bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atypical Forms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Prospective Study of 47 Italian Children
Authors: Neri Iria , Dondi Arianna , Wollenberg Andreas , Ricci Lorenza , Ricci Giampaolo , Piccirilli Giulia , Lazzarotto Tiziana , Patrizi Annalisa
Published: June 2016

Background

Atypical forms of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by coxsackievirus A6 have been reported in recent years. High fever and severe cutaneous lesions are common, whereas neurologic complications are rare. Eczematous areas of patients with atopic dermatitis show more lesions. The goal of the current study was to describe the clinical characteristics of children with atypical HFMD and to investigate the involvement of the different enterovirus serotypes associated.

Methods

All patients referred to our service for atypical HFMD from January 2012 to February 2014 were enrolled and classified as having the diffuse form (lesions extended to the trunk), the acral form (lesions with a mainly acral distribution), or eczema coxsackium (lesions on preexisting eczematous areas).

Results

Data from 47 patients were analyzed (median age 22 months [range 4–84 mos]); viral genotyping was performed in 11 cases. Sixty‐two percent of the subjects developed the acral form, 23% eczema coxsackium, and 15% the diffuse form. Most patients had a nonclassical vesicular eruption and moderate to severe extent of cutaneous involvement. Approximately 80% of patients had palmoplantar purpuric macules. Most children younger than 2 years old had the acral form, most patients with eczema coxsackium were age 2 years and older, and the diffuse form was similarly distributed between the two age groups. Coxsackievirus A6 was detected in 9 of 11 genotyped cases.

Conclusion

Our prospective study allowed the identification of three HFMD phenotypes differing from the classical form. Clinical care of these patients should include symptomatic treatment of extracutaneous features and, if necessary, hospitalization for complications.
Ultrasound Diagnosis and Staging in Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Wortsman Ximena , Rodriguez Carolyn , Lobos Carolina , Eguiguren Gonzalo , Molina Maria Teresa
Published: June 2016

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can affect children, and ultrasound has been proven to be useful in diagnosis and staging. The sonographic characteristics of HS in children have not been reported. We studied color Doppler ultrasound images of children (≤15 years old; n = 12) with clinically and sonographically positive criteria for HS. Sonographic scoring of hidradenitis suppurativa (SOS‐HS) was used to stage the cases sonographically. Subclinical pseudocysts were found in 92% of the cases, fluid collections in 83%, and fistulous tracts in 58%. Retained hair tracts in the fluid collections and fistulous tracts were present in 100% of patients; 67% of cases were SOS‐HS stage II. In 92% of cases, management was modified after the ultrasound examination. In conclusion, ultrasound can be a reliable and safe imaging tool to support diagnosis and staging and may help in the noninvasive monitoring of treatment in children.
Putting Pluralism in its Place
Authors: Asay Jamin
Published: June 2016

Pluralism about truth is the view that there are many properties, not just one, in virtue of which things are true. Pluralists hope to dodge the objections that face traditional monistic substantive views of truth (such as the correspondence theory), as well as those facing deflationary theories of truth. More specifically, pluralists hope to advance an explanatorily potent understanding of truth that can capture the subtleties of various realist and anti‐realist domains of discourse, all while avoiding the scope problem. I offer a new objection to pluralism that challenges its fundamental commitment to there being a set of alethic properties in virtue of which claims are true. In its place I offer an alternative view that merges standard truthmaker theory with a primitivist conception of truth. This combination of views satisfies the theoretical desires that pluralists claim for themselves, but without taking on pluralism's host of challenges and problems.
SeawaterpH, and not inorganic nitrogen source, affectspHat the blade surface ofMacrocystis pyrifera: implications for responses of the giant kelp to future oceanic conditions
Authors: Fernández Pamela A. , Roleda Michael Y. , Leal Pablo P. , Hurd Catriona L.
Published: June 2016

Ocean acidification (OA), the ongoing decline in seawaterpH, is predicted to have wide‐ranging effects on marine organisms and ecosystems. For seaweeds, thepHat the thallus surface, within the diffusion boundary layer (DBL), is one of the factors controlling their response toOA. SurfacepHis controlled by both thepHof the bulk seawater and by the seaweeds' metabolism: photosynthesis and respiration increase and decreasepHwithin theDBL(pHDBL), respectively. However, other metabolic processes, especially the uptake of inorganic nitrogen (Ni;NO3−andNH4+) may also affect thepHDBL. UsingMacrocystis pyrifera, we hypothesized that (1)NO3−uptake will increase thepHDBL, whereasNH4+uptake will decrease it, (2) ifNO3−is cotransported with H+, increases inpHDBLwould be greater under anOAtreatment (pH = 7.65) than under an ambient treatment (pH = 8.00), and (3) decreases inpHDBLwill be smaller atpH7.65 than atpH8.00, as higher external [H+] might affect the strength of the diffusion gradient. Overall, Nisource did not affect thepHDBL. However, increases inpHDBLwere greater atpH7.65 than atpH8.00.CO2uptake was higher atpH7.65 than atpH8.00, whereasHCO3−uptake was unaffected bypH. Photosynthesis and respiration controlpHDBLrather than Niuptake. We suggest that under futureOA,Macrocystis pyriferawill metabolically modify its surface microenvironment such that the physiological processes of photosynthesis and Niuptake will not be affected by a reducedpH.
Comparative Research with Net and Gross Income Data: An Evaluation of Two Netting Down Procedures for the LIS Database
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Rense , Munzi Teresa , Gornick Janet C.
Published: June 2016

Researchers seeking to perform country‐comparative and trend analyses using income data have to account for the fact that income surveys differ in whether income is measured gross or net of taxes and contributions. We discuss, develop, and evaluate two ‘netting down procedures’ for data in the LIS Database. Evaluations of these netting down procedures indicate that comparisons across gross and net datasets can be greatly improved when netting down procedures are applied. In several cases, however, substantial amounts of bias remain.
Intergenerational Correlations of Extreme Right‐Wing Party Preferences and Attitudes toward Immigration
Authors: Avdeenko Alexandra , Siedler Thomas
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we analyze the importance of parental socialization on the development of children's far right‐wing preferences and attitudes toward immigration. Using longitudinal data from Germany, our intergenerational estimates suggest that the strongest and most important predictor for young people's right‐wing extremism are their parents' right‐wing extremist attitudes. While intergenerational associations in attitudes toward immigration are equally high for sons and daughters, we find a positive intergenerational transmission of right‐wing extremist party affinity for sons, but not for daughters. Compared to the intergenerational correlation of other party affinities, the high association between fathers' and sons' right‐wing extremist attitudes is particularly striking.
Resource loss, resource gain,PTSD, and dissociation among Ethiopian immigrants in Israel
Authors: Finkelstein Michal
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the loss and gain of resources, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation among Jewish Ethiopian immigrants in Israel following exposure to stressful events occurring pre‐, peri‐, and post‐migration. Resources are defined as objects (e.g., housing), conditions (e.g., employment), personal (e.g., self‐esteem), or energy (e.g., culture). A random sample (N = 478) of three waves of immigrants participated in the research (N1 = 165; N2 = 169; N3 = 144). The data were collected in 2001. Age, loss and gain of resources, traumatic events peri‐migration, post‐migration difficulties, posttraumatic symptoms, and dissociation were assessed. The relationships between the variables were assessed with multiple hierarchical regressions predictingPTSDand dissociation with gain and loss of resources, over and above age, immigration wave, and trauma. A significant relationship was found betweenPTSDsymptoms and loss of self‐esteem resources (r = 0.17p < 0.001), while dissociation was positively associated with gain of housing resources (r = 0.20,p < 0.001). BothPTSDand dissociation were predicted by younger age. The findings are discussed in light of the conservation of resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll,), of resource loss and gain among Ethiopian immigrants.
Daily hassles, their antecedents and outcomes among professional first responders: A systematic literature review
Authors: Larsson Gerry , Berglund Anna Karin , Ohlsson Alicia
Published: June 2016

Occupational groups such as firefighters, military officers, paramedics and police officers are exposed to a combination of acute, severe and accumulated everyday stress. Drawing on the daily hassles perspective on stress, the aim was to synthesize existing research on daily hassles in professional first responder settings into a theoretical model. A systematic mixed studies review with an integrated design was undertaken. The selection process resulted in 40 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The selected papers represented two literature reviews, one qualitative study, eight longitudinal studies and 29 cross‐sectional studies. Five superior categories emerged in the analysis: Individual antecedent and continuously framing factors, Environmental antecedent and continuously framing factors, Appraisal and coping processes, Daily hassles and Outcome. Suggestions for future research are presented.
Suicide Ideation, Alcohol Consumption, Motives, and Related Problems: Exploring the Association in College Students
Authors: Gauthier Jami M. , Witte Tracy K. , Correia Christopher J.
Published: June 2016

Previous findings on the relationship between suicide ideation (SI) and alcohol misuse among college students are inconsistent, leading to conflicting clinical implications. We aimed to clarify this relationship in order to determine the utility of regarding alcohol misuse as a risk factor for SI in this population. Unselected college students (N = 545) completed an online survey including measures of alcohol consumption, problems, drinking motives, SI, and related variables. Our results suggest alcohol misuse is not a correlate of SI among college students; therefore, one should not assume that students who misuse alcohol are necessarily at increased risk for SI.
The Quadratic Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Suicide Ideation: A Nonlinear Analysis of Indirect Effects
Authors: Zuromski Kelly L. , Cero Ian , Witte Tracy K. , Zeng Peng
Published: June 2016

A nonlinear indirect effects framework was used to investigate potential interpersonal indirect effects (i.e., perceived burden and thwarted belonging) accounting for the nonlinear relationship between body mass index (BMI) and suicide ideation. Using a sample of 338 undergraduates, results revealed a significant quadratic effect of BMI on suicide ideation via perceived burden only, which became significant as BMI fell below 18.00 kg/m2 and above 28.00 kg/m2. Our results provide novel information relevant for suicide risk screening in the context of weight‐ and health‐related interventions and provide justification for future longitudinal trials assessing suicide risk across the BMI spectrum.
Somatic mutation in the HLA‐B gene of a patient with acute myelogenous leukaemia
Authors: Planelles D. , Balas A. , Gil C. , Muñoz C. , Rodríguez‐Cebriá M. , Vicario J. L.
Published: June 2016

In this report we describe a case of somatic mutation in the HLA‐B gene in the tumour cells of a patient with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). Routine human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing of patient by serology and molecular methodologies rendered discrepant results regarding the expression of a B*15:01 antigen. Sequencing‐based typing of a patient's sample including a very high percentage of blast cells revealed the presence of one nucleotide insertion at exon 3, position 440, codon 123. This insertion resulted in a reading frame shift and a premature stop codon at position 152. The mutation was absent in a sample obtained when the patient was in remission. This case report points out the relevance of the sample source for HLA typing in patients with haematological malignancies.
New economy, neoliberal state and professionalised parenting: mothers’ labour market engagement and state support for social reproduction in class‐differentiated Britain
Authors: Holloway Sarah L , Pimlott‐Wilson Helena
Published: June 2016

Contemporary economic, political and social shifts in the Global North are reconfiguring the resolution of productive and reproductive labour. This paper explores how the emergence of the New Economy, the rolling out of the neoliberal state, and the professionalisation of parenting are transforming: (i) the landscape in which mothers with primary‐school‐aged children make decisions about how to secure a living and care for their children and (ii) what role they think the state should play in facilitating the provision of childcare to support working parenthood. The paper makes two innovative contributions to knowledge. First, it pinpoints strongly class‐differentiated changes in women's reconciliation of paid employment and caring work in contemporary Britain. The academically dominant one‐and‐a‐half breadwinner model is commonly reflected in middle‐class lifestyles, but has little analytical purchase for working‐class women in this study, as they are more likely to mother full‐time in state‐dependent family households. It is vital that we understand these changes in women's labour‐force participation and their implications for class inequality. Second, the paper concentrates academic attention on the sweeping expansion in the state's role in social reproduction through the provision of wraparound childcare (breakfast and afterschool clubs) in primary schools. Novel insights into parental attitudes reveal that middle‐class women demand choice and feel entitled to state‐sponsored childcare provision which underpins the feminisation of the labour force. Working‐class women value provision for others, but fear being coerced into using childcare instead of mothering in the home. Their responses reveal competing understandings of what counts as equality for women, and stark variations in different women's abilities to achieve this.
Transfusion‐transmitted malaria not preventable by current blood donor screening guidelines: a case report
Authors: Holtzclaw Arthur , Mrsic Zorana , Managbanag Jim , Calvano Tatjana , Colombo Christopher
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Transfusion‐transmitted malaria (TTM) is a well‐known, though rare, entity in the United States with only 100 cases previously reported. With no Food and Drug Administration–approved screening tests of donated blood for malaria in the United States, prevention relies solely on deferral of the highest‐risk donors. We present a case of TTM not preventable by these guidelines.

CASE REPORT

A 76‐year‐old male presented with fever, hypotension, tachycardia, and a urinalysis consistent with a urinary tract infection. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and initiated on broad‐spectrum antibiotics. On Hospital Day 2, he was incidentally found to have intraerythrocytic parasites on a peripheral smear, identified as Plasmodium malariae by polymerase chain reaction and was treated successfully with atovaquone‐proguanil. The patient had no recent foreign travel or exposure to malaria but had received 15 units of blood products in the past 6 years. Index samples from the 10 most recent units were obtained, with one testing positive for P. malariae via serology. The donor was a 20‐year‐old male who immigrated to the United States from Liberia at the age of 5 with no subsequent travel or exposure to malaria.

DISCUSSION

A review of current literature demonstrated that 71% of TTM cases occur from imperfect application of the current deferral guidelines. In this case, however, 15 years had elapsed between the donor's immigration and the transmission of the disease, placing him well outside any current deferral period. As such, the case demonstrates the need for continued development of highly sensitive and cost‐effective laboratory screening for high‐risk donors.
Organization of flexor–extensor interactions in the mammalian spinal cord: insights from computational modelling
Authors: Shevtsova Natalia A. , Rybak Ilya A.
Published: June 2016

Key points

Alternation of flexor and extensor activity in the mammalian spinal cord is mediated by two classes of genetically identified inhibitory interneurons, V1 and V2b.

The V1 interneurons are essential for high‐speed locomotor activity. They secure flexor–extensor alternations in the intact cord but lose this function after hemisection, suggesting that they are activated by inputs from the contralateral side of the cord.

The V2b interneurons are involved in flexor–extensor alternations in both intact cord and hemicords.

We used a computational model of the spinal network, simulating the left and right rhythm‐generating circuits interacting via several commissural pathways, and extended this model by incorporating V1 and V2b neuron populations involved in flexor–extensor interactions on each cord side.

The model reproduces multiple experimental data on selective silencing and activation of V1 and/or V2b neurons and proposes the organization of their connectivity providing flexor–extensor alternation in the spinal cord.

Alternating flexor and extensor activity represents the fundamental property underlying many motor behaviours including locomotion. During locomotion this alternation appears to arise in rhythm‐generating circuits and transpires at all levels of the spinal cord including motoneurons. Recent studies in vitro and in vivo have shown that flexor–extensor alternation during locomotion involves two classes of genetically identified, inhibitory interneurons: V1 and V2b. Particularly, in the isolated mouse spinal cord, abrogation of neurotransmission derived by both V1 and V2b interneurons resulted in flexor–extensor synchronization, whereas selective inactivation of only one of these neuron types did not abolish flexor–extensor alternation. After hemisection, inactivation of only V2b interneurons led to the flexor–extensor synchronization, while inactivation of V1 interneurons did not affect flexor–extensor alternation. Moreover, optogenetic activation of V2b interneurons suppressed extensor‐related activity, while similar activation of V1 interneurons suppressed both flexor and extensor oscillations. Here, we address these issues using the previously published computational model of spinal circuitry simulating bilateral interactions between left and right rhythm‐generating circuits. In the present study, we incorporate V1 and V2b neuron populations on both sides of the cord to make them critically involved in flexor–extensor interactions. The model reproduces multiple experimental data on the effects of hemisection and selective silencing or activation of V1 and V2b neurons and suggests connectivity profiles of these neurons and their specific roles in left–right (V1) and flexor–extensor (both V2b and V1) interactions in the spinal cord that can be tested experimentally.
Functional adaptations of the coronary microcirculation to anaemia in fetal sheep
Authors: Jonker Sonnet S. , Davis Lowell , Soman Divya , Belcik J. Todd , Davidson Brian P. , Atkinson Tamara M. , Wilburn Adrienne , Louey Samantha , Giraud George D. , Lindner Jonathan R.
Published: June 2016

Key points

In fetuses, chronic anaemia stimulates cardiac growth; simultaneously, blood flow to the heart muscle itself is increased, and reserve blood flow capacity of the coronary vascular bed is preserved.

Here we examined functional adaptations of the capillaries and small blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen to the anaemic fetal heart muscle using contrast‐enhanced echocardiography.

We demonstrate that coronary microvascular flux rate doubled in anaemic fetuses compared to control fetuses, both at rest and during maximal flow, suggesting reduced microvascular resistance consistent with capillary widening.

Cardiac fractional microvascular blood volume was not greater in anaemic fetuses, suggesting that growth of new microvascular vessels does not contribute to the increased flow per volume of myocardium.

These unusual changes in microvascular function during anaemia may indicate novel adaptive strategies in the fetal heart.

Fetal anaemia causes cardiac adaptations that have immediate and life‐long repercussions on heart function and health. It is known that resting and maximal coronary conductance both increase during chronic fetal anaemia, but the coronary microvascular changes responsible for the adaptive response are unknown. Until recently, technical limitations have prevented quantifying functional capillary‐level adaptations in the in vivo fetal heart. Our objective was to characterise functional microvascular adaptations in chronically anaemic fetal sheep. Chronically instrumented fetuses were randomized to a control group (n = 11) or were made anaemic by isovolumetric haemorrhage (n = 12) for 1 week prior to myocardial contrast echocardiography at 85% of gestation. Anaemia augmented cardiac mass by 23% without changing body weight. In anaemic fetuses, microvascular blood flow per volume of myocardium was twice that of control fetuses at rest, during vasodilatory hyperaemia, and during hyperaemia plus increased aortic pressure. The elevated blood flow was attributable almost entirely to an increase in microvascular blood flux rate whereas microvascular blood volumes were not different between groups at baseline, during hyperaemia, or with hyperaemia plus increased aortic pressure. Increased coronary microvascular flux rate in response to chronic fetal anaemia is consistent with expected reductions in capillary resistance from capillary diameter widening detected in earlier histological studies.
Technoeconomic Analysis of Alternative Solarized s-CO2 Brayton Cycle Configurations
Authors: Ho Clifford K. , Carlson Matthew , Garg Pardeep , Kumar Pramod
Published: June 2016

This paper evaluates cost and performance tradeoffs of alternative supercritical carbon dioxide (s-CO2) closed-loop Brayton cycle configurations with a concentrated solar heat source. Alternative s-CO2 power cycle configurations include simple, recompression, cascaded, and partial cooling cycles. Results show that the simple closed-loop Brayton cycle yielded the lowest power-block component costs while allowing variable temperature differentials across the s-CO2 heating source, depending on the level of recuperation. Lower temperature differentials led to higher sensible storage costs, but cycle configurations with lower temperature differentials (higher recuperation) yielded higher cycle efficiencies and lower solar collector and receiver costs. The cycles with higher efficiencies (simple recuperated, recompression, and partial cooling) yielded the lowest overall solar and power-block component costs for a prescribed power output.
Analysis of compositional uniformity in AlxGa1−xN thin films using atom probe tomography and electron microscopy
Authors: Liu Fang , Huang Li , Porter Lisa M. , Davis Robert F. , Schreiber Daniel K.
Published: June 2016

Calculated frequency distributions of atom probe tomography reconstructions (∼80 nm field of view) of very thin AlxGa1−xN (0.18 ≤ x ≤ 0.51) films grown via metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on both (0001) GaN/AlN/SiC and (0001) GaN/sapphire heterostructures revealed homogeneous concentrations of Al and chemically abrupt AlxGa1−xN/GaN interfaces. The results of scanning transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction corroborated these results and revealed that neither superlattice ordering nor phase separation was present at nanometer length scales.
Technical Note: Image filtering to make computer‐aided detection robust to image reconstruction kernel choice in lung cancer CT screening
Authors: Ohkubo Masaki , Narita Akihiro , Wada Shinichi , Murao Kohei , Matsumoto Toru
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

In lung cancer computed tomography (CT) screening, the performance of a computer‐aided detection (CAD) system depends on the selection of the image reconstruction kernel. To reduce this dependence on reconstruction kernels, the authors propose a novel application of an image filtering method previously proposed by their group.

Methods:

The proposed filtering process uses the ratio of modulation transfer functions (MTFs) of two reconstruction kernels as a filtering function in the spatial‐frequency domain. This method is referred to as MTFratio filtering. Test image data were obtained from CT screening scans of 67 subjects who each had one nodule. Images were reconstructed using two kernels: fSTD (for standard lung imaging) and fSHARP (for sharp edge‐enhancement lung imaging). The MTFratio filtering was implemented using the MTFs measured for those kernels and was applied to the reconstructed fSHARP images to obtain images that were similar to the fSTD images. A mean filter and a median filter were applied (separately) for comparison. All reconstructed and filtered images were processed using their prototype CAD system.

Results:

The MTFratio filtered images showed excellent agreement with the fSTD images. The standard deviation for the difference between these images was very small, ∼6.0 Hounsfield units (HU). However, the mean and median filtered images showed larger differences of ∼48.1 and ∼57.9 HU from the fSTD images, respectively. The free‐response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) curve for the fSHARP images indicated poorer performance compared with the FROC curve for the fSTD images. The FROC curve for the MTFratio filtered images was equivalent to the curve for the fSTD images. However, this similarity was not achieved by using the mean filter or median filter.

Conclusions:

The accuracy of MTFratio image filtering was verified and the method was demonstrated to be effective for reducing the kernel dependence of CAD performance.
Passive localization in the deep ocean based on cross-correlation function matching
Authors: Lei Zhixiong , Yang Kunde , Ma Yuanliang
Published: June 2016

Passive localization of a sound source in the deep ocean is investigated in this study. The source can be localized by taking advantage of a cross-correlation function matching technique. When a two-sensor vertical array is used in the deep ocean, two types of side lobe curves appear in the ambiguity surface of the localization. The side lobe curves are analytically expressed and they are then used as indicators of the localization result instead of the scanning point with the maximum power. Simulation and experiment demonstrate the performance of the proposed passive localization method.
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in High School and College Athletes for Reducing Stress and Injury, and Improving Quality of Life
Authors: Petterson Haley , Olson Bernadette L.
Published: June 2016

Clinical Scenario:

Student athletes experience a variety of stressors from school and social activities, as well as the additional demands of sport participation. Mindfulness-based interventions can help increase mental awareness and acceptance, as well as mitigate negative thoughts and emotions. The use of mindfulness-based interventions may be beneficial for reducing thoughts of stress, injury reduction, and improving overall wellbeing.

Clinical Question:

Does the use of mindfulness-based interventions for student-athletes aged 13–24 years reduce stress and injury as well as improve overall quality of life?

Summary of Findings:

The literature was searched for studies that investigated the use of mindfulness-based strategies for student-athletes specifically for reducing stress and injury and/or improving quality of life. The literature search returned 8 possible studies related to the clinical question and 3 studies met the inclusion criteria (1 randomized control trial, 2 nonrandomized control cohort studies). All 3 included studies demonstrated overall improved levels of mindfulness among student-athletes after the use of a mindfulness-based intervention. Mindfulness-based interventions had positive effects for reducing negative thoughts and levels of perceived stress. The number of injury occurrences were found to decrease following the integration of a mindfulness-based intervention within an athletic population.

Clinical Bottom Line:

There is sufficient evidence supporting the use of mindfulness-based interventions with student-athletes for increasing mindfulness, managing negative emotions and perceived stress, as well as improving overall well-being. There is also current literature that advocates the use of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing injury, but further research is needed for support.

Strength of Recommendation:

Grade B evidence exists to support that the use of mindfulness-based interventions for student-athletes will reduce stress and improve overall well-being as well as support the possibility that if a student-athlete is more mindful, it may help decrease risk of injury incurred if the student-athlete is under mental stress.
Avoiding common pitfalls when clustering biological data
Authors: Ronan Tom , Qi Zhijie , Naegle Kristen M.
Published: June 2016

Properly applied, clustering methods reveal meaning in high-throughput biological data.
Multicenter Study of the Emergence and Genetic Characteristics of Pyrazinamide-Resistant Tuberculosis in China
Authors: Li Dange , Hu Yi , Werngren Jim , Mansjö Mikael , Zheng Xubin , Drobniewski Francis , Hoffner Sven , Xu Biao
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of pyrazinamide (PZA) resistance and the associated risk factors as well as to evaluate the
pncA
gene loci as a marker for PZA resistance in China. A population-based multicenter study of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases was carried out from 2011 to 2013 in four Chinese districts/counties with different geographic and socioeconomic features. Testing for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and susceptibility to PZA was done by the proportion method on Lowenstein-Jensen medium and Bactec MGIT 960, respectively. Mutations in the
pncA
gene were identified by sequencing. Among 878 culture-positive cases, 147 (16.7%) were resistant to PZA, with a significantly higher proportion among MDR isolates than among the first-line drug-susceptible isolates (30.2% versus 7.7%;
P
< 0.001). In total, 136 isolates had a nonsynonymous
pncA
mutation, with a comparable diagnostic performance between Beijing family and non-Beijing family as well as between MDR-TB and first-line drug-susceptible TB. Furthermore, the mutations in isolates with high-level PZA resistance (MIC > 500 mg/liter) were observed mainly in three regions of the
pncA
gene (codons 51 to 76, codons 130 to 142, and codons 163 to 180). Patients with prior treatment history had a significantly higher risk for PZA monoresistance (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.363 to 6.015) and MDR PZA resistance (OR, 6.47; 95% CI, 3.186 to 13.15), while the additional factors associated with MDR PZA resistance were the patient's age (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.042), lung cavity (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.296 to 5.391). These findings suggest that it is a priority to identify PZA resistance in MDR-TB and that a rapid molecular diagnostic test based on
pncA
mutations in the Chinese settings where MDR-TB prevalence is high should be developed.
Murine Alveolar Macrophages Are Highly Susceptible to Replication of Coxiella burnetii Phase IIIn Vitro
Authors: Fernandes Talita D. , Cunha Larissa D. , Ribeiro Juliana M. , Massis Liliana M. , Lima-Junior Djalma S. , Newton Hayley J. , Zamboni Dario S.
Published: June 2016

Coxiella burnetiiis a Gram-negative bacterium that causes Q fever in humans. Q fever is an atypical pneumonia transmitted through inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In mammalian lungs,C. burnetiiinfects and replicates in several cell types, including alveolar macrophages (AMs). The innate immunity and signaling pathways operating during infection are still poorly understood, in part because of the lack of relevant host cell models for infectionin vitro. In the study described here, we investigated and characterized the infection of primary murine AMs byC. burnetiiphase IIin vitro. Our data reveal that AMs show a pronounced M2 polarization and are highly permissive toC. burnetiimultiplicationin vitro. Murine AMs present an increased susceptibility to infection in comparison to primary bone marrow-derived macrophages. AMs support more than 2 logs of bacterial replication during 12 days of infection in culture, similar to highly susceptible host cells, such as Vero and THP-1 cells. As a proof of principle that AMs are useful for investigation ofC. burnetiireplication, we performed experiments with AMs fromNos2−/−orIfng−/−mice. In the absence of gamma interferon and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2), AMs were significantly more permissive than wild-type cells. In contrast, AMs fromIl4−/−mice were more restrictive toC. burnetiireplication, supporting the importance of M2 polarization for the permissiveness of AMs toC. burnetiireplication. Collectively, our data account for understanding the high susceptibility of alveolar macrophages to bacterial replication and support the use of AMs as a relevant model ofC. burnetiigrowth in primary macrophages.
The Conserved Tetratricopeptide Repeat-Containing C-Terminal Domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa FimV Is Required for Its Cyclic AMP-Dependent and -Independent Functions
Authors: Buensuceso Ryan N. C. , Nguyen Ylan , Zhang Kun , Daniel-Ivad Martin , Sugiman-Marangos Seiji N. , Fleetwood Aaron D. , Zhulin Igor B. , Junop Murray S. , Howell P. Lynne , Burrows Lori L.
Published: June 2016

FimV is a
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
inner membrane protein that regulates intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels—and thus type IV pilus (T4P)-mediated twitching motility and type II secretion (T2S)—by activating the adenylate cyclase CyaB. Its cytoplasmic domain contains three predicted tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs separated by an unstructured region: two proximal to the inner membrane and one within the “FimV C-terminal domain,” which is highly conserved across diverse homologs. Here, we present the crystal structure of the FimV C terminus, FimV
861–919
, containing a TPR motif decorated with solvent-exposed, charged side chains, plus a C-terminal capping helix. FimV
689
, a truncated form lacking this C-terminal motif, did not restore wild-type levels of twitching or surface piliation compared to the full-length protein. FimV
689
failed to restore wild-type levels of the T4P motor ATPase PilU or T2S, suggesting that it was unable to activate cAMP synthesis. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis showed that TPR3 interacts directly with the CyaB activator, FimL. However, FimV
689
failed to restore wild-type motility in a
fimV
mutant expressing a constitutively active CyaB (
fimV cyaB-R456L
), suggesting that the C-terminal motif is also involved in cAMP-independent functions of FimV. The data show that the highly conserved TPR-containing C-terminal domain of FimV is critical for its cAMP-dependent and -independent functions.

IMPORTANCE
FimV is important for twitching motility and cAMP-dependent virulence gene expression in
P. aeruginosa
. FimV homologs have been identified in several human pathogens, and their functions are not limited to T4P expression. The C terminus of FimV is remarkably conserved among otherwise very diverse family members, but its role is unknown. We provide here biological evidence for the importance of the C-terminal domain in both cAMP-dependent (through FimL) and -independent functions of FimV. We present X-ray crystal structures of the conserved C-terminal domain and identify a consensus sequence for the C-terminal TPR within the conserved domain. Our data extend our knowledge of FimV's functionally important domains, and the structures and consensus sequences provide a foundation for studies of FimV and its homologs.
Antimicrobial Resistance Expressed by
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
: A Major Global Public Health Problem in the 21st Century
Authors: Unemo Magnus , del Rio Carlos , Shafer William M.
Published: June 2016

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is a strictly human pathogen that is typically transmitted by sexual contact. The associated disease gonorrhea has plagued humankind for thousands of years, with a current estimated incidence of 78 million cases per year. Advances in antimicrobial discovery in the 1920s and 1930s leading to the discovery of sulfonamides and penicillin begun the era of effective antimicrobial treatment of gonorrhea. Unfortunately, the gonococcus developed decreased susceptibility or even resistance to these initially employed antibiotics, a trend that continued over subsequent decades with each new antibiotic that was brought into clinical practice. As this pattern of resistance has continued into the 21st century, there is now reason for great concern, especially in an era when few new antibiotics have prospects for use as treatment of gonorrhea. Here, we review the history of gonorrhea treatment regimens and gonococcal resistance to antibiotics, the mechanisms of resistance, resistance monitoring schemes that exist in different international settings, global responses to the challenge of resistance, and prospects for future treatment regimens in the 21st century.
Preparing for Serious Communicable Diseases in the United States: What the Ebola Virus Epidemic Has Taught Us
Authors: Varkey Jay B. , Ribner Bruce S.
Published: June 2016

Ending the West Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak required an unprecedented international response. For the United States, participation in the international response to the West Africa EVD outbreak provided an opportunity to learn important lessons in four key domains critical to preparing for future outbreaks of EVD and other serious communicable diseases: (i) safe and effective patient care, (ii) the role of experimental therapeutics and vaccines, (iii) infection control, and (iv) hospital and community preparedness.
The need to immobilise the cervical spine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electric shock administration in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Desroziers Milene , Mole Sophie , Jost Daniel , Tourtier Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2016

In cases of out-of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), falling to the ground can cause brain and neck trauma to the patient. We present a case of a man in his mid-60s who suffered from an OHCA resulting in a violent collapse. The patient received immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but his spine was immobilised only after a large frontal haematoma was found. The resuscitation efforts resulted in return of spontaneous circulation and discharge from hospital. After this, doctors performed angioplasty, followed by a cardiopulmonary bypass. Later, CT scan examination reported a displaced and unstable fracture of the 6th vertebra without bone marrow involvement. The patient underwent a second operation. 40 days later, he was able to return home without sequela. This case shows the importance of analysing the circumstances of a fall, considering the possibility of two concomitant diagnoses and prioritising investigations and treatment.
Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Collins Ann , Davies Drew , Menon Sharmila
Published: June 2016

A 57-year-old man was admitted to a psychiatric ward in a confused state. He had a 30-year history of lately stable schizophrenia and antipsychotic medication had recently been reduced. The clinical picture was characterised by confusion, agitation, autonomic instability, muscle rigidity and elevated creatine kinase. Despite no other identifiable cause, physicians were reluctant to accept a diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) due to the absence of fever. Despite acute renal failure, the patient was repeatedly transferred between medical and psychiatric wards; diagnosis and management were delayed, with potentially catastrophic consequences. NMS is a rare, life-threatening neurological disorder that can present atypically and requires emergency medical rather than psychiatric care. Clinicians must proactively distinguish between medical emergencies (including acute confusional states/delirium) and mental illness. Prompt, accurate diagnosis, management on the appropriate ward and effective teamwork between specialties are essential to improve patient outcomes in this potentially fatal condition.
Leisure activities are linked to mental health benefits by providing time structure: comparing employed, unemployed and homemakers
Authors: Goodman William K , Geiger Ashley M , Wolf Jutta M
Published: June 2016

Background

Unemployment has consistently been linked to negative mental health outcomes, emphasising the need to characterise the underlying mechanisms. The current study aimed at testing whether compared with other employment groups, fewer leisure activities observed in unemployment may contribute to elevated risk for negative mental health via loss of time structure.

Methods

Depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression), leisure activities (exercise, self-focused, social), and time structure (Time Structure Questionnaire (TSQ)) were assessed cross-sectionally in 406 participants (unemployed=155, employed=140, homemakers=111) recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk.

Results

Controlling for gender and age, structural equation modelling revealed time structure partially (employed, homemakers) and fully (unemployed) mediated the relationship between leisure activities and depressive symptoms. With the exception of differential effects for structured routines, all other TSQ factors (sense of purpose, present orientation, effective organisation and persistence) contributed significantly to all models.

Conclusions

These findings support the idea that especially for the unemployed, leisure activities impose their mental health benefits through increasing individuals' perception of spending their time effectively. Social leisure activities that provide a sense of daily structure may thereby be a particularly promising low-cost intervention to improve mental health in this population.
Characterization of Immune Cell Phenotypes in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: López-Cacho José Manuel , Gallardo Soledad , Posada Manuel , Aguerri Miriam , Calzada David , Mayayo Teodoro , Lahoz Carlos , Cárdaba Blanca
Published: June 2016

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in verbal and non-verbal communication, impaired social interactions and repetitive behaviors. There is evidence of a link between ASD symptoms and immune dysfunction, but few studies have been performed in adult patients to confirm this. In this work, we used flow cytometry to study immunological differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 59 adult patients and 26 healthy control subjects to identify possible immune cell profiles related with this group of disorders. We analyzed six immune cell subpopulations (ie, B-cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, NK, NKT cells, and monocytes) and their corresponding stages of apoptosis and activation. The most noteworthy results showed that, compared to healthy controls, patients had increased percentages of CD8+ T-cells and B-cells, and a decrease in the percentage of NKT cells. Regarding CD25 expression, we found overall CD25+ overexpression, primarily in NK and NKT cells. Apoptosis percentage showed an increasing trend only in monocytes of patients. These data support a link between ASD and immune dysfunction, suggesting that specific cellular phenotypes and/or activation status of immune cells may be relevant in adult ASD.
Geotechnical engineering behaviors of gellan gum biopolymer treated sand
Authors: Chang Ilhan , Im Jooyoung , Cho Gye-Chun
Published: June 2016

Biological approaches have recently been explored as environmentally friendly alternatives to engineered soil methods in geotechnical engineering practices. The use of microbial induced calcite precipitation, reactive enzymes, and microbial polymers, such as biopolymers, in soil improvement has been studied by researchers around the world. In the present study, gellan gum, a microbial polysaccharide generally used in the food industry due to its hydrogel rheology, was used to strengthen sand. The effects of gellan gum on the geotechnical behaviors of cohesionless sand were evaluated through a series of experimental programs including an unconfined compression test, direct shear test, falling head permeability test, and scanning electron microscopy. The geotechnical properties (friction angle, cohesion, and unconfined compressive strength) of gellan gum–treated sands were determined based on varying moisture conditions: initial, dried, and re-submerged. Gellan gum has a distinct strengthening effect on cohesionless sands through artificial cohesion that varies with the moisture conditions. The strengthening effect of gellan gum on sand appears to be a result of the combination of enhanced bonding between unreactive sand particles and the agglomeration of sand particles through hydrogel condensation, in which the agglomerated sand particles behave as enlarged aggregates in soil.
Reed canarygrass crop biomass and silage as affected by harvest date and nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Bélanger Gilles , Tremblay Gaëtan F. , Bertrand Annick , Mongrain Danielle , Parent Gaétan , Savoie Philippe , Massé Daniel , Gilbert Yan , Babineau Daniel
Published: June 2016

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is a potential biomass crop for energy production but little is known on its optimum management in the northern areas of North America. We determined the effect of three harvest dates (late July, early September, and mid-October) in a one-cut system and four N fertilization (0, 40, 80, and 160 kg N ha−1) on crop biomass and silage characteristics of reed canarygrass seeded in 2007, and harvested and ensiled in 2008 and 2009 following spring N applications. Delaying harvest from late July to mid-October decreased crop biomass dry matter (DM) yield (−0.8 Mg DM ha−1), in vitro true digestibility of DM (IVTD; −79 g kg−1DM), in vitro neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (NDFD; −126 g kg−1NDF), and K concentration (−7.4 g kg−1DM), while it increased soluble carbohydrate (+14.7 g kg−1DM) and ash (+8.5 g kg−1DM) concentrations. Increasing N fertilization from 0 to 160 kg N ha−1increased crop biomass DM yield (+4.3 Mg DM ha−1), crop biomass NDF (+29 g kg−1DM) and ADF (+32 g kg−1DM) concentrations, decreased IVTD (−65 g kg−1DM) and NDFD (−76 g kg−1NDF), and did not affect ash concentration. Silage pH and concentrations of lactate and NH3-N indicated adequate fermentation irrespective of harvest date and N fertilization.