bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide and single-base resolution DNA methylomes of the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Reveal Gradual Transition of the Genomic Methylation Pattern in Early Vertebrates
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Liu Gangbiao , Zhou Yangyun , Lloyd James P. B. , McCauley David W. , Li Weiming , Gu Xun , Su Zhixi
Published: December 2015

In eukaryotes, cytosine methylation is a primary heritable epigenetic modification of the genome that regulates many cellular processes. While the whole-genome methylation pattern has been generally conserved in different eukaryotic groups, invertebrates and vertebrates exhibit two distinct patterns. Whereas almost all CpG sites are methylated in most vertebrates, with the exception of short unmethylated regions call CpG islands, the most frequent pattern in invertebrate animals is ‘mosaic methylation’, comprising domains of heavily methylated DNA interspersed with domains that are methylation free. The mechanism by which the genome methylation pattern transited from a mosaic to a global pattern and the role of the one or two-round whole-genome duplication in this transition remain largely elusive, partly owing to the lack of methylome data from early vertebrates. In this study, we used the whole-genome bisulfite-sequencing technology to investigate the genome-wide methylation in three tissues (heart, muscle, and sperm) from the sea lamprey, an extant Agarthan vertebrate. Analyses of methylation level and the extent of CpG dinucleotide depletion of geneencoding, intergenic and promoter regions revealed a gradual increase in the methylation level from invertebrates to vertebrates, with the sea lamprey exhibiting an intermediate position. In addition, the methylation level of the majority of CpGs was intermediate in each sea lamprey tissue, indicating a high level of heterogeneity of methylation status between individual cells. In this regard, we defined the genomic methylation pattern of sea lamprey as “global genomic DNA intermediate methylation”. The methylation features in different genomic regions, such as the transcription start site (TSS) region of the gene body, exon-intron boundaries, transposons, as well as genes grouping with different expression levels, supported the gradual methylation transition hypothesis. We further discussed that the copy number difference in DNA methylation transferases and the loss of the PWWP domain and/or DNTase domain in DNMT3 sub-family enzymes may have contributed to the methylation pattern transition in early vertebrates. These findings demonstrate an intermediate genomic methylation pattern between invertebrates and jawed vertebrates, providing evidence that supports the hypothesis that methylation patterns underwent a gradual transition from invertebrates (mosaic) to vertebrates (global).
Automated long-term recording and analysis of neural activity in behaving animals
Authors: Dhawale Ashesh K. , Poddar Rajesh , Kopelowitz Evi , Normand Valentin , Wolff Steffen B. E. , Ölveczky Bence P.
Published: December 2015

Addressing how neural circuits underlie behavior is routinely done by measuring electrical activity from single neurons during experimental sessions. While such recordings yield snapshots of neural dynamics during specified tasks, they are ill-suited for tracking single-unit activity over longer timescales relevant for most developmental and learning processes, or for capturing neural dynamics across different behavioral states. Here we describe an automated platform for continuous long-term recordings of neural activity and behavior in freely moving animals. An unsupervised algorithm identifies and tracks the activity of single units over weeks of recording, dramatically simplifying the analysis of large datasets. Months-long recordings from motor cortex and striatum made and analyzed with our system revealed remarkable stability in basic neuronal properties, such as firing rates and inter-spike interval distributions. Interneuronal correlations and the representation of different movements and behaviors were similarly stable. This establishes the feasibility of high-throughput long-term extracellular recordings in behaving animals.

Highlights

We record neural activity and behavior in rodents continuously (24/7) over months

An automated spike-sorting method isolates and tracks single units over many weeks

Neural dynamics and motor representations are highly stable over long timescales

Neurons cluster into functional groups based on their activity in different states

eTOC Blurb

Dhawale et al. describe experimental infrastructure for recording neural activity and behavior continuously over months in freely moving rodents. A fully automated spike-sorting algorithm allows single units to be tracked over weeks of recording. Recordings from motor cortex and striatum revealed a remarkable long-term stability in both single unit activity and network dynamics.
Segmental interpolation surface: a tool to dissect environmental effects on plant water-use efficiency in drought prone scenarios
Authors: Quero Gaston , Simondi Sebastian , Borsani Omar
Published: December 2015

Water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the ratio of biomass (B) produced per unit of water transpired (E) by plants, is an important determinant of plant productivity. A mathematical approach was developed with the purpose explaining the WUE of two forage legumes (clover and birdsfoot trefoil). The approach applied involved an interpolation method by cubic spline which results in the smoothest curve that fits the set of data points obtained experimentally. The results obtained show the importance of recognizing the WUE as a function of two variables, one represents the supply (θ) and the other represents the demand (D). It is important to note that these surfaces generated by the model allowed the estimation of the WUE value for any value of θ and any value of D, showing it is able to dissect the effect of both environmental variables on WUE. From the surface generated by the model, a scalar field plot (SFP) was created. Analysis of these SFPs allowed decomposing the environmental effect on B and E parameters defining WUE. The SFPs allow identify, in one picture, what are the environmental conditions and what variable are explaining a high WUE in both species. Spline application for generating SFP could have a significant impact on the quantitative understanding of the WUE and our study represents a first step towards an analytical and integrated view of this parameters.

Mathematics Subject Classification92B05 65D05 65D07 65D10
A nearly on-axis spectroscopic system for simultaneously measuring UV–visible absorption and X-ray diffraction in the SPring-8 structural genomics beamline
Authors: Sakaguchi Miyuki , Kimura Tetsunari , Nishida Takuma , Tosha Takehiko , Sugimoto Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro , Yanagisawa Sachiko , Ueno Go , Murakami Hironori , Ago Hideo , Yamamoto Masaki , Ogura Takashi , Shiro Yoshitsugu , Kubo Minoru
Published: December 2015

UV–visible absorption spectroscopy is useful for probing the electronic and structural changes of protein active sites, and thus the on-line combination of X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic analysis is increasingly being applied. Herein, a novel absorption spectrometer was developed at SPring-8 BL26B2 with a nearly on-axis geometry between the X-ray and optical axes. A small prism mirror was placed near the X-ray beamstop to pass the light only 2° off the X-ray beam, enabling spectroscopic analysis of the X-ray-exposed volume of a crystal during X-ray diffraction data collection. The spectrometer was applied to NO reductase, a heme enzyme that catalyzes NO reduction to N2O. Radiation damage to the heme was monitored in real time during X-ray irradiation by evaluating the absorption spectral changes. Moreover, NO binding to the heme was probedviacaged NO photolysis with UV light, demonstrating the extended capability of the spectrometer for intermediate analysis.
Crystal structure of aquabis(heptafluorobutanoato-κO)(1,10′-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)copper(II)
Authors: Kani Ibrahim
Published: December 2015

The title compound, [Cu(C4F7O2)2(C12H8N2)(H2O)], is mononuclear and contains a pentacoordinated CuIIion. The geometry of CuIIion can be described as distorted square-pyramidal with two O atoms of two butanoate anions and two N atoms of theo-phenanthroline ligand occupying the basal plane, and a water O atom located at the axial position. In the crystal, C—H...(O,F) and O—H...(O,F) hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions [centroid-to-centroid distance 3.533 (2) Å] link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase: A potential target for metabolic diseases
Authors: He Jinlong , Wang Chunjiong , Zhu Yi , Ai Ding
Published: December 2015

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), important lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid, have many beneficial effects in metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, diabetes, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and kidney disease. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids can be further hydrolyzed to less active diols by the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Increasing evidence suggests that inhibition of sEH increases levels of EETs, which have anti‐inflammatory effects and can prevent the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, fatty liver, and multiple organ fibrosis. Arachidonic acid is the most abundant omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and shares the same set of enzymes with omega‐3 PUFAs, such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. The omega‐3 PUFAs and metabolites, such as regioisomeric epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids and epoxydocosapentaenoic acids, have been reported to have strong vasodilatory and anti‐inflammatory effects. Therefore, sEH may be a potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders. In this review, we focus on our and other recent studies of the functions of sEH, including the effects of its eicosanoid products from both omega‐3 and omega‐6 PUFAs, in various metabolic diseases. We also discuss the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of sEH.
Behavioural responses of Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) wasps exposed to essential oils
Authors: Buteler Micaela , Lozada Mariana , D'Adamo Paola , Melo Romina Ayelen Luz , Stadler Teodoro
Published: December 2015

Secondary plant metabolites such as those present in essential oils can be toxic to herbivorous insects and also repel attack, given they play a role in selection and acceptance of host plants. However, few studies have dealt with the use of plant‐based repellents to manage invasive wasps. The objective was to assess essential oils with potential as wasp repellents, and to gain further insight as to how they affect the learning capacities of these insects. Five essential oils were tested on Vespula germanica (Fabricius) wasps in field choice and no‐choice tests. When given a choice, foragers avoided the treated baits almost completely. Wind tunnel bioassays demonstrated that wasps recognise the repellent essential oils through olfactory cues, leading to a dose‐dependent decreased response to the food stimulus. The effect of the repellents on the cognitive ability of V. germanica workers was also studied in relation to food search efficiency. Naive workers landed on the treated baits, although it took them longer than to land on control baits. When workers were allowed to forage on a food bait twice before a repellent was added, an effect on relocation behaviour was observed. The returning workers arriving to a feeding site with essential oil were reticent to land on it, suggesting that there is indeed a repellent effect and not just masking of the food source. A push–pull system combining attractive baits with the use of plant‐based repellents is a promising management strategy in urban settings for this insect pest.
Spontaneous bilateral haemothorax as presentation of primary pleural epithelioid haemangioendothelioma
Authors: Ferreiro Lucía , San‐José Esther , Suárez‐Antelo Juan , Abdulkader Ihab , Martínez‐de‐Alegría Anxo , González‐Barcala Francisco‐Javier , Valdés Luis
Published: December 2015

Pleural epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare tumour that originates in the vascular endothelium with an intermediate degree of malignancy between haemangioma and angiosarcoma. Smoking and asbestos exposure are unproven risk factors and diagnosis is usually confirmed by thoracoscopy, since pleural fluid (PF) cytology is often not conclusive. Immunohistochemistry can also help to confirm the diagnosis. We report an 85‐year‐old patient with bilateral pleural EHE diagnosed by thoracoscopy, who debuted with a spontaneous bilateral haemothorax, the second described so far, and we conducted a thorough review of the literature to describe the clinical, radiological and prognostic features, as well as the PF, of this rare tumour.
Effect of a functional monomer (MDP) on the enamel bond durability of single‐step self‐etch adhesives
Authors: Tsuchiya Kenji , Takamizawa Toshiki , Barkmeier Wayne W. , Tsubota Keishi , Tsujimoto Akimasa , Berry Thomas P. , Erickson Robert L. , Latta Mark A. , Miyazaki Masashi
Published: December 2015

The present study aimed to determine the effect of the functional monomer, 10‐methacryloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP), on the enamel bond durability of single‐step self‐etch adhesives through integrating fatigue testing and long‐term water storage. An MDP‐containing self‐etch adhesive, Clearfil Bond SE ONE (SE), and an experimental adhesive, MDP‐free (MF), which comprised the same ingredients as SE apart from MDP, were used. Shear bond strength (SBS) and shear fatigue strength (SFS) were measured with or without phosphoric acid pre‐etching. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 h, 6 months, or 1 yr. Although similar SBS and SFS values were obtained for SE with pre‐etching and for MF after 24 h of storage in distilled water, SE with pre‐etching showed higher SBS and SFS values than MF after storage in water for 6 months or 1 yr. Regardless of the pre‐etching procedure, SE showed higher SBS and SFS values after 6 months of storage in distilled water than after 24 h or 1 yr. To conclude, MDP might play an important role in enhancing not only bond strength but also bond durability with respect to repeated subcritical loading after long‐term water storage.
Popularity and Social Preference in Chinese Adolescents: Associations with Social and Behavioral Adjustment
Authors: Niu Li , Jin Shenghua , Li Ling , French Doran C.
Published: December 2015

This study examined the characteristics associated with popularity and social preference in 769 14‐year‐old adolescents (54 percent boys) from mainland China. Consistent with findings from other countries, popularity and social preference were moderately correlated and overt aggression was positively correlated with popularity but negatively correlated with social preference. Prosocial behavior, athletic skill, dating, academic achievement, and mutual friends were positively associated with both popularity and social preference, with the effects for prosocial behavior, athletic skill, and dating greater for popularity than for social preference. The strong correlations between popularity and prosocial behavior are consistent with Confucian ideas of moral leadership and the obligations of high status individuals toward others. Cultural values are also reflected in the association of popularity with academic achievement. The inconsistent findings from China regarding the relation between aggression and popularity may stem from multiple factors including the absence of a suitable Chinese translation for popularity.
How computer simulations of the human heart can improve anti‐arrhythmia therapy
Authors: Trayanova Natalia A. , Chang Kelly C.
Published: December 2015

Over the last decade, the state‐of‐the‐art in cardiac computational modelling has progressed rapidly. The electrophysiological function of the heart can now be simulated with a high degree of detail and accuracy, opening the doors for simulation‐guided approaches to anti‐arrhythmic drug development and patient‐specific therapeutic interventions. In this review, we outline the basic methodology for cardiac modelling, which has been developed and validated over decades of research. In addition, we present several recent examples of how computational models of the human heart have been used to address current clinical problems in cardiac electrophysiology. We will explore the use of simulations to improve anti‐arrhythmic pacing and defibrillation interventions; to predict optimal sites for clinical ablation procedures; and to aid in the understanding and selection of arrhythmia risk markers. Together, these studies illustrate how the tremendous advances in cardiac modelling are poised to revolutionize medical treatment and prevention of arrhythmia.

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The Effect of World Ranking on the Selection of Athlete Endorsers: The Case of the PGA
Authors: Jang Wonseok (Eric) , Ko Yong Jae , Kim Hee Youn , Jeong Seung Hoon
Published: December 2015

The purpose of the current exploratory study was twofold: First, to outline current trends in athlete endorsement in the golf industry, and second, to discuss specific patterns of athlete endorsement in practice by considering an athlete’s world ranking and product type (low vs. high involvement and informational vs. transformational products). The results indicate that firms in 23 different types of industries are currently using professional golfers as athlete endorsers to position their products in their target markets. Specifically, the results of correspondence analysis indicate that highly ranked golfers tend to endorse high-involved, expensive, and informational products, while both highly ranked and lowly ranked golfers are similarly used as endorsers for low-involved, inexpensive, and transformational products. Implication, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Characterization of a Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing Enzyme, PoxB, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Zincke Diansy , Balasubramanian Deepak , Silver Lynn L. , Mathee Kalai
Published: December 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic pathogen often associated with severe and life-threatening infections that are highly impervious to treatment. This microbe readily exhibits intrinsic and acquired resistance to varied antimicrobial drugs. Resistance to penicillin-like compounds is commonplace and provided by the chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase. A second, chromosomally encoded β-lactamase, PoxB, has previously been reported in
P. aeruginosa
. In the present work, the contribution of this class D enzyme was investigated using a series of clean in-frame
ampC
,
poxB
, and
oprD
deletions, as well as complementation by expression under the control of an inducible promoter. While
poxB
deletions failed to alter β-lactam sensitivities, expression of
poxB
in
ampC
-deficient backgrounds decreased susceptibility to both meropenem and doripenem but had no effect on imipenem, penicillin, and cephalosporin MICs. However, when expressed in an
ampCpoxB
-deficient background, that additionally lacked the outer membrane porin-encoding gene
oprD
, PoxB significantly increased the imipenem as well as the meropenem and doripenem MICs. Like other class D carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamases, PoxB was only poorly inhibited by class A enzyme inhibitors, but a novel non-β-lactam compound, avibactam, was a slightly better inhibitor of PoxB activity.
In vitro
susceptibility testing with a clinical concentration of avibactam, however, failed to reduce PoxB activity against the carbapenems. In addition,
poxB
was found to be cotranscribed with an upstream open reading frame,
poxA
, which itself was shown to encode a 32-kDa protein of yet unknown function.
Simultaneous Semimechanistic Population Analyses of Levofloxacin in Plasma, Lung, and Prostate To Describe the Influence of Efflux Transporters on Drug Distribution following Intravenous and Intratracheal Administration
Authors: Zimmermann Estevan Sonego , Laureano João Victor , dos Santos Camila Neris , Schmidt Stephan , Lagishetty Chakradhar V. , de Castro Whocely Victor , Dalla Costa Teresa
Published: December 2015

Levofloxacin (LEV) is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone used to treat pneumonia, urinary tract infections, chronic bacterial bronchitis, and prostatitis. Efflux transporters, primarily P-glycoprotein (P-gp), are involved in LEV's tissue penetration. In the present work, LEV free lung and prostate interstitial space fluid (ISF) concentrations were evaluated by microdialysis in Wistar rats after intravenous (i.v.) and intratracheal (i.t.) administration (7 mg/kg of body weight) with and without coadministration of the P-gp inhibitor tariquidar (TAR; 15 mg/kg administered i.v.). Plasma and tissue concentration/time profiles were evaluated by noncompartmental analysis (NCA) and population pharmacokinetics (popPK) analysis. The NCA showed significant differences in bioavailability (
F
) for the control group (0.4) and the TAR group (0.86) after i.t. administration. A four-compartment model simultaneously characterized total plasma and free lung (compartment 2) and prostate (compartment 3) ISF concentrations. Statistically significant differences in lung and prostate average ISF concentrations and levels of kidney active secretion in the TAR group from those measured for the control group (LEV alone) were observed. The estimated population means were as follows: volume of the central compartment (
V
1
), 0.321 liters; total plasma clearance (CL), 0.220 liters/h; TAR plasma clearance (CL
TAR
), 0.180 liters/h. The intercompartmental distribution rate constants (
K
values) were as follows:
K
12
, 8.826 h
−1
;
K
21
, 7.271 h
−1
;
K
13
, 0.047 h
−1
;
K
31
, 7.738 h
−1
;
K
14
, 0.908 h
−1
;
K
41
, 0.409 h
−1
;
K
21
lung TAR (
K
21LTAR
), 8.883 h
−1
;
K
31
prostate TAR (
K
31PTAR
), 4.377 h
−1
. The presence of P-gp considerably impacted the active renal secretion of LEV but had only a minor impact on the efflux from the lung following intratracheal dosing. Our results strongly support the idea of a role of efflux transporters other than P-gp contributing to LEV's tissue penetration into the prostrate.
σ Factor and Anti-σ Factor That Control Swarming Motility and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: McGuffie Bryan A. , Vallet-Gely Isabelle , Dove Simon L.
Published: December 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is capable of causing a variety of acute and chronic infections. Here, we provide evidence that
sbrR
(PA2895), a gene previously identified as required during chronic
P. aeruginosa
respiratory infection, encodes an anti-σ factor that inhibits the activity of its cognate extracytoplasmic-function σ factor, SbrI (PA2896). Bacterial two-hybrid analysis identified an N-terminal region of SbrR that interacts directly with SbrI and that was sufficient for inhibition of SbrI-dependent gene expression. We show that SbrI associates with RNA polymerase
in vivo
and identify the SbrIR regulon. In cells lacking SbrR, the SbrI-dependent expression of
muiA
was found to inhibit swarming motility and promote biofilm formation. Our findings reveal SbrR and SbrI as a novel set of regulators of swarming motility and biofilm formation in
P. aeruginosa
that mediate their effects through
muiA
, a gene not previously known to influence surface-associated behaviors in this organism.

IMPORTANCE
This study characterizes a σ factor/anti-σ factor system that reciprocally regulates the surface-associated behaviors of swarming motility and biofilm formation in the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. We present evidence that SbrR is an anti-σ factor specific for its cognate σ factor, SbrI, and identify the SbrIR regulon in
P. aeruginosa
. We find that cells lacking SbrR are severely defective in swarming motility and exhibit enhanced biofilm formation. Moreover, we identify
muiA
(PA1494) as the SbrI-dependent gene responsible for mediating these effects. SbrIR have been implicated in virulence and in responding to antimicrobial and cell envelope stress. SbrIR may therefore represent a stress response system that influences the surface behaviors of
P. aeruginosa
during infection.
Streptococcus gallolyticus: a single bacteria, two different conditions
Authors: Silva Cruz Cristiano , Machado Catarina , Almeida André , Barata Moura Rita
Published: December 2015

The authors describe the case of a 48-year-old woman presenting with fever, joint pain and migratory skin lesions. She had no other symptoms or medical history. After an extensive and inconclusive work up, she was admitted to the hospital for further study. This patient was ultimately found to haveStreptococcus gallolyticussubspgallolyticusbacteraemia.This finding led to the diagnosis of mitral valve infective endocarditis related to an underlying rectum adenocarcinoma. This article points out diagnostic difficulties related to an unusual presentation of the underlying disease. Furthermore, the authors reinforce the need of keeping a high level of suspicion and a systematic approach in every case of fever of unknown origin. This case highlights the importance of performing a colonoscopy in the event ofS. gallolyticussubspgallolyticusbacteraemia, as it may provide an opportunity for detecting colonic lesions at an earlier stage.
Dynamic left ventricular outflow obstruction in situs inversus with levocardia
Authors: Hirata Kazuhito , Tengan Toshiho , Mototake Hidemitsu , Wake Minoru
Published: December 2015

A 69-year-old man with situs inversus, levocardia and inverted great arteries developed severe dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet. There was no asymmetric septal hypertrophy. A possible mechanism of the LOVT obstruction in the present case may have been related to an abnormally long and bent outflow tract resulting from overriding of the right ventricle over the LVOT due to a congenital malposition of the heart. Mitral valve replacement with septal myectomy was performed in order to eliminate systolic anterior motion. The postoperative course has been excellent.
Individualised physiotherapy as an adjunct to guideline-based advice for low back disorders in primary care: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ford Jon J , Hahne Andrew J , Surkitt Luke D , Chan Alexander Y P , Richards Matthew C , Slater Sarah L , Hinman Rana S , Pizzari Tania , Davidson Megan , Taylor Nicholas F
Published: December 2015

Background

Many patients with low-back disorders persisting beyond 6 weeks do not recover. This study investigates whether individualised physiotherapy plus guideline-based advice results in superior outcomes to advice alone in participants with low-back disorders.

Methods

This prospective parallel group multicentre randomised controlled trial was set in 16 primary care physiotherapy practices in Melbourne, Australia. Random assignment resulted in 156 participants receiving 10 sessions of physiotherapy that was individualised based on pathoanatomical, psychosocial and neurophysiological barriers to recovery combined with guideline-based advice, and 144 participants receiving 2 sessions of physiotherapist-delivered advice alone. Primary outcomes were activity limitation (Oswestry Disability Index) and numerical rating scales for back and leg pain at 5, 10, 26 and 52 weeks postbaseline. Analyses were by intention-to-treat using linear mixed models.

Results

Between-group differences showed significant effects favouring individualised physiotherapy for back and leg pain at 10 weeks (back: 1.3, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.8; leg: 1.1, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.7) and 26 weeks (back: 0.9, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.4; leg: 1.0, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.6). Oswestry favoured individualised physiotherapy at 10 weeks (4.7; 95% CI 2.0 to 7.5), 26 weeks (5.4; 95% CI 2.6 to 8.2) and 52 weeks (4.3; 95% CI 1.4 to 7.1). Responder analysis at 52 weeks showed participants receiving individualised physiotherapy were more likely to improve by a clinically important amount of 50% from baseline for Oswestry (relative risk (RR=1.3) 1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8) and back pain (RR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8) than participants receiving advice alone.

Conclusions

10 sessions of individualised physiotherapy was more effective than 2 sessions of advice alone in participants with low-back disorders of ≥6 weeks and ≤6 months duration. Between-group changes were sustained at 12 months for activity limitation and 6 months for back and leg pain and were likely to be clinically significant.

Clinical trial registration

ACTRN12609000834257.
Nutrition interventions for children aged less than 5 years following natural disasters: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pradhan Pranil Man Singh , Dhital Rolina , Subhani Huma
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Malnutrition among children is a serious public health problem in the aftermath of any natural disaster. We will review the various nutrition interventions for children aged <5 years in countries where natural disasters occurred and analyse the effect on nutrition-related outcomes.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review on nutrition intervention studies following natural disasters that were published between January 2000 and December 2015. Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool will be used for randomised controlled trials and Risk of Bias Assessment for Non-Randomized Studies (RoBANS) will be used for non-randomised studies. The quality of evidence will be assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. If sufficient data are available, we will conduct meta-analyses to establish the relationship between nutrition interventions and nutrition outcome indicators. All statistical analyses will be performed using Review Manager (Rev Man) V.5.3 for Windows. Heterogeneity of the data will be tested using the standard χ2test. A fixed-effect model will be used for the studies with high heterogeneity (p value>0.10, I2≤50%). For dichotomous and continuous data, relative risk (RR) and mean difference with 95% CI will be used respectively. Subgroup analysis will be performed for studies with low heterogeneity (p value ≤0.10). We will use Z score with the level of significance set at p value <0.05 to test the total effect. Funnel plots will be used to detect publication bias.

Ethics and dissemination

As primary data will not be collected, formal ethical approval will not be required. The results will be disseminated by publication in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and the media.

Registration details

International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42015023243 was registered on 1 June 2015.
Storytelling in the context of vaccine refusal: a strategy to improve communication and immunisation
Authors: Cawkwell Philip B , Oshinsky David
Published: December 2015

The December 2014 outbreak of measles in California impacted over 100 children and served as a reminder that this disease still plagues the USA, even 50 years following the first licensed vaccine. Refusal of vaccination is a complicated and multifaceted issue, one that clearly demands a closer look by paediatricians and public health officials alike. While medical doctors and scientists are trained to practice ‘evidence-based medicine’, and studies of vaccine safety and efficacy speak the language of statistics, there is reason to believe that this is not the most effective strategy for communicating with all groups of parents. Herein, we consider other methods such as narrative practices that employ stories and appeal more directly to parents. We also examine how doctors are trained to disseminate information and whether there are reasonable supplementary methods that could be used to improve vaccine communication and ultimately immunisation rates.
Surgical clipping versus endovascular coiling for elderly patients presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Bekelis Kimon , Gottlieb Dan , Su Yin , O'Malley Alistair J , Labropoulos Nicos , Goodney Phillip , MacKenzie Todd A
Published: December 2015

Background

The comparative effectiveness of the two treatment options (surgical clipping and endovascular coiling) for ruptured cerebral aneurysms has not been studied in real-world practice in the USA. We investigated the association between the treatment method for ruptured cerebral aneurysms and outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of elderly patients who underwent treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysms from 2007 to 2012 using a 100% sample of Medicare fee-for-service claims data. An instrumental variable analysis was used to control for unmeasured confounding and to create pseudo-randomization on the treatment method. In sensitivity analysis, controlling only for measured confounding, we used propensity score conditioning and inverse probability weighting with mixed effects to account for clustering at the Hospital Referral Region (HRR) level.

Results

During the study period 3210 patients underwent treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysms and met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 1206 (37.6%) had surgical clipping and 2004 (62.4%) had endovascular coiling. Instrumental variable analysis demonstrated no difference between coiling and clipping in 1-year postoperative mortality (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.54), likelihood of discharge to rehabilitation (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.58), or 30-day readmission rate (OR 1.44; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.87). However, clipping was associated with 2.7 days longer length of stay (LOS) (95% CI 0.45 to 4.99). The same associations were present in propensity score adjusted and inverse probability weighted models.

Conclusions

In a cohort of Medicare patients, we did not demonstrate a difference in mortality, rate of discharge to rehabilitation, and readmissions between clipping and coiling of ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Clipping was associated with a slightly longer LOS.
Acquired epilepsy in a horse associated with colic surgery
Authors: Rovel Tibor , Chahory Sabine , Trachsel Dagmar
Published: November 2015

Literature is sparse about seizures in adult horses and this affection often carries a poor prognosis for further riding or athletic use. The authors present a case of an adult horse showing recurrent focal seizures and neurological deficits indicative of central blindness occurring during an episode of colic which was resolved surgically. Clinical signs occurred soon after an episode of colic, then resolved by laparotomy with an uneventful general anaesthesia. The investigations undertaken to find the cause of the seizures concluded finally a tentative diagnosis of a cortical lesion associated with amaurosis due to possible brain hypoxia and/or trauma. The outcome of the presented case was satisfactory, as four months later on a control examination no further seizures had been reported, most neurological deficits had disappeared and vision had at least partially been restored.
Quadro-quadric special birational transformations from projective spaces to smooth complete intersections
Authors: Li Qifeng
Published: December 2015

Let [Formula: see text] a birational transformation with a smooth connected base locus scheme, where [Formula: see text] is a nondegenerate prime Fano manifold covered by lines. We call [Formula: see text] a quadro-quadric special briational transformation if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are defined by linear subsystems of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] respectively. In this paper, we classify quadro-quadric special birational transformations in the cases where either (i) [Formula: see text] is a complete intersection and the base locus scheme of [Formula: see text] is smooth, or (ii) [Formula: see text] is a hypersurface.
Mining connected global and local dense subgraphs for bigdata
Authors: Wu Bo , Shen Haiying
Published: December 2015

The problem of discovering connected dense subgraphs of natural graphs is important in data analysis. Discovering dense subgraphs that do not contain denser subgraphs or are not contained in denser subgraphs (called significant dense subgraphs) is also critical for wide-ranging applications. In spite of many works on discovering dense subgraphs, there are no algorithms that can guarantee the connectivity of the returned subgraphs or discover significant dense subgraphs. Hence, in this paper, we define two subgraph discovery problems to discover connected and significant dense subgraphs, propose polynomial-time algorithms and theoretically prove their validity. We also propose an algorithm to further improve the time and space efficiency of our basic algorithm for discovering significant dense subgraphs in big data by taking advantage of the unique features of large natural graphs. In the experiments, we use massive natural graphs to evaluate our algorithms in comparison with previous algorithms. The experimental results show the effectiveness of our algorithms for the two problems and their efficiency. This work is also the first that reveals the physical significance of significant dense subgraphs in natural graphs from different domains.
Computing cellular automata spectra under fixed boundary conditions via limit graphs
Authors: Ruivo Eurico L. P. , De Oliveira Pedro P. B.
Published: December 2015

Cellular automata are fully discrete complex systems with parallel and homogeneous behavior studied both from the theoretical and modeling viewpoints. The limit behaviors of such systems are of particular interest, as they give insight into their emerging properties. One possible approach to investigate such limit behaviors is the analysis of the growth of graphs describing the finite time behavior of a rule in order to infer its limit behavior. Another possibility is to study the Fourier spectrum describing the average limit configurations obtained by a rule. While the former approach gives the characterization of the limit configurations of a rule, the latter yields a qualitative and quantitative characterisation of how often particular blocks of states are present in these limit configurations. Since both approaches are closely related, it is tempting to use one to obtain information about the other. Here, limit graphs are automatically adjusted by configurations directly generated by their respective rules, and use the graphs to compute the spectra of their rules. We rely on a set of elementary cellular automata rules, on lattices with fixed boundary condition, and show that our approach is a more reliable alternative to a previously described method from the literature.
FINITE ELEMENT PREDICTION OF SUB-DERMAL TISSUE STRESSES OF THE BUTTOCKS DURING WHEELCHAIR PROPULSION
Authors: LI SUJIAO , YIN MIN , GAO LIN , QI SHUN , WANG JUE
Published: December 2015

Pressure ulcers, involving sub-dermal tissue damage and originating in deep tissue injury (DTI), have attracted much attention of physicians and researchers for three decades. Finite element (FE) model is a very efficient tool to investigate internal stresses and strains in human body that induce pressure ulcers. However, there was scarce report available to explore stresses distribution in human buttocks during manual wheelchair propulsion. A three-dimensional (3D) comprehensive FE model, incorporating ischial tuberosities (ITs), muscle, fat, and custom-contoured cushion (CCC), was developed to investigate internal stress distribution in soft tissue of the buttocks. Based on the FE model, pressure distribution under ITs in static sitting and during different wheelchair propulsions is studied. Internal stresses in fat and muscle were about three times and five times higher than that on cushion surface in terms of static sitting and wheelchair propulsion. All peak pressures under wheelchair propulsion were higher than those of static sitting, and peak pressures went on increasing with increase of wheelchair movement speed. This method based on the comprehensive FE model allowed for the optimization of wheelchair seat cushion design.
A characterization for topologically integer additive set-indexer of graphs
Authors: Mehra Seema , Puneet
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new function that satisfies the property of topological integer additive set-indexer (Top-IASI) with minimum cardinality for pan, tadpole, path and shovel graphs. Let [Formula: see text] be a graph and [Formula: see text] is a nonempty set. If an injective function [Formula: see text] induced a new injective function [Formula: see text] defined by [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] is called set-indexer. If an injective function [Formula: see text] produced another injective function [Formula: see text] defined by [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the set of all non-negative integers and [Formula: see text] is its power set then [Formula: see text] is called an integer additive set-indexer (IASI). An IASI is called a Top-IASI if [Formula: see text] forms a topology.
Developing best practices teaching procedures for skinfold assessment: observational examination using the Think Aloud method
Authors: Holmstrup Michael E. , Verba Steven D. , Lynn Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2015

Skinfold assessment is valid and economical; however, it has a steep learning curve, and many programs only include one exposure to the technique. Increasing the number of exposures to skinfold assessment within an undergraduate curriculum would likely increase skill proficiency. The present study combined observational and Think Aloud methodologies to quantify procedural and cognitive characteristics of skinfold assessment. It was hypothesized that 1) increased curricular exposure to skinfold assessment would improve proficiency and 2) the combination of an observational and Think Aloud analysis would provide quantifiable areas of emphasis for instructing skinfold assessment. Seventy-five undergraduates with varied curricular exposure performed a seven-site skinfold assessment on a test subject while expressing their thoughts aloud. A trained practitioner recorded procedural observations, with transcripts generated from audio recordings to capture cognitive information. Skinfold measurements were compared with a criterion value, and bias scores were generated. Participants whose total bias fell within ±3.5% of the criterion value were proficient, with the remainder nonproficient. An independent-samples t-test was used to compare procedural and cognitive observations across experience and proficiency groups. Additional curricular exposure improved performance of skinfold assessment in areas such as the measurement of specific sites (e.g., chest, abdomen, and thigh) and procedural (e.g., landmark identification) and cognitive skills (e.g., complete site explanation). Furthermore, the Think Aloud method is a valuable tool for determining curricular strengths and weaknesses with skinfold assessment and as a pedagogical tool for individual instruction and feedback in the classroom.
Open problem-based instruction impacts understanding of physiological concepts differently in undergraduate students
Authors: Franklin Brandon M. , Xiang Lin , Collett Jason A. , Rhoads Megan K. , Osborn Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2015

Student populations are diverse such that different types of learners struggle with traditional didactic instruction. Problem-based learning has existed for several decades, but there is still controversy regarding the optimal mode of instruction to ensure success at all levels of students' past achievement. The present study addressed this problem by dividing students into the following three instructional groups for an upper-level course in animal physiology: traditional lecture-style instruction (LI), guided problem-based instruction (GPBI), and open problem-based instruction (OPBI). Student performance was measured by three summative assessments consisting of 50% multiple-choice questions and 50% short-answer questions as well as a final overall course assessment. The present study also examined how students of different academic achievement histories performed under each instructional method. When student achievement levels were not considered, the effects of instructional methods on student outcomes were modest; OPBI students performed moderately better on short-answer exam questions than both LI and GPBI groups. High-achieving students showed no difference in performance for any of the instructional methods on any metric examined. In students with low-achieving academic histories, OPBI students largely outperformed LI students on all metrics (short-answer exam: P < 0.05, d = 1.865; multiple-choice question exam: P < 0.05, d = 1.166; and final score: P < 0.05, d = 1.265). They also outperformed GPBI students on short-answer exam questions ( P < 0.05, d = 1.109) but not multiple-choice exam questions ( P = 0.071, d = 0.716) or final course outcome ( P = 0.328, d = 0.513). These findings strongly suggest that typically low-achieving students perform at a higher level under OPBI as long as the proper support systems (formative assessment and scaffolding) are provided to encourage student success.
Hydrogen sulfide reduces serum triglyceride by activating liver autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway
Authors: Sun Li , Zhang Song , Yu Chengyuan , Pan Zhenwei , Liu Yang , Zhao Jing , Wang Xiaoyu , Yun Fengxiang , Zhao Hongwei , Yan Sen , Yuan Yue , Wang Dingyu , Ding Xue , Liu Guangzhong , Li Wenpeng , Zhao Xuezhu , Liu Zhaorui , Li Yue
Published: December 2015

Autophagy plays an important role in liver triglyceride (TG) metabolism. Inhibition of autophagy could reduce the clearance of TG in the liver. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent stimulator of autophagic flux. Recent studies showed H2S is protective against hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and noalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while the mechanism remains to be explored. Here, we tested the hypothesis that H2S reduces serum TG level and ameliorates NAFLD by stimulating liver autophagic flux by the AMPK-mTOR pathway. The level of serum H2S in patients with HTG was lower than that of control subjects. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, H2S donor) markedly reduced serum TG levels of male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), which was abolished by coadministration of chloroquine (CQ), an inhibitor of autophagic flux. In HFD mice, administration of NaSH increased the LC3BII-to-LC3BI ratio and decreased the p62 protein level. Meanwhile, NaSH increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and thus reduced the phosphorylation of mTOR in a Western blot study. In cultured LO2 cells, high-fat treatment reduced the ratio of LC3BII to LC3BI and the phosphorylation of AMPK, which were reversed by the coadministration of NaSH. Knockdown of AMPK by siRNA in LO2 cells blocked the autophagic enhancing effects of NaSH. The same qualitative effect was observed in AMPKα2−/− mice. These results for the first time demonstrated that H2S could reduce serum TG level and ameliorate NAFLD by activating liver autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway.