bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZEB1‐mediated vasculogenic mimicry formation associates with epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell phenotypes in prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Hua , Huang Bin , Li Bai Mou , Cao Kai Yuan , Mo Chen Qiang , Jiang Shuang Jian , Pan Jin Cheng , Wang Zong Ren , Lin Huan Yi , Wang Dao Hu , Qiu Shao Peng
Published: May 2018

The zinc finger E‐box‐binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) induced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and altered ZEB1 expression could lead to aggressive and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes in various cancers. Tissue specimens from 96 prostate cancer patients were collected for immunohistochemistry and CD34/periodic acid–Schiff double staining. Prostate cancer cells were subjected to ZEB1 knockdown or overexpression and assessment of the effects on vasculogenic mimicry formation in vitro and in vivo. The underlying molecular events of ZEB1‐induced vasculogenic mimicry formation in prostate cancer were then explored. The data showed that the presence of VM and high ZEB1 expression was associated with higher Gleason score, TNM stage, and lymph node and distant metastases as well as with the expression of vimentin and CD133 in prostate cancer tissues. Furthermore, ZEB1 was required for VM formation and altered expression of EMT‐related and CSC‐associated proteins in prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. ZEB1 also facilitated tumour cell migration, invasion and clonogenicity. In addition, the effects of ZEB1 in prostate cancer cells were mediated by Src signalling; that is PP2, a specific inhibitor of the Src signalling, dose dependently reduced the p‐Src527 level but not p‐Src416 level, while ZEB1 knockdown also down‐regulated the level of p‐Src527 in PC3 and DU‐145 cells. PP2 treatment also significantly reduced the expression of VE‐cadherin, vimentin and CD133 in these prostate cancer cells. Src signalling mediated the effects of ZEB1 on VM formation and gene expression.
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor anagliptin ameliorates hypercholesterolemia in hypercholesterolemic mice through inhibition of intestinal cholesterol transport
Authors: Goto Moritaka , Furuta Shinji , Yamashita Satoko , Hashimoto Hiroyuki , Yano Wataru , Inoue Noriyuki , Kato Noriaki , Kaku Kohei
Published: May 2018

Aims/Introduction

Recent data showed that dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors exert a lipid‐lowering effect in diabetes patients. However, the mechanism of action is not yet clearly understood. We investigated the effect of anagliptin on cholesterol metabolism and transport in the small intestine using non‐diabetic hyperlipidemic animals, to clarify the mechanisms underlying the cholesterol‐lowering action.

Materials and Methods

Male apolipoprotein E (ApoE)‐deficient mice were orally administered anagliptin in the normal chow. Serum cholesterol levels and lipoprotein profiles were measured, and cholesterol transport was assessed by measuring the radioactivity in the tissues after oral loading of 14C‐labeled cholesterol (14C‐Chol). In additional experiments, effects of exendin‐4 in mice and of anagliptin in DPP‐4‐deficient rats were assessed. Effects on target gene expressions in the intestine were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in normal mice.

Results

The serum total and non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased after anagliptin treatment in the ApoE‐deficient mice. The cholesterol‐lowering effect was predominantly observed in the chylomicron fraction. The plasma 14C‐Chol radioactivity was significantly decreased by 26% at 2 h after cholesterol loading, and the fecal 14C‐Chol excretion was significantly increased by 38% at 72 h. The aforementioned effects on cholesterol transport were abrogated in rats lacking DPP‐4 activity, and exendin‐4 had no effect on the 14C‐Chol transport in ApoE‐deficient mice. Furthermore, significant decreases of the intestinal cholesterol transport‐related microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, acyl‐coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2, ApoA2 and ApoC2 messenger ribonucleic acid expressions were observed in the mice treated with repeated doses of anagliptin.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that anagliptin might exert a cholesterol‐lowering action through DPP‐4‐dependent and glucagon‐like peptide 1‐independent suppression of intestinal cholesterol transport.
Ontogeny of gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone in the cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus
Authors: Di Yorio M. P. , Sallemi J. E. , Toledo Solís F. J. , Pérez Sirkin D. I. , Delgadin T. H. , Tsutsui K. , Vissio P. G.
Published: May 2018

RFamide peptides are expressed in the early stages of development in most vertebrates. Gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH) belongs to the RFamide family, and its role in reproduction has been widely studied in adult vertebrates, ranging from fish to mammals. Because only 3 reports have evaluated GnIH during development, the present study aimed to characterise the ontogeny of GnIH in the fish model Cichlasoma dimerus. We detected the presence of 2 GnIH‐immunoreactive (‐IR) cell clusters with spatial and temporal differences. One cluster was observed by 3 days post‐hatching (dph) in the nucleus olfacto‐retinalis (NOR) and the other in the nucleus posterioris periventricularis by 14 dph. The number of GnIH‐IR neurones increased in both nuclei, whereas their size increased only in the NOR from hatchling to juvenile stages. These changes occurred from the moment that larvae started feeding exogenously and during development and differentiation of gonadal primordia. We showed by double‐label immunofluorescence that only GnIH‐IR neurones in the NOR co‐expressed gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone 3 associated peptide. In addition, GnIH‐IR fibre density increased in all brain regions from 5 dph. GnIH‐IR fibres were also detected in the retina, optic tract and optic tectum, suggesting that GnIH acts as a neuromodulator of photoreception and the integration of different sensory modalities. Furthermore, there were GnIH‐IR fibres in the pituitary from 14 dph, which were in close association with somatotrophs. Moreover, GnIH‐IR fibres were observed in the saccus vasculosus from 30 dph, suggesting a potential role of GnIH in the modulation of its function. Finally, we found that gnih was expressed from 1 dph, and that the pattern of variation of its transcript levels was in accordance with that of cell number. The results of the present study comprise a starting point for the study of new GnIH roles during development.
Unsung heroes, flying blind—A metasynthesis of parents’ experiences of caring for children with special health‐care needs at home
Authors: Nygård Carina , Clancy Anne
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

To aggregate, synthesise and interpret qualitative research studies of parents’ experiences of caring for a child with special health‐care needs at home.

Background

Advances in the field of medical and nursing science have ensured better survival rates for children with chronic illnesses. Many of these children have significant special health‐care needs. Today parents assume a caregiver role, undertaking tasks previously provided by nurses in hospitals. As the complexity of care delivered by parents continues to develop, synthesised knowledge can provide an evidence base that will support and guide nurses when caring for these families.

Design

Metasynthesis.

Methods

Based upon a systematic search protocol, a structured literature search, covering the years 2003–2016, was conducted in five electronic databases. Ten studies were included and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program assessment tool. A metasummary and a metasynthesis were undertaken guided by the metasynthesis methodology as described by Sandelowski and Barroso (Handbook for synthesizing qualitative research. New York, NY: Springer, 2007).

Results

The results were interpreted and integrated under the overarching theme “unsung heroes, flying blind,” supported by eight elucidating categories that illustrate aspects of the parents’ life world.

Conclusions

The enormous burden of care can weaken the parents’ will to carry on and result in a decreased ability to provide care. This can have an impact on the parents’ health, family functioning and the sick child's potential health outcomes. Nurses are in a unique position to help these families and should be better prepared for the role.

Relevance to clinical practice

Knowledge of how parents of children with special health‐care needs experience their daily lives can promote trust in nurses and guide them in their efforts to support families with children living with chronic illness.
Pain and development of identity in adolescents who frequently use over‐the‐counter analgesics: A qualitative study
Authors: Skarstein Siv , Lagerløv Per , Kvarme Lisbeth Gravdal , Helseth Sølvi
Published: May 2018

Aims and objectives

This study aims to describe conditions that may influence the development of identity in adolescents frequently using over‐the‐counter analgesics.

Background

Frequent self‐medication with analgesics among adolescents is associated with several physical pain points, low self‐esteem and low ambitions for the future. Continuous use of over‐the‐counter analgesics can keep adolescents from learning healthier coping strategies.

Design

Qualitative individual interviews with adolescents and their mothers were conducted and transcribed. Furthermore, they were analysed as dyads.

Setting and participants

Students aged 14–16 years in 9th and 10th grades in 10 Norwegian junior high schools self‐reporting at least weekly use of analgesics were asked to participate. Those who wanted to take part took a consent letter to their parents, also inviting the parent to participate.

Results

Six girls, two boys and their mothers were included. The teenagers were highly dependent on their mothers. They had often been bullied, lacked good relationships with peers, avoided conflicts and strived to be accepted. Their mothers felt solely responsible for their upbringing and showed great concern for all the pain experienced by their child. A close relationship between mother and child influenced how the adolescent managed their pain, including their use of over‐the‐counter analgesics. Three main themes were identified in the stories of mother and child: “Vulnerable adolescents,” “Mother knows best” and “Pain is a shared project.”

Conclusions

Pain among adolescents may be amplified by a difficult family situation and insecure relationships with peers. Strategies within the family may sustain pain as a shared project keeping the adolescent and main caregiver close together, and this might be hampering identity development. To help adolescents with pain and high consumption of over‐the‐counter analgesics, the adolescents’ relationship with parents must be considered in designing an intervention. Guidance on pain assessment, pain management, including appropriate use of over‐the‐counter analgesics, should be included.
Temporal trends in paediatric bacterial meningitis in a tropical Australian region: 1992–2014
Authors: White Stephanie , Katf Hala , Baird Rob , Francis Joshua
Published: May 2018

Aim

The epidemiology of community‐acquired bacterial meningitis has changed following the introduction of routine immunisation against common causative organisms. Indigenous children living in the Northern Territory, Australia, have high rates of bacterial infections. This study describes changes in the epidemiology of childhood bacterial meningitis and the distribution of the burden of disease in the Top End.

Methods

A retrospective review of cases derived from hospital medical records and laboratory data was performed. Inclusion criteria were children aged 3 months to 14 years of age, admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital between 1992 and 2014 and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Annual incidence of bacterial meningitis and the distribution of causative pathogens are described. Demographic data, investigations, treatment and outcomes were compared between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children.

Results

There were 137 cases of childhood bacterial meningitis identified over the 23‐year period. The incidence reduced from 21 per 100 000 children per year for 1992–2002 to 11 per 100 000 per year for 2003–2014 (P = 0.0025). Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis were the most common causative organisms, with a reduction in cases for each pathogen observed across the study period. Indigenous children were over‐represented (104/137, 76%). Case fatality rate was 8% (11/137); 91% of fatal cases presented to a remote facility.

Conclusions

The incidence of childhood bacterial meningitis has declined in the Northern Territory of Australia, but Indigenous children are disproportionately affected. Routine immunisation is beneficial for all, although further efforts to ‘Close the Gap’ between health outcomes in Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians is required.
Teaching paediatric basic life support in medical schools using peer teaching or video demonstration: A prospective randomised trial
Authors: Stephan Frederik , Groetschel Hanjo , Büscher Anja K , Serdar Deniz , Groes Kjell A , Büscher Rainer
Published: May 2018

Aim

The outcome of children with an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest is still poor, but bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation can increase survival and minimise severe neurological sequelae. While teaching basic life support is standardised in emergency medicine classes, paediatric basic life support (PBLS) in neonates and toddlers is under‐represented in paediatric curricula during university education. The appropriate mixture of E‐learning and peer teaching lessons remains controversial in teaching paediatric basic skills. However, an increasing number of medical schools and paediatric classes switch their curricula to much cheaper and less tutor‐dependent E‐learning modules. We hypothesise that a peer teaching lesson is superior to a PBLS video demonstration with co‐extensive contents and improves knowledge, skills and adherence to resuscitation guidelines.

Methods

Eighty‐eight medical students were randomly assigned to a video PBLS lesson (n = 44) or a peer teaching group (n = 44). An objective structured clinical examination was performed immediately after the class and at the end of the semester.

Results

Students taught by a peer teacher performed significantly better immediately after the initial course and at the end of the semester when compared to the video‐trained group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.003, respectively). In addition, a borderline regression analysis also revealed a better resuscitation performance of students instructed in the peer teaching group.

Conclusions

In our setting, peer teaching is superior and more sustainable than a co‐extensive video demonstration alone when teaching PBLS to medical students. However, additional studies with combinations of different teaching methods are necessary to evaluate long‐term outcomes.
Group sizes of giraffes in Kenya: the influence of habitat, predation and the age and sex of individuals
Authors: Muller Z. , Cuthill I. C. , Harris S.
Published: May 2018

Giraffe group sizes appear to vary in response to localized ecological and environmental factors, but there has been little investigation of how social factors or predation risk affect group size in giraffes. We studied two adjacent, enclosed populations of Rothschild's giraffes in Kenya, and used 591 records of groups to determine the relative influence of a series of variables on group size. One population was free from any risk of predation, while the other area contained a high density of lions. Mean group size was smaller in the population with lions, but a series of Generalized Linear Mixed Models accounting for habitat and age/sex class of individuals showed that the presence of high numbers of juveniles in the area free from lions artificially inflated group sizes. Removing juveniles from the analysis showed that contrary to the existing creche hypothesis, adult females were found in smaller groups when they had calves. We found no evidence that predation risk influenced grouping behaviour. Rather, recruitment and habitat type had a stronger influence on group sizes, but the results were complex and varied between different age and sex classes of individual. We conclude that predation is not an important driver of giraffe grouping, and that further research is necessary to understand the complex behaviour and ecology of this prominent yet understudied species.
Impact of mean arterial pressure on sublingual microcirculation during cardiopulmonary bypass—Secondary outcome from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Holmgaard Frederik , Vedel Anne G. , Ravn Hanne Berg , Nilsson Jens C. , Rasmussen Lars S.
Published: May 2018

Objective

In this substudy of a randomized, clinical trial, we explored the sublingual microcirculation during cardiac surgery at 2 different levels of blood pressure. We hypothesized that a higher map during CPB would cause higher MFI.

Methods

Thirty‐six cardiac surgery patients undergoing CABG were included and randomized to either low (40‐50 mm Hg) or high (70‐80 mm Hg) MAP during CPB. SDF video images were recorded from the sublingual mucosa. Recordings were analyzed in a blinded fashion to quantify microcirculatory variables.

Results

MAP during CPB in the low target group was 45.0 mm Hg (SD: 5.3) vs 67.2 mm Hg (SD: 8.9) in the high target group. We found no significant difference between the 2 groups in MFI during CPB evaluated for AV: 2.91 vs 2.90 (P = .82). For sm AV (<20 μm), the corresponding values were 2.87 and 2.85 in the low and high target groups, respectively (P = .82).

Conclusions

We found no significant difference in sublingual microcirculatory flow expressed as MFI according to 2 different levels of MAP during CPB.
Gain‐of‐function mutations in beet DODA2 identify key residues for betalain pigment evolution
Authors: Bean Alexander , Sunnadeniya Rasika , Akhavan Neda , Campbell Annabelle , Brown Matthew , Lloyd Alan
Published: May 2018

The key enzymatic step in betalain biosynthesis involves conversion of l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (l‐DOPA) to betalamic acid. One class of enzymes capable of this is 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine 4,5‐dioxygenase (DODA). In betalain‐producing species, multiple paralogs of this gene are maintained. This study demonstrates which paralogs function in the betalain pathway and determines the residue changes required to evolve a betalain‐nonfunctional DODA into a betalain‐functional DODA.

Functionalities of two pairs of DODAs were tested by expression in beets, Arabidopsis and yeast, and gene silencing was performed by virus‐induced gene silencing. Site‐directed mutagenesis identified amino acid residues essential for betalamic acid production.

Beta vulgaris and Mirabilis jalapa both possess a DODA1 lineage that functions in the betalain pathway and at least one other lineage, DODA2, that does not. Site‐directed mutagenesis resulted in betalain biosynthesis by a previously nonfunctional DODA, revealing key residues required for evolution of the betalain pathway.

Divergent functionality of DODA paralogs, one clade involved in betalain biosynthesis but others not, is present in various Caryophyllales species. A minimum of seven amino acid residue changes conferred betalain enzymatic activity to a betalain‐nonfunctional DODA paralog, providing insight into the evolution of the betalain pigment pathway in plants.
Cry1Ac production is costly for native plants attacked by non‐Cry1Ac‐targeted herbivores in the field
Authors: McGale Erica , Diezel Celia , Schuman Meredith C. , Baldwin Ian T.
Published: May 2018

Plants are the primary producers in most terrestrial ecosystems and have complex defense systems to protect their produce. Defense‐deficient, high‐yielding agricultural monocultures attract abundant nonhuman consumers, but are alternatively defended through pesticide application and genetic engineering to produce insecticidal proteins such as Cry1Ac (Bacillus thuringiensis). These approaches alter the balance between yield protection and maximization but have been poorly contextualized to known yield–defense trade‐offs in wild plants.

The native plant Nicotiana attenuata was used to compare yield benefits of plants transformed to be defenseless to those with a full suite of naturally evolved defenses, or additionally transformed to ectopically produce Cry1Ac. An insecticide treatment allowed us to examine yield under different herbivore loads in N. attenuata's native habitat. Cry1Ac, herbivore damage, and growth parameters were monitored throughout the season. Biomass and reproductive correlates were measured at season end.

Non‐Cry1Ac‐targeted herbivores dominated on noninsecticide‐treated plants, and increased the yield drag of Cry1Ac‐producing plants in comparison with endogenously defended or undefended plants. Insecticide‐sprayed Cry1Ac‐producing plants lagged less in stalk height, shoot biomass, and flower production.

In direct comparison with the endogenous defenses of a native plant, Cry1Ac production did not provide yield benefits for plants under observed herbivore loads in a field study.
Position of human blood group O(H) and phenotype‐determining enzymes in growth and infectious disease
Authors: Arend Peter
Published: May 2018

The human ABO(H) blood group phenotypes arise from the evolutionarily oldest genetic system found in primate populations. While the blood group antigen A is considered the ancestral primordial structure, under the selective pressure of life‐threatening diseases blood group O(H) came to dominate as the most frequently occurring blood group worldwide. Non‐O(H) phenotypes demonstrate impaired formation of adaptive and innate immunoglobulin specificities due to clonal selection and phenotype formation in plasma proteins. Compared with individuals with blood group O(H), blood group A individuals not only have a significantly higher risk of developing certain types of cancer but also exhibit high susceptibility to malaria tropica or infection by Plasmodium falciparum. The phenotype‐determining blood group A glycotransferase(s), which affect the levels of anti‐A/Tn cross‐reactive immunoglobulins in phenotypic glycosidic accommodation, might also mediate adhesion and entry of the parasite to host cells via trans‐species O‐GalNAc glycosylation of abundantly expressed serine residues that arise throughout the parasite's life cycle, while excluding the possibility of antibody formation against the resulting hybrid Tn antigen. In contrast, human blood group O(H), lacking this enzyme, is indicated to confer a survival advantage regarding the overall risk of developing cancer, and individuals with this blood group rarely develop life‐threatening infections involving evolutionarily selective malaria strains.
Dynamical mechanisms of Arctic amplification
Authors: Dethloff Klaus , Handorf Dörthe , Jaiser Ralf , Rinke Annette , Klinghammer Pia
Published: May 2018

The Arctic has become a hot spot of climate change, but the nonlinear interactions between regional and global scales in the coupled climate system responsible for Arctic amplification are not well understood and insufficiently described in climate models. Here, we compare reanalysis data with model simulations for low and high Arctic sea ice conditions to identify model biases with respect to atmospheric Arctic–mid‐latitude linkages. We show that an appropriate description of Arctic sea ice forcing is able to reproduce the observed winter cooling in mid‐latitudes as result of improved tropospheric‐stratospheric planetary wave propagation triggering a negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation/North Atlantic Oscillation in late winter.
Clapping in time parallels literacy and calls upon overlapping neural mechanisms in early readers
Authors: Bonacina Silvia , Krizman Jennifer , White‐Schwoch Travis , Kraus Nina
Published: May 2018

The auditory system is extremely precise in processing the temporal information of perceptual events and using these cues to coordinate action. Synchronizing movement to a steady beat relies on this bidirectional connection between sensory and motor systems, and activates many of the auditory and cognitive processes used when reading. Here, we use Interactive Metronome, a clinical intervention technology requiring an individual to clap her hands in time with a steady beat, to investigate whether the links between literacy and synchronization skills, previously established in older children, are also evident in children who are learning to read. We tested 64 typically developing children (ages 5–7 years) on their synchronization abilities, neurophysiological responses to speech in noise, and literacy skills. We found that children who have lower variability in synchronizing have higher phase consistency, higher stability, and more accurate envelope encoding—all neurophysiological response components linked to language skills. Moreover, performing the same task with visual feedback reveals links with literacy skills, notably processing speed, phonological processing, word reading, spelling, morphology, and syntax. These results suggest that rhythm skills and literacy call on overlapping neural mechanisms, supporting the idea that rhythm training may boost literacy in part by engaging sensory‐motor systems.
Indications and interpretation of esophageal function testing
Authors: Gyawali C. Prakash , de Bortoli Nicola , Clarke John , Marinelli Carla , Tolone Salvatore , Roman Sabine , Savarino Edoardo
Published: May 2018

Esophageal symptoms are common, and can arise from mucosal, motor, functional, and neoplastic processes, among others. Judicious use of diagnostic testing can help define the etiology of symptoms and can direct management. Endoscopy, esophageal high‐resolution manometry (HRM), ambulatory pH or pH‐impedance manometry, and barium radiography are commonly used for esophageal function testing; functional lumen imaging probe is an emerging option. Recent consensus guidelines have provided direction in using test findings toward defining mechanisms of esophageal symptoms. The Chicago Classification describes hierarchical steps in diagnosing esophageal motility disorders. The Lyon Consensus characterizes conclusive evidence on esophageal testing for a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and establishes a motor classification of GERD. Taking these recent advances into consideration, our discussion focuses primarily on the indications, technique, equipment, and interpretation of esophageal HRM and ambulatory reflux monitoring in the evaluation of esophageal symptoms, and describes indications for alternative esophageal tests.
Affective neuroscience of self‐generated thought
Authors: Fox Kieran C.R. , Andrews‐Hanna Jessica R. , Mills Caitlin , Dixon Matthew L. , Markovic Jelena , Thompson Evan , Christoff Kalina
Published: May 2018

Despite increasing scientific interest in self‐generated thought—mental content largely independent of the immediate environment—there has yet to be any comprehensive synthesis of the subjective experience and neural correlates of affect in these forms of thinking. Here, we aim to develop an integrated affective neuroscience encompassing many forms of self‐generated thought—normal and pathological, moderate and excessive, in waking and in sleep. In synthesizing existing literature on this topic, we reveal consistent findings pertaining to the prevalence, valence, and variability of emotion in self‐generated thought, and highlight how these factors might interact with self‐generated thought to influence general well‐being. We integrate these psychological findings with recent neuroimaging research, bringing attention to the neural correlates of affect in self‐generated thought. We show that affect in self‐generated thought is prevalent, positively biased, highly variable (both within and across individuals), and consistently recruits many brain areas implicated in emotional processing, including the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, insula, and medial prefrontal cortex. Many factors modulate these typical psychological and neural patterns, however; the emerging affective neuroscience of self‐generated thought must endeavor to link brain function and subjective experience in both everyday self‐generated thought as well as its dysfunctions in mental illness.
Group benefits in joint perceptual tasks—a review
Authors: Wahn Basil , Kingstone Alan , König Peter
Published: May 2018

In daily life, humans often perform perceptual tasks together to reach a shared goal. In these situations, individuals may collaborate (e.g., by distributing task demands) to perform the task better than when the task is performed alone (i.e., attain a group benefit). In this review, we identify the factors influencing if, and to what extent, a group benefit is attained and provide a framework of measures to assess group benefits in perceptual tasks. In particular, we integrate findings from two frequently investigated joint perceptual tasks: visuospatial tasks and decision‐making tasks. For both task types, we find that an exchange of information between coactors is critical to improve joint performance. Yet, the type of exchanged information and how coactors collaborate differs between tasks. In visuospatial tasks, coactors exchange information about the performed actions to distribute task demands. In perceptual decision‐making tasks, coactors exchange their confidence on their individual perceptual judgments to negotiate a joint decision. We argue that these differences can be explained by the task structure: coactors distribute task demands if a joint task allows for a spatial division and stimuli can be accurately processed by one individual. Otherwise, they perform the task individually and then integrate their individual judgments.
Periodontal infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis induces preterm birth and lower birth weight in rats
Authors: Liang S. , Ren H. , Guo H. , Xing W. , Liu C. , Ji Y. , Jiang H. , Zhang P. , Du M.
Published: May 2018

Preterm birth (PTB), accompanied by low birth weight (LBW) or not, is a syndrome with tremendous risk factors and long‐term health consequences for children. In recent decades, overwhelming studies have shown that periodontitis contributes to prematurity and LBW. This study was conducted to determine the link between maternal periodontitis and the pathogenesis of PTB and/or LBW through a rat infection model induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontopathic bacterium. The murine model was established by surgically ligating the left mandibular first molars and inoculating with P. gingivalis, and then all female rats initiated mating 6 weeks post infection. The gestational day and birth weight were recorded, and blood, amniotic fluid, and placental specimens were collected. Rats with a PTB and LBW newborns were observed in the P. gingivalis‐infected group. Additionally, P. gingivalis infection significantly increased the maternal serum levels of interferon‐γ and interleukin‐1β, whereas no significant difference in the cytokine response was observed in the amniotic fluid. Moreover, with the translocation of P. gingivalis to placentas, remarkable changes in gestational tissues were found, followed by significantly enhanced expression of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) as well as Fas and Fas ligand (FasL). These results support the concept that severe cases of periodontitis caused by P. gingivalis infection may be indicative of rats being more susceptible to PTB/LBW, probably through the activation of the TLR2 and Fas/FasL pathways within the placental tissues. This study gave us new insight into how maternal periodontopathogens might be linked to placental damage and premature pathogenesis.
Anesthesia for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantation: Perspectives from the clinical experience of a U.S. panel of physicians
Authors: Essandoh Michael K. , Mark George E. , Aasbo Johan D. , Joyner Charles A , Sharma Saumya , Decena Beningo F , Bolin Eric D , Weiss Raul , Burke Martin C , McClernon Timothy R. , Daoud Emile G. , Gold Michael R.
Published: May 2018

Background and objective

Worldwide adoption of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) for preventing sudden cardiac death continues to increase, as longer‐term evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the S‐ICD expands. As a relatively new technology, comprehensive anesthesia guidance for the management of patients undergoing S‐ICD placement is lacking. This article presents advantages and disadvantages of different periprocedural sedation and anesthesia options for S‐ICD implants including general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, regional anesthesia, and nonanesthesia personnel administered sedation and analgesia.

Methods

Guidance, for approaches to anesthesia care during S‐ICD implantation, is presented based upon literature review and consensus of a panel of high‐volume S‐ICD implanters, a regional anesthesiologist, and a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist with significant S‐ICD experience. The panel developed suggested actions for perioperative sedation, anesthesia, surgical practices, and a decision algorithm for S‐ICD implantation.

Conclusions

While S‐ICD implantation currently requires higher sedation than transvenous ICD systems, the panel consensus is that general anesthesia is not required or is obligatory for the majority of patients for the experienced S‐ICD implanter. The focus of the implanting physician and the anesthesia services should be to maximize patient comfort and take into consideration patient‐specific comorbidities, with a low threshold to consult the anesthesiology team.
Unresolved questions associated with the management of ventricular preexcitation syndrome
Authors: Brembilla‐Perrot Béatrice , Girerd Nicolas , Sellal Jean‐Marc
Published: May 2018

Background

Many recent recommendations concern the management of preexcitation syndrome. In clinical practice, they are sometimes difficult to use. The purpose of the authors was to discuss the main problems associated with this management.

Three problems are encountered: (1) the reality of the absence of symptoms or the interpretation of atypical symptoms, (2) the electrocardiographic diagnosis of preexcitation syndrome that can be missed, and (3) the exact electrophysiological protocol and its interpretation used for the evaluation of the prognosis.

Because of significant progress largely related to the development of curative treatment, it seems easy to propose ablation in many patients despite the related risks of invasive studies and to minimize the invasive risk by only performing ablation for patients with at‐risk pathways. However, there is a low risk of spontaneous events in truly asymptomatic patients and the indication of accessory pathway ablation should be discussed case by case.
GhL1L1 affects cell fate specification by regulating GhPIN1‐mediated auxin distribution
Authors: Xu Jiao , Yang Xiyan , Li Baoqi , Chen Lin , Min Ling , Zhang Xianlong
Published: May 2018

Auxin is as an efficient initiator and regulator of cell fate during somatic embryogenesis (SE), but the molecular mechanisms and regulating networks of this process are not well understood. In this report, we analysed SE process induced by Leafy cotyledon1‐like 1 (GhL1L1), a NF‐YB subfamily gene specifically expressed in embryonic tissues in cotton. We also identified the target gene of GhL1L1, and its role in auxin distribution and cell fate specification during embryonic development was analysed. Overexpression of GhL1L1 accelerated embryonic cell formation, associated with an increased concentration of IAA in embryogenic calluses (ECs) and in the shoot apical meristem, corresponding to altered expression of the auxin transport gene GhPIN1. By contrast, GhL1L1‐deficient explants showed retarded embryonic cell formation, and the concentration of IAA was decreased in GhL1L1‐deficient ECs. Disruption of auxin distribution accelerated the specification of embryonic cell fate together with regulation of GhPIN1. Furthermore, we showed that PHOSPHATASE 2AA2 (GhPP2AA2) was activated by GhL1L1 through targeting the G‐box of its promoter, hence regulating the activity of GhPIN1 protein. Our results indicate that GhL1L1 functions as a key regulator in auxin distribution to regulate cell fate specification in cotton and contribute to the understanding of the complex process of SE in plant species.
Engineering the unicellular alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum for high‐value plant triterpenoid production
Authors: D'Adamo Sarah , Schiano di Visconte Gino , Lowe Gavin , Szaub‐Newton Joanna , Beacham Tracey , Landels Andrew , Allen Michael J. , Spicer Andrew , Matthijs Michiel
Published: May 2018

Plant triterpenoids constitute a diverse class of organic compounds that play a major role in development, plant defence and environmental interaction. Several triterpenes have demonstrated potential as pharmaceuticals. One example is betulin, which has shown promise as a pharmaceutical precursor for the treatment of certain cancers and HIV. Major challenges for triterpenoid commercialization include their low production levels and their cost‐effective purification from the complex mixtures present in their natural hosts. Therefore, attempts to produce these compounds in industrially relevant microbial systems such as bacteria and yeasts have attracted great interest. Here, we report the production of the triterpenes betulin and its precursor lupeol in the photosynthetic diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a unicellular eukaryotic alga. This was achieved by introducing three plant enzymes in the microalga: a Lotus japonicus oxidosqualene cyclase and a Medicago truncatula cytochrome P450 along with its native reductase. The introduction of the L. japonicus oxidosqualene cyclase perturbed the mRNA expression levels of the native mevalonate and sterol biosynthesis pathway. The best performing strains were selected and grown in a 550‐L pilot‐scale photobioreactor facility. To our knowledge, this is the most extensive pathway engineering undertaken in a diatom and the first time that a sapogenin has been artificially produced in a microalga, demonstrating the feasibility of the photo‐bio‐production of more complex high‐value, metabolites in microalgae.
The Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis feeding increases the direct and indirect defence of mid‐whorl stage commercial maize in the field
Authors: Guo Jingfei , Qi Jinfeng , He Kanglai , Wu Jianqiang , Bai Shuxiong , Zhang Tiantao , Zhao Jiuran , Wang Zhenying
Published: May 2018

The Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée) is a destructive pest of maize (Zea mays L.). Despite large‐scale commercial maize production, little is known about the defensive responses of field‐grown commercial maize to O. furnacalis herbivory, and how these responses result in direct and indirect defence against this pest. To elucidate the maize transcriptome response to O. furnacalis feeding, leaves of maize hybrid Jingke968 were infested with O. furnacalis for 0, 2, 4, 12 and 24 h. Ostrinia furnacalis feeding elicited stronger and more rapid changes in the defence‐related gene expression (i.e. after 2 h), and more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up‐regulated than down‐regulated at all times post‐induction (i.e. 2, 4, 12 and 24 h) in the O. furnacalis pre‐infested maize plants. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the DEGs in the O. furnacalis pre‐infested maize are involved in benzoxazinoids, phytohormones, volatiles, and other metabolic pathways related to maize resistance to herbivores. In addition, the maize leaves previously infested by O. furnacalis for 24 h showed an obvious inhibition of the subsequent O. furnacalis performance, and maize volatiles induced by O. furnacalis feeding for 24 and 48 h attracted the parasitic wasp, Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke. The increased direct and indirect defences induced by O. furnacalis feeding were correlated with O. furnacalis‐induced phytohormones, benzoxazinoids, and volatiles. Together, our findings provide new insights into how commercial maize orchestrates its transcriptome and metabolome to directly and indirectly defend against O. furnacalis at the mid‐whorl stage in the field.
PbrmiR397a regulates lignification during stone cell development in pear fruit
Authors: Xue Cheng , Yao Jia‐Long , Qin Meng‐Fan , Zhang Ming‐Yue , Allan Andrew C. , Wang De‐Fu , Wu Jun
Published: May 2018

Lignified stone cells substantially reduce fruit quality. Therefore, it is desirable to inhibit stone cell development using genetic technologies. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating lignification are poorly understood in fruit stone cells. In this study, we have shown that microRNA (miR) miR397a regulates fruit cell lignification by inhibiting laccase (LAC) genes that encode key lignin biosynthesis enzymes. Transient overexpression of PbrmiR397a, which is the miR397a of Chinese pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), and simultaneous silencing of three LAC genes reduced the lignin content and stone cell number in pear fruit. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified in the promoter of the PbrmiR397a gene was found to associate with low levels of fruit lignin, after analysis of the genome sequences of sixty pear varieties. This SNP created a TCA element that responded to salicylic acid to induce gene expression as confirmed using a cell‐based assay system. Furthermore, stable overexpression of PbrmiR397a in transgenic tobacco plants reduced the expression of target LAC genes and decreased the content of lignin but did not change the ratio of syringyl‐ and guaiacyl‐lignin monomers. Consistent with reduction in lignin content, the transgenic plants showed fewer numbers of vessel elements and thinner secondary walls in the remaining elements compared to wild‐type control plants. This study has advanced our understanding of the regulation of lignin biosynthesis and provided useful molecular genetic information for improving pear fruit quality.
Late Cenozoic brittle deformation in the Southern Patagonian Andes: Record of plate coupling/decoupling during variable subduction?
Authors: Barberón Vanesa , Sue Christian , Ghiglione Matías , Ronda Gonzalo , Aragón Eugenio
Published: May 2018

The Andes of southern Patagonia experienced a Miocene shift towards faster and higher angle subduction followed by the approach and collision of the Chile oceanic ridge. We present a kinematic study characterizing palaeostress fields computed from brittle tectonics to better constrain upper crustal deformation during this complex scenario. Although previous studies already suggested variable kinematics, it is striking that in a long‐lasting subduction environment, the computed palaeostress tensors are mostly strike‐slip (55%), while 35% are extensional, and only 10% compressive which are concentrated along a main frontal thrust. Cross‐cutting relationships and synsedimentary deformation indicate that a long‐lived strike‐slip regime was punctuated by a lower Miocene extensional event in the foreland before the main compressional event. The results are discussed in contrasting geodynamic models of plate coupling/decoupling versus direction and rate of convergence of the subducting plate, to explain the main mechanisms that control back‐arc deformation.
First records of water mites from Bangladesh (Acari, Hydrachnidia) with the description of two new species
Authors: Pešić Vladimir , Hossain Mohammad Belal , Chatterjee Tapas , Islam Md Saiful , Zawal Andrzej
Published: May 2018

Thirty species of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) were collected from standing and slowly flowing waters in Bangladesh. These are the first records of water mites from this country. Two species, Neumania nobiprobia and Arrenurus (Rhinophoracarus) smiti are described as new for science; a first description of the male is given for Mamersopsis viridis K. Viets, 1935.
Effects of noise burst rise time and level on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) auditory brainstem responses
Authors: Finneran James J. , Mulsow Jason , Houser Dorian S. , Burkard Robert F.
Published: May 2018

Although the auditory brainstem response (ABR) is known to be an onset response, specific features of acoustic stimuli that affect the morphology of the ABR are not well understood. In this study, the effects of stimulus onset properties were investigated by measuring ABRs in seven bottlenose dolphins while systematically manipulating stimulus rise time and the amplitude of the sound pressure temporal envelope plateau. Stimuli consisted of spectrally pink (i.e., equal mean-square pressure in proportional frequency bands) noise bursts with linear rise (and fall) envelopes and frequency content from 10 to 160 kHz. Noise burst rise times varied from 32 μs to 4 ms and plateau sound pressure levels varied from 96 to 150 dB re 1 μPa. ABR peak latency was found to be a function of the rate of change of the sound pressure envelope, while ABR peak amplitude was a function of the envelope sound pressure at the end of a fixed integration window. The data support previous single-unit and nearfield response data from terrestrial mammals and a model where the rate of change of envelope sound pressure is integrated across a time window aligned with stimulus onset.
EUCAST Determination of Olorofim (F901318) Susceptibility of Mold Species, Method Validation, and MICs
Authors: Jørgensen Karin Meinike , Astvad Karen M. T. , Hare Rasmus Krøger , Arendrup Maiken Cavling
Published: May 2018

Olorofim is a novel antifungal agent with
in vitro
activity against
Aspergillus
and some other molds. Here, we addressed technical aspects for EUCAST olorofim testing and generated contemporary MIC data. EUCAST E.Def 9.3.1 testing was performed comparing two plate preparation methods (serial dilution in medium [serial plates] versus predilution in DMSO [ISO plates]), two lots of olorofim, visual (visual-MIC) versus spectrophotometer (spec-MIC) reading, and four polystyrene plates using 34 to 53
Aspergillus
isolates from five genera. Subsequently, olorofim MICs were compared to itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B MICs for 298 clinical mold isolates (2016 to 2017). Wild-type upper limits (WT-UL) were determined following EUCAST principles for epidemiologic cutoff value (ECOFF) setting. Olorofim median MICs comparing serial plates and ISO plates were identical (25/36 [69%]) or one dilution apart (11/36 [31%]). Interperson agreement for visual-MICs was 92% to 94%/100% for ≤1/≤2 dilutions, respectively. The visual-MIC values across tested microtiter plates and olorofim lots revealed only discrete differences (≤1 dilution lower for treated plates). No single spec-MIC criterion was applicable to all species. Olorofim MICs were low against 275
Aspergillus
species isolates (modal MIC, 0.06 mg/liter; MIC range, < 0.004 to 0.25 mg/liter) and three dermatophytes (MICs 0.03 to 0.06 mg/liter). MICs against
Fusarium
were diverse, with full inhibition of
F. proliferatum
(MIC, 0.016), 50% growth inhibition of
Fusarium solani
at 1 to 2 mg/liter, and no inhibition of
F. dimerum
. Olorofim displayed potent
in vitro
activity against most mold isolates and was associated with limited variation in EUCAST susceptibility testing.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Chryseobacterium piscicola and Chryseobacterium shigense
Authors: Stine Cynthia B. , Li Cong , Crosby Tina C. , Hasbrouck Nicholas R. , Lam Claudia , Tadesse Daniel A.
Published: May 2018

We report the draft whole-genome sequences for
Chryseobacterium piscicola
and
Chryseobacterium shigense
type strains, bacteria that have been associated with fish gill disease.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Bioluminescent Vibrio campbellii Strains Isolated from Biofouling Communities in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Colston Sophie M. , Ellis Gregory A. , Kim Seongwon , Wijesekera Hemantha W. , Leary Dagmar H. , Lin Baochuan , Kirkup Benjamin C. , Hervey W. Judson , Vora Gary J.
Published: May 2018

Vibrio campbellii
is a pathogen of aquatic animals and has been proposed as a bacterial partner in the formation of bioluminescent milky seas. We present here the complete genome sequences assembled from Illumina and Oxford Nanopore data for two bioluminescent
Vibrio campbellii
strains (BoB-53 and BoB-90) isolated from biofouled moorings in the Bay of Bengal.