bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple myeloma secondary to acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hu Tonglin , Shen Jianping , Liu Wenbin , Zheng Zhiying
Published: January 2019

Rationale:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) secondary to multiple myeloma (MM) is rare. Here we report a rare case of secondary ALL transformed from MM.

Patient concerns:

A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed as MM IgG light chain type in 2001. She achieved complete remission after 2 cycles of therapy, and received maintenance therapy with thalidomide. The patient suffered from MM relapse in September 2011. Bone marrow examination showed that the percentage of primary lymphocytes was 59%, indicating ALL-L2 (Pre-B-ALL). The patient reached complete remission after 1 cycle of chemotherapy, and has been maintained for more than 6 years.

Diagnoses:

Immunophenotyping analysis revealed that the abnormal cell population accounted for approximately 66% which expressed HLA-DR, CD4, CD22, CD33, CD34, and cCD79a. These results indicated acute B lymphoblastic leukemia. Chromosome presented 47, XX, +5, −7, +19. Leukemia fusion gene analysis demonstrated positive EVI1 and negative IgH and TCR gene rearrangement.

Interventions:

The patient accepted 1 cycle of VDCLP chemotherapy and reached complete remission, followed with consolidation therapies with VDCLP, MA, CAG and other chemotherapy regimens.

Outcomes:

This patient has maintained CR1 of ALL for more than 6 years.

Lessons:

Even secondary lymphoblastic leukemia has been rarely reported in patients with MM, we still need perform bone marrow examination, flow cytology, and gene tests, especially during maintenance therapy.
Application of sedation–agitation scale in conscious sedation before bronchoscopy in children
Authors: Zhong Lin , Shen Kun , Zhai Songhui , Chen Ting , Tao Qingfen , Chen Lina , Tao Yuhong , Qiu Li
Published: January 2019

This retrospective study investigated the application of the sedation–agitation scale (SAS) in pediatric bronchoscopy by observing its effects on sedative dosages and adverse reactions.

Children who underwent sedation before bronchoscopy, during the period from January 2014 to June 2017, were divided into control and SAS groups. Patients in the control group were administered a single dose of 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg midazolam, based on physicians’ clinical experience. The initial dose of midazolam in the SAS group was 0.1 mg/kg, and was adjusted based on the SAS score, as evaluated by physicians. Between-group comparisons were made of midazolam dose; adverse reactions of midazolam, such as agitation, delirium, excessive sedation, and respiratory depression; operating time of bronchoscopy; and number of participants.

No statistically significant differences in gender, age distribution, weight, or disease composition were observed between the groups. The midazolam dose, operating time, and number of participants at different ages were all lower in the SAS group than in the control group. Fewer adverse drug reactions, such as intraoperative agitation and delirium, were noted in the SAS group. Moreover, the overall number of participants was reduced, and the overall operating time was less than that in the control group.

Application of SAS for assessment of sedation during pediatric bronchoscopy can guide individualized administration of midazolam, reduce midazolam dose while achieving an ideal sedative effect, reduce adverse reactions, and improve operator experience. Hence, its use should be promoted for pediatric patients undergoing bronchoscopy under local anesthesia and conscious sedation.
Health Information Exchange of Medication Lists
Authors: Sarzynski Erin , Ensberg Mark , Parkinson Amy , Shahar Keren , Brooks Kevin , Given Charles
Published: January 2019

Nurses report significant gaps in communication among patients discharged from the hospital with home healthcare (HHC) services. The aim of this pilot study was to quantify the contents of HHC admission packets used to guide nurses' first home visit after hospital discharge. We evaluated 20 randomly selected charts of older adults admitted to HHC after a hospitalization for heart failure. Admission packets contained nearly 50 pages of material, which frequently included duplicate documents printed from the hospital-based electronic health record (EHR). Despite the plethora of documents, most packets omitted key information, such as patients' cognitive and functional status, and even discharge summaries, which would be relevant and actionable for HHC nurses. Moreover, admission packets contained multiple, often discordant, EHR-generated medication lists, which makes reconciliation challenging for nurses and puts vulnerable patients at risk for adverse drug events. Overall, there is an urgent need to improve health information exchange between hospitals and HHC agencies, which will simultaneously promote nurse efficiency and patient safety.
A Call for Interfacing Measures of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Across the Transition of Care
Authors: Koyfman Irina , Finnell Deborah
Published: January 2019

The ability to maintain functional status is an essential aspect of self-care for older adults. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) decline within hours of hospitalization and are often overlooked, underassessed, and underreported. The aim of this integrative review was to examine and compare methods used to assess IADLs to determine the best measure for use across the care continuum, especially during transitions of care. A literature search without date restrictions was conducted using PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Embase databases. Twelve studies of moderate quality were included in this review. More than half (58%) of the studies utilized the Lawton and Brody Scale to measure IADL among home-based and hospitalized patients. Implementation of this scale as standard practice and sharing the results with healthcare providers would encourage continuity of care with the goal of supporting older adults aging in place and preventing rehospitalization. In turn, this communication process may improve the transition from the inpatient to home setting, where, since 1999, the Outcome and Assessment Information Set has been mandated.
Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Advance Directives in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Liao Mo-Ying , Lee Jung Jae , Smith Robert , Lin Chia-Chin
Published: January 2019

The aim of this research was to describe knowledge and attitudes regarding advance directives (ADs) in patients with advanced heart failure and identify factors influencing such knowledge and attitudes. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 75 patients with advanced heart failure at a cardiovascular outpatient clinic and an in-patient ward. Data were collected by a validated measure of knowledge and attitudes regarding ADs. We compared knowledge and attitudes regarding ADs across patient age, sex, socioeconomic status, care received, and disease status using both univariate and stepwise regression models. Only four of the 75 participants (5.3%) had signed ADs. As a result of stepwise regression analysis, positive attitudes toward ADs were higher in those who were not religious (β = 3.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26–5.95), and patients who had a poorer left ventricular ejection fraction had more positive attitudes (β = 7.03; 95% CI, 3.32-10.73) toward ADs. Knowledge of ADs was higher in subjects with college level education (β = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.13-1.50) and in subjects with heart failure for greater than 1 year of duration (β = 2.04; 95% CI, 0.59-3.50). The use of ADs is low in patients with advanced heart failure, despite evidence regarding its benefits.
Medical Assistance in Dying
Authors: Suva Grace , Penney Tasha , McPherson Christine J.
Published: January 2019

In June 2016, Bill C-14 or Medical Assistance in Dying legislation became law in Canada. With this law came changes to nurses’ (ie, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, registered practical nurse) scopes of practice, roles, and responsibilities. While federal law, regulatory, and organizational policies are developed to inform nurses about the practice of medical assistance in dying, there is little evidence examining how nurses’ roles and responsibilities are enacted in practice. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize the evidence on nurses’ roles and responsibilities in relation to medical assistance in dying and to identify gaps in the literature. A secondary aim was to identify organizational supports for nurses to effectively and ethically engage in medical assistance in dying. Using a recognized and rigorous scoping review methodology, the findings from 24 research studies were synthesized in this article. The analysis highlights the importance of effective health care professional engagement with the individual in the decision-making process and of the need to educate, support, and include nurses in providing medical assistance in dying. Overall, the current research on medical assistance in dying is limited in Canada, and more attention is needed on the role of the nurse.
A Case Study in Cross-cultural Health Care and Ethics
Authors: Chrastek Joan “Jody” Ramer , Goloff Naomi , Moore Tisha
Published: January 2019

Health care in the United States is increasingly delivered in cross-cultural contexts. Empathy, mutual regard, respect, and compassionate communication are necessary to achieve the highest standard of care for each individual. Moral and ethical perspectives on life and death, health, and health care are not universal but rather have their origins within culture and societal norms. In a cross-cultural context, “the right decision” may be seen differently depending on an individual’s cultural background, discipline, and type of education. This pediatric case study is intended to stimulate conversation on the need for culturally sensitive health care decision making and the shortcomings of a “one-size-fits-all” approach to bioethics in our increasingly interconnected world.
Mistaken Asymptomatic Carinal Foreign Body in a Child
Authors: Scerbo Christina , Kilgar Jennifer , Lim Rodrick
Published: January 2019

Foreign body aspirations are commonly seen in emergency departments (EDs) worldwide, presenting with cough, dyspnea, wheeze, and decreased air entry. Chest radiographs are commonly utilized diagnostic tools to confirm foreign object aspiration. The following is a case report of a child who presented in the ED with a carinal push-pin aspiration and a lack of respiratory symptoms; an extremely rare ED presentation of foreign body aspirations masquerading as a foreign body ingestion. This attests to the importance of conducting a lateral chest radiograph for diagnostic purposes to accurately interpret an esophageal or tracheal foreign body placement.
Appendicitis
Authors: Mittal Manoj K.
Published: January 2019

The diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis can be difficult, with a substantial proportion misdiagnosed based on clinical features and laboratory tests alone. Accordingly, advanced imaging with ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and/or magnetic resonance imaging has become routine for most children undergoing diagnostic evaluation for appendicitis. There is increasing interest in the use of US as the primary imaging modality and reserving CT as a secondary diagnostic modality in equivocal cases. Magnetic resonance imaging, using a rapid protocol, without contrast or sedation, has been found to be highly sensitive and specific in the evaluation of children with acute right lower quadrant pain in a number of studies. Because magnetic resonance imaging has the advantage over CT of not using contrast or ionizing radiation, it may replace CT in many instances, whether after US as part of a stepwise imaging algorithm or as a primary imaging modality. Accessibility and cost, however, limit its more widespread use currently.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Diagnose Pyomyositis in a Child
Authors: Levitt Danielle L. , Byer Robyn , Miller Andrew F.
Published: January 2019

We report a case of a patient presenting with fever, right lower leg swelling, and pain who was found to have a fluid collection between muscle planes noted on point-of-care ultrasound. Point-of-care ultrasound raised the clinician's concern for deep musculoskeletal infection, leading to prompt initiation of antibiotics and magnetic resonance imaging.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Diagnostic Dilemmas
Authors: Sharma Priya , Al-Sani Faisal , Saini Sidharth , Sao Pedro Tais , Wong Peter , Etoom Yousef
Published: January 2019

Diagnostic dilemmas are ubiquitous in pediatric emergency medicine because of the varied and often insidious presentations of many pediatric conditions. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in emergency departments is being used for some of these diagnostic challenges and can often provide rapid and valuable information to supplement a physician's clinical assessment. Intussusception is a pediatric condition that may be challenging to recognize because of its subtle and varied presenting symptoms. An unrecognized or delayed diagnosis of intussusception can be catastrophic, with complications including bowel obstruction, bowel perforation, and death. Here we present two challenging cases of intussusception, one due to its atypical age of presentation and the other due to its unique symptoms. These cases demonstrate the benefits of point-of-care ultrasound for diagnostically challenging cases in the emergency department.
Usefulness of Cone-Bean Computed Tomography Exams to Detect Foramen of Huschke in Diverse Age Group
Authors: Tucunduva Rosana Mara Adami , Lopes Ivna Albano , Shinohara Andre Luis , Lauris Jose Roberto Pereira , Rubira-Bullen Izabel Regina Fischer
Published: January 2019

The foramen of Huschke (FH) is present in the early stages of the temporal bone tympanic portion development. The literature shows that FH may persist in adult individuals and several authors acknowledge its clinical importance, reporting being associated with the dissemination of diseases. Some authors believe that FH presents importance in archeology and forensic situations.

Considering that the identification of FH by conventional imaging methods is extremely impaired or impossible due to overlapping bone structures and that cone-bean computed tomography presents quality in the evaluation of this structure, the authors conducted this research to determine the FH prevalence and dimensions through the Invivo5 software, and correlated its size with age.

The foramen was present in 19 scans (12.7%), 6 (8.8%) were present among male and 13 (15.8%) among female. The χ
2 test was performed, with no statistically significant difference for gender and age. Considering the age, in individuals aged 7 to 18 years, 16.4% of persistent FH was found compared with 10.5% in individuals over 18 years of age. The diameter ranged from 2.58 to 3.28 mm. No correlation was found between size and age (p between 0.25 and 0.88).

The authors conclude that the cone-bean computed tomography is an examination that allows the correct evaluation of the FH and, although the persistence of this unusual anatomical variation presents different frequencies in the different populations and age groups, it can have clinical consequences, so that the professionals who work in the area must be aware of its existence.
Prevention and Management of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Lim Yvonne Siew Ling , Carville Keryln
Published: January 2019

An integrative review was conducted to synthesize evidence on prevention and management of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) in the pediatric population. A 5-step integrative process was used to guide the review. Articles published from January 2000 to April 6, 2017, were identified and retrieved from CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest (MEDLINE), and Scopus; key terms were associated with IAD, pediatric, prevention, and management. Supplemental and manual searches were carried out to identify other relevant studies. The studies' findings were extracted and summarized in a table of evidence, with their quality evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist. Sixteen articles were included in the review. Articles explored prevention and management strategies including skin cleansing technique, diaper selection, and the application of topical skin care products. Inconsistent and limited evidence was found regarding the benefits of using disposable wipes in preference to water-moistened washcloths in the cleansing process and on the use of superabsorbent polymer diapers with breathable outer lining in IAD prevention. Findings were inconclusive with regard to the best topical skin care product for IAD care. However, the application of skin protectants was encouraged by the authors, as well as promoted in various clinical guidelines. The development of a structured skin care regimen supplemented by a comprehensive patient education program was advised to enhance the prevention and management of IAD.
Tracking dragons: stable isotopes reveal the annual cycle of a long-distance migratory insect
Authors: Hallworth Michael T. , Marra Peter P. , McFarland Kent P. , Zahendra Sara , Studds Colin E.
Published: January 2019

Insect migration is globally ubiquitous and can involve continental-scale movements and complex life histories. Apart from select species of migratory moths and butterflies, little is known about the structure of the annual cycle for migratory insects. Using stable-hydrogen isotope analysis of 852 wing samples from eight countries spanning 140 years, combined with 21 years of citizen science data, we determined the full annual cycle of a large migratory dragonfly, the common green darner (
Anax junius
). We demonstrate that darners undertake complex long-distance annual migrations governed largely by temperature that involve at least three generations. In spring, the first generation makes a long-distance northbound movement (further than 650 km) from southern to northern range limits, lays eggs and dies. A second generation emerges and returns south (further than 680 km), where they lay eggs and die. Finally, a third resident generation emerges, reproducing locally and giving rise to the cohort that migrates north the following spring. Since migration timing and nymph development are highly dependent on temperature, continued climate change could lead to fundamental changes in the biology for this and similar migratory insects.
The California environmental DNA “CALeDNA” program
Authors: Meyer Rachel S , Curd Emily E , Schweizer Teia , Gold Zack , Ramos Dannise Ruiz , Shirazi Sabrina , Kandlikar Gaurav , Kwan Wai-Yin , Lin Meixi , Freise Amanda , Moberg-Parker Jordan , Ramos Miroslava Munguia , Shapiro Beth , Sexton Jason P , Pipes Lenore , Vedrenne Ana Garcia , Mejia Maura Palacios , Aronson Emma L , Moore Tiara , Nielsen Rasmus , Lewin Harris , Barber Paul , Wall Jeff , Kraft Nathan , Wayne Robert K
Published: January 2019

Global change is leading to habitat shifts that threaten species persistence throughout California’s unique ecosystems. Baseline biodiversity data provide opportunities for ecosystems to be managed for community complexity and connectivity. In 2017, the University of California Conservation Genomics Consortium launched the California Environmental DNA (CALeDNA) program, a community science initiative monitoring California’s biodiversity through environmental DNA (eDNA)—DNA shed from organisms through fur, mucus, spores, pollen, etc. Community scientists collect soil and sediment samples, then researchers analyze the eDNA in the samples and share results with the public. The results are catalogues of thousands of organisms per sample, ranging from microbes to mammals. The CALeDNA website presents biodiversity inventories in a platform designed for the public and researchers alike, as well as user-friendly analysis tools and educational modules. Here, we present CALeDNA as a scalable community science framework that can harmonize with future biodiversity research and education initiatives.
MATRIEX Imaging: Multi-Area Two-photon Real-time In-vivo Explorer
Authors: Yang Mengke , Zhou Zhenqiao , Zhang Jianxiong , Li Tong , Guan Jiangheng , Liao Xiang , Leng Bing , Lyu Jing , Yan Junan , Zhang Kuan , Gong Yan , Tang Yuguo , Zhu Zhiming , Varga Zsuzsanna , Konnerth Arthur , Gao Jinsong , Chen Xiaowei , Jia Hongbo
Published: January 2019

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy, originally developed since 1990s1, has been widely applied for biomedical research in recent decades, particularly popular among neuroscientists for studying neural functions in vivo2. However, it is typically restricted to one imaging area that is orthogonal to the optical axis. Here, we demonstrate a novel multi-axis optical conjugation method that enables two-photon imaging at single-cell resolution simultaneously in multiple areas at different depths, each of which could have a view diameter of ~200 μm and could be largely freely targeted within a zone up to 12-mm diameter. For example, we show simultaneous imaging of neuronal activities in the primary visual cortex (V1), the primary motor cortex (M1) and the hippocampal CA1 region of awake mice. This method can be readily implemented on a single conventional two-photon microscope to enable multi-area exploration of neuronal activities in vivo.
iDamage: a method to integrate modified DNA into the yeast genome
Authors: Masłowska Katarzyna , Laureti Luisa , Pagès Vincent
Published: January 2019

In order to explore the mechanisms employed by living cells to deal with DNA alterations, we have developed a method by which we insert a modified DNA into a specific site of the yeast genome. This is achieved by the site-specific integration of a modified plasmid at a chosen locus of the yeast genome, through the use of the Cre/lox recombination system.

In the present work, we have used our method to insert a single UV lesion into the yeast genome, and studied how the balance between error-free and error-prone lesion bypass is regulated. We show that the inhibition of homologous recombination, either directly (by the inactivation ofrad51recombinase) or through its control by preventing the poly-ubiquitination of PCNA (ubc13mutant), leads to a strong increase in the use of TLS. Such regulatory aspects of the DNA damage tolerance could not have been observed with previous strategies using plasmid or randomly distributed lesions, which shows the advantage of our new method.

The very robust and precise integration of any modified DNA at any chosen locus of the yeast genome that we describe here is a powerful tool that will allow exploration of many biological processes related to replication and repair of modified DNA.
Multiplexed, sequential secretion analysis of the same single cells reveals distinct effector response dynamics dependent on the initial basal state
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Lu Yao , Zhang Kerou , Xiao Yang , Lu Jun , Fan Rong
Published: January 2019

The effector response of immune cells dictated by an array of secreted proteins is a highly dynamic process, requiring sequential measurement of all relevant proteins from single cells. Herein we show a microchip-based, 10-plexed, sequential secretion assay on the same single cells and at the scale of ~5000 single cells measured simultaneously over 4 time points. It was applied to investigating the time course of single human macrophage response to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand lipopolysaccharide and revealed four distinct activation modes for different proteins in single cells. In particular, we observed that secreted factors regulated by transcription factor NFkB (e.g., TNF and CCL2) predominantly show on-off mode over off-on mode. The dynamics of all proteins combined classified the cells into two major activation states, which were found to be dependent on the basal state of each cell. Single-cell RNA-Seq was performed on the same samples at the matched time points and further demonstrated at the transcriptional level the existence of two major activation states, which are enriched for translation vs inflammatory programs, respectively. These results showed a cell-intrinsic heterogeneous response in phenotypically homogeneous cell population. This work demonstrated the longitudinal tracking of protein secretion signature in thousands of single cells at multiple time points, providing dynamic information to better understand how individual immune cells react to pathogenic challenges over time and how they together constitute a population response.
ToxoplasmaF-Box Protein 1 is Required for Daughter Cell Scaffold Function During Parasite Replication
Authors: Baptista Carlos Gustavo , Lis Agnieszka , Deng Bowen , Gas-Pascual Elisabet , Dittmar Ashley , Sigurdson Wade , West Christopher M. , Blader Ira J.
Published: January 2019

By binding to the adaptor protein SKP1 and serving as substrate receptors for the Skp1, Cullin, F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, F-box proteins regulate critical cellular processes including cell cycle progression and membrane trafficking. While F-box proteins are conserved throughout eukaryotes and are well studied in yeast, plants, and animals, studies in parasitic protozoa are lagging. We have identified eighteen putative F-box proteins in theToxoplasmagenome of which four have predicted homologs inPlasmodium. Two of the conserved F-box proteins were demonstrated to be important forToxoplasmafitness and here we focus on an F-box protein, named TgFBXO1, because it is the most highly expressed by replicative tachyzoites and was also identified in an interactome screen as aToxoplasmaSKP1 binding protein. TgFBXO1 interacts withToxoplasmaSKP1 confirming it as a bona fide F-box protein. In interphase parasites, TgFBXO1 is a component of the Inner Membrane Complex (IMC), which is an organelle that underlies the plasma membrane. Early during replication, TgFBXO1 localizes to the developing daughter cell scaffold, which is the site where the daughter cell IMC and microtubules form and extend from. TgFBXO1 localization to the daughter cell scaffold required centrosome duplication but occurred before segregation of the centrocone, which connects the spindle pole to the centrosomes. Daughter cell scaffold localization required TgFBXO1 N-myristoylation and was dependent on the small molecular weight GTPase, TgRab11b. Finally, we demonstrate that TgFBXO1 is required for parasite growth due to its function as a daughter cell scaffold effector. TgFBXO1 is the first F-box protein to be studied in apicomplexan parasites and represents the first protein demonstrated to be important for daughter cell scaffold function.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Toxoplasma gondiiis a protozoan parasite that can cause devastating and life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients and in fetuses. Its replication is important to study because parasite growth is responsible for the pathology that develops in toxoplasmosis patients. The parasite replicates by a unique process named endodyogeny in which two daughter parasites develop within the mother cell. Early during this process the parasite creates a structure called the Daughter Cell Scaffold whose function is to mark the site from which daughter parasites will emerge. Here, we report the identification of one of the first proteins recruited to the Daughter Cell Scaffold and its importance in executing its function.
Investigating the influence of extraction methodology, and certain other experimental parameters on bacterial response to selected quorum-modulatory plant extracts
Authors: Patel Pooja , Joshi Chinmayi , Kothari Vijay
Published: January 2019

In context of the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a large number of labs throughout the world are investigating plant extracts for their possible anti-pathogenic efficacy. Outcome of protocols employed for screening the plant extracts for such activities are influenced by multiple factors. Among them, this study has found the method used for extraction, size and volume of the assay system, to be important factors. Further we demonstrate the extracts prepared by microwave-and vacuum-assisted extraction methods to be stable with respect to their anti-pathogenic efficacy over a long period of storage.
Phylogenomics within the Anthonotha clade (Detarioideae, Leguminosae) reveals a high diversity in floral trait shifts and a general trend towards organ number reduction
Authors: Ojeda Dario I. , Koenen Erik , Cervantes Sandra , de la Estrella Manuel , Banguera-Hinestroza Eulalia , Janssens Steven B. , Migliore Jeremy , Demenou Boris , Bruneau Anne , Forest Félix , Hardy Olivier J.
Published: January 2019

Detarioideae is well known for its high diversity of floral traits, including flower symmetry, number of organs, and petal size and morphology. This diversity has been characterized and studied at higher taxonomic levels, but limited analyses have been performed among closely related genera with contrasting floral traits due to the lack of fully resolved phylogenetic relationships. Here, we used four representative transcriptomes to develop an exome capture bait for the entire subfamily and applied it to the Anthonotha clade using a complete data set (61 specimens) representing all extant floral diversity. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered congruent topologies using ML and Bayesian methods. The genus Anthonotha was recovered as monophyletic contrary to the remaining three genera (Englerodendron, Isomacrolobium and Pseudomacrolobium), which form a monophyletic group sister to Anthonotha. We inferred a total of 35 transitions for the seven floral traits (pertaining to flower symmetry, petals, stamens and staminodes) that we analyzed, suggesting that at least 30% of the species in this group display transitions from the ancestral condition reconstructed for the Anthonotha clade. The main transitions were towards a reduction in the number of organs (petals, stamens and staminodes). Despite the high number of transitions, our analyses indicate that the seven characters are evolving independently in these lineages. Petal morphology is the most labile floral trait with a total of seven independent transitions in number and seven independent transitions to modification in petal types. The diverse petal morphology along the dorsoventral axis of symmetry within the flower is not associated with differences at the micromorphology of petal surface, suggesting that in this group all petals within the flower might possess the same petal identity at the molecular level. Our results provide a solid evolutionary framework for further detailed analyses of the molecular basis of petal identity.
Towards an optimised processing pipeline for diffusion MRI data: Effects of artefact corrections on diffusion metrics and their age associations in UK Biobank
Authors: Maximov Ivan I. , Alnæs Dag , Westlye Lars T.
Published: January 2019

Increasing interest in the structural and functional organization of the human brain in health and disease encourages the acquisition of big datasets consisting of multiple neuroimaging modalities accompanied by additional information obtained from health records, cognitive tests, biomarkers and genotypes. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging data enables a range of promising imaging phenotypes probing structural connections as well as macroanatomical and microstructural properties of the brain. The reliability and biological sensitivity and specificity of diffusion data depend on processing pipeline. A state-of-the-art framework for data processing facilitates crossstudy harmonisation and reduces pipeline-related variability. Using diffusion data from the UK Biobank we provide a comprehensive evaluation of different processing steps that have been suggested to reduce imaging artefacts and improve reliability of diffusion metrics. We consider a general pipeline comprising 7 post-processing blocks: noise correction; Gibbs ringing correction; evaluation of field distortions; susceptibility, eddy-current and motion-induced distortion corrections; bias field correction; spatial smoothing; and final diffusion metric estimations. Based on this evaluation, we suggest an optimised diffusion pipeline for processing of diffusion weighted imaging data.
Role of MPK4 in pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered alternative splicing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bazin Jeremie , Mariappan Kiruthiga , Blein Thomas , Voelz Ronny , Crespi Martin , Hirt Heribert
Published: January 2019

Alternative splicing (AS) of pre-mRNAs in plants is an important mechanism of gene regulation in environmental stress tolerance but plant signals involved are essentially unknown. Pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases and the majority of PTI defense genes are regulated by MPK3, MPK4 and MPK6. These responses have been mainly analyzed at the transcriptional level, however many splicing factors are direct targets of MAPKs. Here, we studied alternative splicing induced by the PAMP flagellin in Arabidopsis. We identified 506 PAMP-induced differentially alternatively spliced (DAS) genes. Although many DAS genes are targets of nonsense-mediated degradation (NMD), only 19% are potential NMD targets. Importantly, of the 506 PAMP-induced DAS genes, only 89 overlap with the set of 1849 PAMP-induced differentially expressed genes (DEG), indicating that transcriptome analysis does not identify most DASevents. Global DAS analysis of mpk3, mpk4, and mpk6 mutants revealed that MPK4 is a key regulator of PAMP-induced differential splicing, regulating AS of a number of splicing factors and immunity-related protein kinases, such as the calcium-dependent protein kinase CPK28, the cysteine-rich receptor like kinases CRK13 and CRK29 or the FLS2 co-receptor SERK4/BKK1. These data suggest that MAP kinase regulation of splicing factors is a key mechanism in PAMP-induced AS regulation of PTI.

Significance statement

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS) affects plant responses to environmental stresses. So far, however, the regulation of AS is little understood. Here, we studied AS induced by the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) flagellin in Arabidopsis. We identified 506 differentially alternatively spliced (DAS) genes, 89 of which overlap with the 1849 DEG, indicating that the majority of DAS events go undetected by common transcriptome analysis. PAMP-triggered immunity is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases. Global DAS analysis of MAPK mutants revealed that MPK4 is a key regulator of AS by affecting splicing factors and a number of important protein kinases involved in immunity. Since PAMP-triggered phosphorylation of several splicing factors is directly mediated by MAPKs, we discovered a key mechanism of AS regulation.
Are sleep spindles poised on supercritical Hopf bifurcations?
Authors: Ospeck M.
Published: January 2019

Sleep spindles are recognized as an important intermediate state of long term memory formation. During non REM sleep, large numbers of thalamic relay neurons synchronize their spike bursts for one half to two seconds, entraining many millions of neurons, and constituting a sleep spindle. Here we study spindle amplification, entrainment, synchronization and decay. Relay neurons have both a high resting state near −60 millivolts (mV) and low resting state near −75 mV. Due to the neuron’s sodium conductance, low-threshold calcium conductance, and calcium-dependent H conductance, it exhibits a number of bifurcations, like its supercritical Hopf at −61 mV. Here low-threshold calcium conductance destabilizes membrane potential to birth a small limit-cycle in the 7-16 Hz range. Supercritical Hopfbifurcations are the underlying mechanism for amplification and frequency selectivity in hearing: hair cells are forced by sinusoidal input currents driving their mainly capacitive loads, with the forcing currents locking at 90 degree phase leads with respect to their oscillating membrane potentials. Here we model a small part of a spindle, with 6 cross-coupled relay neurons all poised on Hopfbifurcations. One neuron is forced by a weak noisy train of periodic current impulses that typically lock at a 90 degree phase lead with respect to its voltage oscillation. It then drives its neighbors, causing them to drive each other at much smaller phase angles, usually less than ±10 degrees. The system of Hopf oscillators exhibit small signal amplification and frequency selectivity, high degrees of synchronization and noise rejection, and switch-ability. These argue in favor of spindling relay neurons poising on, or very near to, supercritical Hopfbifurcations. Also, during the phase-locking of their spike bursts, calcium conductance oscillations increase internal calcium, which turns on slow H current. This depolarizes the relay cells, pushing them below their Hopfbifurcations and terminating the spindle.
The evolution of a super-swarm of foot-and-mouth disease virus in cattle
Authors: Arzt Jonathan , Fish Ian , Pauszek Steven J. , Johnson Shannon L. , Chain Patrick S. , Rai Devendra K. , Rieder Elizabeth , Goldberg Tony L. , Rodriguez Luis L. , Stenfeldt Carolina
Published: January 2019

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that severely impacts global food security and is one of the greatest constraints on international trade of animal products. Extensive viral population diversity and rapid, continuous mutation of circulating FMD viruses (FMDVs) pose significant obstacles to the control and ultimate eradication of this important transboundary pathogen. The current study investigated mechanisms contributing to within-host evolution of FMDV in a natural host species (cattle). Specifically, vaccinated and non-vaccinated cattle were infected with FMDV under controlled, experimental conditions and subsequently sampled for up to 35 days to monitor viral genomic changes as related to phases of disease and experimental cohorts. Consensus-level genomic changes across the entire FMDV coding region were characterized through three previously defined stages of infection: early, transitional, and persistent. The overall conclusion was that viral evolution occurred via a combination of two mechanisms: emergence of full-genomic minority haplotypes from within the inoculum super-swarm, and concurrent continuous point mutations. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that individuals were infected with multiple distinct haplogroups that were pre-existent within the ancestral inoculum used to infect all animals. Multiple shifts of dominant viral haplotype took place during the early and transitional phases of infection, whereas few shifts occurred during persistent infection. These insights into FMDV population dynamics have important implications for virus sampling methodology and molecular epidemiology.
Mobile Learning for English Language Learning Assessment and Evaluation: A Review
Authors: Elaish Monther M. , Shuib Liyana
Published: January 2019

Currently, one of the dominating languages in this world is English language as it has an enormous impact in practically every area of work. In this world, English language is being regarded as the language which is most commonly spoken and it is an international language for business purposes and the language of the internet which covers about 50% of the internet content. At the same time, mobile technology is becoming more and more prominent, and practitioners as well as researchers in education perceive mobile learning as a wonderful educational tool which may promote learning among students who are studying English as a foreign language. As there is a gap in literature concerning the lack of sufficient research studies which collimate their focus on the latest mobile learning technologies instead of English learning, this review intends to fill this gap. Moreover, this review orients its focus on the research problem, the acquisition of English language skills and the level of study of the participants and also it will provide a concise summary of the previous research studies by taking into consideration of group size, the type of assessment which was adopted and the duration of the experimental study in question. Therefore, this review is going to provide to the readers a thorough analysis of all the existing literature from the year 2010 to 2017 pertaining the utilisation of mobile technologies in order to study English language. This review paper focuses mainly on some key aspects that are the number of participants to be employed in such English language study, the duration of the study as well as the type of assessment and also the integration of all these factors. The result of this review can assist researchers in education sector to design accrue and fit experimental design which mitigate the challenges and facilitate the effective use of mobile learning in English language learning.
β-glucan dependent shuttling of conidia from neutrophils to macrophages occurs during fungal infection establishment
Authors: Pazhakh Vahid , Ellett Felix , O’Donnell Joanne A. , Pase Luke , Schulze Keith E. , Greulich R. Stefan , Reyes-Aldasoro Constantino Carlos , Croker Ben A. , Andrianopoulos Alex , Lieschke Graham J.
Published: January 2019

The initial host response to fungal pathogen invasion is critical to infection establishment and outcome. However, the diversity of leukocyte-pathogen interactions is only recently being appreciated. We describe a new form of interleukocyte conidial exchange called “shuttling”. InTalaromyces marneffeiandAspergillus fumigatuszebrafishin vivoinfections, live imaging demonstrated conidia initially phagocytosed by neutrophils were transferred to macrophages. Shuttling is unidirectional, not a chance event, involves alterations of phagocyte mobility, inter-cellular tethering, and phagosome transfer. Shuttling kinetics were fungal species-specific, implicating a fungal determinant. β-glucan serves as a fungal-derived signal sufficient for shuttling. Murine phagocytes also shuttledin vitro. The impact of shuttling for microbiological outcomes ofin vivoinfections is difficult to specifically assess experimentally, but for these two pathogens, shuttling augments initial conidial redistribution away from fungicidal neutrophils into the favourable macrophage intracellular niche. Shuttling is a frequent host/pathogen interaction contributing to fungal infection establishment patterns.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (E)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Murthy T. N. Sanjeeva , Atioğlu Zeliha , Akkurt Mehmet , Veeraiah M. K. , Quah Ching Kheng , Chidan Kumar C. S. , Siddaraju B. P.
Published: January 2019

The molecular structure of the title compound, C13H7Cl3OS, consists of a 2,5- dichlorothiophene ring and a 2-chlorophenyl ring linked via a prop-2-en-1-one spacer. The dihedral angle between the 2,5-dichlorothiophene and 2-chlorophenyl rings is 9.69 (12)°. The molecule has an E configuration about the C=C bond and the carbonyl group is syn with respect to the C=C bond. The molecular conformation is stabilized by two intramolecular C—H...Cl contacts and one intramolecular C—H...O contact, forming S(5)S(5)S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal, the molecules are linked along the a-axis direction through van der Waals forces and along the b axis by face-to-face π-stacking between the thiophene rings and between the benzene rings of neighbouring molecules, forming corrugated sheets lying parallel to the bc plane. The intermolecular interactions in the crystal packing were further analysed using Hirshfield surface analysis, which indicates that the most significant contacts are Cl...H/ H...Cl (28.6%), followed by C...H/H...C (11.9%), C...C (11.1%), H...H (11.0%), Cl...Cl (8.1%), O...H/H...O (8.0%) and S...H/H...S (6.6%).
Structure and oligomerization state of the C-terminal region of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleoprotein
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hong Van , Lichière Julie , Canard Bruno , Papageorgiou Nicolas , Attoumani Sarah , Ferron François , Coutard Bruno
Published: January 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a human pathogen responsible for a severe respiratory illness that emerged in 2012. Structural information about the proteins that constitute the viral particle is scarce. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the nucleoprotein (N) in charge of RNA genome encapsidation, the structure of the C-terminal domain of N from MERS-CoV obtained using single-crystal X-ray diffraction is reported here at 1.97 Å resolution. The molecule is present as a dimer in the crystal structure and this oligomerization state is confirmed in solution, as measured by additional methods including small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. Comparisons with the structures of the C-terminal domains of N from other coronaviruses reveals a high degree of structural conservation despite low sequence conservation, and differences in electrostatic potential at the surface of the protein.
fac-Bromido/chlorido(0.50/0.50)[3-carbamoyl-1-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-ylmethyl)pyridinium-κ2
N,N′]tricarbonylmanganese(I) 0.49-bromide 0.51-chloride methanol monosolvate
Authors: Wadayama Kosei , Takase Tsugiko , Oyama Dai
Published: January 2019

The title complex, [MnBr0.50Cl0.50(C19H15N4O)(CO)3]Br0.49Cl0.51·CH3OH, exhibits substitutional disorder of the halogen ligand in the asymmetric unit, with almost the same occupancies for Br and Cl. The MnI atom is coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment by three carbonyl C atoms, the disordered X
− ligand (X = Br or Cl) and two N atoms from the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand bearing a nicotinamide pendant moiety. The cation displays a fac configuration of the carbonyl ligands. There is another disorder between the chloride ligand and its trans-situated carbonyl ligand, and between Cl− and Br− at the position of the counter-anion. In the crystal, intermolecular C—H...X, N—H...X, O—H...X (X = Br or Cl) and C—H...O hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of a three-dimensional network.
Stability analysis of the experimental airplane powered by a pulsejet engine
Authors: Pobikrowska Katarzyna , Goetzendorf-Grabowski Tomasz
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present stability analysis of a small pulsejet-powered airplane. This analysis is a part of a student project dedicated to designing an airplane to test valved pulsejet engine in flight conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel method was chosen to compute the airplane’s aerodynamic coefficients and derivatives for various geometry configurations, as it provides accurate results in a short computational time. Also, the program (PANUKL) that was used allows frequent and easy changes of the geometry. The evaluation of dynamic stability was done using another program (SDSA) equipped with means to formulate and solve eigenvalue problem for various flight speeds.

Findings

As a result of calculations, some geometry corrections were established, such as an increase of the vertical stabilizer’s size and a new wing position. Resulting geometry provides satisfactory dynamic and static stability characteristics for all flight speeds. This conclusion was based on criteria given by MIL-F-8785C specifications. This paper presents the results of the first and the final configuration.

Practical implications

The results shown in this paper are necessary for the continuation of the project. The aircraft’s structure was being designed in the same time as the calculations described in this paper proceeded. With a few modifications to make up for the changes of external geometry, the structure will be ready to be built.

Originality/value

The idea to design an airplane specifically to test a pulsejet in flight is a unique one. Most RC pulsejet-powered constructions that can be heard of are modified versions of already existing models. What adds more to the value of the project is that it is being developed only by students. This allows them to learn various aspects of aircraft design and construction on a soon-to-be real object.