bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographic and racial representation and reported success rates of studies of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Findings from the SMASH‐AF meta‐analysis study cohort
Authors: Leef George C. , Perino Alexander C. , Cluckey Andrew , Yunus Fahd N. , Askari Mariam , Heidenreich Paul A. , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Wang Paul J. , Turakhia Mintu P.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of geographic and racial representation and reported success rates of studies of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from 1/1/1990 to 8/1/2016 for trials and observational studies reporting AF ablation outcomes. Major exclusion criteria were insufficient reporting of outcomes, non‐English language articles, and ablation strategies that were not prespecified and uniform. We described geographic and racial representation and single‐procedure ablation success rates by country, controlling for patient demographics and study design characteristics. The analysis cohort included 306 studies (49,227 patients) from 28 countries. Over half of the paroxysmal (PAF) and nonparoxysmal AF (NPAF) treatment arms were conducted in 5 and 3 countries, respectively. Reporting of race or ethnicity demographics and outcomes were rare (1 study, 0.3%) and nonexistent, respectively. Unadjusted success rates by country ranged from 63.5% to 83.0% for PAF studies and 52.7% to 71.6% for NPAF studies, with substantial variation in patient demographics and study design. After controlling for covariates, South Korea and the United States had higher PAF ablation success rates, with large residual heterogeneity. NPAF ablation success rates were statistically similar by country.

Conclusions

Studies of AF ablation have substantial variation in patient demographics, study design, and reported outcomes by country. There is limited geographic representation of trials and observational studies of AF ablation and a paucity of race‐ or ethnicity‐stratified results. Future AF ablation studies and registries should aim to have broad representation by race, geography, and ethnicity to ensure generalizability.
Effects of d‐galactose‐induced ageing on the heart and its potential interventions
Authors: Bo‐Htay Cherry , Palee Siripong , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: January 2018

Ageing is a strong independent risk factor for disability, morbidity and mortality. Post‐mitotic cells including those in the heart are a particular risk to age‐related deterioration. As the occurrence of heart disease is increasing rapidly with an ageing population, knowledge regarding the mechanisms of age‐related cardiac susceptibility and possible therapeutic interventions needs to be acquired to prevent advancing levels of heart disease. To understand more about the ageing heart, numerous aged animal models are being used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Due to time‐consuming for investigations involving naturally aged animals, mimetic ageing models are being utilized to assess the related effects of ageing on disease occurrence. d‐galactose is one of the substances used to instigate ageing in various models, and techniques involving this have been widely used since 1991. However, the mechanism through which d‐galactose induces ageing in the heart remains unclear. The aim of this review was to comprehensively summarize the current findings from in vitro and in vivo studies on the effects of d‐galactose‐induced ageing on the heart, and possible therapeutic interventions against ageing heart models. From this review, we hope to provide invaluable information for future studies and based on the findings from experiments involving animals, we can inform possible therapeutic strategies for the prevention of age‐related heart diseases in clinical settings.
Genome‐wide scan for circulating vascular adhesion protein‐1 levels: MACROD2 as a potential transcriptional regulator of adipogenesis
Authors: Chang Yi‐Cheng , Hee Siow‐Wey , Lee Wei‐Jei , Li Hung‐Yuan , Chang Tien‐Jyun , Lin Ming‐Wei , Hung Yi‐Jen , Lee I‐Te , Hung Kuan‐Yi , Assimes Themistocles , Knowles Joshua W , Nong Jiun‐Yi , Lee Po‐Chu , Chiu Yen‐Feng , Chuang Lee‐Ming
Published: January 2018

Aims/Introduction

Vascular adhesion protein‐1 (VAP‐1) is a membrane‐bound amine oxidase highly expressed in mature adipocytes and released into the circulation. VAP‐1 has been strongly implicated in several pathological processes, including diabetes, inflammation, hypertension, hepatic steatosis and renal diseases, and is an important disease marker and therapeutic target. Here, we aimed to identify the genetic loci for circulating VAP‐1 levels.

Materials and Methods

We carried out a genomic‐wide linkage scan for the quantitative trait locus of circulating VAP‐1 levels in 1,100 Han Chinese individuals from 398 families in the Stanford Asian Pacific Program for Hypertension and Insulin Resistance study. Regional association fine mapping was carried out using additional single‐nucleotide polymorphisms.

Results

The estimated heritability of circulating VAP‐1 levels is high (h2 = 69%). The most significant quantitative trait locus for circulating VAP‐1 was located at 38 cM on chromosome 20, with a maximum empirical logarithm of odds score of 4.11 (P = 6.86 × 10−6) in females. Regional single‐nucleotide polymorphism fine mapping within a 1‐unit support region showed the strongest association signals in the MACRO domain containing 2 (MACROD2) gene in females (P = 5.38 × 10−6). Knockdown of MACROD2 significantly suppressed VAP‐1 expression in human adipocytes, as well as the expression of key adipogenic genes. Furthermore, MACROD2 expression was found to be positively associated with VAP‐1 in human visceral adipose tissue.

Conclusion

MACROD2 is a potential genetic determinant of serum VAP‐1 levels, probably through transcriptional regulation of adipogenesis.
A new species of Petroleuciscus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Büyük Menderes River, southwestern Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Turan D. , Kalayci G. , Kaya C. , Bektaş Y. , Küçük F.
Published: January 2018

Petroleuciscus ninae sp. nov. is described from the Büyük Menderes River drainage. The new species is distinguished by having a black lateral stripe from head to base of caudal fin, stripe distinct anteriorly and posteriorly, wider than eye diameter; numerous black pigments on anal‐fin rays; body depth at dorsal‐fin origin 27–30% standard length (LS); head width at posterior margin of eye 16–19% LS; and eye diameter smaller than snout length. Petroleuciscus ninae is also distinguished from other species in adjacent waters by having six fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial DNA coI barcode region.
Effect of food shortage and temperature on age 0+ salmonids: a contribution to predict the effects of climate change
Authors: Arevalo E. , Panserat S. , Seiliez I. , Larrañaga A. , Bardonnet A.
Published: January 2018

Brown troutSalmo truttaalevins were maintained at 8 and 11° C at three conditions over a 9 day period from yolk sac exhaustion: fedad libitum, starved or fedad libitumafter starvation. Whole‐body gene expressions for proteins involved in energy metabolism and the two primary proteolytic pathways were assessed. This study is the first to show an over‐expression of proteasome and autophagy‐related genes in young stages of salmonids, particularly at 11° C.
Composition and antimicrobial resistance profile of Gram‐negative microbiota prevalent in aquacultured fish
Authors: Ruzauskas Modestas , Klimiene Irena , Armalyte Julija , Bartkiene Elena , Siugzdiniene Rita , Skerniskyte Jurate , Krasauskas Renatas , Suziedeliene Edita
Published: January 2018

Aquatic environments are one of the most favorable settings for acquisition and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to isolate and identify antimicrobial resistant Gram‐negative bacteria that are prevalent in fish kept in open aquaculture ponds and (2) to analyse their antimicrobial resistance profiles. One hundred and nineteen isolates from fish resistant to at least one antimicrobial were investigated. The most predominant genera were Pseudomonas, Chryseobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, and Aeromonas. The highest numbers of multiresistant isolates were found within Pseudomonas spp., and the lowest, in Aeromonas spp. Resistance to beta‐lactams was the most common among all of the bacterial genera. The absence or very low rates of resistance to fluoroquinolones, the small number of clinically important resistance genes, and bacterial taxonomic composition suggest that the most widespread resistant bacteria in aquacultured fish are autochthonous microbiota.

Practical applications

The majority of antimicrobial resistant bacteria that are prevalent in aquacultured fish from open ponds can be treated as natural (autochthonous microbiota). In this study, only a minority of resistant bacteria detected in fish could be associated with polluted waters originating from animal farms or human healthcare facilities. Some strains, particularly the family Enterobacteriaceae that is found in fish, contain clinically important resistance determinants that potentially can be transmitted to human microbiota in cases of inappropriate processing of fish intended for food. With regard to antimicrobial resistant bacteria, measures for control of inflowing waters to aquaculture ponds should be taken in addition to monitoring fish microbiota and its’ resistance should be investigated on a regular basis.
Can Exercise Improve Cognitive Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?
Authors: Panza Gregory A. , Taylor Beth A. , MacDonald Hayley V. , Johnson Blair T. , Zaleski Amanda L. , Livingston Jill , Thompson Paul D. , Pescatello Linda S.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To examine the effects of exercise training on cognitive function in individuals at risk of or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Design

Meta‐analysis.

Setting

PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest were searched from inception until August 1, 2017.

Participants

Nineteen studies with 23 interventions including 1,145 subjects with a mean age of 77.0 ± 7.5 were included. Most subjects were at risk of AD because they had mild cognitive impairment (64%) or a parent diagnosed with AD (1%), and 35% presented with AD.

Intervention

Controlled studies that included an exercise‐only intervention and a nondiet, nonexercise control group and reported pre‐ and post‐intervention cognitive function measurements.

Measurements

Cognitive function before and after the intervention and features of the exercise intervention.

Results

Exercise interventions were performed 3.4 ± 1.4 days per week at moderate intensity (3.7 ± 0.6 metabolic equivalents) for 45.2 ± 17.0 minutes per session for 18.6 ± 10.0 weeks and consisted primarily of aerobic exercise (65%). Overall, there was a modest favorable effect of exercise on cognitive function (d+ = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26–0.68). Within‐group analyses revealed that exercise improved cognitive function (d+w = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.11–0.28), whereas cognitive function declined in the control group (d+w = −0.18, 95% CI = −0.36 to 0.00). Aerobic exercise had a moderate favorable effect on cognitive function (d+w = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.35–0.95), but other exercise types did not (d+w = 0.19, 95% CI = −0.06–0.43).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that exercise training may delay the decline in cognitive function that occurs in individuals who are at risk of or have AD, with aerobic exercise possibly having the most favorable effect. Additional randomized controlled clinical trials that include objective measurements of cognitive function are needed to confirm our findings.
Protective Effect of Denosumab on Bone in Older Women with Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Eller‐Vainicher Cristina , Palmieri Serena , Cairoli Elisa , Goggi Giovanni , Scillitani Alfredo , Arosio Maura , Falchetti Alberto , Chiodini Iacopo
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To determine the effect of denosumab, which is used in primary osteoporosis (PO), in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)‐related osteoporosis.

Design

Retrospective, longitudinal study.

Setting

Outpatient osteoporosis clinic.

Participants

Older women with PHPT (78.6 ± 5.5) (n = 25) and PO (78.8 ± 5.2) (n = 25) matched on age, body mass index, familial history of hip fracture, femoral bone mineral density (BMD), and personal history of fragility fractures.

Intervention

Twenty‐four months of denosumab therapy.

Measurements

We assessed the calcium‐phosphorus metabolism parameters; BMD at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and total hip (TH) using dual X‐ray absorptiometry; and morphometric vertebral fractures using radiographs in all subjects at baseline and after 24 months. Changes in BMD and total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were considered significant if they were greater than the least significant change (LS 2.8%, FN 5.9%, TH 4.8%, ALP –22%) and were expressed as percentage difference between end of follow‐up and baseline (Δ).

Results

After 24 months, women with PHPT had greater ΔALP (−30.6 ± 11.3), ΔFN (5.6 ± 4.8), and ΔTH (4.8 ± 4.4) than those with PO (ΔALP −21.4 ± 13.1, ΔFN 2.9 ± 4.8, ΔTH 1.2 ± 4.1, P < .05 for all comparisons). A significant increase in BMD was more frequent in women with PHPT (92%) than in those with PO (52%, P < .05) and it was 13.4 times as likely in women with PHPT as in those with PO (P = .02), regardless of possible confounders. Two subjects in each group had an incident fracture.

Conclusions

Denosumab therapy is effective in older women with PHPT‐related osteoporosis.
Anaphylaxis to packaged foods in Australasia
Authors: Zurzolo Giovanni A , Allen Katrina J , Peters Rachel L , Tang Mimi LK , Dharmage Shyamali , de Courten Maximilian , Mathai Michael L , Campbell Dianne E
Published: January 2018

Aims

To examine reports of anaphylaxis in Australasia from consumption of packaged food products with or without precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), where the known allergen triggers were not a listed ingredient.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to all members of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (n = 548). Participants were asked to complete a survey reporting whether they have had seen any patients over the last 3 months reporting anaphylaxis following ingestion of a packaged food where the suspected food allergen was not a listed ingredient.

Results

Of the n = 548 members approached, n = 198 responded (response rate 36.1%).There were 14 reports of anaphylaxis to packaged foods (where the suspected allergen was not a listed ingredient), which met the case definition from a total of 198 respondents over the 9‐month period. Of those reactions, 50.0% (confidence interval 95% 21–78) were reported from foods that did not have a PAL statement, and 50.0% (confidence interval 95% 21–78) were due to peanuts.

Conclusion

Anaphylaxis to undeclared allergens was not rare and did not appear to depend on whether the product was labelled with precautionary advice. There is currently no reliable labelling system that can inform food‐allergic consumers of safer food choices. Improvements in the regulation of food labelling with PAL are required.
OsMADS57 together with OsTB1 coordinates transcription of its target OsWRKY94 and D14 to switch its organogenesis to defense for cold adaptation in rice
Authors: Chen Liping , Zhao Yuan , Xu Shujuan , Zhang Zeyong , Xu Yunyuan , Zhang Jingyu , Chong Kang
Published: January 2018

Plants modify their development to adapt to their environment, protecting themselves from detrimental conditions such as chilling stress by triggering a variety of signaling pathways; however, little is known about how plants coordinate developmental patterns and stress responses at the molecular level.

Here, we demonstrate that interacting transcription factors OsMADS57 and OsTB1 directly target the defense gene OsWRKY94 and the organogenesis gene D14 to trade off the functions controlling/moderating rice tolerance to cold.

Overexpression of OsMADS57 maintains rice tiller growth under chilling stress. OsMADS57 binds directly to the promoter of OsWRKY94, activating its transcription for the cold stress response, while suppressing its activity under normal temperatures. In addition, OsWRKY94 was directly targeted and suppressed by OsTB1 under both normal and chilling temperatures. However, D14 transcription was directly promoted by OsMADS57 for suppressing tillering under the chilling treatment, whereas D14 was repressed for enhancing tillering under normal condition.We demonstrated that OsMADS57 and OsTB1 conversely affect rice chilling tolerance via targeting OsWRKY94.

Our findings highlight a molecular genetic mechanism coordinating organogenesis and chilling tolerance in rice, which supports and extends recent work suggesting that chilling stress environments influence organ differentiation.
Genetic analysis of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha reveals that R2R3MYB activation of flavonoid production in response to abiotic stress is an ancient character in land plants
Authors: Albert Nick W. , Thrimawithana Amali H. , McGhie Tony K. , Clayton William A. , Deroles Simon C. , Schwinn Kathy E. , Bowman John L. , Jordan Brian R. , Davies Kevin M.
Published: January 2018

The flavonoid pathway is hypothesized to have evolved during land colonization by plants c. 450 Myr ago for protection against abiotic stresses. In angiosperms, R2R3MYB transcription factors are key for environmental regulation of flavonoid production. However, angiosperm R2R3MYB gene families are larger than those of basal plants, and it is not known whether the regulatory system is conserved across land plants. We examined whether R2R3MYBs regulate the flavonoid pathway in liverworts, one of the earliest diverging land plant lineages.

We characterized MpMyb14 from the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha using genetic mutagenesis, transgenic overexpression, gene promoter analysis, and transcriptomic and chemical analysis. MpMyb14 is phylogenetically basal to characterized angiosperm R2R3MYB flavonoid regulators.

Mpmyb14 knockout lines lost all red pigmentation from the flavonoid riccionidin A, whereas overexpression conferred production of large amounts of flavones and riccionidin A, activation of associated biosynthetic genes, and constitutive red pigmentation. MpMyb14 expression and flavonoid pigmentation were induced by light‐ and nutrient‐deprivation stress in M. polymorpha as for anthocyanins in angiosperms.

MpMyb14 regulates stress‐induced flavonoid production in M. polymorpha, and is essential for red pigmentation. This suggests that R2R3MYB regulated flavonoid production is a conserved character across land plants which arose early during land colonization.
A matter of maturity: To delay or not to delay? Continuous‐time compartmental models of structured populations in the literature 2000–2016
Authors: Robertson Suzanne L. , Henson Shandelle M. , Robertson Timothy , Cushing J. M.
Published: January 2018

Structured compartmental models in mathematical biology track age classes, stage classes, or size classes of a population. Structured modeling becomes important when mechanistic formulations or intraspecific interactions are class‐dependent. The classic derivation of such models from partial differential equations produces time delays in the transition rates between classes. In particular, the transition from juvenile to adult has a delay equal to the maturation period of the organism. In the literature, many structured compartmental models, posed as ordinary differential equations, omit this delay. We reviewed occurrences of continuous‐time compartmental models for age‐ and stage‐structured populations in the recent literature (2000–2016) to discover which papers did so. About half of the 249 papers we reviewed used a maturation delay. Papers with ecological models were more likely to have the delay than papers with disease models, and mathematically focused papers were more likely to have the delay than biologically focused papers.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

Interacting populations often are modeled with systems of ordinary differential equations in which the state variables are numbers of individuals of each species and interaction terms depend only on the current state of the system.

Single‐population continuous‐time models with age‐ or stage‐structure, in which state variables represent numbers of individuals in classes such as juveniles and adults, often but not always contain maturation time delays in the transition rates between classes. The exclusion of the delay typically changes the model dynamics.

Managers should be aware of the maturation delay issue when considering the results of continuous‐time models of structured populations.

Discrete‐time models have an inherent time delay, set by the census time step chosen by the modeler, and for that reason are convenient for modeling maturation and other biological delays.
The role of autophagy in the regulation of yeast life span
Authors: Tyler Jessica K. , Johnson Jay E.
Published: January 2018

The goal of the aging field is to develop novel therapeutic interventions that extend human health span and reduce the burden of age‐related disease. While organismal aging is a complex, multifactorial process, a popular theory is that cellular aging is a significant contributor to the progressive decline inherent to all multicellular organisms. To explore the molecular determinants that drive cellular aging, as well as how to retard them, researchers have utilized the highly genetically tractable budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Indeed, every intervention known to extend both cellular and organismal health span was identified in yeast, underlining the power of this approach. Importantly, a growing body of work has implicated the process of autophagy as playing a critical role in the delay of aging. This review summarizes recent reports that have identified a role for autophagy, or autophagy factors in the extension of yeast life span. These studies demonstrate (1) that yeast remains an invaluable tool for the identification and characterization of conserved mechanisms that promote cellular longevity and are likely to be relevant to humans, and (2) that the process of autophagy has been implicated in nearly all known longevity‐promoting manipulations and thus represents an ideal target for interventions aimed at improving human health span.
The Long‐Term Durability of Multilumen Concentric Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator Leads
Authors: Simopoulos Thomas , Sharma Sanjiv , Aner Moris , Gill Jatinder S.
Published: January 2018

Background

Lead fracture is a well‐known complication of cylindrical spinal cord stimulator leads. In order to reduce this complication, anchor design and techniques have been modified, but internal lead design has received little attention.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to study the impact of lead design by a retrospective determination of the fracture rate of multilumen concentric (MLC) 8‐contact leads.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Methods

A registry of spinal cord stimulator implants and corresponding billing data were used to identify patients. Procedural details were reviewed for technique, lead insertion, anchoring details, manufacturer, and lead longevity from 2002 to 2014. Data storage was in RedCap data‐capturing software (REDCap eData Collection web‐based application). All analyses were performed using SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, U.S.A.).

Results

In a near 12"‐year time period, 172 patients received 305 permanently implanted 8‐contact leads, with an overall fracture rate of 4.3%. Of these, 191 leads were of the MLC design. No lead fracture was observed in the MLC leads over an average 4.5 years of follow‐up.

Limitation

Retrospective single center.

Conclusion

MLC lead design has the potential to significantly mitigate lead fracture.
Clonidine as a preoperative sedative
Authors: Henry Robert G. , Raybould Ted P. , Romond Kelli , Kouzoukas Dimitrios E. , Challman Sandra D.
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to ­examine the use of oral clonidine as a preoperative sedative prior to parenteral moderate sedation. Initially, four patients were given 0.2 mg oral clonidine but reduced to 0.1 mg clonidine due to ­significant drops in blood pressure. Oral clonidine doses of 0.1 mg were then given to 19 patients preoperatively. In all these patients, blood pressure measurements decreased, but there were no significant differences in amounts of sedative agents needed in the clonidine group and the control group (N = 80). The conclusions reached suggest that clonidine has an advantage over other preoperative sedation agents in anxious patients exhibiting hypertension and tachycardia. However, the preop ideal dose required to reduce the amount of sedative drugs used as well as provide anxiolysis remains unknown. In further studies, different doses should be explored to determine what dosage of clonidine may offer hemodynamic protection as well as decrease sedative drugs needed.
Depositional model for lacustrine nearshore subaqueous fans in a rift basin: The Eocene Shahejie Formation, Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Cao Yingchang , Wang Yanzhong , Gluyas Jonathan Gordon , Liu Huimin , Liu Haining , Song Mingshui
Published: January 2018

The origin of the fourth member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation in the northern steep slopes of the Minfeng Sub‐sag, Dongying Sag, China, was investigated by integrating core studies and flume tank depositional simulations. A non‐channelized depositional model is proposed in this paper for nearshore subaqueous fans in steep fault‐controlled slopes of lacustrine rift basins. The deposits of nearshore subaqueous fans along the base of steep border‐fault slopes of rift basins are typically composed of deep‐water coarse‐grained sediment gravity‐flow deposits directly sourced from adjacent footwalls. Sedimentation processes of nearshore subaqueous fans respond to tectonic activities of boundary faults and to seasonal rainfall. During tectonically active stages, subaqueous debris flows triggered by episodic movements of border‐faults dominate the sedimentation. During tectonically quiescent stages, hyperpycnal flows generated by seasonal rainfall‐generated floods, normal discharges of mountain‐derived rivers and deep‐lacustrine suspension sedimentation are commonly present. The results of a series of flume tank depositional simulations show that the sediments deposited by subaqueous debris flows are wedge‐shaped and non‐channelized, whereas the sediments deposited by hyperpycnal flows generated by sporadic floods from seasonal rainfall are characterized by non‐channelized, coarse‐grained lobate depositional bodies which switch laterally because of compensation sedimentation of hyperpycanal flows. The hyperpycnal‐flow‐deposited non‐channelized lobate depositional bodies can be divided into a main body and lateral edges. The main body can be further subdivided into a proximal part, middle part and frontal part. Normal mountain‐derived river‐discharge‐deposited sediments are characterized by thin‐bedded, fine‐grained sandstones and siltstones with a limited distribution range. Normal mountain‐derived river‐discharge‐deposited sediments and deep‐lacustrine mudstones are commonly eroded in the area close to boundary faults. A nearshore subaqueous fan can be divided into three segments: inner fan, middle fan and outer fan. The inner fan is composed of debrites and the proximal part of the main body. The middle fan consists of the middle part of the main body and lateral edges, normal mountain‐derived river‐discharge‐deposited fine‐grained sediments and deep‐lacustrine mudstones. The outer fan comprises the frontal part of the main body, lateral edges, and deep‐lacustrine mudstones. Based on the non‐channelized depositional model for nearshore subaqueous fans, criteria for stratigraphic subdivision and correlation are discussed and applied.
Influence of excessive exercise on immunity, metabolism, and gut microbial diversity in an overtraining mice model
Authors: Yuan Xin , Xu Shijie , Huang Haiyang , Liang Jian , Wu Yayun , Li Chujie , Yuan Huiqi , Zhao Xuejie , Lai Xiaoping , Hou Shaozhen
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the negative influence of excessive exercise on immunity, substance and energy metabolism as well as gut microbiota in mice. Firstly, an overtraining model of Male Kunming mice was established by high‐intensity swimming exercise for 4 weeks. Then, a series of evaluation indicators, including the routine blood analysis, immune organ coefficient, digestive enzymes, and aquaporins expression levels of small intestine and colon tissue, histological examinations of liver, spleen, small intestine, and colon, were determined based on this model. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was also employed to measure the microbial composition in gut. The results found that immune parameters, substance and energy metabolism of all mice was altered and disturbed after high‐intensity swimming for 4 weeks, led to an atrophy of thymus and spleen as well as abnormal structural changes in liver when compared to non‐swimming mice. Besides, excessive swimming mice had lower microbial diversity compared to non‐swimming mice. However, there was no significant difference in gut microbial taxa between the two groups. The data indicated that excessive exercise exhibits negative impacts on immunity, substance and energy metabolism as well as gut microbial diversity.
Modeling children's development in gross motor coordination reveals key modifiable determinants. An allometric approach
Authors: dos Santos M. A. M. , Nevill A. M. , Buranarugsa R. , Pereira S. , Gomes T. N. Q. F. , Reyes A. , Barnett L. M. , Maia J. A. R.
Published: January 2018

Children change their body size, shape, and gross motor coordination (GMC) as they grow. Further,GMCis expected to link to changes in children's body size, physical activity (PA), and physical fitness (PF). The objective was to modelGMCchanges in children followed longitudinally and to investigate associations between these changes andPAandPFlevels. A total of 245 children (122 girls) were observed at 6 years of age and followed annually until 9 years. A sequence of allometric models was fitted, that is, 1. body mass, stature, andPA; 2. addition of fourPFtests; 3. addition of four morePFtests. In Model 1, changes inGMCare nonlinear, and body mass (−0.60 ± 0.07,P < .001) and stature (2.91 ± 0.35,P < .001) parameter estimates were significant suggesting children with a more linear body size/shape showed higherGMCperformances. Girls tend to outperform boys across time, andPAwas not associated withGMCchanges. Model 2 fitted the data better, and thePFtests (handgrip, standing long jump, 50‐yard dash, and shuttle run) were significantly linked toGMCchange. In Model 3, adding the remainingPFtests did not change the order of any factors importance. The greatestGMCchanges were achieved by children whose body size/shape has an ectomorphic dominance across the years. Considering that leaner and physically fitter children tended to be more coordinated, physical education should also focus onPFdevelopment in components related to muscular strength, speed, agility, and aerobic capacity, along with nutritional education to reduce fat mass.
The novel HLA‐DQB1*03:01:01:12 allele, identified by next‐generation sequencing in a Chinese family
Authors: Wu R. , Li R. , Zhang Y. , Li H. , Sun H.
Published: January 2018

DQB1*03:01:01:12 differs from DQB1*03:01:01:01 at nucleotide 2016 (G > T), 3495 (G > A), 3897 (G > A), and 6909 (T > C).
The Impact of Working Capital Management on Profitability: Evidence from the Listed Retail Stores in Botswana
Authors: C.R. Sathyamoorthi , Mapharing Mogotsinyana , Selinkie Popo
Published: January 2018

This study focused on the effect of working capital management on the profitability of the listed retail stores in Botswana Stock Exchange for the period 2012-2016. Financial statements of the listed Retail Stores were used as the main source of data. Return on Assets was used as the dependent variable to measure profitability and the components to measure working capital management comprised of Average Collection Period, Inventory Conversion Period, Average Payment Period, Cash Conversion Cycle, Debt, Current and Quick Ratios. Correlation analysis revealed that a few variables were significantly correlated with each other. Average Payment Period and Inventory Conversion Period were found to be positively and significantly correlated and Cash Conversion Cycle was significantly and positively correlated with Inventory Conversion Period.The regression results showed that only three variables out of the seven independent variables were statistically significant, namely Average Payment Period, Current Ratio and Quick Ratio. The remaining four variables were found to be statistically insignificant.  The above findings have implications for the management of the listed retail store in Botswana.
The Impact of Leisure Participation on Social Adaptation of International Students
Authors: Zerengok Devrim , Guzel Pinar , Ozbey Selhan
Published: January 2018

International students, often a noteworthy group, constitute about 10 per cent of the student population on many campuses throughout the world (OECD, 2009). At any time, there are likely to be over a million students and scholars attending institutions of higher learning abroad, and recent estimates have set the figure at about 4.5 million (Çetinsaya, G.2014). A significant portion of the contemporary literature has dealt with the problems of international students. Owing to the importance of international students to culturally diverse blend of colleges and universities, higher education institutions must develop support services to assist international students with a series of special needs ranging from adjusting to the academic requirements, to dealing with cultural factors of being drown in new community settings (Cho & Yu, 2015). Leisure, in the meanwhile, is an important experience for university students since it is a functional tool to create socially accommodating environments for this population. However, how active leisure participation impact on social adjustment has not been studied extensively in qualitative studies. Therefore, this qualitative study intended to examine the benefits and impacts of active leisure participation on social adjustment of international students in a mid-size metropolitan university in Manisa, Turkey. Overall, students demonstrated gains in social adjustment and reported psychological and physical benefits when they actively participated in leisure time activities. Study showed that international students have demands and expectations from the university in terms of leisure time activities.
Metaphoric Perception of Coach Candidates towards Swimming Discipline: A Qualitative, Cognitive Research
Authors: Gündoğdu Cemal , Aygün Yalın
Published: January 2018

This research evinces the value of the multidimensional perceptions of the metaphors towards swimming discipline and its relevant certain contexts according to swimming coach candidates. In this article, we used qualitative research paradigm away from positivist approaches to describe and interpret stories and personal experiences of the participants. Fifty-five undergraduate senior students who studied in the department of coaching education in a large South-eastern university were secured homogenously (aged between 21 and 29). Using a semi-structured interview form, data were generated based on six predetermined contexts: swimming, swimming coach, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Each context focused participants’ metaphor generation processes. As data generation continued, we also intended to be participant-observer to gain epistemological privilege by participating in and experiencing what is going on. Within the predetermined contexts, thematic analysis conducted through a software package of NVivo 11 Plus emerged seventeen conditions (sub-themes). In the portrait gallery of metaphoric perceptions of coach candidates towards swimming discipline, we found variety in the mental images of each context.
Finding Environmental Knowledge in SCUBA-Based Textual Materials
Authors: Gündoğdu Cemal , Aygün Yalın , Ilkım Mehmet
Published: January 2018

As marine environments within the adventure domain are future key-settings for recreational SCUBA diving experience, SCUBA-based textual materials should provide insight into environmental knowledge that is well connected to the novice divers’ behaviour and attitude. This research is concerned with a major recreational SCUBA diver manual for novice divers from a position that seeks to explore its focus and scope of environmental knowledge in semantic networks. However, results obtained from thematic analyses of environmental knowledge emerged two sub-themes: marine-based conservation and aquatic life. Analyses of textual data indicated that the manual has groundling statements and notes on environmental knowledge. Furthermore, analyzing manual’ environmental documents showed that there is no skill-related knowledge, which attributes to SCUBA divers’ environmental behaviour and attitude towards underwater environment.
Wind characteristics of CzeCOS’s ecosystem station Bílý Kříž
Authors: Nguyen Vinh Xuan , Guerra Torres Carlos P. , Yadav Shilpi , Pavelka Marian , Marek Michal V.
Published: January 2018

Eddy-covariance is a direct and accurate method to measure exchanges of greenhouse gases and energy between ecosystems and the atmosphere under good turbulent mixing conditions. Calm conditions can affect the accuracy of the eddy-covariance measurements by potential gas buildup below the measurement height. This study characterizes wind patterns and calm periods at Bílý Kříž Ecosystem Research Station, using four-year (2010-2013) wind data measured on an eddy-covariance tower at the site, located in Beskids Mountains, Czech Republic. The site is covered by young, dense Norway spruce forest on a 12.5° slope facing South. The results show that the prevailing wind direction was from S to SW direction (55 % frequency of occurrence), and to a much lesser extent from N, NE and NW but including the strongest winds above 12 m s-1, possibly during gale or storm events. Calm condition (u < 1 m s-1) accounted for 34 % of year time. Summer and Spring were the calmest seasons. Occurrence frequencies of calm conditions for the six-month periods from May to October (plant growing season) were higher than those for the remaining parts of the year (on average 39 % vs 28 % respectively). One should be aware of the calm periods in May-October when processing eddy-covariance data, since it is the time period of most contribution of forest ecosystem as a sink of CO2.
A Computationally Efficient Finite Element Framework to Simulate Additive Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Jayanath Shiyan , Achuthan Ajit
Published: January 2018

Macroscale finite element (FE) models, with their ability to simulate additive manufacturing (AM) processes of metal parts and accurately predict residual stress distribution, are potentially powerful design tools. However, these simulations require enormous computational cost, even for a small part only a few orders larger than the melt pool size. The existing adaptive meshing techniques to reduce computational cost substantially by selectively coarsening are not well suited for AM process simulations due to the continuous modification of model geometry as material is added to the system. To address this limitation, a new FE framework is developed. The new FE framework is based on introducing updated discretized geometries at regular intervals during the simulation process, allowing greater flexibility to control the degree of mesh coarsening than a technique based on element merging recently reported in the literature. The new framework is evaluated by simulating direct metal deposition (DMD) of a thin-walled rectangular and a thin-walled cylindrical part, and comparing the computational speed and predicted results with those predicted by simulations using the conventional framework. The comparison shows excellent agreement in the predicted stress and plastic strain fields, with substantial savings in the simulation time. The method is then validated by comparing the predicted residual elastic strain with that measured experimentally by neutron diffraction of the thin-walled rectangular part. Finally, the new framework's capability to substantially reduce the simulation time for large-scale AM parts is demonstrated by simulating a one-half foot thin-walled cylindrical part.
The diagnostic accuracy of B-mode ultrasound in detecting meniscal tears: a systematic review and pooled meta-analysis
Authors: Dong Fajin , Zhang Lei , Wang Shuxia , Dong Duo , Xu Jinfeng , Wu Huaiyu , Liu Yan , Li Min
Published: January 2018

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of meniscal tears using B-mode ultrasound and high-frequency linear probe by conducting a systematic review and pooled meta-analysis. Material and methods: The Cochrane library, Embase, and Pubmed were searched for relevant studies up to 29 July 2017. The arthroscopy was used as the reference standard. The results were estimated by pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, likelihood ratio, and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC). Results: Seven prospective studies met the selection criteria, comprising 321meniscal tears from 472 patients. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the SROC curve were 88.80% (95%CI: 82.83-92.87), 84.66% (95%CI: 75.89-90.64), 5.79(95%CI: 3.66-9.15), 0.13 (95%CI: 0.09-0.20), and 43.74 (95%CI: 24.01-79.68), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 93% (95%CI: 91-95). Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that 2-dimensional ultrasound is useful, and could be routinely used for estimating meniscal injuries in the human knee joint
Oxidation and wet etching behavior of sputtered Mo-Ti-Al films
Authors: Jörg Tanja , Hofer Anna M. , Köstenbauer Harald , Winkler Jörg , Mitterer Christian
Published: January 2018

Exposure of Mo thin films above 300 °C in ambient atmosphere results in surface oxidation, leading to the formation of colored oxide films deteriorating their performance in thin film transistor liquid crystal displays. In this study, the influence of the alloying elements Ti and Al on microstructure, electrical properties, oxidation and wet etching behavior of Mo thin films was investigated. Mo1−x−yTixAly films (with x ≈ 0.08 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.24) were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering and annealed in ambient air at 330 °C for 1 h. The oxidation resistance of Mo-Ti-Al films was enhanced with increasing Al content. A minimum Al content of y = 0.16 was necessary to form a thin protective Al2O3 surface layer and to prevent the formation of colored molybdenum oxides. The wet etching rate of the Mo-Ti-Al films in a commonly used mixture of phosphoric-, acetic-, and nitric acid decreased with increasing Al content, but was still acceptable for thin film transistor liquid crystal displays applications.
Comparison of Upper Trapezius and Infraspinatus Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy by Dry Needling in Overhead Athletes With Unilateral Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Kamali Fahimeh , Sinaei Ehsan , Morovati Maryam
Published: January 2018

Context: Chronic musculoskeletal disorders in the shoulder joint are often associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), particularly in the upper trapezius (UT) muscle. Dry needling (DN) is a treatment of choice for myofascial pain syndrome. However, local lesions and severe postneedle soreness sometimes hamper the direct application of DN in the UT. Therefore, finding an alternative point of treatment seems useful in this regard. Objective: To compare the efficacy of UT versus infraspinatus (ISP) DN on pain and disability of subjects with shoulder pain. The authors hypothesized that ISP DN could be as effective as the direct application of DN in UT MTrP. Design: Single-blind randomized clinical trial. Setting: Sports medicine physical therapy clinic. Participants: A total of 40 overhead athletes (age = 36 [16] y; 20 females and 20 males) with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome were randomly assigned to the UT DN (n = 21) and ISP DN (n = 19) groups. Intervention: An acupuncture needle was directly inserted into the trigger point of UT muscle in the UT DN group and of ISP muscle in the ISP DN group. DN was applied in 3 sessions (2-day interval between each sessions) for each group. Main Outcome Measures: Pain intensity (visual analog scale), pain pressure threshold, and disability in the arm, shoulder, and hand were assessed before and after the interventions. Results: Pain and disability decreased significantly in both groups (P < .001) and pain pressure threshold increased significantly only in the ISP group (P = .02). However, none of the outcome measures showed a significant intergroup difference after treatments (P > .05). Conclusions: Application of DN for active MTrPs in the ISP can be as effective as direct DN of active MTrPs in the UT in improving pain and disability in athletes with shoulder pain, and may be preferred due to greater patient comfort in comparison with direct UT needling.
Isolated Infraspinatus Atrophy Secondary to Suprascapular Nerve Neuropathy Results in Altered Shoulder Muscles Activity
Authors: Contemori Samuele , Biscarini Andrea
Published: January 2018

Context:Isolated infraspinatus atrophy (IIA) is a common condition among overhead activity athletes, which affects the hitting shoulder and is caused by suprascapular nerve injury. The loss of infraspinatus function could lead to altered activity of the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic (ST) muscles and compromise the optimal shoulder function.Objective:To assess the surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity patterns, relationships, and response latencies of relevant shoulder girdle muscles in professional volleyball players with IIA and in healthy control players.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Research laboratory.Patients or Other Participants:Twenty-four male professional volleyball players (12 players with diagnosed IIA and 12 healthy players) recruited from local volleyball teams.Intervention(s):sEMG activity of anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid; upper, middle, and lower trapezius; and serratus anterior (SA) was recorded and evaluated during a movement of shoulder abduction in the scapular plane, monitored with an optoelectronic motion capture system.Main Outcome Measure(s):sEMG activity, relationships, and response latencies of the selected muscles were analyzed with analysis of variance models to highlight statistical differences within and between groups.Results:Athletes with IIA demonstrated significant higher deltoid and trapezius muscles activity and lower SA activity compared with the contralateral shoulder and healthy athletes. The shoulder with IIA also showed a higher activity ratio between the upper trapezius and other ST muscles in addition to anticipated activation of the upper trapezius and delayed activation of the SA, with regard to the onset of shoulder movement.Conclusions:This study highlighted altered shoulder muscle activity levels, ST muscles imbalances, and abnormal ST recruitment patterns in the hitting shoulder of professional volleyball players with IIA, secondary to suprascapular nerve neuropathy. Such shoulder girdle muscles’ impairments may compromise the optimal scapulohumeral rhythm and function, increasing the risk of acute and overuse shoulder injuries.