bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in health inequalities in 27 European countries
Authors: Mackenbach Johan P. , Valverde José Rubio , Artnik Barbara , Bopp Matthias , Brønnum-Hansen Henrik , Deboosere Patrick , Kalediene Ramune , Kovács Katalin , Leinsalu Mall , Martikainen Pekka , Menvielle Gwenn , Regidor Enrique , Rychtaříková Jitka , Rodriguez-Sanz Maica , Vineis Paolo , White Chris , Wojtyniak Bogdan , Hu Yannan , Nusselder Wilma J.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Inequalities in mortality and morbidity among socioeconomic groups are a highly persistent phenomenon despite having been the focus of public health policy in many countries. The United States has recently witnessed a widening of health inequalities due to rising mortality and morbidity among the lowly educated. Our study shows that, despite the financial crisis, most European countries have experienced an improvement in the health of the lowly educated in recent years. In Eastern Europe, this even represents a reversal as compared with previous decades. The 2008 financial crisis has had mixed effects without widening health inequalities. Our results suggest that European countries have been successful in avoiding an aggravation of health inequalities.
Synthetic bottom-up approach reveals the complex interplay of
Shigella
effectors in regulation of epithelial cell death
Authors: Mou Xiangyu , Souter Skye , Du Juan , Reeves Analise Z. , Lesser Cammie F.
Published: June 2018

Significance

The virulence of numerous bacterial pathogens is dependent on nanomachines that inject tens of proteins (effectors) into host cells. Effectors are often functionally redundant or act in an additive manner to usurp cellular processes, limiting their characterization via traditional top-down loss-of-function assays. To overcome this issue, we developed an innovative synthetic bottom-up platform to conduct gain-of-function screens. These screens identified previously missed
Shigella
effectors that inhibit induced epithelial cell death, an important arm of the host innate immune system triggered in response to invading pathogens. Our studies provide new mechanistic insight into the sophisticated strategies by which
Shigella
effectors interact with the host to enable this pathogen to establish a replicative niche within the cytosol of infected epithelial cells.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor enhancers support a transcription factor network predictive of clinical outcome
Authors: Hemming Matthew L. , Lawlor Matthew A. , Zeid Rhamy , Lesluyes Tom , Fletcher Jonathan A. , Raut Chandrajit P. , Sicinska Ewa T. , Chibon Frédéric , Armstrong Scott A. , Demetri George D. , Bradner James E.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Enhancers are regulatory regions in DNA that govern gene expression and orchestrate cellular phenotype. We describe the enhancer landscape of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), identifying established and unique GIST-associated genes that characterize this neoplasm. Focusing on transcriptional regulators, we identify a core group of transcription factors underlying GIST biology. Two transcription factors, BARX1 and HAND1, have mutually exclusive enhancers and expression in localized and metastatic GIST, respectively. HAND1 is necessary to sustain GIST proliferation and KIT expression, and binds to enhancers of GIST-associated genes. The relative expression of BARX1 and HAND1 is predictive of clinical behavior in GIST patients. These results expand our understanding of gene regulation in this disease and identify biomarkers that may be helpful in diagnosis and treatment.
Exploitation drives an ontogenetic-like deepening in marine fish
Authors: Frank Kenneth T. , Petrie Brian , Leggett William C. , Boyce Daniel G.
Published: June 2018

Significance

The occupation of progressively deeper waters with increasing size and age of fish is common among commercially exploited species, a behavior attributed to evolved ontogenies. Recently deepening has been attributed to ocean warming. We evaluated the possibility, ignored in previous analyses, that these patterns result from selective exploitation of larger individuals. We found that size-selective exploitation accounted for >70% of the deepening of cod on the Scotian Shelf (Northwest Atlantic). This deepening declined dramatically when exploitation was banned. Ontogeny contributed to the remaining variance. The claim that deepening can be used as an index of ocean warming should be exercised with caution; the overarching effect of exploitation should be specifically addressed in all such analyses.
A folded viral noncoding RNA blocks host cell exoribonucleases through a conformationally dynamic RNA structure
Authors: Steckelberg Anna-Lena , Akiyama Benjamin M. , Costantino David A. , Sit Tim L. , Nix Jay C. , Kieft Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Folded RNA elements are essential for diverse biological processes. Recently discovered examples include viral xrRNAs, which co-opt the cellular RNA decay machinery within a novel noncoding RNA production pathway. Here we characterize an xrRNA with no apparent evolutionary link or sequence homology to those described previously. Our results show that xrRNAs are an authentic class of functional RNAs that have arisen independently in different contexts, suggesting that they may be widespread. The detailed 3D structure of one of these xrRNAs reveals that an underlying structural topology may be the key feature that confers exoribonuclease resistance to diverse xrRNAs.
Robust nonequilibrium pathways to microcompartment assembly
Authors: Rotskoff Grant M. , Geissler Phillip L.
Published: June 2018

Significance

The structure of the carboxysome resembles a viral capsid, but, unlike many viruses, the monomers of its shell do not appear to fit together in a uniquely preferred way. As a result, the size and shape of this bacterial microcompartment must be determined by the dynamics of its self-assembly process. Using theory and simulation of a model system, we show that the mechanism of assembling such a structure can proceed through nonequilibrium dynamics that are both reliable and controllable. We identify experimentally tunable parameters that modulate the shape and size of the assembled structure, advancing strategies to repurpose natural microcompartments and to create synthetic mimics.
TMS-induced neuronal plasticity enables targeted remodeling of visual cortical maps
Authors: Kozyrev Vladislav , Staadt Robert , Eysel Ulf T. , Jancke Dirk
Published: June 2018

Significance

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) holds promise as a tool for noninvasively facilitating plastic changes in cortical networks. However, highly resolved visualization of its modulatory effects remains elusive because current neuroimaging techniques applicable in humans are limited in spatiotemporal resolution. Here we used an imaging approach with voltage-sensitive dye and tracked, at submillimeter range, TMS-induced plastic changes across cat primary visual cortex. We show that high-frequency 10-Hz TMS induces a state where visual cortical maps are transiently “destabilized.” In turn, the cortex was sensitized to a bias in input—here imposed by prolonged exposure to a single visual orientation—and primed to relearn connectivity patterns. These findings implicate an early post-TMS time window for promising therapeutic interventions through TMS.
In vitro biomimetic engineering of a human hematopoietic niche with functional properties
Authors: Bourgine Paul E. , Klein Thibaut , Paczulla Anna M. , Shimizu Takafumi , Kunz Leo , Kokkaliaris Konstantinos D. , Coutu Daniel L. , Lengerke Claudia , Skoda Radek , Schroeder Timm , Martin Ivan
Published: June 2018

Significance

The development of an in vitro human bone marrow (BM) tissue appears essential to compile information on human hematopoiesis. Conventional systems fail at both capturing the complexity of the bone marrow niche while allowing the maintenance of functional hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Here, we report the development of a human 3D (BM) analogue in a perfusion-based bioreactor system, partially recapitulating structural, compositional, and organizational features of the native human osteoblastic niche environment. The engineered tissue supports the maintenance of some hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) properties. This provides an advanced technological platform of broad fundamental and translational relevance, including the study of human HSPC biology and interactions with their niche, the manipulation of functional human HSPCs, or the identification of factors influencing human hematopoiesis.
Memory-related hippocampal activation in the sleeping toddler
Authors: Prabhakar Janani , Johnson Elliott G. , Nordahl Christine Wu , Ghetti Simona
Published: June 2018

Significance

One of the most fascinating questions in psychology and neuroscience pertains to how young children gain the capacity to remember their past. Early hippocampal processes have been implicated in this ability, but a lack of viable methods has hindered assessments of their contribution in early human development. We employed a functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm that captures memory-related hippocampal function during natural nocturnal sleep in toddlers. Our results provide direct evidence of a connection between hippocampal function and early memory ability. This experimental approach overcomes previous challenges and promises to pave the way to investigations linking changes in brain function to early development of learning mechanisms, including applications to typical and atypical development.
A shared
cis
-regulatory module activates transcription in the suspensor of plant embryos
Authors: Henry Kelli F. , Bui Anhthu Q. , Kawashima Tomokazu , Goldberg Robert B.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Little is known about how genes are expressed in different plant embryo regions. We tested the hypothesis that shared
cis
-regulatory motifs control the transcription of genes specifically in the suspensor. We carried out functional studies with the Scarlet Runner Bean (SRB)
GA 20-oxidase
gene that encodes a gibberellic acid (GA) hormone biosynthesis enzyme and is expressed specifically within the suspensor. We show that
cis
-regulatory motifs required for
GA 20-oxidase
transcription within the suspensor are the same as those required for suspensor-specific transcription of the SRB
G564
gene, although motif number, spacing, and order differ. These
cis
-elements constitute a control module that is required to activate genes in the SRB suspensor and may form part of a suspensor regulatory network.
Historical approaches to AVT reception
Authors: Zanotti Serenella
Published: June 2018

Drawing on insights from historical film audience studies, this chapter aims to explore the role AVT has had in shaping the viewing experience of film audiences in the past, as well as the methods available to researchers for investigating AVT reception in a historical perspective. The chapter is organized into three main sections. Part 1 provides an overview of the range of studies on historical reception and AVT. It is argued that, although there has been wide and growing interest in the lived experiences of film audiences, little attention has been paid to translation and its implication for the reception of films and television products. In Part 2, selected studies conducted by film and AVT scholars are reported to explore how the issue of translation has affected the reception of films as well as the movie-going experience in different cultural contexts and in reference to different translation modes. Part 3 deals with theories, methods and research practices, looking at the vast array of empirical methods that have been employed in historical reception studies. Research methods based on classical sources such as press reviews, interviews, and articles are here illustrated, highlighting their potential and limitations compared to other methodologies. Studies dealing with different research approaches are reported to show how existing methods can be used in historical research and to consider whether new approaches can be devised.
Dubbing, perception and reception
Authors: Di Giovanni Elena
Published: June 2018

Dubbing is one of the oldest, most commonly employed and best known audiovisual translation techniques, yet still relatively underresearched, at least from the point of view of its reception by audiences across the world. This chapter offers an overview of approaches, tools and methods which can be used for reception-centred dubbing research, by drawing from the literature on media and reception studies. Subsequently, it provides an overview of studies on the perception and/or reception of dubbed films and television products as carried out and published by scholars within and outside audiovisual translation studies, in Europe and beyond. In its final sections, the chapter offers a critical reading of the studies previously reviewed, in view of fostering further research along these lines and encouraging audience understanding, involvement and empowerment.
漢語動詞雙音化過程中的形式選擇和功能表現 (Patterns and functions of verbal disyllabification)
Authors: Dong Xiufang
Published: June 2018

抽象

以往文獻對於漢語詞彙雙音化中具體是什麼樣的雙音形式替代了什麼樣的單音形式及其中的選擇規律缺乏研究。本文以動詞的雙音化為考察對象，重點討論的是動賓式和動補式這兩種雙音複合模式與單音形式之間的對應規律，發現雙音化時不同的形式選擇與原單音動詞不同的詞彙語義特徵有關。不包含內在終結點的動詞雙音化時，傾向於選擇動賓式。動賓式雙音複合詞和原來的單音動詞形式相比，有的是增加了動詞部分，很多情況下增加的是輕動詞，原單音動詞變為賓語，可以轉類為名詞而成為名詞性賓語，也可以仍然保持動詞性而充當謂詞性賓語；有的是增加了賓語部分，或者是增加一個原單音動詞詞彙語義中本就包含的受事成分作賓語，或者是增加一個環境論元作賓語；還有的是採用了與原來的單音動詞完全沒有相同之處的動賓形式。包含內在終結點的動詞在雙音化時傾向於選擇動補式，詞彙語義中所隱含的結果狀態比較顯著的單音動詞傾向於在前面添加一個動詞來構成動補式雙音詞，而詞彙語義中所隱含的結果狀態不顯著的則傾向於添加一個虛化的補語來構成動補式雙音詞。內部結構不同的雙音形式對應不同的功能特徵。
Establishment of an effective oligotrophic cultivation system for Rhodococcus erythropolis N9T-4
Authors: Matsuoka Tomohiro , Yoshida Nobuyuki
Published: June 2018

Rhodococcus erythropolis N9T-4 grows on an inorganic solid-state medium with no additional carbon and energy sources; however, it is unable to grow well in a liquid culture medium under the oligotrophic conditions. We examined submerged cultivations of N9T-4 using a polyurethane foam sponge to achieve approximately 10 times of the oligotrophic growth of the bacterium in the liquid culture medium.
Ecosystem service of green infrastructure for adaptation to urban growth: function and configuration
Authors: Wang Yun-Cai , Shen Jia-Ke , Xiang Wei-Ning
Published: June 2018

Objectives:
 (1) to explore what kind of green infrastructure (GI) meets the demand for urban ecological security of rapid urbanization areas; (2) to figure out how to determine the specific function and configuration of GI from ecosystem service requirements of urban ecological security.

Methods:
(1) Through the literature review, this article summarizes the function and structure evolution of GI in order to adapt to urban growth. (2) Standing on the imperfect ecological functions and unreasonable spatial configurations, this article builds up a conceptual model for the optimization of green infrastructure ecosystem services to meet the demand for the green infrastructure pattern needed by urban growth.

Results:
The optimization framework consists of four central function modules and its regulating and controlling mechanisms, including: (1) Balancing supply and demand of GI’s ecosystem service; (2) Measuring and evaluating GI’s ecosystem services; (3) Elevating and optimizing GI’s ecosystem service; (4) Building urban ecological security pattern with high efficiency of GI’s ecosystem services. Moreover, this framework provides guidance for the planning and design of GI and the urban ecological security pattern building in rapid urbanization areas based on balancing supply and demand of GI’s ecosystem services.

Conclusion:
The conceptual model of GI’s ecosystem service optimization based on balancing supply and demand shows a new path to meet the needs of urban growth and build a city's ecological security pattern through upgrading and optimizing GI.
Replacing voltage sensor arginines with citrulline provides mechanistic insight into charge versus shape
Authors: Infield Daniel T. , Lee Elizabeth E.L. , Galpin Jason D. , Galles Grace D. , Bezanilla Francisco , Ahern Christopher A.
Published: June 2018

Voltage-dependent activation of voltage-gated cation channels results from the outward movement of arginine-bearing helices within proteinaceous voltage sensors. The voltage-sensing residues in potassium channels have been extensively characterized, but current functional approaches do not allow a distinction between the electrostatic and steric contributions of the arginine side chain. Here we use chemical misacylation and in vivo nonsense suppression to encode citrulline, a neutral and nearly isosteric analogue of arginine, into the voltage sensor of the Shaker potassium channel. We functionally characterize the engineered channels and compare them with those bearing conventional mutations at the same positions. We observe effects on both voltage sensitivity and gating kinetics, enabling dissection of the roles of residue structure versus positive charge in channel function. In some positions, substitution with citrulline causes mild effects on channel activation compared with natural mutations. In contrast, substitution of the fourth S4 arginine with citrulline causes substantial changes in the conductance–voltage relationship and the kinetics of the channel, which suggests that a positive charge is required at this position for efficient voltage sensor deactivation and channel closure. The encoding of citrulline is expected to enable enhanced precision for the study of arginine residues located in crowded transmembrane environments in other membrane proteins. In addition, the method may facilitate the study of citrullination in vivo.
The effect of addition sucrose concentrations toward weight of Nata DE Lontar (Borassus flabellifer) Linn
Authors: Widiyanti N L P M , Mulyadiharja S , Sukarta I N , Pradnyandari N W I
Published: June 2018

Making nata made from older Borrasus flabellifer wine (namely Nata de Lontar), it needs addition sucrose to produce nata with the optimum weight. The research aimed to know (1) The effect of addition sucrose with different concentrations on older palm wine toward the weight of “nata de lontar” (Borrasus flabellifer) (2) The concentration of sucrose is the most influential part to produce optimum weight of “nata de lontar”. This study belonged to an true experimental research with posttest only control group design. The independent variable in this research was the addition of sucrose with different concentrations of 6%, 9 %, and 12 %. The dependent variable in this study was the weight of nata. The results were analyzed using one-way anova and then followed by a test of Least Significant Difference at the 5 % significance level. The results of the experiment show (1) There have been a weight difference “nata de lontar” from bacterial fermentation in older palm wine Borassus flabellifer Linn medium with the addition of different concentrations of sucrose with p-value less than < 0.05. (2) Addition 12% sucrose concentration to the medium has influenced the formation of nata optimum results with average 46.13 grams.
Altered Cortical and Hippocampal Excitability in TgF344-AD Rats Modeling Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Authors: Stoiljkovic Milan , Kelley Craig , Stutz Bernardo , Horvath Tamas L , Hajós Mihály
Published: June 2018

Current findings suggest that accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain disrupt synaptic function in hippocampal–cortical neuronal networks leading to impairment in cognitive and affective functions in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Development of new disease-modifying AD drugs are challenging due to the lack of predictive animal models and efficacy assays. In the present study we recorded neural activity in TgF344-AD rats, a transgenic model with a full array of AD pathological features, including age-dependent Aβ accumulation, tauopathy, neuronal loss, and cognitive impairments. Under urethane anesthesia, TgF344-AD rats showed significant age-dependent decline in brainstem-elicited hippocampal theta oscillation and decreased theta-phase gamma-amplitude coupling comparing to their age-matched wild-type counterparts. In freely-behaving condition, the power of hippocampal theta oscillation and gamma power during sharp-wave ripples were significantly lower in TgF344-AD rats. Additionally, these rats showed impaired coherence in both intercortical and hippocampal–cortical network dynamics, and increased incidence of paroxysmal high-voltage spindles, which occur during awake, behaviorally quiescent state. TgF344-AD rats demonstrated impairments in sensory processing, having diminished auditory gating and 40-Hz auditory evoked steady-state response. The observed differences in neurophysiological activities in TgF344-AD rats, which mirror several abnormalities described in AD patients, may be used as promising markers to monitor disease-modifying therapies.
Target Interneuron Preference in Thalamocortical Pathways Determines the Temporal Structure of Cortical Responses
Authors: Hay Y Audrey , Naudé Jérémie , Faure Philippe , Lambolez Bertrand
Published: June 2018

Sensory processing relies on fast detection of changes in environment, as well as integration of contextual cues over time. The mechanisms by which local circuits of the cerebral cortex simultaneously perform these opposite processes remain obscure. Thalamic “specific” nuclei relay sensory information, whereas “nonspecific” nuclei convey information on the environmental and behavioral contexts. We expressed channelrhodopsin in the ventrobasal specific (sensory) or the rhomboid nonspecific (contextual) thalamic nuclei. By selectively activating each thalamic pathway, we found that nonspecific inputs powerfully activate adapting (slow-responding) interneurons but weakly connect fast-spiking interneurons, whereas specific inputs exhibit opposite interneuron preference. Specific inputs thereby induce rapid feedforward inhibition that limits response duration, whereas, in the same cortical area, nonspecific inputs elicit delayed feedforward inhibition that enables lasting recurrent excitation. Using a mean field model, we confirm that cortical response dynamics depends on the type of interneuron targeted by thalamocortical inputs and show that efficient recruitment of adapting interneurons prolongs the cortical response and allows the summation of sensory and contextual inputs. Hence, target choice between slow- and fast-responding inhibitory neurons endows cortical networks with a simple computational solution to perform both sensory detection and integration.
Feeding ecology of early life stages of mesopelagic fishes in the equatorial and tropical Atlantic
Authors: Contreras Tabit , Olivar M Pilar , Hulley P Alexander , Fernández de Puelles M Luz
Published: June 2018

We analysed the trophic ecology of the early ontogenetic stages of six mesopelagic fish species (Bathylagoides argyrogaster, Argyropelecus sladeni, Sternoptyx diaphana, Diaphus vanhoeffeni, Hygophum macrochir, and Myctophum affine), which have different morphologies, vertical distributions, and taxonomic affiliations. The larvae and transforming stages of the sternoptychids fed both during the day and at night. However, larvae of the other species fed during the day, as they apparently rely on light for prey capture. The transforming stages of myctophids showed a similar daylight feeding pattern to their larvae, but in D. vanhoeffeni both day and night feeding was evident, thereby indicating the progressive change toward the adult nocturnal feeding pattern. The number of prey and their maximum sizes were linked to predator gut morphology and gape size. Although the maximum prey size increased with predator development, postflexion larvae and transforming stages also preyed on small items, so that the trophic niche breath did not show evidence of specialization. In all the species, copepods dominated the larval diet, but the transforming stages were characterized by increasing diet diversity. Despite the poor development of these early stages, Chesson’s selectivity index calculated for larvae and transforming stages showed positive selection for particular prey.
Stillbirth, newborn and infant mortality: trends and inequalities in four population-based birth cohorts in Pelotas, Brazil, 1982–2015
Authors: Menezes Ana M B , Barros Fernando C , Horta Bernardo L , Matijasevich Alicia , Bertoldi Andréa Dâmaso , Oliveira Paula D , Victora Cesar G ,   Pelotas Cohorts Study Group, Barros Aluisio J D , Bassani Diego G , Wehrmeister Fernando C , Gonçalves Helen , Santos Iná S , Murray Joseph , Tovo-Rodrigues Luciana , Assunção Maria Cecilia F , Silveira Mariangela F , Domingues Marlos Rodrigues , Hallal Pedro R C
Published: June 2018

Background

Infant-mortality rates have been declining in many low- and middle-income countries, including Brazil. Information on causes of death and on socio-economic inequalities is scarce.

Methods

Four birth cohorts were carried out in the city of Pelotas in 1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015, each including all hospital births in the calendar year. Surveillance in hospitals and vital registries, accompanied by interviews with doctors and families, detected fetal and infant deaths and ascertained their causes. Late-fetal (stillbirth)-, neonatal- and post-neonatal-death rates were calculated.

Results

All-cause and cause-specific death rates were reduced. During the study period, stillbirths fell by 47.8% (from 16.1 to 8.4 per 1000), neonatal mortality by 57.0% (from 20.1 to 8.7) and infant mortality by 62.0% (from 36.4 to 13.8). Perinatal causes were the leading causes of death in the four cohorts; deaths due to infectious diseases showed the largest reductions, with diarrhoea causing 25 deaths in 1982 and none in 2015. Late-fetal-, neonatal- and infant-mortality rates were higher for children born to Brown or Black women and to low-income women. Absolute socio-economic inequalities based on income—expressed in deaths per 1000 births—were reduced over time but relative inequalities—expressed as ratios of mortality rates—tended to remain stable.

Conclusion

The observed improvements are likely due to progress in social determinants of health and expansion of health care. In spite of progress, current levels remain substantially greater than those observed in high-income countries, and social and ethnic inequalities persist.
Abstract Bivariant Cuntz Semigroups
Authors: Antoine Ramon , Perera Francesc , Thiel Hannes
Published: June 2018

We show that abstract Cuntz semigroups form a closed symmetric monoidal category. Thus, given Cuntz semigroups $S$ and $T$, there is another Cuntz semigroup $[\![ S,T ]\!] $ playing the role of morphisms from $S$ to $T$. Applied to $C^{\ast }$-algebras $A$ and $B$, the semigroup $[\![ \operatorname{Cu}(A),\operatorname{Cu}(B) ]\!] $ should be considered as the target in analogs of the universal coefficient theorem for bivariant theories of Cuntz semigroups. Abstract bivariant Cuntz semigroups are computable in a number of interesting cases. We also show that order-zero maps between $C^{\ast }$-algebras naturally define elements in the respective bivariant Cuntz semigroup.
Preference Reversals in Willingness to Pay and Choice
Authors: O’Donnell Michael , Evers Ellen R K
Published: June 2018

A fundamental contribution of consumer behavior research is to help marketing scholars develop an understanding of how people think about and express their preferences. In this article we find that two commonly used preference elicitation procedures, willingness to pay (WTP) and choice, are consistently associated with different expressed preferences. Specifically, choices are associated with a relatively greater preference for hedonic goods, while WTP is associated with a relatively greater preference for utilitarian goods. We find that this is caused, in part, by the greater reliance on deliberation in determining WTP values, while preferences in choices are determined by an affect heuristic. Unlike other choice and WTP preference reversals, we find that this effect is not caused by mechanical determinants such as scale compatibility, as the effect persists with continuous scale measures that rely on affect and with choice-based scale measures that rely on determining valuation.
Effects of erythropoietin on fibroblast growth factor 23 in mice and humans
Authors: Hanudel Mark R , Eisenga Michele F , Rappaport Maxime , Chua Kristine , Qiao Bo , Jung Grace , Gabayan Victoria , Gales Barbara , Ramos Georgina , de Jong Maarten A , van Zanden Jelmer J , de Borst Martin H , Bakker Stephan J L , Nemeth Elizabeta , Salusky Isidro B , Gaillard Carlo A J M , Ganz Tomas
Published: June 2018

Background

Erythropoietin (EPO) has been reported as a novel determinant of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production; however, it is unknown whether FGF23 is stimulated by chronic exposure to EPO or by EPO administration in nonpolycystic chronic kidney disease (CKD) models.

Methods

We analyzed the effects of chronic EPO on FGF23 in murine models with chronically high EPO levels and normal kidney function. We studied the effects of exogenous EPO on FGF23 in wild-type mice, with and without CKD, injected with EPO. Also, in four independent human CKD cohorts, we evaluated associations between FGF23 and serum EPO levels or exogenous EPO dose.

Results

Mice with high endogenous EPO have elevated circulating total FGF23, increased disproportionately to intact FGF23, suggesting coupling of increased FGF23 production with increased proteolytic cleavage. Similarly, in wild-type mice with and without CKD, a single exogenous EPO dose acutely increases circulating total FGF23 out of proportion to intact FGF23. In these murine models, the bone marrow is shown to be a novel source of EPO-stimulated FGF23 production. In humans, serum EPO levels and recombinant human EPO dose are positively and independently associated with total FGF23 levels across the spectrum of CKD and after kidney transplantation. In our largest cohort of 680 renal transplant recipients, serum EPO levels are associated with total FGF23, but not intact FGF23, consistent with the effects of EPO on FGF23 production and metabolism observed in our murine models.

Conclusion

EPO affects FGF23 production and metabolism, which may have important implications for CKD patients.
Primary Intramedullary Spinal Cord Lymphoma Presenting as a Cervical Ring–Enhancing Lesion in an AIDS Patient
Authors: Bini Viotti Julia , Doblecki Susanne , Luca Corneliu C , Mackrides Nicholas , Vega Francisco , Alcaide Maria L
Published: June 2018

Primary intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma (PISCL) is rare and constitutes only 1% of central nervous system lymphomas. We report a case of PISCL in a 37-year-old man with advanced AIDS. To our knowledge, only 4 cases of PISCL in the setting of HIV/AIDS have been reported in the literature. Despite treatment, prognosis remains dismal.
Utilization of Physical Therapy Services During Transition for  Young People With Cerebral Palsy: A Call for Improved Care Into Adulthood
Authors: Liljenquist Kendra , O’Neil Margaret E , Bjornson Kristie F
Published: June 2018

Background

Many young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) face limited participation in activities, including employment and independent living. Physical therapy during the transition period can help to support participation through promotion of self-care, ambulation, and functional mobility. Thus, ensuring appropriate access to physical therapy services for young people who can benefit from them before, during, and after transition is imperative.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify factors contributing to the utilization of physical therapy services for youth with CP both during and after secondary school.

Design

The design was a deidentified secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2).

Methods

Multivariate regression models were run to examine demographic and disability characteristics influencing utilization of physical therapy services for youth with CP both during and after secondary school.

Results

The total weighted population sample included 35,290 young people with CP. When all youth were in secondary school, 59.4% of the youth utilized physical therapy services; however, once all youth were out of school, only 33.7% of them were reported to have utilized physical therapy since leaving secondary school. For young people with difficulties accessing general disability support services, demographic characteristics, including sex, race, income, and parent education status, influenced use of physical therapy services in addition to disability characteristics.

Limitations

This population sample included only young people in special education with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and may not generalize to young people with CP in general education settings.

Conclusions

Frequency of physical therapy services decreases drastically once young adults with CP leave secondary school. Future work should examine this trend in more depth to identify therapy intervention strategies to optimize participation in young adult life for persons with CP.
Longitudinal Examination of the Influence of Individual Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Clusters of Symptoms on the Initiation of Cigarette Smoking
Authors: Seelig Amber D. , Bensley Kara M. , Williams Emily C. , Armenta Richard F. , Rivera Anna C. , Peterson Arthur V. , Jacobson Isabel G. , Littman Alyson J. , Maynard Charles , Bricker Jonathan B. , Rull Rudolph P. , Boyko Edward J.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine whether specific individual posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms or symptom clusters predict cigarette smoking initiation.

Methods:

Longitudinal data from the Millennium Cohort Study were used to estimate the relative risk for smoking initiation associated with PTSD symptoms among 2 groups: (1) all individuals who initially indicated they were nonsmokers (n = 44,968, main sample) and (2) a subset of the main sample who screened positive for PTSD (n = 1622). Participants were military service members who completed triennial comprehensive surveys that included assessments of smoking and PTSD symptoms. Complementary log-log models were fit to estimate the relative risk for subsequent smoking initiation associated with each of the 17 symptoms that comprise the PTSD Checklist and 5 symptom clusters. Models were adjusted for demographics, military factors, comorbid conditions, and other PTSD symptoms or clusters.

Results:

In the main sample, no individual symptoms or clusters predicted smoking initiation. However, in the subset with PTSD, the symptoms “feeling irritable or having angry outbursts” (relative risk [RR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–1.76) and “feeling as though your future will somehow be cut short” (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.40) were associated with increased risk for subsequent smoking initiation.

Conclusions:

Certain PTSD symptoms were associated with higher risk for smoking initiation among current and former service members with PTSD. These results may help identify individuals who might benefit from more intensive smoking prevention efforts included with PTSD treatment.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Different Analgesia Treatments for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Dong Peilong , Tang Xiaobo , Cheng Rongrong , Wang Jian
Published: June 2018

Background and Aim:

The severe pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) brings many patients more suffering, longer hospital stay, and higher expenses. This study was designed to assess the relative efficacy of several clinical treatments for postoperative analgesia of TKA through network meta-analysis based on multiple published randomized controlled trials.

Methods:

Embase and PubMed were utilized to conduct this network meta-analysis from inception until 2016. Pain score, morphine consumption (milligrams), and length of hospitalization (day) were selected as the endpoints.

Results:

A total of 58 studies with 3501 patients were included in this network meta-analysis. Except for patient-controlled epidural analgesia+femoral nerve block (FNB) and sciatic nerve block, all treatments were significantly superior to placebo in pain score 6 to 8 hours. In terms of pain score 24 hours, only continuous femoral nerve block (cFNB), periarticular infiltration, periarticular infiltration+FNB, single-dose FNB, and sciatic nerve block+FNB exhibited better performance than control group. For pain score 48 hours after surgery, only cFNB and intra-articular infiltration yielded better results than control group [standard mean difference=−0.68, 95% credible intervals (CrIs)=−1.03 to −0.33; standard mean difference=−0.53, 95% CrIs=−1.07 to −0.01, respectively]. Only cFNB exhibited better results with respect to morphine consumption day 2 after surgery (mean difference=−12.95, 95% CrIs=−19.70 to −6.53).

Conclusions:

Considering both pain score and morphine consumption, cFNB was potentially the most efficacious postoperative treatment for patients undergoing TKA.
Misclassification of Rental Assistance in the National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Boudreaux Michel , Fenelon Andrew , Slopen Natalie
Published: June 2018

Background:

Federal surveys could play a role in measuring the association of rental assistance and health and in identifying the health needs of the assisted population. However, self-reports of rental assistance could be biased. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of reported rental assistance in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Methods:

We conducted a record-check study of reports of US Department of Housing and Urban Development rental assistance in the 2004–2012 NHIS, using survey responses linked to administrative records. Misclassification measures were limited to the false-negative rate because the survey ascertained participation in all rental assistance programs, but the administrative data pertained only to US Department of Housing and Urban Development. False-negative rates were calculated for the total population, for sociodemographic subgroups, across levels of self-reported health status, and for specific assistance types (Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, and Multifamily Housing).

Results:

We estimated a false-negative rate of 22.6%. Misclassification was higher among Public Housing residents compared to those receiving other forms of assistance, even after controlling for sociodemographics. Rates varied across region and other demographics. Those self-reporting fair or poor health were less likely to misreport assistance compared with those in better health, but the difference was explained by covariates. Misreporting assistance had little independent impact on the adjusted association of assistance and health.

Conclusions:

False-negative reporting of rental assistance is moderately high in the NHIS, but we did not find evidence that it independently biased estimates of the association of health and rental assistance.
Does Parental Control Work With Smartphone Addiction?
Authors: Lee Eun Jee , Ogbolu Yolanda
Published: June 2018

The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the relationship between personal characteristics (age, gender), psychological factors (depression), and physical factors (sleep time) on smartphone addiction in children and (b) determine whether parental control is associated with a lower incidence of smartphone addiction. Data were collected from children aged 10–12 years (N = 208) by a self-report questionnaire in two elementary schools and were analyzed using t test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation, and multiple linear regression. Most of the participants (73.3%) owned a smartphone, and the percentage of risky smartphone users was 12%. The multiple linear regression model explained 25.4% (adjusted R
2 = .239) of the variance in the smartphone addiction score (SAS). Three variables were significantly associated with the SAS (age, depression, and parental control), and three variables were excluded (gender, geographic region, and parental control software). Teens, aged 10–12 years, with higher depression scores had higher SASs. The more parental control perceived by the student, the higher the SAS. There was no significant relationship between parental control software and smartphone addiction. This is one of the first studies to examine smartphone addiction in teens. Control-oriented managing by parents of children’s smartphone use is not very effective and may exacerbate smartphone addiction. Future research should identify additional strategies, beyond parental control software, that have the potential to prevent, reduce, and eliminate smartphone addiction.
Micronized Cells of the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 Activate Monocyte Polarization
Authors: Mogna Luca , Amoruso Angela , Pane Marco , Nicola Stefania , Allesina Serena , Deidda Francesca
Published: June 2018

Goals:

The aim of this research was to evaluate whether micronized cells (MCs) from selected biotherapeutic bacteria have the ability to effectively modulate the polarization of monocyte/macrophage subpopulations to advantageously provide a first line of defense against infections.

Background:

Inflammation is a reaction of the host to viral and bacterial infections with the physiological purpose of restoring tissue homeostasis. However, uncontrolled or unresolved inflammation can lead to tissue damage, giving rise to a plethora of chronic inflammatory diseases. The monocytes/macrophages play a key role in the initiation and resolution of inflammation through different activation programs.

Study:

MCs were obtained from Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 strain using a Bioimmunizer extraction protocol. Monocytes were stimulated with the probiotic strain and/or MCs (10 mg/mL) for 24 hours and 5 days. Monocyte/macrophage differentiation was evaluated by cytometry analysis of surface markers and the activity of the 2 subpopulations on oxidative stress was assessed in an in vitro oxidative stress model with a spectrophotometric test.

Results:

The MCs have been shown to modulate considerably the 2 subpopulations of human monocytes/macrophages, both the “patrolling subpopulation” and the “inflammatory subpopulation,” thus highlighting a strong immunostimulatory effect. In addition, MCs are able to mitigate significantly the oxidative stress induced by homocysteine in an in vitro model.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that MCs derived from the biotherapeutic strain BS01 could represent a possible therapy aimed to effectively prevent and/or cure viral, bacterial, fungal, or protozoal diseases, as well as prevent and/or treat inflammatory processes triggered by external pathogenic agents.
Cricoid Pressure During Induction for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Children: A Report From National Emergency Airway Registry for Children*
Authors: Kojima Taiki , Harwayne-Gidansky Ilana , Shenoi Asha N. , Owen Erin B. , Napolitano Natalie , Rehder Kyle J. , Adu-Darko Michelle A. , Nett Sholeen T. , Spear Debbie , Meyer Keith , Giuliano John S. , Tarquinio Keiko M. , Sanders Ron C. , Lee Jan Hau , Simon Dennis W. , Vanderford Paula A. , Lee Anthony Y. , Brown Calvin A. , Skippen Peter W. , Breuer Ryan K. , Toedt-Pingel Iris , Parsons Simon J. , Gradidge Eleanor A. , Glater Lily B. , Culver Kathleen , Nadkarni Vinay M. , Nishisaki Akira
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

Cricoid pressure is often used to prevent regurgitation during induction and mask ventilation prior to high-risk tracheal intubation in critically ill children. Clinical data in children showing benefit are limited. Our objective was to evaluate the association between cricoid pressure use and the occurrence of regurgitation during tracheal intubation for critically ill children in PICU.

Design:

A retrospective cohort study of a multicenter pediatric airway quality improvement registry.

Settings:

Thirty-five PICUs within general and children’s hospitals (29 in the United States, three in Canada, one in Japan, one in Singapore, and one in New Zealand).

Patients:

Children (< 18 yr) with initial tracheal intubation using direct laryngoscopy in PICUs between July 2010 and December 2015.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between cricoid pressure use and the occurrence of regurgitation while adjusting for underlying differences in patient and clinical care factors. Of 7,825 events, cricoid pressure was used in 1,819 (23%). Regurgitation was reported in 106 of 7,825 (1.4%) and clinical aspiration in 51 of 7,825 (0.7%). Regurgitation was reported in 35 of 1,819 (1.9%) with cricoid pressure, and 71 of 6,006 (1.2%) without cricoid pressure (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.09–2.47; p = 0.018). On multivariable analysis, cricoid pressure was not associated with the occurrence of regurgitation after adjusting for patient, practice, and known regurgitation risk factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.99–2.47; p = 0.054). A sensitivity analysis in propensity score–matched cohorts showed cricoid pressure was associated with a higher regurgitation rate (adjusted odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02; p = 0.036).

Conclusions:

Cricoid pressure during induction and mask ventilation before tracheal intubation in the current ICU practice was not associated with a lower regurgitation rate after adjusting for previously reported confounders. Further studies are needed to determine whether cricoid pressure for specific indication with proper maneuver would be effective in reducing regurgitation events.
Acupunch Exercise Program Development and Feasibility Evaluation for Older Adults
Authors: Tsai Han-Ya , Chen Kuei-Min , Huang Hsin-Ting
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The aim of the study was to develop the Healthy Beat Acupunch (HBA) exercise program and evaluate its feasibility for community older adults.

Design

Stage I: The Delphi technique was used to consult 16 experts to develop the program. Stage II: A preexperimental, one-group, posttest-only design was used to pilot-test the program feasibility with 31 older adults.

Methods

After 4 weeks of interventions, participants evaluated the program based on four criteria (simplicity, safety, suitability, and helpfulness) and responded to five open-ended questions.

Findings

The developed HBA program from Stage I includes three phases with 24 motions and takes 40 minutes to complete. Program feasibility in Stage II showed average scores ranged from 8.84 ± 1.32 to 9.97 ± 0.18.

Conclusion

Both experts and elderly participants confirmed that the HBA program was simple, safe, suitable, and helpful to older adults.

Clinical Relevance

The HBA program provides older adults with a new set of exercise options.