bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raised atmospheric CO2 levels affect soil seed bank composition of temperate grasslands
Authors: Seibert Ruben , Grünhage Ludger , Müller Christoph , Otte Annette , Donath Tobias W.
Published: November 2018

Questions

Soil seed banks buffer plant populations against environmental variability. But environmental changes can have profound impact on them. Several studies addressed the effect of climate change on aboveground vegetation, but studies on changes in the seed bank are rare. Thus, we studied the seed bank of a temperate grassland at a long‐term FACE (Free‐Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment) site, with the following questions: (a) Are there general differences in the species composition between aboveground vegetation and seed bank; (b) what are the impacts of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on seed density and species composition of the seed bank; and (c) are there differences in the functional traits of the seed bank species under eCO2 versus ambient CO2 (aCO2)?

Location

Temperate grassland, Gießen, Germany.

Method

Thirty soil cores were taken in six FACE rings. Emerging seedlings were identified to species level after germination and aboveground vegetation was sampled. From the seed bank data, we derived diversity measures and weighted means of species traits, e.g., seed longevity and regeneration type, and compared eCO2 (+20% CO2 above ambient conditions) with aCO2 treatment.

Results

Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination revealed a clear separation between seed bank and aboveground vegetation but no clear CO2 effect. Analyses revealed higher seed densities under eCO2. Species diversity and Shannon diversity were not significantly affected. Evenness decreased significantly under eCO2. There are shifts in functional traits of seed bank species. Seed density of long‐term‐persistent species increased, while short‐term‐persistent species decreased. Seed densities of species with generative reproduction increased under eCO2, while numbers of species with vegetative reproduction decreased.

Conclusion

The observed trait compositions of the seed bank under eCO2 indicate that species relying on generative reproduction and production of long‐term‐persistent seeds have a competitive advantage under eCO2. The changes in the plant communities described above may lead to profound changes in the supply of grassland ecosystem services.
The Effects of Military Occupation on Growth
Authors: Vishwasrao Sharmila , Schneider Matthew , Chiang Eric P.
Published: November 2018

A substantial literature exists on the effects of military expenditures on economic growth, yet no study has analyzed the effects of military occupation other than in anecdotal cases. This paper uses a panel of 214 countries from 1950 to 2013 to study how economic growth is impacted by different forms of military occupation. Transformative occupations aim to establish institutions to promote stability once the occupation ends, while subdual occupations are more malevolent in their objectives. Our results show that transformative occupations produce positive growth in occupied countries after the occupation period concludes. Separating these effects into the short run and long run, we find that while countries subject to a subdual occupation experience a short‐run increase in growth at the end of the occupation, countries with transformative occupation experience long‐run increases in growth. These findings are robust to the inclusion of traditional drivers of growth. Policy implications suggest that regional conflicts that are solved using military intervention may have lasting effects on growth as long as the intentions of the occupying force are transformative in nature.
What Does Trade Openness Measure?
Authors: Fujii Eiji
Published: November 2018

An empirical measure of trade openness is defined as the ratio of total trade to GDP, and represents a convenient variable routinely used for cross‐country studies on a variety of issues. However, the effects that the crude measure captures remain ambiguous, making it difficult to interpret the empirical results. Drawing on several strands of the literature, this study examines the informational content of the trade openness measure using intranational and international data. We find that, even for fully integrated economies within a country, trade openness is approximately half as variable as it is for segmented diverse countries around the world. The information it conveys is better characterized as the extent of the economic remoteness and idiosyncratic distribution of sectoral production. The cross‐country variation of trade openness derives more from the variability in GDP than trade.
Zinc biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.): Status and challenges
Authors: Maqbool Muhammad Amir , Beshir AbduRahman
Published: November 2018

Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries. Different interventions could be used to overcome malnutrition, but biofortification is most impactful, convenient, sustainable and acceptable intervention. Maize is one of the major crops grown and consumed in the regions with prevalent Zn malnutrition; therefore, this is suitable target for Zn biofortification. Zn biofortification of maize could be achieved through agronomic and genetic approaches. Discussion of agronomic approaches with genetic approaches is prerequisite because soils in developing countries are deficit of Zn and availability of Zn in soils is mandatory for estimating the genetic responses of maize genotypes through genetic approaches. Seed priming, foliar and soil applications are agronomic tools for biofortification, but solo and combined applications of these treatments have different effects on Zn enrichment. Genetic approaches include the increase of Zn bioavailability or increase of kernel Zn concentration. Zn bioavailability could be increased by reducing the anti‐nutritional factors or by increasing the bioavailability enhancers. Kernel Zn concentration could be improved through hybridization and selections, whereas genetically engineered attempts for improving Zn uptake from soil, loading in xylem, remobilization in grains and sequestration in endosperm can further improve the kernel Zn concentration. Key challenges associated with dissemination of Zn biofortified maize are also under discussion in this draft. Current review emphasized all of above‐mentioned contents to provide roadmap for the development of Zn biofortified maize genotypes to curb the global Zn malnutrition.
Population level changes in schistosome‐specific antibody levels following chemotherapy
Authors: Fukushige Mizuho , Mutapi Francisca , Woolhouse Mark E.J.
Published: November 2018

Aims

Previous studies have reported that chemotherapy of schistosomiasis by praziquantel in humans boosts protective antibody responses against S mansoni and S haematobium. A number of studies have reported schistosome‐specific antibody levels before and after chemotherapy. Using these reports, a meta‐analysis was conducted to identify predictors of population level change in schistosome‐specific antibody levels after chemotherapy.

Methods and results

Following a systematic review, 92 observations from 26 articles published between 1988 and 2013 were included in this study. Observations were grouped by antigen type and antibody isotypes for the classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. The study showed that the change in antibody levels was variable: (a) between different human populations and (b) according to the parasite antigen and antibody isotypes. Thus, while anti‐worm responses predominantly increased after chemotherapy, anti‐egg responses decreased or did not show a significant trend. The change in antibody levels depended on a combination of age and infection intensity for anti‐egg IgA, IgM, IgG1, IgG2 and anti‐worm IgM and IgG.

Conclusion

The study results are consistent with praziquantel treatment boosting anti‐worm antibody responses. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in post‐treatment changes in specific antibody levels that is related to host age and pre‐treatment infection intensity.
Signaling interactions between mitochondria and chloroplasts in Nicotiana tabacum leaf
Authors: Alber Nicole A. , Vanlerberghe Greg C.
Published: November 2018

Research has begun to elucidate the signal transduction pathway(s) that control cellular responses to changes in mitochondrial status. Important tools in such studies are chemical inhibitors used to initiate mitochondrial dysfunction. This study compares the effect of different inhibitors and treatment conditions on the transcript amount of nuclear genes specifically responsive to mitochondrial dysfunction in leaf of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Petit Havana. The Complex III inhibitors antimycin A (AA) and myxothiazol (MYXO), and the Complex V inhibitor oligomycin (OLIGO), each increased the transcript amount of the mitochondrial dysfunction genes. Transcript responses to OLIGO were greater during treatment in the dark than in the light, and the dark treatment resulted in cell death. In the dark, transcript responses to AA and MYXO were similar to one another, despite MYXO leading to cell death. In the light, transcript responses to AA and MYXO diverged, despite cell viability remaining high with either inhibitor. This divergent response may be due to differential signaling from the chloroplast because only AA also inhibited cyclic electron transport, resulting in a strong acceptor‐side limitation in photosystem I. In the light, chemical inhibition of chloroplast electron transport reduced transcript responses to AA, while having no effect on the response to MYXO, and increasing the response to OLIGO. Hence, when studying mitochondrial dysfunction signaling, different inhibitor and treatment combinations differentially affect linked processes (e.g. chloroplast function and cell fate) that then contribute to measured responses. Therefore, inhibitor and treatment conditions should be chosen to align with specific study goals.
Effectiveness of nutrient enhancement as a remediation or compensation strategy of salmonid fisheries in culturally oligotrophic lakes and streams in temperate climates
Authors: Gerwing Travis G. , Plate Elmar
Published: November 2018

Productivity of temperate streams and lakes is often limited by availability of key nutrients, and nutrient‐poor habitats are termed oligotrophic. Oligotrophic streams and lakes occur naturally, but often are a product of human activities (cultural oligotrophication), such as the creation of dams. Cultural oligotrophication has resulted in declining productivity in streams and lakes, a condition that can manifest itself in collapsing salmonid fish stocks. To counteract lost productivity as part of restoration or compensation measures, managers often add nutrient via fertilizers to enhance fisheries production. However, these programs are not always successful, and this article reviews available literature to identify patterns that may influence success of nutrient enhancement programs. Overall fertilization of lakes and streams will almost certainly increase primary producer and invertebrate populations. While it is likely that fertilization will also increase fishery production, it is far from certain. The magnitude of this change is unpredictable, and the success of a fertilization program will vary greatly between years, habitat, and microhabitats. Regardless, if fertilization is coupled with holistic monitoring of the food web and ecosystem, then it is likely to be an effective technique to enhance fishery productivity in active restoration of compensation programs. However, the benefits of fertilization will not outlast the fertilization project, and care must be exercised when ceasing active fertilization. When compared to other restoration/compensation strategies such as fish ladders or trap and transport, fertilization may be a cost‐effective method to enhance fishery production. Finally, recommendations are discussed to increase the probability of fertilization success.
Lateral manus translation for limb‐sparing surgery in 18 dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma in dogs
Authors: Séguin Bernard , Walsh Peter J. , Ehrhart E. J. , Hayden Eva , Lafferty Mary H. , Selmic Laura E.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To describe and report outcomes after lateral translation of the manus for limb‐sparing management of distal radial osteosarcoma in dogs.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Study population

Eighteen client‐owned dogs.

Methods

The distal aspect of the affected radius and associated neoplastic tissues were excised. The distal aspect of the ulna was preserved except for its medial cortex, which was removed en bloc with the radial segment. The manus was translated laterally to place the radial carpal bone in contact with the distal aspect of the ulna. A limb‐sparing or locking compression plate was placed on the remaining proximal radius and the 3rd metacarpal bone. A 3.5‐mm SOP (string of pearls) plate was placed on the lateral aspect of the proximal ulna and the 4th metacarpal bone. Dogs were administered chemotherapy. Data were collected to assess surgical and oncologic outcomes. Limb function was subjectively assessed.

Results

The percentage of radius removed ranged from 43% to 94% (median 54%). Complications developed in 12 limbs, with infection in 10, biomechanical complications in 6, and local recurrence in 4. Limb function was subjectively assessed as acceptable. Median disease‐free interval was 219 days, and median survival time was 370 days.

Conclusion

Outcomes after lateral translation of the manus compared favorably to other limb‐sparing techniques for dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma, particularly in dogs requiring excision of a large segment of the radius.

Clinical significance

The lateral manus translation provides an alternative limb‐sparing technique that does not require an allograft, endoprosthesis, or autograft.
A new proof of Halász’s theorem, and its consequences
Authors: Granville Andrew , Harper Adam J. , Soundararajan K.
Published: November 2018

Halász’s theorem gives an upper bound for the mean value of a multiplicative function$f$. The bound is sharp for general such$f$, and, in particular, it implies that a multiplicative function with$|f(n)|\leqslant 1$has either mean value$0$, or is ‘close to’$n^{it}$for some fixed$t$. The proofs in the current literature have certain features that are difficult to motivate and which are not particularly flexible. In this article we supply a different, more flexible, proof, which indicates how one might obtain asymptotics, and can be modified to treat short intervals and arithmetic progressions. We use these results to obtain new, arguably simpler, proofs that there are always primes in short intervals (Hoheisel’s theorem), and that there are always primes near to the start of an arithmetic progression (Linnik’s theorem).
Luxe research ship to explore the deep ocean
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: November 2018

REV Ocean ramps up with $500 million from Norwegian fisheries and oil tycoon.
Asia set to take center stage in Higgs studies
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: November 2018

China unveils full design for a $5 billion collider; Japan nears decision on its own plan.
Giant mammal cousin rivaled early dinosaurs
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: November 2018

Ancient plant eater grew as large as today's elephants.
Cap-specific terminal
N
6
-methylation of RNA by an RNA polymerase II–associated methyltransferase
Authors: Akichika Shinichiro , Hirano Seiichi , Shichino Yuichi , Suzuki Takeo , Nishimasu Hiroshi , Ishitani Ryuichiro , Sugita Ai , Hirose Yutaka , Iwasaki Shintaro , Nureki Osamu , Suzuki Tsutomu
Published: November 2018

A cap-specific m
6
A writer

N
6
,2′-
O
-dimethyladenosine (m
6
Am) is present at the transcription start nucleotide of capped mRNAs in vertebrates. Akichika
et al.
quantified the abundance of this modification in the transcriptome and identified the writer protein, cap-specific adenosine methyltransferase (CAPAM), needed for this modification. CAPAM contains a unique structure that recognizes cap-specific
N
6
-methyladenosine (m
6
A) as the substrate. The protein interacts with RNA polymerase II, suggesting that the modification occurs cotranscriptionally. The m
6
Am promotes the translation of capped mRNAs in a eIF4E-independent fashion.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav0080
The ribosome, revealed
Gene Machine: The Race to Decipher the Secrets of the Ribosome
Venki Ramakrishnan
Basic Books, 2018. 288 pp.
Authors: Wilson Daniel N.
Published: November 2018

A Nobel laureate recounts the story of his quest to discover the structure of a key molecular machine
The Host DHX9 DExH-Box Helicase Is Recruited to Chikungunya Virus Replication Complexes for Optimal Genomic RNA Translation
Authors: Matkovic Roy , Bernard Eric , Fontanel Simon , Eldin Patrick , Chazal Nathalie , Hassan Hersi Deka , Merits Andres , Péloponèse Jean-Marie , Briant Laurence
Published: November 2018

The reemergence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus that is transmitted to humans by
Aedes
mosquitoes, is a serious global health threat. In the absence of effective antiviral drugs, CHIKV infection has a significant impact on human health, with chronic arthritis being one of the most serious complications. The molecular understanding of host-virus interactions is a prerequisite to the development of targeted therapeutics capable to interrupt viral replication and transmission. Here, we identify the host cell DHX9 DExH-Box helicase as an essential cofactor for early CHIKV genome translation. We demonstrate that CHIKV nsP3 protein acts as a key factor for DHX9 recruitment to replication complexes. Finally, we establish that DHX9 behaves as a switch that regulates the progression of the viral cycle from translation to genome replication. This study might therefore have a significant impact on the development of antiviral strategies.
Sources of social support and sexual behaviour advice for young adults in rural South Africa
Authors: Harling Guy , Gumede Dumile , Shahmanesh Maryam , Pillay Deenan , Bärnighausen Till W , Tanser Frank
Published: November 2018

Introduction

While young people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at greatest risk of HIV acquisition, uptake of HIV prevention interventions among them has been limited. Interventions delivered through social connections have changed behaviour in many settings, but not to date in SSA. There is little systematic evidence on whom young SSA adults turn to for advice. We therefore conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study from whom young rural South Africans received support and sexual behaviour-specific advice.

Methods

We asked 119 18–34  year olds in rural KwaZulu-Natal about the important people in their lives who provided emotional, informational, financial, physical, social or other support. We also asked whether they had discussed sex or HIV prevention with each contact named. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyse support and advice provision patterns.

Results

Respondents named 394 important contacts, each providing a mean of 1.7 types of support. Most contacts were relatives, same-gender friends or romantic partners. Relatives provided most informational, financial and physical support; friends and partners more social support and sexual advice. Respondents reported discussing sexual matters with 60% of contacts. Sources of support changed with age, from friends and parents, towards siblings and partners.

Discussion

Sexual health interventions for young adults in rural South Africa may be able to harness friend and same-generation kin social ties through which sex is already discussed, and parental ties through which other forms of support are transmitted. The gender-segregated nature of social connections may require separate interventions for men and women.
Reliability and accuracy of delirium assessments among investigators at multiple international centres
Authors: Maybrier Hannah R , Mickle Angela M , Escallier Krisztina E , Lin Nan , Schmitt Eva M , Upadhyayula Ravi T , Wildes Troy S , Mashour George A , Palihnich Kerry , Inouye Sharon K , Avidan Michael Simon
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Delirium is a common, serious postoperative complication. For clinical studies to generate valid findings, delirium assessments must be standardised and administered accurately by independent researchers. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a widely used delirium assessment tool. The objective was to determine whether implementing a standardised CAM training protocol for researchers at multiple international sites yields reliable inter-rater assessment and accurate delirium diagnosis.

Methods

Patients consented to video recordings of CAM delirium assessments for research purposes. Raters underwent structured training in CAM administration. Training entailed didactic education, role-playing with intensive feedback, apprenticeship with experienced researchers and group discussions of complex cases. Raters independently viewed and scored nine video-recorded CAM interviews. Inter-rater reliability was determined using Fleiss kappa. Accuracy was judged by comparing raters’ scores with those of an expert delirium researcher.

Results

Twenty-seven raters from eight international research centres completed the study and achieved almost perfect agreement for overall delirium diagnosis, kappa=0.88 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.92). Agreement of the four core CAM features ranged from fair to substantial. The sensitivity and specificity for identifying delirium were 72% (95% CI 60% to 81%) and 99% (95% CI 96% to 100%), considering an expert rater’s scores as the reference standard (delirious, n=3; non-delirious, n=6). Delirium severity ratings were tightly clustered, with most scores within 5% of the median.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that, with appropriate training and ongoing scoring discussions, researchers at multiple sites can reliably detect delirium in postsurgical patients. These results support the premise that methodologically rigorous multi-centre studies can yield standardised and accurate determinations of delirium.
Health promotion
Authors: Noble Helen , Barrett David
Published: November 2018

EBN Perspectives brings together key issues from the commentaries in one of our nursing topic themes.
Prognostic significance of tumour infiltration growth pattern in patients with advanced gastric cancer
Authors: Zhao Bochao , Zhang Jiale , Mei Di , Huang Xinyu , Zou Shihui , Luo Rui , Xu Huimian , Huang Baojun
Published: November 2018

Aims

The prognostic significance of infiltration growth pattern (INF) in patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of INF pattern on the prognosis of patients with advanced GC.

Methods

A total of 1455 patients with advanced GC who underwent curative gastrectomy in our institution were retrospectively analysed. All patients were histopathologically classified as INFa/b and INFc pattern according to the Japanese Classification of Gastric Cancer. The prognostic difference between two patterns was compared and clinicopathological features were analysed.

Results

The prognosis of the patients with INFc pattern was poorer than that of those with INFa/b pattern (5-year disease-free survival, INFa/b: 48.4% vs INFc: 33.5%, p < 0.001), even when they were stratified according to lymph node metastasis and the tumour, node, metastases stage. In addition, the subgroup analysis indicated that INFc pattern was significantly associated with poorer prognosis of T2–T3 stage patients (T2, INFa/b: 72.7% vs INFc: 55.4%; T3, INFa/b: 47.4% vs INFc: 33.5%; p<0.001). However, a similar result was not observed among T4a stage patients (INFa/b: 26.8% vs INFc: 24.8%, p>0.05). The prognosis of T2 stage patients with INFc pattern was similar to that of T3 stage patients with INFa/b pattern (p>0.05). Also, there was no significantly prognostic difference between T3 stage patients with INFc pattern and T4a stage patients (p>0.05). The multivariate analysis indicated that INF pattern was an independent prognostic factor for patients with advanced GC (HR 1.259, 95%CI 1.089 to 1.454).

Conclusion

In view of its prognostic significance, histopathological evaluation of INF pattern in surgically resected specimens should be recommended in patients with advanced GC.
Employment trajectories in midlife and cognitive performance in later life: longitudinal study of older American men and women
Authors: Kobayashi Lindsay C , Feldman Justin Michael
Published: November 2018

Background

Although being employed during midlife is positively associated with cognitive function in later life, little is known with respect to cumulative trajectories or durations of time spent in different kinds of work.

Methods

We investigated the relationships between employment trajectory from ages 31 years to 50 years and cognitive skills at ages 50–78 years among 2521 adults in the US Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 1968 to 2016. Sequence analysis was used to identify prototypical employment trajectories, capturing employment status and high versus lower job skill level at each year of age from 31 years to 50 years. Adjusted and weighted logistic regression was used to estimate relationships between employment trajectory and performance on each of four cognitive tests representing numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, health literacy and financial literacy. Dose–response relationships between the duration of high-skill employment and cognitive skills were examined.

Results

Seven prototypical employment trajectories were identified, the most common being consistently lower skill employment (44%; 1105/2521). Consistently high-skill and fluctuating skill trajectories were associated with high numerical reasoning scores (OR=1.54, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.40; OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.39 to 4.58, respectively), compared with consistently lower skill employment. There was a dose–response relationship between duration of high-skill employment and numerical reasoning (OR=1.17; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.28), plateauing after approximately 4 years of high-skill employment.

Conclusions

Sequence analysis of exposure trajectories is a novel method for life course epidemiology that accounts for exposure timing, duration and ordering. Our results using this method indicate that the duration may be more important than the timing of high-skill midlife employment for later-life numerical reasoning skills.
SEC31A mutation affects ER homeostasis, causing a neurological syndrome
Authors: Halperin Daniel , Kadir Rotem , Perez Yonatan , Drabkin Max , Yogev Yuval , Wormser Ohad , Berman Erez M , Eremenko Ekaterina , Rotblat Barak , Shorer Zamir , Gradstein Libe , Shelef Ilan , Birk Ruth , Abdu Uri , Flusser Hagit , Birk Ohad S
Published: November 2018

Background

Consanguineous kindred presented with an autosomal recessive syndrome of intrauterine growth retardation, marked developmental delay, spastic quadriplegia with profound contractures, pseudobulbar palsy with recurrent aspirations, epilepsy, dysmorphism, neurosensory deafness and optic nerve atrophy with no eye fixation. Affected individuals died by the age of 4. Brain MRI demonstrated microcephaly, semilobar holoprosencephaly and agenesis of corpus callosum. We aimed at elucidating the molecular basis of this disease.

Methods

Genome-wide linkage analysis combined with whole exome sequencing were performed to identify disease-causing variants. Functional consequences were investigated in fruit flies null mutant for the Drosophila SEC31A orthologue. SEC31A knockout SH-SY5Y and HEK293T cell-lines were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and studied through qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and viability assays.

Results

Through genetic studies, we identified a disease-associated homozygous nonsense mutation in SEC31A. We demonstrate that SEC31A is ubiquitously expressed, and that the mutation triggers nonsense-mediated decay of its transcript, comprising a practical null mutation. Similar to the human disease phenotype, knockdown SEC31A flies had defective brains and early lethality. Moreover, in line with SEC31A encoding one of the two coating layers comprising the Coat protein complex II (COP-II) complex, trafficking newly synthesised proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated SEC31A null mutant cells demonstrated reduced viability through upregulation of ER-stress pathways.

Conclusion

We demonstrate through human and Drosophila genetic and in vitro molecular studies, that a severe neurological syndrome is caused by a null mutation in SEC31A, reducing cell viability through enhanced ER-stress response, in line with SEC31A’s role in the COP-II complex.
Practice evaluation of biobank ethics and governance: current needs and future perspectives
Authors: Langhof Holger , Schwietering Johannes , Strech Daniel
Published: November 2018

Background

Biobank research faces many ethical challenges. Ethics research aims to develop standards for governance to meet these challenges by elaborating overarching normative principles of medical ethics in the context of biobanking. Most ethical standards are widely agreed on among biobank stakeholders and entail specific governance solutions, for example, adoption of consent procedures. In order to fully meet its goal, every governance solution needs to be implemented, evaluated and, if necessary, adapted and improved in practice. This study reviews the scientific literature on biobank ethics and governance in order to identify studies that specifically focus on practice evaluation of biobank governance.

Methods

A PubMed search was carried out. Retrieved literature was categorised and thematically clustered. All studies that focus on practice evaluation were reviewed and their objectives, results, and recommendations for practice summarised.

Results

The findings show that the majority of studies on biobank ethics and governance are theoretical; only 25 out of 922 studies empirically evaluate biobank governance in practice. The majority of these (14; 59%) focused on informed consent. Six studies (24%) addressed practice evaluation of sample and data access; the rest focused on public involvement, ethics reporting and incidental findings. Other relevant governance areas such as ethics review, priority setting and sample ownership were not addressed.

Conclusion

In order to fulfil the ethical goals, more empirical research is needed that provides information on how governance mechanisms perform in practice and what improvements are needed.
Practical approach to the diagnosis of adult-onset leukodystrophies: an updated guide in the genomic era
Authors: Lynch David S , Wade Charles , Paiva Anderson Rodrigues Brandão de , John Nevin , Kinsella Justin A , Merwick Áine , Ahmed Rebekah M , Warren Jason D , Mummery Catherine J , Schott Jonathan M , Fox Nick C , Houlden Henry , Adams Matthew E , Davagnanam Indran , Murphy Elaine , Chataway Jeremy
Published: November 2018

Adult-onset leukodystrophies and genetic leukoencephalopathies comprise a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders of white matter with a wide age of onset and phenotypic spectrum. Patients with white matter abnormalities detected on MRI often present a diagnostic challenge to both general and specialist neurologists. Patients typically present with a progressive syndrome including various combinations of cognitive impairment, movement disorders, ataxia and upper motor neuron signs. There are a number of important and treatable acquired causes for this imaging and clinical presentation. There are also a very large number of genetic causes which due to their relative rarity and sometimes variable and overlapping presentations can be difficult to diagnose. In this review, we provide a structured approach to the diagnosis of inherited disorders of white matter in adults. We describe clinical and radiological clues to aid diagnosis, and we present an overview of both common and rare genetic white matter disorders. We provide advice on testing for acquired causes, on excluding small vessel disease mimics, and detailed advice on metabolic and genetic testing available to the practising neurologist. Common genetic leukoencephalopathies discussed in detail includeCSF1R,AARS2, cerebral arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), and mitochondrial and metabolic disorders.
Bawa-Garba ruling is not good news for doctors
Authors: Hodson Nathan
Published: November 2018

Although some doctors celebrated when the Court of Appeal overturned Hadiza Bawa-Garba’s erasure from the medical register, it is argued here that in many ways the ruling is by no means good news for the medical profession. Doctors’ interests are served by transparent professional tribunals but the Court of Appeal’s approach to the GMC Sanctions Guidance risks increasing opacity in decision-making. Close attention to systemic factors in the criminal trial protects doctors yet the Court of Appeal states that the structural circumstances surrounding Bawa-Garba’s failings were only of peripheral relevance to her conviction. Public confidence in the profession is undermined when convicted doctors return to work because the public de facto do not understand the nuance of gross negligence manslaughter law. Rather than changing the law to make the regulator more lenient towards doctors, it would be better to ensure that doctors are only convicted of gross negligence manslaughter when their conduct is so serious that they ought to be struck off.
Building physically based models for assessing rainfall-induced shallow landslide hazard at catchment scale: case study of the Sorrento Peninsula (Italy)
Authors: Balzano Brunella , Tarantino Alessandro , Nicotera Marco Valerio , Forte Giovanni , de Falco Melania , Santo Antonio
Published: November 2018

The assessment of rainfall-induced shallow landslide hazards at the catchment scale poses a significant challenge. Traditional empirical approaches for landslide hazard assessment often assume that conditions having caused failure in the past will not change in the future. This assumption may not hold in a climate change scenario. Physically based models (PBMs) therefore represent the natural approach to include changing climate effects. PBMs would in principle require the combination of a three-dimensional (3-D) mechanical and water-flow model. However, a full 3-D finite element model at the catchment scale, with relatively small elements required to capture the pore-water pressure gradients, would have a significant computational cost. For this reason, simplifications to the mechanical (i.e., infinite slope) and water-flow models (i.e., one-dimensional or hybrid 3-D) are introduced, often based on a priori assumptions and not corroborated by experimental evidence. The paper presents a methodology to build a PBM in a bottom-up fashion based on geological surveys and geotechnical investigation. The PBM is initially set as simple as possible and then moved to a higher level of complexity if the model is not capable of simulating past landslide events. The approach is presented for the case study of Sorrento Peninsula and two main landslide events recorded during the winter of 1996–1997.
Colorimetric detection of cysteine based on dispersion–aggregation mechanism of chitosan stabilized gold nanoparticles
Authors: Jeyasekaran Esther , Venkatachalam Sridevi
Published: November 2018

A simple and selective colorimetric method for detection of cysteine using chitosan stabilized gold nanoparticles has been developed. L-cysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid. Cysteine binds with the gold nanoparticles through a sulfur group and induces aggregation of the nanoparticles, which leads to a visible colour change from pale red to blue. A good linearity was observed from 0.1 to 30 μmol/L (R = 0.9958) cysteine, and the limit of detection was found to be 0.1 μmol/L. The gold nanoparticles showed a high selectivity towards the detection of cysteine even in the presence of 10 000 fold higher concentration of common interferences such as glutathione, methionine, and homocysteine. A plausible mechanism for the selective detection of cysteine in presence of interferences based on a dispersion–aggregation mechanism has been proposed.
Electron propagator with vector and scalar energy-dependent potentials in (2+1)-dimensional space–time
Authors: Benzair H. , Merad M. , Boudjedaa T.
Published: November 2018

We have studied the effect of energy-dependent potentials for the relativistic spinning particle using the formalism for supersymmetric path integrals. That leaves behind a new normalization of wave function, which is examined via the Dirac equation and can be confirmed by Feynman’s path integral method. Based on two important examples, Coulomb and Harmonic oscillator potentials, we find that the frequency and the Coulomb’s constant are dependent on spectral parameters. The propagator is calculated and the energy eigenvalues with their corresponding eigenfunctions are deduced.
Heterogeneity of social network based on degree sequence and community
Authors: Li Xuequn , Zhou Shuming , Lian Guanqin , Chen Gaolin , Liu Jiafei
Published: November 2018

As we know, the scale-free property of networks implies that there are a great deal of nodes with low degree and a few with high degree in networks. In this paper, we mainly stick to the analysis of the heterogeneity of social networks. Heterogeneity measure of degree sequence based on Laplacian centrality (HLC) and degree ratio (HDR) and local neighborhood (HLN) are presented. Furthermore, heterogeneities of community based on the size, edge abundant degree and density of community are explored, respectively. The heterogeneity measures of community are empirically analyzed in the real-world network in terms of these three indices, i.e., size, edge abundant degree and density of community.
The influence of extortion strategies on the evolution of cooperation in the scale-free network
Authors: Shen Ai-Zhong , Guo Jin-Li , Wang Jun-Fang , Suo Qi
Published: November 2018

Extortion strategies can unilaterally transcend any opponent’s expected payoffs and promote cooperative behaviors in an iterated prisoner’s dilemma game. However, extortion strategies have the evolutionary instability if the players game with uniform structure. In this paper, we study the influence of extortion on the evolution of cooperation in the scale-free network with the player’s game payoffs calculated by average payoffs and the strategy update rule according to the replicator dynamics rule. Firstly, we study the stability of evolutionary game results after introducing the extortion strategy and the influence of evolution extortion on cooperation. In addition, we compare the results of our model with the donation games of the accumulated payoff in the BA networks. Moreover, we study the influence of the model parameters on game results. The results show that extortion can form long-term stable relationships with neighbors and the average payoffs’ inhibiting effect of cooperative behaviors disappear after introducing the extortion strategies in the scale-free network. The smaller value of the extortion actor and the benefit factor have a greater effect on the stability density of the strategies but the initial strategy density does not.
Commutator subgroups of virtual and welded braid groups
Authors: Bardakov Valeriy G. , Gongopadhyay Krishnendu , Neshchadim Mikhail V.
Published: November 2018

Let [Formula: see text], respectively [Formula: see text] denote the virtual, respectively welded, braid group on [Formula: see text]-strands. We study their commutator subgroups [Formula: see text] and, [Formula: see text], respectively. We obtain a set of generators and defining relations for these commutator subgroups. In particular, we prove that [Formula: see text] is finitely generated if and only if [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is finitely generated for [Formula: see text]. Also, we prove that [Formula: see text] and for [Formula: see text] the commutator subgroups [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are perfect, i.e. the commutator subgroup is equal to the second commutator subgroup.
Edge ideals of oriented graphs
Authors: Hà Huy Tài , Lin Kuei-Nuan , Morey Susan , Reyes Enrique , Villarreal Rafael H.
Published: November 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a weighted oriented graph and let [Formula: see text] be its edge ideal. Under a natural condition that the underlying (undirected) graph of [Formula: see text] contains a perfect matching consisting of leaves, we provide several equivalent conditions for the Cohen–Macaulayness of [Formula: see text]. We also completely characterize the Cohen–Macaulayness of [Formula: see text] when the underlying graph of [Formula: see text] is a bipartite graph. When [Formula: see text] fails to be Cohen–Macaulay, we give an instance where [Formula: see text] is shown to be sequentially Cohen–Macaulay.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF O2 AND H2O CO-ADSORPTION ON CumCon(m+n=2∼7) CLUSTERS
Authors: HUO PEIYING , ZHANG XIURONG , YU ZHICHENG , GAO KUN
Published: November 2018

A theoretical study was carried out of CumCon-O2-H2O ([Formula: see text]) clusters using density functional method. The results indicate that O2 and H2O molecules are adsorbed at top sites. The presence of H2O promotes more charge transfer to anti-bonding orbitals of O2 molecules which can lead to the elongation of O–O bond. And the effect of charge transfer suggests the occurrence of chemisorption. Comparison between CumCon-O2 and CumCon-O2-H2O, PDOS are also discussed.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
Authors: RABBI MOHAMMAD FAZLE , GHAZALI KAMARUL HAWARI , ALTWIJRI OMAR , ALQAHTANI MAHDI , RAHMAN SAM MATIUR , ALI MD. ASRAF , SUNDARAJ KENNETH , TAHA ZAHARI , AHAMED NIZAM UDDIN
Published: November 2018

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the physical complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with a long history of diabetes. An electromyography (EMG)-based assessment may be very useful for the management of diabetic neuropathy. In the present study, we aimed to summarize all of the findings and recommendations obtained from previous studies that investigated the application of EMG to the assessment of diabetic neuropathy. An extensive search of the prominent electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus was performed to evaluate the following areas: (i) what are the muscles to be evaluated by EMG for neuropathy assessment, (ii) what type of EMG methodologies have been used and (iii) what recommendation can be made for neuropathy detection. The major findings are summarized as follows: (i) very few studies have analyzed the correlation of the EMG signals acquired from peripheral muscles affected in neuropathy with those obtained with non-neuropathic complications, such as ankle sprain; (ii) EMG has been applied for the detection of diabetic neuropathy more than diabetes treatment; and (iii) neuropathy detection using an EMG-based assessment were mainly performed for type 2 DM patients aged at least 50 years.
A Muscle-Specific Rehabilitation Training Method Based on Muscle Activation and the Optimal Load Orientation Concept
Authors: Song Zhibin , Nie Chao , Li Shuyang , Dario Paolo , Dai Jian S.
Published: November 2018

Training based on muscle-oriented repetitive movements has been shown to be beneficial for the improvement of movement abilities in human limbs in relation to fitness, athletic training, and rehabilitation training. In this paper, a muscle-specific rehabilitation training method based on the optimal load orientation concept (OLOC) was proposed for patients whose motor neurons are injured, but whose muscles and tendons are intact, to implement high-efficiency resistance training for the shoulder muscles, which is one of the most complex joints in the human body. A three-dimensional musculoskeletal model of the human shoulder was used to predict muscle forces experienced during shoulder movements, in which muscles that contributed to shoulder motion were divided into 31 muscle bundles, and the Hill model was used to characterize the force-length properties of the muscle. According to the musculoskeletal model, muscle activation was calculated to represent the muscle force. Thus, training based on OLOC was proposed by maximizing the activation of a specific muscle under each posture of the training process. The analysis indicated that the muscle-specific rehabilitation training method based on the OLOC significantly improved the training efficiency for specific muscles. The method could also be used for trajectory planning, load magnitude planning, and evaluation of training effects.
Tetanus Toxoid Immunization Status and Associated Factors among Mothers in Damboya Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, SNNP, Ethiopia
Authors: Dubale Mamoro Muluken , Kelbiso Hanfore Lolemo
Published: November 2018

Background. Tetanus toxoid immunization is one of the proven strategies for eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus. According to Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey of 2016, only 49% of mothers received two tetanus toxoid (TT) injections during their last pregnancy which is below the World Health Organization and Ethiopia Ministry of Health recommendation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the status of TT immunization among mothers in Damboya Woreda, South Ethiopia.Method. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to 26, 2017, in Damboya Woreda. A total of 837 mothers who had given birth in the last 12 months were included in the study. The simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants, and data were collected through an interview using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for further analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of the immunization status of mothers at a 5% significance level.Result. The finding of this study revealed that 607 (72.5%) mothers were protected at birth against tetanus. Age of mother who attended elementary school, husbands’ education status, visited by HEW’s at home, making joint health decision with husband, use of modern family planning method, number of antenatal care visit, and time to reach the nearest health facility were independent predictors of TT immunization status among the mothers.Conclusion. Significant proportions of the mothers were not taken at least two doses of TT vaccine which is a minimum dose to prevent maternal or neonatal tetanus. Even though most mothers had access for TT immunization service, they were not immunized with protective doses of TT vaccine.
The Potential of Fluocinolone Acetonide to Mitigate Inflammation and Lipid Accumulation in 2D and 3D Foam Cell Cultures
Authors: Nguyen Luong T. H. , Muktabar Aristo , Tang Jinkai , Wong Yee Shan , Thaxton Colby S. , Venkatraman Subbu S. , Ng Kee Woei
Published: November 2018

Inflammation plays an important role in all stages of atherosclerosis development. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs could reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events due to atherosclerosis. Herein, we explored the capacity of fluocinolone acetonide (FA), a glucocorticoid (GC), in modulating foam cell formation and response. Human THP-1 derived foam cells were produced using 100 μg/mL oxidized low-density lipoproteins (OxLDL) and fetal bovine serum (1 and 10%). 2D cultures of these cells were treated with FA (0.1, 1, 10, and 50 μg/mL) in comparison with dexamethasone (Dex). Results showed that treatment with 0.1 and 1 μg/mL FA and Dex improved foam cell survival. FA and Dex also inhibited inflammatory cytokine (CD14, M-CSF, MIP-3α, and TNF-α) secretion. Notably, at the concentration of 1 μg/mL, both FA and Dex reduced cholesteryl ester accumulation. Compared to Dex, FA was significantly better in reducing lipid accumulation at the therapeutic concentrations of 1 and 10 μg/mL. In a novel 3D foam cell spheroid model, FA was shown to be more effective than Dex in diminishing lipid accumulation, at the concentration of 0.1 μg/mL. Taken together, FA was demonstrated to be effective in preventing both lipid accumulation and inflammation in foam cells.