bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using antagonistic soil bacteria and their cell‐free filtrates to control the black rot pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris
Authors: da Silva Rafael S. , Moutinho Brenda L. , dos Santos Deise R. , Vasconcelo‐Rodrigues I. S. , Talamini Viviane , Fernandes Marcelo F. , Fernandes Roberta P. M.
Published: April 2018

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a phytopathogenic bacteria, and it is the causative agent of black rot in crucifers. Recent studies have shown that Bacillus species have strong biological control on Xanthomonas. One of the mechanisms of this control is secondary metabolites production. A collection of 257 bacteria isolated from a suppressive soil was evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against X. campestris, and 92 isolates (44.6%) were able to inhibit its growth. Among the 92 isolates evaluated in the double‐layer technique, 51 (55.43%) inhibited Xcc growth on the inhibition tests with cell‐free filtrates (CFF) in liquid medium. Thirteen of these isolates presented 50% or more growth inhibition, and five isolates presented 100% growth inhibition of Xcc. The CFF of the isolate TCDT‐08, which belongs to the Paenibacillus genus, was used for in vivo tests with kale crops. The artificial inoculation of kale with Xcc‐629IBSBF pretreated with CFF from the isolate TCDT‐08 demonstrated that the bacterium loses the ability of colonizing kale and of causing black rot. A Paenibacillus sp. isolate has strong inhibitory activity against X. campestris pv. campestris, and further studies can result in the use of this isolate to protect kale from Xcc infection.
The effect of n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratios on broiler breeder performance, hatchability, fatty acid profile and reproduction
Authors: Khatibjoo A. , Kermanshahi H. , Golian A. , Zaghari M.
Published: April 2018

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary omega6 (n‐6) to omega3 (n‐3) fatty acid (FA) ratios on performance and reproduction of broiler breeders. In experiment 1, 400 females and 40 males (30 week age) of Ross 308 broiler breeder (20 females and two males in each pen) were randomly assigned to one of the four diets with n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 4, 6, 8 and 16 (control). As a measure of hatchability, fertility of eggs and general incubation traits, 1,200 eggs (60 eggs from each pen) were collected and incubated for 21 days and embryo liver and brain fatty acid profile in 14 and 21 days were determined. In experiment 2, 48 males (three males in each pen) randomly assigned to one of the four diets with n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 4, 6, 8 and 16 (control). Semen was collected twice weekly, and semen volume, spermatozoa concentration and motility and alive and dead spermatozoa were estimated. Egg production and egg mass were decreased by n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 4:1 and 6:1 (p < .05). There were no significant differences between treatments on breeder's body weight, eggs fertility and hatchability, embryonic mortality and semen features. Linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and total n‐3 of egg yolk, semen, testis and liver and brain of embryo and day‐old chicken were increased while concentration of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosatetraenoic acid of mentioned tissues were decreased by increasing n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios (p > .05). In conclusion, absolute amount of n‐3 and n‐6 FAs in broiler breeder diet may be more important than n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios and to consider reproductive and performance traits of breeders, it is necessary to supply higher levels of n‐3 and n‐6 FA with respect to n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios.
Delineating closely related dinoflagellate lineages using phylotranscriptomics
Authors: Annenkova Nataliia V. , Ahrén Dag , Logares Ramiro , Kremp Anke , Rengefors Karin
Published: April 2018

Recently radiated dinoflagellates Apocalathium aciculiferum (collected in Lake Erken, Sweden), Apocalathium malmogiense (Baltic Sea) and Apocalathium aff. malmogiense (Highway Lake, Antarctica) represent a lineage with an unresolved phylogeny. We determined their phylogenetic relationships using phylotranscriptomics based on 792 amino acid sequences. Our results showed that A. aciculiferum diverged from the other two closely related lineages, consistent with their different morphologies in cell size, relative cell length and presence of spines. We hypothesized that A. aff. malmogiense and A. malmogiense, which inhabit different hemispheres, are evolutionarily more closely related because they diverged from a marine common ancestor, adapting to a wide salinity range, while A. aciculiferum colonized a freshwater habitat, by acquiring adaptations to this environment, in particular, salinity intolerance. We show that phylotranscriptomics can resolve the phylogeny of recently diverged protists. This has broad relevance, given that many phytoplankton species are morphologically very similar, and single genes sometimes lack the information to determine species’ relationships.
Readers in the round: children's holistic engagements with texts
Authors: Parry Becky , Taylor Lucy
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we demonstrate the relationship between reading and writing for pleasure. Children read a wide range of media as well as books for pleasure and develop strong affective bonds with the artefacts of literacy they encounter. What remains less well understood is the relationship between the array of texts children engage with and the texts they subsequently create. A focus on “Reading for Pleasure” has enabled us to think anew about the relationships between the texts children read, play and engage with and those they make, play and tell. Data from two doctoral research projects illuminate the ways children draw on cultural resources, moving skilfully across mode, medium and form. In doing so, they learn language conventions which enable them to engage in schooled literacies and learn to use conventional language techniques for their own purposes to transform and re‐imagine texts. Children's identities as readers, writers and storytellers are constructed holistically, and we explore the role of pleasure in reading and meaning making. In conclusion, we consider the potential for positioning reading for pleasure not in isolation, but as a strand in the complex fabric of literacy that needs to be nurtured in children.
Dose‐dependent impact of proton pump inhibitors on the clinical course of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Tergast Tammo L. , Wranke Anika , Laser Hans , Gerbel Svetlana , Manns Michael. P. , Cornberg Markus , Maasoumy Benjamin
Published: April 2018

Background & Aims

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a severe complication in patients with cirrhosis leading to acute kidney injury, hepatic encephalopathy and a high mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of proton pump inhibitors and the potential relevance of the taken dosage on the incidence and clinical course of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Methods

Overall, 613 consecutive patients with decompensated cirrhosis were included. All patients were carefully evaluated for proton pump inhibitors intake including the applied dosage and were further followed up for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis development as well as for the incidence of clinical complications like hepatic encephalopathy, acute kidney injury and mortality.

Results

Cumulative spontaneous bacterial peritonitis incidence did neither differ between the proton pump inhibitors and the no‐proton pump inhibitors group nor between those taking the high (>40 mg/d) and the low (10‐40 mg/d) proton pump inhibitors’ dose. However, proton pump inhibitors’ intake was associated with an impaired clinical course of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis reflected by a higher likelihood for acute kidney injury (71% vs 43%; P = .002), severe hepatic encephalopathy (15% vs 0%; P = .04) and an increased mortality (24% vs 0%; P = .008) within 28 days after spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosis. In particular, patients with proton pump inhibitors dosages >40 mg/d had an increased short‐term risk for acute kidney injury (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.86; P = .009) and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.05; P = .02). In contrast, there was no effect of proton pump inhibitors on acute kidney injury, hepatic encephalopathy and mortality in patients without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis irrespective of the applied proton pump inhibitors dosage.

Conclusions

High dosages of proton pump inhibitors are associated with an adverse outcome in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Thus, indication for high‐dosage proton pump inhibitors therapy should be evaluated carefully in these patients.
Stable baselines of temporal turnover underlie high beta diversity in tropical arthropod communities
Authors: D'Souza Michelle L. , Hebert Paul D. N.
Published: April 2018

While the high species diversity of tropical arthropod communities has often been linked to marked spatial heterogeneity, their temporal dynamics have received little attention. This study addresses this gap by examining spatio‐temporal variation in the arthropod communities of a tropical montane forest in Honduras. By employing DNA barcode analysis and Malaise trap sampling across 4 years and five sites, 51,596 specimens were assigned to 8,193 presumptive species. High beta diversity was linked more strongly to elevation than geographic distance, decreasing by 12% when only the dominant species were considered. When sampling effort was increased by deploying more traps at a site, beta diversity only decreased by 2%, but extending sampling across years decreased beta diversity by 27%. Species inconsistently detected among years, likely transients from other settings, drove the low similarity in species composition among traps only a few metres apart. The dominant, temporally persistent species substantially influenced the cyclic pattern of change in community composition among years. This pattern likely results from divergence–convergence dynamics, suggesting a stable baseline of temporal turnover in each community. The overall results establish that large sample sizes are necessary to reveal species richness, but are not essential for quantifying beta diversity. This study further highlights the need for standardized methods of sampling and species identification to generate the comparative data required to evaluate biodiversity change in space and time.
The Divine Wisdom and the Divine Economy
Authors: Nimmo Paul T.
Published: April 2018

This article offers an initial exposition of the divine perfection of wisdom, and proceeds by way of attention to and development of the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ found in Scripture. The first section offers a concise reflection on method, and outlines a path of inquiry that affords primary attention to the apostolic proclamation of Jesus Christ. The second section outlines the contours of an account of the divine wisdom derived in this way. From this perspective, light is shed on the relationship between the divine wisdom and the divine acts of creation and providence. The final section briefly considers the implications of pursuing this trajectory into theology proper, that is, its possible implications for the doctrine of God.
Rhizosphere pseudomonads as probiotics improving plant health
Authors: Kim Young Cheol , Anderson Anne J.
Published: April 2018

Many root‐colonizing microbes are multifaceted in traits that improve plant health. Although isolates designated as biological control agents directly reduce pathogen growth, many exert additional beneficial features that parallel changes induced in animal and other hosts by health‐promoting microbes termed probiotics. Both animal and plant probiotics cause direct antagonism of pathogens and induce systemic immunity in the host to pathogens and other stresses. They also alter host development and improve host nutrition. The probiotic root‐colonizing pseudomonads are generalists in terms of plant hosts, soil habitats and the array of stress responses that are ameliorated in the plant. This article illustrates how the probiotic pseudomonads, nurtured by the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sources released by the plant in root exudates, form protective biofilms on the root surface and produce the metabolites or enzymes to boost plant health. The findings reveal the multifunctional nature of many of the microbial metabolites in the plant–probiotic interplay. The beneficial effects of probiotics on plant function can contribute to sustainable yield and quality in agricultural production.
Cell wall properties in Oryza sativa influence mesophyll CO2 conductance
Authors: Ellsworth Patrícia V. , Ellsworth Patrick Z. , Koteyeva Nuria K. , Cousins Asaph B.
Published: April 2018

Diffusion of CO2 from the leaf intercellular air space to the site of carboxylation (gm) is a potential trait for increasing net rates of CO2 assimilation (Anet), photosynthetic efficiency, and crop productivity. Leaf anatomy plays a key role in this process; however, there are few investigations into how cell wall properties impact gm and Anet.

Online carbon isotope discrimination was used to determine gm and Anet in Oryza sativa wild‐type (WT) plants and mutants with disruptions in cell wall mixed‐linkage glucan (MLG) production (CslF6 knockouts) under high‐ and low‐light growth conditions. Cell wall thickness (Tcw), surface area of chloroplast exposed to intercellular air spaces (Sc), leaf dry mass per area (LMA), effective porosity, and other leaf anatomical traits were also analyzed.

The gm of CslF6 mutants decreased by 83% relative to the WT, with c. 28% of the reduction in gm explained by Sc. Although Anet/LMA and Anet/Chl partially explained differences in Anet between genotypes, the change in cell wall properties influenced the diffusivity and availability of CO2.

The data presented here indicate that the loss of MLG in CslF6 plants had an impact on gm and demonstrate the importance of cell wall effective porosity and liquid path length on gm.
A novel splicing mutation of ectodysplasin A gene responsible for hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Liu G , Wang X , Qin M , Sun L , Zhu J
Published: April 2018

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is characterized by hypohidrosis, hypodontia, sparse hair, and characteristic facial features. This condition is caused by an ectodysplasin A (EDA) gene mutation. In this study, we examined two HED pedigrees and investigated the molecular genetics of the defect. Direct sequencing analysis revealed a previously unidentified mutation in the EDA splice donor site (c.526 + 1G>A). The function of the mutant EDA gene was predicted through online investigations and subsequently confirmed by splicing analysis in vitro. The mutation resulted in the production of a truncated EDA‐A1 protein caused by complete omission of exon 3. This novel functional skipping–splicing EDA mutation was considered to be the cause of HED in the two pedigrees reported here. Our findings, combined with those reported elsewhere, provide an improved understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of HED as well as important information for a genetic diagnosis.
Transpiration directly regulates the emissions of water‐soluble short‐chained OVOCs
Authors: Rissanen K. , Hölttä T. , Bäck J.
Published: April 2018

Most plant‐based emissions of volatile organic compounds are considered mainly temperature dependent. However, certain oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) have high water solubility; thus, also stomatal conductance could regulate their emissions from shoots. Due to their water solubility and sources in stem and roots, it has also been suggested that their emissions could be affected by transport in the xylem sap. Yet further understanding on the role of transport has been lacking until present. We used shoot‐scale long‐term dynamic flux data from Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) to analyse the effects of transpiration and transport in xylem sap flow on emissions of 3 water‐soluble OVOCs: methanol, acetone, and acetaldehyde. We found a direct effect of transpiration on the shoot emissions of the 3 OVOCs. The emissions were best explained by a regression model that combined linear transpiration and exponential temperature effects. In addition, a structural equation model indicated that stomatal conductance affects emissions mainly indirectly, by regulating transpiration. A part of the temperature's effect is also indirect. The tight coupling of shoot emissions to transpiration clearly evidences that these OVOCs are transported in the xylem sap from their sources in roots and stem to leaves and to ambient air.
Genetic dissection of photosynthetic efficiency traits for enhancing seed yield in chickpea
Authors: Basu Udita , Bajaj Deepak , Sharma Akash , Malik Naveen , Daware Anurag , Narnoliya Laxmi , Thakro Virevol , Upadhyaya Hari D. , Kumar Rajendra , Tripathi Shailesh , Bharadwaj Chellapilla , Tyagi Akhilesh K. , Parida Swarup K.
Published: April 2018

Understanding the genetic basis of photosynthetic efficiency (PE) contributing to enhanced seed yield per plant (SYP) is vital for genomics‐assisted crop improvement of chickpea. The current study employed an integrated genomic strategy involving photosynthesis pathway gene‐based association mapping, genome‐wide association study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, and expression profiling. This identified 16 potential single nucleotide polymorphism loci linked to major QTLs underlying 16 candidate genes significantly associated with PE and SYP traits in chickpea. The allelic variants were tightly linked to positively interacting QTLs regulating both enhanced PE and SYP traits as exemplified by a chlorophyll A‐B binding protein‐coding gene. The leaf tissue‐specific pronounced up‐regulated expression of 16 associated genes in germplasm accessions and homozygous individuals of mapping population was evident. Such combinatorial genomic strategy coupled with gene haplotype‐specific association and in silico protein–protein interaction study delineated natural alleles and superior haplotypes from a chlorophyll A‐B binding (CAB) protein‐coding gene and its interacting gene, Timing of CAB Expression 1 (TOC1), which appear to be most promising candidates in modulating chickpea PE and SYP traits. These functionally pertinent molecular signatures identified have efficacy to drive marker‐assisted selection for developing PE‐enriched cultivars with high seed yield in chickpea.
Hospital‐based care utilization of children with medical complexity in Japan
Authors: Yamaoka Yui , Tamiya Nanako , Watanabe Akimitsu , Miyazono Yayoi , Tanaka Ryuta , Matsuzawa Akemi , Sumazaki Ryo
Published: April 2018

Background

Few studies have investigated the hospital‐based care utilization of children with medical complexity (CMC) in Japan. This study examined the frequency and differences in hospital‐based care utilization for CMC according to the level of medical complexity (moderate and severe).

Methods

Medical records of three pediatric tertiary hospitals in one prefecture were examined in 2014. We examined the number of outpatient visits and of admissions to the hospital for CMC in the 5 years after the introduction of home medical care.

Results

Of 92 CMC, 55 had medical complexity that was moderate (CMC‐moderate) and 37 had medical complexity that was severe (CMC‐severe). The number of CMC who had medical care introduced at home had increased year by year, especially that of CMC <2 years old; the number of older CMC (i.e. 7–17 years old) had also increased in 2010–2014. The median total outpatient visits was 20 (IQR, 13–29 visits) for CMC‐moderate and 20 (IQR, 17–26 visits) for CMC‐severe in the first year. CMC‐severe had significantly longer length of admissions in the 5 years than CMC‐moderate. The number of total visits and admissions during the subsequent 4 years (from the second to the fifth year) was slightly decreased compared with the first year, but this was not significantly different.

Conclusions

CMC had high utilization of hospital‐based care, and consistently utilized hospital‐based care in the 5 years after the introduction of home medical care. Further study is needed to examine both hospital‐based and home/community‐based services use.
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia, an extremely rare cause of neutrophilia in childhood: Cure with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Uygun Vedat , Daloğlu Hayriye , Öztürkmen Seda , Karasu Gülsün , Avcı Zekai , Yeşilipek Akif
Published: April 2018

CNL is a rare myeloproliferative disorder frequently seen in older adults. A significant proportion of patients show progression to AML. Here, we report the case of a patient with FA who was monitored for leukopenia but who developed leukocytosis during the follow‐up and was diagnosed with CNL probably after an acquired CSF3R mutation. Because the patient had FA, which could accelerate the progression to AML, an HSCT was performed, which resulted in cure. This patient (aged 12 years) is one of the youngest patients reported to develop CNL as well as the first FA patient with a diagnosis of CNL.
Verbal working memory‐related neural network communication in schizophrenia
Authors: Kustermann Thomas , Popov Tzvetan , Miller Gregory A. , Rockstroh Brigitte
Published: April 2018

Impaired working memory (WM) in schizophrenia is associated with reduced hemodynamic and electromagnetic activity and altered network connectivity within and between memory‐associated neural networks. The present study sought to determine whether schizophrenia involves disruption of a frontal‐parietal network normally supporting WM and/or involvement of another brain network. Nineteen schizophrenia patients (SZ) and 19 healthy comparison subjects (HC) participated in a cued visual‐verbal Sternberg task while dense‐array EEG was recorded. A pair of item arrays each consisting of 2–4 consonants was presented bilaterally for 200 ms with a prior cue signaling the hemifield of the task‐relevant WM set. A central probe letter 2,000 ms later prompted a choice reaction time decision about match/mismatch with the target WM set. Group and WM load effects on time domain and time‐frequency domain 11–15 Hz alpha power were assessed for the cue‐to‐probe time window, and posterior 11–15 Hz alpha power and frontal 4–8 Hz theta power were assessed during the retention period. Directional connectivity was estimated via Granger causality, evaluating group differences in communication. SZ showed slower responding, lower accuracy, smaller overall time‐domain alpha power increase, and less load‐dependent alpha power increase. Midline frontal theta power increases did not vary by group or load. Network communication in SZ was characterized by temporal‐to‐posterior information flow, in contrast to bidirectional temporal‐posterior communication in HC. Results indicate aberrant WM network activity supporting WM in SZ that might facilitate normal load‐dependent and only marginally less accurate task performance, despite generally slower responding.
Does peritoneal dialysis have a role in urgent‐start end‐stage kidney disease?
Authors: McQuillan Rory F. , Lok Charmaine E.
Published: April 2018

Despite its many positive attributes, peritoneal dialysis remains underutilized, particularly in the United States. Urgent‐start peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been proposed as a method of increasing PD prevalence. Urgent‐start PD has been shown to be safe, feasible, and effective. However, urgent‐start PD is also accompanied by several multidimensional challenges. This article is intended to equip the reader with a practical sense of whether an urgent‐start PD program would be appropriate in his or her own clinical context and if appropriate, what factors would be necessary for such a program to flourish. As such, we summarize latent factors, which are necessary to consider before instituting an urgent‐start PD. Then, using a series of clinical vignettes, highlight the component parts of a successful urgent‐start PD program and the patient population who stand to benefit most from this strategy. The discussion is then balanced by presenting limitations to consider in the urgent‐start PD approach.
Suicide Ideation in Female Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma: The Trauma Source Matters
Authors: Blais Rebecca K. , Monteith Lindsey L.
Published: April 2018

Female veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) are at elevated suicide risk, yet knowledge is limited regarding correlates of suicide ideation (SI) in this population. MST is associated with a higher risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relative to other trauma types; however, no studies have examined whether experiencing SI differs based on the source of PTSD symptoms (MST‐related, non–MST‐related). Female service members/veterans (SM/Vs; n = 311) who screened positive for MST and reported exposure to a Criterion A event completed an online survey assessing self‐reported demographics, PTSD, depression, the source of their PTSD symptoms, and SI. Ninety‐one (29.3%) reported experiencing current SI, and 223 (71.7%) identified MST as the source of their current PTSD symptoms. Participants who identified MST as the source of their PTSD symptoms were over two times more likely to report SI, compared to those who described non–MST‐related events as the source of their PTSD symptoms. Compared to those who reported the source of their PTSD symptoms as combat‐/deployment‐related, those who identified MST as the source were at least three times as likely to report current SI. Results underscore the importance of efforts to address MST‐related PTSD symptoms when working with female SM/Vs.
Translating Spirituality: Universalism and Particularism in the Diffusion of Spiritual Care from the United States to Israel
Authors: Pagis Michal , Cadge Wendy , Tal Orly
Published: April 2018

Research on the transnational diffusion of ideas and practices shows how cultural objects go through translation, adaptation, and vernacularization when implemented in new localities. Less attention is given to the translators themselves and their heterogeneous and often conflicting visions. Drawing on the notion of transnational social fields (TSFs), this article investigates how cultural objects get vernacularized differently in different parts of theTSF, demonstrating how processes of translation reflect larger social and political struggles over questions of identity. As a case study, we focus on the attempt of actors from Israel and the United States to institutionalize spiritual care in Israeli health‐care organizations. The analysis reveals how spiritual care functioned as a porous cultural object, open to a wide range of interpretations and debates. While actors in New York saw in spiritual care the opportunity to bridge to Israeli Jews and create a global Jewish identity, Israeli actors split between using spiritual care as a vehicle for creating a local Israeli Jewish identity and seeing in spiritual care the opportunity to establish universal identities, broader than the Jewish one. The disagreement and conflicts between the groups influenced the translation process, turning it into a contentious struggle that involved different positions on the continuum between particularism and universalism.
Risks of restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD): a meta‐analysis
Authors: Cortés‐Puch I. , Wiley B. M. , Sun J. , Klein H. G. , Welsh J. , Danner R. L. , Eichacker P. Q. , Natanson C.
Published: April 2018

Aim

To evaluate the risks of restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies (haemoglobin 7–8 g dL−1) in patients with and without known cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Background

Recent guidelines recommend restrictive strategies for CVD patients hospitalised for non‐CVD indications, patients without known CVD and patients hospitalised for CVD corrective procedures.

Methods/Materials

Database searches were conducted through December 2017 for randomised clinical trials that enrolled patients with and without known CVD, hospitalised either for CVD‐corrective procedures or non‐cardiac indications, comparing effects of liberal with restrictive strategies on major adverse coronary events (MACE) and death.

Results

In CVD patients not undergoing cardiac interventions, a liberal strategy decreased (P = 0·01) the relative risk (95% CI) (RR) of MACE [0·50 (0·29–0·86)] (I2 = 0%). Among patients without known CVD, the incidence of MACE was lower (1·7 vs 3·9%), and the effect of a liberal strategy on MACE [0·79, (0·39–1·58)] was smaller and non‐significant but not different from CVD patients (P = 0·30). Combining all CVD and non‐CVD patients, a liberal strategy decreased MACE [0·59, (0·39–0·91); P = 0·02]. Conversely, among studies reporting mortality, a liberal strategy decreased mortality in CVD patients (11·7% vs·13·3%) but increased mortality (19·2% vs 18·0%) in patients without known CVD [interaction P = 0·05; ratio of RR 0·73, (0·53–1·00)]. A liberal strategy also did not benefit patients undergoing cardiac surgery; data were insufficient for percutaneous cardiac procedures.

Conclusions

In patients hospitalised for non‐cardiac indications, liberal transfusion strategies are associated with a decreased risk of MACE in both those with and without known CVD. However, this only provides a survival benefit to CVD patients not admitted for CVD‐corrective procedures.
Extreme prematurity and perinatal management
Authors: David Anna L , Soe Aung
Published: April 2018

Key content

Perinatal management of pregnant women delivering at the threshold of viability has medical and ethical considerations. It should be preceded by the best advice from a multidisciplinary neonatal and obstetric team to fully inform parents and achieve a consensus on the optimal care for the mother and neonate.

Obstetric interventions can affect maternal and neonatal outcomes after birth at the threshold of viability. These include administration of steroids, magnesium sulphate and tocolysis, fetal monitoring in labour and mode of delivery.

Obstetric complications such as malpresentation are common and can affect delivery choices at extreme preterm gestational ages. This requires obstetricians to plan carefully with parents before labour starts.

Learning objectives

To understand how obstetric decisions and interventions can affect maternal and neonatal outcomes when women are at risk of delivery at extreme premature gestational ages.

To enable trainee obstetricians to better counsel women and their partners about possible complications before and during labour at extreme preterm gestations.

Ethical issues

Should we monitor the fetal heart during labour, deliver by caesarean section and resuscitate a baby born at extreme prematurity when short‐term and long‐term neonatal outcomes are likely to be poor?
Postural tachycardia syndrome and pregnancy
Authors: Bhatia Meena , Kavi Lesley , Nelson‐Piercy Catherine
Published: April 2018

Key content

Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is a potentially debilitating autonomic disturbance that primarily affects females between the ages of 15 and 50 years, and may present for the first time during pregnancy.

The typical signs and symptoms are vague and therefore the condition is often under‐ or misdiagnosed as pregnancy may induce similar symptoms.

If correctly diagnosed and managed, patients have a good outcome; however, a delay in diagnosis may be disabling.

PoTS is unfamiliar to most clinicians and its variable course during pregnancy requires a better understanding of the condition.

PoTS management in pregnancy may be challenging and clinicians should be aware of common strategies that are suitable in pregnancy.

A multidisciplinary approach is essential for correctly diagnosing and managing the condition and optimising pregnancy outcomes.

Learning objectives

To understand:

The common symptoms and signs of PoTS.

How to diagnose and manage PoTS safely in pregnancy.

The likely course of disease in pregnant women with PoTS.

The effect of pregnancy on PoTS.

Multidisciplinary antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal considerations required for patients with PoTS.

Ethical issues

The impact of delayed diagnosis on individuals.

The safety of commonly used pharmaceutical agents.

The role of psychological support.
Assessing the importance of several acoustic properties to the perception of spontaneous speech
Authors: Podlubny Ryan G. , Nearey Terrance M. , Kondrak Grzegorz , Tucker Benjamin V.
Published: April 2018

Spoken language manifests itself as change over time in various acoustic dimensions. While it seems clear that acoustic-phonetic information in the speech signal is key to language processing, little is currently known about which specific types of acoustic information are relatively more informative to listeners. This problem is likely compounded when considering reduced speech: Which specific acoustic information do listeners rely on when encountering spoken forms that are highly variable, and often include altered or elided segments? This work explores contributions of spectral shape, f0 contour, target duration, and time varying intensity in the perception of reduced speech. This work extends previous laboratory-speech based perception studies into the realm of casual speech, and also provides support for use of an algorithm that quantifies phonetic reduction. Data suggest the role of spectral shape is extensive, and that its removal degrades signals in a way that hinders recognition severely. Information reflecting f0 contour and target duration both appear to aid the listener somewhat, though their influence seems small compared to that of short term spectral shape. Finally, information about time varying intensity aids the listener more than noise filled gaps, and both aid the listener beyond presentation of acoustic context with duration-matched silence.
A frame selective dynamic programming approach for noise robust pitch estimation
Authors: Yarra Chiranjeevi , Deshmukh Om D. , Ghosh Prasanta Kumar
Published: April 2018

The principles of the existing pitch estimation techniques are often different and complementary in nature. In this work, a frame selective dynamic programming (FSDP) method is proposed which exploits the complementary characteristics of two existing methods, namely, sub-harmonic to harmonic ratio (SHR) and sawtooth-wave inspired pitch estimator (SWIPE). Using variants of SHR and SWIPE, the proposed FSDP method classifies all the voiced frames into two classes—the first class consists of the frames where a confidence score maximization criterion is used for pitch estimation, while for the second class, a dynamic programming (DP) based approach is proposed. Experiments are performed on speech signals separately from KEELE, CSLU, and PaulBaghsaw corpora under clean and additive white Gaussian noise at 20, 10, 5, and 0 dB SNR conditions using four baseline schemes including SHR, SWIPE, and two DP based techniques. The pitch estimation performance of FSDP, when averaged over all SNRs, is found to be better than those of the baseline schemes suggesting the benefit of applying smoothness constraint using DP in selected frames in the proposed FSDP scheme. The VuV classification error from FSDP is also found to be lower than that from all four baseline schemes in almost all SNR conditions on three corpora.
Perceived Environmental Barriers and Behavioral Factors as Possible Mediators Between Acculturation and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among Mexican American Adults
Authors: Dellaserra Carla L. , Crespo Noe C. , Todd Michael , Huberty Jennifer , Vega-López Sonia
Published: April 2018

Background: The association between acculturation and physical activity (PA) among Mexican American (MA) adults is not understood. This study assessed potential mediating factors that may explain these associations among 75 healthy MA adults [age: 37.5 (9.3) y; 65.3% female].Methods: Secondary data analysis using hierarchical logistic regression examined whether perceived environmental barriers, social support, and intention to exercise potentially mediated relationships between acculturation level, and total and leisure-time moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Data were collected via questionnaire.Results: Most participants (67%) reported lower average household monthly incomes ($0–$3000), completed some college or obtained a college degree (64.4%), and were first generation immigrants (59%). Acculturation was associated with greater odds of engaging in total MVPA [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–2.4] and leisure-time MVPA (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–1.2). Perceived environmental barriers were associated with greater odds of engaging in both total and leisure-time MVPA (OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 2.1–5.8 and OR = 5.5; 95% CI, 2.0–7.0, respectively), and social support was associated with greater odds for total MVPA (OR = 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1–6.4).Conclusions: Results provide preliminary evidence for mediating factors that may explain the relationship between acculturation level and PA among MA adults. Contradicting prior evidence, results suggest that PA engagement, despite perceived environmental barriers, is possible among MA adults having stronger social support.
Tumor suppressor BAP1 is essential for thymic development and proliferative responses of T lymphocytes
Authors: Arenzana Teresita L. , Lianoglou Steve , Seki Akiko , Eidenschenk Celine , Cheung Tommy , Seshasayee Dhaya , Hagenbeek Thijs , Sambandam Arivazhagan , Noubade Rajkumar , Peng Ivan , Lesch Justin , DeVoss Jason , Wu Xiumin , Lee Wyne P. , Caplazi Patrick , Webster Joshua , Liu Jinfeng , Pham Victoria C. , Arnott David , Lill Jennie R. , Modrusan Zora , Dey Anwesha , Rutz Sascha
Published: April 2018

The nuclear deubiquitinase BAP1 promotes cell cycle progression and expansion in thymocytes and in peripheral T cells.
Borrelia Host Adaptation Protein (BadP) Is Required for the Colonization of a Mammalian Host by the Agent of Lyme Disease
Authors: Smith Trever C. , Helm Sarah M. , Chen Yue , Lin Ying-Han , Rajasekhar Karna S. L. , Seshu J.
Published: April 2018

Borrelia burgdorferi
, the agent of Lyme disease (LD), uses host-derived signals to modulate gene expression during the vector and mammalian phases of infection. Microarray analysis of mutants lacking the

B

orrelia
host
ad
aptation
r
egulator (BadR) revealed the downregulation of genes encoding enzymes whose role in the pathophysiology of
B. burgdorferi
is unknown. Immunoblot analysis of the
badR
mutants confirmed reduced levels of these enzymes, and one of these enzymes, encoded by
bb0086
, shares homology to prokaryotic magnesium chelatase and Lon-type proteases. The BB0086 levels in
B. burgdorferi
were higher under conditions mimicking those in fed ticks. Mutants lacking
bb0086
had no apparent
in vitro
growth defect but were incapable of colonizing immunocompetent C3H/HeN or immunodeficient SCID mice. Immunoblot analysis revealed reduced levels of proteins critical for the adaptation of
B. burgdorferi
to the mammalian host, such as OspC, DbpA, and BBK32. Both RpoS and BosR, key regulators of gene expression in
B. burgdorferi
, were downregulated in the
bb0086
mutants. Therefore, we designated BB0086 the

B

orrelia
host
ad
aptation
p
rotein (BadP). Unlike
badP
mutants, the control strains established infection in C3H/HeN mice at 4 days postinfection, indicating an early colonization defect in mutants due to reduced levels of the lipoproteins/regulators critical for initial stages of infection. However,
badP
mutants survived within dialysis membrane chambers (DMCs) implanted within the rat peritoneal cavity but, unlike the control strains, did not display complete switching of OspA to OspC, suggesting incomplete adaptation to the mammalian phase of infection. These findings have opened a novel regulatory mechanism which impacts the virulence potential of
B
.
burgdorferi
.
DdrI, a cAMP Receptor Protein Family Member, Acts as a Major Regulator for Adaptation of Deinococcus radiodurans to Various Stresses
Authors: Meyer Laura , Coste Geneviève , Sommer Suzanne , Oberto Jacques , Confalonieri Fabrice , Servant Pascale , Pasternak Cécile
Published: April 2018

The
D
NA
d
amage
r
esponse
ddrI
gene encodes a transcription regulator belonging to the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) family. Cells devoid of the DdrI protein exhibit a pleiotropic phenotype, including growth defects and sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and to oxidative stress. Here, we show that the absence of the DdrI protein also confers sensitivity to heat shock treatment, and several genes involved in heat shock response were shown to be upregulated in a DdrI-dependent manner. Interestingly, expression of the
Escherichia coli
CRP partially compensates for the absence of the DdrI protein. Microscopic observations of Δ
ddrI
mutant cells revealed an increased proportion of two-tetrad and anucleated cells in the population compared to the wild-type strain, indicating that DdrI is crucial for the completion of cell division and/or chromosome segregation. We show that DdrI is also involved in the megaplasmid MP1 stability and in efficient plasmid transformation by facilitating the maintenance of the incoming plasmid in the cell. The
in silico
prediction of putative DdrI binding sites in the
D. radiodurans
genome suggests that hundreds of genes, belonging to several functional groups, may be regulated by DdrI. In addition, the DdrI protein absolutely requires cAMP for
in vitro
binding to specific target sequences, and it acts as a dimer. All these data underline the major role of DdrI in
D. radiodurans
physiology under normal and stress conditions by regulating, both directly and indirectly, a cohort of genes involved in various cellular processes, including central metabolism and specific responses to diverse harmful environments.

IMPORTANCE
Deinococcus radiodurans
has been extensively studied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for its exceptional ability to withstand lethal effects of various DNA-damaging agents. A complex network, including efficient DNA repair, protein protection against oxidation, and diverse metabolic pathways, plays a crucial role for its radioresistance. The regulatory networks orchestrating these various pathways are still missing. Our data provide new insights into the crucial contribution of the transcription factor DdrI for the
D. radiodurans
ability to withstand harmful conditions, including UV radiation, mitomycin C treatment, heat shock, and oxidative stress. Finally, we highlight that DdrI is also required for accurate cell division, for maintenance of plasmid replicons, and for central metabolism processes responsible for the overall cell physiology.
GntR Family Regulator DasR Controls Acetate Assimilation by Directly Repressing the
acsA
Gene in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: You Di , Zhang Bai-Qing , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: April 2018

The GntR family regulator DasR controls the transcription of genes involved in chitin and
N
-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) metabolism in actinobacteria. GlcNAc is catabolized to ammonia, fructose-6-phosphate (Fru-6P), and acetate, which are nitrogen and carbon sources. In this work, a DasR-responsive element (
dre
) was observed in the upstream region of
acsA1
in
Saccharopolyspora erythraea
. This gene encodes acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) synthetase (Acs), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of acetate into acetyl-CoA. We found that DasR repressed the transcription of
acsA1
in response to carbon availability, especially with GlcNAc. Growth inhibition was observed in a
dasR
-deleted mutant (Δ
dasR
) in the presence of GlcNAc in minimal medium containing 10 mM acetate, a condition under which Acs activity is critical to growth. These results demonstrate that DasR controls acetate assimilation by directly repressing the transcription of the
acsA1
gene and performs regulatory roles in the production of intracellular acetyl-CoA in response to GlcNAc.

IMPORTANCE
Our work has identified the DasR GlcNAc-sensing regulator that represses the generation of acetyl-CoA by controlling the expression of acetyl-CoA synthetase, an enzyme responsible for acetate assimilation in
S. erythraea
. The finding provides the first insights into the importance of DasR in the regulation of acetate metabolism, which encompasses the regulatory network between nitrogen and carbon metabolism in actinobacteria, in response to environmental changes.
Human Cytomegalovirus Protein pUL38 Prevents Premature Cell Death by Binding to Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 24 and Regulating Iron Metabolism
Authors: Sun Yamei , Bao Qunchao , Xuan Baoqin , Xu Wenjia , Pan Deng , Li Qi , Qian Zhikang
Published: April 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protein pUL38 has been shown to prevent premature cell death by antagonizing cellular stress responses; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we identified the host protein ubiquitin-specific protease 24 (USP24) as an interaction partner of pUL38. Mutagenesis analysis of pUL38 revealed that amino acids TFV at positions 227 to 230 were critical for its interaction with USP24. Mutant pUL38 TFV/AAA protein did not bind to USP24 and failed to prevent cell death induced by pUL38-deficient HCMV infection. Knockdown of USP24 suppressed the cell death during pUL38-deficient HCMV infection, suggesting that pUL38 achieved its function by antagonizing the function of USP24. We investigated the cellular pathways regulated by USP24 that might be involved in the cell death phenotype by testing several small-molecule compounds known to have a protective effect during stress-induced cell death. The iron chelators ciclopirox olamine and Tiron specifically protected cells from pUL38-deficient HCMV infection-induced cell death, thus identifying deregulated iron homeostasis as a potential mechanism. Protein levels of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) and lysosomal ferritin degradation, a process called ferritinophagy, were also regulated by pUL38 and USP24 during HCMV infection. Knockdown of USP24 decreased NCOA4 protein stability and ferritin heavy chain degradation in lysosomes. Blockage of ferritinophagy by genetic inhibition of NCOA4 or Atg5/Atg7 prevented pUL38-deficient HCMV infection-induced cell death. Overall, these results support the hypothesis that pUL38 binds to USP24 to reduce ferritinophagy, which may then protect cells from lysosome dysfunction-induced cell death.

IMPORTANCE
Premature cell death is considered a first line of defense against various pathogens. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a slow-replicating virus that encodes several cell death inhibitors, such as pUL36 and pUL37x1, which allow it to overcome both extrinsic and intrinsic mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis. We previously identified HCMV protein pUL38 as another virus-encoded cell death inhibitor. In this study, we demonstrated that pUL38 achieved its activity by interacting with and antagonizing the function of the host protein ubiquitin-specific protease 24 (USP24). pUL38 blocked USP24-mediated ferritin degradation in lysosomes, which could otherwise be detrimental to the lysosome and initiate cell death. These novel findings suggest that iron metabolism is finely tuned during HCMV infection to avoid cellular toxicity. The results also provide a solid basis for further investigations of the role of USP24 in regulating iron metabolism during infection and other diseases.