bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐sufficiency in plasma supply – achievable and desirable?
Authors: Flanagan P.
Published: September 2017

Debate concerning the principle of self‐sufficiency in plasma based on voluntary non‐remunerated donation has been going on for over 40 years. During this period the dependency on the commercial plasma industry has increased considerably. The debate has two main themes. The first focusses on the ethical principles underpinning World Health Assembly resolutions on voluntary non‐remunerated donation and questions relating to donor compensation and the use of incentives in the voluntary sector. The second theme concerns barriers to achieving the goal of self‐sufficiency. The needs of patients and the most effective way to ensure equitable access to sufficient plasma derived medicinal products and issues around security of supply lie at the centre of the debate. Ultimately health authorities will need to carefully balance ethical principles and practical reality in assuring that this is achieved.
NanoSIMS for biological applications: Current practices and analyses
Authors: Nuñez Jamie , Renslow Ryan , Cliff John B. , Anderton Christopher R.
Published: September 2017

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has become an increasingly utilized tool in biologically relevant studies. Of these, high lateral resolution methodologies using the NanoSIMS 50/50L have been especially powerful within many biological fields over the past decade. Here, the authors provide a review of this technology, sample preparation and analysis considerations, examples of recent biological studies, data analyses, and current outlooks. Specifically, the authors offer an overview of SIMS and development of the NanoSIMS. The authors describe the major experimental factors that should be considered prior to NanoSIMS analysis and then provide information on best practices for data analysis and image generation, which includes an in-depth discussion of appropriate colormaps. Additionally, the authors provide an open-source method for data representation that allows simultaneous visualization of secondary electron and ion information within a single image. Finally, the authors present a perspective on the future of this technology and where they think it will have the greatest impact in near future.
Unsupervised modulation filter learning for noise-robust speech recognition
Authors: Agrawal Purvi , Ganapathy Sriram
Published: September 2017

The modulation filtering approach to robust automatic speech recognition (ASR) is based on enhancing perceptually relevant regions of the modulation spectrum while suppressing the regions susceptible to noise. In this paper, a data-driven unsupervised modulation filter learning scheme is proposed using convolutional restricted Boltzmann machine. The initial filter is learned using the speech spectrogram while subsequent filters are learned using residual spectrograms. The modulation filtered spectrograms are used for ASR experiments on noisy and reverberant speech where these features provide significant improvements over other robust features. Furthermore, the application of the proposed method for semi-supervised learning is investigated.
Performance comparisons of frequency-difference and conventional beamforming
Authors: Douglass Alexander S. , Song H. C. , Dowling David R.
Published: September 2017

Frequency-difference beamforming [Abadi, Song, and Dowling (2012b). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 3018–3029] is an unconventional beamforming method for use with sparse receiver arrays. It involves beamforming a quadratic product of complex field amplitudes, P(ω2)P*(ω1), at the difference frequency, ω2−ω1, instead of beamforming the complex field amplitude P(ω) at frequencies ω within the signal bandwidth. Frequency-difference beamforming is readily implemented with ordinary transducer array recordings of non-zero bandwidth signals. Results for, and comparisons of, frequency-difference beamforming from simulations and experiments are reported herein. In particular, spherical-wave beamforming is investigated using 15 and 165 kHz pulse signals in a 1.07-m-diameter water tank with a linear array having 14 elements spaced 5.08 cm apart. Here, frequency-difference beamforming using the high-frequency pulses provides comparable results to conventional beamforming at 15 kHz. Plane-wave beamforming is investigated using 11.2–32.8 kHz frequency-sweep signals broadcast 3 km through a 106-m-deep ocean sound channel to a vertical array having 16 elements spaced 3.75 m apart. Here, frequency difference beamforming in the 1.7–2.3 kHz difference frequency band provides results comparable to conventional beamforming in this band.
Short-pulse method for acoustic backscatter amplitude calibration at MHz frequencies
Authors: Wilson Gregory W. , Hay Alex E.
Published: September 2017

The short-pulse acoustic backscatter amplitude calibration technique of Dragonette, Numrich, and Frank [(1981), J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 69, 1186–1189] is evaluated for MHz frequency systems, as are used to measure environmental suspended sediment concentration. The technique involves measuring backscatter from a short transmit pulse reflected by a solid spherical target, and treating the first received reflection as equivalent to that from a perfectly rigid sphere. In this implementation, the target sphere is 16 mm diameter tungsten carbide. The target is mounted on a stiff support rod rather than being suspended on a filament, enabling precise positioning of the sphere relative to the transducer. That the support rod does not significantly influence the calibration is demonstrated by reconstructing the backscatter time series, including the sequence of pulses from surface (Rayleigh) waves, using elastic scattering theory. Calibration results are verified in a separate experiment in which the backscatter from dilute aqueous suspensions of 400–600 μm diameter polystyrene beads in water is measured within the 1–2 MHz frequency band. After correcting for the additional attenuation within the scatterers, the resulting values of the backscatter form factor are within 20% of the theoretical predictions.
The Relationship Between Concentric Hip Abductor Strength and Performance of the Y-Balance Test (YBT)
Authors: Francis Peter , Gray Kay , Perrem Nic
Published: September 2017

Side-lying hip abduction is an action used during manual muscle testing and is also prescribed as a rehabilitation exercise to improve dynamic single-leg stability. Little is known about the functional cross-over of this activity. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between concentric hip abductor strength and performance of the Y-Balance test (YBT). Forty-five recreational gym users (27 male, age 26.2 [8.4] years; 18 female, age 27.4 [7.5] years) had dynamic single-leg stability and concentric hip abductor peak torque assessed in the nondominant limb using a YBT and isokinetic dynamometry, respectively. All components of the YBT had a moderate association with concentric hip abductor torque which were greater in the posteromedial (r = .574, p > .001) and posterolateral (r = .657, p > .001) directions compared to the anterior direction (r = .402, p = .006). Greater concentric hip abductor strength is associated with greater scores on components of the YBT, particularly the posterior reaches.
Characterizing Lower Extremity Movement Scores Before and After Fatigue in Collegiate Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Bagherian Sajad , Rahnama Nader , Wikstrom Erik A. , Clark Micheal A. , Rostami Faroogh
Published: September 2017

Sensorimotor function is impaired in chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients. CAI patients have an increased sensitivity to fatigue relative to controls. Few investigations have quantified functional movement scores in CAI patients or the effect of fatigue on such scores. Therefore, we characterized functional movement scores before and after fatigue in 40 collegiate athletes with CAI. Three movement patterns (double-limb squat, double-limb squat with heel lift, and single-limb squat) were completed before and after fatigue and scored using Fusionetics®. All Fusionetics scores were higher (worse) after fatigue. The results demonstrate that functional movement scores were sensitive to fatigue.
Sex-Specific Relationships Between Hip Strength and Hip, Pelvis, and Trunk Kinematics in Healthy Runners
Authors: Hannigan James J. , Osternig Louis R. , Chou Li-Shan
Published: September 2017

Weak hip muscle strength and excessive hip motion during running have been suggested as potential risk factors for developing patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in females, but not males. There is conflicting evidence on the relationship between hip strength and hip kinematics, which may be partly due to sex differences in the relationship between these parameters. Hip, pelvis, and trunk kinematics were collected while 60 healthy, habitual runners (23 females, 37 males) ran overground, and isometric hip abduction and external rotation strengths were measured bilaterally. Pearson correlation coefficients quantified sex-specific correlations between hip strength and kinematics, and unpaired t tests assessed sex differences in hip strength and kinematics. Hip abduction strength was moderately and inversely correlated to hip adduction excursion in females, and pelvic internal rotation excursion in males. Hip external rotation strength was moderately and inversely correlated to trunk flexion excursion in females. Finally, females displayed less hip external rotation strength and greater excursion at the hip and trunk during running compared to males. Despite the significant correlations, the relatively low r2 values suggest that additional factors outside of strength contribute to a substantial portion of the variance in trunk, pelvis, and hip kinematics.
Effect of Posttrial Visual Feedback and Fatigue During Drop Landings on Patellofemoral Joint Stress in Healthy Female Adults
Authors: Olbrantz Christina , Bergelin Jamie , Asmus Jill , Kernozek Thomas , Rutherford Drew , Gheidi Naghmeh
Published: September 2017

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is common in females. Patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) may be important in the development of PFP. Ground reaction force (GRF) during landing activities may impact PFJS. Our purpose was to determine how healthy females alter their landing mechanics using visual posttrial feedback on their GRF and assess how PFJS changes. Seventeen participants performed a series of drop landings during 3 conditions: baseline, feedback, and postfatigue feedback. The fatigue protocol used repetitive jump squats. Quadriceps force was estimated through inverse-dynamics-based static optimization approach. Then, PFJS was calculated using a musculoskeletal model. Multivariate differences were shown across conditions (P = .01). Univariate tests revealed differences in PFJS (P = .014), knee range of motion (P = .001), and GRF (P = .005). There were no differences in quadriceps force (P = .125). PFJS and GRF decreased from baseline to feedback (P = .002, P = .007, respectively), while PFJS increased from feedback to postfatigue feedback (P = .03). Knee range of motion increased from baseline to feedback (P = .043), then decreased from feedback to postfatigue feedback (P < .001). Visual feedback of GRF may reduce PFJS, but may not effectively transfer to a fatigued state.
Protective Role of Recent and Past Long-Term Physical Activity on Age-Related Cognitive Decline: The Moderating Effect of Sex
Authors: Lopez-Fontana Iréné , Castanier Carole , Le Scanff Christine , Perrot Alexandra
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to investigate if the impact of both recent and long-term physical activity on age-related cognitive decline would be modified by sex. One-hundred thirty-five men (N = 67) and women (N = 68) aged 18 to 80 years completed the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire and the Historical Leisure Activity Questionnaire. A composite score of cognitive functions was computed from five experimental tasks. Hierarchical regression analyses performed to test the moderating effect of recent physical activity on age-cognition relationship had not revealed significant result regardless of sex. Conversely, past long-term physical activity was found to slow down the age-related cognitive decline among women (β = 0.22,p = .03), but not men. The findings support a lifecourse approach in identifying determinants of cognitive aging and the importance of taking into account the moderating role of sex. This article presented potential explanations for these moderators and future avenues to explore.
Walking as a Mediator of the Relationship of Social Support With Vitality and Psychological Distress in Older Adults
Authors: Carrapatoso Susana , Cardon Greet , Van Dyck Delfien , Carvalho Joana , Gheysen Freja
Published: September 2017

This study examined the mediating effect of walking on the relationship of social support with vitality and psychological distress. Data from a sample of 2,859 older adults were used. The older adults completed the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey vitality scale, the Global Health Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and a social support attributes questionnaire. All social support variables were positively associated with vitality and negatively associated with psychological distress. Walking mediated the associations of appreciation for (3%) and frequency of (8%) social contacts, participation in group activities (19%), closeness from family and friends (8%), and concern from people around (6%) with vitality. Walking also mediated 33% of the association between participation in group activities and psychological distress. The main findings of this study suggest that participation in group activities, as part of social support, in later life is beneficial to improve older adults’ vitality and reduces psychological distress, with walking being a strong mediator of these relationships.
Effectiveness of Multimodal Training on Functional Capacity in Frail Older People: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Lopez Pedro , Izquierdo Mikel , Radaelli Regis , Sbruzzi Graciele , Grazioli Rafael , Pinto Ronei Silveira , Cadore Eduardo Lusa
Published: September 2017

In this meta-analysis, we investigated the effect of resistance training (RT) alone or included in a multimodal training on physical frailty outcomes, and whether different variables of RT prescription affect these outcomes. We identified 15 relevant studies searching through MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SPORTDiscus, and PEDro database. Postintervention standardized mean difference scores were computed and combined using fixed effects meta-analysis. Analyses have shown positive effects of interventions on maximum strength, gait speed, and Timed Up and Go test. Further analyses have shown significant greater effect of shorter periods on maximum strength. Regarding RT prescription, percentage of one-repetition maximum showed significant effect on physical variables, whereas RT based on rate of perceived effort presented lower effect in the Timed Up and Go test. Although multimodal training is an effective intervention to increase physical capacity, caution should be taken regarding the period and the method to control RT intensity to optimize enhancements in frail older people.
Inside Out: How Body Postures, Bioenergetic Resources, and Inflammation Shape Perceptual Content
Authors: Costantini Marcello
Published: September 2017

Beyond the trivial assumption that without a body we cannot gather sensory information from the environment and we cannot act upon it, our particular body, right here, right now, both enables and constrains our perception of the environment. In this review, I provide empirical support for the idea that our physical body can narrow the set of our possible interactions with the environment by shaping the way we perceive stimuli around us. I will propose that such effects are contributed by the effect of our physical body—that is, flesh and bone body—on the oscillatory dynamics of intrinsic brain activity.
Actual and Perceived Motor Competence Levels of Belgian and United States Preschool Children
Authors: Brian Ali , Bardid Farid , Barnett Lisa M. , Deconinck Frederik J.A. , Lenoir Matthieu , Goodway Jacqueline D.
Published: September 2017

Purpose:The present study examined the motor competence of preschool children from Belgium and the United States (US), and the influence of perceived motor competence on actual motor competence. A secondary objective was to compare the levels of motor competence of Belgian and US children using the US norms of the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2).Methods:All participants (N = 326; ages 4–5 years) completed the TGMD-2 and the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children.Results:Belgian children performed significantly higher on actual object control and locomotor skills than US children. However, both Belgian and US children scored significantly worse on the TGMD-2 when compared to the US norm group from 1997–1998. Furthermore, perceived motor competence was significantly related to actual object control skills but not locomotor skills.Conclusion:The present study showed cross-cultural differences in actual motor competence in young children. The findings also indicate a secular downward trend in childhood competence levels, possibly due to a decrease in physical activity and increase in sedentary behavior. Future research should consider conducting an in-depth exploration of physical activity contexts such as physical education to better understand cross-cultural differences in motor competence.
Visual Illusions Affect Motor Performance, But not Learning in Highly Skilled Shooters
Authors: Bahmani Moslem , Diekfuss Jed A. , Rostami Robabeh , Ataee Nasim , Ghadiri Farhad
Published: September 2017

Enhanced expectancies are an important component of OPTIMAL theory and are thought to contribute to motor performance and learning. There is limited information, however, on the generalizability of OPTIMAL theory to highly skilled individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of visual illusions, specifically an Ebbinghaus illusion, on the performance and learning of an aiming task using highly skilled 10-m rifle and pistol shooters. Two groups of shooters with international experience were recruited and practiced with perceived larger and smaller targets. Our results indicated that participants who perceived the target larger reported higher self-efficacy immediately after practice. In addition, these participants had higher shooting performance during practice. Our retention test (24 hours later), however, did not produce differences in self-efficacy or shooting performance. Our data suggests that visual illusions are beneficial for motor performance in highly skilled shooters, but may not affect learning in those who are in the latter stages of learning. Further studies should continue examining the role of visual illusions for enhancing expectancies in highly skilled and experienced performers.
The Use of Orthotic Insoles to Prevent Lower Limb Overuse Injuries: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Kelly Janie L. , Valier Alison R.
Published: September 2017

Overuse injuries are common in physically active populations. Lower limb overuse injuries can occur anywhere in the lower-extremity and include injuries such as medial tibial stress syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and anterior knee pain. One reason that overuse injuries have received attention is because they have both short- and long-term consequences on health and burden the lives of physically active people. Over the years, a variety of approaches have been proposed for prevention of lower limb overuse injury that addresses various intrinsic or extrinsic risk factors. One extrinsic risk factor is footwear and the use of orthotic insoles to prevent injury. To date, there is no consensus as to whether these supports prevented lower limb overuse injuries. A critical appraisal of recent studies examining the injury prevention capabilities of orthotic insoles was completed. The long-term objective of this research is to help identify effective strategies for preventing injuries in physically active people.
Comparison of Thigh Muscle Strain Occurrence and Injury Patterns Between Male and Female High School Soccer Athletes
Authors: Cross Kevin M. , Gurka Kelly K. , Saliba Susan , Conaway Mark , Hertel Jay
Published: September 2017

Context: Thigh muscle strains are among the most common injuries in high school soccer for both males and females. Similar results have been reported among college soccer players, specifically for hamstring strains. In college soccer, males have a higher injury rate than women, although they share common injury characteristics. Currently, no studies exist comparing the injury rate or injury characteristics of thigh muscle strains between sexes playing high school soccer. Objective: To compare thigh muscle strain injury rates and injury event characteristics among sexes participating in high school soccer. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: A total of 100 nationally representative high schools that participated in the High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance System, Reporting Information Online. Participants: High school soccer athletes who had a thigh muscle strain. Main Outcome Measures: Injury rates of thigh muscle strains were calculated between sexes. The occurrence of the following variables during a thigh muscle injury was compared between sexes: grade level, age, level of play, event type, time of practice, time of competition, basic injury mechanism, soccer activity, player position, field location, practice type, and time of season. Results: Males had a lower injury rate of thigh muscle strains during competition than females (rate ratio = 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.47–0.93). No differences between sexes existed in the distribution of first-time or recurrent event characteristics. When combining sexes, recurrent strains (93%) occurred more frequently on the offensive side of the field than first-time strains (59%), P < .001. The majority of strains occurred among the varsity players (71%), during running activities (60%) and practices (58%). Conclusions: Males were less likely to sustain a thigh muscle strain during competitions, but no other differences existed between sexes. The events surrounding all thigh muscle strains may be described with some common properties. Consideration of these characteristics may assist in the development of preventive and rehabilitative programs as well as direct future research on thigh muscle strains among high school soccer players.
Effects of Self-Myofascial Release on Shoulder Function and Perception in Adolescent Tennis Players
Authors: Le Gal Julien , Begon Mickael , Gillet Benoit , Rogowski Isabelle
Published: September 2017

Context: Tennis induces a decreased internal rotation range of motion at the dominant glenohumeral joint. The effects of self-myofascial release have not yet been investigated to restore glenohumeral range of motion. Objective: This study aimed at investigating the effects of self-myofascial release on shoulder function and perception in adolescent tennis players. Design: Test–retest design. Setting: Tennis training sport facilities. Participants: Eleven male players participated in this study (age: 15 [3] y; height: 173.1 [11.1] cm; mass: 56.0 [15.1] kg; International Tennis Number: 3). Intervention: During 5 weeks, the players performed their regular tennis training. During 5 additional weeks, self-myofascial release of the infraspinatus and pectoralis muscles was implemented 3 times per week after the warm-up of the regular training session. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion. The secondary outcomes were perceived shoulder instability and tennis serve accuracy and velocity. Results: Adding self-myofascial release allowed an increase of 11° (2°) of internal rotation range of motion at the dominant glenohumeral joint (P < .001) and a decreased perception of shoulder instability (P = .03), while maintaining tennis serve velocity and accuracy. Conclusions: Implementing self-myofascial release on infraspinatus and pectoralis muscles 3 times per week during 5 weeks improved dominant glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion in tennis players. It can be used as a strategy to preserve the mobility of this joint.
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide–gated 2 (HCN2) ion channels drive pain in mouse models of diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Tsantoulas Christoforos , Laínez Sergio , Wong Sara , Mehta Ishita , Vilar Bruno , McNaughton Peter A.
Published: September 2017

Blocking HCN2 ion channel activity in peripheral nociceptive neurons alleviates the pain hypersensitivity associated with diabetic neuropathy.
RNAi-based treatment of chronically infected patients and chimpanzees reveals that integrated hepatitis B virus DNA is a source of HBsAg
Authors: Wooddell Christine I. , Yuen Man-Fung , Chan Henry Lik-Yuen , Gish Robert G. , Locarnini Stephen A. , Chavez Deborah , Ferrari Carlo , Given Bruce D. , Hamilton James , Kanner Steven B. , Lai Ching-Lung , Lau Johnson Y. N. , Schluep Thomas , Xu Zhao , Lanford Robert E. , Lewis David L.
Published: September 2017

The hepatitis B virus surface antigen, key to maintaining chronic infection, is expressed from viral DNA integrated into the host chromosome.
Ebola Virus Binding to Tim-1 on T Lymphocytes Induces a Cytokine Storm
Authors: Younan Patrick , Iampietro Mathieu , Nishida Andrew , Ramanathan Palaniappan , Santos Rodrigo I. , Dutta Mukta , Lubaki Ndongala Michel , Koup Richard A. , Katze Michael G. , Bukreyev Alexander
Published: September 2017

Ebola virus (EBOV) disease (EVD) results from an exacerbated immunological response that is highlighted by a burst in the production of inflammatory mediators known as a “cytokine storm.” Previous reports have suggested that nonspecific activation of T lymphocytes may play a central role in this phenomenon. T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 1 (Tim-1) has recently been shown to interact with virion-associated phosphatidylserine to promote infection. Here, we demonstrate the central role of Tim-1 in EBOV pathogenesis, as Tim-1−/−mice exhibited increased survival rates and reduced disease severity; surprisingly, only a limited decrease in viremia was detected. Tim-1−/−mice exhibited a modified inflammatory response as evidenced by changes in serum cytokines and activation of T helper subsets. A series ofin vitroassays based on the Tim-1 expression profile on T cells demonstrated that despite the apparent absence of detectable viral replication in T lymphocytes, EBOV directly binds to isolated T lymphocytes in a phosphatidylserine–Tim-1-dependent manner. Exposure to EBOV resulted in the rapid development of a CD4HiCD3Lowpopulation, non-antigen-specific activation, and cytokine production. Transcriptome and Western blot analysis of EBOV-stimulated CD4+T cells confirmed the induction of the Tim-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, comparative analysis of transcriptome data and cytokine/chemokine analysis of supernatants highlight the similarities associated with EBOV-stimulated T cells and the onset of a cytokine storm. Flow cytometry revealed virtually exclusive binding and activation of central memory CD4+T cells. These findings provide evidence for the role of Tim-1 in the induction of a cytokine storm phenomenon and the pathogenesis of EVD.

IMPORTANCEEbola virus infection is characterized by a massive release of inflammatory mediators, which has come to be known as a cytokine storm. The severity of the cytokine storm is consistently linked with fatal disease outcome. Previous findings have demonstrated that specific T-cell subsets are key contributors to the onset of a cytokine storm. In this study, we investigated the role of Tim-1, a T-cell-receptor-independent trigger of T-cell activation. We first demonstrated that Tim-1-knockout (KO) mice survive lethal Ebola virus challenge. We then used a series ofin vitroassays to demonstrate that Ebola virus directly binds primary T cells in a Tim-1–phosphatidylserine-dependent manner. We noted that binding induces a cytokine storm-like phenomenon and that blocking Tim-1–phosphatidylserine interactions reduces viral binding, T-cell activation, and cytokine production. These findings highlight a previously unknown role of Tim-1 in the development of a cytokine storm and “immune paralysis.”
Mutations Located outside the Integrase Gene Can Confer Resistance to HIV-1 Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors
Authors: Malet Isabelle , Subra Frédéric , Charpentier Charlotte , Collin Gilles , Descamps Diane , Calvez Vincent , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Delelis Olivier
Published: September 2017

Resistance to the integrase strand transfer inhibitors raltegravir and elvitegravir is often due to well-identified mutations in the integrase gene. However, the situation is less clear for patients who fail dolutegravir treatment. Furthermore, mostin vitroexperiments to select resistance to dolutegravir have resulted in few mutations of the integrase gene. We performed anin vitrodolutegravir resistance selection experiment by using a breakthrough method. First, MT4 cells were infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Lai. After integration into the host cell genome, cells were washed to remove unbound virus and 500 nM dolutegravir was added to the cell medium. This high concentration of the drug was maintained throughout selection. At day 80, we detected a virus highly resistant to dolutegravir, raltegravir, and elvitegravir that remained susceptible to zidovudine. Sequencing of the virus showed no mutations in the integrase gene but highlighted the emergence of five mutations, all located in thenefregion, of which four were clustered in the 3′ polypurine tract (PPT). Mutations selectedin vitroby dolutegravir, located outside the integrase gene, can confer a high level of resistance to all integrase inhibitors. Thus, HIV-1 can use an alternative mechanism to develop resistance to integrase inhibitors by selecting mutations in the 3′ PPT region. Further studies are required to determine to what extent these mutations may explain virological failure during integrase inhibitor therapy.

IMPORTANCEIntegrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are increasingly used both as first-line drugs and in rescue therapy because of their low toxicity and high efficacy in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients. Until now, resistance mutations selected by INSTI exposure have either been described in patients or selectedin vitroand involve the integrase gene. Most mutations selected by raltegravir, elvitegravir, or dolutegravir exposure are located inside the catalytic site of the integrase gene, but mutations outside the catalytic site of the integrase gene have also been selected with dolutegravir. Followingin vitroselection with dolutegravir, we report, for the first time, a virus with selected mutations outside the HIV-1 integrase gene that confer resistance to all integrase inhibitors currently used to treat patients, such as raltegravir, elvitegravir, and dolutegravir. Our observation may explain why some viruses responsible for virological failure in patients treated with dolutegravir did not show mutations in the integrase gene.
A Novel, Extremely Elongated, and Endocellular Bacterial Symbiont Supports Cuticle Formation of a Grain Pest Beetle
Authors: Hirota Bin , Okude Genta , Anbutsu Hisashi , Futahashi Ryo , Moriyama Minoru , Meng Xian-Ying , Nikoh Naruo , Koga Ryuichi , Fukatsu Takema
Published: September 2017

The saw-toothed grain beetle,
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
(Silvanidae), is a cosmopolitan stored-product pest. Early studies on
O. surinamensis
in the 1930s described the presence of peculiar bacteriomes harboring endosymbiotic bacteria in the abdomen. Since then, however, the microbiological nature of the symbiont has been elusive. Here we investigated the endosymbiotic system of
O. surinamensis
in detail. In the abdomen of adults, pupae, and larvae, four oval bacteriomes were consistently identified, whose cytoplasm was full of extremely elongated tubular bacterial cells several micrometers wide and several hundred micrometers long. Molecular phylogenetic analysis identified the symbiont as a member of the
Bacteroidetes
, in which the symbiont was the most closely related to the endosymbiont of a grain pest beetle,
Rhyzopertha dominica
(Bostrichidae). The symbiont was detected in developing embryos, corroborating vertical symbiont transmission through host generations. The symbiont gene showed AT-biased nucleotide composition and accelerated molecular evolution, plausibly reflecting degenerative evolution of the symbiont genome. When the symbiont infection was experimentally removed, the aposymbiotic insects grew and reproduced normally, but exhibited a slightly but significantly more reddish cuticle and lighter body mass. These results indicate that the symbiont of
O. surinamensis
is not essential for the host’s growth and reproduction but contributes to the host’s cuticle formation. Symbiont genome sequencing and detailed comparison of fitness parameters between symbiotic and aposymbiotic insects under various environmental conditions will provide further insights into the symbiont’s biological roles for the stored-product pest.

IMPORTANCE
Some beetles notorious as stored-product pests possess well-developed symbiotic organs called bacteriomes for harboring specific symbiotic bacteria, although their biological roles have been poorly understood. Here we report a peculiar endosymbiotic system of a grain pest beetle,
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
, in which four oval bacteriomes in the abdomen are full of extremely elongated tubular bacterial cells. Experimental symbiont elimination did not hinder the host’s growth and reproduction, but resulted in emergence of reddish beetles, uncovering the symbiont’s involvement in host’s cuticle formation. We speculate that the extremely elongated symbiont cell morphology might be due to the degenerative symbiont genome deficient in bacterial cell division and/or cell wall formation, which highlights an evolutionary consequence of intimate host-symbiont coevolution.
Support Science by Publishing in Scientific Society Journals
Authors: Schloss Patrick D. , Johnston Mark , Casadevall Arturo
Published: September 2017

Scientific societies provide numerous services to the scientific enterprise, including convening meetings, publishing journals, developing scientific programs, advocating for science, promoting education, providing cohesion and direction for the discipline, and more. For most scientific societies, publishing provides revenues that support these important activities. In recent decades, the proportion of papers on microbiology published in scientific society journals has declined. This is largely due to two competing pressures: authors’ drive to publish in “glam journals”—those with high journal impact factors—and the availability of “mega journals,” which offer speedy publication of articles regardless of their potential impact. The decline in submissions to scientific society journals and the lack of enthusiasm on the part of many scientists to publish in them should be matters of serious concern to all scientists because they impact the service that scientific societies can provide to their members and to science.
Functional Changes in the Gut Microbiome Contribute to Transforming Growth Factor β-Deficient Colon Cancer
Authors: Daniel Scott G. , Ball Corbie L. , Besselsen David G. , Doetschman Tom , Hurwitz Bonnie L.
Published: September 2017

Most research on the gut microbiome in colon cancer focuses on taxonomic changes at the genus level using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Here, we develop a new methodology to integrate DNA and RNA data sets to examine functional shifts at the species level that are important to tumor development. We uncover several metabolic pathways in the microbiome that, when perturbed by host genetics andH. hepaticusinoculation, contribute to colon cancer. The work presented here lays a foundation for improved bioinformatics methodologies to closely examine the cross talk between specific organisms and the host, important for the development of diagnostics and pre/probiotic treatment.
Nephrectomy for infected stag horn calculus confounded by the presence of squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kondisetty Sandeep , Borkar Pallavi Vijay , Thomas Appu
Published: September 2017

Squamous cell carcinoma of kidney is a rare tumour of the many tumours seen in the kidney. It is usually associated with chronic irritation by a foreign body, which is mostly a stag horn calculus. Diagnosis of carcinoma in the presence of stag horn calculus is bizarre as it is seen in only <1% of patients. After imaging in this patient, the lymph nodes were enlarged and showed necrosis, which favoured the diagnosis of tuberculosis in a country where it is endemic. The pathological examination after surgery has amazed us by the presence of squamous cell carcinoma with lymph nodes positive with metastasis to vertebrae as the patient has presented to us with all symptoms of infection like pain and fever, which never made us think about malignancy preoperatively.
Spontaneous intramural small bowel hematoma in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia receiving chemotherapy and nilotinib
Authors: Delgado Ramos Glenda M , Piovezani Ramos Guilherme , Cotter Thomas G
Published: September 2017

Spontaneous intramural small bowel hematoma (SISBH) is a rare, acute abdominal condition, with increasing incidence in recent years. Excessive anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists is the most common aetiology. We report the case of a large acute jejunal intramural hematoma in a patient with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia receiving chemotherapy and nilotinib. The patient presented with abdominal pain, haematochezia, acute anaemia and thrombocytopenia. CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed SISBH. The patient was managed conservatively with supportive management and cessation of nilotinib therapy. The patient’s symptoms improved, with subsequent CT imaging confirming resolution. This case highlights an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleed usually diagnosed only after radiological imaging. A correct diagnosis is important as SISBH usually responds to conservative measures, and may obviate the patient from unnecessary invasive investigations.
Unusual combination of bilateral ischaemic optic neuropathy following cardiac surgery
Authors: Harky Amer , Balmforth Damian , Goli Giridhara , Wong Kit
Published: September 2017

This article has been retracted
Primary cutaneous Ewing sarcoma presenting as a chest wall lesion
Authors: Xu Jie Hua , Abeysinghe Vindya , Ryan Anne Louise , Sieunarine Kishore
Published: September 2017

A 10-year-old boy presents with a rare case of primary cutaneous Ewing sarcoma. The left-sided chest wall lesion was initially thought to be a benign haemangioma and treated with cryotherapy. Within 4 months, the lesion returned and post excision was found to be primary cutaneous Ewing sarcoma on histology. Few cases of primary cutaneous Ewing sarcoma exist in the literature, and although it is a rare differential for paediatric skin lesions, it is an important consideration due to the associated mortality risk in this young cohort.
Traumatic elbow arthrotomy after motorcycle accident not evident on CT
Authors: Bunyasaranand John C , Foeger Nicholas C , Ryan Paul M
Published: September 2017

An 84-year-old man sustained a motorcycle accident resulting in a left elbow laceration. Orthopaedics was consulted to rule out traumatic arthrotomy. Radiographs and CT of the left elbow showed no acute osseous abnormalities and no evidence of traumatic arthrotomy. The wound was irrigated, dressed and splinted. On follow-up, the patient reported that he had been given clindamycin on a return visit to the emergency department for increased drainage. On inspection, the patient’s wound was found sutured and draining purulent fluid. The patient persistently had no pain on axial loading or range of motion since his injury and no evidence of intra-articular air on initial CT. However, given the mechanism of injury, irrigation and debridement (I&D) in the operating room was immediately performed revealing purulent joint fluid and a traumatic arthrotomy. I&D was carried out for the second time in the joint. After an extended hospital stay and antibiotics, the infection resolved.
Results from a retrospective analysis of colonoscopies for Inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer in a Lebanese tertiary care centre
Authors: Saber Toufic , Bedran Khalil , Ghandour Fatima , El Khoury Mansour , Bou Khalil Roula , Farhat Said
Published: September 2017

Background and aims

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colorectal cancer have an increased impact on the Lebanese population’s morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the situation of IBD and colorectal cancer at a tertiary hospital centre in Lebanon.

Methods

1007 patients underwent colonoscopy over a period of 12 months by qualified physicians. 91 patients were excluded from the study. Biopsy results were divided into normal versus abnormal colonic tissue. The abnormal section was further subdivided into number of polyps, IBD, dysplasia and cancer.

Results

Out of 916 individuals included, 61 cases of Crohn’s colitis (CC) (6.7%) and 24 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) (2.7%) were identified. A total of 92 cases of colorectal cancer (10.04%) were also identified. There was a slight male predominance in both groups of IBD without any statistical significance. One statistical significance was reported in favour to age<50 years in both IBD groups with a mean age of 37.9±9.7 years and 34.4±6.4 years for CC and UC, respectively. The incidence of granuloma in the CC group was 8.9% without any correlation compared with age or gender. No correlation was made between colorectal cancer and the existence of any IBD type. The data showed that age >50 years and male gender significantly correlate with an increased incidence of precancerous and cancerous polyps in the colon. They significantly correlate with adenocarcinoma. The estimated incidence of colorectal cancer, CC and UC was 54.1, 35.8 and 14.1 per 100 000, respectively, with a denominator of 169 959 patients per year.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, the incidence of colorectal cancer and IBD falls in the high range compared with similar European and American studies. Our data are biased because of the tertiary centre setting but they can be considered as base for further investigations.
Affordability of comprehensive community health worker programmes in rural sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Taylor Celia , Griffiths Frances , Lilford Richard
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Community health worker (CHW) programmes have low costs per person served and are central to achieving universal healthcare. However, their total cost is high and the target of one million CHWs for sub-Saharan Africa by 2015 was not met. We consider the affordability of rural CHW programmes by estimating total programme costs relative to national healthcare expenditure at different CHW salaries and resources available for healthcare.

Methods

We combine an existing source of rural CHW programme costs with World Bank data to estimate relative CHW programme costs in 37 countries. We consider three ‘salaries’ (CHWs as volunteers, paid the local equivalent of US$80 per month and paid the national minimum wage) and four potential healthcare budgets (both actual and Abuja declaration allocations alone and increased by external funding received and potential foreign aid, respectively). Costs are shown in 2012 nominal US$.

Results

With CHWs paid the local equivalent of US$80 per month and financed from existing central government healthcare budgets, the median relative cost of a CHW programme would be 27% of the healthcare budget. While less than 2.5% in five countries (Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Namibia and South Africa), this relative cost would exceed 100% in three (Chad, Eritrea and Niger). There is a strong negative linear relationship (R2=0.83, p<0.001) between the natural logs of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and affordability. In 23 countries with GDP per capita under US$1200, the cost of a CHW programme would exceed 12% of actual healthcare spending if CHWs were paid US$80 per month.

Conclusion

CHWs may be a stepping stone to universal access to professional healthcare, but there is high variability in the affordability of CHW programmes across sub-Saharan Africa. In many countries, such programmes are not yet affordable unless significant foreign aid is received.
Prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membranes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies
Authors: Xiao Wei , Chen Xiaoyun , Yan William , Zhu Zhuoting , He Mingguang
Published: September 2017

Objective

This study was to aggregate the prevalence and risks of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) and determine the possible causes of the varied estimates.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

The search strategy was designed prospectively. We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases from inception to July 2016. Reference lists of the included literatures were reviewed as well.

Study selection

Surveys published in English language from any population were included if they had a population-based design and reported the prevalence of ERM from retinal photography with or without optical coherence tomography. Eligibility and quality evaluation was conducted independently by two investigators.

Data extraction

The literature search generated 2144 records, and 13 population-based studies comprising 49 697 subjects were finally included. The prevalence of ERM and the ORs of potential risk factors (age, sex, myopia, hypertension and so on) were extracted.

Results

The pooled age-standardised prevalence estimates of earlier ERM (cellophane macular reflex (CMR)), advanced ERM (preretinal macular fibrosis (PMF)) and any ERM were 6.5% (95% CI 4.2% to 8.9%), 2.6% (95% CI 1.8% to 3.4%) and 9.1% (95% CI 6.0% to 12.2%), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, race and photography modality contributed to the variation in the prevalence estimates of PMF, while the WHO regions and image reading methods were associated with the varied prevalence of CMR and any ERM. Meta-analysis showed that only greater age and female significantly conferred a higher risk of ERMs.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that ERMs are relatively common among aged population. Race, image taking and reading methodology may play important roles in influencing the large variability of ERM prevalence estimates.
Effects of a workplace prevention programme for problem gambling: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rafi Jonas , Ivanova Ekaterina , Rozental Alexander , Carlbring Per
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Despite being considered a public health problem, no prevention programme for problem gambling in workplace settings has been scientifically evaluated. This study aims to fill a critical gap in the field of problem gambling by implementing and evaluating a large-scale prevention programme in organisations.

Methods and analysis

Ten organisations, with a total of n=549 managers and n=8572 employees, will be randomised to either receiving a prevention programme or to a waitlist control condition. Measurements will be collected at the baseline and 3, 12 and 24 months after intervention. The primary outcome of interest is the managers’ inclination to act when worried or suspicious about an employee’s problem gambling or other harmful use. Additional outcomes of interest include the Problem Gambling Severity Index and gambling habits in both managers and employees. Furthermore, qualitative analyses of the responses from semistructured interviews with managers will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the regional ethics board of Stockholm, Sweden, and it will contribute to the body of knowledge concerning prevention of problem gambling. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed, open-access journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02925286; Pre-results.