bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproductive compatibility among Mexican populations of Anastrepha obliqua: theoretical and management implications
Authors: Rull J. , Tadeo E. , Lasa R. , Díaz‐Fleischer F. , Arredondo J. , Aluja M.
Published: March 2018

The fraterculus species group, composed of 34 species in the genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae), includes the fraterculus cryptic species complex formed by eight reproductively isolated morphotypes. A previous study revealed six genetic mitochondrial types of Anastrepha obliqua, suggesting the existence of a second cryptic species complex. However, marked discrepancies between nuclear and mitochondrial loci rather suggest incomplete lineage sorting or introgression between A. obliqua and A. fraterculus. Such hybridization could nevertheless result in reproductive isolation, an outcome that could affect efficacy of area‐wide management for the most important pest of mangos in America. Two mitochondrial types occur in Mexico, and the limits of a third one, encompassing Central American populations, have not been clearly established. Here, we tested reproductive compatibility among three A. obliqua populations from the Pacific and a population from the Gulf of Mexico. No evidence of pre‐zygotic isolation was found. Flies from the Atlantic mated randomly for equal duration with individuals from three Pacific populations. Homotypic and heterotypic crosses produced similar numbers of eggs, with heterotypic crosses of Pacific males and Atlantic females hatching in lower proportions. Larvae of all cross types developed equally in mangos and exhibited no sex ratio distortion of hybrid F1. The three mitochondrial types identified in Mexico and Central America do not appear to be cryptic species and can be managed using one single strain for the sterile insect technique.
Duration of antibiotic treatment after endoscopic ultrasound‐guided drainage of walled‐off pancreatic necrosis not affecting outcomes
Authors: Sahar Nadav , Kozarek Richard A , Kanji Zaheer S , Chihara Shingo , Gan Seng Ian , Gluck Michael , Larsen Michael , Ross Andrew S , Irani Shayan
Published: March 2018

Background and Aim

Although society guidelines recommend a short course of antibiotics after drainage of walled‐off necrosis (WON), the exact duration is unclear.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of patients with no prior antibiotic exposure who underwent dual‐modality drainage (DMD) for sterile WON from 2008 to 2017. Patients were grouped into short duration (SD, ≤5 days) versus long duration (LD, >5 days). The main outcome was the frequency of recurrent infections.

Results

Sixty‐one patients (25 in the SD group and 36 in the LD group) were included. Patients in the two groups had comparable age, comorbidities, and severity of disease (P = 0.89). Patients in the SD group were treated with antibiotics for a median of 3 days compared with 8.5 days in the LD group. There were no differences in recurrent febrile episodes within 30 days of procedure—44% of SD group versus 39% of LD (P = 0.69). There was also no difference in time to resolution of WON (64 days for both groups, P = 0.72) or duration of hospitalization post‐DMD (SD 7.7 days versus LD 7.5 days, P = 0.42). Three cases of Clostridium difficile colitis were observed in the LD group.

Conclusions

Longer course of antibiotics seems to have similar outcomes compared with shorter courses in patients with WON treated with DMD. Prolonged‐course therapy may predispose to secondary infections like C. difficile colitis. A randomized controlled trial is needed to evaluate the role and duration of peri‐procedural antibiotics after drainage of sterile WON.
The relationship between process use and stage of change for sugary drinks
Authors: Cook A. S. , O'Leary F. , Allman‐Farinelli M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Decreasing sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption may reduce obesity and obesity‐related diseases. To better understand what processes could facilitate a reduction in sugary beverage intake, we examined the relationship between stage‐of‐change and use of 10 processes of change. Secondarily, reliability of the measure was assessed.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted, using a newly developed stage‐of‐change and process of change questionnaire. Participants (n = 105; male, n = 28) were aged between 18 and 60 years. A one‐way analysis of variance, with Tukey's and Benjamini–Hochberg post hoc tests, was used to compare process use by stages. Paired t‐tests were used to compare total cognitive and total behavioural process use within each stage. Cronbach's α coefficient and mean inter‐item correlation was used to assess internal consistency. Reliability of repeated items was examined using kappa.

Results

Cognitive and behavioural processes were used more in the contemplation/preparation and maintenance stages than in precontemplation (all P < 0.05). Compared to precontemplation, process use was significantly higher in contemplation/preparation for five individual processes, action for four processes and maintenance for five processes. The use of dramatic relief and self liberation was lower in maintenance than contemplation/preparation. Across the stages, the use of eight of the 10 processes differed. The use of consciousness raising, self re‐evaluation and self liberation differed between stages more frequently than other processes.

Conclusions

The use of many processes differed by stage and could be incorporated into programmes aiming to assist adults in reducing their consumption of sugary drinks.
Prospective Environmental Analyses of Emerging Technology: A Critique, a Proposed Methodology, and a Case Study on Incremental Sheet Forming
Authors: Cooper Daniel R. , Gutowski Timothy G.
Published: March 2018

Prospective environmental assessment of emerging technology is necessary in order to inform designers of beneficial changes early in a technology's development, and policy makers looking to fund projects and nudge manufacturers toward the most sustainable application of a technology. Existing analyses often have shortcomings such as failing to consider the environmental impacts in all stages of a product's life cycle; implicitly assuming that the emerging technology will be cost‐effective wherever it is technically viable; and assuming optimistic application scenarios that discontinue long‐established trends in human behavior. In this article, we propose a new approach, complementary to the prospective and anticipatory life cycle assessment literature, addressing the above concerns and attempting to make sense of the large uncertainties inherent in such analyses by using distributions to model all the inputs. The paper focuses on emerging manufacturing technologies, such as incremental sheet forming (ISF), but the issues examined are also applicable to new end‐use products, such as autonomous vehicles. This paper makes use of approaches (such as Bass modeling and product cannibalization considerations) familiar to those in the business community who anticipate market diffusion of a new technology and the effect on existing technology sales. The proposed methodology is demonstrated by estimating the potential environmental impacts in the U.S. car industry by 2030 of an emerging double‐sided ISF process. Energy and cost models of ISF and drawing are used to estimate potential mean savings of around 100 TJprimary and 60 million U.S. dollars per year by 2030.
The association between gait and physical fitness in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Oppewal A. , Hilgenkamp T. I. M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Gait deviations are often seen in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Their low physical fitness levels may be associated with these deviations. Understanding the impact of fitness on gait in this population is important for developing interventions to improve gait. In a cross‐sectional study, we assessed the association between multiple physical fitness components and spatiotemporal gait parameters in adults with ID.

Method

Gait characteristics of 31 adults (42.77 ± 16.70 years) with ID without Down syndrome were assessed with the GAITRite at comfortable (CS) and fast speed (FS), along with fitness assessments (body composition, muscular endurance, strength, balance, Short Physical Performance Battery).

Results

At CS, adults with ID with higher BMI and/or waist circumference spent more time in double support. At FS, those with better muscular endurance took steps faster, those with better balance took bigger steps and strides and those with better Short Physical Performance Battery scores took bigger steps and strides at higher velocity.

Conclusions

Body composition was mostly associated with gait at CS, while the other physical fitness components were mostly associated with gait at FS. Better fitness may therefore be more important in more challenging conditions. These insights are useful for developing interventions to improve gait in adults with ID.
Extremely thin layer plastification for focused‐ion beam scanning electron microscopy: an improved method to study cell surfaces and organelles of cultured cells
Authors: VAN DONSELAAR E.G. , DORRESTEIJN B. , POPOV‐ČELEKETIĆ D. , VAN DE WETERING W.J. , VERRIPS T.C. , BOEKHOUT T. , SCHNEIJDENBERG C.T.W.M. , XENAKI A.T. , VAN DER KRIFT T.P. , MÜLLER W.H.
Published: March 2018

Since the recent boost in the usage of electron microscopy in life‐science research, there is a great need for new methods. Recently minimal resin embedding methods have been successfully introduced in the sample preparation for focused‐ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM). In these methods several possibilities are given to remove as much resin as possible from the surface of cultured cells or multicellular organisms. Here we introduce an alternative way in the minimal resin embedding method to remove excess of resin from two widely different cell types by the use of Mascotte filter paper. Our goal in correlative light and electron microscopic studies of immunogold‐labelled breast cancer SKBR3 cells was to visualise gold‐labelled HER2 plasma membrane proteins as well as the intracellular structures of flat and round cells. We found a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the number of gold particles of selected cells per 0.6 m2 cell surface: on average a flat cell contained 2.46 ± 1.98 gold particles, and a round cell 5.66 ± 2.92 gold particles. Moreover, there was a clear difference in the subcellular organisation of these two cells. The round SKBR3 cell contained many organelles, such as mitochondria, Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, when compared with flat SKBR3 cells. Our next goal was to visualise crosswall associated organelles, septal pore caps, of Rhizoctonia solani fungal cells by the combined use of a heavy metal staining and our extremely thin layer plastification (ETLP) method. At low magnifications this resulted into easily finding septa which appeared as bright crosswalls in the back‐scattered electron mode in the scanning electron microscope. Then, a septum was selected for FIB‐SEM. Cross‐sectioned views clearly revealed the perforate septal pore cap of R. solani next to other structures, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lipid bodies, dolipore septum, and the pore channel. As the ETLP method was applied on two widely different cell types, the use of the ETLP method will be beneficial to correlative studies of other cell model systems and multicellular organisms.
Integrating the fundamentals of care framework in baccalaureate nursing education: An example from a nursing school in Denmark
Authors: Voldbjerg Siri Lygum , Laugesen Britt , Bahnsen Iben Bøgh , Jørgensen Lone , Sørensen Ingrid Maria , Grønkjær Mette , Sørensen Erik Elgaard
Published: March 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe and discuss the process of integrating the Fundamentals of Care framework in a baccalaureate nursing education at a School of Nursing in Denmark.

Background

Nursing education plays an essential role in educating nurses to work within healthcare systems in which a demanding workload on nurses results in fundamental nursing care being left undone. Newly graduated nurses often lack knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of delivering fundamental care in clinical practice. To develop nursing students’ understanding of fundamental nursing, the conceptual Fundamentals of Care framework has been integrated in nursing education at a School of Nursing in Denmark.

Design and methods

Discursive paper using an adjusted descriptive case study design for describing and discussing the process of integrating the conceptual Fundamentals of Care Framework in nursing education.

Results

The process of integrating the Fundamentals of Care framework is illuminated through a description of the context, in which the process occurs including the faculty members, lectures, case‐based work and simulation laboratory in nursing education. Based on this description, opportunities such as supporting a holistic approach to an evidence‐based integrative patient care and challenges such as scepticism among the faculty are discussed.

Conclusion

It is suggested how integration of Fundamentals of Care Framework in lectures, case‐based work and simulation laboratory can make fundamental nursing care more explicit in nursing education, support critical thinking and underline the relevance of evidence‐based practice. The process relies on a supportive context, a well‐informed and engaged faculty, and continuous reflections on how the conceptual framework can be integrated.

Relevance to clinical practice

Integrating the Fundamentals of Care framework can support nursing students’ critical thinking and reflection on what fundamental nursing care is and requires and eventually educate nurses in providing evidence‐based fundamental nursing care.
Role of p38 MAPK in disease relapse and therapeutic resistance by maintenance of cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Roy Shomereeta , Roy Souvick , Kar Madhabananda , Padhi Swatishree , Saha Arka , Anuja Kumari , Banerjee Birendranath
Published: March 2018

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the role of p38 MAPK in maintenance of cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, therapy resistance, and DNA damage repair and response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

In this study, 104 HNSCC patients were included. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and qPCR analysis were performed to investigate the expression level of p‐p38 and CSC markers in cut margin and tumor area of HNSCC patients. The expression level of p‐p38 and CSC markers was also evaluated in HNSCC cells with or without p38 inhibitor. Chemoresistance, wound healing capacity, and multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) formation capacity were evaluated in HNSCC‐derived cell lines with or without p38 inhibitor. In addition, DNA damage response and repair capacities were also evaluated in HNSCC cells after p38 inhibition using alkaline comet assay and γ‐H2AX immunostaining.

Result

We observed that recurrence could be associated with upregulated status of p‐p38 and p38α gene in cut margin area of HNSCC patients as compared to tumor region. p38‐inhibited cells showed significantly reduced expression of CSC markers, chemosensitivity toward cisplatin, reduced migration potential, and sphere‐forming ability along with increased apoptotic population after treatment with increasing concentration of cisplatin. p38‐inhibited cells also exhibited significantly increased comet olive tail moment and accumulation of γ‐H2AX, demonstrating increased DNA damage.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that p38 MAPK activation may play a role in therapeutic resistance and disease relapse in HNSCC by maintenance of CSCs phenotype.
Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits autophagy through regulation of Rho/ROCK and PI3K/mTOR pathways in a pressure-overload heart failure rat model
Authors: Yang Tianrui , Miao Yunbo , Zhang Tong , Mu Ninghui , Ruan Libo , Duan Jinlan , Zhu Ying , Zhang Rongping
Published: March 2018

Objective

This study was designed to explore the relationship between ginsenoside Rb1 (Grb1) and high-load heart failure (HF) in rats.

Methods

The parameters of cardiac systolic function (left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular internal diastolic diameter (LVID), fraction shortening (FS) and mitral valves (MVs)) of rat hearts in each group were inspected by echocardiogram. The expressions of rat myocardial contractile proteins, autophagy-related proteins and the activation of Rho/ROCK and PI3K/mTOR pathways were detected by Western blot.

Key findings

LVPWT, FS, MVs and the expression of myocardial contractile proteins α-MHC, apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and signalling pathway involved proteins pAkt and mTOR were significantly reduced in the HF, HF+5 mg/kg Grb1 (HF+Grb1-5) and HF+Grb1+arachidonic acid (AA) groups with LVID, β-MHC, cell apoptosis, cell autophagy and Rho/ROCK significantly increased compared with the control group, of which the tendency was contrary to the HF+20 mg/kg Grb1 (HF+Grb1-20) group compared with the HF group (P < 0.05). In the HF+Grb1+AA group, there was no significant change in the above indexes compared with the HF group.

Conclusions

The results indicated that Grb1 can exert anti-HF function by inhibiting cardiomyocyte autophagy of rats through regulation of Rho/ROCK and PI3K/mTOR pathways.
Revision of Corallinaceae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta): recognizing Dawsoniolithon gen. nov., Parvicellularium gen. nov. and Chamberlainoideae subfam. nov. containing Chamberlainium gen. nov. and Pneophyllum
Authors: Caragnano Annalisa , Foetisch Alexandra , Maneveldt Gavin W. , Millet Laurent , Liu Li‐Chia , Lin Showe‐Mei , Rodondi Graziella , Payri Claude E.
Published: March 2018

A multi‐gene (SSU, LSU, psbA, and COI) molecular phylogeny of the family Corallinaceae (excluding the subfamilies Lithophylloideae and Corallinoideae) showed a paraphyletic grouping of six monophyletic clades. Pneophyllum and Spongites were reassessed and recircumscribed using DNA sequence data integrated with morpho‐anatomical comparisons of type material and recently collected specimens. We propose Chamberlainoideae subfam. nov., including the type genus Chamberlainium gen. nov., with C. tumidum comb. nov. as the generitype, and Pneophyllum. Chamberlainium is established to include several taxa previously ascribed to Spongites, the generitype of which currently resides in Neogoniolithoideae. Additionally we propose two new genera, Dawsoniolithon gen. nov. (Metagoniolithoideae), with D. conicum comb. nov. as the generitype and Parvicellularium gen. nov. (subfamily incertae sedis), with P. leonardi sp. nov. as the generitype. Chamberlainoideae has no diagnostic morpho‐anatomical features that enable one to assign specimens to it without DNA sequence data, and it is the first subfamily to possess both Type 1 (Chamberlainium) and Type 2 (Pneophyllum) tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof development. Two characters distinguish Chamberlainium from Spongites: tetra/biasporangial conceptacle chamber diameter (<300 μm in Chamberlainium vs. >300 μm in Spongites) and tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof thickness (<8 cells in Chamberlainium vs. >8 cells in Spongites). Two characters also distinguish Pneophyllum from Dawsoniolithon: tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof thickness (<8 cells in Pneophyllum vs. >8 cells in Dawsoniolithon) and thallus construction (dimerous in Pneophyllum vs. monomerous in Dawsoniolithon).
Nest site selection in loggerhead sea turtles that use different foraging areas: do less fecund oceanic foragers nest at safer sites?
Authors: Hatase H. , Omuta K.
Published: March 2018

Among species without parental care, nest sites selected by mothers determine their fitness via the survival of offspring. We examined nest site selection in oceanic (>200 m water depth) and neritic (<200 m water depth) foraging loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta that differ greatly in reproductive output to assess a trade‐off between quantity and quality of offspring. Nest sites selected by oceanic and neritic foragers, which were classified based on differences in stable isotope ratios, on two adjacent beaches at Yakushima Island, Japan, were compared. Both oceanic and neritic foragers preferred a wider beach where they could nest further from the sea, with no significant differences being found in beach sections used for nesting between the two foragers. On the wider beach, nests of both foragers tended to be clumped on open sand close to vegetation. Oceanic foragers nested significantly closer to the sea than did neritic foragers, although significance was lost with adjusted beach width. These results, together with similarities in morphology, emergence success and activity levels of hatchlings, suggested comparable offspring survival rate on land between the two foragers. Thus, low fecundity of oceanic foragers would not be offset by differences in offspring survival via nest site selection. These support unbalanced fitness between the two foragers and environmental maintenance of their alternative life histories.
“I think it fits in”: using process drama to promote agentic writing with primary school children
Authors: Dobson Tom , Stephenson Lisa
Published: March 2018

Set against the backdrop of children being ‘alienated’ from their writing, this paper is taken from a United Kingdom Literacy Association sponsored project where primary school teachers were trained to use process drama in order to give children more agency in their writing across the curriculum. Here, we use discourse analysis to think about the children's historical creative writing in relation to the drama lessons which are differently framed by the teachers. Building upon a theoretical model of process drama as involving ‘embodied experience’ and writing as problem‐solving, a case is made that process drama can lead to what we term ‘agentic writing’. Agentic writing, we demonstrate, involves children actively translating their embodied experience of process drama into writing by making a range of intertextual borrowings. These borrowings serve both to capture and transform their embodied experience as the children gain agency by standing outside language to achieve ‘double voicedness’ and in doing so write sophisticated texts. Seeing the relationship between process drama and writing in this light, we argue, provides a means of reconnecting children to the act of writing.
Diabetes impacts prediction of cirrhosis and prognosis by non‐invasive fibrosis models in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Bertot Luis C. , Jeffrey Gary P. , de Boer Bastiaan , MacQuillan Gerry , Garas George , Chin Justin , Huang Yi , Adams Leon A.
Published: March 2018

Background & Aims

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with diabetes are at increased risk of cirrhosis and liver‐related death, and thus accurate fibrosis assessment in these patients is important. We examined the ability of non‐invasive fibrosis models to determine cirrhosis and outcomes in NAFLD patients with and without diabetes.

Methods

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2015 had Hepascore, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), APRI and FIB‐4 scores calculated at baseline and were followed up for outcomes of overall and liver‐related mortality/liver transplantation, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Model accuracy was determined by Harrell's C‐index and by Kaplan‐Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 284 patients (53% diabetic, 15% cirrhotic) were followed up for a median of 51.4 months, (range 6.1‐146). During follow‐up, diabetic patients had a greater risk of liver‐related death/transplantation, HR 3.4 (95% CI 1.2‐9.1) decompensation, HR 4.7 (95% CI 2.0‐11.3) and HCC, HR 2.9 (95% CI 1.2‐7.3). Among 241 subjects with a baseline liver biopsy, the accuracy of Hepascore, APRI and FIB‐4 for predicting cirrhosis was lower amongst diabetics compared to non‐diabetics (P < .005 for all). Model accuracy apart from Hepascore, was also significantly lower for predicting liver death/transplantation in patients with diabetes. No patient with a low fibrosis score and without diabetes developed liver decompensation or HCC, whereas up to 21% of diabetic patients with a low fibrosis score developed liver decompensation and up to 27% developed HCC at 5 years.

Conclusions

Non‐invasive scoring systems are less accurate at predicting cirrhosis and liver‐related outcomes in patients with NAFLD and diabetes.
Multiple impact events on the L‐chondritic parent body: Insights from SIMS U‐Pb dating of Ca‐phosphates in the NWA 7251 L‐melt breccia
Authors: Li Ye , Hsu Weibiao
Published: March 2018

Here we report in situ secondary ionization mass spectrometry Ca‐phosphate U‐Pb ages for an L‐impact melt breccia (NWA 7251), which are integrated with petrological and mineral chemical studies of this meteorite. NWA 7251 is a heavily shocked rock that is composed mainly of the chondrite host, impact melt portion, and melt veins (crosscutting and pervasive type). The host is an L4 chondrite that has been shocked to S4. The impact melt portion has a fine‐grained igneous texture, and is composed mainly of olivine, low‐Ca pyroxene, high‐Ca pyroxene, and albitic glass. The impact melt was generated at pressure of >30–35 GPa and temperature of >1300–1500 °C during an impact event. The Ca‐phosphate grains in the host were affected by a shock heating event. Most of the Ca‐phosphate grains in the melt were neocrystallized, but relatively large grains enclosed by or adjacent to metal veins or melt globules are likely inherited. The U‐Pb isotopic systematics of Ca‐phosphates in NWA 7251 yield an upper intercept age of 4457 ± 56 Ma and a lower intercept age of 574 ± 82 Ma on the normal U‐Pb concordia diagram. The age of 4457 ± 56 Ma is interpreted to be related to an early shocking event rather than the thermal metamorphism of the parent body. The impact melt and veins in NWA 7251 were generated at 574 ± 82 Ma, resulting from disruption of the L chondrite parent body.
The joint evolution of the Myxozoa and their alternate hosts: A cnidarian recipe for success and vast biodiversity
Authors: Holzer Astrid S. , Bartošová‐Sojková Pavla , Born‐Torrijos Ana , Lövy Alena , Hartigan Ashlie , Fiala Ivan
Published: March 2018

The relationships between parasites and their hosts are intimate, dynamic and complex; the evolution of one is inevitably linked to the other. Despite multiple origins of parasitism in the Cnidaria, only parasites belonging to the Myxozoa are characterized by a complex life cycle, alternating between fish and invertebrate hosts, as well as by high species diversity. This inspired us to examine the history of adaptive radiations in myxozoans and their hosts by determining the degree of congruence between their phylogenies and by timing the emergence of myxozoan lineages in relation to their hosts. Recent genomic analyses suggested a common origin of Polypodium hydriforme, a cnidarian parasite of acipenseriform fishes, and the Myxozoa, and proposed fish as original hosts for both sister lineages. We demonstrate that the Myxozoa emerged long before fish populated Earth and that phylogenetic congruence with their invertebrate hosts is evident down to the most basal branches of the tree, indicating bryozoans and annelids as original hosts and challenging previous evolutionary hypotheses. We provide evidence that, following invertebrate invasion, fish hosts were acquired multiple times, leading to parallel cospeciation patterns in all major phylogenetic lineages. We identify the acquisition of vertebrate hosts that facilitate alternative transmission and dispersion strategies as reason for the distinct success of the Myxozoa, and identify massive host specification‐linked parasite diversification events. The results of this study transform our understanding of the origins and evolution of parasitism in the most basal metazoan parasites known.
Escherichia coli transcription factor NusG binds to 70S ribosomes
Authors: Saxena Shivalika , Myka Kamila K. , Washburn Robert , Costantino Nina , Court Donald L. , Gottesman Max E.
Published: March 2018

Transcription and translation are coupled processes in bacteria. A role of transcription elongation cofactor NusG in coupling has been suggested by in vitro structural studies. NMR revealed association of the NusG carboxy‐terminal domain with S10 (NusE), implying a direct role for NusG as a bridge linking RNAP and the lead ribosome. Here we present the first in vitro and in vivo evidence of full‐length NusG association with mature 70S ribosomes. Binding did not require accessory factors in vitro. Mutating the NusG:S10 binding interface at NusG F165 or NusE M88 and D97 residues weakened NusG:S10 association in vivo and completely abolished it in vitro, supporting the specificity of this interaction. Mutations in the binding interface increased sensitivity to chloramphenicol. This phenotype was suppressed by rpoB*35, an RNAP mutation that reduces replisome‐RNAP clashes. We propose that weakened NusG:S10 interaction leads to uncoupling when translation is inhibited, with resulting RNAP backtracking, replication blocks and formation of lethal DNA double‐strand breaks.
Diagnostic value of serum galactomannan, (1,3)‐β‐d‐glucan, and Aspergillus fumigatus‐specific IgA and IgG assays for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in non‐neutropenic patients
Authors: Dobias R. , Jaworska P. , Tomaskova H. , Kanova M. , Lyskova P. , Vrba Z. , Holub C. , Svobodová L. , Hamal P. , Raska M.
Published: March 2018

Detection of serum galactomannan (GM) and (1,3)‐β‐d‐glucan (BG) is considered useful for non‐culture diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in neutropenic patients. Only few studies evaluated these seromarkers in non‐neutropenic patients suspected of having IPA. The aim of this study was to evaluate both tests together with the Aspergillus fumigatus‐specific serum IgG and IgA (IgAG) test for serological IPA diagnosis in non‐neutropenic patients. Sera from 87 patients suspected of having IPA were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorised into groups of proven IPA (n = 10), putative IPA (n = 31) and non‐IPA colonisation (n = 46). When the GM, BG and IgAG assays were used for patients included in the study, the sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value (PPV)/negative predictive value (NPV) were 48.8%/91.3%/83.3%/66.7%, 82.9%/73.9%/73.9%/82.9% and 75.6%/95.7%/93.9%/81.5%, respectively. Thus, the highest specificity and PPV were confirmed for the IgAG assay. Improvements in the sensitivity and NPV were achieved by “at least one positive” analysis with the GM and BG assays, with the sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV values being 85.0%/69.6%/71.4%/84.2%. Nevertheless, the highest sensitivity and NPV were achieved by the “at least one positive” analysis combining the GM, BG and IgAG tests (97.6% and 96.8%, respectively). The involvement of the IgAG assay could improve IPA diagnosis in non‐neutropenic patients by increasing the sensitivity and NPV when combined with the GM or BG assays. Furthermore, improvement was achieved by combining the GM, BG and IgAG assays using the “at least one positive test” strategy, especially if doubt exists.
Novel biomarker, phosphorylated T‐LAK cell‐originated protein kinase (p‐TOPK) can predict outcome in primary central nervous system lymphoma
Authors: Koh Masaki , Hayakawa Yumiko , Akai Takuya , Hayashi Tomohide , Tomita Takahiro , Nagai Shoichi , Kuroda Satoshi
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to assess whether T‐lymphokine‐activated killer cell‐originated protein kinase (TOPK) can be a potent novel biomarker to predict the outcome in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). This study enrolled 20 patients who were histologically diagnosed as having diffuse large B‐cell type PCNSL between 2005 and 2015. Using surgical specimens, the expression of TOPK and phosphorylated TOPK (p‐TOPK) was analyzed on immunohistochemistry. Clinical features such as age, sex, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), ocular involvement, deep brain structure involvement, the number of lesions, chemotherapy and radiation therapy were also collected. Impacts of TOPK/p‐TOPK expression on their progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined with multivariate analysis. Median PFS/OS were 24.2 and 39.0 months, respectively. On immunostaining, the mean percentage of TOPK‐positive cells was 35.5 ± 20.8%, and the mean number of p‐TOPK‐positive cells was 13.7 ± 15.7 cells/mm2. The higher expression of p‐TOPK was significantly related to multiple lesions (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the higher expression of p‐TOPK was an independent predictor to shorten both PFS (P = 0.029; hazard ratio (HR), 5.5; 95% confidential interval (CI), 1.2–25.3) and OS (P = 0.014; HR, 7.7; 95% CI, 1.5–41.3). These findings strongly suggest that p‐TOPK may be a potent biomarker to determine the outcome of patients with PCNSL and to develop novel drugs to treat PCNSL.
Somatic sprouts of the Purkinje cells in a patient with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Sakai Kenji , Ishida Chiho , Kato‐Motozaki Yuko , Tagami Atsuro , Komai Kiyonobu , Yamada Masahito
Published: March 2018

We describe the post mortem case of a 71‐year‐old Japanese woman diagnosed as having multiple system atrophy (MSA), showing somatic sprouting formation of Purkinje cells. The patient had suffered from frequent falling episodes and clumsiness of the left hand since the age of 67 years. Orthostatic hypotension and parkinsonism subsequently emerged. Typical neuropathological features of MSA, including degeneration of the striatum, pontine base and cerebellum with abundance of phosphorylated α‐synuclein‐positive neuronal and glial cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions in the brain, were observed. In addition to gliosis of the cerebellar white matter and notable loss of Purkinje cells, several Purkinje cells showed somatic sprouting. Somatic sprouting of Purkinje cells has been demonstrated in several specific conditions, such as developing brains and several neurodegenerative disorders, including Menkes kinky hair disease, familial spinocerebellar ataxia, acute encephalopathy linked to familial hemiplegic migraine, and Huntington’s disease; however, no MSA cases have been reported with sprouting from the soma of Purkinje cells. Axonal damage caused by oligodendroglial dysfunction could be crucial in the development of Purkinje cell loss in MSA. Moreover, no apparent α‐synuclein accumulation has been described in the Purkinje cells of MSA. We propose that MSA is another degenerative disorder associated with somatic sprouts of Purkinje cells.
Understanding access to healthcare among Indigenous peoples: A comparative analysis of biomedical and postcolonial perspectives
Authors: Horrill Tara , McMillan Diana E , Schultz Annette S H , Thompson Genevieve
Published: March 2018

As nursing professionals, we believe access to healthcare is fundamental to health and that it is a determinant of health. Therefore, evidence suggesting access to healthcare is problematic for many Indigenous peoples is concerning. While biomedical perspectives underlie our current understanding of access, considering alternate perspectives could expand our awareness of and ability to address this issue. In this paper, we critique how access to healthcare is understood through a biomedical lens, how a postcolonial theoretical lens can extend that understanding, and the subsequent implications this alternative view raises for the nursing profession. Drawing on peer‐reviewed published and gray literature concerning healthcare access and Indigenous peoples to inform this critique, we focus on the underlying theoretical lens shaping our current understanding of access. A postcolonial analysis provides a way of understanding healthcare as a social space and social relationship, presenting a unique perspective on access to healthcare. The novelty of this finding is of particular importance for the profession of nursing, as we are well situated to influence these social aspects, improving access to healthcare services broadly, and among Indigenous peoples specifically.
Meal composition influences postprandial sensations independently of valence and gustation
Authors: Pribic T. , Vilaseca H. , Nieto A. , Hernandez L. , Monrroy H. , Malagelada C. , Accarino A. , Roca J. , Azpiroz F.
Published: March 2018

Background

Palatability of meals with identical composition has been shown to influence postprandial sensations. Our aim was to determine to what extent meal composition influences postprandial sensations independently of palatability.

Methods

Randomized, crossover, double‐blind trial comparing the postprandial responses to a low‐fat vs a high‐fat test meal, with the same physical and organoleptic characteristics (taste, smell, texture, color, and temperature). The test meal consisted in 150 g hummus containing either 17.7 g fat (low‐fat) or 22.3 g fat (high‐fat), 19.8 g toasts, 120 mL water and 50 g apple puree. In 12 non‐obese healthy men, palatability, homeostatic sensations (hunger/satiety, fullness) and hedonic sensations (digestive well‐being, mood) were measured on 10 cm scales before and during the 60‐min postprandial period. Comparisons between meals were performed with a two‐way repeated measures ANCOVA with premeal data as co‐variate.

Key Results

Both test meals were rated equally palatable (palatability scores 3.8 ± 0.3 low‐fat, 3.3 ± 0.2 high‐fat; P = .156). As compared to the high‐fat meal, the low‐fat meal induced more satisfaction (meal effect on well‐being F(1,21) = 4.92; P = .038) and tended to improve mood (meal effect F(1,21) = 3.02; P = .064), and this was associated with a non‐significant decrease in satiety (meal effect F(1,21) = 2.29; P = .145) and fullness (meal effect F(1,21) = 1.57; P = .224).

Conclusions and Inferences

The composition of meals with equal palatability influences postprandial satisfaction, even without significant impact on homeostatic sensations, although an effect on homeostatic sensations has not been excluded. These conditioning factors may have clinical implications in patients with impaired meal tolerance or meal‐related symptoms.
Drought and increased CO2 alter floral visual and olfactory traits with context‐dependent effects on pollinator visitation
Authors: Glenny William R. , Runyon Justin B. , Burkle Laura A.
Published: March 2018

Climate change can alter species interactions essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function, such as pollination. Understanding the interactive effects of multiple abiotic conditions on floral traits and pollinator visitation are important to anticipate the implications of climate change on pollinator services.

Floral visual and olfactory traits were measured from individuals of four forb species subjected to drought or normal water availability, and elevated or ambient concentrations of CO2 in a factorial design. Pollinator visitation rates and community composition were observed in single‐species and multi‐species forb assemblages.

Drought decreased floral visual traits and pollinator visitation rates but increased volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, whereas elevated CO2 positively affected floral visual traits, VOC emissions and pollinator visitation rates. There was little evidence of interactive effects of drought and CO2 on floral traits and pollinator visitation. Interestingly, the effects of climate treatments on pollinator visitation depended on whether plants were in single‐ or multi‐species assemblages.

Components of climate change altered floral traits and pollinator visitation, but effects were modulated by plant community context. Investigating the response of floral traits, including VOCs, and context‐dependency of pollinator attraction provides additional insights and may aid in understanding the overall effects of climate change on plant–pollinator interactions.
A glycosyl transferase family 43 protein involved in xylan biosynthesis is associated with straw digestibility in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Whitehead Caragh , Ostos Garrido Francisco J. , Reymond Matthieu , Simister Rachael , Distelfeld Assaf , Atienza Sergio G. , Piston Fernando , Gomez Leonardo D. , McQueen‐Mason Simon J.
Published: March 2018

The recalcitrance of secondary plant cell walls to digestion constrains biomass use for the production of sustainable bioproducts and for animal feed.

We screened a population of Brachypodium recombinant inbred lines (RILs) for cell wall digestibility using commercial cellulases and detected a quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with this trait.

Examination of the chromosomal region associated with this QTL revealed a candidate gene that encodes a putative glycosyl transferase family (GT) 43 protein, orthologue of IRX14 in Arabidopsis, and hence predicted to be involved in the biosynthesis of xylan. Arabinoxylans form the major matrix polysaccharides in cell walls of grasses, such as Brachypodium. The parental lines of the RIL population carry alternative nonsynonymous polymorphisms in the BdGT43A gene, which were inherited in the RIL progeny in a manner compatible with a causative role in the variation in straw digestibility. In order to validate the implied role of our candidate gene in affecting straw digestibility, we used RNA interference to lower the expression levels of the BdGT43A gene in Brachypodium.

The biomass of the silenced lines showed higher digestibility supporting a causative role of the BdGT43A gene, suggesting that it might form a good target for improving straw digestibility in crops.
Determining the evolutionary forces shaping G × E
Authors: Josephs Emily B.
Published: March 2018

Contents

Summary
31

I.
Introduction
31

II.
The maintenance of genetic variation for plasticity
32

III.
Why is there environmental variation for genetic effects?
33

IV.
Conclusions
35

Acknowledgements
35

References
35

Phenotypic plasticity is common in nature, yet we lack a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary forces that shape genetic variation for plasticity. This endeavor is especially important because variation for plasticity will result in genotype‐by‐environment interactions (G × E), a crucial component of variation in quantitative traits. Here, I review our understanding of the evolutionary forces shaping G × E, focusing specifically on: what evolutionary forces maintain variation for plasticity; and what forces maintain different genetic architectures across environments. My specific goal is to show that genomic data can be leveraged to explain the maintenance of G × E by contrasting patterns of genetic variation for plasticity with neutral expectations.
A DEAD‐box RNA helicase, RH8, is critical for regulation of ABA signalling and the drought stress response via inhibition of PP2CA activity
Authors: Baek Woonhee , Lim Chae Woo , Lee Sung Chul
Published: March 2018

Abscisic acid (ABA) is major plant hormone involved in regulating abiotic stress responses. Several studies have established that an ABA‐signalling transduction pathway—from ABA perception to response—functions in plant cells. The group A PP2Cs constitute core components of ABA signalling, and they negatively regulate ABA signalling and stress responses. Recent studies have identified and functionally analysed regulators of PP2C activity; however, the precise regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we used a yeast 2‐hybrid (Y2H) screening analysis to identify the DEAD‐box RNA helicase RH8, which interacted with PP2CA in the nucleus. rh8 knockout mutants exhibited ABA hyposensitivity and drought‐susceptible phenotypes characterized by high levels of transpirational water loss via reduced stomatal closure and decreased leaf temperatures. However, rh8/pp2ca double mutants showed ABA hypersensitivity and drought‐tolerant phenotypes, indicating that RH8 and PP2CA function in the same ABA‐signalling pathway in the drought stress response; moreover, RH8 functions upstream of PP2CA. In vitro phosphatase and kinase assays revealed that RH8 inhibits PP2CA phosphatase activity. Our data indicate that RH8 and its interacting partner PP2CA modulate the drought stress response via ABA‐dependent signalling.
Localized hypertrichosis of intermammary cleft in monozygotic twins
Authors: Michalik Daniel , Whittington Carli , Bednarek Robert , Marks Katherine
Published: March 2018

Hypertrichosis is a condition in which hair is longer and denser than what is considered normal for an individual based on age, sex, ethnicity, and location on the body and can be classified based on its distribution (generalized vs localized), age of onset (congenital vs acquired), and type of hair (lanugo or vellus vs terminal). We describe a rare case of monozygotic female twins who presented for localized hypertrichosis of the intermammary cleft that developed during puberty. Endocrine examination was unremarkable. Discussion of various treatment modalities should be considered, because localized hypertrichosis may have a considerable psychosocial effect.
Transgender adolescents and acne: A cases series
Authors: Campos‐Muñoz Lucía , López‐De Lara Diego , Rodríguez‐Rojo Marina L. , Conde‐Taboada Alberto , López‐Bran Eduardo
Published: March 2018

We describe the difficulties of treating acne in a series of female‐to‐male transgender adolescents, including concerns about potential hepatotoxicity with concomitant use of testosterone with isotretinoin or tetracyclines. Acne is a foreseeable adverse effect of testosterone treatment in transgender adolescents, so monitoring for acne is advised. The treatment of acne in transgender adolescents is important given that severe acne and transgenderism are associated with higher rates of depression and suicide.
Alopecia areata treated with hydroxychloroquine: A retrospective study of nine pediatric cases
Authors: Yun Duri , Silverberg Nanette B. , Stein Sarah L.
Published: March 2018

Background/Objectives

Alopecia areata is a common hair loss condition that is often emotionally devastating for patients. There is a paucity of effective treatments available. Hydroxychloroquine has been reported as variably effective in inducing significant hair regrowth in adults with alopecia areata. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the benefit and tolerability of hydroxychloroquine in pediatric alopecia areata.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of nine children with a history of alopecia areata treated with hydroxychloroquine. Clinical data were obtained from patients treated at two tertiary care centers in the United States between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2015.

Results

Alopecia scores of five patients improved by 6 months of treatment. Four patients experienced no improvement from baseline evaluation. The most common side effect associated with treatment was gastrointestinal intolerance and headache.

Conclusion

This retrospective series suggests that hydroxychloroquine can be considered as a treatment option for alopecia areata in children.
Usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of subcutaneous granuloma annulare
Authors: Vázquez‐Osorio Igor , Quevedo Andrés , Rodríguez‐Vidal Adriana , Rodríguez‐Díaz Eloy
Published: March 2018

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare is a benign inflammatory disorder that primarily affects healthy children and manifests as a rapidly growing, painless, nonmobile mass, most commonly located in the leg. The current case highlights the sonographic appearance of subcutaneous granuloma annulare. Ultrasound color Doppler is a helpful noninvasive imaging test that may allow physicians to confirm the diagnosis of subcutaneous granuloma annulare and avoid unnecessary medical procedures.