bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flowering phenology, growth forms, and pollination syndromes in tropical dry forest species: Influence of phylogeny and abiotic factors
Authors: Cortés‐Flores Jorge , Hernández‐Esquivel Karen Beatriz , González‐Rodríguez Antonio , Ibarra‐Manríquez Guillermo
Published: December 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Analyses of the influence of temporal variation in abiotic factors on flowering phenology of tropical dry forest species have not considered the possible response of species with different growth forms and pollination syndromes, while controlling for phylogenetic relationships among species. Here, we investigated the relationship between flowering phenology, abiotic factors, and plant functional attributes, while controlling for phylogenetic relationship among species, in a dry forest community in Mexico.

METHODS:

We characterized flowering phenology (time and duration) and pollination syndromes of 55 tree species, 49 herbs, 24 shrubs, 15 lianas, and 11 vines. We tested the influence of pollination syndrome, growth form, and abiotic factors on flowering phenology using phylogenetic generalized least squares.

KEY RESULTS:

We found a relationship between flowering duration and time. Growth form was related to flowering time, and the pollination syndrome had a more significant relationship with flowering duration. Flowering time variation in the community was explained mainly by abiotic variables, without an important phylogenetic effect. Flowering time in lianas and trees was negatively and positively correlated with daylength, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Functional attributes, environmental cues, and phylogeny interact with each other to shape the diversity of flowering patterns. Phenological differentiation among species groups revealed multiples strategies associated with growth form and pollination syndromes that can be important for understanding species coexistence in this highly diverse plant community.
Very small relict populations suggest high extinction debt of gingers in primary forest fragments of a tropical city
Authors: Niissalo Matti A. , Leong‐Škorničková Jana , Khew Gillian S. , Webb Edward L.
Published: December 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Tropical plant communities in fragmented forests are likely to experience an extinction debt, i.e., the habitat cannot support as many species as are present due to reduced habitat size and connectivity. There are few estimates of the number of species that represent extinction debt, and the number of extinctions over time has rarely been recorded. We recorded population sizes to assess threats and extinctions in gingers (sensu Zingiberales) in fragmented rainforest in Singapore, ca. 200 yr after fragmentation began.

METHODS:

We surveyed extant diversity and population sizes of gingers and used the results to estimate species survival. We critically assessed historic specimens to estimate initial extinctions and extinctions realized in present habitats.

KEY RESULTS:

We recorded 23 species, including five species previously presumed nationally extinct and four species omitted from the national checklist. The revised extinction rate is much lower than previously reported (12 vs. 37%). Most gingers have very small populations or miniscule ranges, implying that extinction debt has not been paid off.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ginger diversity remains high, but the number of species at immediate risk of extinction outnumber recorded extinctions. Although tropical forest fragments remain arks of plant diversity for a long time, extinction debt may be prevalent in all plant groups in Singapore. Slow relaxation of extinction debt should be explicitly identified as a conservation challenge and opportunity. For conserving plant diversity in tropical fragments, relaxation must be reversed through restoration of degraded landscapes and, where feasible, targeted ex situ conservation and planting.
Iodination of carbohydrate-derived 1,2-oxazines to enantiopure 5-iodo-3,6-dihydro-2H-1,2-oxazines and subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Medvecký Michal , Linder Igor , Schefzig Luise , Reissig Hans-Ulrich , Zimmer Reinhold
Published: December 2016

Iodination of carbohydrate-derived 3,6-dihydro-2H-1,2-oxazines of type 3 using iodine and pyridine in DMF furnished 5-iodo-substituted 1,2-oxazine derivatives 4 with high efficacy. The alkenyl iodide moiety of 1,2-oxazine derivatives syn-4 and anti-4 was subsequently exploited for the introduction of new functionalities at the C-5 position by applying palladium-catalyzed carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions such as Sonogashira, Heck, or Suzuki coupling reactions as well as a cyanation reaction. These cross-coupling reactions led to a series of 5-alkynyl-, 5-alkenyl-, 5-aryl- and 5-cyano-substituted 1,2-oxazine derivatives being of considerable interest for further synthetic elaborations. This was exemplarily demonstrated by the hydrogenation of syn-21 and anti-24 and by a click reaction of a 5-alkynyl-substituted precursor.
Forecasting the Impact of Maternal Undernutrition on Child Health Outcomes in Indonesia
Authors:   RTI International, Cooley Philip , Poulos Christine , Rineer James , Rogers Sue , Scruggs Matthew , Wagener Diane , Wheaton William , Lee Bruce
Published: December 2016

Maternal nutrition influences a child’s birthweight, which affects the child’s growth and subsequent survival. However, the broad consequences of maternal undernutrition and the outcomes of interventions to improve maternal nutrition take years to manifest. To examine the long-term health outcomes of low birthweight infants in response to a maternal nutritional supplementation intervention without this obstacle, we developed the Forecasting Population Progress (FPOP) microsimulation model. The intervention we assessed was based on the findings of a published clinical trial outcome that reduced the incidence of low birthweight, a known cause of stunting. We implemented the “before intervention” and “after intervention” simulations and generated the difference in outcomes, using a spatially explicit synthetic baseline population of Indonesia generated from a microdata sample of the Indonesian 2010 census. We focused specifically on two provinces—Yogyakarta and Bali—which represent different levels of fertility and mortality but both exhibit significant underweight birth. The baseline scenario represented the current nutritional status of pregnant women in the two Indonesian provinces and projected that implementing a multiple nutrition supplementation intervention would, after 30 years, avert 8 per 1,000 low birthweight births, 3.8 per 1,000 stunted children younger than 5 years of age, and 0.25 infant deaths per 1,000 births. As our model results demonstrate, improvement in maternal nutrition would reduce infant mortality, but an even greater impact could be the reduction in growth stunting.
NEAR-INFRARED EMISSION SPECTRUM OF WASP-103B USING HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE/WIDE FIELD CAMERA 3*
Authors: Cartier Kimberly M. S. , Beatty Thomas G. , Zhao Ming , Line Michael , Ngo Henry , Mawet Dimitri , Stassun Keivan G. , Wright Jason T. , Kreidberg Laura , Fortney Jonathan , Knutson Heather
Published: December 2016

We present here our observations and analysis of the dayside emission spectrum of the hot Jupiter WASP-103b. We observed WASP-103b during secondary eclipse using two visits of the Hubble Space Telescope with the G141 grism on Wide Field Camera 3 in spatial scan mode. We generated secondary eclipse light curves of the planet in both blended white-light and spectrally binned wavechannels from

and corrected the light curves for flux contamination from a nearby companion star. We modeled the detector systematics and secondary eclipse spectrum using Gaussian process regression and found that the near-IR emission spectrum of WASP-103b is featureless across the observed near-IR region to down to a sensitivity of 175 ppm, and shows a shallow slope toward the red. The atmosphere has a single brightness temperature of

K across this wavelength range. This region of the spectrum is indistinguishable from isothermal, but may not manifest from a physically isothermal system, i.e., pseudo-isothermal. A solar-metallicity profile with a thermal inversion layer at 10−2 bar fits the spectrum of WASP-103b with high confidence, as do an isothermal profile with solar metallicity and a monotonically decreasing atmosphere with C/O > 1. The data rule out a monotonically decreasing atmospheric profile with solar composition, and we rule out a low-metallicity decreasing profile as unphysical for this system. The pseudo-isothermal profile could be explained by a thermal inversion layer just above the layer probed by our observations, or by clouds or haze in the upper atmosphere. Transmission spectra at optical wavelengths would allow us to better distinguish between potential atmospheric models.
REDSHIFT-INDEPENDENT DISTANCES IN THE NASA/IPAC EXTRAGALACTIC DATABASE: METHODOLOGY, CONTENT, AND USE OF NED-D
Authors: Steer Ian , Madore Barry F. , Mazzarella Joseph M. , Schmitz Marion , Corwin Harold G. , Chan Ben H. P. , Ebert Rick , Helou George , Baker Kay , Chen Xi , Frayer Cren , Jacobson Jeff , Lo Tak , Ogle Patrick , Pevunova Olga , Terek Scott
Published: December 2016

Estimates of galaxy distances based on indicators that are independent of cosmological redshift are fundamental to astrophysics. Researchers use them to establish the extragalactic distance scale, to underpin estimates of the Hubble constant, and to study peculiar velocities induced by gravitational attractions that perturb the motions of galaxies with respect to the “Hubble flow” of universal expansion. In 2006 the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) began making available a comprehensive compilation of redshift-independent extragalactic distance estimates. A decade later, this compendium of distances (NED-D) now contains more than 100,000 individual estimates based on primary and secondary indicators, available for more than 28,000 galaxies, and compiled from over 2000 references in the refereed astronomical literature. This paper describes the methodology, content, and use of NED-D, and addresses challenges to be overcome in compiling such distances. Currently, 75 different distance indicators are in use. We include a figure that facilitates comparison of the indicators with significant numbers of estimates in terms of the minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, and maximum distances spanned. Brief descriptions of the indicators, including examples of their use in the database, are given in an appendix.
THE QUENCHED MASS PORTION OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AND THE ORIGIN OF THE STAR FORMATION SEQUENCE SLOPE
Authors: Pan Zhizheng , Zheng Xianzhong , Kong Xu
Published: December 2016

Observationally, a massive disk galaxy can harbor a bulge component that is comparably inactive as a quiescent galaxy. It has been speculated that the quenched component contained in star-forming galaxies (SFGs) is the reason why the star formation main sequence (MS) has a shallow slope at high masses. In this paper, we present a toy model to quantify the quenched mass portion of SFGs (f
Q) at fixed stellar mass (M
*) and to reconcile the MS slopes in both the low- and the high-mass regimes. In this model, each SFG is composed of a star-forming plus a quenched component. The mass of the star-forming component (M
SF) correlates with the star formation rate (SFR) following a relation SFR

, where α
SF ∼ 1.0. The quenched component contributes to the stellar mass but not to the SFR. It is thus possible to quantify f
Q based on the departure of the observed MS slope α from α
SF. Adopting the redshift-dependent MS slope reported by Whitaker et al., we explore the evolution of the

relations over z = [0.5, 2.5]. We find that Milky Way-like SFGs (with

) typically have an f
Q = 30%–40% at z ∼ 2.25, whereas this value rapidly rises up to 70%–80% at z ∼ 0.75. The origin of an α ∼ 1.0 MS slope seen in the low-mass regime is also discussed. We argue for a scenario in which the majority of low-mass SFGs stay in a “steady-stage” star formation phase. In this phase, the SFR is mainly regulated by stellar feedback and not significantly influenced by the quenching mechanisms, thus remaining roughly constant over cosmic time. This scenario successfully produces an α ∼ 1.0 MS slope, as well as the observed MS evolution from z = 2.5 to z = 0 at low masses.
CONSTRAINING THE FREQUENCY OF FREE-FLOATING PLANETS FROM A SYNTHESIS OF MICROLENSING, RADIAL VELOCITY, AND DIRECT IMAGING SURVEY RESULTS
Authors: Clanton Christian , Gaudi B. Scott
Published: December 2016

A microlensing survey by Sumi et al. exhibits an overabundance of short-timescale events (STEs; t
E < 2 days) relative to what is expected from known stellar populations and a smooth power-law extrapolation down to the brown dwarf regime. This excess has been interpreted as a population of approximately Jupiter-mass objects that outnumber main-sequence stars nearly twofold; however the microlensing data alone cannot distinguish between events due to wide-separation (a ≳ 10 au) and free-floating planets. Assuming these STEs are indeed due to planetary-mass objects, we aim to constrain the fraction of these events that can be explained by bound but wide-separation planets. We fit the observed timescale distribution with a lens mass function comprised of brown dwarfs, main-sequence stars, and stellar remnants, finding and thus corroborating the initial identification of an excess of STEs. We then include a population of bound planets that are expected not to show signatures of the primary lens (host) in their microlensing light curves and that are also consistent with results from representative microlensing, radial velocity, and direct imaging surveys. We find that bound planets alone cannot explain the entire STE excess without violating the constraints from the surveys we consider and thus some fraction of these events must be due to free-floating planets, if our model for bound planets holds. We estimate a median fraction of STEs due to free-floating planets to be f = 0.67 (0.23 ≤ f ≤ 0.85 at 95% confidence) when assuming “hot-start” planet evolutionary models and f = 0.58 (0.14 ≤ f ≤ 0.83 at 95% confidence) for “cold-start” models. Assuming a delta-function distribution of free-floating planets of mass

yields a number of free-floating planets per main-sequence star of N = 1.4 (0.48 ≤ N ≤ 1.8 at 95% confidence) in the “hot-start” case and N = 1.2 (0.29 ≤ N ≤ 1.8 at 95% confidence) in the “cold-start” case.
L’appropriation d’une innovation thérapeutique dans le cadre d’une maladie chronique : enjeux individuels et organisationnels
Authors: Coutelle-Brillet Patricia , des Garets Véronique , Maubisson Laurent , Rivière Arnaud
Published: December 2016

Face à l’importance de l’innovation médicale dans la prise en charge des patients et compte tenu des difficultés potentielles d’acceptation des traitements par ces derniers, cet article a pour objectif de mieux comprendre les mécanismes d’adoption d’une innovation thérapeutique par les individus soignés pour une maladie chronique. Dans cette perspective, le cadre théorique de cette recherche est articulé autour des concepts de la Service-Dominant Logic et de l’appropriation développés en marketing. Une étude qualitative, menée auprès de 13 patients d’un service de dialyse, montre que les interviewés ne s’approprient pas un médicament mais plus globalement un service de soins dont ils sont co-créateurs. Par ailleurs, l’étude du processus d’appropriation révèle le rôle de certains « facilitateurs » (tels les guides, les rituels), l’enjeu de la confiance (qui altère les phases d’exploration et de marquage) et l’importance de la phase de nidification. Cette appropriation du service de soins a des implications sur l’autonomie et l’observance des patients, ainsi que sur l’organisation des soins au niveau territorial.
L’auto-évaluation des réseaux de santé territoriaux : la quête de légitimité auprès de multiples parties prenantes
Authors: Vincent Béatrice , Montalan Marie-Annick
Published: December 2016

L’évolution des politiques publiques de santé, depuis l’apparition des premiers réseaux dans les années 80/90, en lien avec les mutations de l’environnement démographique et économique, ont entraîné de profondes modifications dans la définition des réseaux de santé et de leurs missions, dans leur périmètre d’action et dans leurs financements. Pour assurer leur existence, ils doivent gérer leur légitimité en conciliant les attentes de multiples parties prenantes. En mobilisant la théorie néo-institutionnelle, cet article étudie l’organisation et les activités d’un Réseau de Santé Territorial (RST) testant un modèle d’auto-évaluation proposé par la HAS. La comparaison entre la structure et les activités de référence prévues par le modèle HAS et celles mises en œuvre par le réseau sur son territoire d’action met en évidence l’existence d’activités qualifiées d’invisibles par les acteurs dont on ne peut démontrer la légitimité au regard du modèle de la tutelle. Le problème est que la quête de légitimité auprès de multiples parties prenantes les écarte du modèle de fonctionnement préconisé par la tutelle et ne leur permet pas l’isomorphisme qui assure et pérennise leur financement. La légitimation des RST suppose que la mise en place de l’auto-évaluation passe par un travail de réflexion entre les différentes parties prenantes (PP), notamment avec les ARS, pour parvenir à hiérarchiser ces besoins et parvenir à un modèle d’auto-évaluation capable d’intégrer plusieurs sources de légitimité.
El problema de lo mano de obra en las fábricas de cemento
Authors: Palomar Llovet Patricio
Published: December 2016

Not available
Eliminación del polvo en las fábricas de cemento
Authors: Ihlefeldt Hans
Published: December 2016

Not available
Expansión en autoclave de los cementos españoles
Authors: Guinea Guerrero D. , Giménez Montoya P.
Published: December 2016

Not available
Les saints ermites et moines dans la peinture murale byzantine
Authors: Tomekovic Svetlana
Published: December 2016

Cet ouvrage posthume - unique en son genre - est le fruit d’une vaste enquête menée sur les représentations des moines et ermites, principalement dans la peinture monumentale, dans les régions de l’Empire byzantin et de sa périphérie, de l’époque paléochrétienne à celle des Paléologues. Svetlana Tomeković a non seulement visité la plupart des monuments, afin d’analyser les images in situ et de réunir la documentation photographique, mais elle a aussi exploité systematiquement les sources hagiographiques.
L’iconographie des saints ermites et moines (portrait, vêtements, attitudes, textes peints sur leur phylactère, etc.) est étudiée de façon diachronique ; leurs groupements, leurs emplacements dans les églises et, le cas échéant, la représentation des épisodes de leur vie sont attentivement examinés. Ces approches croisées dessinent les temps forts de l’iconographie monastique, notamment aux xie et xiie siècles, et éclairent de façon originale un aspect essentiel de la piété et de la spiritualité byzantines.
Des fiches hagiographiques et topographiques complètent le texte, outils de repérage qui seront précieux pour les recherches à venir. De nombreuses photographies en couleurs de belle qualité, la plupart inédites et réalisées par l’auteur, et des dessins étayent et enrichissent le texte.
An Experiment on Anonymity and Multi-User Virtual Environments
Authors: Landers Richard N. , Callan Rachel C.
Published: December 2016

Little prior research has empirically examined anonymity in learning. In this study, we manipulated learner identity by experimentally assigning learners to participate in online discussion either anonymously or using their actual name, crossed with learning medium (OpenSim/Second Life vs. real-time chat), with the goal of determining if anonymous discussion in multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) provides unique value to learning (a 2x2 between-subjects design). Results from a quantitative hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed both main effects: participants who were anonymous scored lower (d = -0.46) and participants discussing in a MUVE scored lower (d = -0.47) on the learning measure without interactive effect, suggesting that anonymizing participants during content-related discussion may reduce learning under certain circumstances. We suggest instructors encourage learners to represent themselves authentically in any VEs to maximize learning and also discourage instructors from adopting MUVEs if their only reason to do so is to host synchronous discussion.
Differing Requirements for MALT1 Function in Peripheral B Cell Survival and Differentiation
Authors: Lee Peishan , Zhu Zilu , Hachmann Janna , Nojima Takuya , Kitamura Daisuke , Salvesen Guy , Rickert Robert C.
Published: December 2016

During a T cell-dependent immune response, formation of the germinal center (GC) is essential for the generation of high-affinity plasma cells and memory B cells. The canonical NF-κB pathway has been implicated in the initiation of GC reaction, and defects in this pathway have been linked to immune deficiencies. The paracaspase MALT1 plays an important role in regulating NF-κB activation upon triggering of Ag receptors. Although previous studies have reported that MALT1 deficiency abrogates the GC response, the relative contribution of B cells and T cells to the defective phenotype remains unclear. We used chimeric mouse models to demonstrate that MALT1 function is required in B cells for GC formation. This role is restricted to BCR signaling where MALT1 is critical for B cell proliferation and survival. Moreover, the proapoptotic signal transmitted in the absence of MALT1 is dominant to the prosurvival effects of T cell-derived stimuli. In addition to GC B cell differentiation, MALT1 is required for plasma cell differentiation, but not mitogenic responses. Lastly, we show that ectopic expression of Bcl-2 can partially rescue the GC phenotype in MALT1-deficient animals by prolonging the lifespan of BCR-activated B cells, but plasma cell differentiation and Ab production remain defective. Thus, our data uncover previously unappreciated aspects of MALT1 function in B cells and highlight its importance in humoral immunity.
Transcriptional Classification and Functional Characterization of Human Airway Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Subsets
Authors: Patel Vineet I. , Booth J. Leland , Duggan Elizabeth S. , Cate Steven , White Vicky L. , Hutchings David , Kovats Susan , Burian Dennis M. , Dozmorov Mikhail , Metcalf Jordan P.
Published: December 2016

The respiratory system is a complex network of many cell types, including subsets of macrophages and dendritic cells that work together to maintain steady-state respiration. Owing to limitations in acquiring cells from healthy human lung, these subsets remain poorly characterized transcriptionally and phenotypically. We set out to systematically identify these subsets in human airways by developing a schema of isolating large numbers of cells by whole-lung bronchoalveolar lavage. Six subsets of phagocytic APC (HLA-DR+) were consistently observed. Aside from alveolar macrophages, subsets of Langerin+, BDCA1−CD14+, BDCA1+CD14+, BDCA1+CD14−, and BDCA1−CD14− cells were identified. These subsets varied in their ability to internalize Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus anthracis particles. All subsets were more efficient at internalizing S. aureus and B. anthracis compared with E. coli. Alveolar macrophages and CD14+ cells were overall more efficient at particle internalization compared with the four other populations. Subsets were further separated into two groups based on their inherent capacities to upregulate surface CD83, CD86, and CCR7 expression levels. Whole-genome transcriptional profiling revealed a clade of “true dendritic cells” consisting of Langerin+, BDCA1+CD14+, and BDCA1+CD14− cells. The dendritic cell clade was distinct from a macrophage/monocyte clade, as supported by higher mRNA expression levels of several dendritic cell–associated genes, including CD1, FLT3, CX3CR1, and CCR6. Each clade, and each member of both clades, was discerned by specific upregulated genes, which can serve as markers for future studies in healthy and diseased states.
NKG2C/E Marks the Unique Cytotoxic CD4 T Cell Subset, ThCTL, Generated by Influenza Infection
Authors: Marshall Nikki B. , Vong Allen M. , Devarajan Priyadharshini , Brauner Matthew D. , Kuang Yi , Nayar Ribhu , Schutten Elizabeth A. , Castonguay Catherine H. , Berg Leslie J. , Nutt Stephen L. , Swain Susan L.
Published: December 2016

CD4 T cells can differentiate into multiple effector subsets, including ThCTL that mediate MHC class II–restricted cytotoxicity. Although CD4 T cell–mediated cytotoxicity has been reported in multiple viral infections, their characteristics and the factors regulating their generation are unclear, in part due to a lack of a signature marker. We show in this article that, in mice, NKG2C/E identifies the ThCTL that develop in the lung during influenza A virus infection. ThCTL express the NKG2X/CD94 complex, in particular the NKG2C/E isoforms. NKG2C/E+ ThCTL are part of the lung CD4 effector population, and they mediate influenza A virus–specific cytotoxic activity. The phenotype of NKG2C/E+ ThCTL indicates they are highly activated effectors expressing high levels of binding to P-selectin, T-bet, and Blimp-1, and that more of them secrete IFN-γ and readily degranulate than non-ThCTL. ThCTL also express more cytotoxicity-associated genes including perforin and granzymes, and fewer genes associated with recirculation and memory. They are found only at the site of infection and not in other peripheral sites. These data suggest ThCTL are marked by the expression of NKG2C/E and represent a unique CD4 effector population specialized for cytotoxicity.
Autophagy in Dendritic Cells and B Cells Is Critical for the Inflammatory State of TLR7-Mediated Autoimmunity
Authors: Weindel Chi G. , Richey Lauren J. , Mehta Abhiruchi J. , Shah Mansi , Huber Brigitte T.
Published: December 2016

Individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders possess a hyperactive cellular phenotype where tolerance to self-antigens is lost. Autophagy has been implicated in both the induction and prevention of autoimmunity, and modulators of this cellular recycling process hold high potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we determine the effects of a loss of autophagy in dendritic cells (DCs), as well as both B cells and DCs, in a TLR7-mediated model of autoimmunity, similar to systemic lupus erythematosus, where both cell types are critical for disease. Although a loss of DC autophagy slowed disease, the combined loss of autophagy in both cell types resulted in a lethal sepsis-like environment, which included tissue inflammation and hyperproduction of inflammasome-associated cytokines. Ablation of B cell signaling reversed this phenotype, indicating that activation of these cells is an essential step in disease induction. Thus, autophagy plays a dichotomous role in this model of disease.
T Cells Infiltrating Diseased Liver Express Ligands for the NKG2D Stress Surveillance System
Authors: Huang Wei-Chen , Easom Nicholas J. , Tang Xin-Zi , Gill Upkar S. , Singh Harsimran , Robertson Francis , Chang Chiwen , Trowsdale John , Davidson Brian R. , Rosenberg William M. , Fusai Giuseppe , Toubert Antoine , Kennedy Patrick T. , Peppa Dimitra , Maini Mala K.
Published: December 2016

NK cells, which are highly enriched in the liver, are potent regulators of antiviral T cells and immunopathology in persistent viral infection. We investigated the role of the NKG2D axis in T cell/NK cell interactions in hepatitis B. Activated and hepatitis B virus (HBV)–specific T cells, particularly the CD4 fraction, expressed NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), which were not found on T cells from healthy controls (p < 0.001). NKG2DL-expressing T cells were strikingly enriched within HBV-infected livers compared with the periphery or to healthy livers (p < 0.001). NKG2D+NK cells were also increased and preferentially activated in the HBV-infected liver (p < 0.001), in direct proportion to the percentage of MICA/B-expressing CD4 T cells colocated within freshly isolated liver tissue (p < 0.001). This suggests that NKG2DL induced on T cells within a diseased organ can calibrate NKG2D-dependent activation of local NK cells; furthermore, NKG2D blockade could rescue HBV-specific and MICA/B-expressing T cells from HBV-infected livers. To our knowledge, this is the first ex vivo demonstration that non-virally infected human T cells can express NKG2DL, with implications for stress surveillance by the large number of NKG2D-expressing NK cells sequestered in the liver.
Immune Modifications in Fetal Membranes Overlying the Cervix Precede Parturition in Humans
Authors: Marcellin Louis , Schmitz Thomas , Messaoudene Meriem , Chader Driss , Parizot Christophe , Jacques Sébastien , Delaire Jérémy , Gogusev Jean , Schmitt Alain , Lesaffre Corinne , Breuiller-Fouché Michelle , Caignard Anne , Vaiman Daniel , Goffinet François , Cabrol Dominique , Gorochov Guy , Méhats Céline
Published: December 2016

In humans, parturition is currently viewed as an intrauterine outbreak of inflammation, accompanied by a massive release of proinflammatory cytokines at the maternal–fetal interface that comprises the maternal decidua, placenta, and fetal membranes. At term, fetal membranes overlying the cervix, the future site of rupture, show altered morphology and are termed the zone of altered morphology (ZAM). These alterations occur in normal fetal membranes during late pregnancy, in preparation for labor. In this study, transcriptome, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry analyses collectively highlight a local shift in gene expression and lymphocyte activation in the ZAM. Just before labor, we show that highly polymorphic HLA-A, -B, and -C determinants of fetal origin are selectively exposed in the ZAM to the maternal immune system. A graft rejection-like program occurs in the ZAM, which involves 1) the activation of cytotoxic decidual NK cells, and 2) the decline of decidual immunotolerant M2-like macrophages. Comparison with a prior cohort of fetal membranes shows that acute inflammation only takes place after these first steps of immune modifications. Our results therefore strongly argue in favor of local immune remodeling at the onset of parturition.
IL-15 Enables Septic Shock by Maintaining NK Cell Integrity and Function
Authors: Guo Yin , Luan Liming , Patil Naeem K. , Wang Jingbin , Bohannon Julia K. , Rabacal Whitney , Fensterheim Benjamin A. , Hernandez Antonio , Sherwood Edward R.
Published: December 2016

Interleukin 15 is essential for the development and differentiation of NK and memory CD8+ (mCD8+) T cells. Our laboratory previously showed that NK and CD8+ T lymphocytes facilitate the pathobiology of septic shock. However, factors that regulate NK and CD8+ T lymphocyte functions during sepsis are not well characterized. We hypothesized that IL-15 promotes the pathogenesis of sepsis by maintaining NK and mCD8+ T cell integrity. To test our hypothesis, the pathogenesis of sepsis was assessed in IL-15–deficient (IL-15 knockout, KO) mice. IL-15 KO mice showed improved survival, attenuated hypothermia, and less proinflammatory cytokine production during septic shock caused by cecal ligation and puncture or endotoxin-induced shock. Treatment with IL-15 superagonist (IL-15 SA, IL-15/IL-15Rα complex) regenerated NK and mCD8+ T cells and re-established mortality of IL-15 KO mice during septic shock. Preventing NK cell regeneration attenuated the restoration of mortality caused by IL-15 SA. If given immediately prior to septic challenge, IL-15–neutralizing IgG M96 failed to protect against septic shock. However, M96 caused NK cell depletion if given 4 d prior to septic challenge and conferred protection. IL-15 SA treatment amplified endotoxin shock, which was prevented by NK cell or IFN-γ depletion. IL-15 SA treatment also exacerbated septic shock caused by cecal ligation and puncture when given after the onset of sepsis. In conclusion, endogenous IL-15 does not directly augment the pathogenesis of sepsis but enables the development of septic shock by maintaining NK cell numbers and integrity. Exogenous IL-15 exacerbates the severity of sepsis by activating NK cells and facilitating IFN-γ production.
Pseudoaneurysm of the left atrium following infective endocarditis
Authors: Manuel Devi A , Sahayo Bino John , Thomson Viji Samuel , Jose Jacob
Published: December 2016

Transthoracic echocardiogram of a 3-year-old child showed a hypoechoic cavity in the posterior wall of the left atrium communicating with the left ventricle through an orifice in the mitral annulus, suggestive of pseudoaneurysm (Ps), probably the result of infective endocarditis. Three-dimensional echocardiography was helpful to confirm the diagnosis and assess the anatomical relationship of the Ps.
Surgical repair of tricuspid valve leaflet tear following percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using Amplatzer duct occluder I
Authors: Kuwelker Saatchi Mahesh , Shetty Devi Prasad , Dalvi Bharat
Published: December 2016

Tricuspid valve (TV) injury following transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PMVSD) with Amplatzer ductal occluder I (ADO I), requiring surgical repair, is rare. We report two cases of TV tear involving the anterior and septal leaflets following PMVSD closure using ADO I. In both the patients, the subvalvular apparatus remained unaffected. The patients presented with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) 6 weeks and 3 months following the device closure. They underwent surgical repair with patch augmentation of the TV leaflets. Postoperatively, both are asymptomatic with a mild residual TR.
A pediatric echocardiographic Z-score nomogram for a developing country
Authors: Gokhroo Rajendra Kumar , Anantharaj Avinash , Bisht Devendra , Kishor Kamal , Plakkal Nishad , Aghoram Rajeswari , Mondal Nivedita , Pandey Shashi K , Roy Ramsagar
Published: December 2016

Background:

Almost all presently available pediatric echocardiography Z-score nomograms are based on Western data. They may not be a suitable reference standard for assessing the sizes of cardiac structures of children from developing countries.

Objective:

This study's objective was to collect normative data of 21 commonly measured cardiovascular structures using M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography in Indian children aged between 4 and 15 years and to derive Z-score nomograms for each.

Subjects and Methods:

The study was conducted at two centers in India - Ajmer, Rajasthan, and Mohali, Punjab. We studied a community-based sample involving healthy school going children. After excluding children with cardiovascular abnormalities on the screening echocardiogram, 746 children were included in the final analysis. Echocardiographic assessment was performed using a Philips iE33 system.

Results and Analysis:

For each parameter measured, seven models were evaluated to assess the relationship of that parameter with the body surface area and the one with the best fit was used to plot the Z-score chart for that parameter. Z score charts were thus derived.

Conclusions:

The Z-score nomograms derived by this study may be better alternatives to the Western nomograms for use in India and other developing countries for preprocedural decision making in the pediatric population. However, they will require validation in large-scale studies before they can become clinically applicable.
Elective nasal continuous positive airway pressure to support respiration after prolonged ventilation in infants after congenital cardiac surgery
Authors: Gandhi Hemang , Mishra Amit , Thosani Rajesh , Acharya Himanshu , Shah Ritesh , Surti Jigar , Sarvaia Alpesh
Published: December 2016

Background:

We sought to compare the effectiveness of oxygen (O2) treatment administered by an O2 mask and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in infants after congenital cardiac surgery.

Methods:

In this retrospective observational study, 54 infants undergoing corrective cardiac surgery were enrolled. According to the anesthesiologist's preference, the patients ventilated for more than 48 h were either put on NCPAP or O2 mask immediately after extubation. From pre-extubation to 24 h after treatment, arterial blood gas and hemodynamic data were measured.

Results:

After 24 h of NCPAP institution, the patients showed a significant improvement in oxygenation compared to O2 mask group. Respiratory rate (per minute) decreased from 31.67 ± 4.55 to 24.31 ± 3.69 (P < 0.0001), PO2 (mmHg) increased from 112.12 ± 22.83 to 185.74 ± 14.81 (P < 0.0001), and PCO2 (mmHg) decreased from 42.88 ± 5.01 to 37.00 ± 7.22 (P < 0.0076) in patients on NCPAP. In this group, mean pediatric cardiac surgical Intensive Care Unit (PCSICU) stay was 4.72 ± 1.60 days, with only 2 (11.11%) patients requiring re-intubation.

Conclusion:

NCPAP can be used safely and effectively in infants undergoing congenital cardiac surgery to improve oxygenation/ventilation. It also reduces the work of breathing, PCSICU stay, and may reduce the likelihood of re-intubation.
Aortic and pulmonary artery calcification
Authors: Venkatesh Sumitra , Sanyukta J , Jain S , Prabhu SS , Kulkarni S
Published: December 2016

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) at times complicates monochorionic twin gestations, resulting in conditions ranging from discordant sizes to fetal demise of one baby. Various types of cardiac defects have been described in the recipient twin of this syndrome. Isolated great artery calcification, i.e. aortic and pulmonary artery calcification is one such uncommon condition associated with TTTS. Calcification of the walls of great vessels may be due to chronic vascular injury sustained as a result of circulatory volume overload in the recipient twin. It may also cause severe systemic hypertension and cardiomyopathy. An accurate diagnosis is important for an optimal follow-up and appropriate genetic counseling. We report a case of aortic and pulmonary artery calcification in association with TTTS.
Early primary graft failure after a pediatric heart transplant and successful rescue with plasmapheresis, immunoglobulins, and alemtuzumab
Authors: Raj Shashi , Ruiz Phillip , Rusconi Paolo
Published: December 2016

Early primary graft failure after pediatric orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) has a high mortality rate and can occur due to several causes including but not limited to prolonged graft ischemia time, suboptimal preimplant myocardial preservation, hyperacute rejection, and maladaptation of the graft to the host's hemodynamic status. Mechanical circulatory support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricular assist device has been used for the rescue of primary graft failure in pediatric patients after heart transplant. Cardiac arrest before ECMO initiation in these patients is associated with adverse neurologic outcome although those surviving to hospital discharge generally have excellent long-term outcome. We report a case of early primary graft failure after OHT who required ECMO support and successful rescue with plasmapheresis, immunoglobulins, and alemtuzumab.
Isolated left brachiocephalic artery with the right aortic arch
Authors: Dubey Gajendra , Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Kothari Shyam Sundar
Published: December 2016

We report a case of isolation of the left brachiocephalic artery with the right aortic arch in a 9-year-old male child masquerading as large patent ductus arteriosus with left-to-right shunt. We have emphasized the subtle clinical findings which served as clues to the diagnosis.
Removal of a retained intracardiac radiolucent guidewire fragment using an Atrieve™ vascular snare using combined fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography guidance in an infant
Authors: Padiyath Asif , Fontenot Eudice E , Abraham Boban P
Published: December 2016

Retained intravascular foreign body is a well-known complication of central venous access placement in children as well as adults. Most of these foreign bodies are radio-opaque and hence are removed under fluoroscopy guidance. In our case, we describe the removal of an intracardiac radiolucent foreign body in an infant utilizing a combination technique - transesophageal echocardiogram and fluoroscopy.
Pediatric cardiovascular care in Uganda
Authors: Aliku Twalib Olega , Lubega Sulaiman , Namuyonga Judith , Mwambu Tom , Oketcho Michael , Omagino John O , Sable Craig , Lwabi Peter
Published: December 2016

In many developing countries, concerted action against common childhood infectious diseases has resulted in remarkable reduction in infant and under-five mortality. As a result, pediatric cardiovascular diseases are emerging as a major contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality. Pediatric cardiac surgery and cardiac catheterization interventions are available in only a few of Sub-Saharan African countries. In Uganda, open heart surgeries (OHSs) and interventional procedures for pediatric cardiovascular disease are only possible at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI), having been started with the help of expatriate teams from the years 2007 and 2012, respectively. Thereafter, independent OHS and cardiac catheterization have been possible by the local team at the UHI since the year 2009 and 2013, respectively. The number of OHSs independently performed by the UHI team has progressively increased from 10 in 2010 to 35 in 2015, with mortality rates ranging from 0% to 4.1% over the years. The UHI pediatric catheterization team has independently performed an increasing number of procedures each year from 3 in 2013 to 55 in 2015. We herein describe the evolution and current status of pediatric cardiovascular care in Uganda, highlighting the unique aspects of its establishment, existing constraints, and future plans.
A rare case of cardiac tumor in a child
Authors: Mukharjee Mallar , Bathia Jigna N , Ghosh Apurba , Singhi Anil Kumar
Published: December 2016

Pediatric cardiac tumors are rare and usually benign. An infectious etiology like tuberculosis invading myocardium and presenting as infiltrative mass is extremely rare. We present a case of a 15 month old girl with clinical feature of cardiac failure who had infiltrative multiple myocardial masses in echocardiogram. Advanced cardiac imaging by Cardiac Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helped in tissue delineation. Therapeutic trial of anti-tubercular drugs in view clinical suspicion of Tuberculosis resulted in complete remission of symptom and disappearance of the cardiac mass.
Elastography in Distinguishing Benign from Malignant Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Colakoglu Bulent , Yildirim Duzgun , Alis Deniz , Ucar Gokhan , Samanci Cesur , Ustabasioglu Fethi Emre , Bakir Alev , Ulusoy Onur Levent
Published: December 2016

Aim:

The aim of this study is to test the diagnostic success of strain elastography in distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules.

Materials and Methods:

The size, echogenicity, and halo integrity of 293 thyroid nodules and the presence of microcalcification in these nodules were evaluated on gray-scale examination. Doppler characteristics and elastography patterns were also evaluated and recorded. Nodules were classified in four categories (patterns 1–4) based on elastographic examination.

Results:

According to the cytopathological findings, 222 nodules were benign, and 71 nodules were malignant. The risk of a nodule to be malignant was 3.8 times increased by hypoechogenicity, 7.7 times increased by the presence of microcalcification, and 11.5 times increased by the absence of halo. On Doppler patterns, the presence of central vascularity increased the malignancy risk of a nodule by 5.8 times. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, patterns 3 and 4 were malignant, and patterns 1 and 2 were benign. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of elastography were 100%, 80.2%, 61.7%, 100%, and 85%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Strain elastography can be used as a noninvasive method in distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules and in identifying the patients who would undergo surgery.
Spremenjene pedagoške prakse z uporabo IKT
Authors: Brečko Barbara Neža
Published: December 2016

V prispevku predstavljamo teorije poučevanja in pedagoške prakse z vključevanjem IKT. Digitalna kompetenca je eden ključnih dejavnikov, ki vpliva na to, ali bodo učitelji pri svojem poučevanju uporabljali IKT ali ne. Da bi odgovorili na raziskovalno vprašanje, kako različni dejavniki vplivajo na integracijo IKT pri poučevanju, smo uporabili podatke študije ICILS 2013.
Types and degrees of vowel neutrality
Authors: Rebrus Péter , Törkenczy Miklós
Published: December 2016

This paper argues that neutrality in a harmony system is a gradient property since it is due to a vowel’s participation in different patterns that are considered to be indicators of neutral behaviour in harmony. We examine three of these patterns of neutrality (transparency, affixal invariance and antiharmony) and show that a scale of neutrality can be defined on the basis of these patterns (their occurrence and variability) and the neutrality of harmony systems can be characterized with reference to this scale. We describe a tentative quantification of neutrality and then develop an explicit measure of neutrality based on relative word type frequency. This explicit measure is applied to the behaviour of neutral vowels in Hungarian front/back harmony where the different neutral vowels represent different degrees of neutrality in all three neutrality patterns.
Discontinuous foci and unalternative semantics
Authors: Büring Daniel
Published: December 2016

Discontinuous foci – cases in which the focus as expected by semantic or pragmatic considerations is not a single constituent within the phrase marker – are not commonly discussed in the formal literature on focussing. This paper proposes to use Unalternative Semantics to analyze such foci. Unalternative Semantics is a novel framework for calculating focus alternatives from metrically annotated trees (instead of trees with Fmakers); this format naturally lends itself to the modelling of discontinuous foci. The paper compares this approach to other, alternative options involving F-markers and argues in favor of the F-less treatment.
Literatura 2.0 en el aula
Authors: Berríos Barra Lorena
Published: December 2016

C. Arbonés, M.Prats, E. Sanahuja (eds.)

Barcelona: Octaedro, 2015
Interacción oral con alumnado de dos años en un contexto pedagógico-teatral
Authors: Zelaieta Anta Edu , Alvarez Uria Amaia , Vizcarra Morales Mariate
Published: December 2016

Todavía, son escasos los estudios con alumnado menor de tres años, aun cuando está ampliamente aceptado que la evolución de los primeros años de vida, dentro y fuera del ámbito escolar, posee una enorme relevancia para un adecuado desarrollo posterior de la persona. Con el fin de arrojar cierta luz sobre los procesos interactivos en el desarrollo inicial del lenguaje, se ha analizado la producción verbal de niñas y niños de un aula de dos años de Vitoria-Gasteiz en un contexto pedagógico-teatral: las representaciones de la obra Lorategian (En el jardín) de la reconocida compañía Teatro Paraíso. El foco de la investigación se centra en las claves de la interacción que surge entre la obra de teatro y el alumnado infantil asistente. Para tal fin, se han tomado notas de campo y se han realizado grabaciones audiovisuales de las representaciones teatrales. En el apartado de resultados, queda de manifiesto que la propuesta artística, además de tener un marcado carácter pedagógico junto con el teatral, también posee un valor lingüístico-comunicativo, en tanto que ofrece a la pequeña infancia un estímulo para poner en práctica el lenguaje mediante el juego, la conversación y la comunicación interactiva.