bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial DNA m.13514G>A heteroplasmy is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly
Authors: Tranah Gregory J. , Maglione Jeanne E. , Yaffe Kristine , Katzman Shana M. , Manini Todd M. , Kritchevsky Stephen , Newman Anne B. , Harris Tamara B. , Cummings Steven R. ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy is a mixture of normal and mutated mtDNA molecules in a cell. High levels of heteroplasmy at several mtDNA sites in complex I lead to inherited neurological neurologic diseases and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. Here, we test the hypothesis that mtDNA heteroplasmy at these complex I sites is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly.MethodsWe examined platelet mtDNA heteroplasmy for associations with depressive symptoms among 137 participants over age 70 from the community‐based Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10‐point version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D 10). Complete mtDNA sequencing was performed and heteroplasmy derived for 5 mtDNA sites associated with neurologic mitochondrial diseases and tested for associations with depressive symptoms.ResultsOf 5 candidate complex I mtDNA mutations examined for effects on depressive symptoms, increased heteroplasmy at m.13514A>G, ND5, was significantly associated with higher CES‐D score (P = .01). A statistically significant interaction between m.13514A > G heteroplasmy and sex was detected (P = .04); in sex‐stratified analyses, the impact of m.13514A>G heteroplasmy was stronger in male (P = .003) than in female (P = .98) participants. Men in highest tertile of mtDNA heteroplasmy exhibited significantly higher (P = .0001) mean ± SE CES‐D 10 scores, 5.37 ± 0.58, when compared with those in the middle, 2.13 ± 0.52, and lowest tertiles, 2.47 ± 0.58. No associations between the 4 other candidate sites and depressive symptoms were observed.ConclusionsIncreased mtDNA heteroplasmy at m.13514A>G is associated with depressive symptoms in older men. Heteroplasmy may represent a novel biological risk factor for depression.
Effect of sociodemographic and physical activity on cognitive function in older adults: A nationwide cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Gu Yaohua , Zhang Yupeng , Liu Xiangxiang , Zhang Yanan , Wu Wenwen , Chen Xuyu , Wang Qiru , Tan Xiaodong 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the effect of socioeconomic status and physical activity on cognitive function using a large population‐based survey data in China.MethodsWe took advantage of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey conducted in 2014 to examine the relationship between sociodemographic, physical activity, and cognitive function in older adults (OAs) for persons aged above 65 (N = 2848). Socioeconomic status was assessed by sex, age, co‐residence situation, category of residence, years of schooling, and marital status. Multiple linear regression for predictors was utilized. Physical activity was assessed using activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) measures. Cognitive function was assessed by the Modified Mini‐Mental State Examination.ResultsThe mean age of the OAs was 80.65 years (SD = 8.55). Their mean Mini‐Mental State Examination score was 21.55 (SD = 2.38), mean ADL Total score was 6.24 (SD = 0.95), and mean IADL Total score was 10.21 (SD = 3.84). OAs' age at testing, co‐residence and category of residence significantly predicted both ADL Total score and IADL Total score (P < 0.05), sex significantly predicted IADL Total score (R2 = 0.02, β = 0.13, P = 0.000) but not ADL Total score (R2 = 0.00, β = 0.02, P = 0.211). OAs' sex, age, co‐residence, and years of schooling significantly predicted cognitive function (P < 0.05), IADL total score significantly predicted cognitive function (P < 0.01), while the relationship between ADL total score and cognitive function was not significant (P = 0.94).ConclusionOAs' sex, age, co‐residence, years of schooling, and IADL were significantly associated with cognitive function. Improving OAs' IADL, especially in lower social classes, may help to improve the overall cognitive function of the OAs.
What characteristics of provider payment mechanisms influence health care providers' behaviour? A literature review
Authors: Kazungu Jacob S. , Barasa Edwine W. , Obadha Melvin , Chuma Jane 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBackgroundProvider payment mechanisms (PPMs) create incentives or signals that influence the behaviour of health care providers. Understanding the characteristics of PPMs that influence health care providers' behaviour is essential for aligning PPM reforms for improving access, quality, and efficiency of health care services. We reviewed empirical literature that examined the characteristics of PPMs that influence the behaviour of health care providers.MethodsWe systematically searched for empirical literature in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases and complemented these with physical searching of the references of selected papers for further relevant studies. A total of 16 studies that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. We analysed data using thematic review.ResultsWe identified seven major characteristics of PPMs that influence health care providers' behaviour. Of these characteristics, payment rate, the sufficiency of payment rate to cover the cost of services, timeliness of payment, payment schedule, performance requirements, and accountability mechanisms were the most important.ConclusionsOur review found that health care providers' behaviour is influenced by the characteristics of PPMs. Provider payment mechanism reforms that optimally structure these characteristics can elicit required incentives for access, equity, quality, and efficiency in service delivery among health care providers towards achieving universal health coverage.
Irrigation Management Evaluation And Hydrosalinity Balance Within Kalaat El Andalous Irrigation District, North‐East Tunisia
Authors: Saidi Ahmed , Hammami Moncef , Daghari Hedi , Ben Ali Hedi , Boughdiri Amor 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDuring 2005–2010 the annual water balance was calculated within Kalaat El Andalous irrigation district and recorded values ranged from −0.77 million m3 (−257 m3 ha−1) to +3.64 million m3 (+1210 m3 ha−1). Monthly analysis of the water balance revealed two distinct phases. Through the first phase (September–May), the water balance showed a highly variable tendency due to erratic rainfall and irrigation water inflows. However, during the second phase (June–August) the water balance remained positive, reflecting farmers’ tendency to over‐irrigate. Analysis of water productivity confirmed this result mainly during the full irrigation period (June–August). Therefore, the average annual drainage fraction was 26%. The assessment of salt balances during 2005–2010 indicated a general tendency for soil desalination (average annual salt balance: −25 600 t (−8.5 t ha−1)). Monthly analysis revealed the succession of three distinct phases. The first phase occurring during September–November is characterized mainly by salts leaching and secondly by salts accumulating. The second phase spanning December–April is characterized by salts leaching, while the third phase spanning May–August is characterized by salts accumulating. Thus, 95% of accumulated salts were recorded during May–August and 5% during September–November, while 91% of leached salts were recorded through December–April and 9% during September–November. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sources of moral injury among war veterans: A qualitative evaluation
Authors: Schorr Yonit , Stein Nathan R. , Maguen Shira , Barnes J. Ben , Bosch Jeane , Litz Brett T. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveService members deployed to war are at risk for moral injury, but the potential sources of moral injury are poorly understood. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the types of events that veterans perceive as morally injurious and to use those events to develop a categorization scheme for combat‐related morally injurious events.MethodSix focus groups with US war veterans were conducted.ResultsAnalysis based on Grounded Theory yielded two categories (and eight subcategories) of events that putatively cause moral injury. The two categories were defined by the focal attribution of responsibility for the event: Personal Responsibility (veteran's reported distress is related to his own behavior) versus Responsibility of Others (veteran's distress is related to actions taken by others). Examples of each type of morally injurious event are provided.ConclusionsImplications for the further development of the moral injury construct and treatment are discussed.
Gr1−/lowCD11b−/lowMHCII+ myeloid cells boost T cell anti-tumor efficacy
Authors: Payne Kyle K , Aqbi Hussein F , Butler Savannah E , Graham Laura , Keim Rebecca C , Wan Wen , Idowu Michael O , Bear Harry D , Wang Xiang-Yang , Manjili Masoud H 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Conventional APCs that express MHC class II (MHCII) and co-stimulatory molecules include dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Beyond these conventional APCs, immune stimulatory cells have been more recently shown to extend to a class of atypical APCs, composed of mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils. Here, we describe a unique type of APC, Gr1−/lowCD11b−/low cells with a granularity and size characteristic of myeloid cells and with the ability to present Ag for crosspresentation. These cells constitutively express MHCII and the costimulatory molecules, CD80, CD86, and CD40. They do not express pan markers of myeloid DCs (CD11c), plasmacytoid DCs (Ly6C), or macrophages (F4/80), and their frequency is inversely correlated with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumor-bearing mice. Among splenocytes, they are more abundant than DCs and macrophages, and they exhibit antitumor immune stimulatory function at a steady state without further activation, ex vivo. They are also found within the tumor bed where they retain their immune stimulatory function. Our findings suggest the use of these novel APCs in additional preclinical studies to further investigate their utility in APC-based cancer immunotherapies.
A new class of antigen presenting cells that are able to boost anti-tumor immune responses is described.
Epidemiology of rubella infection and genotyping of rubella virus in Cote d’Ivoire, 2012‐2016
Authors: Kadjo Herve A. , Waku‐Kouomou Diane , Adagba Marius , Abernathy Emily S. , Abdoulaye Ouattara , Adjogoua Edgard , Coulibaly‐Traore Fanta , Aboubacar Sylla , Daniel Ekra , Icenogle Joseph , Dosso Mireille 
Published: July 2018

Rubella is a contagious disease caused by the rubella virus (RuV) that can lead to serious birth defects when women are infected in early pregnancy. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and genetic diversity of rubella viruses in Cote d’Ivoire (CIV). Blood or oral fluid samples collected from suspected measles cases were first tested for the presence of measles specific IgM antibodies by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All measles IgM negative or indeterminate samples were tested for rubella IgM antibody using ELISA. Rubella‐IgM–positive samples were tested by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for the presence of rubella virus RNA. Real‐time RT‐PCR–positive RNA samples were used as template to amplify the 739 nt region used for rubella genotyping. PCR‐positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis performed. Between 2012 and 2016, 4121 serums and 126 oral fluids were collected through the measles surveillance system. Of these, 3823 and 108 respectively were measles IgM negative or indeterminate. Subsequent testing for rubella found that 690 of 3823 (18%) serum samples and 25 of 108 (23%) oral fluid samples were rubella IgM‐positive. The 739 nt segment of the E1 glycoprotein gene was amplified and sequenced for two serums and seven oral fluids samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the rubella viruses from CIV belonged to genotypes 1G (eight samples) and 2B (one sample). Rubella virus genotype 2B was found in CIV for the first time. These data contribute to baseline information on rubella virus strains found in CIV before the introduction of rubella vaccine.
Intercostal Neurolysis for The Treatment of Postsurgical Thoracic Pain: a Case Series
Authors: Cappellari Alberto M. , Tiberio Francesca , Alicandro Gianfranco , Spagnoli Diego , Grimoldi Nadia 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: We investigated the possible role of intercostal surgical neurolysis in relieving chronic neuropathic pain refractory to other nonsurgical treatments in patients with postsurgical thoracic pain. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data on patients referred to the Neurosurgery Unit of Policlinic Hospital of Milan. Ten patients (age range, 20–68 years) suffering from neuropathic pain for at least 2 months after thoracic surgery underwent intercostal neurolysis. Results: Compared with preneurolysis, pain intensity decreased 1 month postneurolysis and remained stable 2 months postneurolysis (median score [interquartile range]: 8 [6–9] preneurolysis, 4 [3–5] 1 month after, and 3 [2–5] 2 months after, P < 0.001). Antiepileptic drugs for pain control decreased after neurolysis. Discussion: Surgical intercostal neurolysis may be a promising therapeutic option in patients with chronic neuropathic pain associated with neurological deficits. Muscle Nerve 58: 671–675, 2018
Development of an adaptive multi‐method algorithm for automatic picking of first arrival times: application to near surface seismic data
Authors: Khalaf Amin , Camerlynck Christian , Florsch Nicolas , Schneider Ana 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTAccurate picking of first‐arrival times is important in many seismic studies, particularly in seismic tomography and reservoirs or aquifers monitoring. Many techniques have been developed, mainly for seismological purposes, in order to pick first arrivals automatically or semi‐automatically. However, these techniques do not reach the accuracy required in shallow seismics due to the complexity of near‐surface structures and low signal‐to‐noise ratio. We propose here a new adaptive algorithm to automatically pick first arrival in near‐surface seismic data by combining three picking methods: multi‐nested windows, higher order statistics, and Akaike information criterion. They benefit from combining different properties of the signal in order to highlight first arrivals and finally to provide an efficient and robust automatic picking. This strategy mimics the human first‐break picking, where a global trend is first defined at the beginning of the picking procedure. The exact first breaks are then sought in the vicinity of each point suggested by this trend. Three successive phases are combined in a multistage algorithm, each of them characterizing a specific signal property. Within each phase, the potential picks and their error range are automatically assessed and sequentially used as prior constraints in the following phase picking. Since having realistic estimates of the error in picked traveltimes is crucial for seismic tomography, our adaptive algorithm automatically provides picked arrival times with their associated uncertainties. We demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the implemented algorithm using synthetic, pseudo‐synthetic and real datasets that pose challenges to classical automatic pickers. A comparison of both manual and adaptive picking procedures demonstrates that our new scheme provides more reliable results even under different noisy conditions. All parameters of our multi‐method algorithm are self‐adaptive, thanks to the sequential integration of each sub‐algorithm results in the workflow. Hence, it is nearly a parameter‐free algorithm, which is straightforward to implement and demands low computational resources.
CCL20 blockade increases the severity of nephrotoxic folic acid‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: González‐Guerrero Cristian , Morgado‐Pascual José Luis , Cannata‐Ortiz Pablo , Ramos‐Barron María Angeles , Gómez‐Alamillo Carlos , Arias Manuel , Mezzano Sergio , Egido Jesús , Ruiz‐Ortega Marta , Ortiz Alberto , Ramos Adrián M 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe chemokine CCL20 activates the CCR6 receptor and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glomerular injury. However, it is unknown whether it contributes to acute kidney injury (AKI). We identified CCL20 as upregulated in a systems biology strategy combining transcriptomics of kidney tissue from experimental toxic folic acid‐induced AKI and from stressed cultured tubular cells and have explored the expression and function of CCL20 in experimental and clinical AKI. CCL20 upregulation was confirmed in three models of kidney injury induced by a folic acid overdose, cisplatin or unilateral ureteral obstruction. In injured kidneys, CCL20 was expressed by tubular, endothelial, and interstitial cells, and was also upregulated in human kidneys with AKI. Urinary CCL20 was increased in human AKI and was associated with severity. The function of CCL20 in nephrotoxic folic acid‐induced AKI was assessed by using neutralising anti‐CCL20 antibodies or CCR6‐deficient mice. CCL20/CCR6 targeting increased the severity of kidney failure and mortality. This was associated with more severe histological injury, nephrocalcinosis, capillary rarefaction, and fibrosis, as well as higher expression of tubular injury‐associated genes. Surprisingly, mice with CCL20 blockade had a lower tubular proliferative response and a higher number of cells in the G2/M phase, suggesting impaired repair mechanisms. This may be related to a lower influx of Tregs, despite a milder inflammatory response in terms of chemokine expression and infiltration by IL‐17+ cells and neutrophils. In conclusion, CCL20 has a nephroprotective role during AKI, both by decreasing tissue injury and by facilitating repair. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerodigestive dysbiosis in children with chronic cough
Authors: Kazachkov Mikhail , Kapoor Bianca C. , Malecha Patrick W. , Wu Benjamin G. , Li Yonghua , Levine Jeremiah , Erkman Jessica , Fitzgerald Kathryn , Moy Libia , Segal Leopoldo N. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn pediatric patients with chronic cough, respiratory culture techniques commonly yield negative results. Studies using culture‐independent methods have found a high relative abundance of oral microbes in the lower airways, suggesting that the topographical continuity, and dynamics of the intraluminal contents of the aerodigestive system likely influence the lower airway microbiota. We hypothesize that in subjects with chronic cough, clinical diagnosis will correlate with distinct microbial signatures detected using culture‐independent methods.Study Design and MethodsWe enrolled 36 pediatric subjects with chronic cough in a cross‐sectional study. Subjects were categorized into four clinical groups: asthma, bacterial bronchitis, neurologically impaired‐orally fed, and neurologically impaired enterally fed. Samples from the aerodigestive tract were obtained through bronchoscopy and upper endoscopy. 16S rRNA gene sequencing compared the microbiota from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), tracheal, supraglottic, esophageal, gastric, and duodenal samples.ResultsWe observed that the lower airway microbiota of asthma subjects had higher α diversity as compared with the other groups. β diversity analysis of BAL samples revealed significant differences between the groups. Among the taxonomic differences found, most differentially enriched taxa were upper airway organisms such as Rothia, Gemellaceae (u.g. or uncharacterized genus), and Granulicatella in asthma, Prevotella in bacterial bronchitis, and Veillonella in neurologically impaired orally fed subjects. Greater dissimilarity between the upper airway and lower airway microbiota was associated with increased neutrophilic airway inflammation.ConclusionsDistinct dysbiotic signatures can be identified in the lower airway microbiota of pediatric subjects with chronic cough that relates to the degree and type of inflammation.
Nonlinear data assimilation for clouds and precipitation using a gamma inverse‐gamma ensemble filter
Authors: Posselt Derek J. , Bishop Craig H. 
Published: July 2018

Where clouds occur, their water content is always positive definite, and may be near zero. In addition, it is common for errors in remote‐sensing observations of clouds and rainfall to be represented as a fraction of the measurement. Furthermore, there is nonlinearity in the relationships among cloud environment, cloud microphysical processes, and the amount and distribution of cloud and precipitation. For these reasons, data assimilation algorithms that rely on linearity and assumptions of Gaussian probability distributions may have difficulty in assimilating observations in cloudy regions, as well as producing an analysis that realistically represents the actual distribution of clouds and precipitation. A recently developed ensemble filter algorithm, the Gamma, Inverse‐Gamma, and Gaussian Ensemble Kalman Filter (GIGG‐EnKF), allows for fractional observation errors and positive‐definite quantities. As such, it has promise for producing more effective and accurate data assimilation and retrievals of clouds and precipitation.This study evaluates the effectiveness of the GIGG‐EnKF by using it to estimate the values of warm rain cloud microphysical parameters in a cloud model using observations of precipitation. GIGG‐EnKF estimates of cloud parameters and rainfall are compared with a Bayesian reference solution returned by a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, and with a perturbed‐observations Ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF). The ETKF produces an ensemble with a substantial number of negative (non‐physical) precipitation rates and parameter values. In contrast, the GIGG‐EnKF precipitation analysis is positive definite, and is able to adapt to changes in the observation value (and observation uncertainty). Nonlinearity in the parameter–precipitation relationship is handled by implementing an iterative outer loop regression from the observation space to state space. The positive‐definite constraint and natural accommodation of fractional error, along with the iterative outer loop, produces an accurate reproduction of the Bayesian analysis of the precipitation rate and cloud microphysical parameter values.
A Multifunctional Biomimicking Oxidovanadium(V) Complex: Synthesis, DFT Calculations, Bromo‐peroxidation and DNA Nuclease Activities
Authors: Palmajumder Eshita , Dash Soumya Ranjan , Mitra Joyee , Mukherjea Kalyan K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAn oxidovanadium(V) complex [VO(SGly)(bpy)]ClO4 (H2SGly=N‐(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐L‐glycine; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic studies (IR, UV‐vis, ESI‐MS). The theoretical structure of the complex was optimized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The multifunctionality of this oxidovanadium complex was demonstrated by the application of it as a catalyst in peroxidative bromination of single‐pot conversion of phenol red to bromophenol blue, whereas its nuclease activity was established by DNA cleavage. The interaction of this oxidovanadium complex with DNA was studied by various physicochemical tools like UV‐vis, fluorescence, and viscosity measurement studies. The intrinsic binding constant of the complex with DNA was determined spectrophotometrically and calculated to be (2.3 ± 0.02) x 104 M−1. The spectroscopic studies and the viscosity measurements indicate that the complex binds to the groove of CT‐DNA, but whether to the major or minor groove that was not established. The extent of vanadium complex induced DNA cleavage was studied by gel electrophoresis techniques. The complex was found to promote cleavage of pUC19 plasmid DNA from the super coiled (SC DNA) form I to nicked coiled (NC DNA) relaxed form II.