bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ectomycorrhizal associations in the tropics – biogeography, diversity patterns and ecosystem roles
Authors: Corrales Adriana , Henkel Terry W. , Smith Matthew E.
Published: April 2018

Contents

Summary
1076

I.
Introduction
1076

II.
Historical overview
1077

III.
Identities and distributions of tropical ectomycorrhizal plants
1077

IV.
Dominance of tropical forests by ECM trees
1078

V.
Biogeography of tropical ECM fungi
1081

VI.
Beta diversity patterns in tropical ECM fungal communities
1082

VII.
Conclusions and future research
1086

Acknowledgements
1087

References
1087

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations were historically considered rare or absent from tropical ecosystems. Although most tropical forests are dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees, ECM associations are widespread and found in all tropical regions. Here, we highlight emerging patterns of ECM biogeography, diversity and ecosystem functions, identify knowledge gaps, and offer direction for future research. At the continental and regional scales, tropical ECM systems are highly diverse and vary widely in ECM plant and fungal abundance, diversity, composition and phylogenetic affinities. We found strong regional differences among the dominant host plant families, suggesting that biogeographical factors strongly influence tropical ECM symbioses. Both ECM plants and fungi also exhibit strong turnover along altitudinal and soil fertility gradients, suggesting niche differentiation among taxa. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are often more abundant and diverse in sites with nutrient‐poor soils, suggesting that ECM associations can optimize plant nutrition and may contribute to the maintenance of tropical monodominant forests. More research is needed to elucidate the diversity patterns of ECM fungi and plants in the tropics and to clarify the role of this symbiosis in nutrient and carbon cycling.
Evaluating the effect of nicotinic cholinergic receptor genes on the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate
Authors: Wang Mengying , Liu Dongjing , Schwender Holger , Wang Hong , Wang Ping , Zhou Zhibo , Li Jing , Wu Tao , Zhu Hongping , Beaty Terri H.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Multiple studies have suggested nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P), and lung cancer may have common genetic etiology. Previous studies have showed genetic variants in nicotinic cholinergic receptor genes (CHRNs) may influence risk of lung cancer. We aimed to explore the effect of CHRNs on risk of NSCL/P considering gene–gene (GxG) interaction for these genes.

Subjects and Methods

We selected 120 markers in 14 CHRNs to test for GxG interaction using 806 Chinese case–parent trios recruited from an international consortium established for a GWAS of oral clefts.

Results

Totally, two pairs of SNPs yielded significant GxG interactions after Bonferroni correction (rs935865 and rs2337980 with p = 4.04 × 10−5, rs2741335 and rs3743077 with p = 4.80 × 10−4), and these pairwise interactions were confirmed in permutation tests. In addition, the relative risk (RR) of the putative interaction between rs935865 and rs2337980 was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.92~1.31).

Conclusions

While the single SNP association and the gene–environment interaction analysis of 14 CHRN genes yielded no signal, this study did demonstrate the importance of considering potential GxG interaction for exploring etiology of NSCL/P. This study suggests an important role for particular combinations of SNPs in CHRN genes in influencing risk to NSCL/P, which needs further study.
Public or nonprofit? Career preferences and dimensions of public service motivation
Authors: Ballart Xavier , Rico Guillem
Published: April 2018

While the foundational claim that PSM attracts individuals to the public sector is well established in the research literature, much uncertainty still exists about its influence on the choice between the public versus the nonprofit sector, which also frequently exhibits a strong public service mission. Little is known also about how discrete dimensions of PSM differ in their effects on such job preferences. This article addresses these shortcomings by drawing on a study that combines the measurement of separate dimensions of PSM with a policy‐capturing design that allows disentangling the effects of sector from those of other job attributes that usually correlate with it: the service orientation of the job and job security. Results show that dimensions of PSM display relevant differences in their effects on preferences across job attributes. These findings have important implications for the choice of PSM measurements in scholarly research and job selection.
Lymphatic imaging and intervention in a pediatric population: Anesthetic considerations
Authors: Jobes David R. , Brown Lauren A. , Dori Yoav , Itkin Maxim , Nicolson Susan C.
Published: April 2018

The recent adoption of an improved lymphatic access technique coupled with Dynamic Contrast‐enhanced Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography has introduced the ability to diagnose and treat severe lymphatic disorders unresponsive to other therapies. All pediatric patients presenting for lymphatic procedures require general anesthesia presenting challenges in managing highly morbid and comorbid conditions both from logistical as well as medical aspects. General anesthesia is used because of the procedural requirement for immobility to accurately place needles and catheters, treat pain secondary to contrast and glue injections, and to accommodate additional procedures. We reviewed a one‐year cohort of all pediatric patients in a newly created Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Intervention at a tertiary care children's hospital presenting for lymphatic procedures. The patients ranged in age from 4 days to 17 years and weighed from 2.5 to 92 kg. There were 106 anesthetics for 68 patients. Patients were functionally impaired (98% ASA 3 or 4) and included significant comorbidities (79.4%). Concurrent with lymphatic imaging and intervention additional procedures were frequently performed (76%). They included cardiac catheterization, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, and drain placement (thoracic or abdominal). Paralysis and controlled ventilation was used for all interventions. Reversal of paralysis and tracheal extubation occurred in all patients not previously managed by invasive respiratory support. All patients having an intervention were admitted to intensive care for observation where escalation of care or complications (fever, hypotension, bleeding, or stroke) occurred in 25% in the first 24 hours.
Deficient neural activity subserving decision‐making during reward waiting time in intertemporal choice in adult attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Todokoro Ayako , Tanaka Saori C. , Kawakubo Yuki , Yahata Noriaki , Ishii‐Takahashi Ayaka , Nishimura Yukika , Kano Yukiko , Ohtake Fumio , Kasai Kiyoto
Published: April 2018

Aim

Impulsivity, which significantly affects social adaptation, is an important target behavioral characteristic in interventions for attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Typically, people are willing to wait longer to acquire greater rewards. Impulsivity in ADHD may be associated with brain dysfunction in decision‐making involving waiting behavior under such situations. We tested the hypothesis that brain circuitry during a period of waiting (i.e., prior to the acquisition of reward) is altered in adults with ADHD.

Methods

The participants included 14 medication‐free adults with ADHD and 16 healthy controls matched for age, sex, IQ, and handedness. The behavioral task had participants choose between a delayed, larger monetary reward and an immediate, smaller monetary reward, where the reward waiting time actually occurred during functional magnetic resonance imaging measurement. We tested for group differences in the contrast values of blood‐oxygen‐level dependent signals associated with the length of waiting time, calculated using the parametric modulation method.

Results

While the two groups did not differ in the time discounting rate, the delay‐sensitive contrast values were significantly lower in the caudate and visual cortex in individuals with ADHD. The higher impulsivity scores were significantly associated with lower delay‐sensitive contrast values in the caudate and visual cortex.

Conclusion

These results suggest that deficient neural activity affects decision‐making involving reward waiting time during intertemporal choice tasks, and provide an explanation for the basis of impulsivity in adult ADHD.
Trait and state biomarkers for psychiatric disorders: Importance of infrastructure to bridge the gap between basic and clinical research and industry
Authors: Lema Yukiko Y. , Gamo Nao J. , Yang Kun , Ishizuka Koko
Published: April 2018

To further improve clinical activities in psychiatry by early diagnosis and early intervention with novel mechanism‐guided treatments, there is a great need for biomarkers that reflect ‘trait’ and ‘state’ in major mental disorders. Stable trait biomarkers would allow early diagnosis, prognosis, and hopefully early intervention in these disorders, while dynamic state markers that reflect symptomatic changes would help to develop treatments that target these molecular mechanisms. However, in the search for such biomarkers, and eventually translating them to the clinic and industry, challenges currently exist at multiple levels, from basic scientific understanding, patient sample collection, and sample and data management, to bridging the gap between basic and clinical research and industry. To address these challenges, we propose an infrastructure that emphasizes: (i) a research and educational framework to facilitate translation between basic neuroscience, clinical research, and industry; (ii) patient recruitment and collection of disease‐relevant samples to study trait and state biomarkers; and (iii) a comprehensive database to integrate patient and sample information with biological and clinical data. We believe that such an approach would bolster: research into the biological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders; and collaboration among the laboratory, clinic, and industry to translate these findings into successful treatments.
General approach to coordinate representation of compositional tables
Authors: Fačevicová Kamila , Hron Karel , Todorov Valentin , Templ Matthias
Published: April 2018

Compositional tables can be considered a continuous counterpart to the well‐known contingency tables. Their cells, which generally contain positive real numbers rather than just counts, carry relative information about relationships between two factors. Hence, compositional tables can be seen as a generalization of (vector) compositional data. Due to their relative character, compositions are commonly expressed in orthonormal coordinates using a sequential binary partition prior to being further processed by standard statistical tools. Unfortunately, the resulting coordinates do not respect the two‐dimensional nature of compositional tables. Information about relationship between factors is thus not well captured. The aim of this paper is to present a general system of orthonormal coordinates with respect to the Aitchison geometry, which allows for an analysis of the interactions between factors in a compositional table. This is achieved using logarithms of odds ratios, which are also widely used in the context of contingency tables.
The major histocompatibility complex homozygous inbred Babraham pig as a resource for veterinary and translational medicine
Authors: Schwartz J. C. , Hemmink J. D. , Graham S. P. , Tchilian E. , Charleston B. , Hammer S. E. , Ho C.‐S. , Hammond J. A.
Published: April 2018

The Babraham pig is a highly inbred breed first developed in the United Kingdom approximately 50 years ago. Previous reports indicate a very high degree of homozygosity across the genome, including the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, but confirmation of homozygosity at the specific MHC loci was lacking. Using both direct sequencing and PCR‐based sequence‐specific typing, we confirm that Babraham pigs are essentially homozygous at their MHC loci and formalise their MHC haplotype as Hp‐55.6. This enhances the utility of the Babraham pig as a useful biomedical model for studies in which controlling for genetic variation is important.
Priming as a Motivating Factor in Sociophonetic Variation and Change
Authors: Clark Lynn
Published: April 2018

Understanding how and why pronunciations vary and change has been a dominant theme in variationist sociolinguistics (Labov, , ). Linguistic variability has also been an area of focus in psychology and cognitive science. Work from these two fields has shown that where variation exists in language, an alternative form, once used, persists in working memory and has a greater chance of reuse (Bock, ; Bock & Loebell, ; Branigan, Pickering, & Cleland, ). While there have been efforts to connect priming research with sociolinguistics at the level of grammar (Poplack, ; Travis, ), there has been less work which explicitly considers the potential role of priming as a motivating factor in accent variation and change. This paper explores the role of priming in a socially conditioned sound change. There are two main findings: (a) phonetic variants with the same voicing tend to cluster together in naturally occurring speech and (b) repetition of phonetic form interacts with widely attested sociolinguistic predictors of variation. I argue that there are benefits to both cognitive science and sociolinguistics from this synergy: Incorporating research from cognitive science into sociolinguistics provides us with a better understanding of the factors underpinning a sound change in progress; incorporating insights from sociolinguistics into cognitive science shows that priming does not always operate in the same way for all speakers.
The Lotus japonicus acyl‐acyl carrier protein thioesterase FatM is required for mycorrhiza formation and lipid accumulation of Rhizophagus irregularis
Authors: Brands Mathias , Wewer Vera , Keymer Andreas , Gutjahr Caroline , Dörmann Peter
Published: April 2018

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi establish symbiotic interactions with plants, providing the host plant with minerals, i.e. phosphate, in exchange for organic carbon. Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi of the order Glomerales produce vesicles which store lipids as an energy and carbon source. Acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterases (Fat) are essential components of the plant plastid‐localized fatty acid synthase and determine the chain length of de novo synthesized fatty acids. In addition to the ubiquitous FatA and FatB thioesterases, AM‐competent plants contain an additional, AM‐specific, FatM gene. Here, we characterize FatM from Lotus japonicus by phenotypically analyzing fatm mutant lines and by studying the biochemical function of the recombinant FatM protein. Reduced shoot phosphate content in fatm indicates compromised symbiotic phosphate uptake due to reduced arbuscule branching, and the fungus shows reduced lipid accumulation accompanied by the occurrence of smaller and less frequent vesicles. Lipid profiling reveals a decrease in mycorrhiza‐specific phospholipid forms, AM fungal signature fatty acids (e.g. 16:1ω5, 18:1ω7 and 20:3) and storage lipids. Recombinant FatM shows preference for palmitoyl (16:0)‐ACP, indicating that large amounts of 16:0 fatty acid are exported from the plastids of arbuscule‐containing cells. Stable isotope labeling with [13C2]acetate showed reduced incorporation into mycorrhiza‐specific fatty acids in the fatm mutant. Therefore, colonized cells reprogram plastidial de novo fatty acid synthesis towards the production of extra amounts of 16:0, which is in agreement with previous results that fatty acid‐containing lipids are transported from the plant to the fungus.
Changes in the prevalence of Salmonella serovars associated swine production and correlations of avian, bovine and swine‐associated serovars with human‐associated serovars in the United States (1997–2015)
Authors: Yuan C. , Krull A. , Wang C. , Erdman M. , Fedorka‐Cray P. J. , Logue C. M. , O'Connor A. M.
Published: April 2018

As Salmonella enterica is an important pathogen of food animals, surveillance programmes for S. enterica serovars have existed for many years in the United States. Surveillance programmes serve many purposes, one of which is to evaluate alterations in the prevalence of serovars that may signal changes in the ecology of the target organism. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the proportion of S. enterica serovars isolated from swine over a near 20‐year observation period (1997–2015) using four longitudinal data sets from different food animal species. The secondary aim was to evaluate correlations between changes in S. enterica serovars frequently recovered from food animals and changes in S. enterica serovars associated with disease in humans. We found decreasing proportions of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, serovar Derby and serovar Heidelberg and increasing proportions of S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐, serovar Infantis and serovar Johannesburg in swine over time. We also found positive correlations for the yearly changes in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐, serovar Anatum and serovar Johannesburg between swine and human data; in S. enterica Worthington between avian and human data; and in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐ between bovine and human data. We found negative correlations for the yearly changes in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐ and serovar Johannesburg between avian and human data.
Influence of mask material on the electrical properties of selective area epitaxy GaN microstructures
Authors: Mahaboob Isra , Hogan Kasey , Novak Steven W. , Shahedipour-Sandvik Fatemeh , Tompkins Randy P. , Lazarus Nathan
Published: April 2018

The authors have investigated the effect of dielectric (SiO2/SiNx) and metal (W) masks on impurity incorporation and electrical properties of selective area epitaxy (SAE) GaN microstructures. It is shown that SAE growths result in highly conductive n-type material. Carrier concentrations greater than metal-nonmetal transition level and low resistivity in the range of 0.18–0.29 mΩ cm were observed from Hall measurements for these structures. Two terminal current-voltage measurements showed a 40× increase in current for SAE GaN microstructure devices compared to that of conventional planar GaN devices. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) measurements of unintentional Si and O dopants in these structures showed dependency on the mask type. Similar dopant and carrier concentrations were obtained from SIMS and Hall data, indicating low compensation from acceptors in the SAE growths.
Comparison of passive acoustic soniferous fish monitoring with supervised and unsupervised approaches
Authors: Lin Tzu-Hao , Tsao Yu , Akamatsu Tomonari
Published: April 2018

Passive acoustics has been used to investigate behavior and relative abundances of soniferous fish. However, because of noise interferences, it remains challenging to accurately analyze acoustic activities of soniferous fish. This study proposes a multi-method approach, which combines rule-based detector, periodicity-coded non-negative matrix factorization, and Gaussian mixture models. Although the three methods performed well when used to detect croaker choruses in quiet conditions, inconsistent results are observed in noisy conditions. A consistency matrix can provide insights regarding the bias of acoustic monitoring results. The results suggest that the proposed approach can reasonably improve passive acoustic monitoring of soniferous fish.
Injury and Disordered Eating Behaviors: What is the Connection for Female Professional Dancers?
Authors: Reel Justine J. , Podlog Leslie , Hamilton Lindsey , Greviskes Lindsey , Voelker Dana K. , Gray Cara
Published: April 2018

Dancers, like athletes, frequently endure injuries and disordered eating as a result of performance-specific demands. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between severe injuries and disordered eating from the perspectives of female professional dancers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 female professional dancers ages 18–38 (M = 23;SD = 6.2) whose dance participation was suspended for 4–36 weeks (M = 12.69;SD = 10.09) due to a dance-related injury. We adopted a social constructivist stance to view the experiences of dancers through the lens of a phenomenon highly influenced by environmental and cultural factors. A thematic analysis yielded five themes including negative emotions associated with injury, anxiety and uncertainty around future involvement, modifications in nutritional intake (e.g., reduction of calories), coping with injury, and the need for an effective and holistic injury rehabilitation program.
Parkin mediates mitophagy during beige-to-white fat conversion
Authors: Sarraf Shireen A. , Youle Richard J.
Published: April 2018

Blocking Parkin-mediated mitophagy may help beige fat retain its thermogenic properties (Lu
et al
., in 24 April 2018 issue).
Glycine Betaine Monooxygenase, an Unusual Rieske-Type Oxygenase System, Catalyzes the Oxidative
N
-Demethylation of Glycine Betaine in Chromohalobacter salexigens DSM 3043
Authors: Shao Ya-Hui , Guo Li-Zhong , Zhang Yu-Qing , Yu Hao , Zhao Bai-Suo , Pang Hai-Qiang , Lu Wei-Dong
Published: April 2018

Although some bacteria, including
Chromohalobacter salexigens
DSM 3043, can use glycine betaine (GB) as a sole source of carbon and energy, little information is available about the genes and their encoded proteins involved in the initial step of the GB degradation pathway. In the present study, the results of conserved domain analysis, construction of in-frame deletion mutants, and an
in vivo
functional complementation assay suggested that the open reading frames Csal_1004 and Csal_1005, designated
bmoA
and
bmoB
, respectively, may act as the terminal oxygenase and the ferredoxin reductase genes in a novel Rieske-type oxygenase system to convert GB to dimethylglycine in
C. salexigens
DSM 3043. To further verify their function, BmoA and BmoB were heterologously overexpressed in
Escherichia coli
, and
13
C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that dimethylglycine was accumulated in
E. coli
BL21(DE3) expressing BmoAB or BmoA. In addition, His-tagged BmoA and BmoB were individually purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and estimated to be a homotrimer and a monomer, respectively.
In vitro
biochemical analysis indicated that BmoB is an NADH-dependent flavin reductase with one noncovalently bound flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as its prosthetic group. In the presence of BmoB, NADH, and flavin, BmoA could aerobically degrade GB to dimethylglycine with the concomitant production of formaldehyde. BmoA exhibited strict substrate specificity for GB, and its demethylation activity was stimulated by Fe
2+
. Phylogenetic analysis showed that BmoA belongs to group V of the Rieske nonheme iron oxygenase (RO) family, and all the members in this group were able to use quaternary ammonium compounds as substrates.

IMPORTANCE
GB is widely distributed in nature. In addition to being accumulated intracellularly as a compatible solute to deal with osmotic stress, it can be utilized by many bacteria as a source of carbon and energy. However, very limited knowledge is presently available about the molecular and biochemical mechanisms for the initial step of the aerobic GB degradation pathway in bacteria. Here, we report the molecular and biochemical characterization of a novel two-component Rieske-type monooxygenase system, GB monooxygenase (BMO), which is responsible for oxidative demethylation of GB to dimethylglycine in
C. salexigens
DSM 3043. The results gained in this study extend our knowledge on the catalytic reaction of microbial GB degradation to dimethylglycine.
Ultra-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Closely Related Dermatophytes with Different Clinical Predilections
Authors: Dukik Karolina , Freeke Joanna , Jamalian Azadeh , van den Ende Bert Gerrits , Yip Ping , Stephenson James L. , de Hoog G. Sybren , Stielow J. Benjamin
Published: April 2018

In the present study, an innovative top-down liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the identification of clinically relevant fungi is tested using a model set of dermatophyte strains. The methodology characterizes intact proteins derived from
Trichophyton
species, which are used as parameters of differentiation. To test its resolving power compared to that of traditional Sanger sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), 24 strains of closely related dermatophytes,
Trichophyton rubrum
,
T. violaceum
,
T. tonsurans
,
T. equinum
, and
T. interdigitale
, were subjected to this new approach. Using MS/MS and different deconvolution algorithms, we identified hundreds of individual proteins, with a subpopulation of these used as strain- or species-specific markers. Three species, i.e.,
T. rubrum
,
T. violaceum
, and
T. interdigitale
, were identified correctly down to the species level. Moreover, all isolates associated with these three species were identified correctly down to the strain level. In the
T. tonsurans
-
equinum
complex, eight out of 12 strains showed nearly identical proteomes, indicating an unresolved taxonomic conflict already apparent from previous phylogenetic data. In this case, it was determined with high probability that only a single species can be present. Our study successfully demonstrates applicability of the mass spectrometric approach to identify clinically relevant filamentous fungi. Here, we present the first proof-of-principle study employing the mentioned technology to differentiate microbial pathogens. The ability to differentiate fungi at the strain level sets the stage to improve patient outcomes, such as early detection of strains that carry resistance to antifungals.
Morphologic and Genomic Analyses of New Isolates Reveal a Second Lineage of Cedratviruses
Authors: Rodrigues Rodrigo Araújo Lima , Andreani Julien , Andrade Ana Cláudia dos Santos Pereira , Machado Talita Bastos , Abdi Souhila , Levasseur Anthony , Abrahão Jônatas Santos , La Scola Bernard
Published: April 2018

Giant viruses have been isolated and characterized in different environments, expanding our knowledge about the biology of these unique microorganisms. In the last 2 years, a new group was discovered, the cedratviruses, currently composed of only two isolates and members of a putative new family, “Pithoviridae,” along with previously known pithoviruses. Here we report the isolation and biological and genomic characterization of two novel cedratviruses isolated from samples collected in France and Brazil. Both viruses were isolated using
Acanthamoeba castellanii
as a host cell and exhibit ovoid particles with corks at either extremity of the particle. Curiously, the Brazilian cedratvirus is ∼20% smaller and presents a shorter genome of 460,038 bp, coding for fewer proteins than other cedratviruses. In addition, it has a completely asyntenic genome and presents a lower amino acid identity of orthologous genes (∼73%). Pangenome analysis comprising the four cedratviruses revealed an increase in the pangenome concomitant with a decrease in the core genome with the addition of the two novel viruses. Finally, phylogenetic analyses clustered the Brazilian virus in a separate branch within the group of cedratviruses, while the French isolate is closer to the previously reported
Cedratvirus lausannensis
. Taking all together, we propose the existence of a second lineage of this emerging viral genus and provide new insights into the biodiversity and ubiquity of these giant viruses.

IMPORTANCE
Various giant viruses have been described in recent years, revealing a unique part of the virosphere. A new group among the giant viruses has recently been described, the cedratviruses, which is currently composed of only two isolates. In this paper, we describe two novel cedratviruses isolated from French and Brazilian samples. Biological and genomic analyses showed viruses with different particle sizes, genome lengths, and architecture, revealing the existence of a second lineage of this new group of giant viruses. Our results provide new insights into the biodiversity of cedratviruses and highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to prospect for and characterize new giant viruses.
BGLF2 Increases Infectivity of Epstein-Barr Virus by Activating AP-1 upon
De Novo
Infection
Authors: Konishi Natsuno , Narita Yohei , Hijioka Fumiya , Masud H. M. Abdullah Al , Sato Yoshitaka , Kimura Hiroshi , Murata Takayuki
Published: April 2018

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus, carries ~80 genes. While several genes have been investigated extensively, most lytic genes remain largely unexplored. Therefore, we cloned 71 EBV lytic genes into an expression vector and used reporter assays to screen for factors that activate signal transduction pathways, viral and cellular promoters. BGLF2 activated the AP-1 signaling pathway, likely by interacting with p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and increased infectivity of the virus. We also revealed that BKRF4 can negatively regulate AP-1 activity. Therefore, it is suggested that EBV exploits and modifies the AP-1 signaling pathway for its replication and survival.
New CRISPR Mutagenesis Strategies Reveal Variation in Repair Mechanisms among Fungi
Authors: Vyas Valmik K. , Bushkin G. Guy , Bernstein Douglas A. , Getz Matthew A. , Sewastianik Magdalena , Barrasa M. Inmaculada , Bartel David P. , Fink Gerald R.
Published: April 2018

CRISPR-mediated genome engineering technologies have revolutionized genetic studies in a wide range of organisms. Here we describe new vectors and guide sequences for CRISPR mutagenesis in the important human fungal pathogens
C. albicans
and
C. glabrata
, as well as in the related yeasts
S. cerevisiae
and
N. castellii
. The design of these vectors enables efficient serial mutagenesis in each of these species by leaving few, if any, exogenous sequences in the genome. In addition, we describe strategies for the creation of unmarked deletions in each of these species and vector designs that permit the creation of vector libraries for pooled screens. These tools and strategies promise to advance genetic engineering of these medically and industrially important species.
Real-world crude incidence of hypoglycemia in adults with diabetes: Results of the InHypo-DM Study, Canada
Authors: Ratzki-Leewing Alexandria , Harris Stewart B , Mequanint Selam , Reichert Sonja M , Belle Brown Judith , Black Jason Edward , Ryan Bridget L
Published: April 2018

Objective

Very few real-world studies have been conducted to assess the incidence of diabetes-related hypoglycemia. Moreover, there is a paucity of studies that have investigated hypoglycemia among people taking secretagogues as a monotherapy or in combination with insulin. Accordingly, our research team developed and validated the InHypo-DM Person with Diabetes Mellitus Questionnaire (InHypo-DMPQ) with the aim of capturing the real-world incidence of self-reported, symptomatic hypoglycemia. The questionnaire was administered online to a national sample of Canadians (≥18 years old) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with insulin and/or insulin secretagogues.

Research design and methods

Self-report data obtained from the InHypo-DMPQ were descriptively analyzed to ascertain the crude incidence proportions and annualized incidence densities (rates) of 30-day retrospective non-severe and 1-year retrospective severe hypoglycemia, including daytime and nocturnal events.

Results

A total of 552 people (T2DM: 83%; T1DM: 17%) completed the questionnaire. Over half (65.2%) of the total respondents reported experiencing at least one event (non-severe or severe) at an annualized crude incidence density of 35.1 events per person-year. The incidence proportion and rate of non-severe events were higher among people with T1DM versus T2DM (77% and 55.7 events per person-year vs 54% and 28.0 events per person-year). Severe hypoglycemia was reported by 41.8% of all respondents, at an average rate of 2.5 events per person-year.

Conclusions

The results of the InHypo-DMPQ, the largest real-world investigation of hypoglycemia epidemiology in Canada, suggest that the incidence of hypoglycemia among adults with diabetes taking insulin and/or insulin secretagogues is higher than previously thought.
Designing for scale: optimising the health information system architecture for mobile maternal health messaging in South Africa (MomConnect)
Authors: Seebregts Christopher , Dane Pierre , Parsons Annie Neo , Fogwill Thomas , Rogers Debbie , Bekker Marcha , Shaw Vincent , Barron Peter
Published: April 2018

MomConnect is a national initiative coordinated by the South African National Department of Health that sends text-based mobile phone messages free of charge to pregnant women who voluntarily register at any public healthcare facility in South Africa. We describe the system design and architecture of the MomConnect technical platform, planned as a nationally scalable and extensible initiative. It uses a health information exchange that can connect any standards-compliant electronic front-end application to any standards-compliant electronic back-end database. The implementation of the MomConnect technical platform, in turn, is a national reference application for electronic interoperability in line with the South African National Health Normative Standards Framework. The use of open content and messaging standards enables the architecture to include any application adhering to the selected standards. Its national implementation at scale demonstrates both the use of this technology and a key objective of global health information systems, which is to achieve implementation scale. The system’s limited clinical information, initially, allowed the architecture to focus on the base standards and profiles for interoperability in a resource-constrained environment with limited connectivity and infrastructural capacity. Maintenance of the system requires mobilisation of national resources. Future work aims to use the standard interfaces to include data from additional applications as well as to extend and interface the framework with other public health information systems in South Africa. The development of this platform has also shown the benefits of interoperability at both an organisational and technical level in South Africa.
Unpacking the performance of a mobile health information messaging program for mothers (MomConnect) in South Africa:evidence on program reach and messaging exposure
Authors: LeFevre Amnesty E , Dane Pierre , Copley Charles J , Pienaar Cara , Parsons Annie Neo , Engelhard Matt , Woods David , Bekker Marcha , Benjamin Peter , Pillay Yogan , Barron Peter , Seebregts Christopher John , Mohan Diwakar
Published: April 2018

Despite calls to address broader evidence gaps in linking digital technologies to outcome and impact level health indicators, limited attention has been paid to measuring processes pertaining to the performance of programs. In this paper, we assess the program reach and message exposure of a mobile health information messaging program for mothers (MomConnect) in South Africa. In this descriptive study, we draw from system generated data to measure exposure to the program through registration attempts and conversions, message delivery, opt-outs and drop-outs. Using a logit model, we additionally explore determinants for early registration, opt-outs and drop-outs. From August 2014 to April 2017, 1 159 431 women were registered to MomConnect; corresponding to half of women attending antenatal care 1 (ANC1) and nearly 60% of those attending ANC1 estimated to own a mobile phone. In 2016, 26% of registrations started to get women onto MomConnect did not succeed. If registration attempts were converted to successful registrations, coverage of ANC1 attendees would have been 74% in 2016 and 86% in 2017. When considered as percentage of ANC1 attendees with access to a mobile phone, addressing conversion challenges bring registration coverage to an estimated 83%–89% in 2016 and 97%–100% in 2017. Among women registered, nearly 80% of expected short messaging service messages were received. While registration coverage and message delivery success rates exceed those observed for mobile messaging programs elsewhere, study findings highlight opportunities for program improvement and reinforce the need for rigorous and continuous monitoring of delivery systems.
‘To be a woman is to make a plan’: a qualitative study exploring mothers’ experiences of the Child Support Grant in supporting children’s diets and nutrition in South Africa
Authors: Zembe-Mkabile Wanga , Surender Rebecca , Sanders David , Swart Rina , Ramokolo Vundli , Wright Gemma , Doherty Tanya
Published: April 2018

Food security and good nutrition are key determinants of child well-being. There is strong evidence that cash transfers such as South Africa’s Child Support Grant (CSG) have the potential to help address some of the underlying drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition by providing income to caregivers in poor households, but it is unclear how precisely they work to affect child well-being and nutrition. We present results from a qualitative study conducted to explore the role of the CSG in food security and child well-being in poor households in an urban and a rural setting in South Africa.

Setting

Mt Frere, Eastern Cape (rural area); Langa, Western Cape (urban township).

Participants

CSG recipient caregivers and community members in the two sites . We conducted a total of 40 in-depth interviews with mothers or primary caregivers in receipt of the CSG for children under the age of 5 years. In addition, five focus group discussions with approximately eight members per group were conducted. Data were analysed using manifest and latent thematic content analysis methods.

Results

The CSG is too small on its own to improve child nutrition and well-being. Providing for children’s diets and nutrition competes with other priorities that are equally important for child well-being and nutrition.

Conclusions

In addition to raising the value of the CSG so that it is linked to the cost of a nutritious basket of food, more emphasis should be placed on parallel structural solutions that are vital for good child nutrition outcomes and well-being, such as access to free quality early child development services that provide adequate nutritious meals, access to adequate basic services and the promotion of appropriate feeding, hygiene and care practices.
Asia-Pacific working group consensus on non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: an update 2018
Authors: Sung Joseph JY , Chiu Philip WY , Chan Francis K L , Lau James YW , Goh Khean-lee , Ho Lawrence HY , Jung Hwoon-young , Sollano Jose D , Gotoda Takuji , Reddy Nageshwar , Singh Rajvinder , Sugano Kentaro , Wu Kai-chun , Wu Chun-Yin , Bjorkman David J , Jensen Dennis M , Kuipers Ernst J , Lanas Angel
Published: April 2018

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains an important emergency condition, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. As endoscopic therapy is the ’gold standard' of management, treatment of these patients can be considered in three stages: pre-endoscopic treatment, endoscopic haemostasis and post-endoscopic management. Since publication of the Asia-Pacific consensus on non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) 7 years ago, there have been significant advancements in the clinical management of patients in all three stages. These include pre-endoscopy risk stratification scores, blood and platelet transfusion, use of proton pump inhibitors; during endoscopy new haemostasis techniques (haemostatic powder spray and over-the-scope clips); and post-endoscopy management by second-look endoscopy and medication strategies. Emerging techniques, including capsule endoscopy and Doppler endoscopic probe in assessing adequacy of endoscopic therapy, and the pre-emptive use of angiographic embolisation, are attracting new attention. An emerging problem is the increasing use of dual antiplatelet agents and direct oral anticoagulants in patients with cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases. Guidelines on the discontinuation and then resumption of these agents in patients presenting with NVUGIB are very much needed. The Asia-Pacific Working Group examined recent evidence and recommends practical management guidelines in this updated consensus statement.
Relationships between Chronic Comorbidities and the Atherosclerosis Indicators Ankle-Brachial Index and Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lee Chun-Chuan , Tsai Ming-Chieh , Liu Sung-Chen , Pan Chi-Feng
Published: April 2018

This study aimed to determine associations between ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with different comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Records of patients with type 2 DM who received an ABI and baPWV examination between August 2013 and February 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Associations of ABI and baPWV with chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic liver disease (CLD), coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) were examined by regression analysis. A total of 1232 patients (average age, 65.1±10.0 years) were included in the analysis. CKD and DN were associated with low ABI and increased baPWV (all, P<0.001). No associations were found between CAD and CLD and ABI or baPWV. Thus, regression analysis was performed for CKD and DN. Low ABI was associated with risk of CKD in the crude model (OR 0.724, 95% CI 0.648 to 0.808, P<0.001) and adjusted model (OR 0.872, 95% CI 0.762 to 0.999, P=0.048), whereas baPWV was only significant in the crude model (OR 1.199, 95% CI 1.112 to 1.294, P<0.001). Low ABI was associated with risk of DN in the crude model (OR 0.873, 95% CI 0.780 to 0.977, P=0.018) and adjusted model (OR 0.884, 95% CI 0.782 to 0.999, P=0.048). No association was found for baPWV. In conclusion, low ABI was associated with risk of CKD and DN in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Fe(NO3)3·9H2O-catalyzed aerobic oxidative deoximation of ketoximes and aldoximes under mild conditions
Authors: Li Yongshu , Xu Nizhou , Mei Guangyao , Zhao Yun , Zhao Yiyong , Lyu Jinghui , Zhang Guofu , Ding Chengrong
Published: April 2018

A mild, simple process for the effective aerobic oxidative deoximation of a wide range of ketoximes and aldoximes has been developed that utilizes Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as the single catalyst and molecular oxygen as the green oxidant. The environmentally benign protocol provides moderate to excellent yield and broad functional groups tolerance and is a valuable synthetic method for practical applications. According the relevant verification experiment, a plausible mechanism has been proposed.
Hybrid Group Recommendation Using Modified Termite Colony Algorithm: A Context Towards Big Data
Authors: Roy Arup , Banerjee Soumya , Bhatt Chintan , Badr Youakim , Mallik Saurav
Published: April 2018

Since the introduction of Web 2.0, group recommendation systems become an effective tool for consulting and recommending items according to the choices of group of likeminded users. However, the population of dataset consisting of the large number of choices increases the size of storage. As a result, identification of the combination for specific recommendation becomes complex. Hence, the existing group recommendation system should support methodology for handling large data volume with varsity. In this paper, we propose a content-boosted modified termite colony optimisation-based rating prediction algorithm (CMTRP) for group recommendation system. CMTRP employs a hybrid recommendation framework with respect to the big data paradigm to deal with the trend of large data. The framework utilises the communal ratings that help to overcome the scalability problem. The experimental results reveal that CMTRP provides less error in the rating prediction and higher recommendation precision compared with the existing algorithms.
Mathematical analysis on out-of-sample extensions
Authors: Wang Jianzhong
Published: April 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a data set in [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the training set and [Formula: see text] is the test one. Many unsupervised learning algorithms based on kernel methods have been developed to provide dimensionality reduction (DR) embedding for a given training set [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) that maps the high-dimensional data [Formula: see text] to its low-dimensional feature representation [Formula: see text]. However, these algorithms do not straightforwardly produce DR of the test set [Formula: see text]. An out-of-sample extension method provides DR of [Formula: see text] using an extension of the existent embedding [Formula: see text], instead of re-computing the DR embedding for the whole set [Formula: see text]. Among various out-of-sample DR extension methods, those based on Nyström approximation are very attractive. Many papers have developed such out-of-extension algorithms and shown their validity by numerical experiments. However, the mathematical theory for the DR extension still need further consideration. Utilizing the reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) theory, this paper develops a preliminary mathematical analysis on the out-of-sample DR extension operators. It treats an out-of-sample DR extension operator as an extension of the identity on the RKHS defined on [Formula: see text]. Then the Nyström-type DR extension turns out to be an orthogonal projection. In the paper, we also present the conditions for the exact DR extension and give the estimate for the error of the extension.
Co-quasiordered residuated systems: An introduction
Authors: Romano Daniel A.
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we introduce and discuss a concept of co-quasiordered residuated relational systems. The setting of this research is Bishop’s constructive mathematics — a mathematics based on the Intuitionisic logic and particular principle-philosophical orientation of this attitude. Moreover, we introduce the concept of co-filters in such relational system. Additionally, some of the fundamentals properties of these substructures we have been shown.
Losartan Ameliorates Calcium Oxalate‐Induced Elevation of Stone‐Related Proteins in Renal Tubular Cells by Inhibiting NADPH Oxidase and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Qin Baolong , Wang Qing , Lu Yuchao , Li Cong , Hu Henglong , Zhang Jiaqiao , Wang Yufeng , Zhu Jianning , Zhu Yunpeng , Xun Yang , Wang Shaogang
Published: April 2018

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) is the most common type of urinary stone. Increase of ROS and NADPH oxidase gives rise to inflammation and injury of renal tubular cells, which promotes CaOx stone formation. Recent studies have revealed that the renin‐angiotensin system might play a role in kidney crystallization and ROS production. Here, we investigated the involvement of Ang II/AT1R and losartan in CaOx stone formation. NRK‐52E cells were incubated with CaOx crystals, and glyoxylic acid‐induced hyperoxaluric rats were treated with losartan. Oxidative stress statuses were evaluated by detection of ROS, oxidative products (8‐OHdG and MDA), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). Expression of NADPH oxidase subunits (Nox2 and Nox4), NF‐κB pathway subunits (p50 and p65), and stone‐related proteins such as OPN, CD44, and MCP‐1 was determined by Western blotting. The results revealed upregulation of Ang II/AT1R by CaOx treatment. CaOx‐induced ROS and stone‐related protein upregulation were mediated by the Ang II/AT1R signaling pathway. Losartan ameliorated renal tubular cell expression of stone‐related proteins and renal crystallization by inhibiting NADPH oxidase and oxidative stress. We conclude that losartan might be a promising preventive and therapeutic candidate for hyperoxaluria nephrolithiasis.