bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting protein kinase–substrate interactions: Toward therapeutic development
Authors: de Oliveira Paulo Sérgio L. , Ferraz Felipe Augusto N. , Pena Darlene A. , Pramio Dimitrius T. , Morais Felipe A. , Schechtman Deborah
Published: March 2016

Identifying conformational interactions between kinases and their substrates may improve the development and clinical success of kinase inhibitors.
A peptide of the RGS domain of GRK2 binds and inhibits Gα
q
to suppress pathological cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction
Authors: Schumacher Sarah M. , Gao Erhe , Cohen Maya , Lieu Melissa , Kurt Chuprun J. , Koch Walter J.
Published: March 2016

A GRK2-derived peptide inhibits pathological cardiac hypertrophy and may prevent heart failure.
New connections: Understanding GRK2 signaling to treat disease
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: March 2016

Understanding the effects of GRK2 signaling in vitro, in cells, and in organisms could result in novel therapeutic strategies.
Science Signaling
Podcast for 22 March 2016: Preventing heart failure with GRK2
Authors: Schumacher Sarah M. , Koch Walter J. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2016

A GRK2-derived peptide reduces pathological cardiac hypertrophy in mice.
IGF-1 modulates neuronal function
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2016

Insulin-like growth factor 1 mediates changes in neuronal circuitry induced by sensory experience.
Papers of note in
Science
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2016

This week’s articles highlight the molecular mechanisms in the brain that prevent overeating, mechanisms in the gut that limit systemic inflammation, and how a specialized chemosensory cell controls gut parasites.
A food clock in the VMH
Authors: Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: March 2016

A circadian clock in the ventromedial hypothalamus controlled by light and nutrients regulates brown adipose metabolism.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Streptococcus agalactiae
Serotype Ia and III Isolates from Tilapia Farms in Thailand
Authors: Areechon Nontawith , Kannika Korntip , Hirono Ikuo , Kondo Hidehiro , Unajak Sasimanas
Published: March 2016

Streptococcus agalactiae
serotypes Ia and III were isolated from infected tilapia in cage and pond culture farms in Thailand during 2012 to 2014, in which pathogenicity analysis demonstrated that serotype III showed higher virulence than serotype Ia. Here, we report the draft genome sequencing of piscine
S. agalactiae
serotypes Ia and III.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Alteromonas stellipolaris
LMG 21856, a Budding Brown Pigment-Producing Oligotrophic Bacterium Isolated from the Southern Ocean
Authors: Chen Jigang , Wang Xing , Zhu Sidong , Chen Yong , Yang Jifang
Published: March 2016

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Alteromonas stellipolaris
LMG 21856, which was isolated from seawater collected from the Southern Ocean.
A. stellipolaris
LMG 21856 is a budding, psychrotrophic, brown pigment-producing, and oligotrophic bacterium
.
The complete genome of this bacterium contains 4,686,200 bp, with a G+C content of 43.6%.
Genome Sequence of a Fowl Adenovirus Serotype 4 Strain Lethal to Chickens, Isolated from China
Authors: Li Lintao , Luo Ling , Luo Qingping , Zhang Tengfei , Zhao Kang , Wang Honglin , Zhang Rongrong , Lu Qin , Pan Zishu , Shao Huabin , Zhang Wanpo , Wen Guoyuan
Published: March 2016

We report here the complete genome sequence of virulent fowl adenovirus serotype 4 strain HB1510, isolated from a diseased chicken with hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome in Hubei, China, in 2015. The viral genome is 43,721 bp long, and sequence analysis showed an 11-amino-acid deletion in open reading frame 29 (ORF29).
Fully Closed Genome Sequences of Five Type Strains of the Genus
Cronobacter
and One
Cronobacter sakazakii
Strain
Authors: Moine Deborah , Kassam Mohamed , Baert Leen , Tang Yanjie , Barretto Caroline , Ngom Bru Catherine , Klijn Adrianne , Descombes Patrick
Published: March 2016

Cronobacter
is associated with infant infections and the consumption of reconstituted infant formula. Here we sequenced and closed six genomes of
C. condimenti
T
,
C. muytjensii
T
,
C. universalis
T
,
C. malonaticus
T
,
C. dublinensis
T
, and
C. sakazakii
that can be used as reference genomes in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis for source tracking investigations.
First Genome Sequence of a Mexican Multidrug-Resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
Isolate
Authors: Graña-Miraglia Lucía , Lozano Luis , Castro-Jaimes Semiramis , Cevallos Miguel A. , Volkow Patricia , Castillo-Ramírez Santiago
Published: March 2016

Acinetobacter baumannii
has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide. Here, we present the draft genome of the first multidrug-resistant
A. baumannii
isolate, sampled from a tertiary hospital in Mexico City. This genome will provide a starting point for studying the genomic diversity of this species in Mexico.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Clinically Isolated Extensively Drug-Resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Strain
Authors: Manivannan Bhavani , Mahalingam Niranjana , Jadhao Sudhir , Mishra Amrita , Nilawe Pravin , Pradeep Bulagonda Eswarappa
Published: March 2016

We present the draft genome assembly of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strain isolated from a patient with a history of genito urinary tuberculosis. The draft genome is 7,022,546 bp with a G+C content of 65.48%. It carries 7 phage genomes, genes for quorum sensing, biofilm formation, virulence, and antibiotic resistance.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Endophytic
Actinoplanes
Species, Encoding Uncommon
trans
-Acyltransferase Polyketide Synthases
Authors: Centeno-Leija Sara , Vinuesa Pablo , Rodríguez-Peña Karol , Trenado-Uribe Miriam , Cárdenas-Conejo Yair , Serrano-Posada Hugo , Rodríguez-Sanoja Romina , Sánchez Sergio
Published: March 2016

Actinoplanes
is an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from the medicinal plant
Amphipterygium adstringens
. The strain draft genome sequence reveals a gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of a hybrid
trans
-acyltransferase (AT) polyketide, an unconventional bioactive metabolite never reported before in the genus
Actinoplanes
.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Arthrobacter
sp. ATCC 21022, a Host for Bacteriophage Discovery
Authors: Russell Daniel A. , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: March 2016

We report the complete genome sequence of
Arthrobacter
sp. ATCC 21022, a strain maintained by ATCC and a commonly used host for bacteriophage isolation and genomic analysis. The strain is prophage-free and CRISPR-free but codes for two predicted restriction-modification systems.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Streptomyces canus
ATCC 12647, a Producer of Telomycin
Authors: Liu Dennis Y. , Li Yongchang , Magarvey Nathan A.
Published: March 2016

We present here the genome sequence of
Streptomyces canus
ATCC 12647, a producer of the antibiotic telomycin, noted for its unique antibacterial activity against cardiolipin. Genomic analysis using the bioinformatics tool PRISM revealed the presence of multiple biosynthetic gene clusters, including those for telomycin and other natural products of potential pharmacological interest.
Whole-Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. SDLI1, Isolated from the Social Bee
Scaptotrigona depilis
Authors: Paludo Camila R. , Ruzzini Antonio C. , Silva-Junior Eduardo A. , Pishchany Gleb , Currie Cameron R. , Nascimento Fábio S. , Kolter Roberto G. , Clardy Jon , Pupo Mônica T.
Published: March 2016

We announce the complete genome sequence of
Bacillus
sp. strain SDLI1, isolated from larval gut of the stingless bee
Scaptotrigona depilis
. The 4.13-Mb circular chromosome harbors biosynthetic gene clusters for the production of antimicrobial compounds.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Streptococcus gordonii
Type Strain CCUG 33482
T
Authors: Salvà-Serra Francisco , Jakobsson Hedvig E. , Thorell Kaisa , Gonzales-Siles Lucia , Hallbäck Erika T. , Jaén-Luchoro Daniel , Boulund Fredrik , Sikora Per , Karlsson Roger , Svensson Liselott , Bennasar Antoni , Engstrand Lars , Kristiansson Erik , Moore Edward R. B.
Published: March 2016

Streptococcus gordonii
type strain CCUG 33482
T
is a member of the
Streptococcus mitis
group, isolated from a case of subacute bacterial endocarditis. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
S. gordonii
CCUG 33482
T
, composed of 41 contigs of a total size of 2.15 Mb with 2,061 annotated coding sequences.
Whole-Genome Sequence of
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
262 Biovar
equi
Isolated from Cow Milk
Authors: Araújo Carlos Leonardo de A. , Dias Larissa M. , Veras Adonney A. O. , Alves Jorianne T. C. , Cavalcante Ana Lídia Q. , Dowson Christopher G. , Azevedo Vasco , Ramos Rommel T. J. , Silva Artur , Carneiro Adriana R.
Published: March 2016

We report the complete genome sequence of
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
262, isolated from a bovine host.
C. pseudotuberculosis
is an etiological agent of diseases with medical and veterinary relevance. The genome contains 2,325,749 bp, 52.8% G+C content, 2,022 coding sequences (CDS), 50 pseudogenes, 48 tRNAs, and 12 rRNAs.
Brief strategic therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder: a clinical and research protocol of a one-group observational study
Authors: Pietrabissa Giada , Manzoni Gian Mauro , Gibson Padraic , Boardman Donald , Gori Alessio , Castelnuovo Gianluca
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling psychopathology. The mainstay of treatment includes cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) and medication management. However, individual suffering, functional impairments as well as the direct and indirect costs associated with the disease remain substantial. New treatment programmes are necessary and the brief strategic therapy (BST) has recently shown encouraging results in clinical practice but no quantitative study has as yet been conducted.

Methods and analysis

The clinical effectiveness of the OCD-specific BST protocol will be evaluated in a one-group observational study. Participants will be sequentially recruited from a state community psychotherapy clinic in Dublin, Ireland. Outcome measures will be the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Data will be collected at baseline, at treatment termination and at 3 month follow-up. The statistical significance of the post-treatment effect will be assessed by the paired-sample Student t test, while clinical significance will be evaluated by means of the equivalence testing method, which will be also used to assess the maintenance of effect at follow-up.

Ethics/dissemination

The present study is approved by the Hesed House Ethics Board in Dublin. Findings will enhance the evidence-based knowledge about the clinical effectiveness of BST in treating OCD symptoms, prior to assessing its efficacy in a randomised and controlled clinical trial, and will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
Evaluation of the associations between changes in intraocular pressure and metabolic syndrome parameters: a retrospective cohort study in Japan
Authors: Yokomichi Hiroshi , Kashiwagi Kenji , Kitamura Kazuyoshi , Yoda Yoshioki , Tsuji Masahiro , Mochizuki Mie , Sato Miri , Shinohara Ryoji , Mizorogi Sonoko , Suzuki Kohta , Yamagata Zentaro
Published: March 2016

Objective

The contributions of highly correlated cardiovascular risk factors to intraocular pressure (IOP) are not clear due to underlying confounding problems. The present study aimed to determine which metabolic syndrome parameters contribute to elevating IOP and to what extent.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A private healthcare centre in Japan.

Participants

Individuals who visited a private healthcare centre and underwent comprehensive medical check-ups between April 1999 and March 2009 were included (20 007 in the cross-sectional study and 15 747 in the longitudinal study).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Changes in IOP were evaluated in terms of ageing and changes in metabolic syndrome parameters. Pearson's correlation coefficients and mixed-effects models were used to examine the relationship of changes in IOP with ageing and changes in metabolic syndrome parameters in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, respectively.

Results

In the cross-sectional study, IOP was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, triglyceride levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. In the longitudinal multivariate analysis, the associated IOP changes were −0.12 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with male sex; −0.59 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 10 years of ageing; +0.42 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 1 mmol/L increase in HDL-C levels; +0.092 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 1 mmol/L increase in triglyceride levels; +0.090 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 10 mm Hg increase in SBP; +0.085 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 10 mm Hg increase in DBP; and+0.091 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 1 mmol/L increase in FPG levels.

Conclusions

Elevation of IOP was related to longitudinal worsening of serum triglyceride levels, blood pressure and FPG and improvement in serum HDL-C levels.
Rehabilitation interventions in children and adults with infectious encephalitis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Christie Shanice , Chan Vincy , Mollayeva Tatyana , Colantonio Angela
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Many encephalitis survivors can benefit from rehabilitation. However, there is currently no comprehensive review describing rehabilitation intervention outcomes among children and adults with infectious encephalitis. This is a protocol for a systematic review that will summarise the current literature on outcomes following rehabilitative interventions among children and adults with infectious encephalitis. With a sufficient sample size, a sex-stratified analysis of the findings will also be presented, as variability between male and female patients with neurological disorders, including encephalitis, regarding outcomes after rehabilitative interventions has been noted in the literature.

Methods and analysis

This review will systematically search MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO using the concepts ‘encephalitis’ and ‘rehabilitation’. Grey literature will be searched usingGrey Matters: A practical search tool for evidence-based medicineand the Google search engine. In addition, reference lists of eligible articles will be screened for any relevant studies. 2 reviewers will independently evaluate the retrieved studies based on predetermined eligibility criteria and perform a quality assessment on eligible studies.

Ethics and dissemination

The results from this review hold the potential to advance our knowledge on the value of rehabilitative interventions targeting children and adults with infectious encephalitis and any sex differences among patients with regard to rehabilitative intervention outcomes. The authors will publish findings from this review in a peer-reviewed scientific journal (electronic and in-print) and present the results at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

CRD42015029217.
Role of institutional entrepreneurship in building adaptive capacity in community-based healthcare organisations: realist review protocol
Authors: Iyengar Sweatha , Katz Aaron , Durham Jo
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Over the past 3 decades, there has been a substantial shift to the marketisation of government-funded health services. For organisations traditionally buffered from the competitive pressures of for-profit enterprises, such as community-based organisations, this means developing the capacity to adapt to competitive tendering processes, shifting client expectations, and increasing demands for greater accountability. Drawing on ideas of institutional entrepreneurship, we believe that attempts to build adaptive capacity require the transformation of existing institutional arrangements. Key in this may be identifying and fostering institutional entrepreneurs—actors who take the lead in being the impetus for, and giving direction to, structural change. This study focuses on the strategies used by institutional entrepreneurs to build adaptive capacity in the community-based healthcare sector.

Methods and analysis

The research will use an adapted rapid realist review. The review will find underlying theories that explain the circumstances surrounding the implementation of capacity-building strategies that shape organisational response and generate outcomes by activating causal mechanisms. An early scoping of the literature, and consultations with key stakeholders, will be undertaken to identify an initial programme theory. We will search for relevant journal articles and grey literature. Data will be extracted based on contextual factors, mechanisms and outcomes, and their configurations. The analysis will seek patterns and regularities in these configurations and will focus on confirming, refuting or refining our programme theory.

Ethics and dissemination

The study does not involve primary research and, therefore, does not require formal ethical approval. However, ethical standards of utility, usefulness, feasibility, propriety, accuracy and accountability will be followed. The results will be written up according to the Realist and Meta-Review Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards guidelines. Once completed, findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

CRD42015026487.
Defining polypharmacy in the elderly: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mortazavi Seyede Salehe , Shati Mohsen , Keshtkar Abasali , Malakouti Seyed Kazem , Bazargan Mohsen , Assari Shervin
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Ageing—along with its associated physiological and pathological changes—places individuals at a higher risk of multimorbidity and treatment-related complications. Today, polypharmacy, a common and important problem related to drug use, occurs subsequent to this multimorbidity in the elderly in all populations. In recent decades, several scientific investigations have studied polypharmacy and its correlates, using different approaches and definitions, and their results have been inconclusive. Differences in definitions and approaches in these studies form a barrier against reaching a conclusion regarding the risk factors and consequences of polypharmacy. It is therefore imperative to establish an appropriate definition of polypharmacy.

Methods and analysis

A systematic review will be conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO and AgeLine bibliographic databases, as well as the grey literature on polypharmacy in older adults to answer these two questions: What definitions in the literature are being used for polypharmacy in older people?, and Which definitions are more comprehensive and applicable? 2 independent reviewers will conduct the primary screening of the articles and data extraction, and eligible sources will be selected after discussing non-conformities. All extracted data from selected articles will be categorised based on the type of study participants, study design and setting, the methodological quality of primary studies and any other potential source of heterogeneity, and results will be summarised in a table, which will contain the levels of evidence and methodological quality of the included studies. The most comprehensive definition of polypharmacy will be selected from the final list of definitions through an international expert webinar.

Ethics and Dissemination

This research is exempt from ethics approval because the work is carried out on published documents. We will disseminate this protocol in a related peer-reviewed journal.
Effective strategies to motivate nursing home residents in oral healthcare and to prevent or reduce responsive behaviours to oral healthcare: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Hoben Matthias , Kent Angelle , Kobagi Nadia , Yoon Minn N
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Oral healthcare in nursing homes is less than optimal, with severe consequences for residents' health and quality of life. To provide the best possible oral healthcare to nursing home residents, care providers need strategies that have been proven to be effective. Strategies can either encourage and motivate residents to perform oral healthcare themselves or can prevent or overcome responsive behaviours from residents when care providers assist with oral healthcare. This systematic review aims to identify studies that evaluate the effectiveness of such strategies and to synthesise their evidence.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a comprehensive search in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Evidence Based Reviews—Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL and Web of Science for quantitative intervention studies that assess the effectiveness of eligible strategies. 2 reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts and retrieved full texts for eligibility. In addition, contents of key journals, publications of key authors and reference lists of all studies included will be searched by hand and screened by 2 reviewers. Discrepancies at any stage of the review process will be resolved by consensus. Data extraction will be performed by 1 research team member and checked by a second team member. 2 reviewers will independently assess methodological quality of studies included using 3 validated checklists appropriate for different research designs. We will present a narrative synthesis of study results.

Ethics and dissemination

We did not seek ethics approval for this study, as we will not collect primary data and data from studies included cannot be linked to individuals or organisations. We will publish findings of this review in a peer-reviewed paper and present them at an international peer-reviewed conference.

Trial registration number

CRD42015026439.
Factors associated with variation in hospital use at the end of life in England
Authors: Bardsley Martin , Georghiou Theo , Spence Ruth , Billings John
Published: March 2016

Objective

To identify the relative importance of factors influencing hospital use at the end of life.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of person and health system effects on hospital use in the past 12 months modelling differences in admissions, bed days and whether a person died in hospital.

Setting

Residents in England for the period 2009/2010 to 2011/2012 using Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data from all acute care hospitals in England funded by the National Health Service (NHS).

Participants

1 223 859 people registered with a GP in England who died (decedents) in England (April 2009–March 2012) with a record of NHS hospital care.

Main outcome measures

Hospital admissions, and hospital bed days and place of death (in or out of hospital) in the past 12 months of life.

Results

The mean number of admissions in the past 12 months of life averaged 2.28 occupying 30.05 bed days—excluding 9.8% of patients with no hospital history. A total of 50.8% of people died in hospital. Difference in hospital use was associated with a range of patient descriptors (age, gender and ethnicity). The variables with the greatest ‘explanatory power’ were those that described the diagnoses and causes of death. So, for example, 65% of the variability in the model of hospital admissions was explained by diagnoses. Only moderate levels of variation were explained by the hospital provider variables for admissions and deaths in hospital, though the impacts on total bed days was large.

Conclusions

Comparative analyses of hospital utilisation should standardise for a range of patient specific variables. Though the models indicated some degree of variability associated with individual providers, the scale of this was not great for admissions and death in hospital but the variability associated with length of stay differences suggests that attempts to optimise hospital use should look at differences in lengths of stay and bed use. This study adds important new information about variability in admissions by diagnostic group, and variability in bed days by diagnostic group and eventual cause of death.
Lisfranc fracture dislocation: a review of a commonly missed injury of the midfoot
Authors: Lau Simon , Bozin Michael , Thillainadesan Tharsa
Published: March 2016

Musculoskeletal trauma to the foot is a common presentation to EDs. A Lisfranc fracture dislocation involves injury to the bony and soft tissue structures of the tarsometatarsal joint. While it is most commonly seen post high velocity trauma, it can also present post minor trauma. It is also misdiagnosed in approximately 20% of cases. These Lisfranc injuries typically present to EDs with pain particularly with weight bearing, swelling and post a characteristic mechanism of injury. Diagnosis is via clinical examination and radiological investigation—typically plain radiographs and CTs. Once diagnosed, Lisfranc injuries can be classified as stable or unstable. Stable injuries can be immobilised in EDs and discharged home. Unstable injuries require an orthopaedic referral for consideration of surgical fixation.
Vascular invasion is an independent prognostic factor for distant recurrence-free survival in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a matched-case comparative study
Authors: Cao Jun , Hu Jin-Lin , Chen Can , Wang Qing-Liang , Fang Xian-Hua , Zhang Yan , Ge Ming-Hua
Published: March 2016

Objective

It is still unclear whether the clinicopathological and outcome characteristics of vascular invasion (VI) (+) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) differ from VI (−) PTC. This study aims to establish distinguishing features of patients with VI (+) and VI (−) PTC and to investigate the biological and clinical aggressiveness of the disease in these patient groups.

Design

A matched-case comparative study.

Methods

412 patients (VI (+) PTC study group n=103, and VI (−) PTC control group n=309). These two patient groups were matched 1:3 for variables of age, gender, histological variants, tumour/node/metastasis (TNM) staging and approximate duration of follow-up. Clinicopathological factors and prognosis were compared across the two patient groups.

Results

The median age at the time of diagnosis was 42.0 years, and 68.9% were females. Across the patient groups, the incidence of tumour multifocality in patients with VI (+) PTC was slightly higher than in those with VI (−) PTC (p=0.049). In addition, when undergoing more aggressive therapy regimens patients with VI (+) PTC showed decreased distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), but not regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) compared with patients who were VI (−). VI was found to be an independent predictor of DRFS, combined with tumour size >3 cm and total thyroidectomy.

Conclusions

VI was an independent risk factor for DRFS, necessitating the need for appropriate postoperative treatment and careful follow-up.
Republished: Development of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) after Onyx embolisation of a cavernous carotid fistula
Authors: Chen Tsinsue , Kalani M Yashar S , Ducruet Andrew F , Albuquerque Felipe C , McDougall Cameron G
Published: March 2016

Patients with cavernous carotid fistulas (CCFs) can present with pituitary hypoperfusion and hypopituitarism; however, there are no previous reports of pituitary or hormonal abnormalities developing after CCF embolisation in an asymptomatic patient. We describe a patient with no hormonal abnormalities who developed syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion after CCF embolisation. The patient had bilateral indirect CCFs, which were completely embolised via a transvenous approach, and was neurologically stable postoperatively and discharged. In the subsequent 2 weeks the patient was readmitted twice for acute hyponatraemia and a tonic-clonic seizure. Laboratory studies revealed severe SIADH. Clinical status and sodium levels improved after treatment. One year later the patient was weaned off all medications and remained neurologically stable. SIADH may be a delayed phenomenon after CCF embolisation. Given the proximity of embolised vessels to the pituitary's vascular supply, CCF treatment may result in flow disturbance, ischaemia and hormonal abnormalities.
Development of an angiogenesis animal model featuring brain arteriovenous malformation histological characteristics
Authors: Papagiannaki Chrysanthi , Clarençon Frédéric , Ponsonnard Sébastien , Couquet Claude , Maizeroi-Eugène Franck , Bresson Damien , Yardin Catherine , Mounayer Charbel
Published: March 2016

Background

Angiogenesis has a key role in the formation and evolution of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Numerous models have been developed aiming to recreate configuration of brain AVMs.

Objective

To develop an animal model sharing the same pathological characteristics as human brain AVMs.

Materials and methods

Ten pigs were divided into two groups. Five animals underwent endovascular left common carotid artery (CCA) and external carotid artery (ECA) occlusion and five animals served as controls. DSA, associated with 3D-rotational angiography, was performed at day 0 and at 3 months in both groups. The volume of theretiawas calculated. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A serum levels were measured in both groups at the same time intervals. Finally, the animals were sacrificed at 3 months and theretiawere harvested for pathological and immunohistochemistry examinations.

Results

At 3 months, a significantly higherretevolume was seen in group A than in group B (2.92±0.33 mL vs 1.87±0.69 mL, respectively; p=0.016). There was a trend for increased VEGF-A levels in group A at 3 months. In the occlusion group, histological findings showed significant reduction of media thickness and disrupted internal elastic lamina; immunohistochemistry findings showed strong reactivity for VEGF receptors and interleukin 6.

Conclusions

Unilateral endovascular occlusion of the CCA–ECA results in angiogenesis triggering of therete mirabilewith both significant augmentation of theretevolume and histological evidence of pro-angiogenic stimulation.
HCl degassing from extremely acidic crater lakes: preliminary results from experimental determinations and implications for geochemical monitoring
Authors: Capaccioni B. , Rouwet D. , Tassi F.
Published: March 2016

Crater lakes are monitored to detect volcanic unrest starting from the assumption that they behave as condensers for magmatic gases. A further assumption is that acidic gases such as HCl are conservative once dissolved in water. This is not true for extremely acidic crater lakes, whose H
+
activity is high enough to induce Cl
−
hydrolysis and consequently HCl degassing. This study presents the results of experimental determinations at 40–45°C demonstrating that HCl degassing from acidic water depends on pH and Cl
−
concentration. HCl degassing starts at pH values
c.
0.05–0.1 with a rate of 5–10 mg min
−1
l
−1
, increasing up to
c.
70 mg min
−1
l
−1
at pH<−0.2. This implies that the rate of HCl removal from a crater lake with a volume of 10
4
–10
5
m
3
and a seawater-like Cl
−
concentration ranges from 5 to 50 t h
−1
. The estimated HCl/H
2
O ratio in the separated vapour phase (0.01–0.2) is coherent with HCl/H
2
O ratios of fumaroles. Our experiments imply that: (i) the presence of very acidic gas species in fumaroles can be associated with a liquid-dominated feeding system, and (ii) dissolved in extremely acidic crater lakes, Cl
−
behaves as a non-conservative component.
Evaluating a volcanic ash ground-loading hazard at Gunung Ciremai, West Java, Indonesia using PF3D
Authors: Bear-Crozier A. N. , Kartadinata N. , Heriwaseso A. , Nielsen O.
Published: March 2016

Volcanic ash represents a serious hazard to communities living in the vicinity of active volcanoes in developing countries such as Indonesia. Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australia–Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction (AIFDR) and Badan Geologi (Indonesia's Geological Agency) have adapted an existing open-source volcanic ash dispersion model for use in Indonesia. An application example is presented here for Gunung Ciremai in West Java, Indonesia. A stochastic set of eruption events was simulated using eruptive parameters within the acceptable range of possible future events for this volcano: granulometry and a meteorological dataset that represents the complete range of possible wind conditions expected during seasonal wind conditions for the region. Implications for nearby communities of dry v. rainy season conditions on volcanic ash hazard were investigated. Communities on the western side of Gunung Ciremai were highly susceptible to volcanic ash ground loading regardless of the season: communities on the eastern side, however, were more susceptible during the rainy season months. This is attributed to prevailing wind conditions during the rainy season that include a strong easterly component. Disaster risk reduction workers can use hazard maps like those produced here to inform decision-making, and to focus mitigation efforts on communities most at risk.
Editorial
Authors: Hart Emma
Published: March 2016

This issue of SIGEVOLution is dedicated to the memory of John Holland, inventor of Genetic Algorithms, who sadly passed away on August 9th 2015. John's work will have touched all of us working in the field of Evolutionary Computing in some way big or small, from the PhD student just beginning to those who began work in the field at its inception. It was reading his book "Adaptation in Natural Artificial Systems" while I was an MSc student in 1994 that inspired me to go on to do first a Master's project and then a PhD in the area and I'm sure the same goes for so many other people reading this.

It is clearly impossible to do justice to such a figure in the few short pages of this newsletter. My grateful thanks go to Una-May O-Reilly who has been hugely helpful in suggesting names and collecting material for this issue. We have tried to pay tribute by gathering together contributions from many of those who worked directly with John during his long and rich career. In addition, we have interviews and contributions from several of his former graduate students, people who were inspired by his classes, and those that went on to work with him. The newsletter also highlights some of the tributes that were paid in various forms of the media, including a radio programme, a recent book published to celebrate his 85th birthday, and a look back to an interview with him published in the SIGEVO newsletter in 2008. Interviews and contributions are presented here in no particular order.

What ever you are currently working on in the broad, diverse and flourishing field of Evolutionary Computing today, it is doubtless underpinned by John's original ideas - I hope that you enjoy reading these insights into John the man and the scientist who paved the way for us!
Una-May O'Reilly
Authors: O'Reilly Una-May
Published: March 2016

The world was so fortunate to have such a wonderful man. He was a brilliant and bold thinker of enormous impact. John's ideas on complexity and, within them on evolutionary computation, might arguably have been articulated in advance of the technical capabilities needed to fully explore their foundations, implications and potential. That kind of scientific vision is hallmark of a great thinker. For GAs and GP, we're only now, in isolated cases, exploring computation at a scale large enough to realize some of the facets of complexity he so clearly abstracted and described in such an inspiring way.
Erik Goodman
Authors: Goodman Erik
Published: March 2016

John's passing is very sad for me, and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues who enjoyed his marvellous spirit.
Scott Page
Authors: Page Scott
Published: March 2016

On Aug. 9, 2015, we lost John Holland, computer scientist, psychologist, and complexity scientist. John defined new areas of research and tools for exploring them. Along the way, he made significant contributions in a startlingly unusual range of fields. He gave us new ways to solve problems and changed how many of us think, literally.
Intestinal SGLT1 in metabolic health and disease
Authors: Lehmann Anders , Hornby Pamela J.
Published: March 2016

The Na+-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1/SLC5A1) is predominantly expressed in the small intestine. It transports glucose and galactose across the apical membrane in a process driven by a Na+ gradient created by Na+-K+-ATPase. SGLT2 is the major form found in the kidney, and SGLT2-selective inhibitors are a new class of treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent data from patients treated with dual SGLT1/2 inhibitors or SGLT2-selective drugs such as canagliflozin (SGLT1 IC50 = 663 nM) warrant evaluation of SGLT1 inhibition for T2DM. SGLT1 activity is highly dynamic, with modulation by multiple mechanisms to ensure maximal uptake of carbohydrates (CHOs). Intestinal SGLT1 inhibition lowers and delays the glucose excursion following CHO ingestion and augments glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) secretion. The latter is likely due to increased glucose exposure of the colonic microbiota and formation of metabolites such as L cell secretagogues. GLP-1 and PYY secretion suppresses food intake, enhances the ileal brake, and has an incretin effect. An increase in colonic microbial production of propionate could contribute to intestinal gluconeogenesis and mediate positive metabolic effects. On the other hand, a threshold of SGLT1 inhibition that could lead to gastrointestinal intolerability is unclear. Altered Na+ homeostasis and increased colonic CHO may result in diarrhea and adverse gastrointestinal effects. This review considers the potential mechanisms contributing to positive metabolic and negative intestinal effects. Compounds that inhibit SGLT1 must balance the modulation of these mechanisms to achieve therapeutic efficacy for metabolic diseases.
Lin28 and let-7: roles and regulation in liver diseases
Authors: McDaniel Kelly , Hall Chad , Sato Keisaku , Lairmore Terry , Marzioni Marco , Glaser Shannon , Meng Fanyin , Alpini Gianfranco
Published: March 2016

The diagnosis and treatment of liver disease remain a major health concern worldwide because of the diverse etiologies of this disease. For this reason, new therapeutic targets are greatly needed to halt the progression of this damaging disease. Upon initiation of liver injury by viral infection, autoimmune disease or toxin, and/or hepatitis, chronic disease may develop, which can progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma, liver failure, or death. The Lin28/lethal-7 (let-7) molecular switch has emerged as a central regulator of multiorgan injuries and cancer development. Lin28 is a stem cell marker vital to initiation or maintenance of a stem cell phenotype. Lin28 has not been extensively studied in the liver, despite its ability to induce tissue regeneration via reprogramming of oxidative enzymes in other tissues and its involvement with numerous upstream regulators and downstream targets in liver disease. Theoretically, overexpression of Lin28 in certain forms of liver disease could be a potential treatment that aids in liver regeneration. Alternatively, Lin28 has been implicated numerous times in the progression of diverse cancer types and is associated with increased severity of disease. In this case, Lin28 could be a potential inhibitory target to prevent malignant transformation in the liver. This review seeks to characterize the role of Lin28 in liver disease.
Effect of nasal noninvasive respiratory support methods on pharyngeal provocation-induced aerodigestive reflexes in infants
Authors: Jadcherla Sudarshan R. , Hasenstab Kathryn A. , Sitaram Swetha , Clouse Brian J. , Slaughter Jonathan L. , Shaker Reza
Published: March 2016

The pharynx is a locus of provocation among infants with aerodigestive morbidities manifesting as dysphagia, life-threatening events, aspiration-pneumonia, atelectasis, and reflux, and such infants often receive nasal respiratory support. We determined the impact of different oxygen delivery methods on pharyngeal stimulation-induced aerodigestive reflexes [room air (RA), nasal cannula (NC), and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP)] while hypothesizing that the sensory motor characteristics of putative reflexes are distinct. Thirty eight infants (28.0 ± 0.7 wk gestation) underwent pharyngoesophageal manometry and respiratory inductance plethysmography to determine the effects of graded pharyngeal stimuli ( n = 271) on upper and lower esophageal sphincters (UES, LES), swallowing, and deglutition-apnea. Comparisons were made between NC ( n = 19), nCPAP ( n = 9), and RA ( n = 10) groups. Importantly, NC or nCPAP (vs. RA) had: 1) delayed feeding milestones ( P < 0.05), 2) increased pharyngeal waveform recruitment and duration, greater UES nadir pressure, decreased esophageal contraction duration, decreased distal esophageal contraction amplitude, and decreased completely propagated esophageal peristalsis (all P < 0.05), and 3) similarly developed UES contractile and LES relaxation reflexes ( P > 0.05). We conclude that aerodigestive reflexes were similarly developed in infants using noninvasive respiratory support with adequate upper and lower aerodigestive protection. Increased concern for GERD is unfounded in this population. These infants may benefit from targeted oromotor feeding therapies and safe pharyngeal bolus transit to accelerate feeding milestones.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 and exercise-induced hepatic mitochondrial adaptations
Authors: Fletcher Justin A. , Linden Melissa A. , Sheldon Ryan D. , Meers Grace M. , Morris E. Matthew , Butterfield Anthony , Perfield James W. , Thyfault John P. , Rector R. Scott
Published: March 2016

Exercise stimulates hepatic mitochondrial adaptations; however, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we tested whether FGF21 plays an obligatory role in exercise induced hepatic mitochondrial adaptations by testing exercise responses in FGF21 knockout mice. FGF21 knockout (FGF21-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice (11–12 wk of age) had access to voluntary running wheels for exercise (EX) or remained sedentary for 8 wk. FGF21 deficiency resulted in greater body weight, adiposity, serum cholesterol, insulin, and glucose concentrations compared with WT mice ( P < 0.05). In addition, hepatic mitochondrial complete palmitate oxidation, β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (β-HAD) activity, and nuclear content of PGC-1α were 30–50% lower in FGF21-KO mice compared with WT mice ( P < 0.01). EX effectively lowered body weight, adiposity, serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, and insulin and normalized mitochondrial complete palmitate oxidation in the FGF21-KO mice, whereas the reduced hepatic β-HAD activity and lowered nuclear content of PGC-1α in FGF21-KO mice were not restored by EX. In addition, EX increased hepatic CPT-1α mRNA expression and ACC phosphorylation (a marker of increased AMPK activity) and reduced hepatic triacylglycerol content in both genotypes. However, FGF21-KO mice displayed a lower EX-induced increase in the mRNA expression of the hepatic gluconeogenic gene, PEPCK, compared with WT. In conclusion, FGF21 does not appear necessary for exercise-induced systemic and hepatic mitochondrial adaptations, but the increased adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, and impairments in hepatic mitochondrial function induced by FGF21 deficiency can be partially rescued by daily wheel running exercise.
Selective α1-adrenergic blockade disturbs the regional distribution of cerebral blood flow during static handgrip exercise
Authors: Fernandes Igor A. , Mattos João D. , Campos Monique O. , Machado Alessandro C. , Rocha Marcos P. , Rocha Natalia G. , Vianna Lauro C. , Nobrega Antonio C. L.
Published: March 2016

Handgrip-induced increases in blood flow through the contralateral artery that supplies the cortical representation of the arm have been hypothesized as a consequence of neurovascular coupling and a resultant metabolic attenuation of sympathetic cerebral vasoconstriction. In contrast, sympathetic restraint, in theory, inhibits changes in perfusion of the cerebral ipsilateral blood vessels. To confirm whether sympathetic nerve activity modulates cerebral blood flow distribution during static handgrip (SHG) exercise, beat-to-beat contra- and ipsilateral internal carotid artery blood flow (ICA; Doppler) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; Finometer) were simultaneously assessed in nine healthy men (27 ± 5 yr), both at rest and during a 2-min SHG bout (30% maximal voluntary contraction), under two experimental conditions: 1) control and 2) α1-adrenergic receptor blockade. End-tidal carbon dioxide (rebreathing system) was clamped throughout the study. SHG induced increases in MAP (+31.4 ± 10.7 mmHg, P < 0.05) and contralateral ICA blood flow (+80.9 ± 62.5 ml/min, P < 0.05), while no changes were observed in the ipsilateral vessel (−9.8 ± 39.3 ml/min, P > 0.05). The reduction in ipsilateral ICA vascular conductance (VC) was greater compared with contralateral ICA (contralateral: −0.8 ± 0.8 vs. ipsilateral: −2.6 ± 1.3 ml·min−1·mmHg−1, P < 0.05). Prazosin was effective to induce α1-blockade since phenylephrine-induced increases in MAP were greatly reduced ( P < 0.05). Under α1-adrenergic receptor blockade, SHG evoked smaller MAP responses (+19.4 ± 9.2, P < 0.05) but similar increases in ICAs blood flow (contralateral: +58.4 ± 21.5 vs. ipsilateral: +54.3 ± 46.2 ml/min, P > 0.05) and decreases in VC (contralateral: −0.4 ± 0.7 vs. ipsilateral: −0.4 ± 1.0 ml·min−1·mmHg−1, P > 0.05). These findings indicate a role of sympathetic nerve activity in the regulation of cerebral blood flow distribution during SHG.
Effects of short-term exposure to head-down tilt on cerebral hemodynamics: a prospective evaluation of a spaceflight analog using phase-contrast MRI
Authors: Marshall-Goebel Karina , Ambarki Khalid , Eklund Anders , Malm Jan , Mulder Edwin , Gerlach Darius , Bershad Eric , Rittweger Jörn
Published: March 2016

Alterations in cerebral hemodynamics in microgravity are hypothesized to occur during spaceflight and could be linked to the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure syndrome. Head-down tilt (HDT) is frequently used as a ground-based analog to simulate cephalad fluid shifts in microgravity; however, its effects on cerebral hemodynamics have not been well studied with MRI techniques. Here, we evaluate the effects of 1) various HDT angles on cerebral arterial and venous hemodynamics; and 2) exposure to 1% CO2 during an intermediate HDT angle (−12°) as an additional space-related environmental factor. Blood flow, cross-sectional area (CSA), and blood flow velocity were measured with phase-contrast MRI in the internal jugular veins, as well as the vertebral and internal carotid arteries. Nine healthy male subjects were measured at baseline (supine, 0°) and after 4.5 h of HDT at −6°, −12° (with and without 1% CO2), and −18°. We found a decrease in total arterial blood flow from baseline during all angles of HDT. On the venous side, CSA increased with HDT, and outflow decreased during −12° HDT ( P = 0.039). Moreover, the addition of 1% CO2 to −12° HDT caused an increase in total arterial blood flow ( P = 0.016) and jugular venous outflow ( P < 0.001) compared with −12° HDT with ambient atmosphere. Overall, the results indicate decreased cerebral blood flow during HDT, which may have implications for microgravity-induced cerebral hemodynamic changes.