bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of pH effect on cationic solute binding to keratin and partition to hair
Authors: Li L. , Yang S. , Chen T. , Han L. , Lian G.
Published: November 2017

Objective

In the process of hair treatment, various cationic actives contained in hair care products can be absorbed into hair fibre to modulate the physicochemical properties of hair such as colour, strength, style and volume. There have been very limited studies on the binding and partition properties of hair care actives to hair. This study aimed to investigate the pH effects on cationic solute absorption into hair and binding to keratin.

Methods

The keratin binding and hair partition properties of three cationic solutes (theophylline, nortriptyline and amitriptyline) have been measured at different pH using fluorescence spectroscopy and equilibrium absorption experiment. The binding constants, thermodynamic parameters and hair‐water partition coefficients determined at different pH were compared and analysed.

Results

Increasing the pH from 2.0 to 6.0 resulted in the net charge of hair keratin changed from positive to negative. As a consequence, the binding constants of the three cationic solutes with keratin increased with the increasing pH. This correlated with the variation of the electrostatic interaction between cationic solutes and keratin from repulsion to attraction. The positive ΔH and ΔS values indicated that hydrophobic interaction also played a major role in the binding of the three cationic solutes to keratin. There was a good correlation between solutes binding to keratin and hair–water partition of solutes.

Conclusion

It appears that solute binding to hair keratin is driven first by hydrophobic interaction and then by electrostatic interaction. The fitted thermodynamic parameters suggested that hydrophobic interaction dominates for the binding of the three cationic solutes to keratin. That binding of cationic solutes to keratin correlates with the partition of the solutes to hair could provide theoretical guidance for further developing mathematical models of hair partition and penetration properties.
The efficacy of supplementary sonic irrigation using the EndoActivator®system determined by removal of a collagen film from anex vivomodel
Authors: Bryce G. , MacBeth N. , Gulabivala K. , Ng Y‐L.
Published: November 2017

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of sonic irrigation (EndoActivator®) using various polymer tips and power settings in a stained collagenex vivomodel.

Methodology

The root canals of fifty human, straight single‐rooted extracted teeth were prepared to size 40, .08 taper. The roots were split longitudinally; stained collagen applied to the canal surfaces, photographed and re‐assembled. The canals were subjected to syringe without supplementary (group 1,n = 10) or with supplementary sonic (groups 2–5,n = 10) irrigation. EndoActivator®tip sizes (size 15, .02 taper for groups 2 and 3; size 35, .04 taper for groups 4 and 5) and power settings (low for groups 2 and 4; high for groups 3 and 5) were tested. After irrigation, the canals were re‐photographed and the area of residual stained collagen was quantified using theUTHSCAImage Tool program (Version 3.0). The data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and general linear mixed models.

Results

Supplementary sonic irrigation using EndoActivator®resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) less residual collagen compared with syringe irrigation only. Agitation of irrigant using the large EndoActivator®tip with high power resulted in significantly less (22.4% – 29.5%) residual collagen compared to other combinations (large tip/low powerP = 0.001; small tip/low powerP = 0.01; small tip/high powerP = 0.04). There was no significant difference amongst the latter three groups (P > 0.5).

Conclusions

Supplementary sonic irrigation using the EndoActivator®system was significantly more effective in removing stained collagen from the canal surface than syringe irrigation alone. EndoActivator®used with large tip (size 35, .04 taper) and high power setting in size 40, .08 taper canals was more effective than other combinations.
Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts synthesize C‐reactive protein and Th‐related cytokines in response to interleukin (IL)‐6 trans‐signalling
Authors: Hernández‐Caldera A. , Vernal R. , Paredes R. , Veloso‐Matta P. , Astorga J. , Hernández M.
Published: November 2017

Aim

To characterize the potential of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) to synthesize CRP and Th‐related cytokines in response to IL‐6 in periodontal health and apical inflammation.

Methodology

Primary HPLF stimulated with IL‐6, soluble(s) IL‐6 receptor (R) and controls were assayed for CRP, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg‐related cytokines by quantitative real‐time PCR and ELISA, respectively. IL‐6R mRNA expression and its soluble protein levels were screened in HPLF cultures, and ex vivo samples of healthy periodontal ligaments (n = 5) and apical lesions (n = 13). Data were analysed with ANOVA or unpaired t‐test.

Results

0.5 ng mL−1 IL‐6 plus 1 ng mL−1 of its soluble receptor (sIL‐6R) for 24 h was effective in inducing CRP production. IL‐6 alone had a mild dose‐dependent effect; co‐stimulation with sIL‐6R significantly enhanced this effect, whereas it was completely abolished by the addition of IL‐6R blocking antibody (P < 0.05). Similarly, higher mRNA expression and protein levels of Th1, Th17 and partially Treg‐related cytokines were found for IL‐6 combined with its soluble receptor versus the nonstimulated group and IL‐6R antibody (P < 0.05). IL‐6R mRNA expression was slightly induced by IL‐6 compared to THP‐1 cells, but sILR‐6 protein could not be detected in HPLF. High sIL‐6R levels were detected in apical lesions and were immunolocalized to mononuclear inflammatory cells and proliferating epithelium.

Conclusion

IL‐6 trans‐signalling induced Th1 and Th17‐related cytokines and represents an extra‐hepatic mechanism for PCR synthesis in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts, contributing to explain the bone‐destructive phenotype of apical lesions and eventually its systemic complications.
Macroeconomic volatility and trade in OLG economies
Authors: Le Riche Antoine
Published: November 2017

This paper analyzes the effect of free‐trade integration on the dynamical properties of economies. We formulate a two‐country, two‐good, two‐factor overlapping generations model where countries only differ with respect to their discount rate. The main contribution of this paper is to show that opening up to international trade may have a destabilizing effect. In particular, we prove that, under perfect mobility of labor and capital between countries, sunspot cycles can occur in the trade regime although one country is characterized by saddle‐point stability in the autarky regime.
Improvement of tenderness and water holding capacity of spiced beef by the application of ultrasound during cooking
Authors: Zou Yunhe , Zhang Wangang , Kang Dacheng , Zhou Guanghong
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of power ultrasound‐assisted (0, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 W, frequency of 20 kHz) cooking (80, 100, 120 min) on spiced beef. The results showed that power ultrasound could significantly increase the salt content (P < 0.05). For water holding capacity, the ultrasonic treatment could significantly reduce the pressure loss and free water content while improving the immobilised water content (P < 0.05). And ultrasonic treatment improved hardness compared with control (P < 0.05). However, the effects on the springiness, the chewiness and the resilience of the spiced beef were not significant (P > 0.05). As for microstructure, the myofibrils of beef were ruptured by ultrasonic treatment along with the Z‐lines leading to the muscle swelling. The results indicated that the application of ultrasound during cooking could effectively promote the penetration of salt, improve the water holding capacity and ameliorate the tenderness of spiced beef.
Caution needed in introduction of provisional approvals for medicines
Authors: Pace Jessica , Ghinea Narcyz , Kerridge Ian , Lipworth Wendy
Published: November 2017

The Australian government recently released its response to the Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation, accepting most recommendations. One recommendation involves the introduction of provisional approvals for perceived life‐saving and innovative new treatments, allowing these to be approved on the basis of more limited data on the condition that further safety and efficacy data (including real‐world evidence) are collected to determine whether full approval should be granted. However, experience with similar schemes overseas raises significant questions about the safety and efficacy of products made available through these pathways. These uncertainties are compounded by the challenges associated with the collection and use of ‘real‐world’ data and the difficulty of withdrawing products from the market once patients and clinicians become familiar with them. Although there may be good reasons to provide patients with earlier access to medicines on the basis of provisional evidence (including providing treatment options and hope to patients with serious illnesses), we must exercise caution in order to protect both current and future patients from potentially harmful and futile treatments and ensure that healthcare systems use their resources wisely.
Sleep disordered breathing: management update
Authors: Mohammadieh Anna , Sutherland Kate , Cistulli Peter A.
Published: November 2017

The term sleep disordered breathing encompasses a spectrum of abnormalities, including snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), central sleep apnoea (CSA), respiratory‐related arousals and hypoventilation. This review focuses on both OSA and CSA. It provides a clinical update of recent advances in the diagnosis, management and prognosis of these two conditions. An increasing array of treatment modalities, particularly for OSA, broadens the opportunity for personalised therapy tailored to the individual patient.
Admissions for antibiotic‐resistant infections in cancer patients during first year of cancer diagnosis: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Slavova‐Azmanova Neli , Haddow Livia , Hohnen Harry , Coombs Geoffrey , Robinson James O. , Ives Angela
Published: November 2017

In this study, linked Western Australian health data were used to determine presence of an antibiotic‐resistant infection (ABRI) for all people diagnosed with a primary invasive cancer in 2009. Of 10 858 cancer cases, 154 (1.42%) had an ABRI. Patients with an ABRI were older (71.5 vs 66 years), and more had died in the year following diagnosis (37.7 vs 20.2%, P < 0.001). The ABRI cohort had a higher proportion of colorectal, genitourinary and haematological cancers (19.5 vs 11.9%; 14.3 vs 9.7% and 16.9 vs 5.8%, respectively). Hospital admissions with an ABRI were longer (22.3 vs 2.9 days, P < 0.001) and had a higher proportion of unplanned admissions (60.3 vs 15.2%), admissions through emergency department (36.8 vs 8.3%) and intensive care admissions (14.9 vs 1.7%, P < 0.001). Patients with solid tumours who developed an ABRI were more likely to have received chemotherapy (35.9 vs 27.8%, P = 0.04). In haematological cancer patients, a greater proportion of the admissions with an ABRI occurred after radiation therapy or chemotherapy (P = 0.01 and P = 0.005, respectively). This study is the first to report population‐level data on ABRI in cancer patients. Patients with an ABRI had more hospital admissions and poorer outcomes.
The mechanisms shaping the repertoire of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Kraj Piotr , Ignatowicz Leszek
Published: November 2017

Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing Foxp3 transcription factor control homeostasis of the immune system, antigenic responses to commensal and pathogenic microbiota, and immune responses to self and tumour antigens. The Treg cells differentiate in the thymus, along with conventional CD4+ T cells, in processes of positive and negative selection. Another class of Treg cells is generated in peripheral tissues by inducing Foxp3 expression in conventional CD4+ T cells in response to antigenic stimulation. Both thymic and peripheral generation of Treg cells depends on recognition of peptide/MHC ligands by the T‐cell receptors (TCR) expressed on thymic Treg precursors or peripheral conventional CD4+ T cells. This review surveys reports describing how thymus Treg cell generation depends on the selecting peptide/MHC ligands and how this process impacts the TCR repertoire expressed by Treg cells. We also describe how Treg cells depend on sustained signalling through the TCR and how they are further regulated by Foxp3 enhancer sequences. Finally, we review the impact of microbiota‐derived antigens on the maintenance and functionality of the peripheral pool of Treg cells.
Exact identification of migrating ion species in scandium tungstate solid electrolyte
Authors: Imanaka Nobuhito , Nunotani Naoyoshi , Araki Ken‐ichiro , Yamane Megumi
Published: November 2017

The Sc3+ ion migration in the scandium tungstate solid was qualitatively demonstrated. For clarifying the exact migrant quantitatively, modified Tubandt electrolysis was performed for the Sc2(WO4)3 solid. As a result of the strict compensation, that is, vaporization and adherence compensations, a weight increase at the cathodic side and a weight decrease at the anodic side were reproducibly observed after the electrolysis. In addition, the Sc concentration at the cathodic side was increased and a corresponding decrease at the anodic side was observed. Therefore, the Sc3+ ion conduction in the Sc2(WO4)3 solid was quantitatively demonstrated.
Supplementary choline attenuates olive oil lipid emulsion‐induced enterocyte apoptosis through suppression of CELF1/AIF pathway
Authors: Yan Jun‐Kai , Zhu Jie , Gong Zi‐Zhen , Wen Jie , Xiao Yong‐Tao , Zhang Tian , Cai Wei
Published: November 2017

Enterocyte apoptosis induced by lipid emulsions is a key cause of intestinal atrophy under total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support, and our previous work demonstrated that olive oil lipid emulsion (OOLE) could induce enterocyte apoptosis via CUGBP, Elav‐like family member 1 (CELF1)/ apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) pathway. As TPN‐associated complications are partially related to choline deficiency, we aimed to address whether choline supplementation could attenuate OOLE‐induced enterocyte apoptosis. Herein we present evidence that supplementary choline exhibits protective effect against OOLE‐induced enterocyte apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. In a rat model of TPN, substantial reduction in apoptotic rate along with decreased expression of CELF1 was observed when supplementary choline was added to OOLE. In cultured Caco‐2 cells, supplementary choline attenuated OOLE‐induced apoptosis and mitochondria dysfunction by suppressing CELF1/AIF pathway. Compared to OOLE alone, the expression of CELF1 and AIF was significantly decreased by supplementary choline, whereas the expression of Bcl‐2 was evidently increased. No obvious alterations were observed in Bax expression and caspase‐3 activation. Mechanistically, supplementary choline repressed the expression of CELF1 by increasing the recruitment of CELF1 mRNA to processing bodies, thus resulting in suppression of its protein translation. Taken together, our data suggest that supplementary choline exhibits effective protection against OOLE‐induced enterocyte apoptosis, and thus, it has the potential to be used for the prevention and treatment of TPN‐induced intestinal atrophy.
Comparative feeding ecology of the yellow rayUrobatis jamaicensis(Urotrygonidae) from The Bahamas
Authors: O'Shea O. R. , Wueringer B. E. , Winchester M. M. , Brooks E. J.
Published: November 2017

Stomach contents were collected from 117 yellow raysUrobatis jamaicensisfrom three locations in south Eleuthera, The Bahamas and compared with ambient infaunaviasediment surveys. Diets were relatively limited with a total of 535 prey items recovered, representing five taxonomic groups and dominated by polychaetes and decapod crustaceans (87% of total diet), while environmental sampling reported 5249 individual taxa represented by 62 taxonomic groups. Regardless of gravidity, sex or density of prey items among sites, no significant differences were detected. Foraging strategy plots suggested preferential prey is rare within the environment and the Manly‐Chesson index validates polychaetes were consumed with high selectivity. This is the most comprehensive and updated assessment of comparative feeding in this species, particularly for The Bahamas, allowing insight into invertebrate community richness and diversity in ecologically sensitive coastal and nearshore habitats.
Production optimization in sausage industry based on the demand of the products
Authors: Polon Paulo Eduardo , Alves Abel F. , Olivo José Eduardo , Paraíso Paulo R. , Andrade Cid Marcos G.
Published: November 2017

The sausage production industry has recently had an increase in consumption. This led to the search for the most efficient use of available resources in order to achieve increased productivity, reduced costs, reliability in service, and reduce delivery times. In the sausage industry a wide variety of products is obtained, most of these products do not has an exclusive line, and therefore there is a competition for equipment and intermediate states. The manufactured products are usually perishable and it is recommended that production should not exceed the demand under the disadvantage of stocks generating and exceed the shelf life of the product. The objective of this work was the adaptation and use of a mathematical model of production scheduling to optimize the production of a sausage industry, from demand values for each product. The proposed approach treats the problem as mixed integer linear programming to represent the decisions involved and was solved with the GAMS software (Generic Algebraic Modeling System). The developed model was applied to the problem of production scheduling with actual operational data from a regional industry. The results of the application of the model with data collected in the industry were an increase of the total production of the plant in the range of 20%. and has shown its capacity to generate better results than the production results presented by industry. Therefore, the result of the model presented here can assist in making the production scheduling decisions in the sausage industry.

Practical applications

The objective of the work was to maximize the production of the products taking into account the demand of each of them avoiding the formation of stocks due to the useful life of the products. For this, we use a mathematic model adapted to the sausage industry that operates in batch. The production scheduling was done in a single campaign mode for weekly production in the industry and short‐term production planning was done to produce the stocks of intermediate products needed at the beginning of the campaign. The results presented in the Gantt tables can be used on the factory floor. The results of the application of the model with data collected in the industry were an increase of the total production of the plant in the range of 20%.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance‐Dependent Domestic Violence Offenders: An Integrated Substance Abuse‐Domestic Violence Treatment Approach (SADV)
Authors: Easton Caroline J. , Crane Cory A. , Mandel Dolores
Published: November 2017

The current study evaluates a therapy for substance‐dependent perpetrators of partner violence. Sixty‐three males arrested for partner violence within the past year were randomized to a cognitive behavioral substance abuse‐domestic violence (SADV; n = 29) or a drug counseling (DC; n = 34) condition. Seventy percent of offenders completed eight core sessions with no differences between SADV and DC conditions in the amount of substance or aggression at pretreatment. SADV participants had fewer cocaine‐positive toxicology screens and breathalyzer results during treatment, were less likely to engage in aggressive behavior proximal to a drinking episode, and reported fewer episodes of violence than DC participants at posttreatment follow‐up. SADV shows promise in decreasing addiction and partner violence among substance‐dependent male offenders.
Oral medication prescription practices of tertiary‐based specialists for dystonia in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Harvey Adrienne , Reddihough Dinah , Scheinberg Adam , Williams Katrina
Published: November 2017

Aim

To examine current clinical practice for prescribing medications for children with dystonic cerebral palsy (CP) by medical doctors working at a tertiary care centre.

Methods

Rehabilitation and developmental paediatric specialists completed: (i) a custom‐designed online cross‐sectional survey capturing their usual prescribing patterns; and (ii) one‐page questionnaires detailing medication prescription for each child with CP who they started on a new medication for dystonia over a 12‐month period.

Results

Eleven participating doctors ranged in experience in managing children with CP from less than 5 years to more than 20 years. The cross‐sectional survey showed that most doctors used more than one medication, with six making choices taking into account four or more different medications. Oral baclofen was used by all doctors and was the first choice of 10 of 11. Prospective surveys from 57 children showed that medication was prescribed mainly for children aged 3–10 years (n = 35/57), classified within Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V (n = 40/57) and with a mixed movement disorder (n = 38/57). Gabapentin and baclofen were the most frequently prescribed (n = 21/57 and 19/57, respectively), with other drugs used less frequently. Dosage regimens varied between and within doctors, particularly for the use of gabapentin and diazepam.

Conclusions

Oral medication prescribing practices varied among doctors managing children with dystonic CP at a tertiary care hospital, particularly with respect to dosing. There is a need for clinical guidelines for medication prescription to be developed based on best evidence and consensus by clinical experts.
Variation in aggressiveness components of Zymoseptoria tritici populations in Iran
Authors: Abrinbana Masoud
Published: November 2017

Zymoseptoria tritici, the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch, has emerged and evolved as a pathogen on wheat in the Fertile Crescent. Iran is located in this region, and study on the ancient pathogen populations in the country can improve our understanding on adaptive potential of aggressiveness, the role of local adaptation in shaping population structure and the involvement of selection and genetic drift in favouring aggressiveness adaptation to environments. To this aim, three aggressiveness components including days until first lesion (DUFL), days until first pycnidia (DUFP) and percentage of leaf area covered by pycnidia, in five populations of the pathogen collected from different provinces of Iran were compared in greenhouse conditions. All populations except for Golestan showed high within‐population diversity for the examined traits. No difference in aggressiveness components was found between fungal collections from Khuzestan and Fars; however, significant variation was evident among the populations originated from other provinces. Comparisons of estimated QST values to FST indicated that genetic differentiation in pycnidial coverage has been the result of selection imposed by different variables; however, the divergence found for DUFL and DUFP has been achieved by genetic drift. The possible mechanisms involved in aggressiveness diversity of the pathogen populations and the impact of these findings on breeding programs for quantitative resistance are discussed.
Heterologous expression and periplasmic secretion of an antifungal Bacillus amyloliquefaciensBLB369 endo‐β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanase in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zalila‐Kolsi Imen , Sellami Sameh , Tounsi Slim , Jamoussi Kaïs
Published: November 2017

The endo‐β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanases are glycoside hydrolases involved in the enzymatic depolymerization of 1,3‐1,4 β‐glucans and showed an antifungal activity against some fungi. Bacillus amyloliquefaciensBLB369 has a high antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Its glu369 full‐coding sequence of the endo‐β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanase gene (732 bp) was sequenced, cloned and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli Top10. The encoded protein (243 amino acids) has a calculated molecular mass of 27.3 kDa. To simplify the purification procedure, the glu369 coding sequence was cloned into the vector pKJD4. The produced OmpA‐His‐Glu369 harboured OmpA signal sequence for E. coli periplasmic localization and followed by a 6His residues for its purification. The purified His‐tagged proteins revealed two bands on SDS‐PAGE analysis with molecular masses of about 30.5 (His‐Glu369) and 32.5 kDa (OmpA‐His‐Glu369). They had the ability to inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. These favourable properties make the endo‐β‐1,3‐1,4‐glucanase a good candidate for biotechnological applications.
The physiological characteristics and associated gene expression of sugar cane inoculated with Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli
Authors: Zhu Kai , Yuan Dan , Zhang Xiao‐Qiu , Yang Li‐Tao , Li Yang‐Rui
Published: November 2017

Ratoon stunt is a very important disease affecting sugar cane that is caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx). We inoculated cuttings of the sugar cane varieties Badila and GT11 with Lxx to investigate the effects of this disease on their growth, physiological characteristics and associated gene differential expression, sampling after 150, 180 and 210 days following treatment. In addition, to further explore the colonization of this bacterium at transcription and translation levels, we designed a number of primers from the sequence of an Lxx‐specific gene and performed quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) for Lxx18460 to detect accumulation in plants. Total proteins from diseased plants were detected using Western blotting with an Lxx‐specific gene monoclonal antibody. The results of this study show that bacterial levels gradually increased with plant growth following inoculation. Specifically, plant height, stalk diameter, single stalk weight and water potential all decreased as a result of ratoon stunt infection, while membrane permeability and amino acid content increased in Lxx‐infected plants compared to the control. The expression of PAL, ZFP and NBS‐LRR genes all also increased in plants subject to ratoon stunt stress; this result suggests that these genes are involved in sugar cane responses to Lxx infection.
US Health Care Reform and Rural America: Results From the ACA's Medicaid Expansions
Authors: Benitez Joseph A. , Seiber Eric E.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Medicaid expansions, prompted by the Affordable Care Act, generated generally positive effects on coverage and alleviated much of the financial burden associated with seeking health care. We do not know if these shifts also extend to the nation's rural populations.

Methods

Using 2011‐2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, this study compares trend changes for coverage, access to care, and health care utilization in response to Medicaid expansion among urban and rural residents using a difference‐in‐differences regression approach.

Findings

Following Medicaid expansion, low‐income rural and urban residents both experienced reductions in uninsurance; however, the coverage uptake in rural settings (8.5 percentage points [pp], P < .01) was much larger than the uptake in coverage in more urban settings (4.1 pp, P > .10). In spite of larger uptakes in coverage among rural residents, reductions in cost‐related barriers to medical care were slightly larger among urban residents, and access to a regular source of medical care (5.2 pp, P < .05) and doctor visitation (4.5 pp, P < .01) were only statistically significant among urban residents.

Conclusions

The ACA Medicaid expansions produced larger gains in coverage for rural residents than urban residents; however, it appears there remain opportunities to improve access to care among potentially vulnerable rural residents.
Canine GM2‐Gangliosidosis Sandhoff Disease Associated with a 3‐Base Pair Deletion in the HEXB Gene
Authors: Wang P. , Henthorn P.S. , Galban E. , Lin G. , Takedai T. , Casal M.
Published: November 2017

Background

GM2‐gangliosidosis is a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by deficiency of either β‐hexosaminidase A (Hex‐A) and β‐hexosaminidase B (Hex‐B) together, or the GM2 activator protein. Clinical signs can be variable and are not pathognomonic for the specific, causal deficiency.

Objectives

To characterize the phenotype and genotype of GM2‐gangliosidosis disease in an affected dog.

Animals

One affected Shiba Inu and a clinically healthy dog.

Methods

Clinical and neurologic evaluation, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), assays of lysosomal enzyme activities, and sequencing of all coding regions of HEXA, HEXB, and GM2A genes.

Results

A 14‐month‐old, female Shiba Inu presented with clinical signs resembling GM2‐gangliosidosis in humans and GM1‐gangliosidosis in the Shiba Inu. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the dog's brain indicated neurodegenerative disease, and evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified storage granules in leukocytes. Lysosomal enzyme assays of plasma and leukocytes showed deficiencies of Hex‐A and Hex‐B activities in both tissues. Genetic analysis identified a homozygous, 3‐base pair deletion in the HEXB gene (c.618‐620delCCT).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular features are characterized in a Shiba Inu with GM2‐gangliosidosis. The deletion of 3 adjacent base pairs in HEXB predicts the loss of a leucine residue at amino acid position 207 (p.Leu207del) supporting the hypothesis that GM2‐gangliosidosis seen in this dog is the Sandhoff type. Because GM1‐gangliosidosis also exists in this breed with almost identical clinical signs, genetic testing for both GM1‐ and GM2‐gangliosidosis should be considered to make a definitive diagnosis.
The Foreign Policy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: The Role and Legacy of Hugo Chávez
Authors: Serbin Andrés , Serbin Pont Andrei
Published: November 2017

From the 1998 election of Hugo Chávez Frías as president until his death in March 2013, Venezuela went through significant changes. The launch of a political project geared toward the establishment of “socialism for the twenty‐first century,” underwritten by the abundant oil revenues since 2002, meant an unprecedented transformation in Venezuela. There was also a radical change in the country's foreign policy in the transition from the pre‐Chavez Venezuela to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. This article analyzes part of the political legacy left by Hugo Chávez, the new objectives and values, new strategic orientations and priorities, and the transformation of the institutions charged with carrying out this foreign policy. It focuses on the Ministry of the Popular Power (Poder Popular) for External Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the creation of a set of intergovernmental organizations at the regional and international levels, particularly the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas, that support the promotion of international solidarity with the revolutionary process led by President Chávez. While the main aspects of Hugo Chavez's approach to politics and foreign policy continue to be enforced today, serious economic and social deterioration linked to the decline in international oil prices has led to major challenges to Venezuelan regional leadership in recent years, reflected in recent changes to its foreign policy.
Soft Balancing the Titans: Venezuelan Foreign‐Policy Strategy Toward the United States, China, and Russia
Authors: Mijares Víctor M.
Published: November 2017

This article analyzes Chavist Venezuela's foreign policy toward three major powers, the United States, China, and Russia. Based on neoclassical, peripheral, and subaltern‐realism theories, it considers the Latin American duality between alignment and autonomy as strategic alternatives, and uses congruence analysis to consider the coherence between Chavism's geopolitical objectives and concrete actions in its foreign policy with the three powers. Venezuela's foreign‐policy strategy consists of three overlapping triads. In Venezuela–U.S.–China relations, Caracas assumes the power‐transition theory, aligning economically with the Asian rising power and serving as a gateway to Latin America. In Venezuela–U.S.–Russia relations, Chavism is politically and militarily aligned with Putin's Russia, taking advantage of the Russian–U.S. geostrategic rivalry. The most‐interesting and novel finding is in Venezuela–China–Russia relations, where the Bolivarian Revolution exploits a favorable economic relationship with China but aligns to Russian geostrategy, conducting a “softer balancing” against China to hold on to the partnership and to autonomy.
Continuity in the Face of Penal Innovation: Revisiting the History of American Solitary Confinement
Authors: Rubin Ashley T. , Reiter Keramet
Published: November 2017

Solitary confinement has been a perennial tool of control in US prisons, despite its status as a repeatedly delegitimized practice. Although there have been significant changes in punishment over time, solitary confinement has remained, mostly at the margins and always as a response to past failures, part of an unending search for greater control over prisoners. This history raises the question of how a discredited penal technology can nevertheless persist. We locate the source of this persistence in prison administrators' unflagging belief in solitary confinement as a last-resort tool of control. To maintain this highly criticized practice, prison administrators strategically revise, but never abandon, discredited practices in response to antecedent legitimacy struggles. Using solitary confinement as a case study, we demonstrate how penal technologies that violate current sensibilities can survive, despite changing macro-level social factors that otherwise explain penal change and practice, provided those technologies serve prison officials' internal goals.
Regulation of genome‐wide DNA methylation by mobile small RNAs
Authors: Tamiru Muluneh , Hardcastle Thomas J. , Lewsey Mathew G.
Published: November 2017

Contents

Summary
540

I.
Introduction
540

II.
There are different types of sRNA mobility
541

III.
Mechanisms of sRNA movement
541

IV.
Long‐distance, shoot–root, mobile siRNAs influence DNA methylation in recipient tissues
541

V.
Classes of interactions between shoot–root mobile siRNAs and DNA methylation
542

VI.
Loci targeted directly and indirectly by shoot–root mobile siRNAs are associated with different histone modifications
543

VII.
Is mobile siRNA‐regulated DNA methylation important in specific tissues or under specific conditions?
543

VIII.
Mobile sRNAs can be used to modify plant traits
544

IX.
Conclusions
544

Acknowledgements
544

References
544

RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) at cytosine residues regulates gene expression, silences transposable elements and influences genome stability. The mechanisms responsible for RdDM are guided to target loci by small RNAs (sRNAs) that can move within plants cell to cell and long distance. Here we discuss recent advances in the understanding of interactions between mobile sRNAs and DNA methylation. We describe the mechanisms of sRNA movement, the differences between known classes of mobile sRNA–DNA methylation interactions and the limits of current knowledge. Finally, we discuss potential applications of mobile sRNAs in modifying plant traits.
Land use change model based on bee colony optimization, Markov chain and a neighborhood decay cellular automata
Authors: ZiaeeVafaeyan Hilda , Moattar Mohammad Hossein , Forghani Yahya
Published: November 2017

This study provides a model for the assessment of land use/cover change (LUCC) process in the district 9th of Mashhad, Iran, during 1986–1996. The problem is of high importance due to the rapid development and growth of the city both in size and population. However, the model is applicable for other cities, especially in developing countries. In this model, bee colony optimization (BCO) and cellular automata (CA) are used to manage the spatial distribution of land uses and Markov chain (MC) is applied to model the amount of land use changes. In addition, due to the importance of the cellular neighborhood in CA, a function was added to the model to take the role of neighborhood into consideration. By comparing the simulated map of 1996 with the actual one and by measuring the overall accuracy and kappa coefficient, it is concluded that the model is suitable to simulate LUCC. The proposed model is compared with the BCO‐CA model. The results of comparisons illustrated that the proposed BCO‐MC‐NDCA model outperforms the BCO‐CA model in forecasting the spatial distribution and the amount of land use changes in the studied area. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient, compared with those of the BCO‐CA model, were improved by 7.64% and 0.11, respectively.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

BCO algorithm is presented in this paper for rule learning in the CA framework to model LUCC. In addition, Markov chain is applied to measure and control the amount of land use conversions. Furthermore, a function of neighboring effect is added to take advantage of the distance between cells in LUCC modeling. The experiments showed that the proposed approach is effective in predicting urban changes. The following implications could be realized based on the observations:

While CA is a good model for cell conversion in urban maps, integrating that with MC could result in a more precise prediction of land use conversion.

Since the neighboring cells are in close relation with each other, use of a neighboring decay effect, as a key factor for managers, is suggested to improve the predictions and decisions, significantly.
Home‐Based Tactile Discrimination Training Reduces Phantom Limb Pain
Authors: Wakolbinger Robert , Diers Martin , Hruby Laura A. , Sturma Agnes , Aszmann Oskar C.
Published: November 2017

Background

Phantom limb pain (PLP) affects a high percentage of amputees. Since treatment options are limited, low quality of life and addiction to pain medication frequently occur. New treatments, such as mirror therapy or electrical sensory discrimination training, make use of the brain's plasticity to alleviate this centrally derived pain.

Aim

This pilot study assessed the question of whether home‐based tactile discrimination training (TDT) leads to a stronger decrease in PLP levels compared to standard massage treatment.

Design

Controlled study.

Setting

Outpatient.

Population

Amputees (upper/lower extremity) with a PLP score of 4 or higher out of a possible 10 points on the visual analog scale.

Methods

Eight patients participated in the study. The treatment phase comprised 2 weeks (15 minutes daily). Subjects were examined at baseline, after treatment, 2 weeks after completing treatment, and 4 weeks after completing treatment. Pain was assessed using the West Haven–Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory.

Results

There was a significantly stronger reduction in PLP in the treatment group receiving TDT. PLP intensity ratings were significantly reduced at the end of therapy, and at 2 and 4 weeks after completing treatment compared to pretreatment.

Conclusions

TDT seems to be an easy, cheap, time‐effective, and safe method to achieve sustained alleviation of PLP and also brings about a positive change in body image.

Rehabilitation Impact

Home‐based TDT could achieve a sustained reduction in PLP and should be considered as a possible alternative to established treatment methods.
Influence of rare alleles of β‐carotene hydroxylase and lycopene epsilon cyclase genes on accumulation of provitamin A carotenoids in maize kernels
Authors: Zunjare Rajkumar U. , Hossain Firoz , Muthusamy Vignesh , Baveja Aanchal , Chauhan Hema S. , Thirunavukkarasu Nepolean , Saha Supradip , Gupta Hari S.
Published: November 2017

Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major health problems worldwide. Traditional yellow maize possesses very low provitamin A (proA) concentration in endosperm. The influence of rare alleles of β‐carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) and lycopene epsilon cyclase (lcyE) genes capable of enhancing proA concentration was studied in four BC2F2 populations generated using subtropical inbreds and CIMMYT‐HarvestPlus lines. The occurrence of severe segregation distortion for crtRB1 gene was observed, while lcyE gene was segregated as per Mendelian ratio. Genotype with favourable allele of crtRB1 (CC) had a significant effect on β‐carotene (BC) (7.9‐fold), β‐cryptoxanthin (BCX) (twofold) and proA (5.5‐fold) accumulation, compared to unfavourable genotype (C+C+). Genotype with favourable allele of lcyE (LL) showed 2.1‐fold, 1.6‐fold and twofold significant enhancement in BC, BCX and proA, respectively, over unfavourable genotype (L+L+) in pooled analysis. Of the nine genotypes, double homozygote (CC/LL) had the highest mean BC (12.60 μg/g), BCX (4.44 μg/g) and proA (14.82 μg/g), and combined effect was significantly better than individual gene effects or any other combinations. The information generated here would be useful in designing strategy for proA enrichment in subtropical maize.
Wound culture isolated antibiograms and caregiver‐reported skin care practices in children with epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Singer Hannah M. , Levin Laura E. , Garzon Maria C. , Lauren Christine T. , Planet Paul J. , Kittler Nicole W. , Whittier Susan , Morel Kimberly D.
Published: November 2017

Background/Objectives

Many patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) require intensive daily wound care and individualized treatment plans. Understanding patient's home skin care routines and emerging antibiotic resistance patterns in EB wounds is necessary to optimize treatment recommendations. The objective was to identify patterns of antimicrobial resistance in EB wounds and characterize patient's home practices of skin care and bathing.

Methods

This was an observational study of 23 children with EB at an outpatient pediatric dermatology practice in New York City from 2012 to 2014. Information on individual bathing and skin care practices and wound cultures was collected as part of routine examinations and an institutional review board–approved antibiogram protocol.

Results

Sixty wound cultures were collected from 23 patients. Eleven organisms were isolated, most commonly methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, Streptococcus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Six patients (26%) were colonized with methicillin‐resistant S. aureus. Over the course of the study, 13 patients (56%) were found to have mupirocin‐resistant S. aureus. More than half of participants reported mupirocin or bacitracin use. Fewer than half indicated that they regularly used dilute bleach or dilute vinegar as part of their bathing routine.

Conclusion

Numerous organisms, including resistant bacteria, are known to colonize the wounds of individuals with EB. Mupirocin resistance was prevalent and more than half of the participants reported its use. Testing for mupirocin resistance may be considered for certain patients. These observations may help guide questions for future longitudinal multicenter studies with the goal of optimizing EB wound care recommendations.
Synthesis, Photophysical and Computational Study of Novel Coumarin‐based Organic Dyes
Authors: Kumbar Mahadev N. , Sannaikar Madivalagouda S. , Shaikh Saba Kauser J. , Kamble Atulkumar A. , Wari Manjunath N. , Inamdar Sanjeev R. , Qiao Qiquan , Revanna Bhavya N. , Madegowda Mahendra , Dasappa Jagadeesh P. , Kamble Ravindra R.
Published: November 2017

A series of novel coumarin pyrazoline moieties combined with tetrazoles, 3‐(1‐phenyl‐4‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, 6‐chloro‐3‐(1‐phenyl‐4‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, 6‐bromo‐3‐(1‐phenyl‐4‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one and 6‐bromo‐3‐(1‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐4‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one7(a‐d), were designed and synthesized. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and their interactions were studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis. Thermal stabilities and electrochemical properties of these compounds were examined from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TGA) and cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies. Their spectroscopic properties were analyzed in various alcohols and general solvents by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence and time‐resolved spectroscopy. In addition, the ground and excited state electronic properties were investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The calculated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and energy band gap (Eg) values have revealed the effect of substitution of halogens. The substitution has equally affected the ground and excited states of 7(a‐d) compounds. The solvatochromism on absorption, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of these compounds was investigated. All these results showed the chromen‐2‐one of pyrazoline tetrazole derivatives could play an important role in photonic and electronic devices.
An integrative insight on dormancy alleviation in diaspores of Urochloa humidicola (Rendle) Morrone & Zuloaga, a tropical grass with great economic and ecological impact
Authors: Ajala‐Luccas D. , Ribeiro‐Oliveira J. P. , Duarte Silveira L. E. , da Silva E. A. A.
Published: November 2017

Even though exhaustively studied, dormancy alleviation in diaspores of Urochloa humidicola (Rendle) Morrone & Zuloaga remains a mystery. To clarify this, we asked the following question: could dormancy alleviation in diaspores of this species be associated with ageing, GA/ABA balance and remaining structures of the panicoid spikelet?

We answer this question using diaspores of U. humidicola cv. BRS Tupi as a biological model, a cultivar with a wide edaphoclimatic range in Neotropical areas and whose diaspores possess ‘deep dormancy’ when dispersed. We analysed both germination and early plant development using a split‐plot model.

Our findings demonstrate that dormancy alleviation in diaspores of U. humidicola is a synergic phenomenon driven by crosstalk between age, GA/ABA balance and remaining structures of the panicoid spikelet covering caryopses, since this interaction acts on the dynamics of germination and early plant development.

We demonstrate that: (i) spreading germination time is a maternal survival mechanism of this species, which has repercussions for occupational aggressiveness of the species; (ii) remaining structures of the panicoid spikelet covering caryopses are the main modulator of embryo development. These structures control the after‐ripening process, which is modulated by some molecular factor. We also highlight that it is necessary to review concepts about dormancy of dispersal units in this grass species.
Endobronchial valve placement in emphysema: When is it lung volume reduction?
Authors: Eberhardt Ralf
Published: November 2017

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