bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bruxism: An umbrella review of systematic reviews
Authors: Melo Gilberto , Duarte Joyce , Pauletto Patrícia , Porporatti André Luís , Stuginski‐Barbosa Juliana , Winocur Ephraim , Flores‐Mir Carlos , De Luca Canto Graziela
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To synthesise available knowledge about both sleep (SB) and awake bruxism (AB) as depicted by previous published systematic reviews (SR).

Methods

SR investigating any bruxism‐related outcome were selected in a two‐phase process. Searches were performed on seven main electronic databases and a partial grey literature search on three databases. Risk of bias of included SR was assessed using the “University of Bristol's tool for assessing risk of bias in SR”.

Results

From 1038 studies, 41 SR were included. Findings from these SR suggested that (a) among adults, prevalence of AB was 22%‐30%, SB (1%‐15%), and SB among children and adolescents (3%‐49%); (b) factors consistently associated with bruxism were use of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, some psychotropic medications, oesophageal acidification and second‐hand smoke; temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms presented a plausible association; (c) portable diagnostic devices showed overall higher values of specificity (0.83‐1.00) and sensitivity (0.40‐1.00); (d) bruxism might result in biomechanical complications regarding dental implants; however, evidence was inconclusive regarding other dental restorations and periodontal impact; (e) occlusal appliances were considered effective for bruxism management, although current evidence was considered weak regarding other therapies.

Conclusions

Current knowledge from SR was mostly related to SB. Higher prevalence rates were found in children and adolescents than in adults. Associated factors and bruxism effects on stomatognathic structures were considerably heterogeneous and inconsistent. Overall good accuracy regarding portable diagnostic devices was found. Interventions' effectiveness was mostly inconclusive regarding the majority of available therapies, with the exception of occlusal appliances.
Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain, jaw noises and oral behaviours in an adult Italian population sample
Authors: Iodice Giorgio , Cimino Roberta , Vollaro Stefano , Lobbezoo Frank , Michelotti Ambra
Published: April 2019

To evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain (TMD‐pain), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) noises, oral behaviours in an Italian adult population sample, their possible association with gender, oral behaviours, self‐reported facial trauma and orthodontic treatment. Subjects older than 18 years were recruited from general population in public spaces during their daily life. A specific questionnaire was developed to collect data on TMD‐pain, TMJ noises, oral behaviours, orthodontic treatment and facial trauma. A total of 4299 subjects were included in the study. The most common symptom in the sample was TMJ clicking (30.7%), followed by TMD‐pain (16.3%) and TMJ crepitus (10.3%). Oral behaviours were reported in 29% of the sample; 43.6% of the sample reported a previous or ongoing orthodontic treatment. TMD‐pain and TMJ clicking were significantly associated to gender, oral behaviours and a positive history of previous facial trauma. Crepitus was significantly associated to oral behaviours, facial trauma and higher age. Ongoing orthodontic treatment was significantly associated to TMD‐pain and TMJ sounds. In a general Italian adult population sample, TMD‐pain is associated to female gender and is less prevalent than TMJ clicking. TMDs are associated to trauma and oral behaviours.
The experiences of patients electrically shocked by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Findings from a descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Palese Alvisa , Cracina Arianna , Purino Michela , Urli Nadia , Fabris Stefano , Danielis Matteo
Published: April 2019

Background

To date, few studies have explored cases of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock delivery with the intent of understanding patients' educational and supportive needs.

Aims and objectives

To explore patient experiences as lived before, during and after one or more shocks.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study carried out between 2016 and 2017.

Methods

Semi‐structured face‐to‐face audio‐recorded interviews were performed and analysed using a content analysis methodology.

Results

A total of 50 patients (average age = 68.3 years; largely male = 49; 98%) were interviewed. Four themes emerged: (a) “Feeling surprised vs. alerted by the changes inside me”; (b) “Living an intense, mono‐dimensional vs. living a multidimensional storm experience”, (c) “Facing the event vs. being supported”; and (d) “Living a drama vs. being used to it”.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that ICD use can trigger negative physical and emotional effects in patients. Moreover, nurses should recognize patients' educational needs according to the stage of adaptation that each patient is experiencing with the aim of tailoring appropriate supportive interventions.

Relevance to clinical practice

Therefore, it is necessary to consider the psychological needs of patients by integrating these into clinical care at different levels (emergency department, hospital ward, home). Specific structured support aimed at helping patients overcome intense negative experiences is suggested, especially in the first stage of the adaptation process. Nurses should also ensure that appropriate education programmes with adequate follow‐up interventions are offered to improve the experience of living with an ICD. In addition, patient‐reported outcomes should be routinely collected from patients with an ICD.
Evolutionary trajectories, accessibility and other metaphors: the case of C4 and CAM photosynthesis
Authors: Edwards Erika J.
Published: April 2019

Are evolutionary outcomes predictable? Adaptations that show repeated evolutionary convergence across the Tree of Life provide a special opportunity to dissect the context surrounding their origins, and identify any commonalities that may predict why certain traits evolved many times in particular clades and yet never evolved in others. The remarkable convergence of C4 and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis in vascular plants makes them exceptional model systems for understanding the repeated evolution of complex phenotypes. This review highlights what we have learned about the recurring assembly of C4 and CAM, focusing on the increasingly predictable stepwise evolutionary integration of anatomy and biochemistry. With the caveat that we currently understand C4 evolution better than we do CAM, I propose a general model that explains and unites C4 and CAM evolutionary trajectories. Available data suggest that anatomical modifications are the ‘rate‐limiting step’ in each trajectory, which in large part determines the evolutionary accessibility of both syndromes. The idea that organismal structure exerts a primary influence on innovation is discussed in the context of other systems. Whether the rate‐limiting step occurs early or late in the evolutionary assembly of a new phenotype may have profound implications for its distribution across the Tree of Life.
Predicting changes in mean length with an age‐structured stock assessment model
Authors: Ben‐Hasan Abdul , Walters Carl , Christensen Villy , van Poorten Brett , Rajab Sarah , Al‐Husaini Mohsen , Al‐Foudari Hussein
Published: April 2019

Several studies have shown that mean length is only slightly biased and hence a robust indicator of the total mortality (fishing and natural mortalities). However, these studies use models that typically assume equilibrium conditions and are expected to predict a much stronger relationship between mean length and fishing mortality than would be obtained from a model with more realistic assumptions. Here we predict changes in annual mean length with stochastic stock reduction analysis (SRA)—an age‐structured model—that accounts for recruitment variation around an average stock‐recruitment relationship and time‐varying exploitation rate. We found that SRA‐predicted mean length fluctuates considerably over exploitation rate, as opposed to equilibrium mean length, which consistently declined as exploitation rate climbed. Our finding suggests that the inference obtained from examining the relationship between fishing effects and mean length under equilibrium conditions could be misleading.

Recommendations for resource managers

Previous studies showed that equilibrium mean length—that is, assuming continuous and constant recruitment and constant total mortality over time—is a reliable indicator of fishing and natural mortalities, where changes in the observed mean length mimic the total mortality of the harvested population.

By estimating mean length under sensible assumptions, such as accounting for recruitment variability around an average stock‐recruitment relationship, and time‐varying exploitation rate (fishing mortality), high exploitation rate does not necessarily result in a low mean length.

Given that equilibrium approaches to estimate mortality as a function of mean length are still appealing, due to their simplicity and basic data requirement, caution must be exercised when interpreting the results.
Accommodation and its role in myopia progression and control with soft contact lenses
Authors: Cheng Xu , Xu Jing , Brennan Noel A
Published: April 2019

Purpose

To examine the impact of contact lens optical design on accommodative behaviour of children and the correlation between myopia progression and the accommodative response of the eye while wearing a contact lens designed for myopia control.

Methods

A post‐hoc analysis was conducted on data from a previously published myopia control trial. A total of 109 subjects (aged 8 to 11 years, myopia: −0.75 to −4.00 D) wore either a Control (single‐vision,n = 57) or a Test (with positive spherical aberration, +SA,n = 52) soft contact lens, binocularly for 1 year. Accommodative response was measured as the subject observed targets at −1.00 to −4.00 D vergence using the Grand SeikoWAM‐5500 open‐field autorefractor (www.grandseiko.com). Slope of accommodative response (SAR) as well as distance and near phoria and stimulus accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) were compared between each group at baseline without study lenses and at 1‐week and 1‐year visits with study lenses. TheSARwas also compared to changes in axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent cycloplegic auto refraction (SECAR).

Results

At baseline, there was no significant difference inSARbetween the two study groups (ΔSAR = −0.039,p = 0.84). At 1 week, meanSARof the Test group was significantly less than for the Control group (ΔSAR = −0.203,p < 0.0001), an effect that persisted to 1 year (ΔSAR = −0.129,p < 0.0001). In the Test group, greaterSARwas associated with less change inAL(regression coefficient: −0.59 mm,p < 0.0001) andSECAR(regression coefficient: 1.12 D,p = 0.006) at 1 year. In the Control group, associations betweenSARand change inALandSECARwere not statistically significant. Compared to the Control group, eyes of the Test group appeared to be more exophoric with study lenses, however, the difference between the two groups was only significant at 1 week for distance phoria and 1 year for near phoria.

Conclusion

The soft contact lens with +SAfor controlling myopia progression resulted in an apparent decrease in mean accommodation. Within the Test group, reduced accommodative response correlated with greater myopia progression, suggesting some subjects in the Test group utilised the +SAfor near viewing, inducing hyperopic defocus at the retina. Accordingly, the potential impact of a lens optics on accommodative function should be considered during design of myopia control lenses.
Characteristics of melanoma in white and nonwhite children, adolescents, and young adults: Analysis of a pediatric melanoma institutional registry, 1995‐2018
Authors: Afanasiev Olga K. , Tu Joanna H. , Chu Derek H. , Swetter Susan M.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To characterize clinical differences among nonwhite/multiethnic vs white children, adolescents, and young adults with melanoma or atypical melanocytic neoplasms, including atypical Spitz tumors.

Patients and Methods

A cohort of 55 patients (< 25 years of age) prospectively followed from 1995 to 2018 in the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program was analyzed for differences in clinical presentation, including skin phototype, race/ethnicity, age, sex, tumor/melanoma characteristics, and outcome.

Results

Seventeen patients (9 males and 8 females) were classified as nonwhite (predominantly skin phototype IV) and of Hispanic, Asian, or Black/African American ethnicity, and 38 patients (21 males and 17 females) were classified as white (predominantly phototypes I/II). Ages ranged from 6 months to 24 years, and median follow‐up was 36 months (range 1‐180 months). Melanomas were diagnosed in 87% of whites in our cohort, compared to 65% of nonwhites, with the remainder representing mainly atypical Spitz tumors. Lesions were usually brought to the attention of a health care provider by the patient or family (P < 0.05). Compared with whites, nonwhites were more likely to present at a younger mean age (10.9 years vs 15.4 years, P < 0.05) and with pink/clinically amelanotic tumors (59% vs 24%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

This long‐term prospective institutional study showed clinically relevant differences between nonwhite vs white children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with melanoma and atypical melanocytic neoplasms. Nonwhite patients presented at a younger age and had more clinically amelanotic melanocytic tumors. Increased recognition of clinical factors and risk of these tumors in nonwhites could result in earlier diagnosis.
Experiences with combined personal‐online case management and the self‐reliance of older people with multimorbidity living alone in private households: results of an interpretative‐hermeneutical analysis
Authors: Schmidt Stefan , Behrens Johann , Lautenschlaeger Christine , Gaertner Beate , Luderer Christiane
Published: April 2019

Background

To date in Germany, only few studies have been conducted concerning the efficacy of care and case management (CCM) for older people and about using communication technology during monitoring.

Aim

With this study, it is intended to gain a better understanding of how CCM in general is perceived by older people (65+) living alone and in particular what they think about the CCM monitoring process used during video conferences.

Method

The sampling and work cycle were based on the Grounded Theory. Two different subsamples (each n = 20; total sample: 70% women; age range: 64–92 years) were recruited. Interviews were conducted with the focus on CCM contributions (Subsample I) and monitoring supported by video conferences (Subsample II). All participants had received CCM from external providers (care support centres) in two German federal states. The intervention of CCM ranged between four and twelve months. Participants of Subsample II received additionally moderated video conferences via tablet PCs for and with older people over an intervention period of nine months.

Results

Care and case management was experienced as a possibility for receiving individual support and for improving the user's everyday life. Within a short time, video conferences were a familiar communication tool. They enabled particularly people with reduced mobility to get barrier‐free access to case managers, compensated for isolation and enabled participation.

Conclusions

According to the view of older CCM users with multimorbidity living alone, CCM offers formative and organisational support in various life‐domains. Combined with video conferences, the exchange of information becomes barrier‐free and instantaneous, and the sense of security in health questions is reinforced.
Dealing with diversity in workgroups: Preventing problems and promoting potential
Authors: Homan Astrid C.
Published: April 2019

Diversity is a popular topic among academics and practitioners alike. It is also a topic that is surrounded with controversies and passionate opinions. This makes understanding the ambiguous consequences of diversity a highly interesting and puzzling endeavor. To facilitate understanding of diversity's effects in workgroups, I present an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in diversity research and discuss the potential problems and benefits that are associated with group diversity. Moreover, I discuss how research on diversity interventions uses this problems versus potential approach to distinguish moderators of diversity's effects. Based on this overview, I argue that similar to the importance of contingencies for predicting diversity's effects, contingencies also play a crucial role in predicting the effectiveness of diversity interventions. As such, the current overview stresses the lack of main effects of both diversity and diversity interventions. Finally, I discuss recent work illustrating these contingencies and conclude that positive diversity mindsets—favorable mental representations of group diversity—are a necessary prerequisite to prevent problems and promote potential of group diversity.
Who'll Stop the Rain? Repeated Disasters and Attitudes Toward Government
Authors: Darr Joshua P. , Cate Sarah D. , Moak Daniel S.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

We examine how prior experience with government agencies shapes citizens’ assessments of government performance. In Louisiana, two extreme weather events, 11 years apart, required intervention from the state and federal government: Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2016 floods. Were Louisianans’ attitudes toward government response shaped by their prior experiences during a natural disaster?

Methods

We use an original survey of Louisianans to assess the role of Katrina experience in performance assessments of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana state government in 2016.

Results

We find a significant negative relationship: flood aid applicants in 2016 rated state government much lower, but only if they also applied for Katrina aid.

Conclusions

Those with personal experience with FEMA hold lower expectations of state government performance, which deteriorated under the Jindal Administration, and look to the federal government for support. Prior experience with government agencies establishes expectations of responsibility that endure years later.
Surviving Political Scandals: Why Some Transgressions End Political Careers and Others Do Not
Authors: Newmark Adam J. , Vaughan Shannon K. , Pleites‐Hernandez Giovanny D.
Published: April 2019

Objective

In this article, we examine several explanations for why some politicians survive political scandals and others do not. These explanations include the nature and magnitude of the scandal, the political environment, and how the politician responds to the scandal.

Methods

To identify scandals, we use the Lexis‐Nexis database of Associated Press State and Local Wire (APSLW) articles between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014 to examine political scandals involving politicians in 14 states. Using data obtained from relevant news articles, we estimate multivariate models in order to predict the probability of surviving a political scandal, as well as the electoral margin of victory for those who do survive.

Findings

We find that men, those in safe seats, those in favorable political environments, and those with support of their spouses are more likely to survive a political scandal. However, early‐breaking scandals, those that are more severe, those that require an apology or aggressive defense, and those that are sexual in nature decrease the probability of survival.

Conclusion

While scandals put politicians at risk, there are factors that insulate politicians from the adverse effects of their transgressions. These findings offer insights into why some politiciansacross levels of governmentseem somewhat immune to scandals, while others have their careers abruptly ended because of them.
Experimental stress analysis of an arbitrary geometry containing irregularly shaped hole
Authors: Kalaycioglu B. , Alshaya A. , Rowlands R.
Published: April 2019

Stresses can significantly influence the mechanical integrity of engineering structures. Motivated by prevalence of members containing cutouts, the objective of this paper is to demonstrate ability to stress analyse a finite, complicated‐shaped plate containing an asymmetrical, irregularly shaped hole. Combining the load‐induced temperature information with analytical and numerical tools provides the independent stresses full field, including on edges of the plate and adjacent to the top load. In addition to utilising real, rather than complex, variables, the technique smooths the recorded information, evaluates individual stresses, and requires neither differentiating the measured data nor knowing the elastic properties. Results are supported by those from a finite element analysis, force equilibrium, and strain gages.
Empirical evidence on surrogate country method for non‐market economy: US anti‐dumping policy towards China
Authors: Kim Hyerim , Ahn Dukgeun
Published: April 2019

Whether the non‐market economy (NME) treatment on China can be maintained even after the expiry date under Section 15 of China's World Trade Organization (WTO) Accession Protocol is one of the most controversial issues in the WTO. In fact, the key issue of the NME status in the anti‐dumping (AD) proceedings turns out to be how surrogate countries are selected in relation to dumping margin calculation. This paper reviews the US practices concerning the application of the surrogate country method. Despite the general perception of capricious and random selection of surrogate countries, the Department of Commerce has maintained a consistent pattern for applying the criteria. This seemingly consistent practice, however, raised systematic problems—but not at a significant scale—in dumping margin calculation concerning Chinese products. This result sheds an interesting light on the current WTO disputes concerning the China's NME status. At least in terms of the US AD practices, the result of the WTO dispute settlement process may not have a significant impact on the China's exportation.
Viability Assessment of a Concentrated Solar Power Tower With a Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle Power Plant
Authors: Alsagri Ali Sulaiman , Chiasson Andrew , Gadalla Mohamed
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study was to conduct thermodynamic and economic analyses of a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant to drive a supercritical CO2 recompression Brayton cycle. The objectives were to assess the system viability in a location of moderate-to-high-temperature solar availability to sCO2 power block during the day and to investigate the role of thermal energy storage with 4, 8, 12, and 16 h of storage to increase the solar share and the yearly energy generating capacity. A case study of system optimization and evaluation is presented in a city in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). To achieve the highest energy production per unit cost, the heliostat geometry field design integrated with a sCO2 Brayton cycle with a molten-salt thermal energy storage (TES) dispatch system and the corresponding operating parameters are optimized. A solar power tower (SPT) is a type of CSP system that is of particular interest in this research because it can operate at relatively high temperatures. The present SPT-TES field comprises of heliostat field mirrors, a solar tower, a receiver, heat exchangers, and two molten-salt TES tanks. The main thermoeconomic indicators are the capacity factor and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The research findings indicate that SPT-TES with a supercritical CO2 power cycle is economically viable with 12 h thermal storage using molten salt. The results also show that integrating 12 h-TES with an SPT has a high positive impact on the capacity factor of 60% at the optimum LCOE of $0.1078/kW h.
Plasma etching of high aspect ratio features in SiO2 using Ar/C4F8/O2 mixtures: A computational investigation
Authors: Huang Shuo , Huard Chad , Shim Seungbo , Nam Sang Ki , Song In-Cheol , Lu Siqing , Kushner Mark J.
Published: April 2019

Plasma etching of high aspect ratio (HAR) features, typically vias, is a critical step in the fabrication of high capacity memory. With aspect ratios (ARs) exceeding 50 (and approaching 100), maintaining critical dimensions (CDs) while eliminating or diminishing twisting, contact-edge-roughening, and aspect ratio dependent etching (ARDE) becomes challenging. Integrated reactor and feature scale modeling was used to investigate the etching of HAR features in SiO2 with ARs up to 80 using tri-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas sustained in Ar/C4F8/O2 mixtures. In these systems, the fluxes of neutral radicals to the wafer exceed the fluxes of ions by 1–2 orders of magnitude due to lower threshold energies for dissociation compared with ionization. At low ARs (<5), these abundant fluxes of CFx and CxFy radicals to the etch front passivate the oxide to form a complex which is then removed by energetic species (ions and hot neutrals) through chemically enhanced reactive etching, resulting in the formation of gas phase SiFx, COx, and COF. As the etching proceeds into higher ARs, the fractional contribution of physical sputtering to oxide removal increases as the fluxes of energetic species to the etch front surpass those of the conduction constrained CFx and CxFy radicals. The instantaneous etch rate of oxide decreases with increasing aspect ratio (ARDE effect) due to decreased fluxes of energetic species and decreased power delivered by these species to the etch front. As the etch rate of photoresist (PR) is independent of AR, maintaining CDs by avoiding undercut and bowing requires high SiO2-over-PR selectivity, which in turn requires a minimum thickness of the PR at the end of etching. Positive ions with narrow angular distributions typically deposit charge on the bottom of low AR features, producing a maximum in positive electric potential on the bottom of the feature. For high AR features, grazing incidence collisions of ions on sidewalls depositing charge produce electric potentials with maxima on the sidewalls (as opposed to the bottom) of the feature.
Effects of presentation rate and onset time on auditory brainstem responses in Northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus)
Authors: Beatini Julia R. , Proudfoot Glenn A. , Gall Megan D.
Published: April 2019

Monitoring auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) is a common method of assessing auditory processing in non-model species. Although ABRs are widely used to compare auditory abilities across taxa, the extent to which different features of acoustic stimuli affect the ABR is largely unknown in most non-mammalian species. The authors investigated the effects of varying presentation rate and onset time to determine how different features of acoustic stimuli influence the ABR in Northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus), a species known for their unique auditory adaptations and hunting abilities. At presentation rates ranging from 21.1 to 51.1 s−1, there were no differences in the size or synchrony of ABRs, suggesting that stimuli can be presented at a relatively rapid rate to maximize the number of observations recorded for analysis. While increasing onset time was associated with a decrement in response size and synchrony, tonebursts with 1 ms onset times produced overgeneralized neural responses as a result of spectral splatter. This suggests that 2 to 3 ms onset times may balance the trade-off between response synchrony and frequency specificity when comparing relative neural recruitment across frequencies. These findings highlight the importance of considering stimulus parameters when interpreting ABR data.
Pitch discrimination with mixtures of three concurrent harmonic complexes
Authors: Graves Jackson E. , Oxenham Andrew J.
Published: April 2019

In natural listening contexts, especially in music, it is common to hear three or more simultaneous pitches, but few empirical or theoretical studies have addressed how this is achieved. Place and pattern-recognition theories of pitch require at least some harmonics to be spectrally resolved for pitch to be extracted, but it is unclear how often such conditions exist when multiple complex tones are presented together. In three behavioral experiments, mixtures of three concurrent complexes were filtered into a single bandpass spectral region, and the relationship between the fundamental frequencies and spectral region was varied in order to manipulate the extent to which harmonics were resolved either before or after mixing. In experiment 1, listeners discriminated major from minor triads (a difference of 1 semitone in one note of the triad). In experiments 2 and 3, listeners compared the pitch of a probe tone with that of a subsequent target, embedded within two other tones. All three experiments demonstrated above-chance performance, even in conditions where the combinations of harmonic components were unlikely to be resolved after mixing, suggesting that fully resolved harmonics may not be necessary to extract the pitch from multiple simultaneous complexes.
No more than “slight” hearing loss and degradations in binaural processing
Authors: Bernstein Leslie R. , Trahiotis Constantine
Published: April 2019

Listeners having, at most, “slight” hearing loss may exhibit substantial deficits in binaural detection [Bernstein and Trahiotis. (2016). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 140, 3540–3548; (2018). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 144, 292–307]. This study assessed whether such listeners also exhibit deficits discriminating interaural temporal disparities (ITDs) or interaural intensitive disparities (IIDs) and whether any deficits observed in those discrimination tasks would be accounted for by the interaural cross-correlation based model that successfully accounts for binaural detection. Thresholds were measured for detection of tones masked by noise in the NoSπ configuration and discrimination of ITD or IID. Gaussian noises (100 Hz-wide), served as maskers in the detection task and as reference and target stimuli in the discrimination tasks. Stimuli were centered at 500 Hz or 4 kHz. The latter were transpositions of stimuli centered at 125 Hz. Results demonstrate that listeners having, at most, slight hearing loss and who exhibit deficits in binaural detection, also exhibit deficits in ITD- and IID-discrimination. Coupled with appropriate decision variables, the cross-correlation-based model that accounts for elevated binaural detection thresholds among such listeners also accounted for their elevated ITD- and IID-thresholds. The deficits in all three tasks appear to stem from increased levels of stimulus-dependent, additive internal noise.
Scheduling Concurrent Visual Feedback in Learning a Continuous Balance Task
Authors: Goodwin Jeff E.
Published: April 2019

This investigation held concurrent visual feedback frequency at 50% in the acquisition phase and manipulated three different feedback schedules while comparing those to a 0% feedback frequency. In an assessment of dynamic postural stability, young, healthy adults performed 20 acquisition trials and four retention trials 48-hr later on a circular platform that moved in the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral axes simultaneously. Three concurrent feedback schedules were manipulated: a fade schedule consisting of high relative frequency of concurrent feedback early in the acquisition phase which was systematically reduced throughout acquisition (e.g., 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 0%), a constant schedule consisting of a uniform scheduling of concurrent feedback on every other acquisition trial, and a reverse fade group consisting of a schedule exactly opposite to that of the fade group. A no concurrent feedback group was also utilized to determine if feedback was necessary to learn the balance task. Acquisition and retention results revealed the concurrent groups performed with significantly greater accuracy and stability than the no concurrent feedback group. There were no significant differences between the three concurrent feedback schedules. Results indicate that manipulating concurrent feedback scheduling did not produce similar results to those investigations manipulating knowledge of results scheduling.
Synovial signatures signpost arthritis
Authors: Dakin Stephanie G.
Published: April 2019

Cellular signatures define pathobiological endotypes in early rheumatoid arthritis, informing prognosis and treatment.
Complex Structure of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Arginine Rhamnosyltransferase EarP with Its Acceptor Elongation Factor P
Authors: He Chao , Liu Ning , Li Fudong , Jia Xiaoyu , Peng Hui , Liu Yanhong , Xiao Yazhong
Published: April 2019

Posttranslational rhamnosylation of EF-P plays a key role in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, establishing virulence and antibiotic resistance, as well as survival. The detailed structural and biochemical characterization of the EF-P-specific rhamnosyltransferase EarP from
P. aeruginosa
not only demonstrates that sugar donor TDP-Rha binding enhances acceptor EF-P binding to EarP but also should provide valuable information for the structure-guided development of its inhibitors against infections from
P. aeruginosa
and other EarP-containing pathogens.
Interplay between the Epigenetic Enzyme Lysine (K)-Specific Demethylase 2B and Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Authors: Vargas-Ayala Romina C. , Jay Antonin , Manara Francesca , Maroui Mohamed Ali , Hernandez-Vargas Hector , Diederichs Audrey , Robitaille Alexis , Sirand Cecilia , Ceraolo Maria Grazia , Romero-Medina Maria Carmen , Cros Marie Pierre , Cuenin Cyrille , Durand Geoffroy , Le Calvez-Kelm Florence , Mundo Lucia , Leoncini Lorenzo , Manet Evelyne , Herceg Zdenko , Gruffat Henri , Accardi Rosita
Published: April 2019

In Africa, Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with endemic Burkitt lymphoma, a pediatric cancer. The molecular events leading to its development are poorly understood compared with those leading to sporadic Burkitt lymphoma. In a previous study, by analyzing the DNA methylation changes in endemic compared with sporadic Burkitt lymphoma cell lines, we identified several differential methylated genomic positions in the proximity of genes with a potential role in cancer, and among them was the
KDM2B
gene.
KDM2B
encodes a histone H3 demethylase already shown to be involved in some hematological disorders. However, whether KDM2B plays a role in the development of Epstein-Barr virus-mediated lymphoma has not been investigated before. In this study, we show that Epstein-Barr virus deregulates KDM2B expression and describe the underlying mechanisms. We also reveal a role of the demethylase in controlling viral and B-cell gene expression, thus highlighting a novel interaction between the virus and the cellular epigenome.
Comparisons of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Variants in Blood and Genital Fluids near the Time of Male-to-Female Transmission
Authors: Williams-Wietzikoski Corey A. , Campbell Mary S. , Payant Rachel , Lam Airin , Zhao Hong , Huang Hannah , Wald Anna , Stevens Wendy , Gray Glenda , Farquhar Carey , Rees Helen , Celum Connie , Mullins James I. , Lingappa Jairam R. , Frenkel Lisa M.
Published: April 2019

Mucosal transmissions account for the majority of HIV-1 infections. Identification of the viral characteristics associated with transmission would facilitate vaccine design. This study of HIV strains from transmitting males and their seroconverting female partners found that the males’ genital tract viruses were rarely distinct from the blood variants. The imputed founder viruses in women were genetically similar to both the blood and genital tract variants of their male partners, indicating a lack of evidence for genital tract-specific lineages. These findings suggest that targeting vaccine responses to variants found in blood are likely to also protect from genital tract variants.
Carnivore Parvovirus Ecology in the Serengeti Ecosystem: Vaccine Strains Circulating and New Host Species Identified
Authors: Calatayud Olga , Esperón Fernando , Cleaveland Sarah , Biek Roman , Keyyu Julius , Eblate Ernest , Neves Elena , Lembo Tiziana , Lankester Felix
Published: April 2019

Carnivore parvoviruses are widespread among wild and domestic carnivores, which are vulnerable to severe disease under certain circumstances. This study furthers the understanding of carnivore parvovirus epidemiology, suggesting that feline parvoviruses are endemic in wild carnivores in the Serengeti National Park (SNP), with new host species identified, and that canine parvoviruses are present in the dog population living around the SNP. Little evidence of transmission of canine parvoviruses into wild carnivore species was found; however, the detection of vaccine-derived virus (described here for the first time to be circulating naturally in domestic dogs) highlights the importance of performing epidemiological research in the region.
Complete Genome Sequences of Escherichia coli Phages vB_EcoM-EP75 and vB_EcoP-EP335
Authors: van Mierlo Joël , Hagens Steven , Witte Sander , Klamert Silvia , van de Straat Leoni , Fieseler Lars
Published: April 2019

Phages vB_EcoM-EP75 (EP75) and vB_EcoP-EP335 (EP335) specifically infect Shiga toxin (Stx)-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) O157 strains. EP75 has a genome size of 158,143 bp and belongs to the genusVi1virus.
Genome Sequence of Bordetella pertussis Vaccine Strain BP 165
Authors: Alai Shweta , Ghattargi Vikas C. , Gautam Manish , Dhotre Dhiraj P. , Patel Krunal , Pawar Shrikant P. , Kumar Rakesh , Shaligram Umesh , Deobagkar Deepti , Gairola Sunil
Published: April 2019

Whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines are used globally against
Bordetella pertussis
. Various vaccine reference strains are used globally for the production of such vaccines.
Barbiturate-induced dyskalaemia in patients with traumatic brain injury patient
Authors: Theodore Danny , Mahanes Dea
Published: April 2019

A young man with severe traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension was treated with a barbiturate coma. A rare side effect of barbiturates is dyskalaemia. The dyskalaemia presented with acute hypokalaemia that quickly became hyperkalaemia. Both electrolyte disturbances can have serious physiological complications. The cellular cause of the dyskalaemia is not well understood. The correct diagnosis and treatment of barbiturate dyskalaemia is essential in providing care. Clinicians treating patients with barbiturates need to be aware of this rare side effect. Our patient was quickly and correctly treated for the dyskalaemia and suffered no complications related to this side effect.
Study of brain morphology change in Alzheimer’s disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment compared with normal controls
Authors: Yang Huanqing , Xu Hua , Li Qingfeng , Jin Yan , Jiang Weixiong , Wang Jinghua , Wu Yina , Li Wei , Yang Cece , Li Xia , Xiao Shifu , Shi Feng , Wang Tao
Published: April 2019

Background

With an aggravated social ageing level, the number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is gradually increasing, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered to be an early form of Alzheimer’s disease. How to distinguish diseases in the early stage for the purposes of early diagnosis and treatment is an important topic.

Aims

The purpose of our study was to investigate the differences in brain cortical thickness and surface area among elderly patients with AD, elderly patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and normal controls (NC).

Methods

20 AD patients, 21 aMCIs and 25 NC were recruited in the study. FreeSurfer software was used to calculate cortical thickness and surface area among groups.

Results

The patients with AD had less cortical thickness both in the left and right hemisphere in 17 of the 36 brain regions examined than the patients with aMCI or NC. The patients with AD also had smaller cerebral surface area both in the left and right hemisphere in 3 of the 36 brain regions examined than the patients with aMCI or NC. Compared with the NC, the patients with aMCI only had slight atrophy in the inferior parietal lobe of the left hemisphere, and no significant difference was found.

Conclusion

AD, as well as aMCI (to a lesser extent), is associated with reduced cortical thickness and surface area in a few brain regions associated with cognitive impairment. These results suggest that cortical thickness and surface area could be used for early detection of AD.
Efficacy of pharmacological therapies in patients with IBS with diarrhoea or mixed stool pattern: systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Black Christopher J , Burr Nicholas E , Camilleri Michael , Earnest David L , Quigley Eamonn MM , Moayyedi Paul , Houghton Lesley A , Ford Alexander C
Published: April 2019

Objective

Over half of patients with IBS have either diarrhoea (IBS-D) or a mixed stool pattern (IBS-M). The relative efficacy of licenced pharmacological therapies is unclear in the absence of head-to-head trials. We conducted a network meta-analysis to resolve this uncertainty.

Design

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Embase Classic, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov through January 2019 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of licenced pharmacological therapies (alosetron, eluxadoline, ramosetron and rifaximin) in adults with IBS-D or IBS-M. Trials included in the analysis reported a dichotomous assessment of overall response to therapy, and data were pooled using a random effects model. Efficacy and safety of all pharmacological therapies were reported as a pooled relative risk with 95% CIs to summarise the effect of each comparison tested. Treatments were ranked according to their p score.

Results

We identified 18 eligible RCTs (seven alosetron, five ramosetron, two rifaximin and four eluxadoline), containing 9844 patients. All were superior to placebo for the treatment of IBS-D or IBS-M at 12 weeks, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-recommended endpoint for trials in IBS. Alosetron 1 mg twice daily was ranked first for efficacy, based on the FDA-recommended composite endpoint of improvement in both abdominal pain and stool consistency, effect on global symptoms of IBS and effect on stool consistency. Ramosetron 2.5µg once daily was ranked first for effect on abdominal pain. Total numbers of adverse events were significantly greater with alosetron 1 mg twice daily and ramosetron 2.5µg once daily, compared with placebo. Rifaximin 550 mg three times daily ranked first for safety. Constipation was significantly more common with all drugs, except rifaximin 550 mg three times daily.

Conclusion

In a network meta-analysis of RCTs of pharmacological therapies for IBS-D and IBS-M, we found all drugs to be superior to placebo, but alosetron and ramosetron appeared to be the most effective.
Association between STI and child sexual exploitation in children under 16 years old attending sexual health clinics in England: findings from a case–control study
Authors: Ward Chris , Hughes Gwenda , Mitchell Holly D , Rogstad Karen E
Published: April 2019

Objective

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) can be difficult to identify, as there may be few reliable indicators. Although they may be used in decision-making, there is no evidence that STIs are predictors of CSE. We investigated the relationship between STI presentation at sexual health clinics (SHCs) and CSE.

Methods

SHCs with 18 or more children aged 13–15 years old with STI diagnoses in 2012 were identified using the Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Activity Data Set STI Surveillance System. Cases with confirmed bacterial or protozoal STIs were matched by age, gender and clinic with non-STI controls. Lead clinicians were asked to complete an online questionnaire on CSE-related risk factors of cases and controls irrespective of STI presence. Associations between STI outcome and CSE-related risk factors were analysed using conditional logistic regression.

Results

Data were provided on 466 children aged 13–15 years old; 414 (89%) were female, 340 (80%) were aged 15, 108 (23%) were aged 14, and 18 (3.9%) were aged 13 years. In matched univariate analysis, an STI diagnosis was significantly associated with ‘highly-likely/confirmed’ CSE (OR 3.87, p=0.017) and safeguarding concerns (OR 1.94, p=0.022). Evidence of an association between STI diagnosis and ‘highly-likely/confirmed’ CSE persisted after adjustment for partner numbers and prior clinic attendance (OR 3.85, p=0.053).

Conclusion

Presentation with bacterial or protozoal STIs in children aged 13–15 years old at SHCs may be considered a potential marker for CSE. It would be prudent to consider CSE, indepth assessment and potential referral for any children under 16 years old presenting with a bacterial or protozoal STI.
Integrating Imaging and Omics: Computational Methods and Challenges
Authors: Hériché Jean-Karim , Alexander Stephanie , Ellenberg Jan
Published: April 2019

Fluorescence microscopy imaging has long been complementary to DNA sequencing- and mass spectrometry–based omics in biomedical research, but these approaches are now converging. On the one hand, omics methods are moving from in vitro methods that average across large cell populations to in situ molecular characterization tools with single-cell sensitivity. On the other hand, fluorescence microscopy imaging has moved from a morphological description of tissues and cells to quantitative molecular profiling with single-molecule resolution. Recent technological developments underpinned by computational methods have started to blur the lines between imaging and omics and have made their direct correlation and seamless integration an exciting possibility. As this trend continues rapidly, it will allow us to create comprehensive molecular profiles of living systems with spatial and temporal context and subcellular resolution. Key to achieving this ambitious goal will be novel computational methods and successfully dealing with the challenges of data integration and sharing as well as cloud-enabled big data analysis.
mTORC1 is required for expression of LRPPRC and cytochrome-c oxidase but not HIF-1α in Leigh syndrome French Canadian type patient fibroblasts
Authors: Mukaneza Yvette , Cohen Aaron , Rivard Marie-Ève , Tardif Jessica , Deschênes Sonia , Ruiz Matthieu ,   LSFC Consortium, Laprise Catherine , Des Rosiers Christine , Coderre Lise
Published: April 2019

Leigh syndrome French Canadian type (LSFC) is a mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in the leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat-containing (LRPPRC) gene leading to a reduction of cytochrome- c oxidase (COX) expression reaching 50% in skin fibroblasts. We have shown that under basal conditions, LSFC and control cells display similar ATP levels. We hypothesized that this occurs through upregulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated metabolic reprogramming. Our results showed that compared with controls, LSFC cells exhibited an upregulation of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1)/p70 ribosomal S6 kinase pathway and higher levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and its downstream target pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDHK1), a regulator of mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase 1 (PDH1). Consistent with these signaling alterations, LSFC cells displayed a 40–61% increase in [U-13C6]glucose contribution to pyruvate, lactate, and alanine formation, as well as higher levels of the phosphorylated and inactive form of PDH1-α. Interestingly, inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin did not alter HIF-1α or PDHK1 protein levels in LSFC fibroblasts. However, this treatment increased PDH1-α phosphorylation in control and LSFC cells and reduced ATP levels in control cells. Rapamycin also decreased LRPPRC expression by 41 and 11% in LSFC and control cells, respectively, and selectively reduced COX subunit IV expression in LSFC fibroblasts. Taken together, our data demonstrate the importance of mTORC1, independent of the HIF-1α/PDHK1 axis, in maintaining LRPPRC and COX expression in LSFC cells.