bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Sand Ilana Katz
Published: June 2016

Purpose of Review:

This article provides a practical approach for providers caring for patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders. Clinical and imaging features, diagnostic criteria, treatment of acute exacerbations, chronic preventive therapy, and symptom management in NMO spectrum disorders are discussed.

Recent Findings:

The rapid pace of research in NMO spectrum disorders has led to many recent advances. A broader understanding of the clinical spectrum of the disease as well as improvements in anti–aquaporin-4 antibody assays have led to recent revision of the diagnostic criteria. Several recent studies have expanded the knowledge base regarding the efficacy and safety of current therapies for NMO spectrum disorders.

An NMO spectrum disorder is an inflammatory disorder affecting the central nervous system, previously thought to be closely related to multiple sclerosis but more recently demonstrated to represent a distinct clinical and pathophysiologic entity. As NMO spectrum disorders carry significant morbidity and, at times, mortality, prompt and accurate diagnosis followed by swift initiation of therapy for both treatment of acute exacerbations and prevention of further relapses is critical. This article provides a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of NMO spectrum disorders.
Genetic Leukoencephalopathies in Adults
Authors: Vanderver Adeline
Published: June 2016

Purpose of Review:

More than 100 heritable disorders can present with abnormal white matter on neuroimaging. While acquired disorders remain a more common cause of leukoencephalopathy in the adult than genetic causes, the clinician must remain aware of features that suggest a possible genetic etiology.

Recent Findings:

The differential diagnosis of heritable white matter disorders in adults has been revolutionized by next-generation sequencing approaches and the recent identification of the molecular cause of a series of adult-onset disorders.

The identification of a heritable etiology of white matter disease will often have important prognostic and family counseling implications. It is thus important to be aware of the most common hereditary disorders of the white matter and to know how to distinguish them from acquired disorders and how to approach their diagnosis.
Disentangling the visual cues used by a jumping spider to locate its microhabitat
Authors: Tedore Cynthia , Johnsen Sönke
Published: June 2016

Many arthropod species have evolved to thrive only on the leaves of a particular species of plant, which they must be capable of finding in order to survive accidental displacement, developmental transitions, or the changing of the seasons. A number of studies have tested whether such species select leaves to land or oviposit on based on their color, shape, or size. Unfortunately, many studies did not control for correlates of these characters, such as the brightness of different colors, the areas of different shapes, and the level of ambient illumination in the vicinity of different sizes of leaves. In the present study, we tested for leaf color, shape, and size preferences in a leaf-dwelling jumping spider (Lyssomanes viridis) with known summer and winter host plants, while controlling for these correlates. First, color preferences were tested outdoors under the natural illumination of their forest habitat. L. viridis did not prefer to perch on a green substrate compared to various shades of gray, but did prefer the second darkest shade of gray we presented them with. Of the green and other gray substrates, this shade of gray's integrated photon flux (350-700 nm), viewed from below, i.e. the spider's perspective in the arena, was the most similar to real leaves. This relationship also held when we weighted the transmitted photon flux by jumping spiders' green photopigment spectral sensitivity. Spiders did not prefer the star-like leaf shape of their summer host plant, Liquidambar styraciflua, to a green circle of the same area. When given a choice between a sweet gum-shaped stimulus that was half the area of an otherwise identical alternative, spiders preferred the larger stimulus. However, placing a neutral density filter over the side of the experimental arena with the smaller stimulus abolished this preference, with spiders then being more likely to choose the side of the arena with the smaller stimulus. In conclusion, L. viridis appears to use ambient illumination and possibly perceived leaf brightness but not leaf shape or color to locate its microhabitat. This calls for a careful re-examination of which visual cues a variety of arthropods are actually attending to when they search for their preferred host species or microhabitat.
Short Communication: Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative morphological characters of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) germplasm
Authors: PURWATI RULLY DYAH , HERWATI ANIK
Published: June 2016

Purwati RD, Herwati A. 2016. Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative morphological characters of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) germplasm. Biodiversitas 17: 461-465. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) germplasm collection in ISFCRI was characterized aiming to distinguish the morphological characters of each genotype. Based on that information it would be possible to observe the diversity and to choose appropriate parent genotypes for successful hybridization. The investigation was carried out in the Pasirian Experimental Station, Lumajang District, East Java, Indonesia located at 110 m above the sea level (113Â° E, 8Â° S) in the 2015 growing season. Thirty-three germplasm accessions were characterized. Each accession was planted in 32 mÂ² plot size with four lines. Fertilizer dose was 75 kg Nitrogen + 30 kg P2O5 + 30 kg K2O per ha. The results showed that the low variation value in some quantitative characters such as seed size, weight of 100 seeds, seeds thickness, plant height, leaf size, ray floret length, bract length, head diameter, the flowering time, and seed oil content. The qualitative characters exhibited high coefficient of variation values with only one exception-pollen formation in sunflower inflorescences. These results indicated that on the base of their qualitative morphological characters, sunflower accessions possessed high diversity. The seed size and seed thickness showed significant positive correlation with 100 seeds weight. These two characters might be used as selection criteria in sunflower breeding programs for appropriate screening of parental genotypes included in hybridizing process aiming the increase of plant productivity.
Dendrochronology of young Swietenia macrophylla and the variation of its growth response to the past wet climate in Bengkulu, Indonesia
Authors: SUSATYA AGUS , YANSEN YANSEN
Published: June 2016

Susatya A, Yansen. 2016. Dendrochronology of young Swietenia macrophylla and the variation of its growth response to the past wet climate in Bengkulu, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 17: 466-472. Dendrochronology had long been studied in temperate regions to know tree growth responses to the past climate, and to predict the future effects of climate change. In the wet tropics, dendrochronology studies were rarely carried out because of the lack of distinct annual growth rings or wide variation of growth ring forms. Our research was aimed to know the variations of width of growth rings, and growth response of young Big-Leaf Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) to the past wet climate in Bengkulu, Indonesia. Wood disc specimens of cross sections were collected from seven different mahogany trees from campus forest, University of Bengkulu, and then were dried, sanded, and digitally photographed. Growth rings were measured to the nearest 0.001 cm with ImageJ software. The annual ring width data were cross-dated visually by synchronizing and aligning the width patterns of all wood specimens. The results showed that the average of annual growth rings varied from 0.679 cm/year to 1.047 cm/year, and was not significantly different among trees. The width of growth ring of Big-Leaf Mahogany trees demonstrated periodicity through ages, and increased until 9 years old and then started to decline. Individual tree responded differently to climate through out the ages. In the stand level, the average annual growth ring was very sensitive to climate, and positively correlated to rainfall in the first six years, but was independent to rainfall in the past five years. It was speculated that local environments and ecological processes were attributed to obscure the influence of rainfall to the annual growth ring of the older stand.
Prostate-Specific Antigen as a Marker of Hyperandrogenism in Women and Its Implications for Antidoping
Authors: Musrap Natasha , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Since its discovery in the 1970s, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has become widely known as a biomarker of prostate cancer in males but has often been overlooked in female malignancies. Although the serum concentration of PSA differs between men and women by about 1000-fold, studies have suggested that PSA concentrations drastically differ among healthy females and those who exhibit increased androgen production.

CONTENT

There have been reports of increased PSA expression in women exhibiting hyperandrogenic states, including polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism, as well as marked increases in a subset of breast cancer patients. These findings have not only revealed the remarkable diagnostic potential of PSA in a diverse range of clinical conditions but also point to its potential of becoming a useful biomarker of steroid hormone doping among female athletes. Recently, highly sensitive assays that can measure PSA at low limits of detection have been developed, which will aid in the discrimination of PSA between these different conditions.

The overall aim of this review is to revisit the expression of PSA in hormonally-regulated tissues and in female malignancies, and to demonstrate how the regulation of PSA permits its use in antidoping initiatives.
Live coding together: Three potentials of collective live coding
Authors: Ogborn David
Published: June 2016

Informed by the author’s experience directing the live coding Cybernetic Orchestra at McMaster University, this article discusses three areas in which collective live coding can make strong contributions to music education: the reconnection of studio labour to public musical performance, the exploration of new forms of musical co-presence, and the comprehension of music as positioned within a wider digital media context.
JythonMusic: An environment for teaching algorithmic music composition, dynamic coding and musical performativity
Authors: Manaris Bill , Stevens Blake , Brown Andrew R.
Published: June 2016

The practice of coding music live challenges computing conventions with regard to developmental agility. The computational representation of music likewise challenges musicians to articulate their practice in new ways. In this article we describe the development, teaching and use of the JythonMusic environment designed to meet these challenges head on. JythonMusic, written in Python, is an open source project for music making and creative programming activities intended for musicians and programmers, of all levels and backgrounds. JythonMusic supports algorithmic music composition, dynamic coding and musical performativity including live coding. This article examines the functionality of JythonMusic for composition and performance projects in the context of university courses that combine computer science and music. The advantages of this medium for music and programming instruction are demonstrated through several projects and a live coding case study, leading to a series of observations and proposals concerning the advantages of coding in music pedagogy.
Iterative composition, coding and pedagogy: A case study in live coding with EarSketch
Authors: Freeman Jason , Magerko Brian
Published: June 2016

Pervasive definitions of live coding in music focus on the simultaneous modification and execution of code in a live performance setting where a performer shares his screen with the audience. This article considers a role for live coding that does not focus on live performance but rather on educational contexts. After briefly discussing an iterative model for both musical composition and coding and the potential roles of live coding within this model, the article introduces EarSketch, a learning environment for computer science and music technology that enables students to write Python or JavaScript code to algorithmically generate loop-based music within a digital audio workstation (DAW) workflow. It discusses the impact of code execution time on the learning environment, explains the environment’s current support for live coding and discusses the next steps and challenges involved in implementing additional support for live coding in the curriculum and the software environment.
The development of Sonic Pi and its use in educational partnerships: Co-creating pedagogies for learning computer programming
Authors: Aaron Samuel , Blackwell Alan F. , Burnard Pamela
Published: June 2016

Sonic Pi is a new open source software tool and platform originally developed for the Raspberry Pi computer, designed to enable school children to learn programming by creating music. In this article we share insights from a scoping study on the development of Sonic Pi and its use in educational partnerships. Our findings draw attention to the importance of collaborative relationships between teacher and computer scientist and the value of creative pedagogies for learning computer programming as a live-coded participatory enterprise.
Educational design of live coding environments for the browser
Authors: Roberts Charlie , Allison Jesse , Holmes Daniel , Taylor Benjamin , Wright Matthew , Kuchera-Morin JoAnn
Published: June 2016

Gibber is a creative coding environment for the browser designed for live coding performance and education. It emphasizes a simple notation, a strong audio-visual feature set, immediate feedback, and social collaboration. We describe the use of Gibber and its supporting libraries in a variety of educational settings, from work with a summer camp for middle-school girls to university electroacoustic ensembles. We also describe early results designing a new environment, called Braid, for live coding browser-based digital musical instruments (DMIs) that is informed by our teaching experiences.
Paradigmatic perspective for a quality improvement training programme for health professionals in the ministry of health and social services in Namibia
Authors: Amukugo Hans Justus , Nangombe Julia Paul
Published: June 2016

This article focuses on the paradigmatic perspective facilitate the development of a quality improvement training programme for health professionals in the ministry of health and social services in Namibia. The study of this nature requires a paradigmatic perspective; this is a collection of logically linked concepts and propositions that provide a theoretical perspective or orientation that tends to guide the research approach to a specific. Assumptions are useful in directing research decisions during the research process.The study adopted a constructivism and interpretivism approach, since it involved understand the current situation of quality health care/service delivery at health care facilities, and explore and describe the of the health professionals; experiences at the health care facilities. The study was based on the specific information that was accepted as true, as obtained from those lived the experiences of challenges and constraints of providing quality health care at the health care facilities.The paradigm perspectives in this study include Meta – theoretical assumption which consisted ontological, epistemological, axiological, methodological and rhetorical assumptions. Theoretical basis of the study includes Dickoff (1968), Practice Oriented Theory; Programme development by Meyer and Van Niekerk; Kolb’s Theory of experiential learning; Demining’s model of quality improvement, Quality improvement policy of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and Centre for Diseases control (CDC) framework for programme education.
Assessing the commutability of reference material formats for the harmonization of amyloid-β measurements
Authors: Bjerke Maria , Andreasson Ulf , Kuhlmann Julia , Portelius Erik , Pannee Josef , Lewczuk Piotr , Umek Robert M. , Vanmechelen Eugeen , Vanderstichele Hugo , Stoops Erik , Lewis Jennifer , Vandijck Manu , Kostanjevecki Vesna , Jeromin Andreas , Salamone Salvatore J. , Schmidt Oliver , Matzen Anja , Madin Kairat , Eichenlaub Udo , Bittner Tobias , Shaw Leslie M. , Zegers Ingrid , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj
Published: June 2016

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β (Aβ42) peptide is an important biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Variability in measured Aβ42 concentrations at different laboratories may be overcome by standardization and establishing traceability to a reference system. Candidate certified reference materials (CRMs) are validated herein for this purpose.

Methods: Commutability of 16 candidate CRM formats was assessed across five CSF Aβ42 immunoassays and one mass spectrometry (MS) method in a set of 48 individual clinical CSF samples. Promising candidate CRM formats (neat CSF and CSF spiked with Aβ42) were identified and subjected to validation across eight (Elecsys, EUROIMMUN, IBL, INNO-BIA AlzBio3, INNOTEST, MSD, Simoa, and Saladax) immunoassays and the MS method in 32 individual CSF samples. Commutability was evaluated by Passing-Bablok regression and the candidate CRM termed commutable when found within the prediction interval (PI). The relative distance to the regression line was assessed.

Results: The neat CSF candidate CRM format was commutable for almost all method comparisons, except for the Simoa/MSD, Simoa/MS and MS/IBL where it was found just outside the 95% PI. However, the neat CSF was found within 5% relative distance to the regression line for MS/IBL, between 5% and 10% for Simoa/MS and between 10% and 15% for Simoa/MSD comparisons.

Conclusions: The neat CSF candidate CRM format was commutable for 33 of 36 method comparisons, only one comparison more than expected given the 95% PI acceptance limit. We conclude that the neat CSF candidate CRM can be used for value assignment of the kit calibrators for the different Aβ42 methods.
Mean corpuscular volume levels and all-cause and liver cancer mortality
Authors: Yoon Hyung-Jin , Kim Kyaehyung , Nam You-Seon , Yun Jae-Moon , Park Minseon
Published: June 2016

Background: An elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is associated with aging, nutrition, alcohol abuse and more, and it is known as a survival predictor in chronically ill patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MCV levels and mortality from all-causes, cancer and site-specific cancer in a non-anemic healthy population.

Methods: A total of 36,260 participants aged 40 years or older who underwent routine check-ups at Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center between 1995 and 2008 were followed-up for mortality until December 31, 2008, retrospectively.

Results: During an average follow-up of 8.0 years, 1107 deaths including 547 cancer deaths were observed. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of the subjects with the highest quartile of MCV ≥95.8 fL in men and MCV ≥94.2 fL in women for all-cause and cancer mortality were 1.44 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15–1.80] and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.10–2.07) for men and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.08–2.22) and 1.25 (95% CI, 0.74–2.11) for women, respectively, compared with those in the reference group (90.5 fL≤MC <93.0 fL in men and 89.2 fL≤MCV<91.6 fL in women). Elevated MCV level was related to an increased risk of liver cancer mortality in men (aHR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.75–7.21).

Conclusions: This study suggests that the elevated MCV level in non-anemic cancer-free individuals was associated with increased all-cause mortality in both men and women, and with cancer mortality, in particular liver cancer mortality in men. Future prospective studies are required to consolidate our findings.
Measurement of plasma vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinones-4 and -7) using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Riphagen Ineke J. , van der Molen Jan C. , van Faassen Martijn , Navis Gerjan , de Borst Martin H. , Muskiet Frits A.J. , de Jong Wilhelmina H.A. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Kema Ido P.
Published: June 2016

Background: Given the growing interest in the health benefits of vitamin K, there is great need for development of new high-throughput methods for quantitative determination of vitamin K in plasma. We describe a simple and rapid method for measurement of plasma vitamin K1 (phylloquinone [PK]) and K2 (menaquinones [MK]-4 and -7). Furthermore, we investigated the association of fasting plasma vitamin K with functional vitamin K insufficiency in renal transplant recipients (RTR).

Methods: We used HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for measurement of plasma PK, MK-4, and MK-7. Solid-phase extraction was used for sample clean-up. Mass spectrometric detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Functional vitamin K insufficiency was defined as plasma desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) >500 pmol/L.

Results: Lower limits of quantitation were 0.14 nmol/L for PK and MK-4 and 4.40 nmol/L for MK-7. Linearity up to 15 nmol/L was excellent. Mean recoveries were >92%. Fasting plasma PK concentration was associated with recent PK intake (ρ=0.41, p=0.002) and with plasma MK-4 (ρ=0.49, p<0.001). Plasma PK (ρ=0.38, p=0.003) and MK-4 (ρ=0.46, p<0.001) were strongly correlated with plasma triglyceride concentrations. Furthermore, we found that MK-4-triglyceride ratio, but not PK-triglyceride ratio, was significantly associated with functional vitamin K insufficiency (OR 0.22 [0.07–0.70], p=0.01) in RTR.

Conclusions: The developed rapid and easy-to-use LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of PK, MK-4, and MK-7 in human plasma may be a good alternative for the labor-intensive and time-consuming LC-MS/MS methods and enables a higher sample throughput.
A review of the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of DP, TRIP, and TWIP advanced high-strength steels for auto construction
Authors: Liu Qinglong , Zhou Qingjun , Venezuela Jeffrey , Zhang Mingxing , Wang Jianqiu , Atrens Andrej
Published: June 2016

The literature is reviewed regarding the influence of hydrogen on dual-phase (DP), transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP), and twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels. Hydrogen influences DP steels by decreasing ductility while strengths are largely unaffected. TRIP steels may be susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) as indicated by the loss of ductility and some brittle fracture features. The literature on the influence of hydrogen on TWIP steels was inconsistent. Some researchers found no significant influence of hydrogen on TWIP steel properties and fully ductile fractures, whereas others found a significant loss of ductility and strength due to hydrogen and some brittle features. Possible countermeasures for HE are tempering for DP and TRIP steels and aluminum alloying for TWIP steels.
A review of hydrogen embrittlement of martensitic advanced high-strength steels
Authors: Venezuela Jeffrey , Liu Qinglong , Zhang Mingxing , Zhou Qingjun , Atrens Andrej
Published: June 2016

The martensitic advanced high-strength steels (MS-AHSS) are used to create fuel-efficient, crashworthy cars. Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is an issue with high-strength steels; thus, the interaction of hydrogen with MS-AHSS needs to be studied. There are only a few published works on the HE of MS-AHSS. The current literature indicates that the HE susceptibility of MS-AHSS is affected by (i) the strength of the steel, (ii) the applied strain rate, (iii) the concentration of hydrogen, (iv) microstructure, (v) tempering, (vi) residual stress, (vii) fabrication route, (viii) inclusions, (ix) metallic coatings, and (x) specific precipitates. Some of the unresolved issues include (i) the correlation of laboratory results to service performance, (ii) establishing the conditions or factors that lead to a certain HE response, (iii) studying the effect of stress rate on HE, and (iv) a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen trapping in MS-AHSS.
Primary care pediatricians’ interest in diagnostic error reduction
Authors: Rinke Michael L. , Singh Hardeep , Ruberman Sarah , Adelman Jason , Choi Steven J. , O’Donnell Heather , Stein Ruth E.K. , Brady Tammy M. , Heo Moonseong , Lehmann Christoph U. , Kairys Steven , Rice-Conboy Elizabeth , Theissen Keri , Bundy David G.
Published: June 2016

Background: Diagnostic errors causing harm in children are understudied, resulting in a knowledge gap regarding pediatricians’ interest in reducing their incidence.

Methods: Electronic survey of general pediatricians focusing on diagnostic error incidence, errors they were interested in trying to improve, and errors reduced by their electronic health record (EHR).

Results: Of 300 contacted pediatricians, 77 (26%) responded, 58 (19%) served ambulatory patients, and 48 (16%) completed the entire questionnaire. Of these 48, 17 (35%) reported making a diagnostic error at least monthly, and 16 (33%) reported making a diagnostic error resulting in an adverse event at least annually. Pediatricians were “most” interested in “trying to improve” missed diagnosis of hypertension (17%), delayed diagnosis due to missed subspecialty referral (15%), and errors associated with delayed follow-up of abnormal laboratory values (13%). Among the 44 pediatricians with an EHR, 16 (36%) said it reduced the likelihood of missing obesity and 14 (32%) said it reduced the likelihood of missing hypertension. Also, 15 (34%) said it helped avoid delays in follow-up of abnormal laboratory values. A third (36%) reported no help in diagnostic error reduction from their EHR.

Conclusions: Pediatricians self-report an appreciable number of diagnostic errors and were most interested in preventing high frequency, non-life-threatening errors. There exists a need to leverage EHRs to support error reduction efforts.
Does Deflation Threaten the Global Economy?
Authors: Iqbal Azhar , Silvia John E.
Published: June 2016

What probability can we assign to the outlook for global deflation? Recently, much of the discussion around monetary policy in the United States, Eurozone and Japan has focused on the threat of deflation and how to avoid it. How likely is deflation for each of these countries, and more broadly, for the global economy as a whole? This paper provides an early-warning-system (EWS) to predict the probability of inflation/deflation in the near term. Specifically, we utilize an ordered probit approach to estimate the six-month ahead probability of three distinct scenarios for the inflation outlook: inflationary pressure, deflationary pressure or price stability. We build models for five regions to generate a signal for each region’s inflation outlook. Our first model assesses the inflation/deflation outlook for the global economy, while the second model generates the likelihood of each inflation scenario for the advanced economies. Our final three models forecast the probability of inflation/deflation for the United States, the Eurozone and Japan. Our global model suggests deflationary pressure is more likely than the other two inflation scenarios, with the model forecasting a 99 percent chance of deflationary pressure in the next six months. The advanced economies model suggests a 58 percent chance of deflationary pressure. The probability of deflationary pressure for the United States is 60 percent, 72 percent for Japan and 56 percent for the Eurozone. Since 2013, all five models have consistently suggested that deflationary pressure is the most likely of the three scenarios. Given the historical accuracy of these models, and by combining all these signals into one framework, we predict that the risk of deflationary pressure is much higher than the other two inflation scenarios for the global economy in the near term.
Microglial Contact Prevents Excess Depolarization and Rescues Neurons from Excitotoxicity
Authors: Kato Go , Inada Hiroyuki , Wake Hiroaki , Akiyoshi Ryohei , Miyamoto Akiko , Eto Kei , Ishikawa Tatsuya , Moorhouse Andrew J. , Strassman Andrew M. , Nabekura Junichi
Published: June 2016

Microglia survey and directly contact neurons in both healthy and damaged brain, but the mechanisms and functional consequences of these contacts are not yet fully elucidated. Combining two-photon imaging and patch clamping, we have developed an acute experimental model for studying the role of microglia in CNS excitotoxicity induced by neuronal hyperactivity. Our model allows us to simultaneously examine the effects of repetitive supramaximal stimulation on axonal morphology, neuronal membrane potential, and microglial migration, using cortical brain slices from Iba-1 eGFP mice. We demonstrate that microglia exert an acute and highly localized neuroprotective action under conditions of neuronal hyperactivity. Evoking repetitive action potentials in individual layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons elicited swelling of axons, but not dendrites, which was accompanied by a large, sustained depolarization of soma membrane potential. Microglial processes migrated to these swollen axons in a mechanism involving both ATP and glutamate release via volume-activated anion channels. This migration was followed by intensive microglial wrapping of affected axons and, in some cases, the removal of axonal debris that induced a rapid soma membrane repolarization back to resting potentials. When the microglial migration was pharmacologically blocked, the activity-induced depolarization continued until cell death ensued, demonstrating that the microglia–axon contact served to prevent pathological depolarization of the soma and maintain neuronal viability. This is a novel aspect of microglia surveillance: detecting, wrapping, and rescuing neuronal soma from damage due to excessive activity.
Mitochondria mediate septin cage assembly to promote autophagy of Shigella
Authors: Sirianni Andrea , Krokowski Sina , Lobato‐Márquez Damián , Buranyi Stephen , Pfanzelter Julia , Galea Dieter , Willis Alexandra , Culley Siân , Henriques Ricardo , Larrouy‐Maumus Gerald , Hollinshead Michael , Sancho‐Shimizu Vanessa , Way Michael , Mostowy Serge
Published: June 2016

Septins, cytoskeletal proteins with well‐characterised roles in cytokinesis, form cage‐like structures around cytosolic Shigella flexneri and promote their targeting to autophagosomes. However, the processes underlying septin cage assembly, and whether they influence S. flexneri proliferation, remain to be established. Using single‐cell analysis, we show that the septin cages inhibit S. flexneri proliferation. To study mechanisms of septin cage assembly, we used proteomics and found mitochondrial proteins associate with septins in S. flexneri‐infected cells. Strikingly, mitochondria associated with S. flexneri promote septin assembly into cages that entrap bacteria for autophagy. We demonstrate that the cytosolic GTPase dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1) interacts with septins to enhance mitochondrial fission. To avoid autophagy, actin‐polymerising Shigella fragment mitochondria to escape from septin caging. Our results demonstrate a role for mitochondria in anti‐Shigella autophagy and uncover a fundamental link between septin assembly and mitochondria.
TERRA Incognita at chromosome ends
Authors: Coulon Stéphane , Géli Vincent
Published: June 2016

Telomeres are transcribed in long noncoding RNA named TERRA. Although TERRA functions have been extensively investigated, the role of TERRA in telomerase recruitment and regulation is still elusive. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Moravec et al report in Schizosaccharomyces pombe that telomere shortening induces the expression of TERRA . They show that polyadenylated TERRA molecules specifically associate with the telomerase catalytic subunit and stimulate telomerase‐mediated elongation of the telomere from which the TERRA molecules originate. Strikingly, their results indicate that shaping the 3′ end of telomere transcripts controls telomerase activity.
Developmental and Cell Cycle Quiescence Is Mediated by the Nuclear Hormone Receptor Coregulator DIN-1S in the Caenorhabditis elegans Dauer Larva
Authors: Colella Eileen , Li Shaolin , Roy Richard
Published: June 2016

When faced with suboptimal growth conditions, Caenorhabditis elegans larvae can enter a diapause-like stage called “dauer” that is specialized for dispersal and survival. The decision to form a dauer larva is controlled by three parallel signaling pathways, whereby a compromise of TGFβ, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or insulin/IGF-like signaling (ILS) results in dauer formation. Signals from these pathways converge on DAF-12, a nuclear hormone receptor that triggers the changes required to initiate dauer formation. DAF-12 is related to the vitamin D, liver-X, and androstane receptors, and like these human receptors, it responds to lipophilic hormone ligands. When bound to its ligand, DAF-12 acquires transcriptional activity that directs reproductive development, while unliganded DAF-12 forms a dauer-specifying complex with its interacting protein DIN-1S to regulate the transcription of genes required for dauer development. We report here that din-1S is required in parallel to par-4/LKB1 signaling within the gonad to establish cell cycle quiescence during the onset of the dauer stage. We show that din-1S is important for postdauer reproduction when ILS is impaired and is necessary for long-term dauer survival in response to reduced ILS. Our work uncovers several previously uncharacterized functions of DIN-1S in executing and maintaining many of the cellular and physiological processes required for appropriate dauer arrest, while also shedding light on the coordination of nuclear hormone signaling, the LKB1/AMPK signaling cascade, and ILS/TGFβ in the control of cell cycle quiescence and tissue growth: a key feature that is often misregulated in a number of hormone-dependent cancers.
Relevance of Hydrodynamic Effects for the Calculation of Outer Surface Potential of Biological Membrane Using Electrophoretic Data
Authors: SILVA JUNIOR IZAN M. , CASTRO MARIA CLÍCIA S. , SILVA DILSON , CORTEZ CÉLIA M.
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present the results of a study on the influence of hydrodynamic effects on the surface potentials of the erythrocyte membrane, comparing two different models formulated to simulate the electrophoretic movement of a biological cell: the classical Helmholtz-Smoluchowski model and a model presented by Hsu et al. (1996). This model considers hydrodynamic effects to describe the distribution of the fluid velocity. The electric potential equation was obtained from the non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation, considering the spatial distribution of electrical charges fixed in glycocalyx and cytoplasmic proteins, as well as electrolyte charges and ones fixed on the surfaces of lipidic bilayer. Our results show that the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski model is not able to reflect the real forces responsible to the electrophoretic behavior of cell, because it does not take account the hydrodynamic effects of glycocalyx. This charged network that covers cellular surface constitutes a complex physical system whose electromechanical characteristics cannot be neglected. Then, supporting the hypothesis of other authors, we suggest that, in electrophoretic motion analyses of cells, the classical model represents a limiting case of models that take into account hydrodynamic effects to describe the velocity distribution of fluid.
An examination of soil and water conservation practices in the paddy fields of Guilan province, Iran
Authors: ASHOORI DARYOUSH , BAGHERI ASGHAR , ALLAHYARI MOHAMMAD S. , AL-RIMAWI AHMAD S.
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT This study examined the use of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices among rice farmers in Iran. A random sample of 400 rice paddy farmers in the Foumanat plain of Guilan province, who use SWC measures, was drawn from a population of 52 thousand farmers. A two-part questionnaire was used to examine the level of utilization of SWC practices and to profile paddy farmers. Internal consistency was demonstrated with a coefficient alpha of 0.76, and the content and face validity of the instrument was confirmed by a panel of soil and water experts. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data. Results of ANOVA indicated that the mean levels of SWC practices vary considerably at the 0.01 level of significance by groups of age, education, non-agricultural income, production costs, yield, cultivated paddies and distance from home to the farm or to the main road. Similarly, significant differences were observed by groups of family size, rice production, ownership of livestock and profits from rice production at 0.05 level. The levels of experience in agriculture and ownership of poultry were found to have no significant effects on SWC practices.
Floristic evolution in an agroforestry system cultivation in Southern Brazil
Authors: SILVA LUÍS C.R. , MACHADO SEBASTIÃO A. , GALVÃO FRANKLIN , FIGUEIREDO FILHO AFONSO
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT Bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham) is an important pioneer tree species in Ombrophylous Mixed Forest of Brazil and is widely used as an energy source. In traditional agroforestry systems, regeneration is induced by fire, then pure and dense stands known as bracatinga stands (bracatingais) are formed. In the first year, annual crops are intercalated with the seedlings. At that time the seedlings are thinned, then the stands remain at a fallow period and cut at seven years old. The species is very important mainly for small landowners. We studied the understory species that occur naturally during the succession over several years in order to manage them rationally in the future and maintain the natural vegetation over time. Three to 20 year-old Bracatinga stands were sampled between 1998 and 2011. All tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were measured.The floristic evolution was assessed with respect to Sociability Index, the Shannon Diversity Index and the Pielou Evenness Index. Graphs of rank/abundance over different age groups were evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. We identified 153 species dispersed throughout the understory and tend to become aggregated over time.
Regarding the real diversity of Glyptodontidae (Mammalia, Xenarthra) in the late Pliocene (Chapadmalalan Age/Stage) of Argentina
Authors: ZURITA ALFREDO E. , TAGLIORETTI MATÍAS , DE LOS REYES MARTÍN , CUADRELLI FRANCISCO , POIRE DANIEL
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT A large diversity of Glyptodontidae has been proposed as characterizing the Chapadmalalan Age (Pliocene). Most of these taxa were recognized on the basis of partial dorsal carapaces and/or caudal tubes, whereas the main diagnostic characteristic is a particular morphology of the exposed surface of the osteoderms. From a biostratigraphic point of view some species are biostratigraphically important. The Upper Chapadmalalan is based on the Paraglyptodon chapadmalensis biozone. Both the re-evaluation of the type and referred materials and new significant findings from the Chapadmalal and El Polvorín Formations indicate that the diversity of Pliocene Glyptodontidae is more limited than previously supposed. The particular morphology of the exposed surface of the osteoderms that characterizes some of the species actually corresponds to a taphonomic alteration, which results in a non-real ornamentation pattern. Thus, the Glyptodontinae P. chapadmalensis must be replaced as a fossil guide because neither this species nor the species included in the genera Urotherium, Trachycalyptus and Lomaphorus are well characterized. Taking into account the diversity of Glyptodontidae for this lapse, the Glyptodontinae are very scarce (a situation that contrasts with its records in the Pleistocene), whereas Eosclerocalyptus, "Plohophorini" (Plohophorus) and Doedicurinae (cf. Eleutherocercus antiquus) are among the most recorded taxa.
Late Pleistocene echimyid rodents (Rodentia, Hystricognathi) from northern Brazil
Authors: FERREIRA THAIS M.F. , OLIVARES ADRIANA ITATI , KERBER LEONARDO , DUTRA RODRIGO P. , AVILLA LEONARDO S.
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT Echimyidae (spiny rats, tree rats and the coypu) is the most diverse family of extant South American hystricognath rodents (caviomorphs). Today, they live in tropical forests (Amazonian, coastal and Andean forests), occasionally in more open xeric habitats in the Cerrado and Caatinga of northern South America, and open areas across the southern portion of the continent (Myocastor). The Quaternary fossil record of this family remains poorly studied. Here, we describe the fossil echimyids found in karst deposits from southern Tocantins, northern Brazil. The analyzed specimens are assigned to Thrichomys sp., Makalata cf. didelphoides and Proechimys sp. This is the first time that a fossil of Makalata is reported. The Pleistocene record of echimyids from this area is represented by fragmentary remains, which hinders their determination at specific levels. The data reported here contributes to the understanding of the ancient diversity of rodents of this region, evidenced until now in other groups, such as the artiodactyls, cingulates, carnivores, marsupials, and squamate reptiles.
Scientists in the public sphere: Interactions of scientists and journalists in Brazil
Authors: MASSARANI LUISA , PETERS HANS P.
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT In order to map scientists' views on media channels and explore their experiences interacting with journalists, the authors conducted a survey of about 1,000 Brazilian scientists. Results indicate that scientists have clear and high expectations about how journalists should act in reporting scientific information in the media, but such expectations, in their opinion, do not always seem to be met. Nonetheless, the results show that surveyed scientists rate their relation with the media positively: 67% say that having their research covered by media has a positive impact on their colleagues. One quarter of the respondents expressed that talking to the media can facilitate acquisition of more funds for research. Moreover, 38% of the total respondents believe that writing about an interesting topic for release on media channels can also facilitate research publication in a scientific journal. However, 15% of the respondents outright agree that research reported in the media beforehand can threaten acceptance for publication by a scientific journal. We hope that these results can foster some initiatives for improving awareness of the two cultures, scientists and journalists; increasing the access of journalists to Brazilian scientific endeavors; stimulating scientists to communicate with the public via social networks.
Alta hospitalar do recém-nascido prematuro: experiência do pai
Authors: Marski Bruna de Souza Lima , Custodio Natália , Abreu Flávia Corrêa Porto de , Melo Débora Falleiros de , Wernet Monika
Published: June 2016

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever a experiência do pai frente à alta do filho prematuro da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal e apontar intervenções para a promoção dessa experiência. Método: pesquisa qualitativa com oito pais que adotou o Interacionismo Simbólico como referencial teórico e a pesquisa de narrativa temática como referencial metodológico. Resultados: a análise dos dados permitiu descrever a experiência do pai a partir de três unidades temáticas: 'limites para a paternidade', 'alta: responsabilização pelo filho' e 'rede social e apoio'. Conclusão: o pai sente-se inseguro para o cuidado com filho em domicílio em função de incipiências no apoio profissional e no contato com o filho na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal.
Características epidemiológicas e causas de óbitos em pacientes internados em terapia intensiva
Authors: Rodriguez Anita Hernández , Bub Maria Bettina Camargo , Perão Odisséia Fátima , Zandonadi Giseli , Rodriguez Maria de Jesús Hernández
Published: June 2016

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever as características sociodemográficas e epidemiológicas dos pacientes internados em uma UTI. Método: estudo epidemiológico, descritivo e retrospectivo. População: 695 pacientes admitidos de janeiro a dezembro de 2011. Os dados coletados foram analisados estatisticamente com distribuição de frequências absoluta e relativa. Resultados: 61,6% dos pacientes são do sexo masculino, idade de 40 a 69 anos, e maioria proveniente do centro cirúrgico. O motivo de internação foram as doenças do aparelho circulatório (23,3%). Dos pacientes ao receber alta da UTI, 72,4% foram encaminhados para outras unidades da instituição, 31,1% para unidade de tratamento semi-intensivo e 20,4% foram a óbito, dos quais 24,6% foram por doenças do aparelho circulatório. O turno de trabalho que ocorreram admissões e altas foi o vespertino, com 45,8% das admissões e 53,3% das altas. Conclusão: a descrição das características sociodemográficas e epidemiológicas norteia o planejamento das ações de enfermagem, fornecendo um atendimento de melhor qualidade.
Adaptação transcultural e validação da versão brasileira da Treatment Spirituality / Religiosity Scale
Authors: Gonçalves Angélica Martins de Souza , Santos Manoel Antônio dos , Chaves Erika de Cássia Lopes , Pillon Sandra Cristina
Published: June 2016

RESUMO Objetivo: realizar a tradução e adaptação transcultural, bem como analisar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento Treatment Spirituality / Religiosity Scale (TSRS) para a língua portuguesa do Brasil. Método: a amostra foi composta por 188 estudantes de Enfermagem de níveis técnico e superior. A análise da confiabilidade por teste-reteste foi realizada um mês após a primeira aplicação do instrumento. Para mensurar a validação de constructo procedeu-se a análise fatorial. Resultados: a versão brasileira da TSRS manteve-se com 10 itens, com dois fatores. A confiabilidade por teste-reteste apresentou coeficiente Kappa variando de 0,22 a 0,47, consistência interna global alfa de Cronbach de 0,85. Conclusão: a versão brasileira do TSRS apresentou valores de validade e de consistência interna satisfatórios, mostrando-se adequada para uso no contexto nacional.
Excesso ponderal em adultos jovens escolares: a vulnerabilidade da autopercepção corporal distorcida
Authors: Florêncio Raquel Sampaio , Moreira Thereza Maria Magalhães , Silva Maria Rocineide Ferreira da , Almeida Ítalo Lennon Sales de
Published: June 2016

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar o excesso ponderal em adultos jovens escolares a partir da dimensão individual da vulnerabilidade, especificamente de seus marcadores interpessoais e subjetivos. Método: delineou-se um estudo analítico, quantitativo, realizado com 560 adultos jovens de 26 escolas de uma capital do nordeste brasileiro. Após obtenção dos dados pela aplicação de questionários específicos, utilizou-se a regressão logística para identificação dos marcadores de vulnerabilidade individual. Resultados: na análise bivariada, o excesso ponderal apresentou associação estatística significativa com autopercepção de saúde, satisfação corporal e autopercepção de excesso ponderal, esta permanecendo no modelo final da regressão. Conclusão: conclui-se, sobremaneira, que a autopercepção de excesso ponderal sofre distorções em relação à real situação corporal e por isso torna o adulto jovem vulnerável a estados disfuncionais de saúde. No entanto, ratifica-se que o agravo deve ser compreendido numa perspectiva individual e contextual.