bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping influenza activity in emergency departments in France using Bayesian model‐based geostatistics
Authors: Paireau Juliette , Pelat Camille , Caserio‐Schönemann Céline , Pontais Isabelle , Le Strat Yann , Lévy‐Bruhl Daniel , Cauchemez Simon
Published: July 2018

Background

Maps of influenza activity are important tools to monitor influenza epidemics and inform policymakers. In France, the availability of a high‐quality data set from the Oscour® surveillance network, covering 92% of hospital emergency department (ED) visits, offers new opportunities for disease mapping. Traditional geostatistical mapping methods such as Kriging ignore underlying population sizes, are not suited to non‐Gaussian data and do not account for uncertainty in parameter estimates.

Objective

Our objective was to create reliable weekly interpolated maps of influenza activity in the ED setting, to inform Santé publique France (the French national public health agency) and local healthcare authorities.

Methods

We used Oscour® data of ED visits covering the 2016‐2017 influenza season. We developed a Bayesian model‐based geostatistical approach, a class of generalized linear mixed models, with a multivariate normal random field as a spatially autocorrelated random effect. Using R‐INLA, we developed an algorithm to create maps of the proportion of influenza‐coded cases among all coded visits. We compared our results with maps obtained by Kriging.

Results

Over the study period, 45 565 (0.82%) visits were coded as influenza cases. Maps resulting from the model are presented for each week, displaying the posterior mean of the influenza proportion and its associated uncertainty. Our model performed better than Kriging.

Conclusions

Our model allows producing smoothed maps where the random noise has been properly removed to reveal the spatial risk surface. The algorithm was incorporated into the national surveillance system to produce maps in real time and could be applied to other diseases.
A trait‐based approach reveals the importance of biotic filter for elevational herb richness pattern
Authors: Jiang Zihan , Ma Keming , Liu Hongyan , Tang Zhiyao
Published: July 2018

Aim

To evaluate how a biotic filter (overstorey cover [OC]) shapes an elevational herb richness pattern and to test whether intermediate elevations represent more suitable habitats for herb species due to the minimal biotic and moderate abiotic filtering that occured there.

Location

Dongling Mountain, China.

Taxon

Herbs.

Methods

We sampled herb richness along a 1,000‐m vertical transect (OC and elevation covary) and four horizontal transects (across the OC gradient with no change in elevation). Functional traits related to shade (leaf mass per area [LMA] and leaf stem ratio [LSR]) and freezing tolerance (leaf thickness [LT] and hair density [HD]) were collected based on vegetation sampling plots. We divided the richness data into below‐ and above‐timberline groups and then assessed the most important driver for each group. By estimating the variations in species richness and functional diversity along horizontal transects, we examined how these parameters responded to OC while controlling for associated differences in elevation.

Results

Herb richness showed a unimodal relationship with elevation, with a peak around the timberline. Below the timberline, herb richness was better predicted by OC and showed a positive relationship with the functional diversity of LMA and LSR. The frost period performed better in predicting herb richness above the timberline, and herb richness was positively related to the functional diversity of HD.

Main conclusions

The results support our hypothesis and highlight the importance of OC in shaping herb richness patterns. Below the timberline, OC acts as a filter, sorting species based on their ability to tolerate shade, whereas the frost period limits richness above the timberline and favours species that can tolerate low temperatures. Therefore, we suggest that biotic interactions, as well as environmental and geographical factors, should be considered the main drivers of elevational plant richness patterns.
Variants in Notch signalling pathway genes, PSEN1 and MAML2, predict overall survival in Chinese patients with epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Xu Yuan , Cheng Lei , Dai Hongji , Zhang Ruoxin , Wang Mengyun , Shi Tingyan , Sun Menghong , Cheng Xi , Wei Qingyi
Published: July 2018

To identify genetic variants in Notch signalling pathway genes that may predict survival of Han Chinese patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), we analysed a total of 1273 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 75 Notch genes in 480 patients from a published EOC genomewide association study (GWAS). We found that PSEN1 rs165934 and MAML2 rs76032516 were associated with overall survival (OS) of patients by multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Specifically, the PSEN1 rs165934 AA genotype was associated with a poorer survival (adjusted hazards ratio [adjHR] = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.07‐1.84, and P = .014), compared with the CC + CA genotype, while MAML2 rs76032516 AA + AC genotypes were associated with a poorer survival (adjHR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.16‐2.14, P = .004), compared with the CC genotype. The combined analysis of these two SNPs revealed that the death risk increased as the number of unfavourable genotypes increased in a dose‐dependent manner (Ptrend < .001). Additionally, the expression quantitative trait loci analysis revealed that the SNP rs165932 in the rs165934 LD block (r2 = .946) was associated with expression levels of PSEN1, which might be responsible for the observed association with SNP rs165934. The associations of PSEN1 rs165934 and MAML2 rs76032516 of the Notch signalling pathway genes with OS in Chinese EOC patients are novel findings, which need to be validated in other large and independent studies.
The impact of school support on depression among adolescent orphans: a cluster‐randomized trial in Kenya
Authors: Green Eric P. , Cho Hyunsan , Gallis John , Puffer Eve S.
Published: July 2018

Background

The objective of this study was to determine if a school support intervention for adolescent orphans in Kenya had effects on mental health, a secondary outcome.

Methods

In this paper, we analyzed data from a 4‐year cluster‐randomized trial of a school support intervention (school uniforms, school fees, and nurse visits) conducted with orphaned adolescents in Siaya County, western Kenya, who were about to transition to secondary school. 26 primary schools were randomized (1:1) to intervention (410 students) or control (425 students) arms. The study was longitudinal with annual repeated measures collected over 4 years from 2011 to 2014. We administered five items from the 20‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised, a self‐reported depression screening instrument.

Results

The intervention prevented depression severity scores from increasing over time among adolescents recruited from intervention schools. There was no evidence of treatment heterogeneity by gender or baseline depression status. The intervention effect on depression was partially mediated by higher levels of continuous school enrollment among the intervention group, but this mediated effect was small.

Conclusions

School support for orphans may help to buffer against the onset or worsening of depression symptoms over time, promoting resilience among an important at‐risk population.
Differential predation alters pigmentation in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Gygax Michelle , Rentsch Ana K. , Rudman Seth M. , Rennison Diana J.
Published: July 2018

Animal pigmentation plays a key role in many biological interactions, including courtship and predator avoidance. Sympatric benthic and limnetic ecotypes of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) exhibit divergent pigment patterns. To test whether differential predation by cutthroat trout contributes to the differences in pigmentation seen between the ecotypes, we used a within‐generation selection experiment on F2 benthic–limnetic hybrids. After 10 months of differential selection, we compared the pigmentation of fish under trout predation to control fish not exposed to trout predation. We found that stickleback exhibited more lateral barring in ponds with trout predation. Ponds with trout were also less turbid, and a greater degree of barring was negatively correlated with the magnitude of turbidity across pond replicates. A more benthic diet, a proxy for habitat use, was also correlated with greater lateral barring and green dorsal pigmentation. These patterns suggest that differential exposure to cutthroat trout predation may explain the divergence in body pigmentation between benthic and limnetic ecotypes.
Costs of walking: differences in egg size and starvation resistance of females between strains of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) artificially selected for walking ability
Authors: Matsumura Kentarou , Miyatake Takahisa
Published: July 2018

In many animals, movement often affects fitness components such as foraging or migration. On the other hand, individuals with higher mobility also often have fitness costs. This trade‐off between movement and other traits may explain the maintenance of variation in moving ability in a population. However, few studies have focused on movement by walking, although many previous studies of insects have investigated the evolution of variations in mobility with wing polymorphism. In this study, we focused on the walking ability of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and investigated whether females with higher than lower walking ability have fitness costs. The present results showed that females with genetically higher walking ability produced smaller eggs and had lower starvation resistance than females with lower walking ability. These results suggest that higher walking ability is costly for females, and this fitness cost may explain maintenance of variations of walking ability in a population.
Transcriptome Profiling of Bigelowiella natans in Response to Light Stress
Authors: Rangsrikitphoti Pattarasiri , Durnford Dion G.
Published: July 2018

Bigelowiella natans is a marine chlorarachniophyte whose plastid was acquired secondarily via endosymbiosis with a green alga. During plastid evolution, the photosynthetic endosymbiont would have integrated with the host metabolic pathways. This would require the evolution and coordination of strategies to cope with changes in light intensity that includes changes in the expression of both endosymbiont and host‐derived genes. To investigate the transcriptional response to light intensity in chlorarachniophytes, we conducted an RNA‐seq experiment to identify differentially expressed genes following a 4‐h shift to high or very‐low light. A shift to high light altered the expression of over 2,000 genes, many involved with photosynthesis, PSII assembly, primary metabolism, and reactive‐oxygen scavenging. These changes are an attempt to optimize photosynthesis and increase energy sinks for excess reductant, while minimizing photooxidative stress. A transfer to very‐low light resulted in a lower photosynthetic performance and metabolic alteration, reflecting an energy‐limited state. Genes located on the nucleomorph, the vestigial nucleus in the plastid, had few changes in expression in either light treatment, indicating this organelle has relinquished most transcriptional control to the nucleus. Overall, during plastid origin, both host and transferred endosymbiont genes evolved a harmonized transcriptional network to respond to a classic photosynthetic stress.
Discrimination Experiments in Entamoeba and Evidence from Other Protists Suggest Pathogenic Amebas Cooperate with Kin to Colonize Hosts and Deter Rivals
Authors: Espinosa Avelina , Paz‐y‐Miño‐C Guillermo
Published: July 2018

Entamoeba histolytica is one of the least understood protists in terms of taxa, clone, and kin discrimination/recognition ability. However, the capacity to tell apart same or self (clone/kin) from different or nonself (nonclone/nonkin) has long been demonstrated in pathogenic eukaryotes like Trypanosoma and Plasmodium, free‐living social amebas (Dictyostelium, Polysphondylium), budding yeast (Saccharomyces), and in numerous bacteria and archaea (prokaryotes). Kin discrimination/recognition is explained under inclusive fitness theory; that is, the reproductive advantage that genetically closely related organisms (kin) can gain by cooperating preferably with one another (rather than with distantly related or unrelated individuals), minimizing antagonism and competition with kin, and excluding genetic strangers (or cheaters = noncooperators that benefit from others’ investments in altruistic cooperation). In this review, we rely on the outcomes of in vitro pairwise discrimination/recognition encounters between seven Entamoeba lineages to discuss the biological significance of taxa, clone, and kin discrimination/recognition in a range of generalist and specialist species (close or distantly related phylogenetically). We then focus our discussion on the importance of these laboratory observations for E. histolytica's life cycle, host infestation, and implications of these features of the amebas’ natural history for human health (including mitigation of amebiasis).
Climate and organizational performance in long‐term care facilities: The role of affective commitment
Authors: Woznyj Haley M. , Heggestad Eric D. , Kennerly Susan , Yap Tracey L.
Published: July 2018

Organizational climate represents the shared perceptions that employees have about their experiences at work. A persistent goal of the literature has been to relate organizational climate to organizational outcomes. Yet, potential mediating mechanisms of those relationships remain underexplored. This study addresses this shortcoming by exploring the mediating role of affective organizational commitment in the relationship between a climate for nursing and organizational performance. Our data included responses from a sample of 268 nurses working in 28 long‐term care facilities and multiple years of government ratings of the quality of care provided by each of those facilities. Using multilevel structural equation modelling, we found that the nurses’ affective commitment mediated the relationship between nursing climate and quality care provided both concurrently (in the same year as the data were collected) and predictively (one year later). We also found that the mediational process predicts unique variance in the lagged assessment of quality of care provided that is not accounted for by the previous year's performance. This suggests the influence of climate on affective commitment and, consequently, organizational performance may take time to become apparent. Implications for the roles of climate and affective commitment on organizational performance are discussed.

Practitioner points

Our results suggest that creating a beneficial nursing climate may help organizations foster positive job attitudes, such as organizational commitment.

Creating a positive climate, like a nursing climate, and fostering job attitudes among employees, such as organizational commitment, are associated with organizational performance benefits.

The implications of a climate may not be fully realized immediately; organizational leaders driving initiatives to create a positive climate should expect it will take some time to realize benefits on organizational performance indicators.
Two new species of Phyllonema (Rivulariaceae, Cyanobacteria) with an emendation of the genus
Authors: González‐Resendiz Laura , Johansen Jeffrey R. , Escobar‐Sánchez Viviana , Segal‐Kischinevzky Claudia , Jiménez‐García Luis F. , León‐Tejera Hilda
Published: July 2018

Two untapered, heterocytous species were observed and collected from the intertidal and supratidal zones of the Mexican coastline of the Pacific Ocean near Oaxaca and from the Gulf of Mexico. These populations were highly similar in morphology to the freshwater taxon Petalonema incrustans in the Scytonemataceae. However, 16S rRNA sequence data and phylogenetic analysis indicated that they were sister taxa to the epiphyllic, Brazilian species Phyllonema aveceniicola in the Rivulariaceae, described from culture material. While genetic identity between the two new species was high, they differed significantly in morphology, 16S rRNA gene sequence identity, and sequence and structure of the 16S–23S ITS region. Their morphology differed markedly from the generitype of the previously monotypic Phyllonema, which has tapered, heteropolar, single‐false branched trichomes with very thin or absent sheath. The two new species, Phyllonema ansata and Phyllonema tangolundensis, described from both culture and environmental material, have untapered, isopolar, geminately false branched trichomes with thick, lamellated sheaths, differences so significant that the species would not be placed in Phyllonema without molecular corroboration. The morphological differences are so significant that a formal emendation of the genus is required. These taxa provide a challenge to algal taxonomy because the morphological differences are such that one would logically conclude that they represent different genera, but the phylogenetic evidence for including them all in the same genus is conclusive. This conclusion is counter to the current trend in algal taxonomy in which taxa with minor morphological differences have been repeatedly placed in separate genera based primarily upon DNA sequence evidence.
Carbon acquisition characteristics of six microalgal species isolated from a subtropical reservoir: potential implications for species succession
Authors: Lines Thomas , Beardall John
Published: July 2018

CO2 levels in freshwater systems can fluctuate widely, potentially influencing photosynthetic rates and growth of phytoplankton. Given the right conditions, this can lead to bloom formation and affect water quality. This study investigated the acquisition of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) by six species of microalgae, a cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, the diatoms Cyclotella sp., Nitzschia sp., and the green algae Stichococcus sp., Staurastrum sp., and Monoraphidium sp., all isolated from a subtropical reservoir in Australia. Carbon acquisition characteristics, specifically the affinity for DIC, internal pH, and internal DIC concentrations were measured. Affinities for CO2 () ranged between 0.7 and 6 μM CO2. This was considerably lower than air‐equilibrated surface water CO2 concentrations, and below reported affinities for CO2 of RuBisCO suggesting operation of active carbon dioxide concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) in all species. Internal pH was lowest for Cyclotella sp. at 7.19, and highest for Staurastrum sp., at 7.71. At 180 μM external DIC, ratios of internal:external CO2 ranged from 2.5 for Nitzschia sp. to 14 in C. raciborskii. Internal HCO3− concentration showed a linear relationship with surface area to biovolume ratio (SA:Vol). We hypothesized that species with a higher SA:Vol suffer more from diffusive escape of CO2, thus storage of DIC as bicarbonate is favored in these strains. For C. raciborskii, under stratified summer conditions, its strong CCM, and resilient photosynthetic characteristics may contribute to its bloom forming capacity.
The effects of contemporary selection and dispersal limitation on the community assembly of acidophilic microalgae
Authors: Hsieh Chia‐Jung , Zhan Shing Hei , Liao Chen‐Pan , Tang Sen‐Lin , Wang Liang‐Chi , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Geraldino Paul John L. , Liu Shao‐Lun
Published: July 2018

Extremophilic microalgae are primary producers in acidic habitats, such as volcanic sites and acid mine drainages, and play a central role in biogeochemical cycles. Yet, basic knowledge about their species composition and community assembly is lacking. Here, we begin to fill this knowledge gap by performing the first large‐scale survey of microalgal diversity in acidic geothermal sites across the West Pacific Island Chain. We collected 72 environmental samples in 12 geothermal sites, measured temperature and pH, and performed rbcL amplicon‐based 454 pyrosequencing. Using these data, we estimated the diversity of microalgal species, and then examined the relative contribution of contemporary selection (i.e., local environmental variables) and dispersal limitation on the assembly of these communities. A species delimitation analysis uncovered seven major microalgae (four red, two green, and one diatom) and higher species diversity than previously appreciated. A distance‐based redundancy analysis with variation partitioning revealed that dispersal limitation has a greater influence on the community assembly of microalgae than contemporary selection. Consistent with this finding, community similarity among the sampled sites decayed more quickly over geographical distance than differences in environmental factors. Our work paves the way for future studies to understand the ecology and biogeography of microalgae in extreme habitats.
The seasonal effects on the encrustation of charophytes in two hard‐water lakes
Authors: Herbst Anne , von Tümpling Wolf , Schubert Hendrik
Published: July 2018

Encrustation and element content of six charophyte species from two hard‐water lakes were investigated monthly for a period of 1 year. Seasonal patterns were analyzed for the interaction of water chemistry. Encrustation followed a seasonal pattern for Chara contraria, Chara subspinosa, and Nitellopsis obtusa in Lake Krüselin and for Chara globularis and Chara tomentosa in Lake Lützlow. However, no seasonality in the precipitated CaCO3 was observed for C. subspinosa in Lake Lützlow and for C. tomentosa in Lake Krüselin, indicating a lake‐specific dependency. Species‐specific encrustation was found. Chara contraria and N. obtusa encrusted the most in June and August, whereas C. subspinosa and Nitella flexilis/opaca exhibited lowest encrustation in March and April. The precipitated CaCO3 of charophytes correlated negatively to the concentration of total inorganic carbon in both lakes. Element content of plant dry weight was species‐specific for Ca and K, and lake‐specific for Mg. No specific pattern was found for the TP and Fe contents. The results showed seasonal, species, and lake‐specific influences on the encrustation of charophytes.
Sex‐biased gene expression, sexual antagonism and levels of genetic diversity in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) genome
Authors: Dutoit Ludovic , Mugal Carina F. , Bolívar Paulina , Wang Mi , Nadachowska‐Brzyska Krystyna , Smeds Linnéa , Yazdi Homa P. , Gustafsson Lars , Ellegren Hans
Published: July 2018

Theoretical work suggests that sexual conflict should promote the maintenance of genetic diversity by the opposing directions of selection on males and females. If such conflict is pervasive, it could potentially lead to genomic heterogeneity in levels of genetic diversity an idea that so far has not been empirically tested on a genomewide scale. We used large‐scale population genomic and transcriptomic data from the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) to analyse how sexual conflict, for which we use sex‐biased gene expression as a proxy, relates to genetic variability. Here, we demonstrate that the extent of sex‐biased gene expression of both male‐biased and female‐biased genes is significantly correlated with levels of nucleotide diversity in gene sequences and that this correlation extends to diversity levels also in intergenic DNA and introns. We find signatures of balancing selection in sex‐biased genes but also note that relaxed purifying selection could potentially explain part of the observed patterns. The finding of significant genetic differentiation between males and females for male‐biased (and gonad‐specific) genes indicates ongoing sexual conflict and sex‐specific viability selection, potentially driven by sexual selection. Our results thus indicate that sexual antagonism could potentially be considered as one viable explanation to the long‐standing question in evolutionary biology of how genomes can remain so genetically variable in face of strong natural and sexual selection.
Alternate life history phases of a common seaweed have distinct microbial surface communities
Authors: Lemay Matthew A. , Martone Patrick T. , Hind Katharine R. , Lindstrom Sandra C. , Wegener Parfrey Laura
Published: July 2018

Macroalgal life histories are complex, often involving the alternation of distinct free‐living life history phases that differ in morphology, longevity and ploidy. The surfaces of marine macroalgae support diverse microbial biofilms, yet the degree of microbial variation between alternate phases is unknown. We quantified bacterial (16S rRNA gene) and microeukaryote (18S rRNA gene) communities on the surface of the common intertidal seaweed, Mastocarpus spp., which alternates between gametophyte (foliose, haploid) and sporophyte (encrusting, diploid) life history phases. A large portion (97%) of bacterial taxa on the surface Mastocarpus was also present in samples from the environment, indicating that macroalgal surface communities are largely assembled from the surrounding seawater. Still, changes in the relative abundance of bacterial taxa result in significantly different communities on alternate Mastocarpus life history phases, rocky substrate and seawater at all intertidal elevations. For microeukaryote assemblages, only high intertidal samples had significant differences between life history phases although sporophytes were not different from the rocky substrate at this elevation; gametophytes and sporophytes did not differ in microeukaryote communities in the mid and low zones. By sequencing three host genes, we identified three cryptic species of Mastocarpus in our data set, which co‐occur in the mid‐to‐low intertidal zone. In these samples, M. alaskensis sporophytes harboured distinct bacterial communities compared to M. agardhii and M. intermedius sporophytes, which were not distinguishable. Conversely, microeukaryote communities did not differ among species.
Dissecting interplays between Vitis vinifera L. and grapevine virus B (GVB) under field conditions
Authors: Chitarra Walter , Cuozzo Danila , Ferrandino Alessandra , Secchi Francesca , Palmano Sabrina , Perrone Irene , Boccacci Paolo , Pagliarani Chiara , Gribaudo Ivana , Mannini Franco , Gambino Giorgio
Published: July 2018

Plant virus infections are often difficult to characterize as they result from a complex molecular and physiological interplay between a pathogen and its host. In this study, the impact of the phloem‐limited grapevine virus B (GVB) on the Vitis vinifera L. wine‐red cultivar Albarossa was analysed under field conditions. Trials were carried out over two growing seasons by combining agronomic, molecular, biochemical and ecophysiological approaches. The data showed that GVB did not induce macroscopic symptoms on ‘Albarossa’, but affected the ecophysiological performances of vines in terms of assimilation rates, particularly at the end of the season, without compromising yield and vigour. In GVB‐infected plants, the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates in the leaves and transcriptional changes in sugar‐ and photosynthetic‐related genes seemed to trigger defence responses similar to those observed in plants infected by phytoplasmas, although to a lesser extent. In addition, GVB activated berry secondary metabolism. In particular, total anthocyanins and their acetylated forms accumulated at higher levels in GVB‐infected than in GVB‐free berries, consistent with the expression profiles of the related biosynthetic genes. These results contribute to improve our understanding of the multifaceted grapevine–virus interaction.
Richards‐Campbell sleep questionnaire: psychometric properties of Chinese critically ill patients
Authors: Chen Li‐xia , Ji Dai‐hong , Zhang Feng , Li Jian‐hua , Cui Li , Bai Chun‐jie , Liu Heng , Liang Yan
Published: July 2018

Background

Sleep abnormalities occur frequently in critically ill patients. Nurses are strategically placed, specifically in intensive care units, to promote sleep in such patients. Currently, an effective sleep assessment tool in Chinese is not available for intensive care settings.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Richards‐Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ‐C). It also aimed to evaluate patient‐nurse reliability and agreement of the RCSQ‐C in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

We translated the original RCSQ into Chinese and then back‐translated it into English to ensure its accuracy of translation. Internal consistency, discrimination validity and construct validity of the RCSQ‐C were examined in 150 critically ill patients. The convergent validity of the RCSQ‐C was evaluated in 44 of 150 critically ill patients, and data from the RCSQ‐C were compared with those of the Chinese version of St Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ). Comparisons were also made between RCSQ‐C scores obtained from patients and their nurses.

Results

Cronbach's α of the RCSQ‐C was 0.923; thus, it showed high reliability. The corrected item‐total correlation coefficient was in the range of 0·680∼0·805, which showed that the items were homogeneous for evaluating sleep. The content validity was 0·84. One factor was extracted with a cumulative contribution rate of 76·597%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original single‐factor structure proposed by Richards adequately fit the data. The RCSQ‐C could discriminate poor and good sleepers, which supported discriminant validity. There was a close correlation between the scores obtained from the RCSQ patient's version and those from the SMHSQ. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the patient and nurse ranged from 0·315 to 0·609.

Conclusions

The psychometric properties of the RCSQ‐C suggest its utility in critically ill patients. Patient‐nurse reliability on the RCSQ‐C was “fair” to “substantial”, with nurses tending to overestimate patients' perceived sleep quality.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

If the validity of this questionnaire is supported in other ICU samples, RCSQ‐C could be used as a routine evaluation instrument to distinguish good and poor sleepers and then direct nurses to form corresponding treatment plans to promote sleep.
Obesity and GERD impair esophageal epithelial permeability through 2 distinct mechanisms
Authors: Blevins C. H. , Dierkhising R. A. , Geno D. M. , Johnson M. L. , Vela M. F. , Ravi K. , Iyer P. G. , Katzka D. A.
Published: July 2018

Background

The mechanism by which obesity leads to damage independent of reflux is unclear. We aimed to determine the influence of obesity on mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI), a functional measure of the epithelial barrier, in the presence and absence of acid reflux, using ambulatory pH impedance measurements.

Methods

Twenty‐four‐hour pH impedance studies performed off medications in Caucasian men with a normal endoscopic examination were assessed for level of acid exposure and MNBI. Four patient groups were studied: Group 1, Not obese and normal acid exposure; Group 2, Obese and normal acid exposure; Group 3, Not obese and increased acid exposure; and Group 4, Obese with increased acid exposure.

Results

One hundred patients were studied (25 in each group). Mean esophageal mucosal impedance (MI) was substantially lower in obese patients without reflux (Group 2) and non‐obese patients with reflux (Group 3) compared to normal controls (non‐obese, no reflux, Group 1). MI was progressively lower in the distal (vs the proximal) esophagus in GER patients, compared to those without GER. This difference persisted in the presence or absence of obesity. In contrast, in obese patients, the mean MI was significantly lower throughout the esophagus when compared to the non‐obese patients and also persisted in the presence and absence of accompanying reflux. Obesity and reflux were both independently negatively correlated with MI.

Conclusion

Obesity is associated with abnormal esophageal MNBI. In contrast to gastro‐esophageal reflux, this decrease is pan‐esophageal. These data may support a systemic mechanism by which obesity alters the esophageal barrier function.
Osmotic stress enhances suberization of apoplastic barriers in barley seminal roots: analysis of chemical, transcriptomic and physiological responses
Authors: Kreszies Tino , Shellakkutti Nandhini , Osthoff Alina , Yu Peng , Baldauf Jutta A. , Zeisler‐Diehl Viktoria V. , Ranathunge Kosala , Hochholdinger Frank , Schreiber Lukas
Published: July 2018

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is more drought tolerant than other cereals, thus making it an excellent model for the study of the chemical, transcriptomic and physiological effects of water deficit. Roots are the first organ to sense soil water deficit. Therefore, we studied the response of barley seminal roots to different water potentials induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000.

We investigated changes in anatomical parameters by histochemistry and microscopy, quantitative and qualitative changes in suberin composition by analytical chemistry, transcript changes by RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq), and the radial water and solute movement of roots using a root pressure probe.

In response to osmotic stress, genes in the suberin biosynthesis pathway were upregulated that correlated with increased suberin amounts in the endodermis and an overall reduction in hydraulic conductivity (Lpr). In parallel, transcriptomic data indicated no or only weak effects of osmotic stress on aquaporin expression.

These results indicate that osmotic stress enhances cell wall suberization and markedly reduces Lprof the apoplastic pathway, whereas Lprof the cell‐to‐cell pathway is not altered. Thus, the sealed apoplast markedly reduces the uncontrolled backflow of water from the root to the medium, whilst keeping constant water flow through the highly regulated cell‐to‐cell path.
PII1: a protein involved in starch initiation that determines granule number and size in Arabidopsis chloroplast
Authors: Vandromme Camille , Spriet Corentin , Dauvillée David , Courseaux Adeline , Putaux Jean‐Luc , Wychowski Adeline , Krzewinski Frédéric , Facon Maud , D'Hulst Christophe , Wattebled Fabrice
Published: July 2018

The initiation of starch granule formation is still poorly understood. However, the soluble starch synthase 4 (SS4) appears to be a major component of this process since it is required to synthesize the correct number of starch granules in the chloroplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana plants.

A yeast two‐hybrid screen allowed the identification of several putative SS4 interacting partners. We identified the product of At4g32190 locus as a chloroplast‐targeted PROTEIN INVOLVED IN STARCH INITIATION (named PII1).

Arabidopsis mutants devoid of PII1 display an alteration of the starch initiation process and accumulate, on average, one starch granule per plastid instead of the five to seven granules found in plastids of wild‐type plants. These granules are larger than in wild‐type, and they remain flat and lenticular. pii1 mutants display wild‐type growth rates and accumulate standard starch amounts. Moreover, starch characteristics, such as amylopectin chain length distribution, remain unchanged.

Our results reveal the involvement of PII1 in the starch priming process in Arabidopsis leaves through interaction with SS4.
Success of pacemaker remote monitoring using app‐based technology: Does patient age matter?
Authors: Tarakji Khaldoun G. , Vives Carola Alfaro , Patel Amisha S. , Fagan Dedra H. , Sims J. Jason , Varma Niraj
Published: July 2018

Background

Remote monitoring (RM) improves patient outcomes. App‐based RM is a novel technology that enables transmission of implantable device data using smart devices. Limited data exist on the impact of age and sex on the use of app‐based RM.

Objective

To examine the impact of age and sex on the proportion of pacemaker patients who activated app‐based RM, time from order to activation, and patient follow‐up transmission adherence per guidelines.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed using deidentified data from U.S. pacemaker patients enrolled in the Medtronic CareLink database with an app‐based monitor (MyCareLink Smart™). Activation was defined as first RM transmission and was considered early if it occurred < 90 days from order. Adherence analysis was limited to patients with ≥12 months’ follow‐up from activation and excluded transmissions < 90 days from activation.

Results

Of 48,016 patients assigned app‐based RM, 40,511 (84.4%) activated their device; of these, 31,640 (65.9%) activated their device early. Among 14,232 activated patients (with 12 months’ follow‐up), 12,743 (89.5%) were considered adherent to guidelines by transmitting at least once more within 3–12 months following their activation transmission. While there were statistical differences in activation, early activation, and adherence among age and sex groups due to large sample sizes, the differences were not clinically significant and the majority of older patients were able to successfully use app‐based RM.

Conclusions

Most patients in this large and first‐of‐its kind reported cohort used smart devices to successfully activate app‐based RM technology and remained adherent per guidelines irrespective of age or sex.
Efficacy of sole pulmonary vein isolation in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation without significant left atrium scar
Authors: Shen Wenzhi , Zhai Lishang , Yang Gang , Liu Hailei , Chen Hongwu , Ju Weizhu , Gu Kai , Li Mingfang , Zhang Fengxiang , Chen Minglong
Published: July 2018

Background

Catheter ablation strategies for nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF) are in varied forms. The mechanisms that circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) alone could achieve success in some of the patients with NPAF are not well studied. This study sought to assess the clinical outcome of only CPVI approach in NPAF patients without significant left atrium scar.

Methods and results

A total of 241 consecutive patients with NPAF undergoing an initial ablation procedure were studied. After CPVI, cavotricuspid isthmus ablation and direct current cardioversion, high‐density atrial voltage mapping was performed during sinus rhythm. Transitional‐voltage zone (TZ) was defined as 0.4–1.3 mV, and low‐voltage zone (LVZ) as <0.4 mV. No LVZs were identified in 101 patients (41.9%), and only CPVI was performed. Among the patients without LVZs, single‐procedure freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial tachycardia was achieved in 73 patients (72%), while 28 patients (28%) had AF recurrence with mean follow‐up of 29 ± 14 months. TZ index (TZi) was deduced by calculating the ratio of all TZ points over the total number of points and was found to be a univariate predictor of recurrence after a single procedure (P  =  0.047).

Conclusions

The CPVI alone strategy for patients with NPAF can be performed in highly selective patients without LVZs. TZi may reflect healthy extent of left atrium, which has trend toward the association with AF recurrence.
Analysis of electrical lead failures in patients referred for transvenous lead extraction procedures
Authors: Ząbek Andrzej , Boczar Krzysztof , Dębski Maciej , Ulman Mateusz , Matusik Paweł T. , Lelakowski Jacek , Małecka Barbara
Published: July 2018

Introduction

We evaluated the influences of selected factors on electrical lead failure (ELF) occurrence in patients referred for transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures.

Methods and results

The study cohort consisted of 432 patients referred for TLE procedures due to various indications (42 – lead‐dependent infective endocarditis, 47 – pocket infection, 343 – noninfectious indications) with a total of 804 endocardial leads. In the analyzed group, there were 192 patients with ELF, denoted as group ELF(+) (200 malfunctioning endocardial leads).

The percentage of women was higher in the ELF(+) group than in the ELF(‐) group (42.7% vs 30.0%; P  =  0.006). The ELF(+) patients had more endocardial leads implanted via subclavian vein puncture (80.0% vs 72.4%; P  =  0.032), had more indwelling leads in the cardiovascular system (1.94 vs 1.8; P  =  0.03), were older (68.9 vs 66.0 years old; P  =  0.028), and had better left ventricular ejection fractions than the ELF(‐) patients (48.0% vs 40.7%; P < 0.001). The time interval to ELF occurrence was significantly longer for pacing leads than for cardioverter‐defibrillator leads (95.7 vs 65.7 months; P  =  0.016). The most important factor associated with ELF was subclavian vein puncture, increasing the risk of ELF occurrence by 2.5‐fold and 2.7‐fold in the univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, respectively. The presence of a cardioverter‐defibrillator lead increased the risk of ELF by 1.9‐fold and 2.7‐fold in the univariate and multivariate models, respectively.

Conclusion

The most significant factors predisposing patients to ELF are the lead implantation approach and the presence of a cardioverter‐defibrillator lead.
Canopy warming accelerates development in soybean and maize, offsetting the delay in soybean reproductive development by elevated CO2concentrations
Authors: Ruiz‐Vera Ursula M. , Siebers Matthew H. , Jaiswal Deepak , Ort Donald R. , Bernacchi Carl J.
Published: July 2018

Increases in atmospheric CO2concentrations ([CO2]) and surface temperature are known to individually have effects on crop development and yield, but their interactive effects have not been adequately investigated under field conditions. We evaluated the impacts of elevated [CO2] with and without canopy warming as a function of development in soybean and maize using infrared heating arrays nested within free air CO2enrichment plots over three growing seasons. Vegetative development accelerated in soybean with temperature plus elevated [CO2] resulting in higher node number. Reproductive development was delayed in soybean under elevated [CO2], but warming mitigated this delay. In maize, both vegetative and reproductive developments were accelerated by warming, whereas elevated [CO2] had no apparent effect on development. Treatment‐induced changes in the leaf carbohydrates, dark respiration rate, morphological parameters, and environmental conditions accompanied the changes in plant development. We used two thermal models to investigate their ability to predict the observed development under warming and elevated [CO2]. Whereas the growing degree day model underestimated the thermal threshold to reach each developmental stage, the alternative process‐based model used (βfunction) was able to predict crop development under climate change conditions.
Plant attributes and their relationship to the germination response to different temperatures of 18 species from central Mexico
Authors: Martínez‐Villegas J. A. , Castillo‐Argüero S. , Márquez‐Guzmán J. , Orozco‐Segovia A.
Published: July 2018

Germination responses of non‐dormant seeds to temperature and thermal requirements are affected by the geoclimatic origin of the species, along with specific attributes such as life form, life cycle or seed size. We evaluated the relationship of these attributes and temperature to germination in 18 species that inhabit a convergence area of two biogeographic realms.

Seeds were sown at different constant temperatures. Base temperature (Tb) and thermal time for 50% germination (θT(50)) were determined. For Tb, θT(50) and seed size, we performed a cluster analysis and then applied a discriminant analysis (DA). DA was also performed using geoclimatic origin, life form and life cycle as grouping variables. Seed that did not germinate were transferred to the benefit temperature for germination. Finally, ethylene was applied to the remaining seeds that did not germinate.

Temperature significantly affected final germination. Tb varied between 5 and 13 °C in 15 species and 19.0–21.5 °C in the remainder; θT(50) was 7–30 °Cd in eight species and 50–109 °Cd in the remainder. Cluster analysis showed three groups, and DA evidenced the relevance of Tb and θT(50) for this separation. Differences in life cycle were related to θT(50). The geoclimatic origin was not significant. Thermoinhibition or thermodormancy were found in some species.

Tb overlaps with environmental temperature of the growth season. Thermal traits for germination mainly reflect the species’ life cycle, which is related to the main differences in reproductive performance among annuals and perennials. Local adaptation might mask the effect of geoclimatic origin of a species.
Identification and molecular characterization of Taro bacilliform virus and Taro bacilliform CH virus from East Africa
Authors: Kidanemariam D. B. , Sukal A. C. , Abraham A. D. , Stomeo F. , Dale J. L. , James A. P. , Harding R. M.
Published: July 2018

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) and tannia (Xanthosoma sp.) are important root crops cultivated mainly by small‐scale farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa and the South Pacific. Viruses are known to be one of the most important constraints to production, with infections resulting in severe yield reduction. In 2014 and 2015, surveys were conducted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to determine the identity of viruses infecting taro in East Africa. Screening of 392 samples collected from the region using degenerate badnavirus primers revealed an incidence of 58–74% among the four countries surveyed, with sequence analysis identifying both Taro bacilliform virus (TaBV) and Taro bacilliform CH virus (TaBCHV). TaBCHV was identified from all four countries while TaBV was identified in all except Ethiopia. Full‐length sequences from representative TaBV and TaBCHV isolates showed that the genome organization of TaBV isolates from East Africa was consistent with previous reports while TaBCHV isolates from East Africa were found to encode only four ORFs, distinct from a previous report from China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all East African TaBV isolates form a single subgroup within known TaBV isolates, while TaBCHV isolates form at least two distinct subgroups. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report describing the occurrence and genome organization of TaBV and TaBCHV isolates from East Africa and the first full‐length sequence of the two viruses from tannia.
Effects of situational variables on the physical activity profiles of elite soccer players in different score line states
Authors: Redwood‐Brown Athalie J. , O'Donoghue Peter G. , Nevill Alan M. , Saward Chris , Dyer Nicholas , Sunderland Caroline
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study were to investigate the effects of playing position, pitch location, team ability and opposition ability on the physical activity profiles of English premier league soccer players in difference score line states. A validated automatic tracking system (Venatrack Ltd.) was used to track players in real time (at 25 Hz) for total distance covered, high speed running distance and sprint distance. This is the first study to include every team from an entire season in the English premier league, resulting in 376 games, 570 players and 35 000 rows of data from the 2011‐12 season being analyzed using multi‐level modelling. Multi‐level regression revealed an inverted “u” shaped association between total distance covered and goal difference (GD), with greater distances covered when GD was zero and reduced distances when GD was either positive or negative. A similar “u” shaped association was found with high speed distance covered at home. In addition distance covered (both at home and away) were predicted by playing position. All activity profiles (with the exception of sprint distance at home) were predicted by pitch location and time scored. Lastly, distance away from home and high speed running at home were predicted by opposition ability. Score line appears to effect player activity profiles across a number of situational factors and thus should be considered by managers when preparing and selecting teams to maximize performance. The current study also highlighted the need for more sensitive score line definitions in which to consider score line effects.