bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HO‐1 regulates the function of Treg: Association with the immune intolerance in vitiligo
Authors: Zhang Qian , Cui Tingting , Chang Yuqian , Zhang Weigang , Li Shuli , He Yuanmin , Li Bing , Liu Ling , Wang Gang , Gao Tianwen , Li Chunying , Jian Zhe
Published: July 2018

In vitiligo, cutaneous depigmentation is accompanied by increased T cell cytolytic activity targeting melanocytes, indicating that autoimmune tolerance is disrupted. The inhibited amount and function of Tregs have been indicated to be involved in the autoimmune intolerance in vitiligo, however, with the conclusion still controversial and the involved mechanism unknown. In this study, we explored the molecular and cellular alterations accounting for the impaired Treg response in vitiligo. Our results showed that the amount of Tregs was drastically reduced in peripheral blood of active vitiligo patients. Furthermore, the immunoregulatory function of Tregs was attenuated, with lower expression of CTLA4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β. Moreover, the expression of HO‐1, a functional modulator of Tregs, was decreased in vitiligo Tregs, and the concentrations of HO‐1 metabolites, including bilirubin, CoHb and iron, were correspondingly decreased in serum of vitiligo patients. In addition, we treated the Tregs from vitiligo patients with Hemin, an agonist of HO‐1, and found that enhanced HO‐1 expression restored the function of Tregs by up‐regulating IL‐10 expression. Our study demonstrates the essential role of HO‐1 in the impaired Treg response in vitiligo and indicates the potential of HO‐1 as a therapeutic target in vitiligo management.
Clinical performance of non‐surgical periodontal therapy in a large Chinese population with generalized aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Jiao Jian , Zhang Li , Meng Huan‐Xin , Shi Dong , Lu Rui‐Fang , Xu Li , Feng Xiang‐Hui , Cao Zhan‐Qiang
Published: July 2018

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate clinical performance of non‐surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) and its influential factors in a large Chinese population with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).

Material and Methods

Longitudinal periodontal examination data of 1,004 GAgP patients (numbers of patients with observation periods 6 weeks~, 3 months~, 6 months~, 1 year~, 3 years~ and >5 years were 203, 310, 193, 205, 70 and 23, respectively) were extracted from a hospital‐based electronic periodontal charting record system and analysed by multilevel analysis.

Results

Mean probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL) reductions at patient level were 1.17 mm and 1.07 mm, respectively. Multilevel analysis demonstrated PD reductions after maintenance were mainly influenced by frequency of supportive periodontal treatment (FSPT), gender, adjunctive systemic use of antibiotics, baseline mobility, tooth type and baseline PD and bleeding index reductions were mainly influenced by FSPT, adjunctive systemic use of antibiotics, baseline AL, baseline mobility, tooth type and baseline PD.

Conclusion

The clinical performance of NSPT on patients with GAgP was proved in the large Chinese population. Outcomes of NSPT were mainly influenced by FSPT, adjunctive systemic use of antibiotics, baseline mobility, tooth type and baseline PD.
Ultrasonography as a promising methodology to indicate captured‐induced abortion in viviparous elasmobranchs
Authors: Wosnick Natascha , Adams Kye R. , Freire Carolina A.
Published: July 2018

This study aimed to characterize morphological aspects related to abortion through a non‐lethal approach in the shortnose guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris, an endemic and threatened species commonly caught by artisanal fisheries. Two females with signs of abortion and one female exhibiting external signs of pregnancy were purchased alive at a fish market during the period when this species has developing embryos in southern Brazil. Scans were conducted using a portable ultrasound. Females with signs of abortion revealed an absence of embryos despite having a similar morphology of the uterus when compared to the pregnant female. Examination of the pregnant female revealed the presence of two embryos, measuring c. 100 mm, each detected through their midline. This study presents new data on uterine macromorphology following successive abortive events in a viviparous elasmobranch species and validates ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for the species. Ultrasonography is an effective, non‐lethal and less‐invasive methodology that is recommended for use in future studies of abortion and other reproductive events in elasmobranchs.
Alleviation by abscisic acid of Al toxicity in rice bean is not associated with citrate efflux but depends on ABI5‐mediated signal transduction pathways
Authors: Fan Wei , Xu Jia Meng , Wu Pei , Yang Zhi Xin , Lou He Qiang , Chen Wei Wei , Jin Jian Fen , Zheng Shao Jian , Yang Jian Li
Published: July 2018

Under conditions of aluminum (Al) toxicity, which severely inhibits root growth in acidic soils, plants rapidly alter their gene expression to optimize physiological fitness for survival. Abscisic acid (ABA) has been suggested as a mediator between Al stress and gene expression, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated ABA‐mediated Al‐stress responses, using integrated physiological and molecular biology approaches. We demonstrate that Al stress caused ABA accumulation in the root apex of rice bean (Vigna umbellata [Thunb.] Ohwi & Ohashi), which positively regulated Al tolerance. However, this was not associated with known Al‐tolerance mechanisms. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that nearly one‐third of the responsive genes were shared between the Al‐stress and ABA treatments. We further identified a transcription factor, ABI5, as being positively involved in Al tolerance. Arabidopsis abi5 mutants displayed increased sensitivity to Al, which was not related to the regulation of AtALMT1 and AtMATE expression. Functional categorization of ABI5‐mediated genes revealed the importance of cell wall modification and osmoregulation in Al tolerance, a finding supported by osmotic stress treatment on Al tolerance. Our results suggest that ABA signal transduction pathways provide an additional layer of regulatory control over Al tolerance in plants.
A randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of a Web‐based health behaviour change support system and group lifestyle counselling on body weight loss in overweight and obese subjects: 2‐year outcomes
Authors: Teeriniemi A.‐M. , Salonurmi T. , Jokelainen T. , Vähänikkilä H. , Alahäivälä T. , Karppinen P. , Enwald H. , Huotari M.‐L. , Laitinen J. , Oinas‐Kukkonen H. , Savolainen M. J.
Published: July 2018

Background

Weight loss can prevent and treat obesity‐related diseases. However, lost weight is usually regained, returning to the initial or even higher levels in the long term. New counselling methods for maintaining lifestyle changes are urgently needed.

Objectives

An information and communication technology‐based health behaviour change support system (HBCSS) that utilizes persuasive design and methods of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was developed with the aim of helping individuals to maintain body weight. The purpose of this study was to assess whether CBT‐based group counselling combined with HBCSS or HBCSS alone helps to maintain improved lifestyle changes needed for weight loss compared to self‐help guidance or usual care.

Methods

A randomized lifestyle intervention for overweight or obese persons (BMI 27–35 kg m−2 and age 20–60 years), recruited from the population registry in the city of Oulu, Finland, was conducted. This study comprised six randomly assigned study arms: CBT‐based group counselling (eight sessions led by a nutritionist), self‐help guidance‐based group counselling (SHG; two sessions led by a nurse) and control, each with or without HCBSS, for 52 weeks. Subjects visited the study centre for anthropometric measurements, blood sample collection and to complete questionnaires at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The main outcome was weight change from baseline to 12 months and from baseline to 24 months.

Results

Of the 1065 volunteers screened for the study, 532 subjects (51% men) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. The retention rate was 80% at 12 months and 70% at 24 months. CBT‐based counselling with HBCSS produced the largest weight reduction without any significant weight gain during follow‐up. The mean weight change in this arm was 4.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), −5.4 to −2.8, P < 0.001) at 12 months and 3.4% (95% CI, −4.8 to −2.0, P < 0.001) at 24 months. HBCSS even without any group counselling reduced the mean weight by 1.6% (95% CI, −2.9 to −0.3, P = 0.015) at 24 months.

Conclusion

The combination of CBT‐based group counselling and HBCSS‐based weight management is feasible for overweight or obese individuals. Moreover, HBCSS alone could be disseminated to the population at large as an effective means of treating obesity.
Bayesian population pharmacokinetic modeling of florfenicol in pigs after intravenous and intramuscular administration
Authors: Liu Zhichang , Rong Ting , Zeng Dongping , Shen Xiangguang , Ma Xianyong , Zeng Zhenling
Published: July 2018

Bayesian population pharmacokinetic models of florfenicol in healthy pigs were developed based on retrospective data in pigs either via intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration. Following i.v. administration, the disposition of florfenicol was best described by a two‐compartment open model with the typical values of half‐life at α phase (t1/2α), half‐life at β phase (t1/2β), total body clearance (Cl), and volume of distribution (Vd) were 0.132 ± 0.0289, 2.78 ± 0.166 hr, 0.215 ± 0.0102, and 0.841 ± 0.0289 L kg−1, respectively. The disposition of florfenicol after i.m. administration was best described by a one‐compartment open model. The typical values of maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax), elimination half‐life (t1/2Kel), Cl, and Volume (V) were 5.52 ± 0.605 μg/ml, 9.96 ± 1.12 hr, 0.228 ± 0.0154 L hr−1 kg−1, and 3.28 ± 0.402 L/kg, respectively. The between‐subject variabilities of all the parameters after i.m. administration were between 25.1%–92.1%. Florfenicol was well absorbed (94.1%) after i.m. administration. According to Monte Carlo simulation, 8.5 and 6 mg/kg were adequate to exert 90% bactericidal effect against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae after i.v. and i.m. administration.
Reductions in tree performance during hotter droughts are mitigated by shifts in nitrogen cycling
Authors: Grossiord Charlotte , Gessler Arthur , Reed Sasha C. , Borrego Isaac , Collins Adam D. , Dickman Lee T. , Ryan Max , Schönbeck Leonie , Sevanto Sanna , Vilagrosa Alberto , McDowell Nate G.
Published: July 2018

Climate warming should result in hotter droughts of unprecedented severity in this century. Such droughts have been linked with massive tree mortality, and data suggest that warming interacts with drought to aggravate plant performance. Yet how forests will respond to hotter droughts remains unclear, as does the suite of mechanisms trees use to deal with hot droughts. We used an ecosystem‐scale manipulation of precipitation and temperature on piñon pine (Pinus edulis) and juniper (Juniperus monosperma) trees to investigate nitrogen (N) cycling‐induced mitigation processes related to hotter droughts. We found that while negative impacts on plant carbon and water balance are manifest after prolonged drought, performance reductions were not amplified by warmer temperatures. Rather, increased temperatures for 5 years stimulated soil N cycling under piñon trees and modified tree N allocation for both species, resulting in mitigation of hotter drought impacts on tree water and carbon functions. These findings suggest that adjustments in N cycling are likely after multi‐year warming conditions and that such changes may buffer reductions in tree performance during hotter droughts. The results highlight our incomplete understanding of trees' ability to acclimate to climate change, raising fundamental questions about the resistance potential of forests to long‐term, compound climatic stresses.
Comparisons of population density and genetic diversity in artificial and wild populations of an arborescent coral, Acropora yongei: implications for the efficacy of “artificial spawning hotspots”
Authors: Zayasu Yuna , Suzuki Go
Published: July 2018

We are developing techniques to restore coral populations by enhancing larval supply using “artificial spawning hotspots” that aggregate conspecific adult corals. However, no data were available regarding how natural larval supply from wild coral populations is influenced by fertilization rate and how this is in turn affected by local population density and genetic diversity. Therefore, we assessed population density and genetic diversity of a wild, arborescent coral, Acropora yongei, and compared these parameters with those of an artificially established A. yongei population in the field. The population density of wild arborescent corals was only 0.27% of that in the artificial population, even in a high‐coverage area. Genetic diversity was also low in the wild population compared with the artificial population, and approximately 10% of all wild colonies were clones. Based on these results, the larval supply in the artificial population was estimated to be at least 1,400 times higher than that in wild A. yongei populations for the same area of adult population.
Tornado Damage Mitigation: Homeowner Support for Enhanced Building Codes in Oklahoma
Authors: Ripberger Joseph T. , Jenkins‐Smith Hank C. , Silva Carol L. , Czajkowski Jeffrey , Kunreuther Howard , Simmons Kevin M.
Published: July 2018

Tornadoes impose enormous costs on society. Relatively simple and inexpensive enhancements to building codes may reduce these costs by 30% or more, but only one city in the United States has adopted these codes. Why is this the case? This analysis addresses this question by examining homeowner support for more stringent building codes in Oklahoma, a conservative state that routinely experiences damaging tornadoes. Survey data show that support for mandatory mitigation policies like building codes is subject to countervailing forces. Push dynamics, including objective risk data, homeowners’ risk perceptions, and damage experience, encourage support for mitigation. Pull dynamics, such as individualistic and conservative worldviews, and skepticism about climate change, generate opposition. At the margin, the pull dynamics appear to exert more force than push dynamics, creating only a weak basis of support that is not strong enough to overcome the status quo bias in a state that is cautious about regulatory measures. The concluding section offers suggestions for changing these dynamics.
The sediment budget and dynamics of a delta‐canyon‐lobe system over the Anthropocene timescale: The Rhone River delta, Lake Geneva (Switzerland/France)
Authors: Silva Tiago A. , Girardclos Stéphanie , Stutenbecker Laura , Bakker Maarten , Costa Anna , Schlunegger Fritz , Lane Stuart N. , Molnar Peter , Loizeau Jean‐Luc
Published: July 2018

Deltas are important coastal sediment accumulation zones in both marine and lacustrine settings. However, currents derived from tides, waves or rivers can transfer that sediment into distal, deep environments, connecting terrestrial and deep marine depozones. The sediment transfer system of the Rhone River in Lake Geneva is composed of a sublacustrine delta, a deeply incised canyon and a distal lobe, which resembles, at a smaller scale, deep‐sea fan systems fed by high discharge rivers. From the comparison of two bathymetric datasets, collected in 1891 and 2014, a sediment budget was calculated for eastern Lake Geneva, based on which sediment distribution patterns were defined. During the past 125 years, sediment deposition occurred mostly in three high sedimentation rate areas: the proximal delta front, the canyon‐levée system and the distal lobe. Mean sedimentation rates in these areas vary from 0·0246 m year−1 (distal lobe) to 0·0737 m year−1 (delta front). Although the delta front–levées–distal lobe complex only comprises 17·0% of the analysed area, it stored 74·9% of the total deposited sediment. Results show that 52·5% of the total sediment stored in this complex was transported toward distal locations through the sublacustrine canyon. Namely, the canyon–levée complex stored 15·9% of the total sediment, while 36·6% was deposited in the distal lobe. The results thus show that in deltaic systems where density currents can occur regularly, a significant proportion of riverine sediment input may be transferred to the canyon‐lobe systems leading to important distal sediment accumulation zones.
The clinical and economic impact of cytomegalovirus infection in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Webb Brandon J. , Harrington Rachel , Schwartz Jason , Kammerer Jennifer , Spalding James , Lee Edward , Dodds Bart , Kaufusi Stephanie , Goodman Bruce E. , Firth Sean D. , Martin Greta , Sorensen Jeffrey , Hoda Daanish
Published: July 2018

Background

CMV infection (CMV‐I) remains an important complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐center cohort study in HSCT recipients. Primary outcomes were adjusted cost and all‐cause mortality. Secondary analyses investigated CMV risk factors and the effect of serostatus.

Results

Overall, 690 transplant episodes were included (allogeneic [n = 310]; autologous [n = 380]). All received preemptive CMV antiviral therapy at first detectable DNAemia. CMV‐I occurred in 34.8% of allogeneic and 2.1% of autologous transplants; median time to onset was 45 days. In allogeneic HSCT recipients, the primary risk factor for CMV‐I was CMV donor/recipient (D/R) serostatus. In a Markov multi‐state model for allogeneic HSCT recipients, the hazard ratio for CMV‐I and relapse was 1.5 (95% CI 0.8‐2.8) and for CMV‐I and mortality 2.4 (95% CI 0.9‐6.5). In a multivariable model for all patients, CMV‐I was associated with increased total cost (coefficient = 0.21, estimated incremental daily cost USD $500; P = 0.02). Cost was attenuated in allogeneic HSCT recipients (coefficient = 0.13, USD $699 vs $613, or $24 892 per transplant episode; P = 0.23). CMV disease (CMV‐D) complicated 29.6% of CMV‐I events in allogeneic HSCT recipients, but was not associated with an incrementally increased adjusted risk of mortality compared with CMV‐I alone. CMV‐I (56.4%) and CMV‐D (19.8%) were significantly overrepresented in D−/R+ serostatus HSCT recipients, and mortality was higher in R+ HSCT recipients.

Conclusions

Despite early preemptive antiviral treatment, CMV‐I impacts clinical outcomes and cost after HSCT, but the impact on cost is less pronounced in allogeneic HSCT recipients compared with autologous HSCT recipients.
Safety and efficacy of chronic suppressive azole therapy for endemic fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Trinh Sonya A. , Echenique Ignacio A. , Penugonda Sudhir , Angarone Michael P.
Published: July 2018

Background

Although the research is limited, treatment guidelines recommend lifelong suppressive azole therapy for disseminated endemic fungal infection (EFI) after solid organ transplantation (SOT). Suppressive azole therapy may prevent EFI recurrence at the risk of hepatotoxicity and drug interactions. We present real‐world safety and effectiveness data of chronic suppressive azole therapy for EFI in SOT recipients over a 10‐year period at a single comprehensive transplant center.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of SOT recipients diagnosed with EFI from January 1, 2005, to May 1, 2015. Chronic suppressive azole therapy was defined as treatment for more than 12 months after diagnosis. Effectiveness of suppression was defined as preventing EFI reactivation. Safety endpoints included adverse reactions and drug interactions.

Results

Over a 10‐year period, 28 SOT recipients were diagnosed with EFI: 16 histoplasmosis, 9 blastomycosis, and 3 coccidioidomycosis. Eighteen (64%) patients were treated with chronic suppressive azole therapy for a median length of 36 months (range 15‐90). One patient had an adverse drug interaction requiring azole discontinuation. There were no episodes of azole‐related hepatotoxicity, toxicity from antirejection medication, or EFI reactivation.

Conclusions

Chronic suppressive azole therapy was safe and effective in preventing reactivation of EFI in SOT recipients.
Systematic identification of long non‐coding RNAs during pollen development and fertilization in Brassica rapa
Authors: Huang Li , Dong Heng , Zhou Dong , Li Ming , Liu Yanhong , Zhang Fang , Feng Yaoyao , Yu Dongliang , Lin Sue , Cao Jiashu
Published: July 2018

The importance of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in plant development has been established, but a systematic analysis of lncRNAs expressed during pollen development and fertilization has been elusive. We performed a time series of RNA‐seq experiments at five developmental stages during pollen development and three different time points after pollination in Brassica rapa and identified 12 051 putative lncRNAs. A comprehensive view of dynamic lncRNA expression networks underpinning pollen development and fertilization was provided. B. rapa lncRNAs share many common characteristics of lncRNAs: relatively short length, low expression but specific in narrow time windows, and low evolutionary conservation. Gene modules and key lncRNAs regulating reproductive development such as exine formation were uncovered. Forty‐seven cis‐acting lncRNAs and 451 trans‐acting lncRNAs were revealed to be highly coexpressed with their target protein‐coding genes. Of particular importance are the discoveries of 14 lncRNAs that were highly coexpressed with 10 function‐known pollen‐associated coding genes. Fifteen lncRNAs were predicted as endogenous target mimics for 13 miRNAs, and two lncRNAs were proved to be functional target mimics for miR160 after experimental verification and shown to function in pollen development. Our study provides the systematic identification of lncRNAs during pollen development and fertilization in B. rapa and forms the foundation for future genetic, genomic, and evolutionary studies.
Area selective CVD of metallic films from molybdenum, iron, and ruthenium carbonyl precursors: Use of ammonia to inhibit nucleation on oxide surfaces
Authors: Mohimi Elham , Zhang Zhejun V. , Liu Sumeng , Mallek Justin L. , Girolami Gregory S. , Abelson John R.
Published: July 2018

The authors demonstrate that the addition of an ammonia coflow during the chemical vapor deposition of MoCxNy, Fe, or Ru thin films at ≤200 °C from the metal carbonyl precursors Mo(CO)6, Fe(CO)5, or Ru3(CO)12 affords area-selective growth: film grows readily on titanium metal or vanadium nitride substrate surfaces, but no nucleation occurs on air-exposed SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, or MgO within the investigated times of 1–2 h. By contrast, in the absence of ammonia, nucleation and deposition on these oxide surfaces can either be slow or rapid, depending strongly on the oxide surface preparation. NH3 is also the source of N in MoCxNy, which has a resistivity of 200 μΩ cm and becomes superconducting at a critical temperature of 4 K. The authors hypothesize that the passivating effect of NH3 on oxide surfaces involves site blocking to prevent precursor adsorption, or an acid–base interaction to stabilize surface-bound metal subcarbonyl intermediates, or a combination of these mechanisms. A key finding is that surface selective growth is often crucially dependent on the sample history of the substrate, which must be specified in detail if reproducible results are to be obtained.
Horizontal directivity patterns differ between vowels extracted from running speech
Authors: Kocon Paulina , Monson Brian B.
Published: July 2018

Directivity patterns for vocalizations radiating from the human mouth have been examined regularly, but phoneme-specific changes in radiation have rarely been identified. This study reports half-plane horizontal directivity up to 20 kHz with 15° angular resolution for /ɑ/, /e/, /i/, /o/, and /u/ extracted from running speech, compared with long-term averaged speech. An effect of vowel category on the directivity index was observed, with /ɑ/ being most directional. Angle-dependent third-octave band weighting functions, useful for simulating real-world listening conditions, highlighted disparities in directivity between running speech and individual vowels. These findings point to rapidly changing dynamic directivity patterns during speech.
Biologists raise alarm over changes to biopiracy rules
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: July 2018

Plan would bring genetic sequences under Nagoya Protocol
Hidden conflicts?
Authors: Piller Charles
Published: July 2018

An investigation finds a pattern of after-the-fact compensation by pharma to those advising the U.S. government on drug approvals
The evolutionary history of dogs in the Americas
Authors: Ní Leathlobhair Máire , Perri Angela R. , Irving-Pease Evan K. , Witt Kelsey E. , Linderholm Anna , Haile James , Lebrasseur Ophelie , Ameen Carly , Blick Jeffrey , Boyko Adam R. , Brace Selina , Cortes Yahaira Nunes , Crockford Susan J. , Devault Alison , Dimopoulos Evangelos A. , Eldridge Morley , Enk Jacob , Gopalakrishnan Shyam , Gori Kevin , Grimes Vaughan , Guiry Eric , Hansen Anders J. , Hulme-Beaman Ardern , Johnson John , Kitchen Andrew , Kasparov Aleksei K. , Kwon Young-Mi , Nikolskiy Pavel A. , Lope Carlos Peraza , Manin Aurélie , Martin Terrance , Meyer Michael , Myers Kelsey Noack , Omura Mark , Rouillard Jean-Marie , Pavlova Elena Y. , Sciulli Paul , Sinding Mikkel-Holger S. , Strakova Andrea , Ivanova Varvara V. , Widga Christopher , Willerslev Eske , Pitulko Vladimir V. , Barnes Ian , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Dobney Keith M. , Malhi Ripan S. , Murchison Elizabeth P. , Larson Greger , Frantz Laurent A. F.
Published: July 2018

Lineage losses for man's best friend

Dogs have been present in North America for at least 9000 years. To better understand how present-day breeds and populations reflect their introduction to the New World, Ní Leathlobhairet al.sequenced the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of ancient dogs (see the Perspective by Goodman and Karlsson). The earliest New World dogs were not domesticated from North American wolves but likely originated from a Siberian ancestor. Furthermore, these lineages date back to a common ancestor that coincides with the first human migrations across Beringia. This lineage appears to have been mostly replaced by dogs introduced by Europeans, with the primary extant lineage remaining as a canine transmissible venereal tumor.

Science, this issue p.81; see also p.27
Regulation of feeding by somatostatin neurons in the tuberal nucleus
Authors: Luo Sarah Xinwei , Huang Ju , Li Qin , Mohammad Hasan , Lee Chun-Yao , Krishna Kumar , Kok Alison Maun-Yeng , Tan Yu Lin , Lim Joy Yi , Li Hongyu , Yeow Ling Yun , Sun Jingjing , He Miao , Grandjean Joanes , Sajikumar Sreedharan , Han Weiping , Fu Yu
Published: July 2018

Neurons that regulate feeding

The tuberal nucleus, an area of the hypothalamus, has not been studied in great detail. Luo
et al.
found that GABAergic somatostatin neurons in the tuberal nucleus are functionally involved in the regulation of feeding in mice (GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid) (see the Perspective by Diano). These neurons were activated by food deprivation or hunger hormone. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments indicated that these cells are necessary and sufficient to control systemic metabolic balance. This newly described regulatory center is extensively connected with other feeding control circuits via projections to other hypothalamic nuclei.

Science
, this issue p.
76
; see also p.
29
Tandem catalysis for asymmetric coupling of ethylene and enynes to functionalized cyclobutanes
Authors: Pagar Vinayak Vishnu , RajanBabu T. V.
Published: July 2018

Cyclobutanes sourced right from ethylene

Ethylene is one of the highest-volume commodity chemicals manufactured from fossil fuels. It is mainly used to make plastic, although its ready availability incentivizes its expanded use in pharmaceutical synthesis. Pagar and RajanBabu now report that a cobalt catalyst can couple ethylene with enynes (another comparatively inexpensive feedstock bearing carbon-carbon double and triple bonds) to make complex chiral molecules. Initially, the ethylene reacts with the enyne's triple bond to form an isolable cyclobutene compound. At longer reaction times, the same catalyst can add a second equivalent of ethylene enantioselectively to form cyclobutanes with a quaternary chiral carbon center.

Science
, this issue p.
68
Chromatin domains rich in inheritance
Authors: Reinberg Danny , Vales Lynne D.
Published: July 2018

Only certain histone posttranslational modifications qualify as being epigenetic
The search for ancient DNA heads east
Authors: Bellwood Peter
Published: July 2018

Multiple migrations explain the peopling of Southeast Asia in the past 10,000 years
Science Advances
advancing
Authors: Berg Jeremy
Published: July 2018

In February 2014, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) announced the decision to launch
Science Advances
as a way to “expand the…content of
Science
” (
science.sciencemag.org/content/343/6172/709.full
). The new publication was envisioned as a multidisciplinary, open-access, digital-only journal, edited by a team of scientists actively engaged in research. The first
Science Advances
papers were published within a year. Now, nearly three-and-a-half years later,
Science Advances
is soon to publish its 2000th paper—a good time to examine how the journal is fulfilling its founding vision.
Comparing the usability of paediatric weight estimation methods: a simulation study
Authors: Marlow Robin D , Wood Dora L B , Lyttle Mark D
Published: July 2018

Objective

Estimating weight is essential in order to prepare appropriate sized equipment and doses of resuscitation drugs in cases where children are critically ill or injured. Many methods exist with varying degrees of complexity and accuracy. The most recent version of the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) course has changed their teaching from an age-based calculation method to the use of a reference table. We aimed to evaluate the potential implications of this change.

Method

Using a bespoke online simulation platform we assessed the ability of acute paediatric staff to apply different methods of weight estimation. Comparing the time taken, rate and magnitude of errors were made using the APLS single and triple age-based formulae, Best Guess and reference table methods. To add urgency and an element of cognitive stress, a time-based competitive component was included.

Results

57 participants performed a total of 2240 estimates of weight. The reference table was the fastest (25 (22–28) vs 35 (31–38) to 48 (43–51) s) and most preferred, but errors were made using all methods. There was no significant difference in the percentage accuracy between methods (93%–97%) but the magnitude of errors made was significantly smaller using the three APLS formulae 10% (6.5–21) compared with reference table (69% (34–133)) mainly from month/year table confusion.

Conclusion

In this exploratory study under psychological stress none of the methods of weight estimation were free from error. Reference tables were the fastest method and also had the largest errors and should be designed to minimise the risk of picking errors.
Vision and visual potential for perifoveal retinoblastoma after optical coherence tomographic-guided sequential laser photocoagulation
Authors: Soliman Sameh E , VandenHoven Cynthia , Mackeen Leslie D , Gallie Brenda L
Published: July 2018

Background/aims

To assess tumour control, vision and anatomical visual potential in eyes with perifoveal retinoblastoma treated by sequential photocoagulation from the antifoveal tumour edge inwards, avoiding treatment near the fovea. Patients were monitored for tumour control, foveal and perifoveal anatomy at each treatment session by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and treated for amblyopia when the other eye had better vision.

Methods

Eyes with perifoveal retinoblastoma treated between 1 January 2011 and 31 May 2017 with laser therapy after chemotherapy for juxtafoveal (fovea clear of tumour but <3000 µm from tumour edge) or foveolar retinoblastoma (tumour underlying fovea) were retrospectively reviewed for tumour control without recurrence, anatomical success (foveal pit preservation and/or restoration with ≥500 µm perifoveal retina free of tumour and scar) and functional success (acceptable (>0.1 decimal) or good (>0.3 decimal) visual acuity (VA)).

Results

Twenty-two eyes (14 juxtafoveal, 8 foveolar tumours) of 20 patients (19 bilateral, 1 familial and 11 females) were included. No juxtafoveal tumour had tumour recurrence, and 13/14 patients showed foveal pit preservation with ≥500 µm of perifoveal retina tumour free. Foveolar tumours had significant worse anatomical outcomes: failure to restore foveal pit or perifoveal retina (8/8, p=0.001) and tumour recurrences (5/8, p=0.001). Functional success with acceptable VA was achieved in 12/14 juxtafoveal and 5/8 foveal tumours eyes (p=0.01). Amblyopia therapy data were insufficient to evaluate impact on VA.

Conclusions

Anatomical visual potential and functional vision were better in juxtafoveal than foveolar retinoblastoma treated with foveal-sparing laser photocoagulation guided by OCT. The role of amblyopia therapy requires a prospective study.
‘In a blink of an eye your life can change’: experiences of players sustaining a rugby-related acute spinal cord injury
Authors: Badenhorst Marelise , Verhagen Evert , Lambert Michael Ian , van Mechelen Willem , Brown James Craig
Published: July 2018

Background

Though rare, rugby union carries a risk for serious injuries such as acute spinal cord injuries (ASCI), which may result in permanent disability. Various studies have investigated injury mechanisms, prevention programmes and immediate medical management of these injuries. However, relatively scant attention has been placed on the player’s experience of such an injury and the importance of context.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the injury experience and its related context, as perceived by the catastrophically injured player.

Methods

A qualitative approach was followed to explore the immediate, postevent injury experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 (n=48) players who had sustained a rugby-related ASCI.

Results

Four themes were derived from the data. Participants described the context around theinjury incident,which may be valuable to help understand the mechanism of injury and potentially minimise risk. Participants also described certaincontributing factorsto their injury, which included descriptions of foul play and aggression, unaccustomed playing positions, pressure to perform and unpreparedness. Thephysical experienceincluded signs and symptoms of ASCI that is important to recognise by first aiders, fellow teammates, coaches and referees. Lastly, participants described the emotional experiencewhich has implications for all ASCI first responders.

Significance

All rugby stakeholders, including players, first responders, coaches and referees, may gain valuable information from the experiences of players who have sustained these injuries. This information is also relevant for rugby safety initiatives in shaping education and awareness interventions.
Terroristic sniper shot ocular injuries: military and police casualties: case series
Authors: Guven Soner , Durukan A H
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Sniper shot ocular injuries (SSOI) are rare and result in poor ocular outcomes due to high energy transfer both to the eye and the adjacent brain. To our knowledge, no reports of such injuries in terms of outcomes have been previously described in the literature. The aim of this case series was to describe the treatment performed and ocular outcomes of such injuries.

Methods

Five cases of terroristic SSOIs referred to Gulhane Military Medical Academy Department of Ophthalmology between 22 July 2015 and 30 January 2017 were reviewed. Comparisons were made between the location and mechanism of injury, initial and final ocular signs, interventions and additional extraocular injuries.

Results

Two cases were of police officers and the remaining were Turkish military soldiers. All of our cases were injured in urban district by terrorist snipers hidden in apartments. Four individuals were injured in the right eye and the other was injured bilaterally. Initial visual acuities (VA) ranged from no light perception (NLP) to 0.0 with logMAR. Final VA raised to 0.0 in three patients whereas in two of NLP patients it remained the same. Mean Ocular Trauma Score was 2.2. Two eyes necessitated evisceration and the others underwent vitrectomy surgery.

Conclusions

The prognosis of SSOI is unpredictable and is highly dependent on the trajectory and energy deposition. Primary evisceration or enucleation should be reserved to severely ruptured globe cases with no chance of globe-saving procedures. If the globe remains intact, retinal and vitreal damage should be repaired. Due to risk of associated intracranial injury, all patients should be referred for neurosurgical opinion.
Fluorescence yields for doubly excited 2s3s configuration in He-like ions
Authors: Natarajan L.
Published: July 2018

The wavelengths and rates of single- and double-electron transitions leading to the emission of a single photon between 2s3s and nsn′p (n = 1, 2 and n′ = 2–4) groups in He-like ions with empty K shell have been studied for 15 ions in the range 13 ≤ Z ≤ 54 using fully relativistic multi-configuration Dirac–Fock wavefunctions in the active space approximation. The complete relaxation of atomic orbitals and most important configuration interaction effects have been taken into account. The variations in the admixture of the correlation functions coupled with Breit interaction responsible for the sudden changes in the line intensities of certain transitions from 2s3s have been discussed in detail. The radiative rates of the electric dipole transitions have been evaluated as accurately as possible by taking into account all the non-negligible contributions to the X-ray rates. The Auger rates have been calculated using a scaling procedure on the already existing relativistic radial matrix elements for an initial K hole atom. The present results are compared with other available theoretical data. The computed data can be conveniently used in the analysis of experimental spectra and in the measurements of X-ray fluorescence yields for the doubly excited states under study.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES CHANGE IN THE RAT XENOGRAFT MODEL TREATED BY MESENCHYMAL CELLS CULTURED IN AN HYALURONIC ACID-BASED HYDROGEL
Authors: ZIDI MUSTAPHA , ALLAIRE ERIC
Published: July 2018

This study investigated the efficiency of a cellular therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in an hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel on growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) obtained in the rat xenograft model. The experimental model was devoted to create an AAA at D14 after grafting of a decellularized abdominal aorta obtained from guinea pigs before being transplanted into rats. At D21, geometrical measurements as radius and length of AAA were performed on untreated ([Formula: see text]) and treated ([Formula: see text]) arteries. When compared to different cases, it was shown that the proposed cellular treatment significantly reduced the expansion of radius and length of AAA. Furthermore, to explore the mechanical properties change of the arterial wall, an inverse finite element method was performed where AAA is represented by an elliptical geometry with varying thicknesses. To identify the material parameters, the AAA tissue was assumed to behave isochoric and isotropic undergoing large strains and described by the Yeoh’s strain energy function. Although limitations exist in this study such as the time of the experimental protocol, the isotropic behavior law of the AAA wall and the axisymmetric geometry of the artery, the results revealed that arterial wall stiffness change and the maximum effective stress decreased during expansion of AAA when cellular treatment is applied.
PATIENT-SPECIFIC BIOFIDELIC HUMAN CORONARY ARTERY SURROGATES
Authors: CHANDA ARNAB , CURRY KAITLYN
Published: July 2018

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the number one killer for both men and women in the United States. To date, unavailability of human coronary arteries due to ethical and biosafety issues has not allowed for many experimental studies on understanding the pathophysiology of CAD. Also, patient-specific arterial blockage conditions are very difficult to estimate using 2D imaging, which prevents the development of effective surgical mitigation steps. Additionally, to date, a majority of stent surgery failures (over 50%), mainly attributed to poor stent design (such as an oversized stent causing local damage of arterial wall and subsequent growth of scar tissue through the stent leading to re-blocking the artery, or in-stent restenosis), are impossible to evaluate. In the current work, a methodology to fabricate patient-specific three-layer biofidelic coronary artery surrogates was developed. This novel method involves the generation of a true-scale MRI-based patient-specific 3D arterial lumen model, which is 3D printed. A four-part silicone material system is developed, which precisely mimics the nonlinear biomechanical behavior of arterial layers, namely the intima (innermost), media (middle) and adventitia (outer). Using the 3D printed arterial lumen model as a positive mold, thin layers ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm) of the layer-specific silicone-based materials are deposited, and subsequently pulled out once cured. The final product is a three-layer coronary artery model which is exactly of the same size and dimensions, and similar mechanical property as that of the actual coronary artery of a patient. Such surrogate models would be extremely helpful for cardiologists and heart surgeons to understand patient-specific atherosclerotic conditions (based on the location and size of blockages), simulate CAD-based surgeries and also evaluate stent implantation procedures. Additionally, these coronary artery surrogate models will allow stent manufacturers to design better and more reliable stents in the future to avoid stent oversizing-based arterial damage conditions and improve stent deployment techniques.
NASAL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AERODYNAMICS FOR HEALTHY AND BLOCKED CAVITIES
Authors: NAYEBOSSADRI SHAHRZAD , AVITAL ELDAD J. , MOTALLEBI FARIBORZ , KENYON GUY
Published: July 2018

Human nasal airflow in a healthy and partially blocked cavities is investigated using computational and experimental means. While previous studies focused on the flow inside the nasal cavity, this study also looks at the external air stream coming out of the nostrils. The aim is to investigate the airflow subject to partial blocking in the nasal cavity and assess the potential of using a flow visualization method to identify abnormal nasal geometry. Two methods of study are used: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and experiment based on Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Nasal cavity geometry is reconstructed from CT scans. The flow visualization Schileren method is also demonstrated. The computational results agree well with the previous results in terms of Nasal Resistance (NR) and character of the internal flow. Good agreement is also found in the external aerodynamics during expiration between the computational and experimental results. Several generic partial blockages are investigated to show changes in NR, turbulence energy and the air stream leaving the nostrils during expiration. Anterior blockages are found to have more profound effects on all these three aspects, but all show effects on the external air stream. A possible universal angle for the external air stream emitted by a healthy nasal cavity is discussed.
OS-Aware Automotive Controller Design Using Non-Uniform Sampling
Authors: Chang Wanli , Goswami Dip , Chakraborty Samarjit , Hamann Arne
Published: July 2018

Automotive functionalities typically consist of a large set of periodic/cyclic tasks scheduled under a real-time operating system (OS). Many of the tasks are feedback control applications with stringent performance requirements. OSEK/VDX is a common class of automotive OS that offers preemptive periodic schedules supporting a pre-configured set of periods. The feedback controllers implemented onto such OSEK/VDX-compliant systems need to use one of the pre-configured (sampling) periods. A shorter period is often desired for a higher control performance, and this implies a higher processor load. For a given performance requirement, the longest sampling period that meets this requirement is the optimal one. Given a limited set of pre-configured periods, such optimal sampling periods are often not available, and the practice is to choose a shorter available period—leading to a higher processor load. To address this, we propose a controller that cyclically switches among the available periods, thereby leading to an average sampling period closer to the optimal one. This way, we reduce the processor load and are able to pack more control applications on the same processor. The main challenge in this article is the design of such controllers that takes into account such cyclic switching of sampling periods (i.e., use non-uniform sampling). The controller needs to meet specified performance requirements (settling time) and system constraints (e.g., input saturation). Such a non-convex constrained controller optimization problem as raised in the OS-aware automotive systems design has not been addressed in the traditional optimal control literature. A novel approach based on adaptively parameterized particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed to solve it. Using the OS-aware controller design with non-uniform sampling, we show that a higher number of applications can be packed on a processor, which is of particular interest in the cost-sensitive automotive industry.
Proactive Information Retrieval by Capturing Search Intent from Primary Task Context
Authors: Koskela Markus , Luukkonen Petri , Ruotsalo Tuukka , SjÖberg Mats , Floréen Patrik
Published: July 2018

A significant fraction of information searches are motivated by the user’s
primary task
. An ideal search engine would be able to use information captured from the primary task to proactively retrieve useful information. Previous work has shown that many information retrieval activities depend on the primary task in which the retrieved information is to be used, but fairly little research has been focusing on methods that automatically learn the informational intents from the primary task context. We study how the implicit primary task context can be used to model the user’s search intent and to proactively retrieve relevant and useful information. Data comprising of logs from a user study, in which users are writing an essay, demonstrate that users’ search intents can be captured from the task and relevant and useful information can be proactively retrieved. Data from simulations with several datasets of different complexity show that the proposed approach of using primary task context generalizes to a variety of data. Our findings have implications for the design of proactive search systems that can infer users’ search intent implicitly by monitoring users’ primary task activities.