bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat preference for fire scars by feral cats in Cape York Peninsula, Australia
Authors: McGregor Hugh W. , Cliff Hannah B. , Kanowski John
Published: February 2017

Context Feral cats are implicated in the decline of terrestrial native mammals across northern Australia. Research in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia found feral cats strongly selected for fire scars when hunting, suggesting that intensifying fire regimes will have severe consequences for declining prey species. Aims We tested the generality of cat–fire interaction beyond the Kimberley, by measuring habitat selection of feral cats in relation to fire scars and habitat types in north-eastern Australia. Methods Our study was conducted at Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape York Peninsula. We live-captured feral cats during the dry season of 2015, released them with GPS collars set to record fixes at 15-min intervals, and recaptured cats 4 months later. We created dynamic habitat maps of vegetation types, fire and wetlands, and compared cat habitat selection using discrete choice modelling. We also measured cat density from arrays of camera traps and examined cat diet by analysis of stomach contents. Key results We obtained GPS movement data from 15 feral cats. Feral cats selected strongly for recent fire scars (1 or 2 months old), but avoided fire scars 3 months old or older. Three long-distance movements were recorded, all directed towards recent fire scars. Cats also selected for open wetlands, and avoided rainforests. Density of cats at Piccaninny Plains was higher than recorded elsewhere in northern Australia. All major vertebrate groups were represented in cat diet. Conclusions We showed that feral cats in north-eastern Australia strongly select for recent fire scars and open wetlands. These results are consistent with those from the Kimberley. Together, these studies have shown that amplified predation facilitated by loss of cover is likely to be a fundamental factor driving mammal decline across northern Australia. Implications Reducing the frequency of intense fires may indirectly reduce the impact of feral cats at a landscape scale in northern Australia. We also suggest that managers target direct cat control towards open wetlands and recently burnt areas, which cats are known to favour.
Fumarate hydratase is a critical metabolic regulator of hematopoietic stem cell functions
Authors: Guitart Amelie V. , Panagopoulou Theano I. , Villacreces Arnaud , Vukovic Milica , Sepulveda Catarina , Allen Lewis , Carter Roderick N. , van de Lagemaat Louie N. , Morgan Marcos , Giles Peter , Sas Zuzanna , Gonzalez Marta Vila , Lawson Hannah , Paris Jasmin , Edwards-Hicks Joy , Schaak Katrin , Subramani Chithra , Gezer Deniz , Armesilla-Diaz Alejandro , Wills Jimi , Easterbrook Aaron , Coman David , So Chi Wai Eric , O’Carroll Donal , Vernimmen Douglas , Rodrigues Neil P. , Pollard Patrick J. , Morton Nicholas M. , Finch Andrew , Kranc Kamil R.
Published: February 2017

Strict regulation of stem cell metabolism is essential for tissue functions and tumor suppression. In this study, we investigated the role of fumarate hydratase (Fh1), a key component of the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and cytosolic fumarate metabolism, in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis-specific Fh1 deletion (resulting in endogenous fumarate accumulation and a genetic TCA cycle block reflected by decreased maximal mitochondrial respiration) caused lethal fetal liver hematopoietic defects and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) failure. Reexpression of extramitochondrial Fh1 (which normalized fumarate levels but not maximal mitochondrial respiration) rescued these phenotypes, indicating the causal role of cellular fumarate accumulation. However, HSCs lacking mitochondrial Fh1 (which had normal fumarate levels but defective maximal mitochondrial respiration) failed to self-renew and displayed lymphoid differentiation defects. In contrast, leukemia-initiating cells lacking mitochondrial Fh1 efficiently propagated Meis1/Hoxa9-driven leukemia. Thus, we identify novel roles for fumarate metabolism in HSC maintenance and hematopoietic differentiation and reveal a differential requirement for mitochondrial Fh1 in normal hematopoiesis and leukemia propagation.
Premature load bearing
Authors: Andrews Matt , Pritchett Lant , Woolcock Michael
Published: February 2017

This chapter argues that many countries find themselves in capability traps because they try to perform tasks before they are actually capable of doing so. This can create too much pressure on the organization and its agents and lead to the collapse even of what small capability might have been built. When such processes are consistently repeated, premature load bearing reinforces capability traps—by asking too much of too little too soon too often (the “four toos”), the very possibility and legitimacy of reform and capability building is compromised. We recognize the pressures behind such premature load bearing, including the often implicit view that “best practices” can be broadly introduced because of the presumption that the level of performance and pace of change achieved in one place is possible everywhere, including “here.” We also recognize that to suggest anything less than perfection would make one seem a pessimist, an apologist for the unacceptable who doesn’t want the best for others, or a profligate indulgently wasting time and money “reinventing the wheel” when the best practice solution is already known. However, the chapter argues that a sober and strong stand against premature load bearing (and these pressures) is vital to ensure actual capability is built and governments and countries advance beyond capability traps.
Doing problem-driven work
Authors: Andrews Matt , Pritchett Lant , Woolcock Michael
Published: February 2017

We often observe that more successful efforts to establish complex state capabilities are problem-driven; focused relentlessly on solving a specific, attention-grabbing problem. This is the first principle of PDIA, which we begin to introduce in this chapter. The chapter starts with a discussion about why problems matter as entry points to complex state capability building challenges. It then offers practical ideas and tools to help those trying to use problems to foster change (given the need to construct problems, deconstruct problems and ultimately promote problem-driven sequencing). The chapter helps readers understand why we emphasize problems as entry points and positive motivators of change and provides tools to those who are interested in working practically to define and tackle problems. All readers will be able to apply the thinking and tools to their own challenges, which will put them in a strong position to tackle such challenges in a new and effective way.
Managing your authorizing environment
Authors: Andrews Matt , Pritchett Lant , Woolcock Michael
Published: February 2017

This chapter addresses authority in the PDIA process, given that authority is needed to make change happen. This authority is often difficult to attain, however. It is seldom located in one office or person, and is often difficult to lock in with complex challenges. This is because such challenges involve significant risk and uncertainty and require engagement by many agents responding to different authorizers. Efforts to address such challenges should include an explicit strategy to establish an appropriate authorizing environment. This chapter suggests ideas to adopt in a strategy, emphasizing different types of authority and authority failures one commonly sees in development. It includes practical exercises and examples to help readers apply such thinking in their own work. As with past chapters, we believe that the ideas and tools here will equip readers to identify and energize a new and effective approach to addressing complex challenges.
Total Factor Productivity: A Framework for Measuring Agri‐food Supply Chain Performance Towards Sustainability
Authors: Gaitán‐Cremaschi Daniel , Meuwissen Miranda P.M. , Oude Lansink Alfons G.J.M.
Published: February 2017

Sustainable agricultural commodities should be favored in international trade negotiations to meet the growing demand for food in a context of environmental conservation, population growth, and globalization. There is a need for a metric that allows for the differentiation of traded agricultural commodities according to how sustainably they were produced. In this context, this paper develops two single metrics, based on a Total Factor Productivity indexing approach, for benchmarking products in terms of their sustainability performance. Both metrics are adjusted to internalize the social and environmental externalities of food production, and to account for the sustainability effects of stages along agri‐food supply chains. Key aspects such as data availability, the selection of variables, and the selection of sustainability standards and targets are discussed.
Association Between Serum Levels of Uric Acid and Blood Pressure Tracking in Childhood
Authors: Park Bohyun , Lee Hye Ah , Lee Sung Hee , Park Bo Mi , Park Eun Ae , Kim Hae Soon , Cho Su Jin , Park Hyesook
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that high levels of serum uric acid of very early life are a result of the in-utero environment and may lead to elevated blood pressure (BP) in adulthood. However, serum uric acid levels can change throughout life. We investigated the effect of serum uric acid levels in childhood on the BP tracking and analysed BP according to changes in serum uric acid levels in early life.

METHODS

A total of 449 children from the Ewha Birth and Growth Cohort study underwent at least 2 follow-up examinations. Data were collected across 3 check-up cycles. Serum uric acid levels, BP, and anthropometric characteristics were assessed at 3, 5, and 7 years of age.

RESULTS

Children with a serum uric acid level higher than the median values had significantly increased systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP at 3 years of age. Baseline serum uric acid levels measured at 3 years of age, significantly affected subsequent BP in the sex and body mass index adjusted longitudinal data analysis (P < 0.05). Considering the changing pattern of serum uric acid over time, subjects with high uric acid levels at both 3 and 5 years of age had the highest SBP at 7 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the importance of maintaining an adequate level of serum uric acids from the early life. Appropriate monitoring and intervention of uric acid levels in a high-risk group can reduce the risk of a future increased BP.
BiRen: predicting enhancers with a deep-learning-based model using the DNA sequence alone
Authors: Yang Bite , Liu Feng , Ren Chao , Ouyang Zhangyi , Xie Ziwei , Bo Xiaochen , Shu Wenjie
Published: February 2017

Motivation

Enhancer elements are noncoding stretches of DNA that play key roles in controlling gene expression programmes. Despite major efforts to develop accurate enhancer prediction methods, identifying enhancer sequences continues to be a challenge in the annotation of mammalian genomes. One of the major issues is the lack of large, sufficiently comprehensive and experimentally validated enhancers for humans or other species. Thus, the development of computational methods based on limited experimentally validated enhancers and deciphering the transcriptional regulatory code encoded in the enhancer sequences is urgent.

Results

We present a deep-learning-based hybrid architecture, BiRen, which predicts enhancers using the DNA sequence alone. Our results demonstrate that BiRen can learn common enhancer patterns directly from the DNA sequence and exhibits superior accuracy, robustness and generalizability in enhancer prediction relative to other state-of-the-art enhancer predictors based on sequence characteristics. Our BiRen will enable researchers to acquire a deeper understanding of the regulatory code of enhancer sequences.

Availability and Implementation

Our BiRen method can be freely accessed at https://github.com/wenjiegroup/BiRen.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Speed 2.0: Evaluating Access to Universal Digital Highways
Authors: Ahlfeldt Gabriel , Koutroumpis Pantelis , Valletti Tommaso
Published: February 2017

This paper shows that having access to a fast Internet connection is an important determinant of capitalization effects in property markets. Our empirical strategy combines a boundary discontinuity design with controls for time-invariant effects and arbitrary macroeconomic shocks at a very local level to identify the causal effect of broadband speed on property prices from variation that is plausibly exogenous. Applying this strategy to a micro data set from England between 1995 and 2010 we find a significantly positive effect, but diminishing returns to speed. Our results imply that disconnecting an average property from a high-speed first-generation broadband connection (offering Internet speed up to 8 Mbit/s) would depreciate its value by 2.8%. In contrast, upgrading such a property to a faster connection (offering speeds up to 24 Mbit/s) would increase its value by no more than 1%. We decompose this effect by income and urbanization, finding considerable heterogeneity. These estimates are used to evaluate proposed plans to deliver fast broadband universally. We find that increasing speed and connecting unserved households pass a cost–benefit test in urban and some suburban areas, whereas the case for universal delivery in rural areas is not as strong. (JEL: L1, H4, R2)
The nature of the Lyman α emitter CR7: a persisting puzzle
Authors: Pacucci Fabio , Pallottini Andrea , Ferrara Andrea , Gallerani Simona
Published: February 2017

The peculiar emission properties of the z ∼ 6.6 Lyα emitter COSMOS redshift 7 (CR7) have been initially interpreted with the presence of either a direct collapse black hole (DCBH) or a substantial mass of Pop III stars. Instead, updated photometric observations by Bowler et al. seem to suggest that CR7 is a more standard system. Here, we confirm that the original DCBH hypothesis is consistent also with the new data. Using radiation-hydrodynamic simulations, we reproduce the new infrared photometry with two models involving a Compton-thick DCBH of mass ≈7 × 106 M⊙ accreting (a) metal-free (Z = 0) gas with column density NH = 8 × 1025 cm−2 or (b) low-metallicity gas (Z = 5 × 10−3 Z⊙) with NH = 3 × 1024 cm−2. The best-fitting model reproduces the photometric data to within 1σ. Such metals can be produced by weak star-forming activity occurring after the formation of the DCBH. The main contribution to the Spitzer/IRAC 3.6 μm photometric band in both models is due to He i/He ii λλ4714, 4687 emission lines, while the contribution of [O iii] λλ4959, 5007 emission lines, if present, is sub-dominant. Spectroscopic observations with JWST will be required to ultimately clarify the nature of CR7.
The Cost of Brain Surgery: Awake vs Asleep Craniotomy for Perirolandic Region Tumors
Authors: Eseonu Chikezie I. , Rincon-Torroella Jordina , ReFaey Karim , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Cost effectiveness has become an important factor in the health care system, requiring surgeons to improve efficacy of procedures while reducing costs. An awake craniotomy (AC) with direct cortical stimulation (DCS) presents one method to resect eloquent region tumors; however, some authors assert that this procedure is an expensive alternative to surgery under general anesthesia (GA) with neuromonitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost effectiveness and clinical outcomes between AC and GA patients.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 17 patients with perirolandic gliomas who underwent an AC with DCS were case-control matched with 23 patients with perirolandic gliomas who underwent surgery under GA with neuromonitoring (ie, motor-evoked potentials, somatosensory-evoked potentials, phase reversal). Inpatient costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), extent of resection, and neurological outcome were compared between the groups.

RESULTS: Total inpatient expense per patient was $34 804 in the AC group and $46 798 in the GA group (P = .046). QALY score for the AC group was 0.97 and 0.47 for the GA group (P = .041). The incremental cost per QALY for the AC group was $82 720 less than the GA group. Postoperative Karnofsky performance status was 91.8 in the AC group and 81.3 in the GA group (P = .047). Length of hospitalization was 4.12 days in the AC group and 7.61 days in the GA group (P = .049).

CONCLUSION: The total inpatient costs for awake craniotomies were lower than surgery under GA. This study suggests better cost effectiveness and neurological outcome with awake craniotomies for perirolandic gliomas.
Development of an item bank for computerized adaptive testing of self-reported cognitive difficulty in cancer patients
Authors: Dirven Linda , Taphoorn Martin JB , Groenvold Mogens , Habets Esther JJ , Aaronson Neil K , Conroy Thierry , Reijneveld Jaap C , Young Teresa , Petersen Morten Aa ,   on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: February 2017

Background

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group is developing computerized adaptive testing (CAT) versions of each scale of the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). This study aims to develop an item bank for the EORTC QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning scale, which can be used for CAT.

Methods

The complete developmental approach comprised four phases: (I) conceptualization and literature search, (II) operationalization, (III) pretesting, and (IV) field-testing. This paper describes phases I–III.

I) A literature search was performed to identify self-report instruments and items measuring cognitive complaints on concentration and memory. II) A multistep item-selection procedure was applied to select and generate items that were relevant and compatible with the ‘QLQ-C30 item style.’ III) Cancer patients from different countries evaluated the item list for wording (ie, whether items were difficult, confusing, annoying, upsetting or intrusive), and whether relevant issues were missing.

Results

A list of 439 items was generated by the literature search. In the multistep item-selection procedure, these items were evaluated for relevance, redundancy, clarity, and response format, resulting in an list of 45 items. A total of 32 patients evaluated this item list in the pretesting phase, resulting in a preliminary list of 44 items.

Conclusion

Phase I–III resulted in an item list of 44 items measuring self-reported cognitive complaints that was endorsed by international experts and cancer patients in several countries. This list will be evaluated for its psychometric characteristics in phase IV.
Elevated Voriconazole Level Associated With Hallucinations and Suicidal Ideation: A Case Report
Authors: Jansen Jeffrey W. , Sen Sumon K. , Moenster Ryan P.
Published: February 2017

Voriconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal, has been associated with visual and auditory hallucinations. We report the case of patient being treated with voriconazole for pulmonary aspergillosis who developed visual hallucinations and new suicidal ideation with plan. Voriconazole troughs were supratherapeutic (9.0 mcg/mL) and the patient was positive for the CYP2C19*1/*2 allele.
Demographic Characteristics Associated With Barriers to Health Care Among Mexican and Guatemalan Immigrants in a Nontraditional Destination Area
Authors: Zhen-Duan Jenny , Jacquez Farrah , Vaughn Lisa
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine demographic factors associated with health care barriers among Mexican (n = 258) and Guatemalan (n = 143) immigrants in Cincinnati, a nontraditional destination (new migration area). Three primary results emerged: length of US residence was not associated with fewer health care barriers, Mexican women and younger Guatemalans endorsed fewer skills-related barriers, and childless Guatemalans reported more barriers to care the longer they reside in the United States, when compared with Guatemalans with children. Our study highlights the importance of disaggregating data to create more tailored interventions to eliminate health disparities for Latinos.
Latino Acculturation and Periodontitis Status Among Mexican-Origin Adults in the United States
Authors: Garcia Dina , Tarima Sergey , Glasman Laura , Cassidy Laura D. , Meurer John , Okunseri Christopher
Published: February 2017

This study examined the association between Latino acculturation indicators (language and citizenship/nativity status) and periodontitis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2012. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed and all analyses were adjusted for the complex survey design. Results showed that 63.2% of participants had periodontitis: 9.4% mild, 37.9% moderate, and 16% severe. Language was significantly associated with periodontitis after adjusting for age, educational level, gender, usual source of care, flossing, smoking, and glycohemoglobin level (P = .02). Dental public and private health efforts should implement culturally tailored oral health promotion education efforts for this population.
Radical Dissection of Greater Palatine Artery and Dynamic Reconstruction of Cleft Palate
Authors: Fayyaz Ghulam Qadir , Gill Nauman Ahmad , Chaudry Ayesha , Ishaq Irfan , Aslam Muhammad , Shamim Romaisa , Kafeel Mirza Muhammad , Aazam Muhammad , Sailer Hermann , Ganatra Muhammad Ashraf
Published: February 2017

Background:

Restoration of proper anatomy and physiology is an integral part of cleft palate repair. The senior author has devised a new technique of radical release of greater palatine vessels, which helps in achieving tension-free closure of palatal cleft. In addition, release and transposition of palatal muscles is performed without the use of operative microscope, resulting in improved palatal function. This technique is applicable to all types of clefts of the palate and can be performed on adult patients as well.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective case series of cleft palate repairs performed over a period of 3 years. Single-stage repair with modified Bardach’s technique for complete cleft palate and von Langenbeck’s technique for incomplete cleft palate with radical release of greater palatine vessels and levator complex retropositioning was performed. The outcome measures were closure of palatal defect and speech production. A follow-up of at least 6 months was completed in each patient.

Results:

A total of 1568 patients were included in the study. Their age ranged from 9 months to 54 years. The overall fistula rate was 6.1%. Improvement of speech was observed even in adult patients.

Conclusions:

Radical release of greater palatine artery and levator complex transposition can dramatically improve results of cleft palate repair. This technique helps in dynamic reconstruction of cleft palate and can be effectively applied in all age groups.
Asymptomatic Infection in Decompensated Full-Thickness Corneal Grafts Referred for Repeat Penetrating Keratoplasty
Authors: Nahum Yoav , Leon Pia , Ricci-Filipovic Benedetta Azzurra , Camposampiero Davide , Ponzin Diego , Busin Massimo
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

We report a case series of asymptomatic infections affecting failed corneal grafts in patients referred for repeat penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods:

In this retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series, we reviewed the medical records of all repeat PK procedures performed at Villa Serena-Villa Igea private Hospitals (Forlì, Italy) between January 2011 and March 2016. Specifically, preoperative and postoperative slit-lamp examinations, and the results of histological and bacteriological examinations, were noted.

Results:

Fifty-three repeat PKs were performed in the study period. All patients were referred because of long-standing graft decompensation with stromal scars or surface irregularities, thus unsuitable for endothelial keratoplasty. None was referred because of presumed infection. Histological examination of the explanted buttons showed the presence of microorganisms of various types in 7 eyes. Cultures were positive in 4 of these cases and in one additional case Staphylococcus aureus was grown in culture, but was not seen in the histology specimen. None of the patients presented with unusual pain, tearing, or discomfort. Preoperative abnormal clinical findings included epithelial defect (n = 6), focal whitening of corneal stroma (n = 5), crystalline keratopathy (n = 1), and an elevated pigmented lesion (n = 1). After repeat PK, recurrence of the infection was seen in 5 of 7 (71%) cases, 2 of which required a third PK procedure.

Conclusions:

Apparently quiet eyes with failed PK can harbor slow-growing asymptomatic infection. An epithelial defect in a failed PK graft should raise suspicion of infection. Routine cultures and histological examination of the excised corneal buttons are instrumental in the diagnosis of these infections and can guide further treatment.
Ocular Surface Epithelial Atypia Mimicking Squamous Neoplasia in Association With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Ong Sally S. , Walter Scott D. , Chen Xi , Vora Gargi K. , Daluvoy Melissa , Proia Alan D. , Mruthyunjaya Prithvi
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

Inflammatory bowel disease may be associated with extraintestinal manifestations. We report a case of severe reactive epithelial atypia resembling ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 32-year-old woman presented with sequential, progressive keratoconjunctival lesions in the left and right eyes, and both lesions were excised. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated features similar to OSSN, whereas histological examination revealed severe reactive epithelial atypia mimicking severe dysplasia. Shortly after treatment of the second eye, the patient was diagnosed with UC. Residual disease improved dramatically in response to systemic corticosteroids.

Conclusions:

Severe ocular surface epithelial atypia resembling OSSN may be seen in association with UC.
Successful Medical Management of Presumptive Pythium insidiosum Keratitis
Authors: Ramappa Muralidhar , Nagpal Ritu , Sharma Savitri , Chaurasia Sunita
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To describe the previously unreported successful treatment of presumptive Pythium keratitis (PK) with medical therapy alone.

Methods:

A 42-year-old female homemaker presented to us with a 15-day history of pain and redness in the right eye after a trivial injury. Her vision was 20/80 at presentation. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a central, dense and dry-looking, grayish-white infiltrate reaching mid stroma. The infiltrate had feathery margins and was surrounded by multiple tentacle-like lesions and peripherally expanding pinhead-sized subepithelial lesions. The contralateral eye was essentially normal. Diagnostic corneal scraping on smears revealed broad, aseptate, hyaline filaments with ribbon-like folds; very characteristic of Pythium species. Confocal imaging revealed fungal filaments. Based on corroborative evidence, a diagnosis of presumptive PK was made. She was administered a combination therapy consisting of eye drop linezolid 0.2% 1 hourly, azithromycin 1% 2 hourly, atropine sulfate 1% thrice daily, and oral azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 3 days in a week.

Results:

After initial worsening in the form of stromal expansion, regression of pinhead-sized lesions was seen with onset of scarring by as early as day 4 of intense medical therapy. The tentacle-like lesions did not worsen. On day 8, significant resolution was noted with scarring, and by the end of 2 weeks, the entire stromal lesion had scarred and complete resolution of expanding tentacles was observed in 3 weeks.

Conclusions:

Presumptive Pythium keratitis of the patient completely resolved with antibacterial treatment alone. It is pertinent for ophthalmologists to be aware of this new treatment regimen.
Suicide in Guyana: Nurses' Perspectives
Authors: Anthony Maureen , Groh Carla , Gash Jean
Published: February 2017

Guyana, an English-speaking country on the north coast of South America, has the highest suicide rate in the world. Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team working with patients experiencing psychological distress and are uniquely qualified to add to the discourse on factors contributing to the high suicide rate in Guyana. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and experiences of nurses and nurse assistants in Guyana related to suicide. Nine registered nurses and nurse assistants who worked at a private hospital in Georgetown, Guyana, were recruited to participate in a focus group. The focus group lasted approximately 70 minutes and was recorded. The audio recordings were later transcribed word for word. Four themes emerged from the data: family issues as they relate to the high suicide rate, suicide attempts as a cry for help, lack of support, and coping mechanisms used by nurses when caring for victims of attempted suicide. Nurses are uniquely positioned to intervene with families in crisis, whether it be suicide, suicide attempts, or the underlying factors of family dysfunction, child maltreatment, poverty, or alcoholism. Establishing forensic nursing as a specialty in Guyana would validate this important role through education and certification of nurses.
Genetic control of erythropoiesis
Authors: Tumburu Laxminath , Thein Swee Lay
Published: February 2017

Purpose of review

The discovery of several genetic variants associated with erythroid traits and subsequent elucidation of their functional mechanisms are exemplars of the power of the new genetic and genomic technology. The present review highlights findings from recent genetic studies related to the control of erythropoiesis and dyserythropoiesis, and fetal hemoglobin, an erythroid-related trait.

Recent findings

Identification of the genetic modulators of erythropoiesis involved two approaches: genome-wide association studies (GWASs) using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays that revealed the common genetic variants associated with erythroid phenotypes (hemoglobin, red cell count, MCV, MCH) and fetal hemoglobin; and massive parallel sequencing such as whole genome sequencing (WGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) that led to the discovery of the rarer variants (GFI1B, SBDS, RPS19, PKLR, EPO, EPOR, KLF1, GATA1). Functional and genomic studies aided by computational approaches and gene editing technology refined the regions encompassing the putative causative SNPs and confirmed their regulatory role at different stages of erythropoiesis.

Five meta-analysis of GWASs identified 17 genetic loci associated with erythroid phenotypes, which are potential regulators of erythropoiesis. Some of these loci showed pleiotropy associated with multiple erythroid traits, suggesting undiscovered molecular mechanisms and challenges underlying erythroid biology. Other sequencing strategies (WGS and WES) further elucidated the role of rare variants in dyserythropoiesis. Integration of common and rare variant studies with functional assays involving latest genome-editing technologies will significantly improve our understanding of the genetics underlying erythropoiesis and erythroid disorders.
Endothelial cell disease: emerging knowledge from cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: Lampugnani Maria Grazia , Malinverno Matteo , Dejana Elisabetta , Rudini Noemi
Published: February 2017

Purpose of review

Endothelial cells dysfunctions are crucial determinants of several human diseases. We review here the most recent reports on endothelial cell defects in cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), particularly focusing on adherens junctions. CCM is a vascular disease that affects specifically the venous microvessels of the central nervous system and which is caused by loss-of-function mutation in any one of the three CCM genes (CCM1, 2 or 3) in endothelial cells. The phenotypic result of these mutations are focal vascular malformations that are permeable and fragile causing neurological symptoms and occasionally haemorrhagic stroke.

Recent findings

CCM is still an incurable disease, as no pharmacological treatment is available, besides surgery. The definition of the molecular alterations ensuing loss of function mutation of CCM genes is contributing to orientate the testing of targeted pharmacological tools.

Several signalling pathways are altered in the three genotypes in a similar way and concur in the acquisition of mesenchymal markers in endothelial cells. However, also genotype-specific defects are reported, in particular for the CCM1 and CCM3 mutation.

Besides the specific CCM disease, the characterization of endothelial alterations in CCM has the potentiality to shed light on basic molecular regulations as the acquisition and maintenance of organ and vascular site specificity of endothelial cells.
Predictors of Acquisition of Competitive Employment for People Enrolled in Supported Employment Programs
Authors: Corbière Marc , Lecomte Tania , Reinharz Daniel , Kirsh Bonnie , Goering Paula , Menear Matthew , Berbiche Djamal , Genest Karine , Goldner Elliot M.
Published: February 2017

This study aims at assessing the relative contribution of employment specialist competencies working in supported employment (SE) programs and client variables in determining the likelihood of obtaining competitive employment. A total of 489 persons with a severe mental illness and 97 employment specialists working in 24 SE programs across three Canadian provinces were included in the study. Overall, 43% of the sample obtained competitive work. Both client variables and employment specialist competencies, while controlling for the quality of SE programs implementation, predicted job acquisition. Multilevel analyses further indicated that younger client age, shorter duration of unemployment, and client use of job search strategies, as well as the working alliance perceived by the employment specialist, were the strongest predictors of competitive employment for people with severe mental illness, with 51% of variance explained. For people with severe mental illness seeking employment, active job search behaviors, relational abilities, and employment specialist competencies are central contributors to acquisition of competitive employment.
Body Dysmorphic, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Social Anxiety Disorder Beliefs as Predictors of In Vivo Stressor Responding
Authors: Parsons E. Marie , Straub Kelsey T. , Smith April R. , Clerkin Elise M.
Published: February 2017

This study tested the potential transdiagnostic nature of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD) beliefs, in addition to testing the specificity of those beliefs, in predicting how individuals responded to symptom-specific stressors. Participants included 127 adults (75% women) with a broad range of symptom severity. Path analysis was used to evaluate whether specific maladaptive beliefs predicted distress in response to symptom-relevant stressors over and above other beliefs and baseline distress. SAD beliefs emerged as a significant predictor of distress in response to a mirror gazing (BDD-relevant), a thought (OCD-relevant), and a public speaking (SAD-relevant) task, controlling for other disorder beliefs and baseline distress. BDD beliefs were also a robust predictor of BDD stressor responding. Results suggest that social anxiety-relevant beliefs may function as a transdiagnostic risk factor that predicts in vivo symptoms across a range of problem areas.
International Survey of Critically Ill Children With Acute Neurologic Insults: The Prevalence of Acute Critical Neurological Disease in Children: A Global Epidemiological Assessment Study*
Authors: Fink Ericka L. , Kochanek Patrick M. , Tasker Robert C. , Beca John , Bell Michael J. , Clark Robert S. B. , Hutchison Jamie , Vavilala Monica S. , Fabio Anthony , Angus Derek C. , Watson R. Scott
Published: February 2017

Objective:

The international scope of critical neurologic insults in children is unknown. Our objective was to assess the prevalence and outcomes of children admitted to PICUs with acute neurologic insults.

Design:

Prospective study.

Setting:

Multicenter (n = 107 PICUs) and multinational (23 countries, 79% in North America and Europe).

Patients:

Children 7 days to 17 years old admitted to the ICU with new traumatic brain injury, stroke, cardiac arrest, CNS infection or inflammation, status epilepticus, spinal cord injury, hydrocephalus, or brain mass.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

We evaluated the prevalence and outcomes of children with predetermined acute neurologic insults. Child and center characteristics were recorded. Unfavorable outcome was defined as change in pre-post insult Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score greater than or equal to 2 or death at hospital discharge or 3 months, whichever came first. Screening data yielded overall prevalence of 16.2%. Of 924 children with acute neurologic insults, cardiac arrest (23%) and traumatic brain injury (19%) were the most common. All-cause mortality at hospital discharge was 12%. Cardiac arrest subjects had highest mortality (24%), and traumatic brain injury subjects had the most unfavorable outcomes (49%). The most common neurologic insult was infection/inflammation in South America, Asia, and the single African site but cardiac arrest in the remaining regions.

Conclusions:

Neurologic insults are a significant pediatric international health issue. They are frequent and contribute substantial morbidity and mortality. These data suggest a need for an increased focus on acute critical neurologic diseases in infants and children including additional research, enhanced availability of clinical resources, and the development of new therapies.
Systematic Review of Interventions to Reduce Psychiatric Morbidity in Parents and Children After PICU Admissions*
Authors: Baker Samantha C. , Gledhill Julia A.
Published: February 2017

Objective:

To describe and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing psychiatric morbidity in parents and children discharged from PICU.

Data Sources:

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken, searching EMBASE, PSYCHinfo, MEDLINE, and CINAHL. Experts in the field were contacted to identify unpublished studies.

Study Selection:

Exclusion criteria: Studies with participants above age 18 or drawn from a neonatal ICU, studies not in English, and those not measuring psychopathology.

Data Extraction:

Seven hundred fifty-three articles initially identified were hand searched which identified three studies, with a further three studies found by contacting experts in the field. Of these, three were randomized controlled trials and three feasibility studies.

Data Synthesis:

The interventions primarily targeted parents (particularly mothers), with the aim of reducing psychopathology especially posttraumatic stress disorder. Findings from these few studies demonstrated that interventions can lead to a reduction in parent and child psychopathology. Key ingredients of these interventions included psychoeducation, parent support after discharge, offering intervention to those families at high risk of developing psychopathology as identified by screening at the point of discharge, follow-up of all families with the aim of case finding, and specific interventions to target posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Conclusions:

Intervention studies are few but do lead to reductions in parent and child psychopathology. There is sufficient information to suggest some of these interventions could be supported and further evaluated.
Passage of Gallstones Into Common Bile Duct During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Is It the Surgeon’s Responsibility?
Authors: Bani Hani Mohammed , Al Manasra Abdel Rahman , Qandeel Haitham
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

Gallstones patients without preoperative history of jaundice, deranged liver function tests, or dilated bile ducts (BD) are unlikely to have BD stones. However, some of these patients in our series underwent endoscopic stone(s) removal after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We aim to find the incidence, possible intraoperative risk factors, and if the Surgeon can be blamed for this event.

Materials and Methods:

We studied LC cases over 12-year period at our university hospital and identified patients who did not have preoperative risk factors for BD stones but developed postoperative jaundice and/or persistent abdominal pain.

Results:

Only 16 (0.7%) of 2390 LC met the inclusion criteria. In 5/16 patients, cystic duct (CD) stones were felt Intraoperatively and likely passed into BD during surgery. After surgery, 14/16 patients underwent endoscopic stone(s) removal.

Conclusions:

If CD stone(s) are encountered during LC, we suggest that careful attention should be paid to make sure that patient does not develop complications from possible BD stone(s). Technical precautions during LC (ie, early CD clipping, avoiding excessive manipulation, and crushing the stones) are recommended.
Pattern separation of spiketrains in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Madar Antoine D. , Ewell Laura A. , Jones Mathew V.
Published: February 2017

Pattern separation is a process that minimizes overlap between patterns of neuronal activity representing similar experiences. Theoretical work suggests that the dentate gyrus (DG) performs this role for memory processing but a direct demonstration is lacking. One limitation is the difficulty to measure DG inputs and outputs simultaneously. To rigorously assess pattern separation by DG circuitry, we used mouse brain slices to stimulate DG afferents and simultaneously record DG granule cells (GCs) and interneurons. Output spiketrains of GCs are more dissimilar than their input spiketrains, demonstrating for the first time temporal pattern separation at the level of single neurons in the DG. Pattern separation is larger in GCs than in fast-spiking interneurons and hilar mossy cells, and is amplified in CA3 pyramidal cells. Analysis of the neural noise and computational modelling suggest that this form of pattern separation is not explained by simple randomness and arises from specific presynaptic dynamics. Overall, by reframing the concept of pattern separation in dynamic terms and by connecting it to the physiology of different types of neurons, our study offers a new window of understanding in how hippocampal networks might support episodic memory.
Rapid evolution slows extinctions in food webs
Authors: Zee Peter C. , terHorst Casey P. , Schreiber Sebastian J.
Published: February 2017

Historically, evolutionary changes have been thought to act on much longer time scales than ecological dynamics. However, a recent body of research has demonstrated that evolution that is rapid enough to dramatically affect ecological dynamics can lead to feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes. Thus, to understand the stability of ecological communities, we must also consider evolutionary change in the component species. Here, we use individual-based simulations of a quantitative genetic eco-evolutionary model to describe how trait evolution influences the stability of ecological communities. On short time scales, faster evolutionary rates decreased the probability of species extinctions as populations at low densities were rescued via trait evolution. However, on longer time scales, evolutionary had little effect on the number of extinctions. The extent of short-term evolutionary rescue depended on the source of trait variation; populations with variation generated through mutation experienced more rescue events and were less prone to extinction, relative to populations with only standing trait variation. Trait evolution leading to more rescued populations increased the stability of the community on timescales relevant to conservation. Our work highlights the importance of intraspecific trait variation and the evolutionary mechanisms maintaining this variation for community ecology, as well as management of declining populations in a community context.
The effect of smoking on the brain revealed by using electronic cigarettes with concurrent fMRI
Authors: Wall Matthew B , Mentink Alexander , Lyons Georgina , Kowalczyk Oliwia S , Demetriou Lysia , Newbould Rexford D
Published: February 2017

Cigarette addiction is driven partly by the physiological effects of nicotine, but also by the distinctive sensory and behavioural aspects of smoking, and understanding the neural effects of such processes is vital. There are many practical difficulties associated with subjects smoking in the modern neuroscientific laboratory environment, however electronic cigarettes obviate many of these issues, and provide a close simulation of smoking tobacco cigarettes. We have examined the neural effects of ‘smoking’ electronic cigarettes with concurrent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). The results demonstrate the feasibility of using these devices in the MRI environment, and show brain activation in a network of cortical (motor cortex, insula, cingulate, amygdala) and sub-cortical (putamen, thalamus, globus pallidus, cerebellum) regions. Concomitant relative deactivations were seen in the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. These results reveal the brain processes involved in (simulated) smoking for the first time, and validate a novel approach to the study of smoking, and addiction more generally.
Recovery of genomes from metagenomes via a dereplication, aggregation, and scoring strategy
Authors: Sieber Christian M. K. , Probst Alexander J. , Sharrar Allison , Thomas Brian C. , Hess Matthias , Tringe Susannah G. , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: February 2017

Microbial communities are critical to ecosystem function. A key objective of metagenomic studies is to analyse organism-specific metabolic pathways and reconstruct community interaction networks. This requires accurate assignment of assembled genome fragments to genomes. Existing binning methods often fail to reconstruct a reasonable number of genomes and report many bins of low quality and completeness. Furthermore, the performance of existing algorithms varies between samples and biotopes. Here, we present a dereplication, aggregation and scoring strategy, DAS Tool, that combines the strengths of a flexible set of established binning algorithms. DAS Tool applied to a constructed community generated more accurate bins than any automated method. Further, when applied to environmental and host-associated samples of different complexity, DAS Tool recovered substantially more near-complete genomes, including novel lineages, than any single binning method alone. The ability to reconstruct many near-complete genomes from metagenomics data will greatly advance genome-centric analyses of ecosystems.
Label-free identification of non-activated lymphocytes using three-dimensional refractive index tomography and machine learning
Authors: Yoon Jonghee , Jo YoungJu , Kim Min-hyeok , Kim Kyoohyun , Lee SangYun , Kang Suk-Jo , Park YongKeun
Published: February 2017

Identification of lymphocyte cell types is crucial for understanding their pathophysiologic roles in human diseases. Current methods for discriminating lymphocyte cell types primarily relies on labelling techniques with magnetic beads or fluorescence agents, which take time and have costs for sample preparation and may also have a potential risk of altering cellular functions. Here, we present label-free identification of non-activated lymphocyte subtypes using refractive index tomography. From the measurements of three-dimensional refractive index maps of individual lymphocytes, the morphological and biochemical properties of the lymphocytes are quantitatively retrieved. Machine learning methods establish an optimized classification model using the retrieved quantitative characteristics of the lymphocytes to identify lymphocyte subtypes at the individual cell level. We show that our approach enables label-free identification of three lymphocyte cell types (B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes) with high specificity and sensitivity. The present method will be a versatile tool for investigating the pathophysiological roles of lymphocytes in various diseases including cancers, autoimmune diseases, and virus infections.