bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A regulatory RNA is associated to invasive meningococcal disease in Europe
Authors: Karlsson Jens , Eichner Hannes , Jacobsson Susanne , Loh Edmund
Published: March 2019

The strictly human pathogenNeisseria meningitidisis a commensal bacterium but can occasionally turn lethal causing septicaemia and meningitis. The mechanisms of how the meningococcus shifts to invasive infection remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that an eight base-pair tandem repeat deletion in the 5’-untranslated region of the polysaccharide capsular biosynthesis operon results in a hypercapsulation phenotype in clinical isolates. The increased capsule production significantly improves the bacterium survival in human serum while impairing its ability to adhere and colonise human pharyngeal cells. Among 4501 reported meningococcal cases in Europe from 2010-2018, the loss of an eight base-pair tandem repeat is three times more prevalent in invasive isolates (16.3%) compared to carrier isolates (5.1%).Combined results indicate that polymorphisms in this regulatory RNA contributes to meningococcal virulence.

Importance

In this study we report a regulatory RNA to be directly involved in clinical manifestation of meningococcal disease. Using readily accessible WGS of meningococcus, we have now demonstrated that regulatory RNAs directly contribute to the progression of invasive meningococcal infection. We believe this novel combination of molecular and comparative regulatory RNA study could be used for the identification of additional RNAs involved in not only meningococcus but also pave the way for similar studies in other important bacterial pathogens. The identification of specific regulatory RNAs will no doubt facilitate clinicians, microbiologists, and public health practitioners to adjust their diagnostic techniques and treatments to best fit the condition of the patients.
Modular actin nano-architecture enables podosome protrusion and mechanosensing
Authors: van den Dries Koen , Nahidiazar Leila , Slotman Johan A. , Meddens Marjolein B.M. , Pandzic Elvis , Joosten Ben , Ansems Marleen , Schouwstra Joost , Meijer Anke , Steen Raymond , Wijers Mietske , Fransen Jack , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. , Wiseman Paul W. , Jalink Kees , cambi Alessandra
Published: March 2019

Basement membrane transmigration during embryonal development, tissue homeostasis and tumor invasion relies on invadosomes, a collective term for invadopodia and podosomes. An adequate structural framework for this process is still missing. Here, we reveal the modular actin nano-architecture that enables podosome protrusion and mechanosensing. The podosome protrusive core contains a central branched actin module encased by a linear actin module, each harboring specific actin interactors and actin isoforms. From the core, two actin modules radiate: ventral filaments bound by vinculin and connected to the plasma membrane and dorsal interpodosomal filaments crosslinked by myosin IIA. On stiff substrates, the actin modules mediate long-range substrate exploration, associated with degradative behavior. On compliant substrates, the vinculin-bound ventral actin filaments shorten, resulting in short-range connectivity and a focally protrusive, non-degradative state. Our findings redefine podosome nanoscale architecture and reveal a paradigm for how actin modularity drives invadosome mechanosensing in cells that breach tissue boundaries.
The circadian clock contributes to the long-term water use efficiency of Arabidopsis
Authors: Simon Noriane M. L. , Graham Calum A. , Comben Nicholas E. , Hetherington Alistair M. , Dodd Antony N.
Published: March 2019

In plants, water use efficiency is a complex trait derived from numerous physiological and developmental characteristics. Here, we investigated the involvement of circadian regulation in long-term water use efficiency. Circadian rhythms are generated by the circadian oscillator, which provides a cellular measure of the time of day. In plants, the circadian oscillator contributes to the regulation of many aspects of physiology, including stomatal opening, the rate of photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and developmental processes. We investigated in Arabidopsis the impact of the misregulation of genes encoding a large number of components of the circadian oscillator upon whole plant, long-term water use efficiency. From this, we identified a role for the circadian oscillator in water use efficiency. This appears to be due to contributions of the circadian clock to the control of transpiration and biomass accumulation. We also identified that the circadian oscillator within guard cells can contribute to long-term water use efficiency. Our experiments indicate that knowledge of circadian regulation will be important for developing future crops that use water more efficiently.

One-sentence summary

The circadian clock in Arabidopsis makes an important contribution to long-term water use efficiency.
An evaluation of pool-sequencing transcriptome-based exon capture for population genomics in non-model species
Authors: Deleury Emeline , Guillemaud Thomas , Blin Aurélie , Lombaert Eric
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Exon capture coupled to high-throughput sequencing constitutes a cost-effective technical solution for addressing specific questions in evolutionary biology by focusing on expressed regions of the genome preferentially targeted by selection. Transcriptome-based capture, a process that can be used to capture the exons of non-model species, is use in phylogenomics. However, its use in population genomics remains rare due to the high costs of sequencing large numbers of indexed individuals across multiple populations. We evaluated the feasibility of combining transcriptome-based capture and the pooling of tissues from numerous individuals for DNA extraction as a cost-effective, generic and robust approach to estimating the variant allele frequencies of any species at the population level. We designed capture probes for ∼5 Mb of chosende novotranscripts from the Asian ladybirdHarmonia axyridis(5,717 transcripts). We called ∼300,000 bi-allelic SNPs for a pool of 36 non-indexed individuals. Capture efficiency was high, and pool-seq was as effective and accurate as individual-seq for detecting variants and estimating allele frequencies. Finally, we also evaluated an approach for simplifying bioinformatic analyses by mapping genomic reads directly to targeted transcript sequences to obtain coding variants. This approach is effective and does not affect the estimation of SNP allele frequencies, except for a small bias close to some exon ends. We demonstrate that this approach can also be used to predict the intron-exon boundaries of targetedde novotranscripts, making it possible to abolish genotyping biases near exon ends.
Cell cycle inhibitor Whi5 records environmental information to coordinate growth and division in yeast
Authors: Qu Yimiao , Jiang Jun , Liu Xiang , Wei Ping , Yang Xiaojing , Tang Chao
Published: March 2019

Proliferating cells need to evaluate the environment to determine the optimal timing for cell cycle entry, which is essential for coordinating cell division and growth. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the commitment to the next round of division is made in G1 at the Start, triggered by the inactivation of the inhibitor Whi5 through multiple mechanisms. However, how a cell reads environmental condition and uses this information to regulate Start is poorly understood. Here, we show that Whi5 is a key environmental indicator and plays a crucial role in coordinating cell growth and division. We found that under a variety of nutrient and stress conditions, the concentration of Whi5 in G1 is proportional to the doubling time in the environment. Thus, under a poorer condition a longer doubling time results in a higher Whi5 concentration, which in turn delays the next cell cycle entry to ensure sufficient cell growth. In addition, the coordination between division and the environment is further fine-tuned in G1 by environmentally dependent G1 cyclin-Cdk1 contribution and Whi5 threshold at Start. Our results show that Whi5 serves as an environmental ‘memory’ and that the cell adopts a simple and elegant mechanism to achieve an adaptive cellular decision making.
Quaternary structural convergence and structural diversification of prion assemblies at the early replication stage
Authors: Igel-Egalon Angélique , Laferrière Florent , Moudjou Mohammed , Merzach Mathieu , Knäpple Tina , Herzog Laetitia , Reine Fabienne , Doumic Marie , Rezaei Human , Béringue Vincent
Published: March 2019

Aggregation of misfolded forms from host-encoded proteins is key to the pathogenesis of a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including prion diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In prion diseases, the cellular prion protein PrPCcan misfold into PrPScand auto-organize into conformationally distinct assemblies or strains. A plethora of observations reports the existence of PrPScstructural heterogeneity within prion strains, suggesting the emergence and coevolution of structurally distinct PrPScassemblies during prion replication in controlled environment. Such PrPScdiversification processes remain poorly understood. Although central to prion host-adaptation, structural diversification of PrPScassemblies is also a key issue for the formation of PrP conformers involved in neuronal injury. Here, we characterized the evolution of the PrPScquaternary structure during prion replicationin vivoand inbona fidecell-free amplification assays. Regardless of the strain studied, the early replication stage conduced to the preferential formation of small PrPScoligomers, thus highlighting a quaternary structural convergence phenomenon. Their evolutionary kinetics revealed the existence of a PrPC-dependent secondary templating pathway in concert with a structural rearrangement. This secondary templating pathway provides, for the first time, a mechanistic explanation for prion structural diversification during replication, a key determinant for prion adaptation on further transmission, including to other host species. The uncovered processes are also key for a better understanding of the accumulation mechanisms of other misfolded assemblies believed to propagate by a prion-like process.
Translation and cross-cultural adaptation to Portuguese of The Patient- And Nutrition-Derived Outcome Risk Assessment Score (PANDORA)
Authors: de Lima Juliana B. , Campos Marina B. , Ribeiro Lays S. , Taboada Maria I. S.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Hospital malnutrition presents alarming rates and is characterized as an independent risk factor for mortality. Hospital mortality has been studied as an important indicator of the quality of care. In this sense, the Patient- And Nutrition-Derived Outcome Risk Assessment Score (PANDORA) was created, seeking to associate the nutritional status and in-patients’ illness data with the risk of death within 30 days. The study aimed to perform the translation, cross-cultural adaptation to Portuguese and application of an instrument of identification of mortality risk in the hospital setting.

Methods

A crosssectional study was carried out in a university hospital in the city of Goiania-GO, Brazil, in 2018. A translation and adaptation of the PANDORA instrument was carried out and it was applied to hospitalized patients to evaluate their power to predict mortality.

Results

Fifty-four 54 patients were included in the study, most of them female and 33% elderly. More than 16% of the sample presented low weight, which was positively associated with the occurrence of death. The prevalence of cancer was almost 80% and all patients who died had cancer. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, it was verified that there was no association between the PANDORA score and death in hospitalized patients, however, there was a trend of association of sex and body mass index with death in these patients.

Conclusions

In this study, the PANDORA score was not able to predict death in the patients in our sample, but found significant association of low weight at admission with mortality. Further studies are needed for the validation of PANDORA in Portuguese.
Resolving the full spectrum of human genome variation using Linked-Reads
Authors: Marks Patrick , Garcia Sarah , Barrio Alvaro Martinez , Belhocine Kamila , Bernate Jorge , Bharadwaj Rajiv , Bjornson Keith , Catalanotti Claudia , Delaney Josh , Fehr Adrian , Fiddes Ian T. , Galvin Brendan , Heaton Haynes , Herschleb Jill , Hindson Christopher , Holt Esty , Jabara Cassandra B. , Jett Susanna , Keivanfar Nikka , Kyriazopoulou-Panagiotopoulou Sofia , Lek Monkol , Lin Bill , Lowe Adam , Mahamdallie Shazia , Maheshwari Shamoni , Makarewicz Tony , Marshall Jamie , Meschi Francesca , O'Keefe Christopher J. , Ordonez Heather , Patel Pranav , Price Andrew , Royall Ariel , Ruark Elise , Seal Sheila , Schnall-Levin Michael , Shah Preyas , Stafford David , Williams Stephen , Wu Indira , Xu Andrew Wei , Rahman Nazneen , MacArthur Daniel , Church Deanna M.
Published: March 2019

Large-scale population analyses coupled with advances in technology have demonstrated that the human genome is more diverse than originally thought. To date, this diversity has largely been uncovered using short-read whole-genome sequencing. However, these short-read approaches fail to give a complete picture of a genome. They struggle to identify structural events, cannot access repetitive regions, and fail to resolve the human genome into haplotypes. Here, we describe an approach that retains long range information while maintaining the advantages of short reads. Starting from ∼1 ng of high molecular weight DNA, we produce barcoded short-read libraries. Novel informatic approaches allow for the barcoded short reads to be associated with their original long molecules producing a novel data type known as “Linked-Reads”. This approach allows for simultaneous detection of small and large variants from a single library. In this manuscript, we show the advantages of Linked-Reads over standard short-read approaches for reference-based analysis. Linked-Reads allow mapping to 38 Mb of sequence not accessible to short reads, adding sequence in 423 difficult-to-sequence genes including disease-relevant genes STRC, SMN1, and SMN2. Both Linked-Read whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing identify complex structural variations, including balanced events and single exon deletions and duplications. Further, Linked-Reads extend the region of high-confidence calls by 68.9 Mb. The data presented here show that Linked-Reads provide a scalable approach for comprehensive genome analysis that is not possible using short reads alone.
Polymorphism of the dinuclear CoIII–Schiff base complex [Co2(o-van-en)3]·4CH3CN (o-van-en is a salen-type ligand)
Authors: Vráblová Anna , Černák Juraj , Falvello Larry R. , Tomás Milagros
Published: March 2019

Reactions of Co(OH)2with the Schiff base bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine, denoted H2(o-van-en), under different conditions yielded the previously reported complex aqua[bis(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(II), [Co(C18H18N2O4)(H2O)],1, under anaerobic conditions and two polymorphs of [μ-bis(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]bis{[bis(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(III)} acetonitrile tetrasolvate, [Co2(C18H18N2O4)3]·4CH3CN,i.e.monoclinic2and triclinic3, in the presence of air. Both novel polymorphs were chemically and spectroscopically characterized. Their crystal structures are built up of centrosymmetric dinuclear [Co2(o-van-en)3] complex molecules, in which each CoIIIatom is coordinated by one tetradentate dianionico-van-en ligand in an uncommon bent fashion. The pseudo-octahedral coordination of the CoIIIatom is completed by one phenolate O and one amidic N atom of the same arm of the bridgingo-van-en ligand. In addition, the asymmetric units of both polymorphs contain two acetonitrile solvent molecules. The polymorphs differ in the packing orders of the dinuclear [Co2(o-van-en)3] complex molecules,i.e.alternatingABABABin2andAAAin3. In addition, differences in the conformations, the positions of the acetonitrile solvent molecules and the pattern of intermolecular interactions were observed. Hirshfeld surface analysis permits a qualitative inspection of the differences in the intermolecular space in the two polymorphs. A knowledge-based study employing Full Interaction Maps was used to elucidate possible reasons for the polymorphism.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of dimethyl (1R*,3aS*,3a1
R*,6aS*,9R*,9aS*)-3a1,5,6,9a-tetrahydro-1H,4H,9H-1,3a:6a,9-diepoxyphenalene-2,3-dicarboxylate
Authors: Alekseeva Kseniia A. , Raspertov Pavel V. , Çelikesir Sevim Türktekin , Akkurt Mehmet , Toze Flavien A. A. , Sorokina Elena A.
Published: March 2019

The title diepoxyphenalene derivative, C17H18O6, comprises a fused cyclic system containing four five-membered rings (two dihydrofuran and two tetrahydrofuran) and one six-membered ring (cyclohexane). The five-membered dihydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran rings adopt envelope conformations, and the six-membered cyclohexane ring adopts a distorted chair conformation. Two methyl carboxylate groups occupy adjacent positions (2- and 3-) on a tetrahydrofuran ring. In the crystal, two pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules to form inversion dimers, enclosing two R
2
2(6) ring motifs, that stack along the a-axis direction and are arranged in layers parallel to the bc plane.
Exploring diversity in sustainability assurance practice
Authors: Channuntapipat Charika , Samsonova-Taddei Anna , Turley Stuart
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand sustainability assurance (SA), and diversity in that practice, by examining assurance providers’ understandings of the practice and the influences that those understandings have on the actual assurance process. It focuses on the issues beyond the content of statements in SA reports.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs semi-structured interviews, supplemented by textual data sources. Research participants are assurance providers in the UK, including those within and outside the accounting profession. Drawing on the perspective of actor-network theory, the study focuses on the associations between different actors and how those shape the assurance practice.

Findings

The findings indicate that providers’ understandings of SA practice vary significantly. This variation has a major effect on how the assurance practice is conducted. The study identifies four types of SA engagements, which are designated as: social assurance, integrated assurance, formative assurance and compliance assurance. Such a categorization provides a broad-based understanding of the operationalization of SA and the degree of heterogeneity within it.

Originality/value

This paper extends the understanding of SA by focusing on the practice beyond the statements made by assurance providers, which have been the predominant focus of analysis in the existing literature, and by offering a categorization of the diversity in practice. The focus on the associations between assurance providers and other actors provides a new perspective for exploring the fundamentals of the practice.
Communicating shared vision and leadership styles towards enhancing performance
Authors: Mohd Adnan Siti Nur Syahirah , Valliappan Raju
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Communicating vision of science and technology to inform and educate the nation is absolutely a way to expand science and technology literacy and promote industry growth. The scientific and progressive society has become one of the important agendas in realizing Malaysia to become a developed country. In line with the country’s agenda, this study focuses to discuss the concept of scientific and progressive society as stated in 2020 Vision and also to identify the gaps and challenges of the science and technology policies. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the relations between shared vision attributes and the effect of leadership styles of leaders within science and technology industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study discuses about conceptual framework to analyze different leadership styles through the lenses of qualitative textual analysis and theoretically linked to shared-vision theory, leadership theories and performance theories.

Findings

The study identify gaps and challenges of the science and technology policies in Malaysia and proposed the conceptual framework with questioning the notion of shared vision as a principle theories, leadership styles and performance, significant to further assess the assumptions.

Originality/value

The study and its proposed framework is based on the literature reviews that may enhance knowledge and may help in identifying gaps in the policies of the science and technology industry in Malaysia.
The concept of market value in thin markets and its implications for international accounting rules (IFRS)
Authors: Lind Hans , Nordlund Bo
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the concepts market value (MV) and exit price should be interpreted in thin markets and how accounting rules may need to change to take this into account.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper using hypothetical examples as a base for the conclusions.

Findings

In a thin market, actors can have rather different reservation prices. The price will then be set through bargaining and the agreed price could be considerable above the reservation price of the actor with the second highest reservation price. The exit price should then be below what the MV was before the transaction and below the entry price, and according to the current accounting rules, the value in the balance sheet should then be below the price paid. The authors’ experience is, however, that this rarely happens in practice.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the paper is that it is a conceptual paper and not based a systematic empirical study of accounting practices.

Practical implications

The results of the paper indicate that there is a need to revise the current accounting rules. Possible changes are discussed.

Originality/value

As far as the authors know, this is the first paper that looks at problems in the current value concepts related to differences in reservation prices in thin markets.
A discontinuous Galerkin method for seismic wave propagation in coupled elastic and poroelastic media
Authors: Zhang Yijie , Gao Jinghuai , Han Weimin , He Yanbin
Published: March 2019

Numerical simulation in coupled elastic and poroelastic media is important in oil and gas exploration. However, the interface between elastic and poroelastic media is a challenge to handle. In order to deal with the coupled model, the first‐order velocity–stress wave equations are used to unify the elastic and poroelastic wave equations. In addition, an arbitrary high‐order discontinuous Galerkin method is used to simulate the wave propagation in coupled elastic–poroelastic media, which achieves same order accuracy in time and space domain simultaneously. The interfaces between the two media are explicitly tackled by the Godunov numerical flux. The proposed forms of numerical flux can be used efficiently and conveniently to simulate the wave propagation at the interfaces of the coupled model and handle the absorbing boundary conditions properly. Numerical results on coupled elastic–poroelastic media with straight and curved interfaces are compared with those from a software that is based on finite element method and the interfaces are handled by boundary conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed scheme in dealing with coupled elastic–poroelastic media. In addition, the proposed method is used to simulate a more complex coupled model. The numerical results show that the proposed method is feasible to simulate the wave propagation in such a media and is easy to implement.
Bulk moduli and seismic attenuation in partially saturated rocks: hysteresis of liquid bridges effect
Authors: Rozhko Alexander Y.
Published: March 2019

A key task of exploration geophysics is to find relationships between seismic attributes (velocities and attenuation) and fluid properties (saturation and pore pressure). Experimental data suggest that at least three different factors affect these relationships, which are not well explained by classical Gassmann, Biot, squirt‐flow, mesoscopic‐flow and gas dissolution/exsolution models. Some of these additional factors include (i) effect of wettability and surface tension between immiscible fluids, (ii) saturation history effects (drainage versus imbibition) and (iii) effects of wave amplitude and effective stress. We apply a new rock physics model to explain the role of all these additional factors on seismic properties of a partially saturated rock. The model is based on a well‐known effect in surface chemistry: hysteresis of liquid bridges. This effect is taking place in cracks, which are partially saturated with two immiscible fluids. Using our model, we investigated (i) physical factors affecting empirical Brie correlation for effective bulk modulus of fluid, (ii) the role of liquids on seismic attenuation in the low frequency (static) limit, (iii) water‐weakening effects and (iv) saturation history effects. Our model is applicable in the low frequency limit (seismic frequencies) when capillary forces dominate over viscous forces during wave‐induced two‐phase fluid flow. The model is relevant for the seismic characterization of immiscible fluids with high contrast in compressibilities, that is, for shallow gas exploration and CO2 monitoring.
Human trampling disturbance exerts different ecological effects at contrasting elevational range limits
Authors: Chardon Nathalie Isabelle , Rixen Christian , Wipf Sonja , Doak Daniel Forest
Published: March 2019

Shifts in species geographic distributions in response to climate change have spurred numerous studies to determine which abiotic (e.g. climatic) and, less commonly, biotic (e.g. competitive) processes determine range limits. However, the impact of disturbances on range limits and their interactions with climatic and biotic effects is not well understood, despite their potential to alter competitive relationships between species or override climatic effects. Disturbance might have differential effects at contrasting range limits, based on Darwin's theory that biotic interactions set abiotically benign range limits and abiotic factors set abiotically stressful range limits.

We predicted that plants at lower elevation (abiotically benign) range limits experience a net positive effect of disturbance, whereas those at higher elevation (abiotically stressful) range limits experience a net neutral effect. We examined plant populations along elevational gradients in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, in order to quantify the effects of human trampling disturbance at lower and upper elevational range limits of the common alpine cushion plants Silene acaulis and Minuartia obtusiloba.

Our results are consistent with Darwin's theory. A disturbance‐mediated reduction of competitive effects increases the performance of cushion plants at lower elevations, suggesting a range limit set by biotic factors. At higher elevations, where biotic interactions are minimal, disturbance has neutral or negative effects on cushion plants.

Synthesis and applications. Human trampling disturbance exerts differential effects on alpine cushion plant populations at contrasting range limits, emphasizing the need to account for the effects of climate change into the management and conservation of disturbed areas. Disturbance can diminish plant–plant competitive interactions at lower elevational range limits, and thus possibly stabilize alpine species populations susceptible to climate change‐mediated encroachment by lower elevation species. Conservation and management approaches should therefore particularly account for the differential effects of disturbance across climatic gradients.
Cooperation in the Face of Conflict: Effects of Top Managers’ Trust Beliefs in their Firms’ Major Suppliers
Authors: Holtgrave Maximilian , Nienaber Ann‐Marie , Tzafrir Shay S. , Schewe Gerhard
Published: March 2019

As with any relationships, those between buying firms and their major suppliers are likely to experience situations of conflict. When facing such situations, top managers tend to approach conflict either cooperatively or competitively. However, when and why top managers tend towards cooperation or competition is far from clear. This study proposes a novel link between the theory of cooperation and competition and the discounting principle of attribution theory to argue that it is top managers’ trust beliefs in their firms’ major suppliers that influences their intended approach to conflict. Using survey data from 140 C‐level managers and business owners, the authors develop and test a model that differentiates between two attributional dimensions of trust (competence and goodwill) and the specific relational conditions that influence how these attributions operate. The results indicate that top managers’ trust in their suppliers’ competence and goodwill is, in fact, decisive in determining how they intend to approach conflict. Further, the authors demonstrate that a top manager's trust belief in the supplier's goodwill is of particular relevance in driving the top manager to cooperate in the face of conflict. However, this link seems to be contingent on the specific conditions of the buyer–supplier relationship in question.
BrowStExPlus: A Tool to Aggregate IndexedDB Artifacts for Forensic Analysis
Authors: Paligu Furkan , Kumar Avinash , Cho Hyuk , Varol Cihan
Published: March 2019

As the Internet and World Wide Web have rapidly evolved and revolutionized the applications in everyday life, it is a demanding challenge for investigators to keep up with the emerging technologies for forensic analyses. Investigating web browser usages for criminal activities, also known as web browser forensics, is a significant part of digital forensics as crucial browsing information of the suspect can be discovered. Particularly, in this study, an emerging web storage technology, called IndexedDB, is examined. Characteristics of IndexedDB technology in five major web browsers under three major operating systems are scrutinized. Also, top 15 US websites ranked by Alexa are investigated for their data storage in IndexedDB. User screen names, ids, and records of conversations, permissions, and image locations are some of the data found in IndexedDB. Furthermore, BrowStEx, a proof‐of‐concept tool previously developed, is extended and cultivated into BrowStExPlus, with which aggregating IndexedDB artifacts is demonstrated.
Ruptured Syphilitic Aneurysm: A Cause of Sudden Death in a Man with Human Immunodeficiency Coinfection
Authors: Ro Ayako , Mori Shinjirou , Kageyama Norimasa , Chiba Shoetsu , Mukai Toshiji
Published: March 2019

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema palladium, is experiencing a worldwide resurgence. The risk of syphilis infection is particularly high in men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive. Untreated syphilis can lead to rare but severe late‐stage complications, including syphilitic aortitis. Herein, we present an autopsy case of a ruptured thoracic aneurysm that resulted from an undetected case of syphilitic aortitis in an HIV‐positive Japanese MSM with undiagnosed syphilis. Although no syphilitic skin lesions were observed on the body, anatomical changes consistent with a syphilitic etiology were present at the site of the rupture, including medial aortic scarring with “tree‐bark”‐like atherosclerotic plaque. In addition, heart blood was positive for T. palladium in a latex agglutination test. This case highlights for forensic pathologists the importance of recognizing syphilis as a possible underlying cause of sudden death among HIV‐positive MSM.
Comparison of emergency physiotherapy practitioner prescribers versus existing emergency department prescribers for musculoskeletal injuries
Authors: Gridley Katherine , Strudwick Kirsten , Pink Edward , Nelson Mark
Published: March 2019

Objective

The scope of selected emergency physiotherapy practitioners (EPP) in this Australian non‐tertiary ED has recently extended to include the prescription of a limited drug formulary, including paracetamol, some NSAIDs and opioids, an anti‐emetic, a benzodiazepine and nitrous oxide. Although there are large‐scale studies investigating prescription errors made by doctors, there is a lack of data on prescribing practices of physiotherapists in the ED setting. The aim of present study is to compare the prescribing practices of EPP to their medical and nursing colleagues within the setting of treating musculoskeletal injuries in the ED.

Methods

One hundred retrospective National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) audits of adult patients presenting primarily with musculoskeletal complaints were undertaken using the standardised NIMC audit tool, with patient demographics, and NIMC audit results compared between groups.

Results

Fifty medication charts were audited for each group, with a total of 212 drug orders. EPP demonstrated higher completion rates for patient identification, patient weight and medication history compared to medical and nursing staff. Legibility of drug names and route of administration appeared equivalent, whereas EPP had higher completion rates for legible drug doses and signatures compared to medical and nursing staff.

Conclusion

In the management of ED patients with musculoskeletal complaints, prescription‐trained EPP appear to perform similarly if not better than their medical and nursing colleagues with regards to NIMC audit tool results.
Increased Phenolic Compounds in Potato Chips Vacuum Impregnated with Green Tea
Authors: Lopez Silvia V. , Moreira Rosana G.
Published: March 2019

This studied tested the feasibility of producing vacuum fried potato chips enriched with antioxidants by introducing green tea extract using vacuum impregnation (VI) technology. Total phenolic content (TPC) was used to find the optimal VI parameters. Sliced potatoes were fried under vacuum at 110, 120, or 140 °C from 20 to 720 s to test the thermal degradability of the TPC. Three frying systems were also compared: vacuum frying (VF), dual‐step (DS) frying, and atmospheric frying (AF). Green tea concentration of 5%, vacuum time of 10 min, and a pressure of 80 kPa gave the maximum TPC of 196.11 ± 15.41 mg GAE/100 g of dry matter. Samples fried at 120 °C showed an overall greater phenolic retention capacity compared to the chips fried at 140 and 110 °C. Using the optimal VI and VF parameters (140 °C, 100 s), the three frying systems were then compared. Samples fried using the AF system contained twice as much the oil content as those fried using the VF or DS systems. VF chips had the highest percentage in TPC increase (209%) while AF chips had the lowest (163%). A consumer panel found the samples fried under AF more acceptable and were given the highest scores for all quality. VI had a negative effect on the color scoring of the participants (they were dark). Overall, VI is a suitable precursor of VF to create potato chips with a high phenolic content.

Practical Application

Vacuum impregnated potato chips with green tea extract have potential for manufacture of functional snacks that may influence the public into consuming phenol‐rich fruit and vegetable snack.
Domain‐specific cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery. A secondary analysis of a randomized trial
Authors: Vedel Anne G. , Holmgaard Frederik , Siersma Volkert , Langkilde Annika , Paulson Olaf B. , Ravn Hanne B. , Nilsson Jens Chr. , Rasmussen Lars S.
Published: March 2019

Background

Brain injury and cognitive dysfunction are serious complications after cardiac surgery. In the perfusion pressure cerebral infarcts (PPCI) trial, we allocated cardiac surgery patients to a mean arterial pressure of either 70‐80 mm Hg (high‐target) or 40‐50 mm Hg (low‐target) during cardiopulmonary bypass. In this secondary analysis, we aimed to assess potential differences in domain‐specific patterns of cognitive deterioration between allocation groups and to investigate any associations of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) with diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI)‐detected brain lesions.

Methods

Of the 197 patients randomized in the PPCI trial, 89 in the low‐target group and 80 in the high‐target group had complete DWI datasets, and 92 and 80 patients had complete data for an evaluation of cognitive function at discharge respectively. Cognitive function was assessed prior to surgery, at discharge and at 3 months. DWI was obtained at baseline and on postoperative days 3 to 6.

Results

We found no statistically significant differences between the two groups when comparing the proportion of patients with a domain‐specific deterioration over the pre‐defined critical level in seven individual test variables at discharge. Significant deterioration was most common in tests thought to assess cognitive flexibility and interference susceptibility and least common in the memory test. POCD at discharge was more frequent in patients with DWI‐positive brain lesions (OR adjusted for age and group allocation: 2.24 [95% CI 1.48‐3.00], P = 0.036).

Conclusions

Domain‐specific patterns of POCD were comparable between groups. A significant association was seen between DWI‐positive brain lesions and POCD.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Efficacy of Delivering Alcohol Use Cognitive Interventions via Crowdsourcing
Authors: Strickland Justin C. , Hill J. Chauncey , Stoops William W. , Rush Craig R.
Published: March 2019

Background

Inhibitory control training and working memory training are 2 cognitive interventions that have been considered for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Existing studies have typically relied on small samples that preclude the evaluation of small effects. Crowdsourcing is a sampling method that can address these limitations by effectively and efficiently recruiting large samples with varying health histories. This study tested the feasibility and acceptability of delivering cognitive training interventions via crowdsourcing.

Methods

Participants with AUD were recruited from the crowdsourcing website Amazon Mechanical Turk (mTurk) (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03438539). Following completion of a baseline survey, participants were randomized to an inhibitory control, working memory, or control training condition. Participants were asked to complete training tasks daily over a 2‐week period. Follow‐up assessments evaluating acceptability measures and alcohol and soda consumption were completed immediately following and 2 weeks after training.

Results

Response rates were satisfactory over the 2‐week intervention period (65% of training tasks completed), and performance on training tasks was consistent with expected effects. A majority of participants indicated that they were satisfied with the study procedures (94.6%), would participate again (97.4%), and would consider incorporating the training task in their daily life (81.1%). Modest reductions in alcohol consumption were observed (e.g., 0.5 drinking day/wk), primarily in the inhibitory control group, and these effects were selective to alcohol use and did not extend to soda consumption.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing crowdsourcing methods for interventions development. Such a demonstration helps establish the crowdsourcing setting for future large sample studies testing novel interventions for AUD and other substance use disorders.
Feasibility of a mail‐in, self‐administered dried blood spot collection method in national, population‐based alcohol surveys in the United States
Authors: Martinez Priscilla , Zemore Sarah E.
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

Including a low‐intensity blood collection method in population‐based alcohol studies would advance our ability to study biological mechanisms related to alcohol. However, the likelihood of participation in such a blood collection method remains understudied. This study's primary aims were to (1) estimate the return rate of mail‐in, self‐administered dried blood spot (saDBS) samples in national surveys and (2) test correlates of returning a sample.

Design

Re‐contact of all eligible participants from two telephone, population‐based alcohol surveys followed by χ2 tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Setting

Non‐institutionalized US population in all 50 states and Washington, DC.

Participants

Adults aged 18+ who reported drinking at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 12 months (assessed 2017–18). Contact was made with 680 eligible participants, and 257 consented.

Measurements

The return rate of saDBS samples was defined as the proportion of returned samples among those who were eligible and contacted. Key correlates examined were gender, age, race/ethnicity and education.

Findings

Among the 680 eligible people contacted, 179 (26.3%) returned a saDBS sample. Blacks [odds ratio (OR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.35–0.95], Latinos (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.23–0.69) and those with a high school education or less (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.31–0.81).

Conclusions

The likelihood of participating in mail‐in, self‐administered dried blood spot (saDBS) sampling among drinkers in the US general population appears low, and blacks, Latinos and people with lower levels of education appear less likely to provide a saDBS sample compared with whites and people with higher levels of education.
Consanguinity: A blessing or menace at population level?
Authors: Bhinder Munir Ahmad , Sadia Haleema , Mahmood Nasir , Qasim Muhammad , Hussain Zawar , Rashid Muhammad Mudassar , Zahoor Muhammad Yasir , Bhatti Rashid , Shehzad Wasim , Waryah Ali Muhammad , Jahan Shah
Published: March 2019

Consanguinity has highly complex and multifaceted aspects with sociocultural as well as biological debates on its pros and cons. The biological upshot of consanguinity includes the increased homozygosity, which results in manifold increased risk of genetic disorders at family and population levels. On the other hand, in addition to social, cultural, political, and economic benefits, consanguineous marriages have biological advantages at the population level. The consequence of consanguineous marriages is an upsurge in the number of homozygous diseased individuals with fewer chances of mating and reduced chances of survival, therefore evolutionarily confining the transmission of disease alleles to future generations and encouraging its elimination from a population. Protective effects of consanguinity have also been observed in a few diseases in different populations. Although attractive for many reasons, nonconsanguineous marriages will cause risk alleles to spread throughout the population, making most individuals carriers, and ultimately will resume the production of recessive diseases in subsequent generations. Although consanguinity, from an evolutionary point of view, is beneficial at the population level, it increases the risk of diseases in the very next generation. Presently, there is no treatment for most of the genetic disorders; we cannot opt for consanguinity for long‐term benefits. Nonconsanguineous marriages are a better strategy by which we may delay disease manifestation for some generations until science offers a viable solution.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in TPM1 rs11071720, rs3803499, rs12148828, and rs1972041 with the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a sample of the Iranian population, a preliminary report
Authors: Rafighdoost Houshang , Tabatabaei Fatemeh , Bahari Gholamreza , Hashemi Mohammad
Published: March 2019

Several lines of evidence support an association between tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) and the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). The present study aimed to investigate the association between TPM1 polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P in an Iranian population. This case‐control was done on 105 NSCL/P patients and 110 unrelated healthy controls. TPM1 rs11071720, rs3803499, rs12148828, and rs1972041 polymorphisms were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The finding showed that rs11071720 polymorphism significantly increased the risk of NSCL/P in homozygous codominant (odds ratio [OR] = 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14–5.69, p = 0.023, TT vs. CC), recessive (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.06–5.18, p = 0.021, TT vs. CT + CC), and allele (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.02–2.30, p = 0.030, T vs. C). The rs12148828 polymorphism was associated with protection against NSCL/P in codominant (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.15–0.48, p < 0.001, TC vs. TT) and allele (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.22–0.64, p < 0.001, C vs. T). Regarding rs3803499, the findings proposed that this polymorphism significantly increased the risk of NSCL/P in codominant (OR = 3.86, 95% CI = 1.19–12.56, p = 0.025, CC vs. TT) and recessive (OR = 3.74, 95% CI = 1.09–14.15, p = 0.018, CC vs. CT + TT). No significant association was practical between rs1972041 polymorphism and NSCL/P. In conclusion, the findings proposed that TPM1 polymorphisms may contribute to the etiology of NSCL/P in a sample of the Iranian population.
Real‐world treatment patterns and outcomes in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Chiang C. L. , Choi H. C. , Lam K. O. , Chan B. Y. , Lee S. F. , Yeung S. Y. , Lau K. S. , Chan S. Y. , Choy T. S. , Yuen K. K.
Published: March 2019

Aim

To investigate treatment patterns and outcomes of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients beyond second progression (PD2) since regorafenib and TAS‐102 became available in Hong Kong.

Methods

The clinical records of consecutive mCRC patients who were treated beyond PD2 at Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital between June 2013 and February 2018, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Of 176 PD2 patients (76.7% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0/1 and a median follow‐up time of 6.6 [range, 0.4–37.2] months), 104 (59%) underwent palliative care only and 72 (41%) received active third‐line (3L) treatment: regorafenib (n = 22), TAS‐102 (n = 6), chemotherapy + antiepidermal growth factor receptor (n = 12), chemotherapy + antivascular endothelial growth factor (n = 28) or clinical trials (n = 4). Patients on active 3L treatment had significantly longer OS than those on palliative care only: 11.7 versus 5.5 months (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.28–0.61, P < 0.001). For those on active treatment, OS was significantly associated with the time from diagnosis of metastasis to PD2 (P < 0.001) and post‐3L treatments (P = 0.009). When analyzing treatment eligibility according to trial criteria, half of the eligible patients (54/109) did not receive active treatment, but both eligible and ineligible patients achieved better OS when receiving active 3L treatment versus palliative care only (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002). No unexpected toxicity was reported.

Conclusion

Active 3L and beyond treatment significantly prolonged OS versus palliative care, even in selected “trial ineligible” patients. Given a high rate of palliation only care in eligible patients, improved patient access to medicine and counseling may be needed to maximize outcomes.