bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a new eczema‐like reconstructed skin equivalent for testing child atopic dermatitis–relieving cosmetics
Authors: Gu Hongjian , Zhu Yi , Jia Tinghan , Li Xiao , Lu Yongbo , Kaku Ken
Published: July 2019

Objective

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, and it has serious effects on children's and families’ quality of life. We aimed to screen and evaluate the efficacy of different formulas on relieving of atopic dermatitis clinical symptoms by developing an eczema‐like reconstructed human skin equivalent in vitro.

Method

Some research has reported that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AD. We developed an eczema‐like in vitro skin equivalent by coculturing the cocktails polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid sodium salt (poly(I:C)) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The eczema‐like skin equivalent was characterized by overexpression of TSLP and impaired skin barrier function. Three cosmetic formulas with the potential of anti‐inflammation and skin barrier promotion were topically applied onto the eczema‐like skin equivalent, mimicking in vivo application. The inhibitory effect on TSLP was examined by ELISA. Effects on tissue viability and skin barrier function were determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method.

Conclusion

The results show that eczema‐like skin equivalent induced by cocktails of poly(I:C) and LPS can mimic the skin characters of the atopic dermatitis. The cocktails can induce high TSLP expression, impaired cell viability, and skin barrier function. The cosmetic formulas with the potential of anti‐inflammation and skin barrier promotion were evaluated to be helpful to decrease and relieve the impact of AD with the decreased TSLP and the higher tissue viability than the eczema‐like skin equivalent without any cosmetic application. The eczema‐like skin equivalent can be used to screen and evaluate formulas on AD relieving.
Current understanding and treatment of intra‐amniotic infection with Ureaplasma spp.
Authors: Tantengco Ourlad Alzeus G. , Yanagihara Itaru
Published: July 2019

Considerable evidence has shown that intra‐amniotic infection with Ureaplasma spp. increases the risk of chorioamnionitis and preterm labor. Ureaplasma spp. are among the smallest organisms, and their isolation is uncommon in routine clinical practice because of their size and high auxotrophy. Although Ureaplasma spp. have been reported as causative agents of preterm birth, they also have a high incidence in vaginal swabs collected from healthy reproductive‐age women; this has led to questions on the virulence of Ureaplasma spp. and to them being considered as harmless commensal bacteria. Therefore, many efforts have been made to clarify the pathogenicity of Ureaplasma spp. at the molecular level. Ureaplasma spp. are surrounded by lipoproteins, including multiple‐banded antigen. Both multiple‐banded antigen and its derivative, that is, the synthetic lipopeptide, UPM‐1, induce an inflammatory response in a preterm mice model, which was adequate to cause preterm birth or stillbirth. In this review, we present an overview of the virulence mechanisms of Ureaplasma spp. and treatment of ureaplasma infection during pregnancy to prevent possible serious sequelae in infants. In addition, relevant mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance in Ureaplasma spp. are discussed. Ureaplasma spp. are naturally resistant against β‐lactam antibiotics because of the lack of a cell wall. Azithromycin is one of the effective agents that can control intrauterine ureaplasma infection. In fact, macrolide‐ and fluoroquinolone‐resistant isolates of Ureaplasma spp. have already been observed in perinatal practice in Japan.
Overwork, Specialization, and Wealth
Authors: Aronson Brian , Keister Lisa A.
Published: July 2019

Objective: This study examines how overwork and traditional household specialization—defined as households with one dedicated female homemaker and one dedicated male breadwinner—are associated with wealth across socioeconomic strata.

Background: Although overwork and household specialization are clearly associated with income, less is known about how these behaviors affect household wealth. Household wealth is only moderately correlated with household income and is influenced by many factors that do not affect income, suggesting that overwork and specialization have different associations with wealth than with income. Moreover, because wealth is so unevenly distributed, overwork and specialization likely have different associations with wealth across socioeconomic strata.

Method: With data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, a nationally representative survey of households that includes an oversample of high‐wealth households, the authors estimate unconditional quantile regression models to investigate how overwork and household specialization are associated with household wealth across socioeconomic strata and over time.

Results: Overwork has the greatest absolute benefits at the top of the wealth distribution but the greatest relative benefits in lower portions of the wealth distribution. Specialization yields distinct advantages for high‐wealth households that have grown over time, whereas specialization comes with trade‐offs for low‐wealth households that outweigh its benefits.

Conclusion: The financial trade‐offs associated with overwork and specialization vary considerably across the wealth distribution. Contrary to findings in income‐based research, overwork premiums appear most crucial to the financial well‐being of underprivileged households, whereas specialization premiums are evident only for the economic elite.
Peculiar lifespan changes of periodic leg movements during sleep in restless legs syndrome
Authors: Ferri Raffaele , DelRosso Lourdes M. , Silvani Alessandro , Cosentino Filomena I. I. , Picchietti Daniel L. , Mogavero Paola , Manconi Mauro , Bruni Oliviero
Published: July 2019

The objective of this observational cohort study was to analyse the age‐related changes of periodic leg movements during sleep using the newest international scoring rules, to expand past analyses, including patients in the paediatric age range, and also to analyse the changes of short‐interval and isolated leg movements during sleep throughout the lifespan. One hundred and sixty‐five patients (84 women) with restless legs syndrome were recruited in the following age groups: 16 preschoolers (≤5 years of age), 29 school‐age children (6–12 years), 19 adolescents (13–17 years), 17 young adults (19–40 years), 47 adults (41–60 years) and 37 seniors (>60 years). Total, periodic, short‐interval and isolated leg movements during sleep and periodicity indexes were obtained by polysomnography. The total index showed (quartic polynomial interpolation) a decrease before 10 years, followed by a steady increase up to 30 years, a relatively stable period until 60 years, and a final increase up to 80 years. This course was almost entirely due to changes in periodic movements. Isolated movements did not change significantly and short‐interval movements showed only an increase in seniors. Our study indicates that, in restless legs syndrome, the total index shows a peculiar and unique course throughout the lifespan, mainly due to periodic movements. These age‐related changes may mirror developmental changes in network complexity known to occur in dopaminergic circuits. These data further confirm the need to better assess the periodicity of leg movements in sleep during the human development period, in order to obtain clinically useful information.
Echocardiographic quantitation of left heart size and function in 122 healthy dogs: A prospective study proposing reference intervals and assessing repeatability
Authors: Visser Lance C. , Ciccozzi Marisa M. , Sintov Daniel J. , Sharpe Ashley N.
Published: July 2019

Background

Broadly applicable reference intervals (RIs) for measurements of left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) size and function generated prospectively using statistically appropriate methods are limited.

Objectives

To generate body size‐independent RIs for linear, area, and volume measurements of LA size and LV size and function.

Animals

Healthy adult dogs (n = 122) of variable size and somatotype.

Methods

Prospective study. All dogs underwent an echocardiogram performed by the same examiner. Effects of body weight, sex, age, and heart rate were evaluated by regression and correlation analyses. Scaling exponents and prediction intervals were generated for linear measurements using the allometric equation. After normalization to body weight, 95% RIs were determined using nonparametric methods with 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles serving as the lower and upper limits (each with 90% confidence intervals), respectively.

Results

Linear LA and LV measurements were strongly correlated (R2 ≥ 0.79) with body weight. Scaling exponents were close to the expected 1/3 (0.299‐0.392). Prediction intervals for linear measurements of LV chamber size were considerably narrower than previously reported. Weak correlations (r = −0.42 to −0.50) among LV fractional shortening, fractional area change, and ejection fraction and body weight were identified. No other meaningful relationships were identified between the measurements and sex, age, and heart rate.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Body size‐independent RIs for several linear, area, and volume measurements of LA and LV size and function were generated prospectively from a large and diverse reference population and are available for clinical use.
Effects of climate, soil, forest structure and land use on the functional composition of the understorey in Italian forests
Authors: Chelli Stefano , Simonetti Enrico , Wellstein Camilla , Campetella Giandiego , Carnicelli Stefano , Andreetta Anna , Giorgini Daniele , Puletti Nicola , Bartha Sandor , Canullo Roberto
Published: July 2019

Question

In functional biogeography studies, generalizable patterns in the relationship between plant traits and the environment have yet to emerge. Local drivers (i.e., soil, land use, vegetation structure) can increase our understanding of the trait–environment relationship. What is the role of climate and local drivers in shaping abundance‐weighted trait patterns of forest understories at biogeographic scales?

Location

Italian forests.

Methods

We selected 201 sites that are statistically representative for the heterogeneity of Italian forests across three biogeographic regions (alpine, continental, and mediterranean). Understorey vegetation was recorded for each site on an area of 400 m2, together with 25 environmental variables related to climate, soil, land use and forest structure. Specific leaf area (SLA), plant height (H) and seed mass (SM) were obtained from databases. Community‐weighted mean (CWM) values were calculated. Variance partitioning was used to identify the relative role of groups of environmental variables on the CWM of traits. Generalized Additive Models were used to assess the relationship between traits and single variables.

Results

Climate alone and climate–soil interactions explained the largest proportion of the variation of all the traits (13.7% to 22.8%). Temperature‐related factors as well as soil N and P availability were the climatic and edaphic explanatory variables most correlated to trait variation. Forest structure and land use accounted for a smaller percentage of the variation in traits. Land‐use factors alone were important in explaining only SLA variation.

Conclusions

While climate plays a major role in trait–environment relationships in forest understories, our results highlighted the need to integrate at least soil properties as local drivers of trait variation in broad scale functional biogeography studies of these systems.
Race, Ethnicity, and Perceived Minority Police Presence: Examining Perceptions of Criminal Injustice Among Los Angeles Residents
Authors: Wang Xia , Ready Justin , Davies Garth
Published: July 2019

Although the conventional wisdom holds that increasing the number of minority officers will enhance residents' perceptions of police and the criminal justice system, further systematic investigation of this hypothesis may be needed. Building on the group-position thesis, the representative bureaucracy theory, and prior research, this study investigates whether perceived minority police presence within residents' neighborhoods affects residents' perceptions of criminal injustice, whether this effect is more pronounced for minority residents and in minority neighborhoods, and whether perceived minority police presence has a stronger effect on perceptions of criminal injustice for minority residents in more integrated and white neighborhoods than minority residents in minority neighborhoods. Analyses of data collected from Los Angeles, CA, show that residents perceive a lower level of criminal injustice when they report that officers in their neighborhoods are not white-dominated, and this finding is not dependent on the respondent's race/ethnicity or the racial/ethnic composition of the neighborhood. In addition, perceived minority police presence seems to have a weak to no effect on residents' perceptions of criminal injustice for Hispanic communities. We discuss these findings and their implications for theory, research, and policy.
The Fukang pallasite: Characterization and implications for the history of the Main‐group parent body
Authors: DellaGiustina Daniella N. , Habib Namrah , Domanik Kenneth J. , Hill Dolores H. , Lauretta Dante S. , Goreva Yulia S. , Killgore Marvin , Hexiong Yang , Downs Robert T.
Published: July 2019

We report the results of a study of the Fukang pallasite that includes measurements of bulk composition, mineral chemistry, mineral structure, and petrology. Fukang is a Main‐group pallasite that consists of semiangular olivine grains (Fo 86.3) embedded in an Fe‐Ni matrix with 9–10 wt% Ni and low‐Ir (45 ppb). Olivine grains sometimes occur in large clusters up to 11 cm across. The Fe‐Ni phase is primarily kamacite with accessory taenite and plessite. Minor phases include schreibersite, chromite, merrillite, troilite, and low‐Ca pyroxene. We describe a variety of silicate inclusions enclosed in olivine that contain phases rarely or not previously reported in Main‐group pallasites, including clinopyroxene (augite), tridymite, K‐rich felsic glass, and an unknown Ca‐Cr silicate. Pressure constraints determined from tridymite (<0.4 GPa), two‐pyroxene barometry (0.39 ± 0.07 GPa), and geophysical calculations that assume pallasite formation at the core–mantle boundary (CMB), provide an upper estimate on the size of the Main‐group parent body from which Fukang originated. We conclude that Fukang originated at the CMB of a large differentiated planetesimal 400–680 km in radius.
Harrodian instability in a post‐Keynesian growth and distribution model
Authors: Rogé Cédric
Published: July 2019

This article examines afresh the problem of Harrodian instability by incorporating into a post‐Keynesian growth model an additional link, first proposed by Adrian Wood (A theory of profit, 1975), between firms’ pricing policies (which determine their profit margins) and their accumulation policies. It is assumed that firms’ pricing strategies are wholly linked to their need to self‐finance some of their investments. Such a link suggests, a priori, that there is an endogenous self‐correcting force, originating at the micro‐level, that is capable of mitigating Harrodian instability. When investment increases or declines uncontrolledly, the variation in the accompanying profit margin is able to exert a contrary smoothing effect on effective demand (through changes in the multiplier). It is shown, firstly, that this effect is such that it leads to the emergence of a basin of attraction for multiple stationary growth rates. However, there is every likelihood that the growth rates in this basin of attraction will be higher than the natural growth rate (and will therefore be unsustainable in the long term). It is shown, secondly, that a sufficiently high budget deficit makes it possible to draw the convergent growth rate space towards a state of stationary equilibrium within the “sphere of the possible”. It is shown, finally, that the state has sufficient room for manoeuvre to arbitrate between competing objectives (employment–distribution–budget deficit) by virtue of the existence of a whole continuum of stationary equilibria.
Gliotoxin and bis(methylthio)gliotoxin are not reliable as biomarkers of invasive aspergillosis
Authors: Mercier Toine , Reséndiz Sharpe Agustin , Waumans Dieter , Desmet Koen , Lagrou Katrien , Maertens Johan
Published: July 2019

Background

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains a life‐threatening opportunistic infection, but can be difficult to diagnose. New biomarkers are therefore needed. Gliotoxin (GT), a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus fumigatus, and bis(methylthio)gliotoxin (bmGT), a degradation product of GT, have been proposed as potential biomarkers. However, these findings have yet to be confirmed.

Objectives

To identify the diagnostic potential of GT and bmGT in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) in haematology patients compared to galactomannan (GM).

Materials and methods

We prospectively collected culture supernatant, serum and BALf from patients with culture‐positive IPA and measured GT and bmGT concentrations using ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Galactomannan was detected using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay.

Results

We included 18 patients with proven (n = 6) and probable (n = 12) IPA, all with positive cultures for Aspergillus fumigatus. BmGT was only detected in serum from one patient (5.6%), whereas GM was positive (optical density ≥ 0.5) in 11/18 patients (61.1%, P = 0.002). We could not find GT in any serum sample. In BALf, bmGT was detected in 8/18 patients (44.4%) and GT in 9/18 patients (50%), compared to GM (optical density ≥ 1.0) in all patients (100%).

Conclusions

Gliotoxin and bis(methylthio)gliotoxin had a very poor performance for diagnosing IPA. As other biomarkers are more sensitive and easier to detect, we would not recommend serum or BALf GT/bmGT to be used in the diagnosis of IPA.
Protease‐activated receptor 2 does not contribute to renal inflammation or fibrosis in the obstructed kidney
Authors: Ma Frank Y , Han Yingjie , Ozols Elyce , Chew Phyllis , Vesey David A , Gobe Glenda C , Morais Christudas , Lohman Rink‐Jan , Suen Jacky Y , Johnson David W , Fairlie David P , Nikolic‐Paterson David J
Published: July 2019

Aim

Protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR2) has been implicated in the development of renal inflammation and fibrosis. In particular, activation of PAR2 in cultured tubular epithelial cells induces extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signalling and secretion of fibronectin, C–C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), suggesting a role in tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. We tested this hypothesis in unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) in which ongoing tubular epithelial cell damage drives tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis.

Methods

Unilateral ureteric obstruction surgery was performed in groups (n = 9/10) of Par2−/− and wild type (WT) littermate mice which were killed 7 days later. Non‐experimental mice were controls.

Results

Wild type mice exhibited a 5‐fold increase in Par2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the UUO kidney. In situ hybridization localized Par2 mRNA expression to tubular epithelial cells in normal kidney, with a marked increase in Par2 mRNA expression by tubular cells, including damaged tubular cells, in WT UUO kidney. Tubular damage (tubular dilation, increased KIM‐1 and decreased α‐Klotho expression) and tubular signalling (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase phosphorylation) seen in WT UUO were not altered in Par2−/− UUO. In addition, macrophage infiltration, up‐regulation of M1 (NOS2) and M2 (CD206) macrophage markers, and up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory molecules (tumour necrosis factor, CCL2, interleukin‐36α) in WT UUO kidney were unchanged in Par2−/− UUO. Finally, the accumulation of α‐SMA+ myofibroblasts, deposition of collagen IV and expression of pro‐fibrotic factors (CTGF, TGF‐β1) were not different between WT and Par2−/− UUO mice.

Conclusion

Protease‐activated receptor 2 expression is substantially up‐regulated in tubular epithelial cells in the obstructed kidney, but this does not contribute to the development of tubular damage, renal inflammation or fibrosis.
Reading Heidegger
Authors: Smythe Elizabeth , Spence Deb
Published: July 2019

Heidegger’s philosophy is a significant contribution to understanding the meaning of lived experience. Recognizing this, nurses and other health professionals have taken on the research approach of Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology. This requires reading the writing of Heidegger. Philosophers themselves acknowledge this writing is dense, difficult to grasp, uses language for which there is no easy translation, and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Drawing on commentary from philosophers who seek to read Heidegger and from a research study which interviewed doctoral students who were “reading Heidegger,” we seek to show the nature of the experience of pursuing such a challenging quest.
The draft genome of a wild barley genotype reveals its enrichment in genes related to biotic and abiotic stresses compared to cultivated barley
Authors: Liu Miao , Li Yan , Ma Yanling , Zhao Qiang , Stiller Jiri , Feng Qi , Tian Qilin , Liu Dengcai , Han Bin , Liu Chunji
Published: July 2019

Wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) is the progenitor of cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare) and provides a rich source of genetic variations for barley improvement. Currently, the genome sequences of wild barley and its differences with cultivated barley remain unclear. In this study, we report a high‐quality draft assembly of wild barley accession (AWCS276; henceforth named as WB1), which consists of 4.28 Gb genome and 36 395 high‐confidence protein‐coding genes. BUSCO analysis revealed that the assembly included full lengths of 95.3% of the 956 single‐copy plant genes, illustrating that the gene‐containing regions have been well assembled. By comparing with the genome of the cultivated genotype Morex, it is inferred that the WB1 genome contains more genes involved in resistance and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The presence of the numerous WB1‐specific genes indicates that, in addition to enhance allele diversity for genes already existing in the cultigen, exploiting the wild barley taxon in breeding should also allow the incorporation of novel genes. Furthermore, high levels of genetic variation in the pericentromeric regions were detected in chromosomes 3H and 5H between the wild and cultivated genotypes, which may be the results of domestication. This H. spontaneum draft genome assembly will help to accelerate wild barley research and be an invaluable resource for barley improvement and comparative genomics research.
Predicting chance of liver transplantation for pediatric wait‐list candidates
Authors: Luo Xun , Mogul Douglas B. , Massie Allan B. , Ishaque Tanveen , Bridges John F. P. , Segev Dorry L.
Published: July 2019

Information about wait‐list time has been reported as one of the single most frequently asked questions by individuals awaiting a transplant but data regarding wait‐list time have not been processed in a useful way for pediatric candidates. To predict chance of receiving a DDLT, we identified 6471 pediatric (<18 years), non status‐1A, liver‐only transplant candidates between 2006 and 2017 from the SRTR. Cox regression with shared frailty for DSA level effect was used to model the association of blood type, weight, allocation PELD and MELD, and DSA with chance of DDLT. Jackknife technique was used for validation. Median (interquartile range) wait‐list time was 100 (34‐309) days. Non‐O Blood type, higher PELD/MELD score at listing, and DSA were associated with increased chance of DDLT, while age 1‐5 years and 10‐18 years was associated with lower chance of DDLT (P < 0.001 for all variables). Our model accurately predicted chance of transplant (C‐statistic = 0.68) and was able to predict DDLT at specific follow‐up times (eg, 3 months). This model can serve as the basis for an online tool that would provide useful information for pediatric wait‐list candidates.
Mutant induction in gametophytes of Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae) by heavy ion beam irradiation
Authors: Hirano Tomonari , Sato Yoichi , Ichinose Katsunori , Yamada Mieko , Hayashi Yoriko , Fukunishi Nobuhisa , Abe Tomoko
Published: July 2019

Undaria pinnatifida, the brown macroalga, is a major commercial edible seaweed, and there is increasing interest in breeding new, improved cultivars for market expansion. In this study, we attempted to establish mutagenesis in U. pinnatifida using Ar and C ion beams as mutagens to meet future demands. To screen irradiated generations for mutants, U. pinnatifida zoospores irradiated with Ar and C ion beams were cultivated in plastic Petri dishes. Some gametophytes derived from the irradiated zoospores showed growth arrest or cell death at the initial developmental stage. Although the growth inhibition and lethal effects were observed at high doses of each ion irradiation, the Ar ion irradiation had high biological effects on cell division and growth. The gametophytes that showed a reduction in cell elongation were designated as an inhibited cell elongation mutant. A comparison of the mutant induction frequencies revealed that the C ion beam showed a higher frequency than the Ar ion beam. The highest frequency was 0.83% at 12.5 Gy of the C ion beam. We determined the total number of sporophytes and embryos per female gametophyte after sporophyte induction. High‐dose irradiation with the Ar ion beam decreased the embryo and sporophyte formation, suggesting that the Ar ion beam also has exhibited high biological effects on the fertilization or embryogenesis processes or both. The developed heavy ion mutagenesis and mutant screening methods would be useful for mutation breeding and constructing specific mutant libraries in brown algae, and not only in U. pinnatifida.
Tracking the Evolution of Literary Style via Dirichlet–Multinomial Change Point Regression
Authors: Ross Gordon J.
Published: July 2019

It is typical in stylometry to assume that authors have a unique writing style which is common to all their published writings and is constant over time. Based on this assumption, statistical techniques can be used to answer literary questions, such as authorship attribution, in a quantitative manner. However, the claim that authors have a constant literary style has not received much investigation or validation. We propose a collection of statistical models based on Dirichlet–multinomial change point regression which can capture the evolution of writing style over time, including both gradual changes in style as the author matures, and abrupt changes which can be caused by extreme events in the author’s life. To illustrate our framework, we study the literary output of the celebrated British author Sir Terry Pratchett, who was tragically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease during the last years of his life. Contrary to the usual assumptions made in stylometry, we find evidence of both gradual changes in style over his lifetime, and an abrupt change which corresponds to his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. We also investigate the published writings of Agatha Christie, who is also rumoured to have suffered from Alheizmer’s disease towards the end of her life, and find evidence of gradual drift, but no corresponding abrupt change. The implications for stylometry and authorship attribution are discussed.
Spatial distribution of tuberculosis and its socioeconomic influencing factors in mainland China 2013–2016
Authors: Wang Qi , Guo Liang , Wang Jing , Zhang Leijie , Zhu Wanqi , Yuan Yan , Li Juansheng
Published: July 2019

Background

To assess the spatial epidemic characteristics of TB and identify the key areas for disease prevention and control.

Objective

To explore the spatial distribution and socioeconomic influencing factors of TB in mainland China from 2013 to 2016.

Methods

Spatial autocorrelation was used to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of TB at the quantitative level. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models were conducted to explore the association between factors and TB incidence from both global and local perspectives.

Results

There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation of TB at the provincial level (P < 0.05): hot spots were mainly located in the west of Xinjiang and Tibet, and cold spots in the eastern coastal areas. Four latent factors on the socioeconomic dimension, involving the proportion of illiterate people aged 15 and over, per capita disposable income in rural areas, the number of health technicians per 1000 population and the urban population density, were associated with TB incidence. The GWR model showed that the effect of the same factor on TB incidence varied with geographical location.

Conclusions

Spatial clustering of TB incidence in mainland China still exists. The differences of socioeconomic factors in different locations can be confirmed by GWR model. Targeted preventive and control measures or policies will be conducive in effectively reducing the incidence of TB, especially in hot spots.
Affinity‐based high‐resolution analysis of DNA binding by VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN7 via fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Tamura Taizo , Endo Hitoshi , Suzuki Atsunobu , Sato Yutaka , Kato Ko , Ohtani Misato , Yamaguchi Masatoshi , Demura Taku
Published: July 2019

VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN7 (VND7) is the master transcription factor for vessel element differentiation in Arabidopsis thaliana. To identify the cis‐acting sequence(s) bound by VND7, we employed fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to find VND7–DNA interactions quantitatively. This identified an 18‐bp sequence from the promoter of XYLEM CYSTEINE PEPTIDASE1 (XCP1), a direct target of VND7. A quantitative assay for binding affinity between VND7 and the 18‐bp sequence revealed the core nucleotides contributing to specific binding between VND7 and the 18‐bp sequence. Moreover, by combining the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technique with known consensus sequences, we defined a motif termed the Ideal Core Structure for binding by VND7 (ICSV). We also used FCS to search for VND7 binding sequences in the promoter regions of other direct targets. Taking these data together, we proposed that VND7 preferentially binds to the ICSV sequence. Additionally, we found that substitutions among the core nucleotides affected transcriptional regulation by VND7 in vivo, indicating that the core nucleotides contribute to vessel‐element‐specific gene expression. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that FCS is a powerful tool for unveiling the DNA‐binding properties of transcription factors.
Detecting and quantifying stress granules in tissues of multicellular organisms with the Obj.MPP analysis tool
Authors: De Graeve Fabienne , Debreuve Eric , Rahmoun Somia , Ecsedi Szilvia , Bahri Alia , Hubstenberger Arnaud , Descombes Xavier , Besse Florence
Published: July 2019

Stress granules (SGs) are macromolecular assemblies induced by stress and composed of proteins and mRNAs stalled in translation initiation. SGs play an important role in the response to stress and in the modulation of signaling pathways. Furthermore, these structures are related to the pathological ribonucleoprotein (RNP) aggregates found in neurodegenerative disease contexts, highlighting the need to understand how they are formed and recycled in normal and pathological contexts. Although genetically tractable multicellular organisms have been key in identifying modifiers of RNP aggregate toxicity, in vivo analysis of SG properties and regulation has lagged behind, largely due to the difficulty of detecting SG from images of intact tissues. Here, we describe the object detector software Obj.MPP and show how it overcomes the limits of classical object analyzers to extract the properties of SGs from wide‐field and confocal images of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila tissues, respectively. We demonstrate that Obj.MPP enables the identification of genes modulating the assembly of endogenous and pathological SGs, and thus that it will be useful in the context of future genetic screens and in vivo studies.
Ultrasonographic findings post laryngoplasty in the horse
Authors: Miller Sean , Carstens Ann
Published: July 2019

Laryngoplasty is commonly used to treat laryngeal hemiplegia in Thoroughbred racehorses. Evaluation of the success of the laryngoplasty is traditionally determined using endoscopy. Laryngeal ultrasonography and normal ultrasonographic appearance have been reported in the standing horse, but post‐laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy ultrasonographic evaluation has limited literature coverage. A prospective case series of 10 Thoroughbred racehorses with left laryngeal hemiplegia was examined ultrasonographically and endoscopically prior to 3‐10 days, 30‐50 days, and 6‐12 months after laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy. Anatomical structures and Plica vocalis movements were described and measurements and gradings analyzed by repeated means analysis of variance (P < .05). Postsurgical ultrasonographic visualization of Ventriculus laryngis entrances was possible. The distance between Plica vocalis in exhalation was significantly larger than that during inhalation (P < .05). Pre‐ and postsurgical caudal Basihyoideum and rostral Cartilago thyroidea depth was significantly different in some instances (P < .05). No significant differences in the Muscularis cricoarytenoideus lateralis measurements were found. Complications in the extra‐luminal structures were found in seven horses including soft tissue swelling, seroma, and hematoma. A luminal Plica vocalis abscess and Plica vocalis granuloma were also detected ultrasonographically. Ultrasonography can be used to evaluate the post‐laryngoplasty horse for assessing the success of the procedure, monitoring healing, and detecting complications.
Effectiveness of endoscopic versus external surgical approaches in the treatment of orbital complications of rhinosinusitis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Sekhar Vimal , Ao Jack , Iqbal Isma , Ooi Eng Hooi , Munn Zachary
Published: July 2019

Objective:

This review aims to investigate and compare the effectiveness of endoscopic drainage techniques against external drainage techniques for the treatment of orbital and subperiosteal abscesses as a complication of rhinosinusitis.

Introduction:

Transnasal endoscopic drainage and external drainage techniques have been used in the management of subperiosteal orbital abscesses secondary to rhinosinusitis. Each of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages, with extensive literature describing each technique separately. However, there is a lack of guidance in the studies on assessing and comparing the safety, effectiveness and suitability of these techniques. This review aims to compare the effectiveness of these techniques based on measuring outcomes in the literature such as: length of postoperative hospital stay, rate of revision surgery and complication rates.

Inclusion criteria:

Eligible studies will include people of all ages diagnosed with subperiosteal abscess, orbital abscess or cavernous sinus thrombosis (Chandler stages III–V) secondary to rhinosinusitis disease, who have also undergone drainage via either an endoscopic approach, external approach or combined surgical approach.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of both published and unpublished literature will be performed to uncover studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Reference lists of studies included in final analyses will also be manually searched and subject matter experts contacted to investigate other sources of literature. Two reviewers will screen studies and a third reviewer will resolve disagreements. Studies will, where possible, be pooled in statistical meta-analysis with heterogeneity of data being assessed using the standard Chi-squared andI2tests.
Rural Land Reforms in Colombia. Policy and Institutional Challenges for the new Administration
Authors: Varela Sánchez David Fernando
Published: July 2019

The implementation of the provisions of the Final Peace Accord on land should have furnished an unprecedented opportunity for Colombia to overcome traditional obstacles to the effective enforcement of reforms to secure land tenure, provide access to vulnerable groups and realize the productive potential of the Colombian countryside. However, two years later achievements in this field are minimal. While most of the academic discussions are still focused on the tension between ideological positions about the extent of private property rights, this paper will look into some of the policy and institutional challenges faced by the Administration that took office on August 2018. The lack of a strong land policy and institutional frameworks has limited the impact of the implementation of previous reforms and may also impair the reforms pursued by the new Administration. The challenges remain significant and, as this paper asserts, unless they are properly addressed, the risk of another frustrated reform will remain high.
Effect of the Broken Rib Locations on the Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in a Rotating Latticework Duct
Authors: Du Wei , Luo Lei , Wang Songtao , Liu Jian , Sunden Bengt
Published: July 2019

A numerical method was used to study the effect of the broken rib locations on the heat transfer and flow structure in the latticework duct with various rotational numbers. The latticework duct had eleven subchannels on both the pressure side and the suction side. The crossing angle for each subchannel was 45 deg. The numerical studies were conducted with five different broken rib locations and six rotational numbers (0–0.5). The Reynolds number was fixed as 44,000. The flow structure, wall shear stress, and Nusselt number distributions were analyzed. It was found that the upward spiral flow and helical flow dominated the flow structure in the latticework duct. In addition, the impingement region (at the beginning of the subchannel) induced by the upward spiral flow was responsible for the high Nusselt number and wall shear stress. After adoption of the broken rib in the latticework duct, the Nusselt number was increased by 6.12% on the pressure endwall surface and increased by 6.02% on the rib surface compared to the traditional latticework duct. As the rotational number was increased, the Nusselt number on the pressure endwall surface was decreased by up to 5.4%. However, the high rotational number enhanced the heat transfer on the suction side. The high rotational number also decreased the friction factor in the latticework duct. Furthermore, the overall thermal performance was increased by 12.12% after adoption of the broken ribs on both the turn region and the impingement region.
Failure Detection and Remaining Life Estimation for Ion Mill Etching Process Through Deep-Learning Based Multimodal Data Fusion
Authors: He Anqi , Jin Xiaoning
Published: July 2019

Ion mill etching (IME) is an advanced process technology that uses ion-beam sources to remove materials by atomic sandblasting in order to reveal a specific pattern on the substrate. The high-precision capability of IME requires stringent process monitoring and control of the flowcool system which is critical to prevent thermal deformation of temperature-sensitive materials from the heat generated by the ion beam irradiation. This study focuses on a multi-sensor data analytics to monitor the IME process condition—enabling diagnostics and prediction of three main failure mechanisms of the IME flowcool system. A generalizable framework of engineering-based data-driven failure diagnostics and prediction are developed using random forest-based classification and a deep long short-term memory (LSTM) based method. The proposed framework and methods are demonstrated and validated in an IME process using multi-sensor data collected from multiple run-to-failure cycles. Three different failure modes related to the flowcool system are detected and identified in real time, and the time to the next failure is accurately predicted. The proposed method provides a systematic and generalizable approach for process monitoring and early prediction of failures by using heterogeneous sensor measurements and operational data under various operating conditions and settings.
Optimal Placement of Actuators Via Sparse Learning for Composite Fuselage Shape Control
Authors: Du Juan , Yue Xiaowei , Hunt Jeffrey H. , Shi Jianjun
Published: July 2019

Shape control is a critical task in the composite fuselage assembly process due to the dimensional variabilities of incoming fuselages. To realize fuselage shape adjustment, actuators are used to pull or push several points on a fuselage. Given a fixed number of actuators, the locations of actuators on a fuselage will impact on the effectiveness of shape control. Thus, it is important to determine the optimal placement of actuators in the fuselage shape control problem. In current practice, the actuators are placed with equal distance along the edge of a fuselage without considering its incoming dimensional shape. Such practice has two limitations: (1) it is non-optimal and (2) larger actuator forces may be applied for some locations than needed. This paper proposes an optimal actuator placement methodology for efficient composite fuselage shape control by developing a sparse learning model and corresponding parameter estimation algorithm. The case study shows that our proposed method achieves the optimal actuator placement for shape adjustments of the composite fuselage.
A Novel Rule-Based Method for Individualized Spot Welding Sequence Optimization With Respect to Geometrical Quality
Authors: Sadeghi Tabar Roham , Wärmefjord Kristina , Söderberg Rikard , Lindkvist Lars
Published: July 2019

Spot welding is the predominant joining process for the sheet metal assemblies. The assemblies, during this process, are mainly bent and deformed. These deformations, along with the single part variations, are the primary sources of the aesthetic and functional geometrical problems in an assembly. The sequence of welding has a considerable effect on the geometrical variation of the final assembly. Finding the optimal weld sequence for the geometrical quality can be categorized as a combinatorial Hamiltonian graph search problem. Exhaustive search to find the optimum, using the finite element method simulations in the computer-aided tolerancing tools, is a time-consuming and thereby infeasible task. Applying the genetic algorithm to this problem can considerably reduce the search time, but finding the global optimum is not guaranteed, and still, a large number of sequences need to be evaluated. The effectiveness of these types of algorithms is dependent on the quality of the initial solutions. Previous studies have attempted to solve this problem by random initiation of the population in the genetic algorithm. In this paper, a rule-based approach for initiating the genetic algorithm for spot weld sequencing is introduced. The optimization approach is applied to three automotive sheet metal assemblies for evaluation. The results show that the proposed method improves the computation time and effectiveness of the genetic algorithm.
Excessive exosome release is the pathogenic pathway linking a lysosomal deficiency to generalized fibrosis
Authors: van de Vlekkert Diantha , Demmers Jeroen , Nguyen Xinh-Xinh , Campos Yvan , Machado Eda , Annunziata Ida , Hu Huimin , Gomero Elida , Qiu Xiaohui , Bongiovanni Antonella , Feghali-Bostwick Carol A. , d’Azzo Alessandra
Published: July 2019

Abnormal release of exosomes carrying profibrotic signals by myofibroblasts leads to muscle fibrosis in a lysosomal disease.
Seasonal prediction of Indian wintertime aerosol pollution using the ocean memory effect
Authors: Gao Meng , Sherman Peter , Song Shaojie , Yu Yueyue , Wu Zhiwei , McElroy Michael B.
Published: July 2019

Autumn ocean anomalies can help forecast winter haze in India.
The prostate cancer risk variant rs55958994 regulates multiple gene expression through extreme long-range chromatin interaction to control tumor progression
Authors: Qian Yuyang , Zhang Lei , Cai Mingyang , Li Hongxia , Xu Heming , Yang Hongzhen , Zhao Zhongfang , Rhie Suhn Kyong , Farnham Peggy J. , Shi Jiandang , Lu Wange
Published: July 2019

The rs55958994-associated enhancer regulates prostate cancer progression by long-range regulation of multiple target genes.
Calpain 9 as a therapeutic target in TGFβ-induced mesenchymal transition and fibrosis
Authors: Kim David H. , Beckett James D. , Nagpal Varun , Seman-Senderos Manuel A. , Gould Russell A. , Creamer Tyler J. , MacFarlane Elena Gallo , Chen Yichun , Bedja Djahida , Butcher Jonathan T. , Mitzner Wayne , Rouf Rosanne , Hata Shoji , Warren Daniel S. , Dietz Harry C.
Published: July 2019

Inhibition of calpain 9, a key mediator of myofibroblast differentiation and tissue fibrosis, protects against fibrosis in preclinical models.
A probiotic for treating cancer
Authors: Yadav Vikramaditya G.
Published: July 2019

A probiotic engineered to express a fusion of two tumor-inhibiting proteins shows targeted anticancer activity in mice.
In VitroSynergy andIn VivoActivity of Tigecycline-Ciprofloxacin Combination Therapy against Vibrio vulnificus Sepsis
Authors: Kim Seong Eun , Kim Hee Kyung , Choi Su-Mi , Yu Yohan , Kim Uh Jin , Darboe Kalifa Sanneh , Kang Seung-Ji , Park Kyung-Hwa , Kang Gaeun , Kim Young Ran , Rhee Joon Haeng , Jung Sook-In , Jang Hee-Chang
Published: July 2019

The mortality rate associated withVibrio vulnificussepsis remains high. Anin vitrotime-kill assay revealed synergism between tigecycline and ciprofloxacin. The survival rate was significantly higher in mice treated with tigecycline plus ciprofloxacin than in mice treated with cefotaxime plus minocycline. Thus, combination treatment with tigecycline-ciprofloxacin may be an effective novel antibiotic regimen forV. vulnificussepsis.
Impact of Triazole Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Availability and Timing
Authors: McCreary Erin K. , Bayless Meg , Van Ahn P. , Lepak Alexander J. , Wiebe Donald A. , Schulz Lucas T. , Andes David R.
Published: July 2019

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is an established strategy to optimize antifungal therapy with certain triazoles. While established relationships exist between concentration and safety or efficacy, the impact of TDM timing on outcomes is unknown. We report clinical outcomes, including antifungal exposure and mortality, in patients receiving institutional versus reference laboratory TDM.
Efflux Pumps in
Chromobacterium
Species Increase Antibiotic Resistance and Promote Survival in a Coculture Competition Model
Authors: Benomar Saida , Evans Kara C. , Unckless Robert L. , Chandler Josephine R.
Published: July 2019

Antibiotic efflux pumps are best known for increasing antibiotic resistance of pathogens; however, the role of these pumps in saprophytes is much less well defined. This study describes two predicted efflux pump gene clusters in the
Chromobacterium
genus, which is comprised of both nonpathogenic saprophytes and species that cause highly fatal human infections. One of the predicted efflux pump clusters is present in every member of the
Chromobacterium
genus and increases resistance to a broad range of antibiotics. The other gene cluster has more narrow antibiotic specificity and is found only in
Chromobacterium subtsugae
, a subset of entirely nonpathogenic species. We demonstrate the role of both pumps in increasing antibiotic resistance and demonstrate the importance of efflux-dependent resistance induction for
C. subtsugae
survival in a dual-species competition model. These results have implications for managing antibiotic-resistant
Chromobacterium
infections and for understanding the evolution of efflux pumps outside the host.