , Rimmer Lara , Bashir Mohamad
Published: December 2018

Objective

The aim of the study was to compare hemodynamic and perioperative outcomes of stented against stentless aortic valve replacement in patients with small aortic root (21 mm or less).

Methods

A comprehensive search was undertaken among the four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Ovid) to identify all randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials comparing stentless to stented bioprosthetic valves in small aortic root patients. Odds ratios, weighted mean differences, or standardized mean differences and their 95% confidence intervals were analyzed.

Results

A total of seven studies with a total of 965 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in preoperative baselines including mean age between both groups ( P = 0.08), peak aortic valve gradient ( P = 0.06), and effective orifice area ( P = 0.28), whereas higher mean aortic valve gradient in the stented group ( P = 0.007). No difference in cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P = 0.74), aortic cross-clamp times ( P = 0.88), intensive care unit stay ( P = 0.13), and stroke rate ( P = 0.56) were noted. However, stented group of patients showed higher rate of patient prosthesis mismatch ( P = 0.0001) and longer total hospital stay ( P = 0.002). Postoperatively, stentless group showed lower peak and mean aortic valve gradient ( P = 0.003 and P = 0.008, respectively) with a better effective orifice area ( P < 0.00001) at 6 months of follow-up. Mortality rates while in-hospital and at 1 year were similar in both groups ( P = 0.94 and P = 0.86, respectively).

Conclusions

Stentless aortic valves offer superior short-term hemodynamic outcomes in patients with small aortic root when compared with stented aortic valves. Although both groups have similar perioperative complications rates, stentless valves bring about a shorter hospital stay. A further large multicenter randomized controlled trial should address the longer-term benefit of stentless aortic valve over stented valve.
Outcomes after the MitraClip Procedure in Patients at Very High Risk for Conventional Mitral Valve Surgery
Authors: Manghelli Joshua L. , Carter Daniel I. , Khiabani Ali J. , Maniar Hersh S. , Damiano Ralph J. , Sintek Marc A. , Lasala John M. , Zajarias Alan , Melby Spencer J.
Published: December 2018

Objective

Approximately 50% of patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation are deemed too high risk for surgery. The MitraClip procedure is a viable option for this population. Our goal was to assess outcomes and survival of patients who underwent the MitraClip procedure at an institution where mitral valve surgery is routinely performed.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients undergoing the MitraClip procedure was performed. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up echocardiographic and clinical outcomes were examined. Primary end point was survival. Secondary end points included technical failure (residual 3/4+ mitral regurgitation), reoperation, New York Heart Association symptoms, 30-day mortality, and other clinical outcomes. Predictors of mortality were determined using multivariable regression analysis.

Results

Fifty consecutive patients underwent the MitraClip procedure during the 4-year period. The average age was 83, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality mean was 9.4%, 88% (44/50) had New York Heart Association III/IV symptoms, 86% (43/50) had 4+ mitral regurgitation, and 72% (36/50) had degenerative mitral disease etiology. Echocardiographic data (median [interquartile range] follow-up = 43 [26–392]) showed that 86% (43/50) of patients had 2+ or less mitral regurgitation. Sixty percent (24/40) had New York Heart Association I/II symptoms at last follow-up. Predictors of mortality were higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality ( P = 0.042, hazard ratio = 1.098) and previous cardiac surgery ( P = 0.013, hazard ratio = 3.848). Survival at 1 and 2 years was 75% and 63%, respectively.

Conclusions

Many patients with mitral valve regurgitation who are high risk for open surgery can be treated with the MitraClip procedure. In our study, most patients (86%) had a technically successful operation and postoperative outcomes including survival were acceptable.
Minimally Invasive and Robotic Esophagectomy
Authors: Murthy Raghav A. , Clarke Nicholas S. , Kernstine Kemp H.
Published: December 2018

Great advances have been made in the surgical management of esophageal disease since the first description of esophageal resection in 1913. We are in the era of minimally invasive esophagectomy. The current three main approaches to an esophagectomy are the Ivor Lewis technique, McKeown technique, and the transhiatal approach to esophagectomy. These operations were associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The recent advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques have greatly improved the outcomes of these surgical procedures. This article reviews the literature and describes the various techniques available for performing minimally invasive esophagectomy and robot-assisted esophagectomies, the history behind the development of these techniques, the variations, and the contemporary outcomes after such procedures.
The Streptococcos suis sortases SrtB and SrtF are essential for disease in pigs
Authors: Faulds-Pain Alexandra , Shaw Helen Alexandra , Terra Vanessa Sofia , Kellner Steven , Brockmeier Susan L. , Wren Brendan W.
Published: December 2018

The porcine pathogen

Streptococcus suis

colonizes the upper respiratory tracts of pigs, potentially causing septicaemia, meningitis and death, thus placing a severe burden on the agricultural industry worldwide. It is also a zoonotic pathogen that is known to cause systemic infections and meningitis in humans. Understanding how

S. suis

colonizes and interacts with its hosts is relevant for future strategies of drug and vaccine development. As with other Gram-positive bacteria,

S. suis

utilizes enzymes known as sortases to attach specific proteins bearing cell wall sorting signals to its surface, where they can play a role in host–pathogen interactions. The surface proteins of bacteria are often important in adhesion to and invasion of host cells. In this study, markerless in-frame deletion mutants of the housekeeping sortase srtA and the two pilus-associated sortases, srtB and srtF, were generated and their importance in

S. suis

infections was investigated. We found that all three of these sortases are essential to disease in pigs, concluding that their cognate-sorted proteins may also be useful in protecting pigs against infection.
Recruitment of the protein phosphatase-1 catalytic subunit to promoters by the dual-function transcription factor RFX1
Authors: Lubelsky Yoav , Shaul Yosef
Published: December 2018

Summery

RFX proteins are a family of conserved DNA binding proteins involved in various, essential cellular and developmental processes. RFX1 is a ubiquitously expressed, dual-activity transcription factor capable of both activation and repression of target genes.

The exact mechanism by which RFX1 regulates its target is not known yet. In this work, we show that the C-terminal repression domain of RFX1 interacts with the Serine/Threonine protein phosphatase PP1c, and that interaction with RFX1 can target PP1c to specific sites in the genome. Given that PP1c was shown to de-phosphorylate several transcription factors, as well as the regulatory C-terminal domain of RNA Polymerase II the recruitment of PP1c to promoters may be a mechanism by which RFX1 regulates the target genes.
Targeting antibiotic resistant bacteria with phages reduces bacterial density in an insect host
Authors: Mikonranta Lauri , Buckling Angus , Jalasvuori Matti , Raymond Ben
Published: December 2018

Phage therapy is attracting growing interest among clinicians as antibiotic resistance continues becoming harder to control. However, clinical trials and animal model studies on bacteriophage treatment are still scarce and results on the efficacy vary. Recent research suggests that using traditional antimicrobials in concert with phage could have desirable synergistic effects that hinder the evolution of resistance. Here, we present a novel insect gut model to study phage-antibiotic interaction in a system where antibiotic resistance initially exists in very low frequency and phage specifically targets the resistance bearing cells. We demonstrate that while phage therapy could not reduce the frequency of target bacteria in the population during positive selection by antibiotics, it alleviated the antibiotic induced blooming by lowering the overall load of resistant cells. The highly structured gut environment had pharmacokinetic effects on both phage and antibiotic dynamics compared to in vitro: antibiotics did not reduce the overall amount of bacteria, demonstrating a simple turnover of gut flora from non-resistant to resistant population with little cost. The results imply moderate potential for using phage as an aid to target antibiotic resistant gut infections, and question the usefulness of in vitro inferences.
FBXO45-MYCBP2 regulates mitotic cell fate by targeting FBXW7 for degradation
Authors: Richter Kai T. , Kschonsak Yvonne T. , Vodicska Barbara , Hoffmann Ingrid
Published: December 2018

Cell fate decision upon prolonged mitotic arrest induced by microtubule targeting agents depends on the activity of the tumor suppressor and F-box protein FBXW7. FBXW7 promotes mitotic cell death and prevents premature escape from mitosis through mitotic slippage. Mitotic slippage is a process that can cause chemoresistance and tumor relapse. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate the balance between mitotic cell death and mitotic slippage is an important task. Here we report that FBXW7 protein levels markedly decline during extended mitotic arrest. FBXO45 binds to a conserved acidic N-terminal motif of FBXW7 specifically under a prolonged delay in mitosis, leading to ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation of FBXW7 by the FBXO45-MYCBP2 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Moreover, we find that FBXO45-MYCBP2 counteracts FBXW7 in that it promotes mitotic slippage and prevents cell death in mitosis. Targeting this interaction represents a promising strategy to prevent chemotherapy resistance.
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is required for sustained free mitochondrial calcium elevation, following stimulated calcium uptake.
Authors: Solesio Maria E , Garcia del Molino Luis C , Elustondo Pia A , Catherine Diao , Chang Joshua C , Pavlov Evgeny V
Published: December 2018

Mitochondrial free calcium is critically linked to the regulation of bioenergetics and cellular signaling. Free calcium concentrations within the organelle are regulated by two processes: flux across the mitochondrial inner membranes and buffering by phosphate. The key role of phosphate in the buffering of free calcium in mitochondria is well-established. Specifically, during stimulated calcium uptake, calcium is partially buffered by orthophosphate, allowing for elevated calcium concentrations, while preventing calcium toxicity. However, this buffering system is expected to lead to the irreversible formation of insoluble precipitates, which are not observed in living cells, under physiological conditions. Here, we demonstrate that the regulation of free mitochondrial calcium requires the presence of free inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) within the organelle. Specifically, we found that the verexpression of a mitochondrial targeted enzyme hydrolyzing polyP, leads to the loss of the cellular ability to maintain elevated calcium concentrations within the organelle, following stimulated cytoplasmic signal. We hypothesize that the presence of polyP prevents the formation of calciumphosphate insoluble clusters, allowing for the maintenance of elevated free calcium levels, during stimulated calcium uptake.
Gut microbiome response to a modern Paleolithic diet in a Western lifestyle context
Authors: Barone Monica , Turroni Silvia , Rampelli Simone , Soverini Matteo , D’Amico Federica , Biagi Elena , Brigidi Patrizia , Troiani Emidio , Candela Marco
Published: December 2018

The progressive reduction of gut microbiome (GM) biodiversity along human evolutionary history has been found to be particularly exacerbated in Western urban compared to traditional rural populations, and supposed to contribute to the increasing incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases. Together with sanitation, antibiotics and C-section, the Western diets, low in microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) while rich in industrialized and processed foods, are considered one of the leading causes of this shrinkage. However, significant questions remain unanswered, especially whether high-MAC low-processed diets may be sufficient to recover GM diversity in Western urban populations. Here, we profiled the GM structure of urban Italian subjects adhering to the modern Paleolithic diet (MPD), a dietary pattern featured by high consumption of MACs and low-to-zero intake of refined sugars and processed foods, and compared data with other Italian individuals following a Mediterranean Diet (MD), as well as worldwide traditional hunter-gatherer populations from previous publications. Notwithstanding a strong geography effect on the GM structure, our results show an unexpectedly high degree of GM biodiversity in MPD subjects, which well approximates that of traditional populations. Increasing the consumption of MACs at the expense of refined sugars, and minimizing the intake of processed foods, both hallmarks of the MPD, could be the key to rewild the Western microbiota, counteracting the loss of GM diversity and thus restoring evolutionarily important functionality to our gut for improved human health.
Low Level LASER Therapy Induces Therapeutic Angiogenesis in Diabetic Mice with Hindlimb Ischemia
Authors: Huang Shi-Jie , Teng Yi-Hsien , Cheng Yu-Jung
Published: December 2018

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of developing peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) in lower extremities. Previous studies show low level LASER therapy (LLLT) can increase angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Here we performed hindlimb ischemia as PAOD model on diabetic mice to test the effects of LLLT. Twenty C57Bl/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups. Control group mice received femoral artery ligation/excision only. DM group mice were injected with Streptozocin (STZ) to induce diabetes followed by femoral artery ligation/excision. LLLT group mice received femoral artery ligation/excision and the lower limbs received LASER treatment for five days (660nm, 10 min, 1.91 J/cm2) started from second day postoperatively. DM+LLLT group mice were received femoral artery ligation/excision and LASER treatment after diabetes induced. Three days after LASER treatment finished, limb blood flow was measured by Laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Capillary density was assessed by immunofluorescence staining. CD31, VEGF, HIF-1?, phospho-ERK, iNOS and eNOS protein level was examined by Western blot. Blood perfusion, capillary density, CD31, and VEGF protein levels were significantly higher in those groups received LLLT compared to control and DM group. Low level LASER significantly increased ERK phosphorylation and HIF-1? expression. In addition, phospho-eNOS was increased but iNOS protein level was decreased in mice received LASER treatment. In summary, the ability of low level LASER to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in diabetic mice suggested this approach deserves investigation as a novel approach to treat PAOD patients.