bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To T or not to T: Differences in Testosterone Use and Discontinuation by HIV Serostatus among Men who Have Sex with Men
Authors: Haberlen SA , Jacobson LP , Palella FJ , Dobs A , Plankey M , Lake JE , Kingsley LA , Stall R , Post WS , Brown TT
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study was to characterize contemporary patterns and correlates of testosterone therapy (TTh) use and discontinuation by HIV serostatus among men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Methods

Self‐reported testosterone use data were collected semiannually from 2400 (1286 HIV‐infected and 1114 HIV‐uninfected) men who have sex with men. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios for TTh use and predictors of TTh discontinuation (2012–2015).

Results

Use was higher among HIV‐infected compared with HIV‐uninfected men in all age strata, with an age‐adjusted prevalence of 17% vs. 5%, respectively (adjusted prevalence ratio 3.7; P < 0.001). Correlates of use in the multivariable model were similar by HIV serostatus: white race, the Los Angeles (LA) site, more than one recent sexual partner, non‐smoking status, and higher American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score category (approximately 70% of testosterone users were in the high‐risk category). Compared with HIV‐uninfected men, HIV‐infected men more frequently reported building muscle mass as a motivation for testosterone use. The TTh discontinuation rate was 20.9/100 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI) 17.3, 25.0/100 person‐years]. Relative to HIV‐uninfected men, HIV‐infected men were half as likely to discontinue (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.4; P < 0.001). Discontinuation was 40% higher in the period after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety communication for testosterone in 2014, independent of co‐factors (P = 0.06).

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of both TTh use and CVD risk among HIV‐infected men, the benefits and risks of TTh should be examined in future studies of aging HIV‐infected men and monitored routinely in clinical practice.
Evaluation on the genetic instability detecting methods for rapid diagnose of Fanconi anemia used in the undeveloped areas of China
Authors: Ji Kaihua , Kong Yangyang , Liu Yang , Wang Yan , Du Liqing , Xu Chang , Li Yuan , Zhang Fengkui , Zhu Xiaofan , Liu Qiang
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Fanconi anemia (FA), as one of the congenital bone marrow failure syndromes, is characterized by severe bone marrow hypocellularity and pancytopenia which is similar with acquired aplastic anemia (AAA). However, patients with FA or AAA need an accurate diagnose, as the two syndromes differ significantly in both treatment and prognosis. FA results from gene mutations of the FA pathway genes specifically required for DNA repair, and the mutation of these genes contributes to the genome instability of FA cells. Based on this feature, chromosome aberration (CA) has been used as a “golden standard” to the auxiliary diagnosis of FA from AAA. However, CA diagnose calls for more technical requirements and a long time for the subsequent statistical analysis.

Methods

In our study, another two genome instability examination tools, cytokinesis‐block micronucleus (CBMN) and single‐cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), were used to distinguish FA patients from AAA patients, compared with CA.

Results

The results suggested that significant differences were observed in the FA patients compared with the AAA patients and the controls using all of the three genomic instability examination tools. However, CBMN is the most cost‐effective method to distinguish FA patients from AAA patients among the three genome instability examination tools, when the time costs, instrument costs, and technical costs were compared.

Conclusion

In areas with economic and technical limitations, CBMN is an alternative assay to help distinguish FA patients from AAA patients.
Pentecostal Gift to Christian Unity: Its Possibility in the New Global Context
Authors: Ma Wonsuk
Published: July 2018

Church unity has been much discussed, particularly around the centenary of the Edinburgh Missionary Conference. Pentecostalism, as a new player in today's global Christianity, comes with its unique potential toward church unity and corporation. This study identifies three such gifts: numerical growth, spontaneous ecumenicity through worship, and missional cooperation. The study concludes with a self‐critical caution for fellow Pentecostals and the world church so that these gifts would be strengthened.
Pentecostalism in Mission and Evangelism Today
Authors: Chai Teresa
Published: July 2018

This article includes Pentecostal mission strategies and missionary approaches. The author has consciously brought out Asian or non‐Western experiences and perspectives. It touches on some new opportunities and challenges for global Pentecostalism or charismatic Christianity in fulfilling the missionary mandate of the church. Finally, the article evaluates how Pentecostal missions add dimensions to global Christianity.
Power Evangelism in a Protestant Context? Reflections after a Workshop in Samosir/Indonesia
Authors: Währisch‐Oblau Claudia
Published: July 2018

This article discusses how the neo‐Pentecostal concept of power evangelism, read from a liberation perspective, might be useful to contextualize evangelism in the Toba Batak region of Samosir. In a situation where evangelistic preaching follows an evangelical forensic paradigm but Christians turn to traditional religious rituals for blessing, healing, and protection, a new approach is needed. Preaching and liturgies informed by a power paradigm might resolve the problem of syncretism, but important theological questions need to be clarified.
A mixed methods review to develop and confirm a framework for assessing midwifery practice in perinatal mental health
Authors: Wadephul Franziska , Jarrett Patricia M. , Jomeen Julie , Martin Colin R.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To ascertain whether a new framework examining midwifery practice in perinatal mental health (PMH) is supported by the research literature.

Background

The identification and care of women with PMH problems is increasingly considered part of midwifery practice. Research suggests that many midwives lack knowledge, skills and confidence. It would be useful to be able to determine barriers and facilitators to effective clinical practice. The authors propose a framework comprising five potentially measurable domains which have an impact on midwives’ ability to identify, assess and care for women with PMH problems.

Design

This mixed‐methods review uses an innovative qualitative convergent design based on framework synthesis.

Data sources

Relevant electronic databases were searched for the period from January 2007–December 2016; 33 studies from nine countries met the inclusion criteria.

Review methods

Study quality was assessed using critical appraisal tools. Study findings were mapped onto the five domains of the framework: knowledge, confidence, attitudes, illness perception and infrastructure. Findings were then synthesized for each domain.

Results

All five domains are substantially represented in the literature, thus supporting the proposed framework. Several sub‐domains and relationships between domains were identified. Varying levels of knowledge, confidence, attitudes and illness perceptions were found; evidence suggests that midwives benefit from further training within these domains. Features of organizational infrastructure act as barriers or facilitators to effective care; these need to be addressed at organizational level.

Conclusion

The proposed framework was confirmed and can be used to inform practice, policy and research.
Repeating virtual assembly training facilitates memory for coarse but not fine assembly steps
Authors: Sebastian Katharina , Ghose Tandra , Huff Markus
Published: July 2018

Humans segment naturalistic actions into meaningful units. These are hierarchically organized: multiple fine events are part of a coarse event. We investigated how repeated practice of a virtual sequential assembly task influences learning of coarse and fine assembly steps. In Experiment 1, participants (N = 10) parsed the task into coarse and fine events. This determined the task's hierarchical structure. In Experiment 2, domain experts (N = 18) and novices (N = 19) practiced the task in a virtual environment three times with intermittent memory testing. We found a hierarchical level effect: memory improved with repeated virtual training for coarse but not for fine steps. Further, experts' memory for fine assembly steps was higher compared with novices' memory. The hierarchical level effect could be explained by higher saliency (and lower similarity, respectively) of the coarse compared with the fine steps. We discuss implications for virtual training, which compose of hierarchical structure into task presentation.
Explaining Participation Bias in the European Commission's Online Consultations: The Struggle for Policy Gain without too Much Pain
Authors: Røed Maiken , Wøien Hansen Vibeke
Published: July 2018

This article investigates participation bias in the European Commission's online consultations by focusing on issue characteristics and using a cost–benefit framework. The main assumption is that a group will choose not to participate when their participation costs exceed the expected benefits. This leads to a more biased participation pattern. We expect this to hold when the proposal discussed in a consultation is more complex, whereas the opposite is the case if the proposal is more salient. Furthermore, we expect there to be an interaction effect between complexity and salience. We test and find support for these expectations in an analysis of more than 350 consultations held between 2001 and 2012.
Ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism in the Helanshan complex of the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton: Petrology and phase equilibria of spinel‐bearing pelitic granulites
Authors: Gou Longlong , Li Zhenghui , Liu Xiaoming , Dong Yunpeng , Zhao Jiao , Zhang Chengli , Liu Liang , Long Xiaoping
Published: July 2018

To better understand the formation of ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) metamorphic rocks, we present a detailed petrological study of the recently discovered spinel‐bearing garnet–sillimanite granulites in the Helanshan complex of the Khondalite Belt in the North China Craton. In calculated P–T pseudosections, isopleths of grossular content in the peak assemblage field of garnet+K‐feldspar+sillimanite+spinel+ilmenite+quartz+melt suggest that the metamorphic peak occurred at ∼960–1,030°C and 6.3–7.3 kbar. Using ternary feldspar thermometry, a minimum temperature limit of the peak metamorphic conditions is calculated to be ∼910–955°C at 6.5 kbar, with a weighted mean of ∼940°C. Thus, all these results point to a very steep geothermal gradient well into the UHT field. In addition, a clockwise P–T evolution is determined, which involves pre‐Tmax decompression followed by nearly isobaric cooling. Based on these newly discovered UHT pelitic granulites, which do not contain index minerals typically considered diagnostic of UHT metamorphism, and the high‐P pelitic granulites exposed in the Helanshan and Qianlishan complexes, we propose that the Khondalite Belt is an ultrahot metamorphic orogen formed by collision between the Yinshan and Ordos Terranes. The style of this continental collision was rather different from Phanerozoic collisions, but was similar to the two‐sided hot collision model during the Proterozoic. Two‐sided hot collision involves shallow slab breakoff during collision, which leads to extension and the development of a wide plateau‐like orogen, which is underlain by melt‐bearing mantle that maintains a hot environment at the collision zone.
Consciousness assessment: A questionnaire of current neuroscience nursing practice in Europe
Authors: Vink Peter , Tulek Zeliha , Gillis Katrin , Jönsson Ann‐Cathrin , Buhagiar Jovanca , Waterhouse Cath , Poulsen Ingrid
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives

To study practice in consciousness assessment among neuroscience nurses in Europe.

Background

Over the years, several instruments have been developed to assess the level of consciousness for patients with brain injury. It is unclear which instrument is being used by nurses in Europe and how they are trained to use these tools adequately.

Design/methods

A cross‐sectional questionnaire, created by the European Association of Neuroscience Nurses Research Committee, was sent to neuroscience nurses in 13 European countries. The countries participated in 2016 with a response period of 3 months for each country.

Results

A total of 331 questionnaires were completed by nurses in 11 different countries. Assessment of consciousness was part of the daily routine for a majority of bedside nurses (95%), with an estimated median frequency of six times per shift. The majority uses a standardised instrument, and the Glasgow Coma Scale is the most common. Most participants assess consciousness primarily for clinical decision‐making and report both total scores and subscores. The majority was formally trained or educated in use of the instrument, but methods of training were divers. Besides the estimated frequency of assessments and training, no significant difference was found between bedside nurses and other nurse positions, educational level or kind of institution.

Conclusion

Our study shows that consciousness assessment is part of the daily routine for most nurses working in neurology/neurosurgery/neurorehabilitation wards in Europe. The greatest variation existed in training methods for the use of the instruments, and we recommend standardised practice in the use of assessment scales.

Relevance to clinical practice

In clinical practice, both managers and staff nurses should focus on formalised training in the use of assessment tools, to ensure reliability and reproducibility. This may also increase the professionalism in the neuroscience nurses’ role and performance.
MDP‐SPECT Versus Hybrid MDP‐SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Suspected Pars Interarticularis Fracture in Young Athletes
Authors: Gaddikeri Santhosh , Matesan Manuela , Alvarez Jacqueline , Hippe Daniel S. , Vesselle Hubert J.
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To assess benefits of hybrid (single photon emission computerized tomography [SPECT]/computed tomography [CT]) imaging over SPECT imaging only in the management of young athletes with low back pain (LBP) due to suspected pars interarticularis fracture.

METHODS

Retrospectively reviewed medical records of 163 consecutive patients who had radionuclide SPECT imaging for evaluation of LBP between January 1, 2010 and December 30, 2015. All enrolled patients were divided into two groups (group 1: patients with radionuclide SPECT imaging only and group 2: patients with radionuclide hybrid imaging). Radiation dose, cost benefits, and mean duration of delay in complete diagnosis were assessed and compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

A total of 91 patients were enrolled after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The volume CT dose index and dose length product (DLP) estimated for a scan length of 10 cm (DLP 10) were significantly lower for patients in group II (CTDIvol) (P  =  .001 and P  =  .001). Although, there was no significant difference in actual DLP (P  =  .52). There was a median delay of 7 days (interquartile range 2–10 days) for complete diagnosis in group I patients. Least expensive imaging for early definitive diagnosis required for the treatment decisions was in patients who had a radionuclide Technetium‐99m methylene diphosphonate bone scan with limited lumbar spine planar and SPECT imaging followed by a thin slice, limited CT performed only when SPECT imaging was positive for an active pars interarticularis fracture. No significant difference in the management of patients between the groups (P  =  .47).

CONCLUSION

Hybrid imaging should be preferred over SPECT only imaging for initial evaluation of suspected pars interarticularis fracture in young athletes with LBP.
Ontogeny of the digestive tract ofArapaima gigas(Schinz, 1822) (Osteoglossiformes: Arapaimidae) larvae
Authors: de Alcântara Aline M. , da Fonseca Flávio A. L. , Araújo‐Dairiki Thyssia B. , Faccioli Claudemir K. , Vicentini Carlos A. , da Conceição Luís E. C. , Gonçalves Ligia U.
Published: July 2018

Early‐life survival ofArapaima gigasis one of the main challenges of its farming. In this study, we described the morphological and histochemical development of the gastrointestinal tract of arapaima larvae. Larvae were collected from a pond when they started to swim to the water surface (initial day) and were housed in indoor tanks. Daily samplings (n = 10) were performed from 0 to the 11th day after the collection (DAC) and then on the 14th, 17th, and 20th DAC. On the initial day, arapaima larvae (0.05 ± 0.01 g; 2.21 ± 0.06 cm) had opened mouth and anus and no yolk sac. In addition, larvae presented well‐developed digestive organs. Gastric glands were fully formed, with positive reactions to alcian blue (AB) pH 1.0 as well as to periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) in the simple columnar epithelium. There were folds throughout the intestine and brush border, with an AB pH of 2.5 + PAS positive mucins. From 1 to 11 DAC, larvae presented increasing concentrations of gastric glands and thickness of the stomach muscular layer. From 14 to 20 DAC, the intestine presented high‐fold complexity. We suggest that arapaima larvae may be fed exogenous inert diets at a size of around 2 cm.
These aren’t the loci you’e looking for: Principles of effective SNP filtering for molecular ecologists
Authors: O'Leary Shannon J. , Puritz Jonathan B. , Willis Stuart C. , Hollenbeck Christopher M. , Portnoy David S.
Published: July 2018

Sequencing reduced‐representation libraries of restriction site‐associated DNA (RADseq) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is quickly becoming a standard methodology for molecular ecologists. Because of the scale of RADseq data sets, putative loci cannot be assessed individually, making the process of filtering noise and correctly identifying biologically meaningful signal more difficult. Artefacts introduced during library preparation and/or bioinformatic processing of SNP data can create patterns that are incorrectly interpreted as indicative of population structure or natural selection. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider types of errors that may be introduced during laboratory work and data processing, and how to minimize, detect and remove these errors. Here, we discuss issues inherent to RADseq methodologies that can result in artefacts during library preparation and locus reconstruction resulting in erroneous SNP calls and, ultimately, genotyping error. Further, we describe steps that can be implemented to create a rigorously filtered data set consisting of markers accurately representing independent loci and compare the effect of different combinations of filters on four RAD data sets. At last, we stress the importance of publishing raw sequence data along with final filtered data sets in addition to detailed documentation of filtering steps and quality control measures.
TIMP‐1 association with collagen type I overproduction in hereditary gingival fibromatosis
Authors: Gawron Katarzyna , Ochała‐Kłos Anna , Nowakowska Zuzanna , Bereta Grzegorz , Łazarz‐Bartyzel Katarzyna , Grabiec Aleksander M. , Plakwicz Paweł , Górska Renata , Fertala Andrzej , Chomyszyn‐Gajewska Maria , Potempa Jan
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To investigate the processes associated with the excessive production of collagen I in hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF).

Materials and Methods

Three HGF subjects and five controls were enrolled in the study. Histomorphological and immunohistological analyses were performed on gingival tissues. The expression of heat‐shock protein 47 (HSP47), collagen I, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) by gingival fibroblasts isolated from HGF and controls was analysed using qRT–PCR, Western blotting and ELISA.

Results

Considerable accumulation of fibrotic fibrils and increased synthesis of HSP47 were noted in HGF gingival tissues. The synthesis of collagen I, HSP47, TGF‐β1, CTGF and TIMP‐1 was significantly elevated in HGF gingival fibroblasts compared with controls, while the production of MMP‐1 was decreased.

Conclusions

We report that fibrosis in HGF gingival tissues is associated with increased synthesis of HSP47. This finding was confirmed by an in vitro study, where excessive production of collagen I was associated with increased synthesis of HSP47, TGF‐β1 and CTGF by HGF gingival fibroblasts. Moreover, the shift in the TIMP‐1/MMP‐1 ratio identifies increased synthesis of TIMP‐1 as one of the processes associated with collagen I overproduction in HGF fibroblasts.
Do Sanctions Improve Compliance With Public Finance Laws and Regulations?
Authors: Allen Richard , Koshima Yugo
Published: July 2018

This paper examines how a regime of penalties or sanctions for breaching public financial management (PFM) laws and regulations can be designed to increase compliance with these laws. Financial irregularities can be as high as five to eight percent of GDP or more in some poorly administered countries. If a sanctions regime is to be effective, it should meet the three core principles of impartiality, proportionality, and transparency. An empirical analysis of sanctions regimes and recovery rates in 26 countries suggests that excessive use of “harsh” sanctions could negatively affect the level of compliance. The design of a sanctions regime should include both “soft” and “harsh” measures which are proportionate to the severity of financial irregularities. The paper describes three institutional models (“financial police,” “risk‐based,” and “sanctions coordinator”) that countries have used to implement a sanctions regime. An approach targeting expenditure that is highly vulnerable to irregularities tends to achieve a better recovery rate than a regime based on a “mass investigation, mass sanctions” approach. A tailored approach based on the third model may be appropriate for low‐capacity countries.
Evaluation of the potential biocontrol activity of Dicyma pulvinata against Cladosporium fulvum, the causal agent of tomato leaf mould
Authors: Iida Y. , Ikeda K. , Sakai H. , Nakagawa H. , Nishi O. , Higashi Y.
Published: July 2018

Cladosporium fulvum, the causal fungus of leaf mould of tomato, is present in most countries that grow tomatoes, and is an economic problem, particularly in Japan. The diverse, complex race structure of C. fulvum in Japan enables the fungus to overcome all resistant commercial cultivars. It was noted that C. fulvum lesions on tomato leaves in the greenhouse were overgrown with white mycelia and that leaf mould did not spread further. Two isolates from the white mycelia, designated 414‐2 and 414‐3, were identified from morphological and phylogenetic analyses as the mycoparasite Dicyma pulvinata. Scanning electron microscopy of inoculated leaves showed the mycoparasite had coiled around C. fulvum hyphae around stomata. Microscopic analysis revealed that C. fulvum, engineered to express green fluorescent protein, died when entwined by the isolates only when cocultured in the absence of a carbon source. These results indicate that these isolates are mycoparasitic fungi that absorbed nutrients from C. fulvum. Two isolates and four strains were evaluated according to their abilities to control disease caused by C. fulvum, form conidia and produce an antifungal agent. Isolate 414‐3 parasitized hyphae of C. fulvum on plants in the greenhouse and inhibited leaf mould caused by all physiological races that cause problems for tomato production in Japan. This indigenous isolate of D. pulvinata may thus serve to control the foliar pathogen C. fulvum.
Changes in testicular size, echotexture, and arterial blood flow associated with the attainment of puberty in Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate
Authors: Camela Efigénia S. C. , Nociti Ricardo P. , Santos Victor J. C. , Macente Beatrice I. , Murawski Maciej , Vicente Wilter R. R. , Bartlewski Pawel M. , Oliveira Maria Emilia F.
Published: July 2018

Contents

There is a paucity of information on the relationships of testicular morphology, echotextural attributes, and blood flow dynamics with pubertal development of rams raised in a subtropical climate. Forty‐five Dorper rams (24 rams aged 8–11 months and 21 rams aged 12–24 months) were examined using a portable ultrasound scanner connected to a 7.5‐MHz transducer. Computer‐assisted analyses of testicular ultrasonograms utilized commercially available Image ProPlus® analytical software. Spectral Doppler scans of testicular arteries were performed immediately after scrotal (B‐mode) ultrasonography to determine peak systolic velocity (PSV), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI = [PSV−EDV]/PSV), and pulsatility index (PI = [SPV–EDV]/mean velocity) of the blood vessels. The length of the testes (9.7 ± 0.3 compared with 9.0 ± 0.2 cm) and scrotal circumference (33.3 ± 0.5 compared with 31.8 ± 0.4 cm) were greater (p < 0.05) but testicular depth (4.5 ± 0.1  compared with 4.9 ± 0.08 cm) was less (p < 0.05) in sexually mature compared with peripubertal rams. [Corrections added on 9 Jan 2019 after initial online publication: The testicular size values in the sentence were corrected.] There were no differences (p > 0.05) between the two age groups of Dorper rams in blood flow indices of testicular arteries. Mean numerical pixel values (100.5 ± 4.1 compared with 89.2 ± 4.8) and pixel heterogeneity (25.6 ± 0.6 compared with 23.6 ± 0.5) of testicular parenchyma were greater (p < 0.05) in peripubertal than in postpubertal rams. Semen volume was negatively correlated with PI of testicular arteries (r = −0.57, p = 0.04). In summary, the attainment of sexual maturity in the rams of the present study was associated with significant changes in testicular length and depth, scrotal circumference, and parenchymal echogenicity/hetrogeneity but not in testicular volume and blood perfusion rates. Testicular artery PI can be used to predict the volume of ejaculate in rams.
Effects of experimental harvesting of an invasive hybrid cattail on wetland structure and function
Authors: Keyport Samantha , Carson Brendan D. , Johnson Olivia , Lawrence Beth A. , Lishawa Shane C. , Tuchman Nancy C. , Kelly John J.
Published: July 2018

Invasive plants, such as the hybrid cattailTypha × glauca, can reduce biodiversity and alter the ability of wetlands to provide critical ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling and carbon storage. Several approaches have been used to reduceTyphadominance and restore invaded wetlands, but long‐term studies assessing benefits of these restoration efforts are limited. A previous study demonstrated that aboveground harvesting ofTypha × glaucastems and litter reducedTyphadominance 2 years post‐treatment in a Great Lakes coastal wetland. In the current study, we extended monitoring of experimental abovegroundTyphaharvest to 4 years post‐treatment and added assessments of treatment effects on soil nutrients, carbon emissions, and microbial community composition. Aboveground harvest treatment resulted in a dramatic reduction inTyphalitter cover that persisted for 4 years, increased soil temperature, and increased abundance of the native plant genusCarex. However, aboveground harvest treatment did not significantly reduceTyphaabundance, nor did it have significant effects on soil nutrient concentrations, carbon fluxes, or the taxonomic composition of soil microbial communities. We did observe differences in bacterial community composition between plots based on time sinceTyphainvasion, which may indicate some legacy effects ofTyphainvasion. At the scale of this experiment (4 × 4 m plots), our results indicate that a single aboveground removal ofTypha × glaucais not sufficient to restore a heavily invaded freshwater wetland ecosystem, and that periodic harvesting ofTyphastems and litter may be required to maintain native plant abundance.
Reflections on the Use of Conceptual Research in Risk Analysis
Authors: Aven Terje
Published: July 2018

A risk analysis science is developing, characterized by knowledge generation on concepts, principles, theories, frameworks, methods, and models, for understanding, assessing, characterizing, communicating, and managing risk (for short referred to as conceptual knowledge generation in risk analysis), as well as supporting risk knowledge generation of specific activities based on these concepts, principles, theories, frameworks, methods, and models. The scientific knowledge generation is based on different types of research methods. This article provides a discussion of some of these, the main purpose being to demonstrate the central role of conceptual knowledge generation and research in risk analysis. The importance of this type of knowledge generation and research is considered undervalued in risk analysis. Several examples are used to illustrate the discussion, including a risk governance framework and the anti‐fragility concept.
The physiology of uric acid and the impact of end‐stage kidney disease and dialysis
Authors: Murea Mariana , Tucker Bryan M.
Published: July 2018

Uric acid‐mediated biological effects are milieu dependent. In a physiological milieu, serum uric acid serves as an antioxidant; when homeostasis is perturbed, divergent effects are observed depending on the clinical context. Several epidemiologic studies indicated the presence of a direct relationship between higher concentrations of serum uric acid and cardiovascular mortality; yet not all studies support this conclusion. Although high serum levels of uric acid are associated with higher mortality in patients with nondialysis‐dependent chronic kidney disease and perhaps in those with end‐stage kidney disease receiving peritoneal dialysis, the opposite relationship is seen in patients with end‐stage kidney disease on hemodialysis. This review discusses the pathologic mechanisms associated with elevated serum uric acid levels by clinical context; examines the interplay between uric acid metabolism and modality of renal replacement therapy; and presents hypotheses to rationalize the disparate associations between incremental levels of serum uric acid and survival across the continuum of kidney disease and by type of renal replacement therapy.
Visceral leishmaniasis‐associated nephropathy in hospitalised Brazilian patients: new insights based on kidney injury biomarkers
Authors: Meneses Gdayllon C. , De Francesco Daher Elizabeth , da Silva Junior Geraldo B. , Bezerra Gabriela F. , da Rocha Thaiany P. , de Azevedo Isabella E. P. , Libório Alexandre B. , Martins Alice M. C.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of early acute kidney injury (AKI) biomarkers in clinical management of visceral leishmaniasis.

Methods

Prospective study with 50 hospitalised VL patients. AKI biomarkers, that is, serum and urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (sNGAL, uNGAL, respectively), urinary kidney injury molecule‐1 (uKIM‐1) and urinary monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (uMCP‐1), were quantified by immunoassay (ELISA). Also, interferon‐gamma (INF‐y) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated as inflammatory biomarkers possibly related to VL severity.

Results

VL patients had hyponatremia, hypoalbuminemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, haematologic and hepatic disorders. AKI was found in 46%, and one death (2%) occurred. The AKI group had significant longer hospital stay, lower levels of IFN‐y and higher levels of CRP, more clinical renal abnormalities and higher levels of sNGAL, uNGAL, uKIM‐1 and uMCP‐1. Overall, sNGAL, uKIM‐1 and uMCP‐1 showed correlations with important clinical renal abnormalities, such as proteinuria, albuminuria, serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate using adjusted correlations with CRP and IFN‐y. Only sNGAL showed an early association with AKI development (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.429–5.428, per each increase of 50 ng/ml), even after adjusting for clinical signals of VL severity and for immune biomarkers. Moreover, sNGAL showed a better performance in predicting AKI development (AUC‐ROC = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69–0.93; cut‐off = 154 ng/ml, sensitivity = 82.6%, specificity = 74.1%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Visceral leishmaniasis‐associated nephropathy showed important proximal tubular injury and glomerular inflammation. Serum NGAL showed an early association with VL‐associated nephropathy and may be used to improve clinical management strategies and decrease morbimortality in VL patients.
Magnetic measurements of roadside topsoil pollution in an active volcanic region: Mt. Hakusan, Japan
Authors: Kawasaki Kazuo , Fukushi Keisuke , Sakai Hideo
Published: July 2018

Environmental magnetic applications to topsoil have proved useful for investigating roadside pollution. However, such magnetic monitoring has been avoided in volcanic regions due to the high magnetic content in volcanic ash. Environmental magnetic studies are reported for the volcanically active Mt. Hakusan National Park in Japan. In‐field magnetic susceptibility measurements along the park's major road show higher magnetic susceptibilities in topsoils within 1.5 m from the roadside. However, laboratory mass susceptibility measurements fail to show a similar susceptibility trend to the field measurements. Based on rock magnetic analyses, the major magnetic mineral is pseudosingle‐ to multidomain (MD) magnetite that is both increased in abundance in MD and oxidized magnetite near the roadside, indicating that passing vehicles are evidently the main pollutant source. Therefore, even in an active volcanic region where magnetic susceptibility may not be an efficient tool, detailed magnetic measurements can provide the basis for the discrimination of roadside pollution.
Performance of thermophilic anaerobic sludge digester after alkaline‐assisted thermal disintegration optimization using response surface methodology
Authors: Demir Özlem
Published: July 2018

The Box–Behnken statistical experimental design was used to investigate the effects of operating parameters on thermo‐alkaline disintegration of sludge. The optimum disintegration degree was 77.83% at 90°C, 0.2 mol/L NaOH and 25 min retention time. The coefficient of determination (R2) of 97.68% confirms that the model has a very good fitness with the experimental variables. The effects of a thermo‐alkaline disintegration on the performance of the thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sludge were also investigated. The thermo‐alkaline pretreatment showed an initial solubilization effect and methane production (0.73 (L/Lr.day) increased up to around 54% compared to raw sludge (0.48 L/Lr.day). VS removal in disintegrated digester (65.87%) increased of 13.13% compared to conventional sludge digester (52.74%) at the end of the operation. Similarly, methane contents in the biogas of digester fed with disintegrated sludge (71.14%) increased of 6.44% compared to conventional sludge digester (64.7%).
The Relationship Between the Serving Leadership and Ability of Managers With Organizational Trust of Sport Clubs Staffs in Erzurum
Authors: Burmaoglu Gul Eda
Published: July 2018

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the serving leadership and the managers' ability with organizational trust of sport clubs staffs in Erzurum. The research methodology was established based on correlation-descriptive type of study; it also was an applied type of study regarding to its purpose. The information had been gathered as field-based using the related questionnaire from all staffs of Erzurum Clubs. The research data was also gathered as ranking, qualitative and frequency-based in this regard. The statistical population of the related study was included all staffs of Erzurum Clubs. The number of the related staffs was reached to 230 people that the number of the subjects was also taken up from every club. The number of the total staffs for every sport club in Erzurum based on the information and statistics center was 230 people in 2016. The statistical sample using Morgan Table was also reached to 140 people in this study. Three questionnaires of the serving leadership, managers' ability and organizational trust were also applied in order to gather the related data testifying the related hypotheses in this research. The correlation coefficient and t-test and regression analysis also were applied in order to analyze the obtained data in this study. The results showed that there was observed a significant relationship between the scales of the serving leadership (humiliation, trust, serving and kindness) and the ability of managers with the organizational trust in Tabriz Sport Club.
Database of proteinogenic amino acid reference spectra for Bismuth-cluster ToF-SIMS. II. Positive polarity
Authors: Kawecki Maciej , Bernard Laetitia
Published: July 2018

The number of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry studies on biological tissues and cells strongly increased since the development of primary ion sources that allow not only elemental but also molecular analysis. Still, substantial fragmentation during ionic bombardment results in a large amount of peaks, rendering data analysis complex. Complete and trustable sets of reference spectra for the main biological building blocks such as proteins, sugars, and lipids are required. Here, the authors provide a database of reference spectra for the 21 proteinogenic amino acids + glycine for bismuth instruments. Paper 1 of this two-part article series contains the negative polarity spectra and Paper II the positive polarity spectra. These reference spectra were obtained with the primary ion Bi3+, and spectra for the primary ions Bi1+ and Bi3++ are contained in the supplementary material as ASCII files.
IKK promotes cytokine-induced and cancer-associated AMPK activity and attenuates phenformin-induced cell death in LKB1-deficient cells
Authors: Antonia Ricardo J. , Baldwin Albert S.
Published: July 2018

AMPK activity is stimulated by IKK-mediated phosphorylation in cancer cells and downstream of inflammatory cytokines.
The costimulatory molecule CD226 signals through VAV1 to amplify TCR signals and promote IL-17 production by CD4
+
T cells
Authors: Gaud Guillaume , Roncagalli Romain , Chaoui Karima , Bernard Isabelle , Familiades Julien , Colacios Céline , Kassem Sahar , Monsarrat Bernard , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , de Peredo Anne Gonzalez , Malissen Bernard , Saoudi Abdelhadi
Published: July 2018

VAV1 mediates cross-talk between the CD226 and TCR signaling pathways to enhance production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17.
Efficiency of Target Larvicides Is Conditioned by ABC-Mediated Transport in the Zoonotic Nematode Anisakis pegreffii
Authors: Mladineo Ivona , Trumbić Željka , Hrabar Jerko , Vrbatović Anamarija , Bušelić Ivana , Ujević Ivana , Roje-Busatto Romana , Babić Ivana , Messina Concetta
Published: July 2018

Anisakiasis is among the most significant emerging foodborne parasitoses contracted through consumption of thermally unprocessed seafood harboring infectiveAnisakisspecies larvae. The efficacy of the currently applied anthelminthic therapy in humans and in model organisms has not proven sufficient, so alternative solutions employing natural compounds combined with chemical inhibitors should be explored.
Mediation Analysis as a Means of Identifying Dietary Components That Differentially Affect the Fecal Microbiota of Infants Weaned by Modified Baby-Led and Traditional Approaches
Authors: Leong Claudia , Haszard Jillian J. , Lawley Blair , Otal Anna , Taylor Rachael W. , Szymlek-Gay Ewa A. , Fleming Elizabeth A. , Daniels Lisa , Fangupo Louise J. , Tannock Gerald W. , Heath Anne-Louise M.
Published: July 2018

The introduction of solid foods (complementary feeding or weaning) to infants leads to more-complex compositions of microbial communities (microbiota or microbiome) in the gut. In baby-led weaning (BLW), infants are given only finger foods that they can pick up and feed themselves—there is no parental spoon-feeding of puréed baby foods—and infants are encouraged to eat family meals. BLW is a new approach to infant feeding that is increasing in popularity in the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. We used mediation modeling, commonly used in health research but not in microbiota studies until now, to identify particular dietary components that affected the development of the infant gut microbiota.
Characterization of the Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Response to Transmitted/Founder and Nontransmitted Variants of HIV-1
Authors: Schwartz Jordan Ari , Zhang Hongliang , Ende Zachary , Deymier Martin J. , Lee Terry , Singer Joel , Mazzulli Tony , Hunter Eric , Ostrowski Mario A.
Published: July 2018

The plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) is the first cell type recruited to the site of HIV-1 exposure; however, its contribution to the viral bottleneck in HIV-1 transmission has not been explored previously. We hypothesized that transmitted/founder viruses are able to avoid the pDC response. In this study, we used previously established donor pair-linked transmitted/founder and nontransmitted (or chronic) variants of HIV-1 to stimulate pDCs. Transmitted/founder HIV-1, instead of suppressing pDC responses, induced IFN-α and TNF-α secretion to levels comparable to those induced by viruses from the transmitting partner. We noted several unique traits of chronic viruses, including polarization between IFN-α and TNF-α production as well as a strong relationship between IFN-α secretion and the resistance of the virus to neutralization. These data rule out the possibility that TF viruses preferentially suppress pDCs in comparison to the pDC response to nontransmitted HIV variants. pDCs may, however, be important drivers of viral evolution
in vivo
.
Genome Sequence of Bacillus vallismortis TD3, a Salt-Tolerant Strain Isolated from the Sediments of a Solar Saltern in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Suganthi Chandrasekaran , Mageswari Anbazhagan , Shankar Manoharan , Gothandam Kodiveri M. , Karthikeyan Sivashanmugam
Published: July 2018

Various
Bacillus
spp. capable of producing enzymes with industrially desirable properties have been isolated from adverse environments.
Sequence Variation in Multidrug-Resistant Plasmid pLUH01, Isolated from Human Nasopharyngeal Swabs
Authors: Atkinson Kate V. , Bishop Lisa A. , Rhodes Glenn , Salez Nicolas , McEwan Neil R. , Hegarty Matthew J. , Robey Julie , Harding Nicola , Wetherell Simon , Lauder Robert M. , Pickup Roger W. , Wilkinson Mark , Gatherer Derek
Published: July 2018

Three variants of the multidrug-resistant plasmid pLUH01 were assembled by deep sequencing from nasopharyngeal swabs. All have a 21-bp deletion in the RS14515 hypothetical gene.
Asymptomatic Shedding of Respiratory Virus among an Ambulatory Population across Seasons
Authors: Birger Ruthie , Morita Haruka , Comito Devon , Filip Ioan , Galanti Marta , Lane Benjamin , Ligon Chanel , Rosenbloom Daniel , Shittu Atinuke , Ud-Dean Minhaz , Desalle Rob , Planet Paul , Shaman Jeffrey
Published: July 2018

Respiratory viruses are common in human populations, causing significant levels of morbidity. Understanding the distribution of these viruses is critical for designing control methods. However, most data available are from medical records and thus predominantly represent symptomatic infections. Estimates for asymptomatic prevalence are sparse and span a broad range. In this study, we aimed to measure more precisely the proportion of infections that are asymptomatic in a general, ambulatory adult population. We recruited participants from a New York City tourist attraction and administered nasal swabs, testing them for adenovirus, coronavirus, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. At recruitment, participants completed surveys on demographics and symptomology. Analysis of these data indicated that over 6% of participants tested positive for shedding of respiratory virus. While participants who tested positive were more likely to report symptoms than those who did not, over half of participants who tested positive were asymptomatic.
Evolutionary history of human colitis-associated colorectal cancer
Authors: Baker Ann-Marie , Cross William , Curtius Kit , Al Bakir Ibrahim , Choi Chang-Ho Ryan , Davis Hayley Louise , Temko Daniel , Biswas Sujata , Martinez Pierre , Williams Marc J , Lindsay James O , Feakins Roger , Vega Roser , Hayes Stephen J , Tomlinson Ian P M , McDonald Stuart A C , Moorghen Morgan , Silver Andrew , East James E , Wright Nicholas A , Wang Lai Mun , Rodriguez-Justo Manuel , Jansen Marnix , Hart Ailsa L , Leedham Simon J , Graham Trevor A
Published: July 2018

Objective

IBD confers an increased lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and colitis-associated CRC (CA-CRC) is molecularly distinct from sporadic CRC (S-CRC). Here we have dissected the evolutionary history of CA-CRC using multiregion sequencing.

Design

Exome sequencing was performed on fresh-frozen multiple regions of carcinoma, adjacent non-cancerous mucosa and blood from 12 patients with CA-CRC (n=55 exomes), and key variants were validated with orthogonal methods. Genome-wide copy number profiling was performed using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays and low-pass whole genome sequencing on archival non-dysplastic mucosa (n=9), low-grade dysplasia (LGD; n=30), high-grade dysplasia (HGD; n=13), mixed LGD/HGD (n=7) and CA-CRC (n=19). Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed, and evolutionary analysis used to reveal the temporal sequence of events leading to CA-CRC.

Results

10/12 tumours were microsatellite stable with a median mutation burden of 3.0 single nucleotide alterations (SNA) per Mb, ~20% higher than S-CRC (2.5 SNAs/Mb), and consistent with elevated ageing-associated mutational processes. Non-dysplastic mucosa had considerable mutation burden (median 47 SNAs), including mutations shared with the neighbouring CA-CRC, indicating a precancer mutational field. CA-CRCs were often near triploid (40%) or near tetraploid (20%) and phylogenetic analysis revealed that copy number alterations (CNAs) began to accrue in non-dysplastic bowel, but the LGD/HGD transition often involved a punctuated ‘catastrophic’ CNA increase.

Conclusions

Evolutionary genomic analysis revealed precancer clones bearing extensive SNAs and CNAs, with progression to cancer involving a dramatic accrual of CNAs at HGD. Detection of the cancerised field is an encouraging prospect for surveillance, but punctuated evolution may limit the window for early detection.