bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decellularized Human Liver Is Too Heterogeneous for Designing a Generic Extracellular Matrix Mimic Hepatic Scaffold
Authors: Mattei Giorgio , Magliaro Chiara , Pirone Andrea , Ahluwalia Arti
Published: May 2017

Decellularized human livers are considered the perfect extracellular matrix (ECM) surrogate because both three‐dimensional architecture and biological features of the hepatic microenvironment are thought to be preserved. However, donor human livers are in chronically short supply, both for transplantation or as decellularized scaffolds, and will become even scarcer as life expectancy increases. It is hence of interest to determine the structural and biochemical properties of human hepatic ECM to derive design criteria for engineering biomimetic scaffolds. The intention of this work was to obtain quantitative design specifications for fabricating scaffolds for hepatic tissue engineering using human livers as a template. To this end, hepatic samples from five patients scheduled for hepatic resection were decellularized using a protocol shown to reproducibly conserve matrix composition and microstructure in porcine livers. The decellularization outcome was evaluated through histological and quantitative image analyses to evaluate cell removal, protein, and glycosaminoglycan content per unit area. Applying the same decellularization protocol to human liver samples obtained from five different patients yielded five different outcomes. Only one liver out of five was completely decellularized, while the other four showed different levels of remaining cells and matrix. Moreover, protein and glycosaminoglycan content per unit area after decellularization were also found to be patient‐ (or donor‐) dependent. This donor‐to‐donor variability of human livers thus precludes their use as templates for engineering a generic “one‐size fits all” ECM‐mimic hepatic scaffold.
Temporal overexpression of SIRT1 in skeletal muscle of adult mice does not improve insulin sensitivity or markers of mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: Svensson K. , LaBarge S. A. , Martins V. F. , Schenk S.
Published: May 2017

Aims

Activation of the NAD+ dependent protein deacetylase SIRT1 has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to treat mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. However, lifelong overexpression of SIRT1 in skeletal muscle does not improve parameters of mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity. In this study, we investigated whether temporal overexpression of SIRT1 in muscle of adult mice would affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity.

Methods

To circumvent potential effects of germline SIRT1 overexpression, we utilized an inducible model of SIRT1 overexpression in skeletal muscle of adult mice (i‐mOX). Insulin sensitivity was assessed by 2‐deoxyglucose uptake, muscle maximal respiratory function by high‐resolution respirometry and systemic energy expenditure was assessed by whole body calorimetry.

Results

Although SIRT1 was highly, and specifically, overexpressed in skeletal muscle of i‐mOX compared to WT mice, glucose tolerance and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity were comparable between genotypes. Additionally, markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, muscle maximal respiratory function and whole‐body oxygen consumption were also unaffected by SIRT1 overexpression.

Conclusion

These results support previous work demonstrating that induction of SIRT1 in skeletal muscle, either at birth or in adulthood, does not impact muscle insulin action or mitochondrial function.
Did some red alga‐derived plastids evolve via kleptoplastidy? A hypothesis
Authors: Bodył Andrzej
Published: May 2017

The evolution of plastids has a complex and still unresolved history. These organelles originated from a cyanobacterium via primary endosymbiosis, resulting in three eukaryotic lineages: glaucophytes, red algae, and green plants. The red and green algal plastids then spread via eukaryote–eukaryote endosymbioses, known as secondary and tertiary symbioses, to numerous heterotrophic protist lineages. The number of these horizontal plastid transfers, especially in the case of red alga‐derived plastids, remains controversial. Some authors argue that the number of plastid origins should be minimal due to perceived difficulties in the transformation of a eukaryotic algal endosymbiont into a multimembrane plastid, but increasingly the available data contradict this argument. I suggest that obstacles in solving this dilemma result from the acceptance of a single evolutionary scenario for the endosymbiont‐to‐plastid transformation formulated by Cavalier‐Smith & Lee (1985). Herein I discuss data that challenge this evolutionary scenario. Moreover, I propose a new model for the origin of multimembrane plastids belonging to the red lineage and apply it to the dinoflagellate peridinin plastid. The new model has several general and practical implications, such as the requirement for a new definition of cell organelles and in the construction of chimeric organisms.
Fine litterfall in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Martinelli Luiz A. , Lins Sílvia R. M. , dos Santos‐Silva Jéssica C.
Published: May 2017

Litterfall is an essential component of tropical forest productivity, transferring nutrients from the vegetation back to soils. Here, we summarize the data from 105 estimates of fine litterfall production from 45 sites in the Atlantic Forest domain, including two types of forests, evergreen and seasonal, and two successional stages, secondary and old growth. The overall litterfall average was 8.0 ± 2.5 Mg/ha. Litterfall was significantly in higher seasonal forests than in evergreen forests and in old growth versus secondary forests. Leaves were the major component of litterfall, contributing 68 percent to the total. The second most important component was branches, contributing 22 percent, followed by reproductive organs (flowers and fruits), at 6 percent. Accurate measurements of tropical forest productivity are crucial for estimating their role in sequestering atmospheric carbon, and we suggest some ways to standardize litterfall sampling to obtain better estimates.
Overexpression of B‐cell lymphoma 6 alters gene expression profile in a myeloma cell line and is associated with decreased DNA damage response
Authors: Tahara Kenichi , Takizawa Makiko , Yamane Arito , Osaki Yohei , Ishizaki Takuma , Mitsui Takeki , Yokohama Akihiko , Saitoh Takayuki , Tsukamoto Norifumi , Matsumoto Morio , Murakami Hirokazu , Nojima Yoshihisa , Handa Hiroshi
Published: May 2017

B‐cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) attenuates DNA damage response (DDR) through gene repression and facilitates tolerance to genomic instability during immunoglobulin affinity maturation in germinal center (GC) B cells. Although BCL6 expression is repressed through normal differentiation of GC B cells into plasma cells, a recent study showed the ectopic expression of BCL6 in primary multiple myeloma (MM) cells. However, the functional roles of BCL6 in MM cells are largely unknown. Here, we report that overexpression of BCL6 in a MM cell line, KMS12PE, induced transcriptional repression of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a DDR signaling kinase, which was associated with a reduction in γH2AX formation after DNA damage. In contrast, transcription of known targets of BCL6 in GC B cells was not affected, suggesting a cell type‐specific function of BCL6. To further investigate the effects of BCL6 overexpression on the MM cell line, we undertook mRNA sequence analysis and found an upregulation in the genomic mutator activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID) with alteration in the gene expression profile, which is suggestive of de‐differentiation from plasma cells. Moreover, interleukin‐6 exposure to KMS12PE led to upregulation of BCL6 and AID, downregulation of ATM, and attenuation of DDR, which were consistent with the effects of BCL6 overexpression in this MM cell line. Taken together, these results indicated that overexpression of BCL6 alters gene expression profile and confers decreased DDR in MM cells. This phenotypic change could be reproduced by interleukin‐6 stimulation, suggesting an important role of external stimuli in inducing genomic instability, which is a hallmark of MM cells.
4‐Substituted thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidines as potent antibacterial agents: Rational design, microwave‐assisted synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies
Authors: Gill Rupinder K. , Singh Harpreet , Raj Tilak , Sharma Anuradha , Singh Gagandeep , Bariwal Jitender
Published: May 2017

In an attempt to discover a new class of antibacterial agents with improved efficacy and to overcome the drug‐resistant problems, some novel 4‐substituted thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidines have been synthesized via microwave‐assisted methodology and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against various pathogenic bacterial strains. Compounds 12b and 13c showed the promising inhibitory potencies against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli with MICs ranging from 2 to 10 μg/ml. Compound 13c was also found to be highly potent against methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with MIC value of 4 μg/ml. Docking simulation studies have been performed to unravel the mode of action and association study indicate the binding of potent compounds with DHPS enzyme. In silico ADME studies suggest the drug‐like characteristics of the potent compounds.
Noise Reduction on G‐Buffers for Monte Carlo Filtering
Authors: Moon Bochang , Iglesias‐Guitian Jose A. , McDonagh Steven , Mitchell Kenny
Published: May 2017

We propose a novel pre‐filtering method that reduces the noise introduced by depth‐of‐field and motion blur effects in geometric buffers (G‐buffers) such as texture, normal and depth images. Our pre‐filtering uses world positions and their variances to effectively remove high‐frequency noise while carefully preserving high‐frequency edges in the G‐buffers. We design a new anisotropic filter based on a per‐pixel covariance matrix of world position samples. A general error estimator, Stein's unbiased risk estimator, is then applied to estimate the optimal trade‐off between the bias and variance of pre‐filtered results. We have demonstrated that our pre‐filtering improves the results of existing filtering methods numerically and visually for challenging scenes where depth‐of‐field and motion blurring introduce a significant amount of noise in the G‐buffers.
Loss of retinoblastoma in pleomorphic fibroma: An immunohistochemical and genomic analysis
Authors: Hinds Brian , Agulló Pérez Alfredo D. , LeBoit Philip E. , McCalmont Timothy H. , North Jeffrey P.
Published: May 2017

Background

Pleomorphic fibroma is a curious neoplasm that exhibits striking cytologic atypia, yet behaves in benign fashion. The cytologic features include single cells with pleomorphic nuclei and scattered giant cells resembling the neoplastic cells of pleomorphic lipoma, a tumor with known retinoblastoma (Rb) loss.

Methods

We assessed the demographic and histopathologic features of a cohort of 26 pleomorphic fibromas, including assessment with immunostaining for Rb, p16 and Ki‐67. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used to assess a limited number of tumors for genomic aberrations.

Results

Of the 26 pleomorphic fibromas analyzed, 19 occurred in women and 7 in men, with a mean age of 47 years. The anatomic locations were variable. Immunostaining showed loss of Rb protein expression in all cases and diffuse p16 expression in 85%. Ki‐67 labeling rate was below 10% in 85%. Chromosome 13q loss was found in 7 of 7 pleomorphic fibromas assessed with aCGH. Recurrent loss of 17p, 16q and 10q were also found.

Conclusion

We report recurrent loss of
RB1
on chromosome 13q in pleomorphic fibromas, confirmed by both protein expression loss and loss of 13q by aCGH. This result indicates pleomorphic fibroma shares the same genetic abnormalities as spindle cell and pleomorphic lipomas.
First report of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus on Fraxinus excelsior in Montenegro
Authors: Milenković I. , Jung T. , Stanivuković Z. , Karadžić D.
Published: May 2017

During the monitoring of the mycological complex on different forest tree species in the Biogradska Gora National Park in north‐east Montenegro, symptoms indicative of ash dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus were observed on young Fraxinus excelsior trees in the protected virgin forest, including dieback of plants and branches, wilting of leaves and shoots leading to a “flag‐like” habitus, premature shedding of leaves and longitudinal bark necroses. Using standard isolation methods, slow‐growing cultures with numerous phialides, typical of the asexual phase of the ash dieback fungus, were obtained. In addition, petioles with numerous characteristic apothecia were also recorded. This is the first report of H. fraxineus on common ash in Montenegro. Possible pathways of introduction and implications of the findings are discussed.
Mindfulness, depression and quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lou J. S.
Published: May 2017

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this volume.
CEO personal investment decisions and firm risk
Authors: Cen Wei , Doukas John A.
Published: May 2017

We develop a novel method of measuring CEO risk preference based on their personal allocation of deferred compensation funds, and find CEOs holding more volatile deferred compensation portfolios lead riskier firms. We also use the 2008 financial crisis as a natural experiment to check the robustness of this new method and find consistent evidence in support of a positive association between CEO risk‐taking and firm risk. Moreover, the evidence shows that risk‐taking CEOs pursue risky financial and investment policies. Our results, in accord with the behavioural consistency theory, demonstrate that CEOs act consistently across personal and professional choices.
The diagnosis of equine insulin dysregulation
Authors: Bertin F. R. , de Laat M. A.
Published: May 2017

Insulin dysregulation is the hallmark of equine metabolic syndrome and has received attention because of its direct association with laminitis. In the absence of an adequate treatment for laminitis, a focus on prophylaxis is needed, making early detection of individuals at risk of developing laminitis one of the main challenges in equine endocrinology. Recent studies have shown that insulin dysregulation goes beyond tissue insulin resistance and it is now demonstrated that the equine enteroinsular axis plays a major role in insulin secretion and equine hyperinsulinaemia. In this review, we discuss the different tests currently available to diagnose insulin dysregulation in horses: the ones investigating tissue insulin resistance and those investigating the enteroinsular axis, detailing their goals, practicalities and limitations. This review supports the contention that the diagnosis of equine insulin dysregulation should now be based on the investigation of both tissue insulin resistance and the equine enteroinsular axis. Regardless of the tests used many factors of variation, such as breed, diet, fasting state or season, have been identified and could potentially confound the results of a specific test. Therefore, careful interpretation of the results of a given test in each individual situation is required to optimise the detection of horses at risk of laminitis.
Assessment of horse owners’ ability to recognise equine laminitis: A cross‐sectional study of 93 veterinary diagnosed cases in Great Britain
Authors: Pollard D. , Wylie C. E. , Verheyen K. L. P. , Newton J. R.
Published: May 2017

Background

Use of owner‐reported data could further epidemiological knowledge of equine laminitis. However, owner recognition of laminitis has not previously been assessed.

Objectives

The primary objective was to establish whether cases of owner‐suspected laminitis would be confirmed as laminitis by the attending veterinary surgeon. Secondary objectives were to compare owner‐ and veterinary‐reported information from veterinary‐confirmed cases of equine laminitis.

Study design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Twenty‐five British veterinary practices were invited to submit laminitis reporting forms (LRFs) for active laminitis cases attended between January 2014 and October 2015; detailing 27 clinical signs, 5 underlying conditions and 7 risk factors associated with laminitis. Owners were invited to independently complete a modified LRF if reason for the veterinary visit was suspicion of laminitis. Differences between paired veterinary and owner LRFs, and between cases where owners did and did not recognise laminitis, were assessed using McNemar's and Fisher's Exact tests, respectively.

Results

Veterinary LRFs were received for 93 veterinary‐diagnosed laminitis cases. All 51 owner‐suspected cases were confirmed by veterinary diagnosis, with the remaining 42 (45.2%) not recognised as laminitis by owners. Undefined lameness, foot abscesses, colic and stiffness were common reasons for owner‐requested veterinary visits in owner‐unrecognised cases. ‘Divergent growth rings’ (prevalence difference: +27.3%, P = 0.01) and ‘breed type’ (prevalence difference: +21.2%, P = 0.04) were more commonly reported by veterinary surgeons in owner‐recognised compared to owner‐unrecognised cases. ‘Difficulty turning’, ‘shifting weight’ and risk factor ‘body condition’ were more frequently reported by veterinary surgeons whilst ‘increased hoof temperature’ was reported more frequently by owners.

Main limitations

The limited clinical data restricted statistical inferences regarding the secondary objectives.

Conclusions

All owner‐suspected laminitis cases were confirmed upon veterinary examination, showing validity for the inclusion of owner‐reported cases in future epidemiological studies. However, failure of laminitis recognition by owners highlights further need for evidence‐based education to ensure early disease detection.
Electroencephalography‐based feature extraction using complex network for automated epileptic seizure detection
Authors: Artameeyanant Patcharin , Sultornsanee Sivarit , Chamnongthai Kosin
Published: May 2017

Electroencephalography signals are typically used for analyzing epileptic seizures. These signals are highly nonlinear and nonstationary, and some specific patterns exist for certain disease types that are hard to develop an automatic epileptic seizure detection system. This paper discussed statistical mechanics of complex networks, which inherit the characteristic properties of electroencephalography signals, for feature extraction via a horizontal visibility algorithm in order to reduce processing time and complexity. The algorithm transforms a time series signal into a complex network, which some features are abbreviated. The statistical mechanics are calculated to capture distinctions pertaining to certain diseases to form a feature vector. The feature vector is classified by multiclass classification via a k‐nearest neighbor classifier, a multilayer perceptron neural network, and a support vector machine with a 10‐fold cross‐validation criterion. In performance evaluation of proposed method with healthy, seizure‐free interval, and seizure signals, firstly, input data length is regarded among some practical signal samples by optimizing between accuracy‐processing time, and the proposed method yields outstanding performance on the average classification accuracy for 3‐class problems mainly for detection of seizure‐free interval and seizure signals and acceptable results for 2‐class and 5‐class problems comparing with conventional methods. The proposed method is another tool that can be used for classifying signal patterns, as an alternative to time/frequency analyses.
Performance evaluation of rule‐based expert systems: An example from medical billing domain
Authors: Abdullah Umair , Ligęza Antoni , Zafar Kashif
Published: May 2017

Most of the research in the area of performance evaluation of rule‐based expert systems (RBESs) is focused on verification and validation issues. Many researchers discuss usability, usefulness, portability, and response time for the evolution of RBES. The final goal of all such studies is to construct a system with optimal, accurate knowledge base. Arguably, a system with best knowledge base is actually worthless if it is never utilized in the real world. We have proposed “benefit” as a measure of evaluation and suggested some guidelines for performance evaluation of RBESs. The proposed measure has been demonstrated for performance evaluation of an RBES applied in the medical billing domain. Results showed that the system has saved hundreds of working hours during the evaluation period of 3 months. Moreover, other associated measures have also been considered. Associated measures in the medical billing domain are “claim rejection rate”—reduced by 54%—and “claim aging,” which has decreased from 34 to 28 days due to the RBES. Guidelines proposed by this research can be applied for the evaluation of expert systems implemented in other application domains, including in the first place business decision support systems.
Further analysis of acute antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory actions of 4‐phenylselenyl‐7‐chloroquinoline in mice
Authors: Silva Vanessa D. G. , Reis Angélica S. , Pinz Mikaela P. , da Fonseca Caren A. R. , Duarte Luis Fernando B. , Roehrs Juliano A. , Alves Diego , Luchese Cristiane , Wilhelm Ethel A.
Published: May 2017

A new quinoline containing selenium, 4‐phenylselenyl‐7‐chloroquinoline (4‐PSQ), was described and synthetized by our research group. Recently, we demonstrated the potential antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory of 4‐PSQ. For this reason, the first objective of this study was to expand our previous findings by investigating the contribution of glutamatergic, serotonergic, and nitrergic systems to the acute antinociceptive action of this compound. Pretreatment with 4‐PSQ (0.01–25 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced the nociception induced by glutamate. MK‐801 (an uncompetitive antagonist of the N‐Methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor) blocked the antinociceptive effect exerted by 4‐PSQ (25 mg/kg, p.o.) in the acetic acid‐induced abdominal writhing test. The pretreatment with WAY100635 (a selective antagonist of 5‐HT1A receptor), ketanserin (a selective antagonist of 5‐HT2A/2C receptor), and pindolol (a nonselective antagonist of 5‐HT1A/1B receptors) partially blocked the antinociceptive effect caused by 4‐PSQ (25 mg/kg, per oral, p.o.) in the acetic acid‐induced abdominal writhing test. Nitric oxide precursor, l‐arginine hydrochloride, partially reversed antinociception caused by 4‐PSQ or ω‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NOARG). Treatments did not modify the locomotor and exploratory activities of mice. Additionally, the acute anti‐inflammatory effect of 4‐PSQ in a model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan in mice was investigated. 4‐PSQ reduced the cellular migration, pleural exudate accumulation, and myeloperoxidase activity induced by carrageenan exposure. 4‐PSQ protected against the increase in reactive species levels and reduction of nonprotein thiol levels induced by carrageenan. Data presented here showed that the modulation of serotonergic, nitrergic, and glutamatergic systems contributed to the antinociceptive effect of 4‐PSQ and it reinforced the therapeutic potential of this quinolinic compound for acute inflammation.
MODIS VCF should not be used to detect discontinuities in tree cover due to binning bias. A comment on Hanan et al. (2014) and Staver and Hansen (2015)
Authors: Gerard France , Hooftman Danny , van Langevelde Frank , Veenendaal Elmar , White Steven M. , Lloyd Jon
Published: May 2017

In their recent paper, Staver and Hansen (Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2015, 24, 985–987) refute the case made by Hanan et al. (Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2014, 23, 259–263) that the use of classification and regression trees (CARTs) to predict tree cover from remotely sensed imagery (MODIS VCF) inherently introduces biases, thus making the resulting tree cover unsuitable for showing alternative stable states through tree cover frequency distribution analyses. Here we provide a new and equally fundamental argument for why the published frequency distributions should not be used for such purposes. We show that the practice of pre‐average binning of tree cover values used to derive cover values to train the CART model will also introduce errors in the frequency distributions of the final product. We demonstrate that the frequency minima found at tree covers of 8–18%, 33–45% and 55–75% can be attributed to numerical biases introduced when training samples are derived from landscapes containing asymmetric tree cover distributions and/or a tree cover gradient. So it is highly likely that the CART, used to produce MODIS VCF, delivers tree cover frequency distributions that do not reflect the real world situation.
Trends and approaches in the analysis of ecosystem services provided by grazing systems: A review
Authors: D'Ottavio P. , Francioni M. , Trozzo L. , Sedić E. , Budimir K. , Avanzolini P. , Trombetta M. F. , Porqueddu C. , Santilocchi R. , Toderi M.
Published: May 2017

The ecosystem services (ES) approach is a framework for describing the benefits of nature to human well‐being, and this has become a popular instrument for assessment and evaluation of ecosystems and their functions. Grazing lands can provide a wide array of ES that depend on their management practices and intensity. This article reviews the trends and approaches used in the analysis of some relevant ES provided by grazing systems, in line with the framework principles of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). The scientific literature provides reports of many studies on ES in general, but the search here focused on grazing systems, which returned only sixty‐two papers. This review of published papers highlights that: (i) in some papers, the concept of ES as defined by the MA is misunderstood (e.g., lack of anthropocentric vision); (ii) 34% of the papers dealt only with one ES, which neglects the need for the multisectoral approach suggested by the MA; (iii) few papers included stakeholder involvement to improve local decision‐making processes; (iv) cultural ES have been poorly studied despite being considered the most relevant for local and general stakeholders; and (v) stakeholder awareness of well‐being as provided by ES in grazing systems can foster both agri‐environmental schemes and the willingness to pay for these services.
The origin and expansion of regional value chains: the case of Kenyan horticulture
Authors: KRISHNAN AARTI
Published: May 2017

Regional value chains (RVCs), involving regional lead firms that trade within a single world region, are increasingly prominent within the Global South. Yet, emerging analyses of RVCs have not adequately interrogated how the expansion of RVCs relates to global value chains (GVCs), how actors in RVCs interact with overlapping chains, or the implications for development. Through a case study of horticulture value chains in Kenya, two main types of RVC–GVC interactions are identified. First, opportunistic RVCs emerged when suppliers found their produce rejected from GVCs for lack of standards compliance and began selling spillover produce in regional markets. Second, a more independent targeted RVC has evolved since suppliers began selling produce directly to regional supermarkets that had established their own regional procurement strategies and private standards. Some suppliers are also involved in hybrid interactions – participating in both opportunistic spillovers and targeted RVCs. The analysis concludes that the expansion of RVCs must be considered in the context of GVCs, leading to more nuanced understandings of the characteristics and development implications of RVCs.
Applying Quantitative Molecular Tools for Virus Transport Studies: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Wong Kelvin , Molina Marirosa
Published: May 2017

Bacteriophages have been used in soil column studies for the last several decades as surrogates to study the fate and transport behavior of enteric viruses in groundwater. However, recent studies have shown that the transport behavior of bacteriophages and enteric viruses in porous media can be very different. The next generation of virus transport science must therefore provide more data on mobility of enteric viruses and the relationship between transport behaviors of enteric viruses and bacteriophages. To achieve this new paradigm, labor intensity devoted to enteric virus quantification method must be reduced. Recent studies applied quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to column filtration experiments to study the transport behavior of human adenovirus (HAdV) in porous media under a variety of conditions. A similar approach can be used to study the transport of other enteric viruses such as norovirus. Analyzing the column samples with both qPCR and culture assays and applying multiplex qPCR to study cotransport behavior of more than one virus will provide information to under‐explored areas in virus transport science. Both nucleic acid extraction kits and one‐step lysis protocols have been used in these column studies to extract viral nucleic acid for qPCR quantification. The pros and cons of both methods are compared herein and solutions for overcoming problems are suggested. As better understanding of the transport behavior of enteric viruses is clearly needed, we strongly advocate for application of rapid molecular tools in future studies as well as optimization of protocols to overcome their current limitations.
Calibration of a Land Subsidence Model Using InSAR Data via the Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Li Liangping , Zhang Meijing , Katzenstein Kurt
Published: May 2017

The application of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has been increasingly used to improve capabilities to model land subsidence in hydrogeologic studies. A number of investigations over the last decade show how spatially detailed time‐lapse images of ground displacements could be utilized to advance our understanding for better predictions. In this work, we use simulated land subsidences as observed measurements, mimicking InSAR data to inversely infer inelastic specific storage in a stochastic framework. The inelastic specific storage is assumed as a random variable and modeled using a geostatistical method such that the detailed variations in space could be represented and also that the uncertainties of both characterization of specific storage and prediction of land subsidence can be assessed. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), a real‐time data assimilation algorithm, is used to inversely calibrate a land subsidence model by matching simulated subsidences with InSAR data. The performance of the EnKF is demonstrated in a synthetic example in which simulated surface deformations using a reference field are assumed as InSAR data for inverse modeling. The results indicate: (1) the EnKF can be used successfully to calibrate a land subsidence model with InSAR data; the estimation of inelastic specific storage is improved, and uncertainty of prediction is reduced, when all the data are accounted for; and (2) if the same ensemble is used to estimate Kalman gain, the analysis errors could cause filter divergence; thus, it is essential to include localization in the EnKF for InSAR data assimilation.
Plaque removal with triple‐headed vs single‐headed manual toothbrushes—a systematic review—
Authors: Kalf‐Scholte SM , Van der Weijden GA , Bakker EWP , Slot DE
Published: May 2017

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to establish the effectiveness of brushing with a triple‐headed manual toothbrush compared to a single‐headed manual toothbrush on plaque removal.

Materials and methods

The MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were clinical trials conducted with humans without fixed orthodontic appliances who were not dental care professionals. Papers that evaluated the effect of toothbrushing with a triple‐headed manual toothbrush compared to a single‐headed manual toothbrush on plaque removal were included. Data were extracted from the eligible studies, and a descriptive analysis was performed.

Result

The search retrieved 15 eligible publications including 18 relevant comparisons. Heterogeneity was most obvious with respect to the person who performed the brushing, either the participants themselves or a caregiver responsible for daily oral hygiene. Additionally, participant characteristics such as age and individual disabilities varied. A lack of appropriate data and a variation in the indices used allowed only a descriptive analysis. Of the 14 comparisons with self‐performed brushing by the participants, the majority showed no difference between triple‐headed and single‐headed toothbrushes, with a few favouring the triple‐headed. In the comparisons in which a caregiver performed the brushing, three of the four showed that the triple‐headed toothbrush performed significantly better on the reduction in plaque scores.

Conclusion

From this review emerges the recommendation that the use of a triple‐headed manual toothbrush instead of a single‐headed manual toothbrush might be favorable with respect to plaque removal in case a care‐dependent individual is brushed by a caregiver.
Cycle affects imidacloprid efficiency by mediating cytochrome P450 expression in the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Kang K. , Yang P. , Pang R. , Yue L. , Zhang W.
Published: May 2017

Circadian clocks influence most behaviours and physiological activities in animals, including daily fluctuations in metabolism. However, how the clock gene cycle influences insects' responses to pesticides has rarely been reported. Here, we provide evidence that cycle affects imidacloprid efficacy by mediating the expression of cytochrome P450 genes in the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens, a serious insect pest of rice. Survival bioassays showed that the susceptibility of BPH adults to imidacloprid differed significantly between the two time points tested [Zeitgeber Time 8 (ZT8) and ZT4]. After cloning the cycle gene in the BPH (Nlcycle), we found that Nlcycle was expressed at higher levels in the fat body and midgut, and its expression was rhythmic with two peaks. Knockdown of Nlcycle affected the expression levels and rhythms of cytochrome P450 genes as well as susceptibility to imidacloprid. The survival rates of BPH adults after treatment with imidacloprid did not significantly differ between ZT4 and ZT8 after double‐stranded Nlcycle treatment. These findings can be used to improve pesticide use and increase pesticide efficiency in the field.
Twelve‐Month‐Old Infants’ Sensitivity to Others’ Emotions Following Positive and Negative Events
Authors: Reschke Peter J. , Walle Eric A. , Flom Ross , Guenther Darren
Published: May 2017

This study investigated infants’ sensitivity to others’ congruent and incongruent emotional reactions to positive and negative events. Thirty‐six 12‐month‐old infants viewed three distinct interpersonal events (give a toy, break a toy, fight over a toy) followed by an emotional expression (happiness, sadness, anger) that was either congruent or incongruent with the preceding event outcome. The duration of infants' looking toward each emotional reaction was examined. Infants demonstrated sensitivity to incongruent emotional reactions for the give and fight events, representing the earliest evidence to date of emotional sensitivity to negative events.
Durkheim's types of suicide and social capital: a cross‐national comparison of 53 countries
Authors: Moore Matthew D.
Published: May 2017

Emile Durkheim conceptualised four types of suicide depending on the level of regulation and integration of society. Many studies have been conducted using his types of suicide as a model. Recently, social capital has produced a wide range of studies examining the benefits that the concept has to social and economic outcomes in a community. Durkheim's conceptualisation of egoistic, altruistic, and anomic suicide may be viewed as different forms of social capital. The current analysis examines Durkheim's different types of suicide using a social capital model. The findings demonstrate that suicide increases in countries where the individual is too integrated into society (altruistic suicide) and decreases in countries where the individual does not feel part of society (egoistic suicide). The findings illustrate that social capital can increase or decrease suicide depending on the amount of social capital present in the country.
Goal programming with extended factors for portfolio selection
Authors: Tamiz Mehrdad , Azmi Rania A.
Published: May 2017

This paper proposes and examines the use of several stock‐related factors, called extended factors, for portfolio selection. These factors, including the traditional factors of risk and return, are represented as objectives in weighted goal programming (WGP) models. Several WGP models with passive and active target values and various weights for their unwanted deviational variables in their achievement functions have been developed. The weights and target values of the extended factors represent decision makers’ utility toward their portfolio. The resulting portfolios for the proposed models are compared against each other as well as against the Dow Jones Industrial Average index and portfolios obtained from the well‐established Markowitz and Konno and Yamazaki's models. The experimental results strongly support the use of extended factors for portfolio selection problems and the assumption of meeting decision maker's preferences and utilities better than the portfolios based entirely on risk and return.
Potential additional profits of selling a perishable product due to implementing price discrimination versus implementation costs
Authors: Herbon Avi
Published: May 2017

Firms that seek to undertake the course of price discrimination may face obstacles. Answering the question as to whether the implementation of price discrimination for perishables is beneficial from the perspective of the seller depends on the total costs of acquiring both consumption information and the technology. We analyze two models. The first model assumes that sufficient consumer information (e.g., purchasing history) and the technology for applying price discrimination are available to the decision maker (i.e., the retailer). The second represents the common situation where the price is identical to all, that is, price discrimination is not carried out. The optimal prices are derived. Our modeling indicates that even under deterministic demand mode, lost sales or surplus can be observed due to the absence of consumer information about sensitivity to a product's remaining time until expiration. Simulations for evaluating the effect of random demand noise on the relative profits obtained by both models surprisingly show that the gap between them decreases under demand noise. Numerical illustration indicates that the subjective prediction made by the retailer, who has no accurate consumer information about demand sensitivity, has a significant impact both on the proportion of the consumer population that benefits from possible price discrimination and on the retailer's expected profits.
Predictors and pathways of language and motor development in four prospective cohorts of young children in Ghana, Malawi, and Burkina Faso
Authors: Prado Elizabeth L. , Abbeddou Souheila , Adu‐Afarwuah Seth , Arimond Mary , Ashorn Per , Ashorn Ulla , Bendabenda Jaden , Brown Kenneth H. , Hess Sonja Y. , Kortekangas Emma , Lartey Anna , Maleta Kenneth , Oaks Brietta M. , Ocansey Eugenia , Okronipa Harriet , Ouédraogo Jean Bosco , Pulakka Anna , Somé Jérôme W. , Stewart Christine P. , Stewart Robert C. , Vosti Stephen A. , Yakes Jimenez Elizabeth , Dewey Kathryn G.
Published: May 2017

Background

Previous reviews have identified 44 risk factors for poor early child development (ECD) in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Further understanding of their relative influence and pathways is needed to inform the design of interventions targeting ECD.

Methods

We conducted path analyses of factors associated with 18‐month language and motor development in four prospective cohorts of children who participated in trials conducted as part of the International Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project in Ghana (n = 1,023), Malawi (n = 675 and 1,385), and Burkina Faso (n = 1,122). In two cohorts, women were enrolled during pregnancy. In two cohorts, infants were enrolled at 6 or 9 months. In multiple linear regression and structural equation models (SEM), we examined 22 out of 44 factors identified in previous reviews, plus 12 additional factors expected to be associated with ECD.

Results

Out of 42 indicators of the 34 factors examined, 6 were associated with 18‐month language and/or motor development in 3 or 4 cohorts: child linear and ponderal growth, variety of play materials, activities with caregivers, dietary diversity, and child hemoglobin/iron status. Factors that were not associated with child development were indicators of maternal Hb/iron status, maternal illness and inflammation during pregnancy, maternal perceived stress and depression, exclusive breastfeeding during 6 months postpartum, and child diarrhea, fever, malaria, and acute respiratory infections. Associations between socioeconomic status and language development were consistently mediated to a greater extent by caregiving practices than by maternal or child biomedical conditions, while this pattern for motor development was not consistent across cohorts.

Conclusions

Key elements of interventions to ensure quality ECD are likely to be promotion of caregiver activities with children, a variety of play materials, and a diverse diet, and prevention of faltering in linear and ponderal growth and improvement in child hemoglobin/iron status.
Rosacea is associated with Helicobacter pylori: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jørgensen A‐H.R. , Egeberg A. , Gideonsson R. , Weinstock L.B. , Thyssen E.P. , Thyssen J.P.
Published: May 2017

Background

Rosacea is a common skin disease characterized by facial erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules. Helicobacter pylori infection has been suggested to play a role in the etiopathogenesis of rosacea.

Objective

To systematically review and meta‐analyse the relationship between rosacea and infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Methods

A literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Data extraction and analyses were performed on descriptive data. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Random‐effects models with DerSimonian–Laird methods were utilized to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Heterogeneity of results was assessed using I² statistics.

Results

A total of 454 articles were identified and 42 full‐text articles were chosen for further review. Fourteen studies were included in the quantitative meta‐analysis, comprising a total of 928 rosacea patients and 1527 controls. The overall association between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea was non‐significant (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.00–2.84, P = 0.052), but analysis restricted to C‐urea breath test showed a significant association (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.92–5.07, P < 0.0001). Effect of eradication treatment on rosacea symptoms was assessed in seven studies, but without significant effect (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.98–1.67, P = 0.069).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis found weak associations between rosacea and Helicobacter pylori infection as well as an effect of Helicobacter pylori therapy on rosacea symptoms, albeit that these did not reach statistical significance. Whether a pathogenic link between the two conditions exists, or whether Helicobacter pylori infection represents a proxy for other factors remains unknown.
Benign atrophic papulosis (Köhlmeier–Degos disease): the wedge‐shaped dermal necrosis can resolve with time
Authors: Zouboulis C.C. , Theodoridis A. , Brunner M. , Magro C.M.
Published: May 2017

Background

Atrophic papulosis is a rare thrombo‐occlusive disease, characterized by the appearance of multiple atrophic porcelain‐white skin papules, with a surrounding erythematous rim, which are histologically consisting of wedge‐shaped necrosis of the dermis.

Objective

It consists of two variants: (i) the benign atrophic papulosis (BAP) only involving the skin and (ii) the malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP) also involving several internal organs with a cumulative five‐year survival rate of approx. 55%. While the probability of only having a BAP at onset is approximately 70%, increasing to 97% after 7 years of monosymptomatic cutaneous course, no close long‐term follow‐up of the development of the skin lesions has been reported.

Methods

We present a precise visual documentation of the evolution of the disseminated skin lesions in a female patient with BAP spanning over two decades.

Results

A considerable improvement and/or clinical resolution of the majority of the lesions disputing the scarring character of the atrophic porcelain‐white skin papules has been detected.

Conclusion

BAP not only exhibits an excellent prognosis, but resolution of lesions can also occur after a considerable period of time.
Usefulness of a decision tree model for the analysis of adverse drug reactions: Evaluation of a risk prediction model of vancomycin‐associated nephrotoxicity constructed using a data mining procedure
Authors: Imai Shungo , Yamada Takehiro , Kasashi Kumiko , Kobayashi Masaki , Iseki Ken
Published: May 2017

Objectives

Several publications concerning decision tree (DT) analysis in medical fields have recently demonstrated its usefulness for defining prognostic factors in various diseases. However, there are minimal reports on the predictors of adverse drug reactions. We attempted to use DT analysis to discover combinations of multiple risk factors that would increase the risk of nephrotoxicity associated with vancomycin (VCM). To demonstrate the usefulness of DT analysis, we compared its predictive performance with that of multiple logistic regression analysis.

Method

A single‐centre, retrospective study was conducted at Hokkaido University Hospital. A total of 592 patients, who received intravenous administrations of VCM between November 2011 and April 2016, were enrolled. Nephrotoxicity was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dL or a ≥50% increase in serum creatinine from the baseline. Risk factors for VCM nephrotoxicity were extracted from previous reports. In the DT analysis, a chi‐squared automatic interaction detection algorithm was constructed. For evaluating the established algorithms, a 10‐fold cross validation method was adopted to calculate the misclassification risk of the model. Moreover, to compare the accuracy of the DT analysis, multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Results

Eighty‐seven (14.7%) patients developed nephrotoxicity. A VCM trough concentration of ≥15.0 mg/L, concomitant medication (vasopressor drugs and furosemide), and a duration of therapy ≥14 days were extracted to build the DT model, in which the patients were divided into 6 subgroups based on variable rates of nephrotoxicity, ranging from 4.6 to 69.6%. The predictive accuracies of the DT and logistic regression models were similar (87.3%, respectively), indicating that they were accurate.

Conclusion

This study suggests the usefulness of DT models for the evaluation of adverse drug reactions.