bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Has aerobic exercise effect on pain perception in persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain? A randomized, controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Krøll L.S. , Sjödahl Hammarlund C. , Gard G. , Jensen R.H. , Bendtsen L.
Published: April 2018

Background

A large subset of persons with migraine suffers from coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain which may adversely affect the prognosis of migraine. Aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease migraine burden in these persons. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the effect of aerobic exercise in persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain can be explained by changes in pain perception.

Method

Seventy consecutively recruited persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain were randomized into exercise group or control group. Aerobic exercise consisted of bike/cross‐trainer/brisk walking for 45 min, three times/week for 3 months. Controls continued their usual daily activities. Pericranial tenderness, pain thresholds, supra‐thresholds and temporal summation were assessed at baseline, after treatment and at follow‐up (6 months from baseline).

Results

Fifty‐two persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain completed the study. Aerobic exercise did not induce consistent changes in nociceptive pathways measured by pericranial tenderness, pressure pain thresholds and sensitivity to electrical stimulation.

Conclusion

The effect of aerobic exercise cannot be explained by measurable effects on the pain modulation system. Thus, the positive effect on migraine burden may rather be explained by positive alteration of avoidance behaviour. Aerobic exercise can be recommended as a safe and inexpensive migraine treatment strategy.

Significance

This study adds further knowledge about the positive effect of aerobic exercise for persons with migraine and coexisting tension‐type headache and neck pain. This effect cannot be measured by changes in pain modulation, but may rather be explained by positive alteration of avoidance behaviour.
Microelectrode Biosensors for in vivo Analysis of Brain Interstitial Fluid
Authors: Chatard Charles , Meiller Anne , Marinesco Stéphane
Published: April 2018

Chemical analyses of brain interstitial fluid can reveal important information about local brain metabolism and neurochemistry, and can enhance our understanding of how neuronal networks respond to physiological or pathological stimuli. Among brain monitoring methods currently available, microelectrode biosensors provide real‐time analyses with high temporal resolution and minimal perturbation to living tissue by using oxidase enzymes for biological recognition. Two types of microelectrodes are used: cylindrically shaped wire electrodes provide the smallest implantable devices to date, and microfabricated multi‐electrode needles can monitor several molecules simultaneously. They have already contributed significantly to our understanding of brain energy metabolism with glucose and lactate detection, and to neurotransmitter systems with glutamate, D‐serine, acetylcholine, and purine detection. They have the potential to undergo further technological developments in future studies.
Electrochemically Driven C−H Hydrogen Abstraction Processes with the Tetrachloro‐Phthalimido‐N‐Oxyl (Cl4PINO) Catalyst
Authors: Buckingham Mark A. , Cunningham William , Bull Steven D. , Buchard Antoine , Folli Andrea , Murphy Damien M. , Marken Frank
Published: April 2018

The radical redox mediator tetrachloro‐phthalimido‐N‐oxyl (Cl4PINO) is generated at a glassy carbon electrode and investigated for the model oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols with particular attention to reaction rates and mechanism. The two‐electron oxidation reactions of a range of primary, secondary, and cyclic alcohols are dissected into an initial step based on C−H hydrogen abstraction (rate constant k1, confirmed by kinetic isotope effect) and a fast radical‐radical coupling of the resulting alcohol radical with Cl4PINO to give a ketal that only slowly releases the aldehyde/ketone and redox mediator precursor back into solution (rate constant k2). In situ electrochemical EPR reveals Cl4PINO sensitivity towards moisture. DFT methods are applied to confirm and predict C−H hydrogen abstraction reactivity.
Fast determination of lactic, succinic, malic, tartaric, shikimic, and citric acids in red Vranec wines by CZE‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS
Authors: Ivanova‐Petropulos Violeta , Naceva Zaneta , Sándor Viktor , Makszin Lilla , Deutsch‐Nagy Laura , Berkics Balázs , Stafilov Trajce , Kilár Ferenc
Published: April 2018

A fast and simple method with CZE coupled to ESI/QTOF‐MS was optimized and validated for quantitative determination of organic acids (lactic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, shikimic acid, and citric acid) in red wines. The BGE was ammonium acetate and the separation of the analytes was performed in a polybrene‐coated capillary in the presence of EOF. The sample preparation included dilution and filtration of the wine. The method showed satisfactory performance characteristics: good linearity for each organic acid, with correlation coefficients ranging from r2 = 0.9902 (shikimic acid) to r2 = 0.9990 (tartaric acid). The limit of quantification was between 0.0034 mM (for shikimic acid) and 0.107 mM (for citric acid), and the recovery data fell between 95.8% (malic acid) and 102.7% (lactic acid); the total run time was less than 4 min. The RSD values for the interday repeatability and intraday reproducibility were between 3.44 and 9.50%, and between 1.75 and 8.29%, respectively. Seventeen Macedonian red Vranec wines were studied demonstrating a wide variation in the organic acids’ concentration, which should be most probably due to the variation of the climate conditions in the vine areas.
Perfectionism and cognitive rigidity in anorexia nervosa: Is there an association?
Authors: Buzzichelli Sara , Marzola Enrica , Amianto Federico , Fassino Secondo , Abbate‐Daga Giovanni
Published: April 2018

Little is known about the relationship between neuropsychology, personality, and eating psychopathology in anorexia nervosa (AN). We aimed to investigate the interaction between set shifting and perfectionism in AN and to ascertain the role of perfectionism as a mediator between set shifting and eating psychopathology. Eighty‐five patients with AN and 71 healthy controls completed Eating Disorder Inventory‐2 (using 8 as a cut‐off for generating groups with high vs. low perfectionism), Beck Depression Inventory, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail Making Task, and Hayling Sentence Completion Task. Our findings support heightened cognitive inflexibility in individuals with AN, particularly in those with high perfectionism. Perfectionism resulted to be a mediator of the relationship between a measure of set shifting and drive for thinness, but this finding did not remain significant when including in the model only those with AN. Taken together, these data suggest a complex and nonexclusive association between set shifting, eating psychopathology, and perfectionism.
Japan's role in carbon capture and storage
Authors: Cozier Muriel
Published: April 2018

Much of the geographical focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been on China, Europe and the US. However, Japan has been quietly developing not only its domestic CCS program but also helping projects beyond its shores to come to fruition. In this article, GHGS&T's Muriel Cozier looks at two recent projects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatocytes and neutrophils cooperatively suppress bacterial infection by differentially regulating lipocalin‐2 and neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Li Hongjie , Feng Dechun , Cai Yan , Liu Yudong , Xu Mingjiang , Xiang Xiaogang , Zhou Zhou , Xia Qiang , Kaplan Mariana J. , Kong Xiaoni , Gao Bin
Published: April 2018

Lipocalin‐2 (LCN2), also known as neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), a key antibacterial protein, is highly elevated in patients with end‐stage liver disease that is often associated with bacterial infection. LCN2 is expressed at high levels in both hepatocytes and neutrophils; however, how hepatocyte‐derived and neutrophil‐derived LCN2 cooperate to combat bacterial infection remains unclear. Here, by studying hepatocyte‐specific and myeloid‐specific Lcn2 knockout mice in two models of systemic and local Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, we demonstrated that hepatocytes played a critical role in controlling systemic infection by secreting LCN2 protein into the circulation following intraperitoneal injection of bacteria, whereas neutrophils were more important in combating local lung infection by carrying LCN2 in their specific granules to the local infection site following intratracheal intubation of bacteria. Both hepatocyte‐derived and myeloid cell–derived LCN2 were required against bacterial infection in the peritoneal cavity and liver necrotic areas following intraperitoneal injection of Klebsiella pneumoniae. LCN2/NGAL protein was detected in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in activated neutrophils from mice and humans. Disruption of the Lcn2 gene in neutrophils abolished LCN2 on NETs, whereas deletion of this gene in hepatocytes did not affect LCN2 protein on NETs. Genetic deletion of the Lcn2 gene globally or specifically in neutrophils did not affect NET formation but reduced the bactericidal effect of NETs in vitro. Finally, NGAL‐positive NETs were detected in the liver from patients with various types of liver diseases. Conclusion: Both hepatocytes and neutrophils combat bacterial infection through the production of LCN2; extracellular LCN2 secreted by hepatocytes limits systemic bacterial infection, whereas neutrophils carry LCN2 protein to the local site and against local bacterial infection through NETs. (Hepatology 2018).
The effect of directive words on integrated comprehension of speech and iconic gestures for actions in young children
Authors: Miyake Hidenori , Sugimura Shinichiro
Published: April 2018

We investigated the effect of age and directive words on children's ability to semantically integrate speech and iconic gesture. The participants were 132 children aged 4 to 6 years old. In the experiment, we presented messages of actions in 3 conditions (Verbal‐only, Gesture‐only, and Verbal‐Gesture) in a serial manner to assess multimodal gain as the ability and had participants select 1 answer corresponding to each message from among 4 options. Participants were divided according to whether the messages of various speech and gestures used directive words or not (e.g., “one is throwing like this” vs. “one is throwing”). The results showed that participants in the directive‐word‐present condition were more likely to select the correct answer than the participants in the directive‐word‐absent condition were. Our results suggest that directive words promote young children's ability to semantically integrate speech and gesture, and therefore are useful for promoting communication.

Highlights

We examined whether the presence or absence of directive words influence young children's comprehension of speech and iconic gestures to communicate actions.

One hundred thirty‐two 4 to 6‐year‐old children were presented with eight messages using speech and gesture either with or without including directive words. The results showed that participants in the directive‐word‐present condition were more likely to select the correct answer than the participants in the directive‐word‐absent condition were.

We concluded directive words promote young children's ability to semantically integrate speech and gesture, and therefore are useful for promoting communication.
Total Synthesis of Mesembrine – The Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters by Gold‐Catalyzed Diyne Desymmetrization
Authors: Czekelius Constantin
Published: April 2018

This review gives an overview on synthetic methodology developed for the synthesis of the naturally occurring alkaloid mesembrine. Its all‐carbon‐substituted quaternary stereocenter has fuelled creativity in the application of ex‐chiral‐pool‐synthesis, chiral auxiliaries, and asymmetric catalysis alike. The gold‐catalyzed desymmetrization of 1,4‐diynes has been demonstrated as a selective method for the enantioselective preparation of methylene pyrrolidines incorporating a quaternary stereocenter. The applicability of this method has therefore been demonstrated in the context of a mesembrine total synthesis.
Comparative analysis of early adverse events of pelvic organ prolapse repair with or without transvaginal mesh using Clavien‐Dindo classification
Authors: Besser Limor , Schwarzman Polina , Mastrolia Salvatore A. , Rotem Reut , Leron Elad , Yohay David , Weintraub Adi Y.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To assess adverse events following surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with or without the use of transvaginal mesh.

Methods

The present retrospective study was conducted among women who underwent surgical POP repair at Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. Patients underwent anterior and posterior colporrhaphy either with transvaginal mesh (Elevate Prolapse Repair System; American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) or without transvaginal mesh (native tissue repair). Perioperative adverse events were assessed using the Clavien‐Dindo classification; multivariate regression models were constructed to predict minor and major adverse events.

Results

There were 111 women included; 35 were treated with transvaginal mesh, and 76 underwent native tissue repair. Women undergoing native tissue repair had a lower mean grade of cystocele (P=0.023) and a higher rate of urinary stress incontinence (P=0.017) than patients treated with transvaginal mesh. The duration of surgery (P=0.002), duration of hospitalization (P<0.001), and the amount of blood loss (P=0.021) were lower in the native tissue repair group. Repair with transvaginal mesh was not associated with increased odds of major or minor adverse events (P>0.05 for all models examined).

Conclusion

Perioperative and postoperative adverse events were comparable regardless of the operative approach.
Molecular targeting of glutaminase sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy
Authors: Masamha Chioniso P. , LaFontaine Patrick
Published: April 2018

Altered metabolism is a reemerging hallmark of tumorigenesis. Increased cell proliferation results in metabolic reprogramming to facilitate the needs of the rapidly dividing tumor cells. In addition to increased glucose uptake, tumors also take up increased levels of glutamine. Some cancers develop a reliance on glutamine, and are referred to as “glutamine addicted.” These tumors over express the enzyme glutaminase which is involved in the first step of glutaminolysis. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of combined treatment of the glutaminase inhibitor bis‐2‐(5‐phenylacetamido‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl) ethyl sulfide (BPTES) with chemotherapy on drug resistant ovarian cancer cells. We found that ovarian cancer cells show different dependencies on exogenous glutamine. However, regardless of glutamine dependence status, treatment with BPTES sensitized both paclitaxel, and cisplatin resistant cancer cell lines to chemotherapy by inhibiting cell proliferation. Monotherapy with BPTES alone resulted in a significant reduction in the ability of glutamine dependent cancer cells to form colonies in a clonogenic assay. In addition, glutamine dependent, metastatic cancer cells expressed higher levels of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) isoforms, KGA and GAC, than untransformed cells. Moreover, dual targeting of both isoforms using siRNA was more effective at sensitizing the cancer cells to cisplatin than targeting either GAC or KGA alone. Our results suggest that both GLS1 isoforms are important for glutamine dependent ovarian cancer survival, hence, both GLS1 isoforms should be targeted for therapy in metastatic ovarian cancer therapy.
TopP–S: Persistent homology‐based multi‐task deep neural networks for simultaneous predictions of partition coefficient and aqueous solubility
Authors: Wu Kedi , Zhao Zhixiong , Wang Renxiao , Wei Guo‐Wei
Published: April 2018

Aqueous solubility and partition coefficient are important physical properties of small molecules. Accurate theoretical prediction of aqueous solubility and partition coefficient plays an important role in drug design and discovery. The prediction accuracy depends crucially on molecular descriptors which are typically derived from a theoretical understanding of the chemistry and physics of small molecules. This work introduces an algebraic topology‐based method, called element‐specific persistent homology (ESPH), as a new representation of small molecules that is entirely different from conventional chemical and/or physical representations. ESPH describes molecular properties in terms of multiscale and multicomponent topological invariants. Such topological representation is systematical, comprehensive, and scalable with respect to molecular size and composition variations. However, it cannot be literally translated into a physical interpretation. Fortunately, it is readily suitable for machine learning methods, rendering topological learning algorithms. Due to the inherent correlation between solubility and partition coefficient, a uniform ESPH representation is developed for both properties, which facilitates multi‐task deep neural networks for their simultaneous predictions. This strategy leads to a more accurate prediction of relatively small datasets. A total of six datasets is considered in this work to validate the proposed topological and multitask deep learning approaches. It is demonstrated that the proposed approaches achieve some of the most accurate predictions of aqueous solubility and partition coefficient. Our software is available online at http://weilab.math.msu.edu/TopP-S/. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NEAT1 contributes to neuropathic pain development through targeting miR‐381/HMGB1 axis in CCI rat models
Authors: Xia Lie‐Xin , Ke Chengming , Lu Jing‐Min
Published: April 2018

LncRNAs have been recognized as significant regulators in various diseases including neuropathic pain. Although the lncRNA NEAT1 has been reported to be involved in multiple cancers, its biological functions in neuropathic pain still remain unknown. In our present study, a chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model was established and we found that NEAT1 was greatly upregulated in the spinal cord tissues of CCI rats. Knockdown of NEAT1 can repress neuropathic pain behaviors including mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. In addition, NEAT1 downregulation inhibited neuroinflammation via inhibiting IL‐6, IL‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in CCI rats. We also observed that miR‐381 was decreased significantly in CCI rats. By using bioinformatics analysis, miR‐381 was predicted to be a microRNA target of NEAT1, which indicated a negative correlation between miR‐381 and NEAT1. Inhibition of NEAT1 can induce miR‐381 expression in CCI rats, which indicated a negative correlation between NEAT1 and miR‐381. HMGB1, as a downstream target gene of miR‐381 was observed to be dramatically increased in CCI rats. miR‐381 can modulate HMGB1 expression negatively and meanwhile, NEAT1 was able to regulate HMGB1 through sponging miR‐381. Downregulation of HMGB1 can inhibit neuropathic pain behaviors which can be reversed by miR‐381 inhibitors. Taken these together, it was indicated that NEAT1 can induce neuropathic pain development in CCI rats via regulating miR‐381/HMGB1 axis.
To Give or Not to Give? Choosing Chance Under Moral Conflict
Authors: Lin Stephanie C. , Reich Taly
Published: April 2018

Although prior research suggests that people should not prefer random chance to determine their outcomes, we propose that in the context of prosocial requests, a contingent of people prefer to rely on chance. We argue that this is because they are conflicted between losing resources (e.g., time, money) and losing moral self‐regard. Across five studies, in both choices with binary outcomes (whether to volunteer) and ranges of outcomes (how much to donate), some people preferred to be randomly assigned an outcome rather than to make their own choices. This did not negatively affect prosocial behavior in binary choices and improved prosocial behavior in choices with a range of outcomes. We also found that the preference for a random outcome was stronger when participants felt particularly conflicted. Furthermore, we examined precisely who sorted into the random option. Importantly, choosing the random option decreased moral self‐reproach, thus increasing consumer welfare. Our findings speak to consumers’ psychological experience of prosocial requests and suggest an intervention that may increase consumer welfare and prosocial behavior.
Effects of hypoxia inducible factors on pluripotency in human iPS cells
Authors: Sugimoto Kouji , Matsuura Takashi , Nakazono Ayako , Igawa Kazunari , Yamada Shizuka , Hayashi Yoshihiko
Published: April 2018

A hypoxic condition is known to contribute to pluripotency. In the present article, the effects of transcription factors were first assessed regarding the proliferation and differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells under hypoxic conditions using cell morphology and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Morphology evaluations and RT‐PCR revealed that the colony formation was promoted and the expression of pluripotent markers was increased under hypoxic conditions. In addition, the function of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) in human iPS cells under hypoxic conditions was evaluated in relation to the morphology and the expression of pluripotency markers by siRNA and RT‐PCR. The HIF‐2α silencing group showed a reduction in the colony size of human iPS cells and a statistically significant reduction in the expression of undifferentiation markers compared to the control group. Furthermore, the expression of HIF‐2α was decreased when signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was suppressed by its inhibitor, Stattic or S31 201. The inhibition using Stattic did not produce colony formation. The expression of pluripotent markers was also decreased using Stattic or S31 201. This study indicates that the HIF‐2α expression in human iPS cells was activated under hypoxic conditions, similarly to that in murine iPS cells, and that HIF‐2α among HIFs is the most effective compound for maintaining the pluripotency of human iPS cells. Furthermore, the STAT3 signal pathway regulates the expression of HIF‐2α.
Characterization of the 3Dimension optical, geometrical, and mechanical profiles of iPP fiber with necking deformation
Authors: Ali A. M. , Felemban Nuha , El‐Bakary M. A.
Published: April 2018

We present a method for evaluating the 3D refractive indices and 3D true stress and/or 3D true strain profiles of “isotactic polypropylene iPP” fibers during necking deformation. Observing the changes in geometrical shape during the deformation process is necessary to understand the mechanical performance of iPP fibers. 3D geometric shape profile and actual stress and strain profiles were measured for iPP fibers during the propagation of neck deformation. These measurements were performed with the aid of an in‐situ opto‐ mechanical device to dynamically characterize different properties of fibers at different strain rates. A software image analysis program was used to calculate the 3D opto‐mechanical properties of iPP fibers. The obtained results show that the used dynamic stretching device can be easily used to monitor the deformation process with high accuracy. The effective stress and strain can be determined from the filaments profile. For illustration microinterferograms are given.
Research gaps in viral hepatitis
Authors: Boyd Anders , Duchesne Léa , Lacombe Karine
Published: April 2018

Introduction

The World Health Organization has aimed for global elimination of both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. Treatments available to cure HCV and control HBV, as well as vaccination to prevent HBV infection, have certainly allowed for such bold goals, yet the final steps to usher in elimination require further evidence.

Discussion

We broadly discuss the needs for three major public health approaches. First, an effective vaccine exists for HBV and mass‐vaccination campaigns have resulted in decreases in hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence and overall rates of liver‐related morality. Still, HBV vaccination coverage is poor in certain regions of the world, while the reasons for such low coverage require further study. A prophylactic vaccine is probably needed to eliminate HCV, but is not being readily developed. Second, identifying HBV/HCV infected individuals remains a priority to increase awareness of disease status, particularly for key populations. Research evaluating large‐scale implementation of novel, rapid and mobile point‐of‐care tests would be helpful to determine whether increased awareness is achievable in these settings. Third, antiviral therapy allows for strong HBV suppression and HCV cure, while its access depends on financial factors among many others. Although there is strong evidence to treat key populations and specific groups with progressed disease, as stated in current guidelines, the advantages of extending treatment eligibility to decrease onward spread of HBV/HCV infection and prevent further burden of disease are lacking “real world” evidence. Novel anti‐HBV treatments are being developed to target intrahepatocellular HBV replication, but are still in the early phases of clinical development. Each of the strategies mentioned above has specific implications for HIV infection.

Conclusions

There are certainly effective tools to combat the spread of viral hepatitis and treat infected individuals – yet how they are able to reach key populations, and the infrastructure required to do so, continue to represent the largest research gap when evaluating the progress towards elimination. Continuously adapted and informed research is required to establish the priorities in achieving elimination goals.
Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low‐ to high‐income settings: making sure no one is left behind
Authors: Grillon Céline , Krishtel Priti R , Mellouk Othoman , Basenko Anton , Freeman James , Mendão Luís , Andrieux‐Meyer Isabelle , Morin Sébastien
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Worldwide, 71 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which, without treatment, can lead to liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV co‐infection increases liver‐ and AIDS‐related morbidity and mortality among HIV‐positive people, despite ART. A 12‐week course of HCV direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) usually cures HCV – regardless of HIV status. However, patents and high prices have created access barriers for people living with HCV, especially people who inject drugs (PWID). Inadequate access to and coverage of harm reduction interventions feed the co‐epidemics of HIV and HCV; as a result, the highest prevalence of HCV is found among PWID, who face additional obstacles to treatment (including stigma, discrimination and other structural barriers). The HIV epidemic occurred during globalization of intellectual property rights, and highlighted the relationship between patents and the high prices that prevent access to medicines. Indian generic manufacturers produced affordable generic HIV treatment, enabling global scale‐up. Unlike HIV, donors have yet to step forward to fund HCV programmes, although DAAs can be mass‐produced at a low and sustainable cost. Unfortunately, although voluntary licensing agreements between originators and generic manufacturers enable low‐income (and some lower‐middle income countries) to buy generic versions of HIV and HCV medicines, most middle‐income countries with large burdens of HCV infection and HIV/HCV co‐infection are excluded from these agreements. Our commentary presents tactics from the HIV experience that treatment advocates can use to expand access to DAAs.

Discussion

A number of practical actions can help increase access to DAAs, including new research and development (R&D) paradigms; compassionate use, named‐patient and early access programmes; use of TRIPS flexibilities such as compulsory licences and patent oppositions; and parallel importation via buyers’ clubs. Together, these approaches can increase access to antiviral therapy for people living with HIV and viral hepatitis in low‐, middle‐ and high‐income settings.

Conclusions

The HIV example provides helpful parallels for addressing challenges to expanding access to HCV DAAs. HCV treatment access – and harm reduction – should be massively scaled‐up to meet the needs of PWID, and efforts should be made to tackle stigma and discrimination, and stop criminalization of drug use and possession.
Is hepatitis C virus elimination possible among people living with HIV and what will it take to achieve it?
Authors: Martin Natasha K , Boerekamps Anne , Hill Andrew M , Rijnders Bart J A
Published: April 2018

Introduction

The World Health Organization targets for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination include a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. Our objective is to review the modelling evidence and cost data surrounding feasibility of HCV elimination among people living with HIV (PLWH), and identify likely components for elimination. We also discuss the real‐world experience of HCV direct acting antiviral (DAA) scale‐up and elimination efforts in the Netherlands.

Methods

We review modelling evidence of what intervention scale‐up is required to achieve WHO HCV elimination targets among HIV‐infected (HIV+) people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM), review cost‐effectiveness of HCV therapy among PLWH and discuss economic implications of elimination. We additionally use the real‐world experience of DAA scale‐up in the Netherlands to illustrate the promise and potential challenges of HCV elimination strategies in MSM. Finally, we summarize key components of the HCV elimination response among PWLH.

Results and discussion

Modelling indicates HCV elimination among HIV+ MSM and PWID is potentially achievable but requires combination treatment and either harm reduction or behavioural risk reductions. Preliminary modelling indicates elimination among HIV+ PWID will require elimination efforts among PWID more broadly. Treatment for PLWH and high‐risk populations (PWID and MSM) is cost‐effective in high‐income countries, but costs of DAAs remain a barrier to scale‐up worldwide despite the potential low production price ($50 per 12 week course). In the Netherlands, universal DAA availability led to rapid uptake among HIV+ MSM in 2015/16, and a 50% reduction in acute HCV incidence among HIV+ MSM from 2014 to 2016 was observed. In addition to HCV treatment, elimination among PLWH globally also likely requires regular HCV testing, development of low‐cost accurate HCV diagnostics, reduced costs of DAA therapy, broad treatment access without restrictions, close monitoring for HCV reinfection and retreatment, and harm reduction and/or behavioural interventions.

Conclusions

Achieving WHO HCV Elimination targets is potentially achievable among HIV‐infected populations. Among HIV+ PWID, it likely requires HCV treatment scale‐up combined with harm reduction for both HIV+ and HIV‐ populations. Among HIV+ MSM, elimination likely requires both HCV treatment and behaviour risk reduction among the HIV+ MSM population, the latter of which to date has not been observed. Lower HCV diagnostic and treatment costs will be key to ensuring scale‐up of HCV testing and treatment without restriction, enabling elimination.
Eosinophil and airway nerve interactions in asthma
Authors: Drake Matthew G , Lebold Katherine M , Roth-Carter Quinn R , Pincus Alexandra B , Blum Emily D , Proskocil Becky J , Jacoby David B , Fryer Allison D , Nie Zhenying
Published: April 2018

Airway eosinophils are increased in asthma and are especially abundant around airway nerves. Nerves control bronchoconstiction and in asthma, airway hyperreactivity (where airways contract excessively to inhaled stimuli) develops when eosinophils alter both parasympathetic and sensory nerve function. Eosinophils release major basic protein, which is an antagonist of inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on parasympathetic nerves. Loss of M2 receptor inhibition potentiates parasympathetic nerve-mediated bronchoconstriction. Eosinophils also increase sensory nerve responsiveness by lowering neurons’ activation threshold, stimulating nerve growth, and altering neuropeptide expression. Since sensory nerves activate parasympathetic nerves via a central neuronal reflex, eosinophils’ effects on both sensory and parasympathetic nerves potentiate bronchoconstriction. This review explores recent insights into mechanisms and effects of eosinophil and airway nerve interactions in asthma.

Eosinophils are recruited to airway nerves and cause excessive bronchoconstriction in asthma by altering nerve function.
Let's Talk About Race: Evaluating a College Interracial Discussion Group on Race
Authors: Ashby Kimberly M. , Collins Dana L. , Helms Janet E. , Manlove Joshua
Published: April 2018

The authors evaluate Dialogues on Race, an interracial group intervention in which undergraduate student facilitators led conversations about race with their peers. The evaluation process is described, including developing collaborative relationships, identifying program goals, selecting measures, and analyzing and presenting results. The authors discuss lessons learned about evaluating an interracial dialogue intervention that did not originally include researchers in the hope that this examination will encourage others to evaluate similar campus interventions.

Diálogos sobre Raza es una intervención de grupo interracial en la que estudiantes universitarios moderaron conversaciones sobre raza con sus compañeros. Se describe el proceso de evaluación, incluyendo el desarrollo de relaciones de colaboración, la identificación de objetivos del programa, la selección de medidas, y el análisis y presentación de los resultados. Los autores discuten las lecciones aprendidas sobre la evaluación de una intervención interracial dialogada que en principio no incluyó a investigadores con la esperanza de que este examen animará a otros a evaluar intervenciones similares en sus campus.
A case of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a patient successfully treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation with a severely right‐sided dislocation of the heart after a total right lung excision
Authors: Aoki Ryota , Takemoto Masao , Nakasuga Kazuta , Kang Honsa , Tanaka Atsushi , Mito Takahiro , Antoku Yoshibumi , Matsuo Atsutoshi , Hida Satoru , Okazaki Teiji , Yoshitake Kiyonobu , Tayama Kei‐ichiro , Kosuga Ken‐ichi
Published: April 2018

A 72‐year‐old woman with symptomatic and drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). She had a history of a total right lung excision. Her chest X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) revealed a severely sight‐sided dislocation of the heart. Thus, the procedure was carefully performed under guidance of a CT, intracardiac echogram, atriography, and 3D mapping system. Finally, the AF was successfully treated by RFCA without any complications.
Chitosan nanoparticles‐loadedCitrus aurantiumessential oil: a novel delivery system for preserving the postharvest quality ofAgaricus bisporus
Authors: Karimirad Roghayeh , Behnamian Mahdi , Dezhsetan Sara , Sonnenberg Anton
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

One of the main problems in the button mushroom industry is the rapid deterioration of fruit bodies after harvest. Today, nanotechnology has become a more reliable technique to improve the quality of products in food packaging. In the present study, the effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticles containingCitrus aurantiumessential oil on postharvest quality of white button mushroom was examined and compared to essential oil fumigation and control treatments.

RESULTS

Based on high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape of 20–60 nm diameter. The results revealed that the application of chitosan nanoparticles loaded withC. aurantiumoil significantly decelerated the rate of color change, weight loss and firmness compared to fumigation with essential oil and control treatments. Treatment of fruit bodies with chitosan nanoparticles loaded withC. aurantiumoil promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, and resulted in increases in catalase and superoxide dismutase and a decrease in polyphenol oxidase activities, as the highest antioxidant capacity was observed after 15 days of cold storage.

CONCLUSION

This present research demonstrates that gradual release ofC. aurantiumessential oil from chitosan nanoparticles could be an effective and practical method for extending the shelf life of white button mushroom up to 15 days without significant decrease in antioxidant capacity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Urea plus nitrate pretreatment of rice and wheat straws enhances degradation and reduces methane production inin vitroruminal culture
Authors: Zhang Xiumin , Wang Min , Wang Rong , Ma Zhiyuan , Long Donglei , Mao Hongxiang , Wen Jiangnan , Bernard Lukuyu A , Beauchemin Karen A , Tan Zhiliang
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Urea pretreatment of straw damages fiber structure, while nitrate supplementation of ruminal diets inhibits enteric methane production. The study examined the combined effects of these treatments on ruminal substrate biodegradation and methane production using anin vitroincubation system. Rice and wheat straws were pretreated with urea (40 g kg−1straw dry matter, DM) and urea + ammonium nitrate (34 + 6 g kg−1dry matter (DM), respectively), and each straw (control, urea, urea+nitrate) was used in batch culture incubations in three replications (runs).

RESULTS

Urea pretreatment increased (P < 0.05) neutral‐detergent solubles (NDS) content (+17%) andin vitroDM degradation of rice straw, in comparison with control. Urea+nitrate pretreatment of rice and wheat straws had higher (P < 0.05) NDS content,in vitroDM degradation and propionate molar proportion, and lower (P < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio and lower methane production with a decline of methanogens, in comparison to control.

CONCLUSIONS

Urea+nitrate pretreatment combines positive effects of urea pretreatment and nitrate supplementation, and can be a potential strategy to improve ruminal biodegradation, facilitate propionate production and reduce methane production from lignified straws. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Wafer‐scale monolithic hybrid integration of Si‐based IC and III–V epi‐layers—A mass manufacturable approach for active matrix micro‐LED micro‐displays
Authors: Zhang Lei , Ou Fang , Chong Wing Cheung , Chen Yijing , Li Qiming
Published: April 2018

Hybridization of silicon integrated circuits (ICs) with compound semiconductor device arrays are crucial for making functional hybrid chips, which are found to have enormous applications in many areas. Although widely used in manufacturing hybrid chips, the flip‐chip technology suffers from several limitations that are difficult to overcome, especially when the demand is raised to make functional hybrid chips with higher device array density without sacrificing the chip footprint. To address those issues, Beida Jade Bird Display Limited has developed its unique wafer‐level monolithic hybrid integration technology and demonstrated its advantages in making large‐scale hybrid integration of functional device arrays on Si IC wafers. Active matrix micro‐light‐emitting diode micro‐displays with a resolution of 5000+ pixel per inch were successfully fabricated using Beida Jade Bird Display Limited's monolithic hybrid integration technology. The general fabrication method is described, and the result is presented in this paper. The fabricated monochromatic micro‐light‐emitting diode micro‐displays exhibit improved device performance than do other micro‐display technologies and have great potentials in applications such as portable projectors and near‐to‐eye projection for augmented reality. More importantly, the wafer‐scale monolithic hybrid integration technology offers a clear path for low‐cost mass production of hybrid optoelectronic IC chips.
Mapping tourist consumption behaviour from destination card data: What do sequences of activities reveal?
Authors: Scuderi Raffaele , Dalle Nogare Chiara
Published: April 2018

Destination cards are popular means to promote attractions, events, and consumption. This research aims to investigate tourists' preferences by identifying the most common sequences of activities recorded by a destination card. We use pattern recognition and cluster analysis techniques. Evidence shows that most tourists prioritize outdoors moderately engaging activities, that there is a love for variety, and that cultural tourists are the only relevant group characterized by choosing activities belonging to the same type (indoors‐intellectual engagement) along the engagement‐leisure scale.
Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep abundance surveys, southwestern Arizona, USA
Authors: Conroy Michael J. , Harris Grant , Stewart David R. , Butler Matthew J.
Published: April 2018

Designing wildlife surveys requires biologists to identify their objectives and the accuracy (i.e., bias and precision) required to inform them. In southwestern Arizona, USA, abundance estimates and trends for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) rely on detection‐corrected aerial surveys (i.e., group‐size estimator) to inform harvest and assess management actions. The accuracy requirements and trend resolution remain undefined, rendering the surveys ability to address management needs uncertain. We used simulations based on historical surveys to optimize survey efficiency, estimate the accuracy of alternative sampling designs, and evaluate if the accuracy produced by this survey meets management needs. Simulations varied by the amount of area surveyed and temporal frequency. Given annual surveys, we examined trend detection with alternative significance levels (α spanning 0.05–0.30). Our simulations, which accepted the survey assumptions, identified many designs producing unbiased and precise estimates (CV <20%). Alternatives exist for optimizing this survey. For instance, surveying >70% of a Game Management Unit (GMU) provides similar precision to 100% coverage. Population declines ≥12%/year are detectable with annual surveys over a 10‐year period when α = 0.05. Setting α = 0.3 enables detecting declines ≥14%/year within 3 years. This survey assumes constant detection, calculated in 1 GMU 2 decades ago, and applied to 10 other GMUs since. We tested this assumption by estimating group‐size detection from field data in another GMU for 4 years. Bighorn sheep detection varied across GMUs and survey periods. Abundance estimates using the new detection rates were approximately 40% lower than current estimates. Our survey evaluation revealed that differences in abundance of approximately 50% are often not detectable, precision is insufficient to detect large trends in a timely manner (i.e., 40% decline in 7 years), and assuming a fixed detection process remains unfounded. Alternative sampling designs that estimate detectability concomitant with the survey, combined with targeted studies, would better inform management objectives for these desert bighorn sheep. Our assessment demonstrates the problems that occur when survey requirements are vague or mismatch survey design, and that monitoring designs incapable of capturing spatial and temporal variation in detectability will risk misrepresenting animals’ population sizes and trends. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Rating Scales and Performance‐based Measures for Assessment of Functional Ability in Huntington's Disease: Critique and Recommendations
Authors: Mestre Tiago A. , Busse Monica , Davis Aileen M. , Quinn Lori , Rodrigues Filipe B. , Burgunder Jean‐Marc , Carlozzi Noelle E. , Walker Francis , Ho Aileen K. , Sampaio Cristina , Goetz Christopher G. , Cubo Esther , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Stebbins Glenn T. ,   the Members of the MDS Committee on Rating Scales Development
Published: April 2018

Limitation of functional ability is a major feature of Huntington's disease (HD). The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) commissioned the appraisal of the use and clinimetric properties of clinical measures of functional ability that have been applied in HD studies and trials to date, to make recommendations regarding their use based on standardized criteria. After a systematic literature search, we included a total of 29 clinical measures grouped into two categories: (1) performance‐based measures (e.g., balance, walking, and reaching/grasping), and (2) rating scales. Three performance‐based measures are rated as “recommended”: the Tinetti Mobility Test for screening of fall risk and for severity assessment of mobility in patients with manifest HD (up to stage III); the Berg Balance Scale for severity of balance impairment; and the Six‐Minute Walk Test for assessment of walking endurance (severity) in HD subjects with preserved ambulation. No rating scale targeting functional ability reached a “recommended” status either for screening or severity measurement.

The main challenges identified in this review include applying widely accepted conceptual frameworks to the identified measures, the lack of validation of clinical measures to detect change over time, and absence of validated measures for upper limb function. Furthermore, measures of capacity or ability to perform activities of daily living had ceiling effects in people with early and pre‐manifest HD. We recommend that the MDS prioritize the development of new scales that capture small, but meaningful changes in function over time for outcome assessment in clinical trials, particularly in earlier stages of HD.
Interrater Reliability of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale‐Total Motor Score Certification
Authors: Winder Jessica Y. , Roos Raymund A.C. , Burgunder Jean‐Marc , Marinus Johan , Reilmann Ralf
Published: April 2018

Background

The clinical assessment of motor symptoms in Huntington's disease is usually performed with the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale‐Total Motor Score (UHDRS‐TMS). A high interrater reliability is desirable to monitor symptom progression. Therefore, a teaching video and a system for annual online certification has been developed and implemented.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the interrater reliability of the UHDRS‐TMS and of its subitems, and to examine the performance of raters in consecutive years.

Methods

Data from the online UHDRS‐TMS certification were used. The interrater reliability was assessed for all first‐time participants (n = 944) between 2009 and 2016. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for each year separately and the mean was taken as the total ICC.

Results

The UHDRS‐TMS (ICC = 0.847), tandem walking (0.824), pronate/supinate hands left (0.713), and retropulsion pull test (0.706) showed good interrater reliability. Poor interrater reliability was found for maximal dystonia of the left and right upper extremity (0.187 and 0.322, respectively), maximal dystonia of the left and right lower extremity (0.200 and 0.256, respectively), and maximal dystonia of the trunk (0.389), tongue protrusion (0.266), and rigidity arms left (0.390). Raters performed significantly worse on follow‐up certification compared to their first certification.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the rating of dystonia (absent, slight, mild, moderate, or marked) is subjective and difficult to interpret, especially on video. Therefore, changing the dystonia items of the UHDRS‐TMS should be explored. We also recommend that raters should watch the UHDRS‐TMS teaching video before each certification.