bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The representational dynamics of visual objects in rapid serial visual processing streams
Authors: Grootswagers Tijl , Robinson Amanda K. , Carlson Thomas A.
Published: August 2018

In our daily lives, we are bombarded with a stream of rapidly changing visual input. Humans have the remarkable capacity to detect and identify objects in fast-changing scenes. Yet, when studying brain representations, stimuli are generally presented in isolation. Here, we studied the dynamics of human vision using a combination of fast stimulus presentation rates, electroencephalography and multivariate decoding analyses. Using a presentation rate of 5 images per second, we obtained the representational structure of a large number of stimuli, and showed the emerging abstract categorical organisation of this structure. Furthermore, we could separate the temporal dynamics of perceptual processing from higher-level target selection effects. In a second experiment, we used the same paradigm at 20Hz to show that shorter image presentation limits the categorical abstraction of object representations. Our results show that applying multivariate pattern analysis to every image in rapid serial visual processing streams has unprecedented potential for studying the temporal dynamics of the structure of representations in the human visual system.
Efficient Multivariate Analysis Algorithms for Longitudinal Genome-wide Association Studies
Authors: Ning Chao , Wang Dan , Zhou Lei , Wei Julong , Liu Yuanxin , Kang Huimin , Zhang Shengli , Zhou Xiang , Xu Shizhong , Liu Jian-Feng
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Current dynamic phenotyping system introduces time as an extra dimension to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which helps to explore the mechanism of dynamical genetic control for complex longitudinal traits. However, existing methods for longitudinal GWAS either ignore the covariance among observations of different time points or encounter computational efficiency issues.

Results

We herein developed efficient genome-wide multivariate association algorithms (GMA) for longitudinal data. In contrast to existing univariate linear mixed model analyses, the proposed new method has improved statistic power for association detection and computational speed. In addition, the new method can analyze unbalanced longitudinal data with thousands of individuals and more than ten thousand records within a few hours. The corresponding time for balanced longitudinal data is just a few minutes.

Availability and Implementation

We wrote a software package to implement the efficient algorithm named GMA (https://github.com/chaoning/GMA), which is available freely for interested users in relevant fields.
Integrating Mendelian randomization and multiple-trait colocalization to uncover cell-specific inflammatory drivers of autoimmune and atopic disease
Authors: McGowan Lucy M. , Smith George Davey , Gaunt Tom R. , Richardson Tom G.
Published: August 2018

Immune mediated diseases (IMDs) arise from a lack of immune tolerance, causing chronic inflammation. Despite their growing prevalence, targeted therapies to treat IMDs are lacking. Cytokines and their receptors, which mediate inflammation, have been associated with IMD susceptibility. However, the complex signalling networks and multiple cell-types required to orchestrate inflammatory responses have made it difficult to pinpoint specific cytokines and immune cell-types which drive IMDs.

In this study, we developed an analytical framework which integrates Mendelian randomisation (MR) and multiple-trait colocalization (moloc) analyses to determine putative cell-specific drivers of IMDs. We used MR to determine the likelihood of causal associations between the levels of 10 circulating cytokines/cytokine receptors and 9 IMDs within human populations of European descent. Conservative (single SNP) and liberal (multiple SNP) MR analysis supported a causal role for IL-18 in inflammatory bowel disease (P = 1.17 × 10−4) and eczema/dermatitis (P = 2.81 × 10−3), as well as roles for IL-2rα and IL-6R in several IMDs.

Where associations between cytokines/cytokine receptors and IMDs were discovered using MR, we undertook moloc analyses. This was to assess the likelihood that cytokine/cytokine receptor protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) and IMD-associated loci share a causal genetic variant along with expression QTL (eQTL) using data from 3 immune cell-types: monocytes, neutrophils and T cells. We found a monocyte and neutrophil-driven role for IL-18 in IBD pathogenesis, amongst evidence supporting several other cell-specific inflammatory drivers of IMDs. Our study helps to elucidate causal pathways for the pathogeneses of IMDs which, together with other studies, highlights possible therapeutic targets for their treatment.
Nuclear Tau modulates VGluT1 expression: a new function for Tau
Authors: Siano Giacomo , Varisco Martina , Caiazza Maria Claudia , Quercioli Valentina , Mainardi Marco , Ippolito Chiara , Cattaneo Antonino , Primio Cristina Di
Published: August 2018

Summary

Tau displacement from microtubules is the first step in the onset of tauopathies, and is followed by toxic protein aggregation. However, other non-canonical functions of Tau might have a role in these pathologies. Here, we demonstrate that a small amount of Tau localizes in the nuclear compartment and accumulates in both the soluble and DNA-bound fractions. We show that nuclear Tau regulates the expression of VGluT1, a disease-relevant gene directly involved in glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Impeding Tau/tubulin interaction in the cytosol favours its nuclear translocation and increases VGluT1 expression. Remarkably, the P301L mutation impairs this mechanism leading to a loss of function. Altogether, our results provide the demonstration of a direct physiological role of Tau on gene expression. Alterations of this mechanism may be at the basis of the onset of neurodegeneration.
Bacterial community dynamics during embryonic and larval development of three confamilial echinoids
Authors: Carrier Tyler J. , Reitzel Adam M.
Published: August 2018

Development of some animals is influenced by and, in some cases, dependent on the associated microbiota. The timing of when associated bacterial communities are established during the development of marine invertebrates and their subsequent dynamics across stages are known for only a few species. Here, we compare the bacterial communities of three confamilial echinoids from egg to juvenile using sequence-based approaches. Bacterial communities are established on unfertilized eggs and change gradually during embryonic and larval development. Despite the differences amongst these pre-metamorphic stages, approximately thirty-percent of OTUs identified in association with unfertilized egg were present in the juveniles. During embryonic development, host-associated communities diverged from the environmental microbiota but later converged following the onset of larval feeding. Taken together, the data presented here support the hypothesis that bacterial communities are established prior to fertilization and community composition shifts gradually thereafter, all while remaining distinct from the environment. Future work will need to determine the relative influence of the host and bacteria-bacteria interactions in shaping the associated bacterial community to determine the potential functional importance of bacteria during the development of larval sea urchins and benthic marine invertebrates more broadly.
A Data-driven Individual-based Model of Infectious Disease in Livestock Operation: A Validation Study for Paratuberculosis
Authors: Al-Mamun Mohammad. A. , Smith Rebecca. L. , Nigsch Annette. , Schukken Ynte. H. , Gröhn Yrjo.T.
Published: August 2018

Chronic livestock diseases cause large financial loss and affect the animal health and welfare. Controlling these diseases mostly requires precise information on both individual animal and population dynamics to inform farmer’s decision. Mathematical models provide opportunities to test different control and elimination options rather implementing them in real herds, but these models require valid parameter estimation and validation. Fitting these models to data is a difficult task due to heterogeneities in livestock processes. In this paper, we develop an infectious disease modeling framework for a livestock disease (paratuberculosis) that is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Infection with MAP leads to reduced milk production, pregnancy rates, and slaughter value and increased culling rates in cattle and causes significant economic losses to the dairy industry in the US. These economic effects are particularly important motivations in the control and elimination of MAP. In this framework, an individual-based model (IBM) of a dairy herd was built and a MAP infection was integrated on top of it. Once the model produced realistic dynamics of MAP infection, we implemented an evaluation method by fitting it to data from three dairy herds from the Northeast region of the US. The model fitting exercises used least-squares and parameter space searching methods to obtain the best-fitted values of selected parameters. The best set of parameters were used to model the effect of interventions. The results show that the presented model can complement real herd statistics where the intervention strategies suggested a reduction in MAP but no elimination was observed. Overall, this research not only provides a complete model for MAP infection dynamics in a cattle herd, but also offers a method for estimating parameter by fitting IBM models.
Fluctuating environments select for short-term phenotypic variation leading to long-term exploration
Authors: Canino-Koning Rosangela , Wiser Michael J. , Ofria Charles
Published: August 2018

Genetic spaces are often described in terms of fitness landscapes or genotype-to-phenotype maps, where each genetic sequence is associated with phenotypic properties and linked to other genotypes that are a single mutational step away. The positions close to a genotype make up its “mutational landscape” and, in aggregate, determine the short-term evolutionary potential of a population. Populations with wider ranges of phenotypes in their mutational neighborhood are known to be more evolvable. Likewise, those with fewer phenotypic changes available in their local neighborhoods are more mutationally robust. Here, we examine whether forces that change the distribution of phenotypes available by mutation profoundly alter subsequent evolutionary dynamics.

We compare evolved populations of digital organisms that were subject to either static or cyclically-changing environments. For each of these, we examine diversity of the phenotypes that are produced through mutations in order to characterize the local genotype-phenotype map. We demonstrate that environmental change can push populations toward more evolvable mutational landscapes where many alternate phenotypes are available, though purely deleterious mutations remain suppressed. Further, we show that populations in environments with harsh changes switch phenotypes more readily than those in environments with more benign changes. We trace this effect to repeated population bottlenecks in the harsh environments, which result in shorter coalescence times and keep populations in regions of the mutational landscape where the phenotypic shifts in question are more likely to occur. Typically, static environments select solely for immediate optimization, at the expensive of long-term evolvability. In contrast, we show that with changing environments, short-term pressures to deal with immediate challenges can align with long-term pressures to explore a more productive portion of the mutational landscape.
SOL1 and SOL2 Regulate Fate Transition and Cell Divisions in the Arabidopsis Stomatal Lineage
Authors: Simmons Abigail R. , Davies Kelli A. , Wang Wanpeng , Liu Zhongchi , Bergmann Dominique C.
Published: August 2018

In the stomatal lineage, cells make fate transitions from asymmetrically dividing and self-renewing meristemoids, to commitment to the guard mother cell identity, and finally though a single division to create mature, post-mitotic stomatal guard cells. Flexibility in the stomatal lineage allows plants to alter leaf size and stomatal density in response to environmental conditions; however, transitions must be clean and unidirectional in order to produce functional and correctly patterned stomata. Among direct transcriptional targets of the stomatal initiating factor, SPEECHLESS, we found a pair of genes,SOL1andSOL2, required for effective transitions in the lineage. Here we show that these two genes, which are homologues of the LIN54 DNA-binding components of the mammalian DREAM complex, are expressed in a cell cycle dependent manner and regulate cell fate and division properties in the self-renewing early lineage. In the terminal division of the stomatal lineage, however, these two proteins appear to act in opposition to their closest paralogue,TSO1, revealing complexity in the gene family may enable customization of cell divisions in coordination with development.
Japanese–French tastes in simulated women’s sportswear t-shirts
Authors: Marsac Eva , Kim KyoungOk , Takatera Masayuki
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate differences in taste in women’s sportswear t-shirts, between Japanese and French people.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey on the impression of the appearance of t-shirts was conducted using three-dimensional simulations that the authors created. A sensory test was carried out for 24 designs (having varying types of sleeves, bodice length and fitting) on 51 examinees (26 Japanese and 25 French) who voluntarily participated.

Findings

Results show that both Japanese and French people most appreciated very short t-shirts and considered sleeveless and tank top shirts to be the most appropriated for exercise. Participants liked a cool, modern, showy, short, special, elaborate and feminine design. Additionally, Japanese people considered that casual clothes that are suitable for exercise are not suitable for wearing outside the gym, whereas this was not notable for French people.

Originality/value

The results of the present study will allow the sportswear industry to better target clients.
Performance investigation of micro-pocketed textured pad thrust bearing
Authors: Aggarwal Shipra , Pandey R.K.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceive a new surface texture incorporating a tiny shape among the micro-pockets (with circular, rectangular, trapezoidal and triangular cross-sections) and dimples (cylindrical, hemispherical and ellipsoidal) for exploring to enhance the maximum possible performance behaviors of sector shape pad thrust bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical simulation of hydrodynamically lubricated sector shape textured pad thrust bearing has been presented incorporating thermal and cavitation effects. The coupled solution of governing equations (Reynolds equation, film thickness expression, viscosity–temperature relation, energy equation and Laplace equation) has been achieved using finite difference method and Gauss–Seidel iterative scheme.

Findings

With new textured pads, higher load-carrying capacity and lower coefficient of friction are obtained in comparison to plain sector shape pad. Texture pattern comprising square cross-sectional pockets yields higher load-carrying capacity and lower coefficient of friction in comparison to other cross-sectional shapes (circular, trapezoidal and triangular) of pockets considered herein.

Originality/value

This study reports a new texture, which involves micro-pockets of square cross-sectional shapes to improve the performance behavior of sector shape pad thrust bearing. About 75 per cent increase in load carrying capacity and 42 per cent reduction in coefficient of friction have been achieved with pad having new texture in comparison to conventional pad.
Pain points of cultural institutions in search visibility: the case of Serbia
Authors: Krstić Nataša , Masliković Dejan
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the common issues affecting the cultural institutions’ websites in terms of organic search visibility and to detect if there are some category specifics for the national libraries, archives and museums.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first phase, an online survey was conducted involving the cultural institutions of national importance, aiming to map the current state of their websites in organizational and functional terms, to collect the information about the used domains, their social media activity and the use of analytical tools to monitor the visitor behavior and online traffic. In the second phase, the cultural institutions’ websites were analyzed using the “White Hat SEO” technics of optimization on Google.

Findings

From the category perspective, the historical archives have the best Technical search engine optimization (SEO) position due to the low coding errors and fair site speed, the libraries are leading in content generation and the museums have a very good total SEO index due to their strong social media activities. Common issues are detected in the description of web images, non-existence of sitemaps and low website mobile friendliness.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from the personnel of the national cultural institutions based on their pre-assumed knowledge and understanding of website management.

Practical implications

The research methodology can be used to analyze the organic visibility of any national culture on search engines.

Originality/value

A research gap in addressing the cultural institutions’ websites from the search engine perspective was identified and addressed within the paper.
Preparation of amphiphilic block copolymers (polyethylene adipate-block-polyethylene glycol) and its application in rotogravure ink formulations
Authors: Assem Yasser , Mohamed Heba A. , Said Rana , El-Masry Ahmed
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare amphiphilic block copolymers polyethylene adipate-block-polyethylene glycol (PEA-b-PEG)s and study their performance as plasticizers in rotogravure ink formulations.

Design/methodology/approach

Series of amphiphilic block copolymers (PEA-b-PEG1), (PEA-b-PEG2), (PEA-b-PEG3), (PEA-b-PEG4) and (PEA-b-PEG5) were prepared by the reaction of adipic acid, ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol of different molecular weights (300, 1,000, 2,000, 10,000 and 20,000 g/mol), respectively. Full characterization of the prepared copolymers was achieved using Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The performance of the prepared copolymers as plasticizers for neat nitrocellulose resin were studied in different formulations, namely, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 containing copolymers (PEA-b-PEG1), (PEA-b-PEG2), (PEA-b-PEG3), (PEA-b-PEG4) and (PEA-b-PEG5), respectively. In addition to formula R0 that contains acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) as a commercial plasticizer. The mechanical properties, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA) and optical properties of the prepared formulations films were investigated. Theses amphiphilic block copolymers were then applied as plasticizers in different rotogravure ink formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) and compared with commercial rotogravure ink formula (F0). The color measurements and optical properties of all formulations were achieved.

Findings

It was found that the performance of the prepared copolymers as plasticizers in different formulations based on nitro cellulose resin gives better gloss, adhesion for R1 compared with the other samples and color strength for F1 compared with F0. Finally, all the samples gave excellent plasticizing effect.

Research limitations/implications

The authors believe that type of these materials open the way for a new class of plasticizers that upon application or even degradation gives small ecofriendly molecules (adipic acid and or ethylene glycol moieties) taking into consideration the simplicity of the rout of the synthesis process.

Practical implications

The prepared ecofriendly (PEA-b-PEG)s could be successfully used as plasticizers instead of commercial plasticizer ATBC.

Originality/value

The research provides that the prepared (PEA-b-PEG)s with different molecular weights can act as plasticizers in rotogravure ink formulations, and their performance was acceptable and available.
Electrochemical noise assessment of effect of sol parameters on the performance of an eco-friendly silane sol-gel coating on 304L stainless steel
Authors: Ansari Fahimeh , Naderi Reza , Rafiaei Fahimeh
Published: August 2018

Propose

This paper aims to access the protective function of hybrid sol-gel coatings deposited on 304L stainless steel substrate in silane solutions containing a mixture of tetraethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane and glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane with different pH values during various immersion periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The 304L stainless steels coated through 10 and 30 s of immersion in the silane solutions with pH values of 2.1 and 2.8 were exposed to NaCl solution. The corrosion resistance of the coated substrates was studied through taking advantage of electrochemical noise method as well as atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle and field emission-type scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) surface analysis.

Findings

The electrochemical current noise, PSD (I) plot, noise resistance and characteristic charge as parameters extracted from electrochemical noise method indicated the superiority of eco-friendly silane coating deposited on the substrate surface during 10 s exposure to the solution, due to the film uniformity and homogeneity as confirmed by FESEM and AFM. Moreover, immersion of the stainless steel in the silane solution with pH 2.1, characterized by higher hydrolysis ratio, led to more effective corrosion control in the NaCl electrolyte according to the results of electrochemical noise and FTIR measurements.

Research limitations/implications

The noise resistance and characteristic charge as electrochemical noise parameters were only used in this research to evaluate the protective behavior of the water-based silane sol-gel coatings. Future studies should examine the correlation between electrochemical noise data and the parameters extracted from other electrochemical methods, e.g. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Practical implications

The data obtained in this research may provide an effective approach based on electrochemical noise method to screen the silane sol-gel coatings for protection of metallic substrates against corrosion.

Originality/value

According to the literature, no report can be found studying the effect of immersion time on a silane solution, including glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane, as well as the silane solution pH on the corrosion resistance of 304L stainless steel in NaCl solution through electrochemical noise method.
Development of a diagnostic system for detection of specific antibodies and antigens against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Authors: Lee Kunse , Ko Hae Li , Lee Eun‐Young , Park Hyo‐Jung , Kim Young Seok , Kim Yeon‐Sook , Cho Nam‐Hyuk , Park Man‐Seong , Lee Sang‐Myeong , Kim Jihye , Kim Hun , Seong Baik Lin , Nam Jae‐Hwan
Published: August 2018

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is a single‐stranded RNA virus that causes severe respiratory disease in humans with a high fatality rate. Binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) glycoprotein to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 is the critical step in MERS‐CoV infection of a host cell. No vaccines or clinically applicable treatments are currently available for MERS‐CoV. Therefore, rapid diagnosis is important for improving patient outcomes through prompt treatment and protection against viral outbreaks. In this study, the aim was to establish two ELISA systems for detecting antigens and antibodies against MERS‐CoV. Using a recombinant full‐length S protein, an indirect ELISA was developed and found to detect MERS‐CoV‐specific antibodies in animal sera and sera of patient with MERS. Moreover, MAbs were induced with the recombinant S protein and RBD and used for sandwich ELISA to detect the MERS‐CoV S protein. Neither ELISA system exhibited significant intra‐assay or inter‐assay variation, indicating good reproducibility. Moreover, the inter‐day precision and sensitivity were adequate for use as a diagnostic kit. Thus, these ELISAs can be used clinically to diagnose MERS‐CoV.
A Review on the Dietary Flavonoid Tiliroside
Authors: Grochowski Daniel M. , Locatelli Marcello , Granica Sebastian , Cacciagrano Francesco , Tomczyk Michał
Published: August 2018

Among flavonoid derivatives, tiliroside is a flavonoid contained in several edible plants or specific plant parts (fruits, leaves, or roots). These parts are often widely used as both food and medicines, in the treatment of various ailments and, in some cases, as food supplements. Considering the easy access to many publications concerning tiliroside and the lack of a review that summarizes the current progress in studies on its safety, efficacy, and presence in the plant kingdom, we present here a review paper on tiliroside and its principal derivatives. The paper also highlights the basic knowledge regarding this molecule, its derivatives, and the analytical approaches used for extraction and quantification, as well as reports on the biological activities against different key enzymes linked to various human diseases. The reported information is also devoted to highlighting the concept “learn from nature to discover new products,” particularly in the development of new drugs, food supplements, and nutraceuticals, starting from a natural lead compound such as tiliroside and improving its biological activities (and selectivities) against a specific target for therapeutic purposes.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Robotic Writing
Authors: Dumitra Aurora , Guzowski Anna , Jean Alynka , Shaw Melvin , Warmbier Grace , Zippo Patricia
Published: August 2018

Advances in robotic handwriting technology create new challenges for forensic document examiners. In the past, devices such as the autopen were used to replicate signatures of government officials and corporate companies. In today's technology, companies such as Bond utilize robots to create written documents, which mimic natural patterns of handwriting. They generate customizable written samples by simulating pen movements and letter formations. Four forensic document examiners were given various reproduced questioned documents and utilized a modified ACE‐V (analysis, comparison, evaluation, verification) methodology to determine their genuineness. Examiners were able to make a distinction between the human writing samples and the skilled robotic equivalents. Several distinct features that are not seen in natural handwriting, such as even pen pressure and the superimposition of letterforms were observed in the robotic samples. Careful examination of identifying features of the Bond produced documents resulted in an opinion of nongenuineness.
Long‐term prognosis after biliary stenting for common bile duct stones in high‐risk elderly patients
Authors: Akazawa Yu , Ohtani Masahiro , Nosaka Takuto , Saito Yasushi , Takahashi Kazuto , Naito Tatsushi , Ofuji Kazuya , Matsuda Hidetaka , Hiramatsu Katsushi , Nemoto Tomoyuki , Nakamoto Yasunari
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long‐term outcomes of complete common bile duct (CBD) stone removal and biliary stenting in elderly patients (≥85 years) with CBD stones.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 65 patients who underwent complete CBD stone removal (the duct clearance group) and 40 patients who underwent biliary stenting (the biliary stenting group) between July 2006 and March 2016. To reduce selection bias, we also conducted a propensity score matching analysis and generated 30 pairs of patients. Cholangitis recurrence‐free survival and overall survival were compared between the two groups and independent prognostic factors of survival were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Cholangitis recurrence‐free survival was significantly better in the duct clearance group than in the biliary stenting group (P < 0.001). Their overall survival did not significantly differ after propensity score matching (P = 0.388). In all cohorts, univariate analysis demonstrated that poor performance status and biliary stenting were factors of poor prognosis, and in multivariate analysis only performance status remained associated with poor prognosis for survival. Similarly, in the propensity score‐matched cohort, only performance status independently predicted poorer survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.726, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.105–6.675, P = 0.029). The choice of endoscopic treatment was not a significant factor associated with prognosis (HR 1.354, 95% CI 0.678–2.701, P = 0.391).

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary stenting was similar to complete stone removal in terms of prognosis for long‐term survival. Biliary stenting for CBD stones could be an effective therapeutic tool in high‐risk elderly patients.
Survival outcomes following primary tumor resection for patients with incurable metastatic colorectal carcinoma: Experience from a single institution
Authors: Lau Joel WL , Chang Heidi SY , Lee Kai Y , Gwee Yong X , Lee Wen Q , Chong Choon S
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

Palliative primary tumor resection (PTR) has been used for preventing and treating tumor‐related complications. We aimed to determine whether PTR can increase overall survival (OS) in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database in a single center was performed. Patients diagnosed with metastatic CRC from January 2004 to December 2014 were included. Patients who had attained curative resection or had disease recurrence were excluded. All patients were discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board where subsequent treatment decisions were made.

RESULTS

Altogether 408 patients were analyzed. Of these 145 received PTR with palliative chemotherapy (PC; group A), 110 received PC only (group B), 52 received PTR only (group C), while 101 received neither PTR nor PC (group D). Undergoing PTR led to statistically significant improvement in OS (22.7 months vs 12.1 months vs 6.9 months vs 2.7 months, P < 0.001). We performed subgroup analyses to control for potential confounders and found that the influence of PTR on OS persisted. With multivariate analysis, the predictors of poor OS were no PTR (hazards ratio [HR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82–2.96, P < 0.001), no PC (HR 4.25, 95% CI 3.27–5.33, P < 0.001) and the presence of peritoneal metastases (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06–1.78, P = 0.018). Diversion surgery did not lead to a statistical difference in OS.

CONCLUSIONS

The absences of PTR and PC, and peritoneal metastases are independently associated with decreased OS in patients with unresectable metastatic CRC. Randomized controlled trials are needed to verify this observation.
Long‐term outcome of group D patients with negative serum anti‐Helicobacter pylori antibody and positive serum pepsinogen test in healthy Koreans
Authors: Han Yoo Min , Chung Su Jin , Choi Ji Min , Lee Changhyun , Kim Joo Sung
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics and long‐term outcomes of group D patients (negative H. pylori antibodies and positive pepsinogen level).

METHODS

Group D patients were divided into two groups, that is, the limited endoscopic atrophic gastritis (EAG) group with EAG confined to the antrum and angle (C1 and C2) and the advanced EAG group with gastric body‐involved EAG (C3 to O3). We compared the progression of precursor lesions and the occurrence of gastric neoplasms between the two groups.

RESULTS

Among 107 group D patients, the advanced EAG group (n = 60) was elder and had a lower pepsinogen I level and a lower pepsinogen I to II ratio (PGI/II) than the limited EAG group (n = 47). Among the 52 patients who underwent a follow‐up endoscopy, three gastric neoplasms were detected (one in the limited and two in the advanced EAG groups). During a median follow‐up of 44 months, 10 (43.5%) patients in the limited and 13 (52.0%) in the advanced EAG groups showed EAG progression or newly occurred intestinal metaplasia. A family history of GC (odds ratio [OR] 44.974, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.360–1487.087), a lower PGI/II (OR 0.247, 95% CI 0.085–0.717) and a longer follow‐up duration (OR 1.832, 95% CI 1.200–2.796) increased the risk of progression.

CONCLUSION

A family history of GC and low baseline PGI/II were independently associated with an increased risk of progression of precursor lesions of GC.
Harnessing the MinION: An example of how to establish long‐read sequencing in a laboratory using challenging plant tissue from Eucalyptus pauciflora
Authors: Schalamun Miriam , Nagar Ramawatar , Kainer David , Beavan Eleanor , Eccles David , Rathjen John P. , Lanfear Robert , Schwessinger Benjamin
Published: August 2018

Long‐read sequencing technologies are transforming our ability to assemble highly complex genomes. Realizing their full potential is critically reliant on extracting high‐quality, high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) DNA from the organisms of interest. This is especially the case for the portable MinION sequencer which enables all laboratories to undertake their own genome sequencing projects, due to its low entry cost and minimal spatial footprint. One challenge of the MinION is that each group has to independently establish effective protocols for using the instrument, which can be time‐consuming and costly. Here, we present a workflow and protocols that enabled us to establish MinION sequencing in our own laboratories, based on optimizing DNA extraction from a challenging plant tissue as a case study. Following the workflow illustrated, we were able to reliably and repeatedly obtain >6.5 Gb of long‐read sequencing data with a mean read length of 13 kb and an N50 of 26 kb. Our protocols are open source and can be performed in any laboratory without special equipment. We also illustrate some more elaborate workflows which can increase mean and average read lengths if this is desired. We envision that our workflow for establishing MinION sequencing, including the illustration of potential pitfalls and suggestions of how to adapt it to other tissue types, will be useful to others who plan to establish long‐read sequencing in their own laboratories.
Effects of butyrate supplementation in antibiotic‐free milk replacer and starter on growth performance in suckling calves
Authors: Roh Sanggun , Kimura Nobuhiro , Sakamoto Kazushi , Nishihara Koki , Suzuki Keiichi , Katoh Kazuo
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate butyrate supplementation of antibiotic‐free milk replacer and starter on growth performance in male Holstein calves. Twenty‐nine calves were divided into two groups. Group C (n = 13) was fed antibiotic‐free milk replacer without supplementation, and Group B (n = 16) was fed antibiotic‐free milk replacer supplemented with butyrate (1.6 % DM of Gustor BP70®). Starter in Group B contained 0.3 % DM of Gustor BP70®. The intake of milk replacer was lower in group B than in C (p = 0.07 for the treatment x week interaction). Body weight (BW) and heart girth (HG) in group B was higher than in C during the experimental period (p = 0.07 and 0.01 for the treatment × week interaction, respectively). The duration of the weaning period in group B was shorter than in group C (p = 0.02). β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) was higher in group B than in C (p = 0.04). Insulin like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations tended to be higher in group B than in C (p = 0.07 for treatment × week interaction). Our results show that butyrate supplementation in antibiotic‐free milk replacer and starter exerted positive effects on growth performance in suckling calves.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel diphenyl ether derivatives against drug‐susceptible and drug‐resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kar Sidhartha S. , Bhat Varadaraj G. , Shenoy Vishnu P. , Bairy Indira , Shenoy G. Gautham
Published: August 2018

In our efforts to develop druggable diphenyl ethers as potential antitubercular agents, a series of novel diphenyl ether derivatives (5a–f, 6a–f) were designed and synthesized. The representative compounds showed promising in vitro activity against drug‐susceptible, isoniazid‐resistant, and multidrug‐resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values of 1.56 μg/ml (6b), 6.25 μg/ml (6a–d), and 3.125 μg/ml (6b–c), respectively. All the synthesized compounds exhibited satisfactory safety profile (CC50 > 300 μg/ml) against Vero and HepG2 cells. Reverse phase HPLC method was used to probe the physicochemical properties of the synthesized compounds. This series of compounds demonstrated comparatively low logP values. pKa values of representative compounds indicated that they were weak acids. Additionally, in vitro human liver microsomal stability assay confirmed that the synthesized compounds possessed acceptable stability under study conditions. The present study thus establishes compound 6b as the most promising antitubercular agent with acceptable drug‐likeness.
Presence of diabetic retinopathy is associated with worse 10‐year mortality among Indigenous Australians in Central Australia: The Central Australian ocular health study
Authors: Landers John , Liu Ebony , Estevez José , Henderson Tim , Craig Jamie E.
Published: August 2018

Importance

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is highly prevalent among Indigenous Australians and contributes greatly to premature death. The association of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with early mortality, however, has not previously been reported among Indigenous Australians.

Background

To investigate associations between 10‐y mortality and the presence of DR among Indigenous Australians living in Central Australia.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Participants

A total of 1257 individuals aged 40 y or older, living in one of 30 remote communities within Central Australia were recruited through outreach clinics.

Methods

Fundus examination was performed on all patients at recruitment. The presence of any DR was recorded.

Main Outcome Measures

Mortality rate and cause were obtained at 10 y, and their association with any DR was determined.

Results

Ten‐year all‐cause mortality was found to be 29.3%. Of those with DM but no DR, 24.0% died during the 10 y after recruitment, compared with 40.1% for those with any DR (P < 0.0001). Those who had any DR were 75% more likely to die (hazard ratio [HR] 1.75; P < 0.0001) and were more likely to die from renal failure (HR 2.71; P = 0.004) or stroke (HR 5.91; P = 0.026).

Conclusion and Relevance

The presence of any DR among those with DM, was associated with a 75% greater 10‐y all‐cause mortality rate and were more likely to die from renal failure or stroke. We recommend that whenever DR is noted among Indigenous Australians with DM, that they be immediately referred for investigation and management of risk factors, which might predispose to renal failure and stroke.
Teachers' influence on purchase and wear of children's glasses in rural China: The PRICE study
Authors: Wang Xiuqin , Ma Yue , Hu Min , Jin Ling , Xiao Baixiang , Ni Ming , Yi Hongmei , Ma Xiaochen , Wang Congyao , Varga Beatrice , Huang Yiwen , Rozelle Scott , Congdon Nathan
Published: August 2018

Importance

Uncorrected refractive error causes 90% of poor vision among Chinese children.

Background

Little is known about teachers' influence on children's glasses wear.

Design

Cohort study.

Participants

Children at 138 randomly selected primary schools in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces, China, with uncorrected visual acuity (VA) ≤6/12 in either eye correctable to >6/12 in both eyes, and their teachers.

Methods

Teachers and children underwent VA testing and completed questionnaires about spectacles use and attitudes towards children's vision.

Main Outcome Measures

Children's acceptance of free glasses, spectacle purchase and wear.

Results

A total of 882 children (mean age 10.6 years, 45.5% boys) and 276 teachers (mean age 37.9 years, 67.8% female) participated. Among teachers, 20.4% (56/275) believed glasses worsened children's vision, 68.4% (188/275) felt eye exercises prevented myopia, 55.0% (151/275) thought children with modest myopia should not wear glasses and 93.1% (256/275) encouraged children to obtain glasses.

Teacher factors associated with children's glasses‐related behaviour included believing glasses harm children's vision (decreased purchase, univariate model: relative risk [RR] 0.65, 95% CI 0.43, 0.98, P < 0.05); supporting children's classroom glasses wear (increased glasses wear, univariate model: RR 2.20, 95% CI 1.23, 3.95, P < 0.01); and advising children to obtain glasses (increased free glasses acceptance, multivariate model: RR 2.74, 95% CI 1.29, 5.84, P < 0.01; increased wear, univariate model: RR 2.93, 95% CI 1.45, 5.90, P < 0.01), but not teacher's ownership/wear of glasses.

Conclusions and Relevance

Though teachers had limited knowledge about children's vision, they influenced children's glasses acceptance.
Regenerative surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis using either a collagen membrane or concentrated growth factor: A 12‐month randomized clinical trial
Authors: Isler Sila Cagri , Soysal Fatma , Ceyhanlı Tugce , Bakırarar Batuhan , Unsal Berrin
Published: August 2018

Background

Platelet concentration based membranes, as well as collagen membranes in combination with bone substitutes, have demonstrated successful outcomes in regeneration of peri‐implant bone defects (PBD).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of regenerative surgical treatment (RST) of peri‐implantitis using a bone substitute combined with two different bioresorbable barrier membranes, either collagen membrane (CM) or concentrated growth factor (CGF), during 12‐month follow‐up.

Materials and Methods

Fifty two patients, who had at least one peri‐implantitis lesion was treated by using a bone substitute in combination with CGF or CM. After surgical procedures, implants were allowed for submerged healing. Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, while radiographic evaluation was performed at baseline and 12 months.

Results

Significant reductions were obtained in the mean gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and mucosal recession (MR) values at both 6 and 12 months postoperatively compared to baseline for both treatment procedures (P < 0.05). At 6 months, no statistically significant difference was observed for all clinical parameters between the groups, whereas the mean PD, CAL and vertical defect depth (VDD) values were statistically significant in favor of the CM group at 12 months (P < 0.05). The mean defect fill (DF) in the CM group (1.99 ±0.76) was not statistically significantly different from that observed in the CCF group (1.63 ±1.00) (P = 0.154).

Conclusions

The outcomes of the present study suggest that both regenerative approaches yielded significant improvements in both clinical and radiographic assessments. The procedure using a collagen membrane in combination with a bone substitute showed better results at 12 months in RST of peri‐implantitis.
Diagnosis of gestational diabetes: a ‘teachable moment’
Authors: Okely J. , Mason C. , Collier A. , Dunnachie N. , Swanson V.
Published: August 2018

Aims

Research regarding the determinants of concordance with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treatment is limited. Here, we test whether the psychosocial changes outlined in the teachable moments model, as proposed by McBride et al. (McBride CM, Emmons KM, Lipkus IM. Understanding the potential of teachable moments: the case of smoking cessation. Health Educ Res 2003; 18: 156–170) are associated with following GDM treatment recommendations.

Methods

Fifty‐nine women completed a baseline questionnaire (1 week after GDM diagnosis) in which they reported risk perception, social support, emotional response, the importance of their maternal identity and self‐efficacy. One month later, participants reported their concordance with instructions regarding glucose monitoring, diet and, if applicable, medication. We used regression analysis to test for associations between the psychosocial factors measured at baseline and concordance at 1‐month follow‐up.

Results

Those who perceived their risk as higher or felt supported by family or friends were more likely to report a high level of concordance with GDM treatment. Emotional response, identity salience and self‐efficacy were not related to concordance.

Conclusions

Future interventions designed to increase concordance could benefit from a focus on risk perception and social support, as these factors appear to be most strongly associated with following GDM treatment recommendations.
Practicing Courage in a Communal Key
Authors: Stengel Barbara S.
Published: August 2018

Barbara Stengel's purpose in this essay is to complicate our understanding of the quality and status of educational courage as it is typically exercised in schools today, and to offer profiles of that courage in a minor key. If we only portray — and aspire to — courage in the heroic form that tilts against a system that is unfair, misguided, or both, we may fail to recognize that courage is practiced in the communal construction of action spaces that make the heroic form unnecessary. In building her argument, Stengel examines the calls for and descriptions of educational courage today; looks to Aristotle, Hans Georg Gadamer, and John Dewey for advice about how to approach courage as embodied, created in interaction, expressed as habit, and engendering responsibility; and then describes two sets of teachers she holds up as collective examples worthy of our consideration. In the process, Stengel stakes a claim for this view of courage in education in a minor key, one that is (more) contemporary, critical, inclusive, democratic, and communal.
“I Just Kept It to Myself”: The Shaping of Latina Suicidality Through Gendered Oppression, Silence, and Violence
Authors: Szlyk Hannah S. , Gulbas Lauren , Zayas Luis
Published: August 2018

Suicide is a critical issue among Latina youth. In this study, we use family case analysis to explore how gendered oppression, silencing, and violence shape suicidal behaviors among a sample of Latina daughters (n = 10), and their parents. For comparison, we include family narratives from Latina adolescents with no histories of suicide attempts (n = 10). Results suggest how secrets and silence, as indicative of gendered oppression, may catalyze a suicide attempt. The risks are particularly salient when daughter and mother both have experienced violence that conflicts with gendered cultural scripts. Findings highlight the importance of parental engagement and exploration of histories of violence in the treatment of Latina suicide attempters. Future research should incorporate the risk factors of gendered oppression and violence to better understand the development of suicidality among Latina women.
PRODUCTIVITY OR UNEXPECTED DEMAND SHOCKS: WHAT DETERMINES FIRMS' INVESTMENT AND EXIT DECISIONS?
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Zhang Hongsong
Published: August 2018

We investigate the roles played by unexpected demand shocks, besides productivity, on firms' capital investment and exit decisions. We propose a practical approach to recover unexpected firm‐level demand shocks using inventory data. The recognition of demand shocks and inventory also improves the productivity estimation. The empirical results indicate that although productivity and demand shocks are both significant factors determining firm behavior, the former is more dominant for investment decision and the latter is more salient for firm exit. These findings confirm that unexpected demand shocks, besides persistent productivity, are important factors when analyzing capital investment and firm exit decisions.