bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of PoNDER health visitor training for mothers at lower risk of depression: findings on prevention of postnatal depression from a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Henderson Catherine , Dixon Simon , Bauer Annette , Knapp Martin , Morrell C. Jane , Slade Pauline , Walters Stephen J. , Brugha Traolach
Published: August 2018

Background

There is evidence for the cost-effectiveness of health visitor (HV) training to assess postnatal depression (PND) and deliver psychological approaches to women at risk of depression. Whether this approach is cost-effective for lower-risk women is unknown. There is a need to know the cost of HV-delivered universal provision, and how much it might cost to improve health-related quality of life for postnatal women. A sub-study of a cluster-randomised controlled trial in the former Trent region (England) previously investigated the effectiveness of PoNDER HV training in mothers at lower risk of PND. We conducted a parallel cost-effectiveness analysis at 6-months postnatal for all mothers with lower-risk status attributed to an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score <12 at 6-weeks postnatal.

Methods

Intervention HVs were trained in assessment and cognitive behavioural or person-centred psychological support techniques to prevent depression. Outcomes examined: quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gains over the period between 6 weeks and 6 months derived from SF-6D (from SF-36); risk-of-depression at 6 months (dichotomising 6-month EPDS scores into lower risk (<12) and at-risk (⩾12).

Results

In lower-risk women, 1474 intervention (63 clusters) and 767 control participants (37 clusters) had valid 6-week and 6-month EPDS scores. Costs and outcomes data were available for 1459 participants. 6-month adjusted costs were £82 lower in intervention than control groups, with 0.002 additional QALY gained. The probability of cost-effectiveness at £20 000 was very high (99%).

Conclusions

PoNDER HV training was highly cost-effective in preventing symptoms of PND in a population of lower-risk women and cost-reducing over 6 months.
Not all folk-economic beliefs are best understood through our ancestral past
Authors: Bhattacharjee Amit , Dana Jason
Published: August 2018

We applaud Boyer & Petersen's (B&P's) approach to a fascinating topic. Their arguments against understanding folk-economic beliefs (FEBs) in terms of economic ignorance or specific biases, however, are overly pessimistic. Economic theory is the reason beliefs about such disparate phenomena are labeled “economic” and “folk.” More importantly, some FEBs are better understood by examining current rather than ancestral contexts of exchange.
Partisan elites shape citizens' economic beliefs
Authors: Bisgaard Martin , Slothuus Rune
Published: August 2018

Competition between political parties is a fundamental feature of democratic politics, but it is underplayed in the target article. We argue that a more comprehensive understanding of “folk-economic beliefs” (FEBs) must consider the ability of partisan elites to both shape citizens' economic beliefs and connect them to political choices. We review recent empirical findings supporting this theoretical perspective.
Challenges of folk-economic beliefs: Coverage, level of abstraction, and relation to ideology
Authors: Buturovic Zeljka
Published: August 2018

There are no clear criteria regarding what kind of beliefs should count as folk-economic beliefs (FEBs), or any way to make an exhaustive list that could be filtered through such criteria. This allows the target article authors, Boyer & Petersen, to cherry-pick FEBs, which results in the omission of some well-established FEBs. The authors do not sufficiently address a strong relationship between ideology and FEBs.
How does “emporiophobia” develop?
Authors: Echelbarger Margaret , Gelman Susan A. , Kalish Charles W.
Published: August 2018

Boyer & Petersen's (B&P's) evolutionary approach to folk-economic beliefs is insightful, with far-reaching implications. We add to their discussion by positing a complementary developmental approach to the study of “emporiophobia” – studying children whose behaviors provide insight into developmental origins. We hypothesize that emporiophobia emerges early in childhood through proximal mechanisms and propose that emporiophobia develops alongside emporiophilia.
A grounded cognition perspective on folk-economic beliefs
Authors: Lee Spike W. S. , Schwarz Norbert
Published: August 2018

Thought about abstract concepts is grounded in more concrete physical experiences. Applying this grounded cognition perspective to Boyer & Petersen's (B&P's) folk-economic beliefs, we highlight its implications for the activation, application, cultural acceptance, and context sensitivity of folk-economic beliefs.
Corrective policy reactions: positive and negative budgetary punctuations
Authors: Flink Carla M. , Robinson Scott E.
Published: August 2018

Punctuated equilibrium theory seeks to explain policy volatility and stability in government attention. In previous research into the temporal dynamics of punctuations, scholars found that punctuations occur in clusters – a recent budgetary punctuation increases the likelihood of a subsequent punctuation. This article examines the direction, positive or negative, of budgetary punctuations over time. Are budgetary punctuations corrective, grouping positive and negative changes? Or, do budgetary punctuations occur in cumulative trends of positive or negative changes? These questions address the heart of the theoretical metaphor for punctuated equilibrium. In an analysis of over 1,000 Texas school districts for nearly a 20-year-period, results support the notion of reactive patterns of budgetary punctuations – positive and negative budgetary punctuations pair up at a rate much higher than expected by chance. The findings demonstrate that even though it is likely to see consecutive positive and negative punctuations, they are not always fully corrective.
Nursing Homes Without Walls for Aging in Place
Authors: Dupuis-Blanchard Suzanne , Gould Odette N.
Published: August 2018

Étant donné l’urgence de trouver des solutions innovantes et efficientes pour la prestation de services communautaires favorisant le «vieillir chez soi», il est nécessaire d’identifier de nouvelles solutions mettant à profit les infrastructures existantes. Dans la présente étude séquentielle à méthode mixte, nous avons exploré le rôle que les centres d’hébergement pour personnes âgées pourraient jouer dans l’offre de services destinés à une population cible non traditionnelle, soit les aînés avec pertes d’autonomie vivant dans la communauté. Quarante-deux (n=42) centres d’hébergement pour personnes âgées du Nouveau-Brunswick ont complété un sondage en ligne et 10 de ces établissements ont accepté d’accorder des entretiens. Les résultats montrent que 100 % des participants sont d’avis que les centres d’hébergement pourraient offrir des services aux personnes âgées dans la communauté afin de favoriser le vieillir chez soi. Les résultats suggèrent que les centres d’hébergement peuvent apporter des solutions efficientes et innovantes en ce sens.
Deletion of 22q11 chromosome is associated with postoperative morbidity after unifocalisation surgery
Authors: Koth Andrew , Sidell Doug , Bauser-Heaton Holly , Wise-Faberowski Lisa , Hanley Frank L. , McElhinney Doff B. , Asija Ritu
Published: August 2018

Background

A 22q11 chromosome deletion is common in patients with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collaterals. We sought to determine whether 22q11 chromosome deletion is associated with increased postoperative morbidity after unifocalisation surgery.

Methods

We included all patients with this diagnosis undergoing primary or revision unifocalisation ± ventricular septal defect closure at our institution from 2008 to 2016, and we excluded patients with unknown 22q11 status. Demographic and surgical data were collected. We compared outcomes between those with 22q11 chromosome deletion and those without using non-parametric analysis.

Results

We included 180 patients, 41% of whom were documented to have a chromosome 22q11 deletion. Complete unifocalisation was performed in all patients, and intracardiac repair was performed with similar frequency regardless of 22q11 chromosome status. Duration of mechanical ventilation was longer in 22q11 deletion patients. This difference remained significant after adjustment for delayed sternal closure and/or intracardiac repair. Duration of ICU stay was longer in patients with 22q11 deletion, although no longer significant when adjusted for delayed sternal closure and intracardiac repair. Finally, length of hospital stay was longer in 22q11-deleted patients, but this difference was not significant on unadjusted or adjusted analysis.

Conclusion

Children with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collaterals and 22q11 deletion are at risk for greater prolonged mechanical ventilation after unifocalisation surgery. Careful attention should be given to the co-morbidities of this population in the perioperative period to mitigate risks that may complicate the postoperative course.
Successful living donor liver transplantation after stent implantation in a patient with Alagille syndrome and severe bilateral pulmonary artery stenosis
Authors: Akagi Kentaro , Tanaka Toshikatsu , Baba Shiro
Published: August 2018

Severe pulmonary hypertension is a contraindication for liver transplantation owing to high mortality. However, decision-making regarding the treatment approach for patients with bilateral peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, typically complicated by elevated main pulmonary artery and right ventricle pressures, can be challenging. Here, we report successful living donor liver transplantation after bilateral pulmonary artery stent implantation in a patient with Alagille syndrome, severe bilateral peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, and extremely high main pulmonary artery and right ventricle pressures.
Investigation of Nighttime MSTIDS Observed by Optical Thermosphere Imagers at Low Latitudes: Morphology, Propagation Direction, and Wind Filtering
Authors: Figueiredo C. A. O. B. , Takahashi H. , Wrasse C. M. , Otsuka Y. , Shiokawa K. , Barros D.
Published: August 2018

Different types of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) have been observed at Cachoeira Paulista (22.4°S; 45.0°W), Brazil, from June 2013 to December 2015, using airglow OI 630.0‐nm images. During the period, 58 MSTIDs were identified and classified as follows: dark band MSTIDs (around 10 events) and periodic MSTIDs (48 events). Dark band MSTIDs present phase velocity between 50 and 200 m/s and propagation direction to northwestward. On the other hand, periodic MSTIDs have phase velocity of 50 to 200 m/s, horizontal wavelengths from 80 to 160 km, periods ranging between 5 and 45 min, and propagation directions are mainly north‐northeastward. The wave parameters indicate that periodic MSTIDs have different characteristics when compared to dark band MSTIDs, suggesting that periodic MSTIDs are not generated through the well‐known Perkins and E‐F coupling instability. In addition to it, the present study indicates that the spectral characteristics found in Brazil are different from other regions such as Japan and Indonesia. Therefore, we intend to do the statistics of the wave parameters (wavelength, phase velocity, period, propagation direction, and time occurrence) and investigate the generation mechanisms of periodic MSTIDs at low to middle latitude for the first time. Furthermore, the anisotropy observed in periodic MSTID propagation direction can be explained by different mechanisms.
Extension and Dynamics of the Andes Inferred From the 2016 Parina (Huarichancara) Earthquake
Authors: Wimpenny Sam , Copley Alex , Benavente Carlos , Aguirre Enoch
Published: August 2018

TheMw6.1 2016 Parina earthquake led to extension of the south Peruvian Andes along a normal fault with evidence of Holocene slip. We use interferometric synthetic aperture radar, seismology, and field mapping to determine a source model for this event and show that extension at Parina is oriented NE‐SW, which is parallel to the shortening direction in the adjacent sub‐Andean lowlands. In addition, we use earthquake source models and GPS data to demonstrate that shortening within the sub‐Andes is parallel to topographic gradients. Both observations imply that forces resulting from spatial variations in gravitational potential energy are important in controlling the geometry of the deformation in the Andes. We calculate the horizontal forces per unit length acting between the Andes and South America due to these potential energy contrasts to be 4–8 ×1012 N/m along strike of the mountain range. Normal faulting at Parina implies that the Andes in south Peru have reached the maximum elevation that can be supported by the forces transmitted across the adjacent foreland, which requires that the foreland faults have an effective coefficient of friction0.2. Additionally, the onset of extension in parts of the central Andes following orogen‐wide compression in the late Miocene suggests that there has been a change in the force balance within the mountains. We propose that shortening on weak detachment faults within the Andean foreland since ∼5–9 Ma reduced the shear tractions acting along the base of the upper crust in the eastern Andes, leading to extension in the highest parts of the range.
Application of Stabilized AR‐z Spectrum in Harmonic Analysis for Geophysics
Authors: Ding Hao , Chao Benjamin F.
Published: August 2018

The AR‐z spectrum devised in Ding and Chao (2015a) for analyzing harmonic signals (an extension of the frequency domain autoregressive AR algorithm developed by Chao and Gilbert (1980) based on Prony's method) proves to have significantly higher sensitivity and spectral resolution than the Fourier and maximum‐entropy spectra, especially when the signal‐to‐noise ratio is low. As such, it can be prone to random fluctuations in the form of spurious variances of the noise spectrum. Here we develop a stabilized AR‐z spectrum taking advantage of a Monte Carlo noise‐assisted bootstrap scheme, and demonstrate its effectiveness in obtaining more robust spectral estimates for single record. We apply the stabilized AR‐z spectrum, and compare it with the Fourier and maximum‐entropy spectra, to a number of global geophysical observables of the Earth, including the elastic free oscillations, length of day variation (ΔLOD), dynamic oblateness (ΔJ2), polar motion, Earth's nutation, and global mean sea level variation. We report the findings about hitherto unresolved fine structures, including those for the Mf and Mm tidal clusters in the ΔLOD, ΔJ2, polar motion and the Earth's nutation, and the modal splittings of the Earth's free oscillations. Furthermore, a number of long‐period signals of certain nominal periodicities are detected (or confirmed) in the stabilized AR‐z spectra, including the 6‐year signals in ΔLOD, the 18.6‐year signals expected in ΔLOD and ΔJ2, and certain quasiperiodic interannual to decadal periodicities whose origins have yet to be identified. Overall, the stabilized AR‐z spectrum demonstrates a momentous performance in the quest for numerical harmonic analysis methods.
Roles of the Ocean Mesoscale in the Horizontal Supply of Mass, Heat, Carbon, and Nutrients to the Northern Hemisphere Subtropical Gyres
Authors: Yamamoto Ayako , Palter Jaime B. , Dufour Carolina O. , Griffies Stephen M. , Bianchi Daniele , Claret Mariona , Dunne John P. , Frenger Ivy , Galbraith Eric D.
Published: August 2018

Horizontal transport at the boundaries of the subtropical gyres plays a crucial role in providing the nutrients that fuel gyre primary productivity, the heat that helps restratify the surface mixed layer, and the dissolved inorganic carbon that influences air‐sea carbon exchange. Mesoscale eddies may be an important component of these horizontal transports; however, previous studies have not quantified the horizontal tracer transport due to eddies across the subtropical gyre boundaries. Here we assess the physical mechanisms that control the horizontal transport of mass, heat, nutrients, and carbon across the North Pacific and North Atlantic subtropical gyre boundaries using the eddy‐rich ocean component of a climate model (Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Climate Model version 2.6) coupled to a simple biogeochemical model (mini‐BLING). Our results suggest that horizontal transport across the gyre boundaries supplies a substantial amount of mass and tracers to the ventilated layer of both Northern Hemisphere subtropical gyres, with the Kuroshio and Gulf Stream acting as main exchange gateways. Mass, heat, and dissolved inorganic carbon supply is principally driven by the time‐mean circulation, whereas nutrient transport differs markedly from the other tracers, as nutrients are mainly supplied to both subtropical gyres by downgradient eddy mixing across gyre boundaries. A budget analysis further reveals that the horizontal nutrient transport, combining the roles of both mean and eddy components, is responsible for more than three quarters of the total nutrient supply into the subtropical gyres, surpassing a recent estimate based on a coarse‐resolution model and thus further highlighting the importance of horizontal nutrient transport.
Field Observations of Alongshore Runup Variability Under Dissipative Conditions in the Presence of a Shoreline Sandwave
Authors: Senechal Nadia , Coco Giovanni , Plant Nathaniel , Bryan Karin R. , Brown Jenna , MacMahan Jamie H. M.
Published: August 2018

Video measurements of runup were collected at low tide along several profiles covering an alongshore distance of 500 m. The morphology displayed a complex shape with a shoreline sandwave in the lower beach face of about 250 m long mirrored in the inner sandbar. Wave conditions were stationary and moderate (offshore height of 2 m and peak period of nearly 13 s) but yet dissipative. Runup energy was dominated by infragravity frequencies. Alongshore variations in runup (by a factor up to 3) observed both in the incident and infragravity bands were much higher than reported previously (e.g., Guedes et al., 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2012.08.022; Ruggiero et al., 2004, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JC002160) while the alongshore variations in other environmental parameters (e.g., foreshore beach slope) appear to be much lower. Our data suggest that the beach morphology in the inner surf zone plays a crucial role by inducing rapid and significant modification in the incident wave pattern and the alongshore coherence length scales were consistent with the typical alongshore length scale of the morphology.
Topographic Rossby Waves in the Arctic Ocean's Beaufort Gyre
Authors: Zhao Bowen , Timmermans Mary‐Louise
Published: August 2018

A 5‐year long time series of temperature and horizontal velocity in the Arctic Ocean's Beaufort Gyre is analyzed with the aim of understanding the mechanism driving the observed variability on timescales of tens of days (i.e., subinertial). We employ a coherency/phase analysis on the temperature and horizontal velocity signals, which indicates that subinertial temperature variations arise from vertical excursions of the water column that are driven by horizontal motions across the sloping seafloor. The vertical displacements of the water column (recorded by the temperature signal) show a bottom‐intensified signature (i.e., decay toward the surface), while horizontal velocity anomalies are approximately barotropic below the main halocline. We show that the different characteristics in vertical and horizontal velocities are consistent with topographic Rossby wave theory in the limit of weak vertical decay. In essence, a linearly decaying vertical velocity profile implies that the whole water column is stretched/squashed uniformly with depth when water moves horizontally across the bottom slope. Thus, for the uniform stratification of the deep water column, the response in the relative vorticity field (ensuring conservation of potential vorticity) is also uniform with depth, leading to the observed barotropic horizontal velocity changes. The prevalent topographic Rossby wave activity is discussed in context with Beaufort Gyre spin‐up, dissipation, and stabilization.
Burial of Organic Carbon in the Taiwan Strait
Authors: Liao Weisen , Hu Jianfang , Peng Ping'an
Published: August 2018

Organic carbon (OC) burial in nondeltaic continental shelves is an important part of the global carbon cycle. Of these, the Taiwan Strait (TWS) is a typical, nondeltaic shelf region that is influenced by a variety of factors including strong ocean currents, coastal upwelling, and small river inputs. To better understand how these factors influence OC burial in the TWS, we measured total organic carbon and total nitrogen contents as well as the stable carbon isotopes of sedimentary organic matter (δ13Corg) from the TWS. We also measured glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers in surface sediments collected from the TWS. The concentrations of sedimentary total organic carbon and total nitrogen along the coast were high but decreased in areas more central to the TWS. This gradient was controlled by both hydrological conditions and coastal upwelling. The calculated accumulation rate of organic carbon ranged from 1.9 to 47.2 g C/m2/year and was comparable to other areas of the Chinese marginal seas. The source contribution calculated from the three‐end‐member model revealed that mostly marine OC was buried in the upwelling regions. In comparison, OC derived from terrestrial plant and soil was buried in the estuaries. Collectively, these results showed that the TWS may serve as a CO2 sink in the global carbon cycle. This is due to the preservation of the labile portions of the OC derived from plant and marine source, which formed the main component of the buried OC in the TWS.
Cloud Top Phase Distributions of Simulated Deep Convective Clouds
Authors: Hoose C. , Karrer M. , Barthlott C.
Published: August 2018

Space‐based observations of the thermodynamic cloud phase are frequently used for the analysis of aerosol indirect effects and other regional and temporal trends of cloud properties; yet they are mostly limited to the cloud top layers. This study addresses the information content in cloud top phase distributions of deep convective clouds during their growing stage. A cloud‐resolving model with grid spacings of 300 m and lower is used in two different setups, simulating idealized and semiidealized isolated convective clouds of different strengths. It is found that the cloud top phase distribution is systematically shifted to higher temperatures compared to the in‐cloud phase distribution due to lower vertical velocities and a resultingly stronger Wegener‐Bergeron‐Findeisen process at the cloud top. Sensitivity studies show that heterogeneous freezing can modify the cloud top glaciation temperature (where the ice pixel fraction reaches 50%) and ice multiplication via rime splintering is visible in an early ice onset at temperatures around −10°C. However, if the analyses are repeated with a coarsened horizontal resolution (above 1 km, similar to many satellite data sets), a significant part of this signal is lost, which limits the detectability of these microphysical fingerprints in the observable cloud top phase distribution. In addition, variation in the cloud dynamics also impacts the cloud phase distribution but cannot be quantified easily.
An Assessment of Dissolved Organic Carbon Biodegradability and Priming in Blackwater Systems
Authors: Textor Sadie R. , Guillemette François , Zito Phoebe A. , Spencer Robert G. M.
Published: August 2018

Rivers deliver approximately 260 Tg of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to the ocean annually, yet there is little evidence of terrigenous DOC (tDOC) in the ocean. While tDOC was historically believed to be stable and resistant to microbial degradation, it has recently been shown that freshwater systems mineralize more tDOC than originally thought. The priming effect is a possible mechanism by which inputs of biolabile DOC enhance the bioavailability of stable DOC components in aquatic systems, resulting in higher rates of microbial remineralization. Here we investigate tDOC biodegradability by conducting bioincubation experiments and utilizing ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry to characterize the chemical composition of blackwater and leachate dissolved organic matter (DOM) samples. The role of priming in blackwater ecosystems was assessed through the inclusion of bioincubation treatments amended with a variety of simple biolabile OC substrates. Blackwaters lost 6.10 ± 3.85% DOC within 1 month, while leachates lost 38.10 ± 16.74% DOC. There were no significant differences between DOC remineralization in control and primed treatments, indicating that priming is not an important factor in the biodegradation of DOC in blackwater ecosystems. However, the proportion of biodegradable DOC and DOM composition were significantly correlated, mostly driven by the contribution of aliphatic compounds (H/C ≥ 1.5, O/C < 0.9) that were abundant (9.3 ± 5.2%) in leachate DOM. The molecular signature of biodegraded leachate DOM resembled that of stable blackwater DOM, indicating that bioavailable DOM components leached from plant litter are rapidly utilized and stable DOM is exported downstream.
Last Millennium Adélie Penguin Mortality and Colony Abandonment Events on Long Peninsula, East Antarctica
Authors: Gao Yuesong , Yang Lianjiao , Xie Zhouqing , Emmerson Louise , Southwell Colin , Wang Yuhong , Sun Liguang
Published: August 2018

The Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is sensitive to climatic and environmental changes, and paleoecological studies of Adélie penguins and their response to climatic forcing in maritime Antarctica usually address changes on long time scales. However, on Long Peninsula, East Antarctica, we identified numerous mummified Adélie penguin carcasses and phases of rapid sediment deposition at ~750 and ~200 years BP, indicating two multidecadal mass mortality events. Based upon chronological and sedimentary evidence, we propose that the two events were caused by heavy regional precipitation, which led to the abandonment of numerous penguin subcolonies. The anomalous precipitation was likely associated with the intensification of regional meridional air transport under a zonal wave number 3 pattern. Since such atmospheric conditions correspond to present‐day observations, and are expected to persist if climate change continues, the mortality events revealed in this study could become an increasing threat to penguins.
Microfabricated intracortical extracellular matrix-microelectrodes for improving neural interfaces
Authors: Shen Wen , Das Suradip , Vitale Flavia , Richardson Andrew , Ananthakrishnan Akshay , Struzyna Laura A. , Brown Daniel P. , Song Naixin , Ramkumar Murari , Lucas Timothy , Cullen D. Kacy , Litt Brian , Allen Mark G.
Published: August 2018

Intracortical neural microelectrodes, which can directly interface with local neural microcircuits with high spatial and temporal resolution, are critical for neuroscience research, emerging clinical applications, and brain computer interfaces (BCI). However, clinical applications of these devices remain limited mostly by their inability to mitigate inflammatory reactions and support dense neuronal survival at their interfaces. Herein we report the development of microelectrodes primarily composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which act as a bio-compatible and an electrochemical interface between the microelectrodes and physiological solution. These ECM-microelectrodes are batch fabricated using a novel combination of micro-transfer-molding and excimer laser micromachining to exhibit final dimensions comparable to those of commercial silicon-based microelectrodes. These are further integrated with a removable insertion stent which aids in intracortical implantation. Results from electrochemical models and in vivo recordings from the rat’s cortex indicate that ECM encapsulations have no significant effect on the electrochemical impedance characteristics of ECM-microelectrodes at neurologically relevant frequencies. ECM-microelectrodes are found to support a dense layer of neuronal somata and neurites on the electrode surface with high neuronal viability and exhibited markedly diminished neuroinflammation and glial scarring in early chronic experiments in rats.
Characterization of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Gastric Motor Functions, and Associations in Patients with Diabetes at a Referral Center
Authors: Chedid Victor , Brandler Justin , Vijayvargiya Priya , Park Seon-Young , Szarka Lawrence A. , Camilleri Michael
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVES:

Our aim was to characterize upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms and associations in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) who had undergone evaluation of gastric emptying (GE) and accommodation (GA) at a referral center.

METHODS:

From the Mayo Clinic Rochester electronic medical records of adults with diabetes types 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2) evaluated between January 1997 and December 2015, we extracted demographics, UGI symptoms, current medications, treatments for diabetes, GE solids by scintigraphy, GA by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and diabetes complications. We compared subgroups with delayed (GE at 2 h <25% or GE at 4 h <75%), rapid (GE at 1 h > 35%), and normal GE, as well as reduced (<428 mL) and normal GA.

RESULTS:

We reviewed 108 patients (60.2% females, median age 49.0 years). Overall, 71.3% had DM2; one-third of these were insulin dependent and had fairly well-controlled diabetes (median HbA1c 6.7% (IQR 6.2; 7.9)). Manifestations of diabetic triopathy (peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy) were uncommon at presentation with UGI symptoms. Nausea was the most common symptom (80.6%). There were single or combined GE (total 56%: rapid in 37%, slow in 19%) and GA (total 39%) abnormalities; there was normal GA and GE in 28%; 40.3% of the DM2 patients had accelerated GE at 1 h. GE at 1 h is associated with nausea/vomiting, and fasting gastric volume is associated with bloating.

CONCLUSIONS:

Among referred diabetic patients with UGI symptoms, GE and GA testing identifies potential targets for individualizing treatment and avoidance of empirical trials for the 28% with no disturbance of GE and GA.
Epigenetic variance in dopamine D2 receptor: a marker of IQ malleability?
Authors: Kaminski Jakob A. , Schlagenhauf Florian , Rapp Michael , Awasthi Swapnil , Ruggeri Barbara , Deserno Lorenz , Banaschewski Tobias , Bokde Arun L. W. , Bromberg Uli , Büchel Christian , Quinlan Erin Burke , Desrivières Sylvane , Flor Herta , Frouin Vincent , Garavan Hugh , Gowland Penny , Ittermann Bernd , Martinot Jean-Luc , Martinot Marie-Laure Paillère , Nees Frauke , Orfanos Dimitri Papadopoulos , Paus Tomáš , Poustka Luise , Smolka Michael N. , Fröhner Juliane H. , Walter Henrik , Whelan Robert , Ripke Stephan , Schumann Gunter , Heinz Andreas ,   the IMAGEN consortium
Published: August 2018

Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to cognitive test performance. A substantial increase in average intelligence test results in the second half of the previous century within one generation is unlikely to be explained by genetic changes. One possible explanation for the strong malleability of cognitive performance measure is that environmental factors modify gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic factors may help to understand the recent observations of an association between dopamine-dependent encoding of reward prediction errors and cognitive capacity, which was modulated by adverse life events. The possible manifestation of malleable biomarkers contributing to variance in cognitive test performance, and thus possibly contributing to the “missing heritability” between estimates from twin studies and variance explained by genetic markers, is still unclear. Here we show in 1475 healthy adolescents from the IMaging and GENetics (IMAGEN) sample that general IQ (gIQ) is associated with (1) polygenic scores for intelligence, (2) epigenetic modification of DRD2 gene, (3) gray matter density in striatum, and (4) functional striatal activation elicited by temporarily surprising reward-predicting cues. Comparing the relative importance for the prediction of gIQ in an overlapping subsample, our results demonstrate neurobiological correlates of the malleability of gIQ and point to equal importance of genetic variance, epigenetic modification of DRD2 receptor gene, as well as functional striatal activation, known to influence dopamine neurotransmission. Peripheral epigenetic markers are in need of confirmation in the central nervous system and should be tested in longitudinal settings specifically assessing individual and environmental factors that modify epigenetic structure.
CD59 is a potential biomarker of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma radioresistance by affecting DNA repair
Authors: Zhou Yuzhen , Chu Li , Wang Qi , Dai Weixing , Zhang Xiaozhou , Chen Jianfeng , Li Ling , Ding Peipei , Zhang Long , Gu Hongyu , Li Luying , Lv Xinyue , Zhang Wei , Zhou Danlei , Zhang Pingzhao , Cai Guoxiang , Zhao Kuaile , Hu Weiguo
Published: August 2018

Radiation therapy is an important treatment modality for esophageal cancer. However, acquisition of radioresistance ultimately results in esophageal cancer relapse. CD59, a membrane-bound complement regulatory protein, can transduce signals via a Src kinase in the lipid raft, thus playing a complement-independent role. However, the effect of CD59 on the esophageal cancer response to ionizing radiation remains unclear. In this study, we found that the expression level of CD59 was positively correlated with the radioresistance of esophageal cancer cell lines and clinical specimens. High CD59 expression indicated poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who received radiotherapy. Genetic alteration of CD59 expression modulated the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to ionizing radiation. CD59 deficiency exacerbated DNA damage, hindered cell proliferation, and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence, leading to an impaired DNA damage repair ability. In addition, CD59 deficiency almost completely reduced the phosphorylation of Src at Y416 despite ionizing radiation. A Src inhibitor saracatinib sensitized esophageal cancer cells to irradiation. Therefore, CD59 may be a potential biomarker for predicting the radioresistance of ESCC to radiotherapy.
High NRF2 level mediates cancer stem cell-like properties of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-high ovarian cancer cells: inhibitory role of all-trans retinoic acid in ALDH/NRF2 signaling
Authors: Kim Donghyeok , Choi Bo-hyun , Ryoo In-geun , Kwak Mi-Kyoung
Published: August 2018

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) is one of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers, and high ALDH1 expression has been related to drug resistance and facilitated tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the potential involvement of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2/NRF2) in CSC-like properties of ALDH-high ovarian CSCs. Our experimental system, ALDH1A1-high (ALDH-H) subpopulation, was isolated and stabilized using doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer A2780 cells. ALDH-H exerted CSC-like properties such as drug resistance, colony/sphere formation, and enhanced tumor growth along with high levels of CSCs markers compared to ALDH1A1-low (ALDH-L). Levels of NRF2 and subsequent target genes substantially increased in ALDH-H cells, and the increase in ALDH1A1 and p62 was associated with NRF2 upregulation. ALDH1A1-silencing blocked increases in NRF2, drug efflux transporters, and p62, along with CSC markers in ALDH-H cells. The inhibition of p62, which was elevated in ALDH-H, suppressed NRF2 activation. High NRF2 level was confirmed in the ALDH1-high subpopulation from colon cancer HCT116 cells. The functional implication of NRF2 activation in ovarian CSCs was verified by two experimental approaches. First, CSC-like properties such as high CSC markers, chemoresistance, colony/sphere formation, and tumor growth were significantly inhibited by NRF2-silencing in ALDH-H cells. Second, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) suppressed ALDH1 expression, inhibiting NRF2 activation, which led to the attenuation of CSC-like properties in ALDH-H cells but not in ALDH-L cells. These results provide insight into the molecular basis of the ALDH1A1-mediated development of CSC-like properties such as stress/treatment resistance, and further suggest the therapeutic potential of ATRA in ALDH-high ovarian CSCs.
Antibody biomarker for de novo Parkinson disease: attempted validation
Authors: Feng Na , Simanski Scott , Islam Kazi , Hynan Linda S. , Kodadek Thomas , German Dwight C.
Published: August 2018

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with motor symptoms that result from degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Biomarker research seeks to identify the disease during the pre-symptomatic phase, which is a time when therapeutic intervention will be most helpful. Previously, we screened a combinatorial peptoid library to search for antibodies that are present at much higher levels in the serum of PD patients than in control subjects. One such compound, called the PD2 peptoid, was 84% accurate for the identification of de novo PD when employed as the capture agent in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This peptoid recognized an IgG3 antibody, and IgG3 levels were also found to be significantly higher in PD vs. control serum. In that study we used samples from the NINDS Parkinson’s Disease Biomarker Program. The current study sought to validate that finding using serum samples from de novo and control subjects in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative study. We found no difference in levels of antibodies captured by the PD2 peptoid in the de novo PD vs. control subjects, and no difference in IgG3 serum levels in the two groups. The failure to replicate our previous study appears to be due to the lack of difference in serum IgG3 levels between the PD and control subjects in the current study.
VaxArray potency assay for rapid assessment of “pandemic” influenza vaccines
Authors: Byrne-Nash Rose T. , Miller David F. , Bueter Katie M. , Gillis Jacob H. , Kuck Laura R. , Rowlen Kathy L.
Published: August 2018

The VaxArray Influenza Pandemic HA (VXI-pHA) potency assay is a multiplexed sandwich immunoassay that consists of nine broadly reactive yet subtype-specific monoclonal capture antibodies printed in microarray format and a suite of fluor-labeled secondary antibodies that were selected to probe conserved HA epitopes. VXI-pHA was designed to optimize the probability that the ready-to-use assay would work for the most concerning, emergent influenza A strains, eliminating the need for the time-consuming process of reference reagents production. The performance of this new potency test was evaluated using a panel of 48 potentially pandemic strains of influenza viruses and vaccines spanning 16 years of antigenic drift, including the most recent pre-pandemic vaccine being developed against the “5th wave” A/H7N9 virus. The VXI-pHA assay demonstrated coverage of 93%, 92%, and 100% for H5, H7, and H9 antigens, respectively. The assay demonstrated high sensitivity with linear dynamic ranges of more than 150-fold and quantification limits ranging from 1 to 5 ng/mL. For three production lots of H7N9 monobulk drug substance, the assay exhibited excellent accuracy (100 ± 6%) and analytical precision (CV 6 ± 2%). The high assay sensitivity enabled robust detection and quantification of hemagglutinin in crude in-process samples and low-dose, adjuvanted vaccines with an accuracy of 100 ± 10%.
Morphodynamic evolution following sediment release from the world’s largest dam removal
Authors: Ritchie Andrew C. , Warrick Jonathan A. , East Amy E. , Magirl Christopher S. , Stevens Andrew W. , Bountry Jennifer A. , Randle Timothy J. , Curran Christopher A. , Hilldale Robert C. , Duda Jeffrey J. , Gelfenbaum Guy R. , Miller Ian M. , Pess George R. , Foley Melissa M. , McCoy Randall , Ogston Andrea S.
Published: August 2018

Sediment pulses can cause widespread, complex changes to rivers and coastal regions. Quantifying landscape response to sediment-supply changes is a long-standing problem in geomorphology, but the unanticipated nature of most sediment pulses rarely allows for detailed measurement of associated landscape processes and evolution. The intentional removal of two large dams on the Elwha River (Washington, USA) exposed ~30 Mt of impounded sediment to fluvial erosion, presenting a unique opportunity to quantify source-to-sink river and coastal responses to a massive sediment-source perturbation. Here we evaluate geomorphic evolution during and after the sediment pulse, presenting a 5-year sediment budget and morphodynamic analysis of the Elwha River and its delta. Approximately 65% of the sediment was eroded, of which only ~10% was deposited in the fluvial system. This restored fluvial supply of sand, gravel, and wood substantially changed the channel morphology. The remaining ~90% of the released sediment was transported to the coast, causing ~60 ha of delta growth. Although metrics of geomorphic change did not follow simple time-coherent paths, many signals peaked 1–2 years after the start of dam removal, indicating combined impulse and step-change disturbance responses.
Ultrastructure and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Deuterated Switchgrass
Authors: Bhagia Samarthya , Meng Xianzhi , Evans Barbara R. , Dunlap John R. , Bali Garima , Chen Jihua , Reeves Kimberly Shawn , Ho Hoi Chun , Davison Brian H. , Pu Yunqiao , Ragauskas Arthur J.
Published: August 2018

Neutron scattering of deuterated plants can provide fundamental insight into the structure of lignocellulosics in plant cell walls and its deconstruction by pretreatment and enzymes. Such plants need to be characterized for any alterations to lignocellulosic structure caused by growth in deuterated media. Here we show that glucose yields from enzymatic hydrolysis at lower enzyme loading were 35% and 30% for untreated deuterated and protiated switchgrass, respectively. Lignin content was 4% higher in deuterated switchgrass but there were no significant lignin structural differences. Transmission electron microscopy showed differences in lignin distribution and packing of fibers in the cell walls that apparently increased surface area of cellulose in deuterated switchgrass, increasing cellulose accessibility and lowering its recalcitrance. These differences in lignification were likely caused by abiotic stress due to growth in deuterated media.
Origin of the catalytic activity of phosphorus doped MoS2 for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution: a theoretical study
Authors: Liu Cheng , Dong Huilong , Ji Yujin , Hou Tingjun , Li Youyong
Published: August 2018

Phosphorus doped MoS2 nanosheets (P-doped MoS2) have been reported as excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts with four-electron selectivity in alkaline solution. By performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we revealed the detailed reaction mechanism and the key reaction sites on surface of P-doped MoS2 for ORR catalysis. The double P-doped MoS2 (2P-MoS2) is calculated to be more stable than the single P-doped MoS2 (P-MoS2), and the configuration with two P atoms in neighboring sites exhibits the highest stability. The surface of P-doped MoS2 is found highly active for dissociation of O2. Comparative calculations reveal that P-MoS2 is unsuitable as ORR catalyst due to the high dissociation barrier of H2O (1.19 and 2.06 eV for the first and second adsorbed H2O), while the 2P-MoS2 shows good ORR catalytic activity with much lower dissociation barrier of H2O (0.62 eV). Furthermore, we elucidated that the ORR catalytic activity in 2P-MoS2 originates from the activated S2 atom, which provides an extra adsorption site for the first H2O and the following OH group benefited from the enhanced hydrogen bond interaction. Our results illustrate the mechanisms of doped MoS2 based catalysts and provide rational way for designing ORR catalysts with high activity.
Analysis of QTLs on heading date based on single segment substitution lines in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)
Authors: Zhu Haitao , Li Yun , Liang Jiayan , Luan Xin , Xu Pan , Wang Shaokui , Zhang Guiquan , Liu Guifu
Published: August 2018

Single segment substitution lines (SSSLs) have been confirmed to be powerful tools to perform quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. This study illuminated the process and methods of QTL analysis with SSSLs on heading date (HD) in rice. QTL identification under two cropping seasons revealed 98 of 202 SSSLs associated with HD. A total of 22 QTLs were positioned in relative narrow regions on chromosomes by mrMLM.GUI software. QTL qHd3-1 was precisely positioned at 4.4 cM on chromosome 3 by a secondary F2 population. Through SSSL pyramiding, double segment substitution lines were constructed and used to analyze epistatic interactions of digenic loci. Epistatic effects for three pairs of QTLs were estimated, indicating the interactions of QTL qHd3-1 with other QTLs detected and the role to enhance the expression of early ripening or restraining of late flowering QTLs. Additionally, analysis of QTL in different environments provided information about the stability of HD QTLs. This type of research points out the way to excavate favorable genes for design breeding.
Histamine causes endothelial barrier disruption via Ca2+-mediated RhoA activation and tension at adherens junctions
Authors: Kugelmann Daniela , Rotkopf Lukas Thomas , Radeva Mariya Yosifova , Garcia-Ponce Alexander , Walter Elias , Waschke Jens
Published: August 2018

During inflammation, the disruption of the endothelial barrier leads to increased microvascular permeability. Whether tension along cell junctions contributes to histamine-induced endothelial barrier disruption remains unknown. Rapid Ca2+ influx induced by both histamine and thrombin was accompanied by endothelial barrier breakdown revealed as drop of transendothelial electric resistance in primary human microvascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, GLISA measurements revealed activation of RhoA but not inactivation of Rac1 at the time-point of barrier breakdown. FRET measurements showed activation of RhoA at intercellular junctions after both thrombin and histamine exposure. Breakdown coincided with increased stress fiber formation but not with translocation of vinculin, which was located along junctions in the resting state similar to postcapillary venules ex vivo. Moreover, increased tension at AJs was indicated by immunostaining with a conformation-sensitive antibody targeting the α18-subunit of α-catenin. Ca2+ chelation by BAPTA-AM and ROCK1 inhibition by Y27632 abolished both increase of tension along AJs as well as barrier dysfunction. Moreover, BAPTA-AM decreased RhoA activation following histamine stimulation, indicating a key role of Ca2+ signaling in barrier breakdown. Taken together, in response to histamine, Ca2+ via RhoA/ROCK activation along endothelial adherens junctions (AJs) appears to be critical for barrier disruption and presumably correlated with enhanced tension. However, vinculin appears not to be critical in this process.