bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nondestructive rubbing fabrication of flexible graphene film for precise temperature controlling
Authors: Zhang Yanbang , Jia Guozhi , Wang Peng
Published: April 2017

The high-quality flexible graphene thin films have been fabricated by the nondestructive rubbing method. The film exhibits an excellent photothermal conversion ability after oxygen plasma treatment and multiple mechanical bending. The temperature can be increased to 47.4°C even under a low laser irradiation power of 240mW with a decent heating rate of 0.3°C/s, and photothermal conversion efficiency reaches as high as 28%. The steady-state temperature can be precisely tuned by changing the laser power. These excellent results indicate graphene-based photothermal elements holding great promise for practical applications.
Effect of lattice matching degree and intermetallic compound on the properties of Mg/Al dissimilar material welded joints
Authors: Liu Fei , Liu Yong , Wu Yucheng
Published: April 2017

The welding of Mg/Al dissimilar materials with different filler metal was investigated, and the quantities and kinds of intermetallic compounds were discussed. In addition, the matching degrees between base metal and intermetallic compounds were defined and calculated, and the effect of different quantities of each intermetallic compound on the property of welded seam was investigated. The results indicated that the welded seam was composed of Al3Mg2 and Al12Mg17 by Mg/Al directly gas tungsten arc butt welding, and only one intermetallic compound of MgZn2 formed in the welding seam using Zn and Zn– xAl filler metal. The tensile strengths of the joints increased with the increase of the matching degrees between the intermetallic compounds and the base metal when the welded seam contained different intermetallic compound. Meanwhile, the tensile strengths of the joints are decreased with the increase of intermetallic compound content when the welded seams contained the seam intermetallic compound.
The signal hypothesis matures with age
Authors: Short Ben
Published: April 2017

Secretory proteins are targeted for secretion by sequences in their mature domains, as well as by N-terminal signal peptides.
Epigenetic regulator CXXC5 recruits DNA demethylase Tet2 to regulate TLR7/9-elicited IFN response in pDCs
Authors: Ma Shixin , Wan Xiaoling , Deng Zihou , Shi Lei , Hao Congfang , Zhou Zhenyuan , Zhou Chun , Fang Yiyuan , Liu Jinghua , Yang Jing , Chen Xia , Li Tiantian , Zang Aiping , Yin Shigang , Li Bin , Plumas Joel , Chaperot Laurence , Zhang Xiaoming , Xu Guoliang , Jiang Lubin , Shen Nan , Xiong Sidong , Gao Xiaoming , Zhang Yan , Xiao Hui
Published: April 2017

TLR7/9 signals are capable of mounting massive interferon (IFN) response in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) immediately after viral infection, yet the involvement of epigenetic regulation in this process has not been documented. Here, we report that zinc finger CXXC family epigenetic regulator CXXC5 is highly expressed in pDCs, where it plays a crucial role in TLR7/9- and virus-induced IFN response. Notably, genetic ablation of CXXC5 resulted in aberrant methylation of the CpG-containing island (CGI) within the Irf7 gene and impaired IRF7 expression in steady-state pDCs. Mechanistically, CXXC5 is responsible for the recruitment of DNA demethylase Tet2 to maintain the hypomethylation of a subset of CGIs, a process coincident with active histone modifications and constitutive transcription of these CGI-containing genes. Consequently, CXXC5-deficient mice had compromised early IFN response and became highly vulnerable to infection by herpes simplex virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. Together, our results identify CXXC5 as a novel epigenetic regulator for pDC-mediated antiviral response.
Identifiability, reducibility, and adaptability in allosteric macromolecules
Authors: Bohner Gergő , Venkataraman Gaurav
Published: April 2017

The ability of macromolecules to transduce stimulus information at one site into conformational changes at a distant site, termed “allostery,” is vital for cellular signaling. Here, we propose a link between the sensitivity of allosteric macromolecules to their underlying biophysical parameters, the interrelationships between these parameters, and macromolecular adaptability. We demonstrate that the parameters of a canonical model of the mSlo large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) ion channel are non-identifiable with respect to the equilibrium open probability-voltage relationship, a common functional assay. We construct a reduced model with emergent parameters that are identifiable and expressed as combinations of the original mechanistic parameters. These emergent parameters indicate which coordinated changes in mechanistic parameters can leave assay output unchanged. We predict that these coordinated changes are used by allosteric macromolecules to adapt, and we demonstrate how this prediction can be tested experimentally. We show that these predicted parameter compensations are used in the first reported allosteric phenomena: the Bohr effect, by which hemoglobin adapts to varying pH.
Predicting multicellular function through multi-layer tissue networks
Authors: Zitnik Marinka , Leskovec Jure
Published: April 2017

Motivation

Understanding functions of proteins in specific human tissues is essential for insights into disease diagnostics and therapeutics, yet prediction of tissue-specific cellular function remains a critical challenge for biomedicine.

Results

Here, we present OhmNet, a hierarchy-aware unsupervised node feature learning approach for multi-layer networks. We build a multi-layer network, where each layer represents molecular interactions in a different human tissue. OhmNet then automatically learns a mapping of proteins, represented as nodes, to a neural embedding-based low-dimensional space of features. OhmNet encourages sharing of similar features among proteins with similar network neighborhoods and among proteins activated in similar tissues. The algorithm generalizes prior work, which generally ignores relationships between tissues, by modeling tissue organization with a rich multiscale tissue hierarchy. We use OhmNet to study multicellular function in a multi-layer protein interaction network of 107 human tissues. In 48 tissues with known tissue-specific cellular functions, OhmNet provides more accurate predictions of cellular function than alternative approaches, and also generates more accurate hypotheses about tissue-specific protein actions. We show that taking into account the tissue hierarchy leads to improved predictive power. Remarkably, we also demonstrate that it is possible to leverage the tissue hierarchy in order to effectively transfer cellular functions to a functionally uncharacterized tissue. Overall, OhmNet moves from flat networks to multiscale models able to predict a range of phenotypes spanning cellular subsystems.

Availability and implementation

Source code and datasets are available at http://snap.stanford.edu/ohmnet.
Retirement Sequences of Older Americans: Moderately Destandardized and Highly Stratified Across Gender, Class, and Race
Authors: Calvo Esteban , Madero-Cabib Ignacio , Staudinger Ursula M
Published: April 2017

Purpose of the Study

A destandardization of labor-force patterns revolving around retirement has been observed in recent literature. It is unclear, however, to which degree and of which kind. This study looked at sequences rather than individual statuses or transitions and argued that differentiating older Americans’ retirement sequences by type, order, and timing and considering gender, class, and race differences yields a less destandardized picture.

Design and Methods

Sequence analysis was employed to analyze panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) for 7,881 individuals observed 6 consecutive times between ages 60–61 and 70–71.

Results

As expected, types of retirement sequences were identified that cannot be subsumed under the conventional model of complete retirement from full-time employment around age 65. However, these retirement sequences were not entirely destandardized, as some irreversibility and age-grading persisted. Further, the degree of destandardization varied along gender, class, and race. Unconventional sequences were archetypal for middle-level educated individuals and Blacks. Also, sequences for women and individuals with lower education showed more unemployment and part-time jobs, and less age-grading.

Implications

A sequence-analytic approach that models group differences uncovers misjudgments about the degree of destandardization of retirement sequences. When a continuous process is represented as individual transitions, the overall pattern of retirement sequences gets lost and appears destandardized. These patterns get further complicated by differences in social structures by gender, class, and race in ways that seem to reproduce advantages that men, more highly educated individuals, and Whites enjoy in numerous areas over the life course.
MTurk Character Misrepresentation: Assessment and Solutions
Authors: Sharpe Wessling Kathryn , Huber Joel , Netzer Oded
Published: April 2017

This tutorial provides evidence that character misrepresentation in survey screeners by Amazon Mechanical Turk Workers (“Turkers”) can substantially and significantly distort research findings. Using five studies, we demonstrate that a large proportion of respondents in paid MTurk studies claim a false identity, ownership, or activity in order to qualify for a study. The extent of misrepresentation can be unacceptably high, and the responses to subsequent questions can have little correspondence to responses from appropriately identified participants. We recommend a number of remedies to deal with the problem, largely involving strategies to take away the economic motive to misrepresent and to make it difficult for Turkers to recognize that a particular response will gain them access to a study. The major short-run solution involves a two-survey process that first asks respondents to identify their characteristics when there is no motive to deceive, and then limits the second survey to those who have passed this screen. The long-run recommendation involves building an ongoing MTurk participant pool (“panel”) that (1) continuously collects information that could be used to classify respondents, and (2) eliminates from the panel those who misrepresent themselves.
Ovarian Endometrioma Superinfected With Salmonella: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Adelman Max W. , Johnson Jacob H. , Hohmann Elizabeth L. , Gandhi Rajesh T.
Published: April 2017

We present the case of a 28-year-old woman with Salmonella serovar Schwarzengrund gastroenteritis acquired during foreign travel. Her case was complicated by superinfection of a pre-existing ovarian endometrioma with a quinolone-resistant organism; the resultant ovarian abscess ultimately required surgical removal for resolution. We review the key features of this case and the previous literature on Salmonella ovarian abscess. This report highlights (1) the potential for metastatic spread of Salmonella to the ovary in women with pre-existing cysts or endometriomas and (2) the increasing worldwide burden of quinolone-resistant Salmonella.
Cross-sectional Area of the Median Nerve Before Revision Carpal Tunnel Release—A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Duetzmann Stephan , Tas Suleyman , Seifert Volker , Marquardt Gerhard , Dombert Thomas , Staub Frank
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

High-resolution ultrasound can be used for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome with an equal accuracy to electrodiagnostic studies. Up to date there has been no investigation published that examined the median nerve in a large patient cohort with recurrent or persistent symptoms. Reference and cutoff values are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To provide reference values for detection of ongoing or recurrent compression in patients with recurring or persisting symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome.

METHODS

One hundred and sixteen patients undergoing revision decompression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel between January 2010 and October 2015 were studied retrospectively to determine the cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the wrist by the technique of neurosonography.

RESULTS

In cases of insufficient primary release, the mean cross-sectional area was 20.0 mm2 preop. In cases of scar or synovitis, the mean cross-sectional area was 17.0 mm2 (significantly less than in cases of insufficient primary release, P = .008). Compared to successfully operated patients with de novo carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 74), a cutoff value of 14.5 mm2 yielded a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 97% to diagnose ongoing or recurrent compression in case of a typical clinical presentation of ongoing or recurrent symptoms (tested via comparison of patients who are symptom free vs patients with symptoms).

CONCLUSION

For the first time, we provide reference values in patients with recurring or persisting symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome based on a large patient population. Ultrasound can aid in the evaluation of patients with entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve and recurring or persisting symptoms.
Identification and Characterization of Diaporthe ambigua, D. australafricana, D. novem, and D. rudis Causing a Postharvest Fruit Rot in Kiwifruit
Authors: Díaz Gonzalo A. , Latorre Bernardo A. , Lolas Mauricio , Ferrada Enrique , Naranjo Paulina , Zoffoli Juan P.
Published: April 2017

Diaporthe spp. are important plant pathogens causing wood cankers, blight, dieback, and fruit rot in a wide range of hosts. During surveys conducted during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, a postharvest rot in Hayward kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) was observed in Chile. In order to identify the species of Diaporthe associated with this fruit rot, symptomatic fruit were collected from seven kiwifruit packinghouses located between San Francisco de Mostazal and Curicó (central Chile). Twenty-four isolates of Diaporthe spp. were identified from infected fruit based on morphological and cultural characters and analyses of nucleotides sequences of three loci, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), a partial sequences of the β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α genes. The Diaporthe spp. identified were Diaporthe ambigua, D. australafricana, D. novem, and D. rudis. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chilean isolates were grouped in separate clades with their correspondent ex-types species. All species of Diaporthe were pathogenic on wounded kiwifruit after 30 days at 0°C under normal and controlled-atmosphere (2% O2 and 5% CO2) storage and they were sensitive to benomyl, pyraclostrobin, and tebuconazole fungicides. D. ambigua isolates were the most virulent based on the lesion length measured in inoculated Hayward and Jintao kiwifruit. These findings confirm D. ambigua, D. australafricana, D. novem, and D. rudis as the causal agents of kiwifruit rot during cold storage in Chile. The specie D. actinidiae, a common of Diaporthe sp. found associated with kiwifruit rot, was not identified in the present study.
Investigation of protein synthesis in Drosophila larvae using puromycin labelling
Authors: Deliu Lisa , Ghosh Abhishek , Grewal Savraj S.
Published: April 2017

Translational control of gene expression is an important regulator of growth, homeostasis and aging in Drosophila. The ability to measure changes in protein synthesis in response to genetic and environmental cues is therefore important in studying these processes. Here we describe a simple and cost effective approach to assay protein synthesis in Drosophila larval cells and tissues. The method is based on the incorporation of puromycin into nascent peptide chains. Using an ex vivo approach, we label newly synthesized peptides in larvae with puromycin and then measure levels of new protein synthesis using an anti-puromycin antibody. We show that this method can detect changes in protein synthesis in specific cells and tissues in the larvae, either by immunostaining or western blotting. We find that the assay reliably detects changes in protein synthesis induced by two known stimulators of mRNA translation - the nutrient/TORC1 kinase pathway and the transcription factor dMyc. We also use the assay to describe how protein synthesis changes through larval development and in response to two environmental stressors – hypoxia and heat-shock. We propose that this puromycin-labelling assay is a simple but robust method to detect protein synthesis changes at the levels of cells, tissues or whole body in Drosophila.
Involvement of herpes simplex virus type 1 UL13 protein kinase in induction of SOCS genes, the negative regulators of cytokine signaling
Authors: Sato Yuka , Koshizuka Tetsuo , Ishibashi Kei , Hashimoto Koichi , Ishioka Ken , Ikuta Kazufumi , Yokota Shin‐ichi , Fujii Nobuhiro , Suzutani Tatsuo
Published: April 2017

The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family has eight members and suppresses various cytokine signaling pathways, including IFN signaling. Therefore, some viruses have evolved molecular mechanisms for inducing SOCS proteins and thus escaping host immunity. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) has a mechanism for escaping from type I IFN by induction of both SOCS1 and SOCS3. In this study, expression of the eight members of the SOCS family stimulated by HSV‐1 infection was comparatively analyzed by qRT‐PCR. It was found that SOCS1 and SOCS3 are induced by HSV‐1‐infection at 4 hr post infection. However, such induction was not observed in UL13 deficient virus‐infected cells, suggesting that UL13 protein kinase participates in induction of both genes. The transcription factor Sp1‐binding sites of SOCS3 promoter/enhancer region were identified as the regulatory elements for induction of SOCS3 in HSV‐1 infected cells. Accumulation of activated Sp1 was detectable in the nuclei of HSV‐1‐infected cells before induction of SOCS3. Taken together, these results suggest that HSV‐1 has a potent mechanism for escaping from the IFN system.
An Arctic predator–prey system in flux: climate change impacts on coastal space use by polar bears and ringed seals
Authors: Hamilton Charmain D. , Kovacs Kit M. , Ims Rolf A. , Aars Jon , Lydersen Christian
Published: April 2017

Climate change is impacting different species at different rates, leading to alterations in biological interactions with ramifications for wider ecosystem functioning. Understanding these alterations can help improve predictive capacity and inform management efforts designed to mitigate against negative impacts.

We investigated how the movement and space use patterns of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in coastal areas in Svalbard, Norway, have been altered by a sudden decline in sea ice that occurred in 2006. We also investigated whether the spatial overlap between polar bears and their traditionally most important prey, ringed seals (Pusa hispida), has been affected by the sea‐ice decline, as polar bears are dependent on a sea‐ice platform for hunting seals.

We attached biotelemetry devices to ringed seals (n = 60, both sexes) and polar bears (n = 67, all females) before (2002–2004) and after (2010–2013) a sudden decline in sea ice in Svalbard. We used linear mixed‐effects models to evaluate the association of these species to environmental features and an approach based on Time Spent in Area to investigate changes in spatial overlap between the two species.

Following the sea‐ice reduction, polar bears spent the same amount of time close to tidal glacier fronts in the spring but less time in these areas during the summer and autumn. However, ringed seals did not alter their association with glacier fronts during summer, leading to a major decrease in spatial overlap values between these species in Svalbard's coastal areas. Polar bears now move greater distances daily and spend more time close to ground‐nesting bird colonies, where bear predation can have substantial local effects.

Our results indicate that sea‐ice declines have impacted the degree of spatial overlap and hence the strength of the predator–prey relationship between polar bears and ringed seals, with consequences for the wider Arctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Shifts in ecological interactions are likely to become more widespread in many ecosystems as both predators and prey respond to changing environmental conditions induced by global warming, highlighting the importance of multi‐species studies.
The “rectosigmoid brake”: Review of an emerging neuromodulation target for colorectal functional disorders
Authors: Lin Anthony Y , Dinning Phil G , Milne Tony , Bissett Ian P , O'Grady Gregory
Published: April 2017

The regulation of gastrointestinal motility encompasses several overlapping mechanisms including highly regulated and coordinated neurohormonal circuits. Various feedback mechanisms or “brakes” have been proposed. While duodenal, jejunal, and ileal brakes are well described, a putative distal colonic brake is less well defined. Despite the high prevalence of colonic motility disorders, there is little knowledge of colonic motility owing to difficulties with organ access and technical difficulties in recording detailed motor patterns along its entire length. The motility of the colon is not under voluntary control. A wide range of motor patterns is seen, with long intervals of intestinal quiescence between them. In addition, the use of traditional manometric catheters to record contractile activity of the colon has been limited by the low number of widely spaced sensors, which has resulted in the misinterpretation of colonic motor patterns. The recent advent of high‐resolution (HR) manometry is revolutionising the understanding of gastrointestinal motor patterns. It has now been observed that the most common motor patterns in the colon are repetitive two to six cycles per minute (cpm) propagating events in the distal colon. These motor patterns are prominent soon after a meal, originate most frequently in the rectosigmoid region, and travel in the retrograde direction. The distal prominence and the origin of these motor patterns raise the possibility of them serving as a braking mechanism, or the “rectosigmoid brake,” to limit rectal filling. This review aims to describe what is known about the “rectosigmoid brake,” including its physiological and clinical significance and potential therapeutic applications.
Temporal changes in cutaneous bacterial communities of terrestrial‐ and aquatic‐phase newts (Amphibia)
Authors: Sabino‐Pinto Joana , Galán Pedro , Rodríguez Silvia , Bletz Molly C. , Bhuju Sabin , Geffers Robert , Jarek Michael , Vences Miguel
Published: April 2017

Animal‐associated bacterial communities play essential roles for their host's ecology, physiology and health. Temporal dynamics of these communities are poorly understood, but might be of high relevance for amphibians with a well‐expressed biphasic biology of adults where the structure of their skin changes drastically between the aquatic and terrestrial phases. Here, we investigated the temporal dynamics of cutaneous bacterial communities of Lissotriton boscai and Triturus marmoratus by monthly sampling populations from a pond and surrounding terrestrial habitats near A Coruña, Spain. These communities were characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicons from DNA isolated from skin swabs. Newt bacterial communities displayed variation at three levels: between larvae and aquatic adults, between adult life phases (terrestrial versus aquatic), and temporally within life phases. The skin bacterial communities tended to differ to a lesser extent temporally and between larvae and adults, and more strongly between life phases. Larvae had a higher proportion of reads associated with antifungal taxa compared with adults, while no differences were found among adult life phases. Terrestrial specimens exhibited the highest community diversity. The regular transitions of adult newts between aquatic and terrestrial environments might contribute to the diversity of their skin microbiota and could increase disease resistance.
The Effect of Medicaid Physician Fee Increases on Health Care Access, Utilization, and Expenditures
Authors: Callison Kevin , Nguyen Binh T.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To evaluate the effect of Medicaid fee changes on health care access, utilization, and spending for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Data Source

We use the 2008 and 2012 waves of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey linked to state‐level Medicaid‐to‐Medicare primary care reimbursement ratios obtained through surveys conducted by the Urban Institute. We also incorporate data from the Current Population Survey and the Area Resource Files.

Study Design

Using a control group made up of the low‐income privately insured, we conduct a difference‐in‐differences analysis to assess the relationship between Medicaid fee changes and access to care, utilization of health care services, and out‐of‐pocket medical expenditures for Medicaid enrollees.

Principal Findings

We find that an increase in the Medicaid‐to‐Medicare payment ratio for primary care services results in an increase in outpatient physician visits, emergency department utilization, and prescription fills, but only minor improvements in access to care. In addition, we report an increase in total annual out‐of‐pocket expenditures and spending on prescription medications.

Conclusions

Compared to the low‐income privately insured, increased primary care reimbursement for Medicaid beneficiaries leads to higher utilization and out‐of‐pocket spending for Medicaid enrollees.
High occurrence of Bathyarchaeota (MCG) in the deep‐sea sediments of South China Sea quantified using newly designed PCR primers
Authors: Yu Tiantian , Liang Qianyong , Niu Mingyang , Wang Fengping
Published: April 2017

The archaeal phylum Bathyarchaeota, which is composed of a large number of diverse lineages, is widespread and abundant in marine sediments. Environmental factors that control the distribution, abundance and evolution of this largely diversified archaeal phylum are currently unclear. In this study, a new pair of specific primers that target the major marine subgroups of bathyarchaeotal 16S rRNA genes was designed and evaluated to investigate the distribution and abundance of Bathyarchaeota in marine sediments. The abundance of Bathyarchaeota along two sediment cores from the deep‐sea sediments of South China Sea (SCS, each from the Dongsha and Shenhu area) was determined. A strong correlation was found between the bathyarchaeotal abundance and the content of total organic carbon (TOC), suggesting an important role of Bathyarchaeota in organic matter remineralisation in the sediments of SCS. Furthermore, diversity analysis revealed that subgroups Bathy‐2, Bathy‐8 and Bathy‐10 were dominant bathyarchaeotal members of the deep‐sea sediments in the SCS. Bathy‐8 was found predominantly within the reducing and deeper sediment layers, while Bathy‐10 occurred preferentially in the oxidizing and shallower sediment layers. Our study lays a foundation for the further understanding of the ecological functions and niche differentiation of the important but not well‐understood sedimentary archaeal group.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone exhibits a great variation in infertile women with different ovarian reserve patterns
Authors: Gorkem Umit , Kucukler Ferit Kerim , Togrul Cihan , Gungor Tayfun
Published: April 2017

Background

Several conflicting studies with results on the biological variability of serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels have been reported. Most of the studies have not focused on whether the level of AMH fluctuations shows variability by a baseline ovarian follicular reserve.

Aim

To reveal whether intracyclic variation in AMH levels occurs among women with adequate, high and diminished ovarian reserve patterns.

Study design

In this prospective cross‐sectional study, 171 infertile women between the ages of 18 and 42 years were recruited. All participants were divided into three types of ovarian reserve patterns (adequate, high and diminished). Serum samples were tested for levels of follicular AMH (F‐AMH), luteal AMH (L‐AMH), estradiol (E2), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone.

Results

The median age of the 171 participating women was 28 (18–42) years. The three ovarian reserve groups had similar body mass index (BMI) and E2 (P = 0.797 and P = 0.135, respectively). The serum AMH levels of all women and the three ovarian reserve groups in the follicular phase were higher compared to those in the luteal phase (P < 0.001). There were strong positive correlations between follicular and luteal AMH levels in adequate, high and diminished reserve groups (Spearman r = 0.864, P < 0.001 vs r = 0.899, P < 0.001 vs r = 0.863, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Serum AMH levels were higher during the follicular phase than the luteal phase in women with adequate, high and diminished ovarian patterns. Since the highest AMH levels are demonstrated during the follicular phase, the optimal time to measure AMH concentration might be during the follicular phase.
Receiving early information and trusting Swedish child health centre nurses increased parents’ willingness to vaccinate against rotavirus infections
Authors: Schollin Ask Lina , Hjern Anders , Lindstrand Ann , Olen Ola , Sjögren Eva , Blennow Margareta , Örtqvist Åke
Published: April 2017

Aim

Rotavirus vaccines are effective against severe infections, but have a modest impact on mortality in high‐income countries. Parental knowledge and attitudes towards vaccines are crucial for high vaccination coverage. This study aimed to identify why parents refused to let their infant have the vaccination or were unsure.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was based on 1,063 questionnaires completed by the parents of newborn children in 2014. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the main predictors.

Results

Most (81%) parents intended to vaccinate their child against the rotavirus, while 19% were unwilling or uncertain. Parents with less education and children up to five weeks of age were more likely to be unwilling or uncertain about vaccinating their child. Factors associated with a refusal or uncertainty about vaccinating were not having enough information about the vaccine, no intention of accepting other vaccines, paying little heed to the child health nurses’ recommendations, thinking that the rotavirus was not a serious illness and not believing that the vaccine provided protection against serious forms of gastroenteritis.

Conclusion

Early information, extra information for parents with less education and close positive relationships between parents and child health nurses were important factors in high rotavirus vaccination rates.
Cardiorespiratory physiology in the safe passage study: protocol, methods and normative values in unexposed infants
Authors: Myers Michael M. , Elliott Amy J. , Odendaal Hein J. , Burd Larry , Angal Jyoti , Groenewald Coen , Nugent James David , Yang Joel S. , Isler Joseph R. , Dukes Kim A. , Robinson Fay , Fifer William P. ,   PASS Network
Published: April 2017

Aim

The Safe Passage Study, conducted by the Prenatal Alcohol in SIDS and Stillbirth Network, is investigating contributions of prenatal alcohol exposure to foetal and infant demise. This current report presents physiological data from full‐term infants with no prenatal exposure to alcohol or maternal smoking.

Methods

Data are from 666 infants from the Northern Plains (North and South Dakota) and South Africa. A standardised protocol assessed cardiorespiratory function during baseline and head‐up tilts shortly after birth and at one month of age.

Results

Analyses revealed significant increases in heart rate and decreases in BP from the newborn to one‐month time period as well as diminished heart rate responses to head‐up tilt in one‐month‐old infants.

Conclusion

The Safe Passage Study was successful in characterising physiology in a large number of infants at sites known to have elevated risks for SIDS. Results demonstrate that even with low prenatal adverse exposures, there are significant changes in cardiorespiratory function as infants enter the window of increased risk for SIDS.
Public preferences on written informed consent for low‐risk pragmatic clinical trials in Spain
Authors: Dal‐Ré Rafael , Carcas Antonio J. , Carné Xavier , Wendler David
Published: April 2017

Aims

Pragmatic randomized clinical trials (pRCTs) collect data that have the potential to improve medical care significantly. However, these trials may be undermined by the requirement to obtain written informed consent, which can decrease accrual and increase selection bias. Recent data suggest that the majority of the US public endorses written consent for low‐risk pRCTs. The present study was designed to assess whether this view is specific to the US.

Methods

The study took the form of a cross‐sectional, probability‐based survey, with a 2 × 2 factorial design, assessing support for written informed consent vs. verbal consent or general notification for two low‐risk pRCTs in hypertension, one comparing two drugs with similar risk/benefit profiles and the other comparing the same drug being taken in the morning or at night. The primary outcome measures were respondents' personal preference and hypothetical recommendation to a research ethics committee regarding the use of written informed consent vs. the alternatives.

Results

A total of 2008 adults sampled from a probability‐based online panel responded to the web‐based survey conducted in May 2016 (response rate: 61%). Overall, 77% of respondents endorsed written consent. In both scenarios, the alternative of general notification received significantly more support (28.7–37.1%) than the alternative of verbal consent (12.7–14.0%) (P = 0.001). Forty per cent of respondents preferred and/or recommended general notification rather than written consent.

Conclusions

The results suggested that, rather than attempting to waive written consent, current pRCTs should focus on developing ways to implement written consent that provide sufficient information without undermining recruitment or increasing selection bias. The finding that around 40% of respondents endorsed general notification over written consent raises the possibility that, with educational efforts, the majority of Spaniards might accept general notification for low‐risk pRCTs.
A 10‐Year Experience of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) of Linezolid in a Hospital‐wide Population of Patients Receiving Conventional Dosing: Is there Enough Evidence for Suggesting TDM in the Majority of Patients?
Authors: Pea Federico , Cojutti Pier Giorgio , Baraldo Massimo
Published: April 2017

A retrospective study was conducted to assess our 10‐year experience of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of linezolid in a large patient population to establish whether conventional dosing may result in adequate drug exposure in the majority of patients. Patients included in this study underwent TDM of linezolid trough concentration (Cmin) during treatment with conventional doses of 600 mg every 12 hr in the period between January 2007 and June 2016. The desired range of Cmin was set between 2 and 7 mg/L (underexposure, Cmin < 2 mg/L; overexposure, Cmin > 7 mg/L). Multivariate logistic regression analysis investigated variables potentially correlated with linezolid Cmin. One thousand and forty‐nine patients had 2484 linezolid Cmin assessed during treatment with conventional doses. Median (IQR) linezolid Cmin was 5.08 mg/L (2.78–8.52 mg/L). Linezolid Cmin was within the desired range in 50.8% of cases (1262/2484). Overexposure (n = 821; 33%) occurred much more frequently than underexposure (n = 401; 16.2%) and was severe (>20 mg/L) in 3.9% of cases (98/2484). Linezolid overexposure was significantly associated with CrCLC‐G estimates ≤40 mL/min. (OR 1.463; 95% CI 1.124–1.904, p = 0.005). Linezolid underexposure was significantly associated with CrCLC‐G estimates >100 mL/min. (OR 3.046; 95% CI 2.234–4.152, p < 0.001). Linezolid Cmin was not correlated linearly with CrCLC‐G (R2 = 0.061). Variability in renal function explained only partially the very wide interindividual linezolid Cmin variability. Our study suggests that TDM could represent a valuable approach in optimizing linezolid exposure in the majority of patients.
Mutational landscape of B‐cell post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders
Authors: Menter Thomas , Juskevicius Darius , Alikian Mary , Steiger Juerg , Dirnhofer Stephan , Tzankov Alexandar , Naresh Kikkeri N.
Published: April 2017

It is currently unclear whether post‐transplant diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (PT‐DLBCL) display a similar genomic landscape as DLBCL in immunocompetent patients (IC‐DLBCL). We investigated 50 post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) including 37 PT‐DLBCL samples for somatic mutations frequently observed in IC‐DLBCL. Targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using the Ion Torrent platform and a customized panel of 68 genes was performed on genomic DNA. Non‐tumoural tissue was sequenced to exclude germline variants in cases where available. A control cohort of 76 IC‐DLBCL was available for comparative analyses. In comparison to IC‐DLBCLs, PT‐DLBCL showed more frequent mutations of TP53 (P = 0·004), and absence of ATM and B2M mutations (P = 0·004 and P = 0·016, respectively). In comparison to IC‐DLBCLs, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)+ PT‐DLBCL had fewer mutated genes (P = 0·007) and particularly fewer mutations in nuclear factor‐κB pathway‐related genes (P = 0·044). TP53 mutations were more frequent in EBV‐ PT‐DLBCL as compared to IC‐DLBCL (P = 0·001). Germinal centre B cell (GCB) subtype of PT‐DLBCL had fewer mutations and mutated genes than GCB‐IC‐DLBCLs (P = 0·048 and 0·04 respectively). Polymorphic PTLD displayed fewer mutations as compared to PT‐DLBCL (P = 0·001). PT‐DLBCL differs from IC‐DLBCL with respect to mutations in genes related to DNA damage control and immune‐surveillance, and EBV association is likely to have a bearing on the mutational pattern.
Upregulation of CD72 expression on CD19+CD27+ memory B cells by CD40L in primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Lyu Mingen , Hao Yating , Li Yang , Lyu Cuicui , Liu Wenjie , Li Huiyuan , Xue Feng , Liu Xiaofan , Yang Renchi
Published: April 2017

CD72 is a co‐receptor of B cells and regulates B cell activation. Although aberrant expression of CD72 has been reported in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), it is uncertain whether this aberrant expression is restricted to specific B cell subsets. Furthermore, the mechanisms that regulate CD72 expression are unknown. In this study, we found higher frequency of CD19+ B cells, CD19+CD27+ memory B cells and lower frequency of CD19+CD27− naive B cells in active ITP patients compared with controls and patients in remission. CD72 expression on CD19+CD27+ cells was upregulated in active ITP patients and correlated with platelet count and anti‐platelet autoantibodies. In vitro, CD40L could specifically induce CD72 upregulation on CD19+CD27+ B cells. In combination with CD40L, interleukin (IL) 10 and BAFF (also termed TNFSF13B) further enhanced CD72 expression on CD19+CD27+ B cells, whereas IL21 reduced CD72 upregulation. CD72mRNA expression after CD40L stimulation was increased in ITP patients and controls. Significant increase of CD40L on CD4+ T cells was correlated with CD72 expression on CD19+CD27+ B cells in ITP patients. In conclusion, upregulation of CD72 expression on CD27+memory B cells might take part in the pathogenesis of ITP. Elevated CD40L on CD4+ cells combined with cytokines might contribute to the upregulation of CD72 expression on CD27+memory B cells.
Exposure to the American flag polarizes democratic‐republican ideologies
Authors: Chan Eugene Y.
Published: April 2017

Some prior research has suggested that exposure to the American flag tilts Americans towards Republicanism, while others have proffered that it brings outs a common ‘together’ perspective instead. We explore a third possibility – that it may actually polarize Americans’ political ideology. It is generally accepted that exposure to an environmental cue can shift attitudes and behaviours, at least partly or temporarily, in a manner that is consistent with that cue. Yet, the same cue can mean different things to different people. In the same vein, given how national identity and political ideology are intertwined in the United States, we hypothesize that the American flag should heighten different political beliefs depending on individuals’ political ideology. To Democrats, being American is to support Democratic values, but to Republicans, being American is to support Republican values. The American flag thus should heighten Democrats of their Democratic identity, and it should heighten Republicans of their Republican one. The results of an experiment with 752 American respondents who were representative of the US population supported this polarizing effect of the American flag. The theoretical and policy implications of the findings are offered.
Changes in the Relation Between Competence Beliefs and Achievement in Math Across Elementary School Years
Authors: Weidinger Anne F. , Steinmayr Ricarda , Spinath Birgit
Published: April 2017

Math competence beliefs and achievement are important outcomes of school‐based learning. Previous studies yielded inconsistent results on whether skill development, self‐enhancement, or reciprocal effects account for the interplay among them. A development‐related change in the direction of their relation in the early school years might explain the inconsistency. To test this, 542 German elementary school students (M = 7.95 years, SD = 0.58) were repeatedly investigated over 24 months from Grade 2 to Grade 4. Math competence beliefs declined and had a growing influence on subsequent math grades. This suggests changes in the dominant direction of the relation from a skill development to a reciprocal effects model during elementary school. Findings are discussed with regard to their theoretical and practical implications.
The role of stromal cells in inflammatory bone loss
Authors: Wehmeyer C , Pap T , Buckley C D , Naylor A J
Published: April 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, local and systemic bone loss and a lack of compensatory bone repair. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are the most abundant cells of the stroma and a key population in autoimmune diseases such as RA. An increasing body of evidence suggests that these cells play not only an important role in chronic inflammation and synovial hyperplasia, but also impact bone remodelling. Under inflammatory conditions FLS release inflammatory cytokines, regulate bone destruction and formation and communicate with immune cells to control bone homeostasis. Other stromal cells, such as osteoblasts and terminally differentiated osteoblasts, termed osteocytes, are also involved in the regulation of bone homeostasis and are dysregulated during inflammation. This review highlights our current understanding of how stromal cells influence the balance between bone formation and bone destruction. Increasing our understanding of these processes is critical to enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies with which to treat bone loss in RA.
Accelerated point of muscle deoxygenation during the 20‐m shuttle run test
Authors: Kume Daisuke , Iguchi Akira , Endoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2017

This study examined whether the point of accelerated deoxygenation of active muscle occurs during the 20‐m shuttle run test (20mSRT) and, if so, whether it is associated with exercise performance in the test. Twenty‐nine male subjects performed the 20mSRT, and concentration changes in oxyhaemoglobin (ΔOxy‐Hb) and deoxyhaemoglobin (ΔDeoxy‐Hb) in the m. vastus lateralis were measured using a portable near‐infrared spectroscopy device. The difference between the relative concentration changes in ΔOxy‐Hb and ΔDeoxy‐Hb (Δ[Oxy‐Hb − Deoxy‐Hb]) was regarded as the muscle oxygenation index. Group‐averaged Δ[Oxy‐Hb − Deoxy‐Hb] showed progressive decrease during the test. However, among the individuals, we found an accelerated point of decrease in Δ[Oxy‐Hb − Deoxy‐Hb] in 20 subjects, which revealed that the laps at the accelerated point correlated with the total laps (r = 0·78). These results demonstrate that the accelerated deoxygenation of active muscle occurs during the 20mSRT, but not in all cases. Our findings also indicate that if the accelerated point of muscle deoxygenation occurs, the timing of its appearance is related to 20mSRT performance.
Agreement between rapid on‐site evaluation and the final cytological diagnosis of salivary gland specimens
Authors: Wangsiricharoen S. , Lekawanvijit S. , Rangdaeng S.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) has been shown to be beneficial in determining the adequacy and a preliminary diagnosis in multiple organ systems. However, little is known regarding the diagnostic values and agreement of ROSE compared with a final cytological diagnosis in salivary gland fine needle aspiration (FNA). The aim of the present study was to evaluate agreement and compare accuracy between ROSE and a final cytological diagnosis of salivary gland FNA, using a final histological diagnosis as a gold standard.

Methods

All patients with salivary gland lesions who underwent FNA with ROSE during 2009 to 2013 were evaluated. The patient demographic data, clinical characteristics, ROSE, final cytological diagnosis and final histological diagnosis were obtained. Agreement and accuracy were assessed by Kappa statistic and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, respectively.

Results

Of 386 FNAs with ROSE, 248 (64%) lesions were from parotid glands, and 171 (44%) had histological follow‐up results. Agreement between ROSE and the final cytological diagnosis was good to excellent (simple kappa = 0.76; linear weighted kappa = 0.81). There were discrepancies in 25 lesions (6.8%). Of these, 10 (2.7%) were major discrepancies, resulting in a change in clinical management. Only one of 36 malignant lesions by ROSE was downgraded to suspicious. No significant difference was found in accuracy between two interpretations (area under the curve 0.82 vs 0.84, P=.17).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that, in addition to an excellent agreement and comparably good accuracy between ROSE and final cytological evaluation, malignant results of ROSE may be useful to facilitate an early clinical decision.
Decline in new psychoactive substance use disorders following legislation targeting headshops: Evidence from national addiction treatment data
Authors: Smyth Bobby P. , Lyons Suzi , Cullen Walter
Published: April 2017

Introduction and Aims. New psychoactive substances (NPS) have hedonic effects that may lead to dependence. Headshops selling NPS increased in number in Ireland from late 2009. Legislation was enacted in May and August of 2010 that caused their closure. It is unknown whether such events impact the rate of NPS use disorders. Designs and Methods. We conducted a population‐based study using the Irish national database of episodes of addiction treatment between 2009 and 2012. We examined trends in the rate of NPS‐related treatment episodes among young adults. Joinpoint trend analysis software was used to identify significant changes in trend. Results. Of the 31 284 episodes of addiction treatment commenced by adults aged 18 to 34 years, 756 (2.4%) were NPS related. In 2012, the 12‐month moving average rate had fallen 48% from its peak in 2010, from 9.0/100 000 to 4.7/100 000. Joinpoint analysis indicated that the rate of NPS related episodes increased by 218% (95% confidence interval 86 to 445, P = 0.001) every 4 months until the first third of 2010. From that point, the rate declined by 9.8% (95% confidence interval −14.1 to −5.4, P = 0.001) per 4‐month period. There was no significant trend change in the rate of non‐NPS related treatment episodes. Discussion and Conclusions. Over the 2 years after the enactment of prohibition‐styled legislation targeting NPS and headshops, the rate of NPS related addiction treatment episodes among young adults declined progressively and substantially. We found no coinciding trend change in the rate of episodes linked to other drug groups. [Smyth BP, Lyons S, Cullen W. Decline in new psychoactive substance use disorders following legislation targeting headshops: Evidence fromnational addiction treatment data. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;00:000‐000]