bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of microbiome and culture techniques for determination of gastrointestinal microbial communities in ceca of chickens
Authors: Wilson Kimberly , Briggs Whitney , Duff Audrey , Kaylin Chasser , Sun Xialoun , Bielke Lisa
Published: December 2018

The use of 16S next generation sequencing (NGS) technology to identify the relative abundance of microbial communities have become the standard when studying the intestinal microbiome. The increased use is due to the ability to identify a proportion of bacteria that cannot be observed with culture-based methods. However, culture-based techniques are acceptable to identify key bacterial groups, yet may grossly underestimate the microbial community in question. Since there is limited research comparing NGS results to colony forming units (CFU), the objective of this study was to compare total Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) recovery with culture techniques (CFU/g ceca) to total number of reads from operational taxonomic units (OTU) categorized as Enterobacteriaceae or LAB from Illumina MiSeq platform from matched chick cecal samples at three and 10 days of age. Both CFU recovery (1.09x109 ± 2.42x108; 1.37x108 ± 5.57x107) and reads (5460 ± 1164 ; 282 ± 163) belonging to Enterobacteriaceae decreased by 10 days of age (p < 0.001). Similarly, LAB reads decreased over time (21,128 ± 2262; 6220 ± 817, respectively p < 0.0001). However, LAB CFU recovery increased by 10 days (1.18x108 ± 1.91x107; 1.62x109 ± 5.00x108, respectively p < 0.01). At three days the Pearson’s correlation was -0.082 between CFU of culturable Enterobacteriaceae to reads and culturable LAB CFU to reads at 0.097, showing no correlation (p = 0.606, 0.551; respectively). By 10 days, no correlation of reads and CFU occurred with Enterobacteriaceae (r=-0.049; p-value = 0.769) while with LAB the correlation was 0.290 (p = 0.066) at 10 days. The CFU may be appropriate to identify a few families that change due to treatment or product. Without identifying viable cells to DNA recovered from NGS, there will always be the question whether the reads within the binned OTU in the intestinal tract is accurate.
Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex infections uncovers high frequency of non-carbapenemase-producers in five tertiary care hospitals from Colombia
Authors: Cienfuegos-Gallet Astrid , Ocampo Ana María , Chavda Kalyan , Chen Liang , Kreiswirth Barry N , Jimenez J. Natalia
Published: December 2018

Background. Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (CR-Ecl) have been increasingly reported in the clinical setting; here we describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of CR-Ecl infections in a KPC endemic region.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five tertiary-care hospitals in Medellín-Colombia. All patients infected by CR-Ecl from June-2012 to June-2014 were included. Sociodemographics and clinical information was retrieved from medical records. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, phenotypic and molecular carbapenemase detection were performed. Analysis of hsp60 and PFGE was done in a subset of isolates.
Results. Of 109 patients enrolled, 60.55% (66/109) were infected with non-carbapenemase-producing-Ecl (non-CP-Ecl). CP-Ecl patients were frequently hospitalized in the ICU (37.21% vs 12.12%) and had exposure to carbapenems (39.53% vs 15.15%) compared to non-CP-Ecl infected patients. All-cause 30-day mortality was higher in CP-Ecl than non-CP-Ecl infected patients (27.91% vs 19.70%). CP-Ecl harbored KPC-2 (83.72%) and KPC-3 (6.97%). Analysis of hsp60 showed that CP-Ecl belonged primarily to cluster-VI of Enterobacter xiangfangensis (12/34) and cluster-XI (12/34) corresponding to E. cloacae subsp. cloacae. Non-CP-Ecl isolates belonged to cluster-VII/VIII (45/54), of E. hormaechi subsp. steigerwaltii. PFGE revealed isolates in cluster VII/VIII and XI were closely related within their own clusters.
Conclusions: The results revealed a high frequency of non-CP-Ecl among the CR-Ecl infections in a KPC endemic region, displaying distinct clinical and molecular characteristics in comparison to CP-Ecl. The study highlights a significant contribution of non-CP-Ecl to the prevalence of CR-Ecl. Infection control measures to curtail dissemination of CR-Ecl should not only focus on CP-Ecl but should also include non-CP-Ecl.
Application of CNTF or FGF-2 increases the number of M2-like macrophages after optic nerve injury in adult Rana pipiens
Authors: Blanco Rosa E , Vega-Meléndez Giam S. , De La Rosa-Reyes Valeria , del Cueto Clarissa , Blagburn Jonathan M.
Published: December 2018

We have previously shown that a single application of the growth factors ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) or fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) to the crushed optic nerve of the frog, Rana pipiens, increases the numbers and elongation rate of regenerating retinal ganglion cell axons. Here we investigate the effects of these factors on the numbers and types of macrophages that invade the regeneration zone. In control PBS-treated nerves, many macrophage-like cells are present 100 μm distal to the crush site at 1 week after injury; their numbers halve by 2 weeks. A single application of CNTF at the time of injury triples the numbers of macrophages at 1 week, with this increase compared to control being maintained at 2 weeks. Application of FGF-2 is equally effective at 1 week, but the macrophage numbers have fallen to control levels at 2 weeks. Immunostaining with a pan-macrophage marker, ED1, and a marker for M2-like macrophages, Arg-1, showed that the proportion of the putative M2 phenotype remained at approximately 80% with all treatments. Electron microscopy of the macrophage-like cells at 1 week shows strong phagocytic activity with all treatments, with many vacuoles containing axon fragments and membrane debris. At 2 weeks with PBS or FGF-2 treatment the remaining macrophage-like cells are less phagocytically active, containing mainly lipid inclusions. With CNTF treatment, at 2 weeks many of the more numerous macrophages are still phagocytosing axonal debris, although they also contain lipid inclusions. We conclude that the increase in macrophage influx seen after growth factor application is beneficial for the regenerating axons, probably due to more extensive removal of degenerating distal axons, but also perhaps to secretion of growth-promoting substances.
cGAMP signaling controls a transient surface-associated lifestyle
Authors: Hallberg Zachary F , Chan Chi Ho , Wright Todd A , Kranzusch Philip J , Doxzen Kevin W , Park James J , Bond Daniel , Hammond Ming Chen
Published: December 2018

A newfound signaling pathway employs a GGDEF enzyme with unique activity compared to the majority of homologs associated with bacterial cyclic di-GMP signaling. This system provides a rare opportunity to study how signaling proteins natively gain distinct function. Using genetic knockouts, riboswitch reporters, and RNA-Seq, we show that GacA, the Hypr GGDEF in Geobacter sulfurreducens, specifically regulates cyclic GMP-AMP (3′,3′-cGAMP) levels in vivo to stimulate gene expression associated with metal reduction separate from electricity production. To reconcile these in vivo findings with prior in vitro results that showed GacA was promiscuous, we developed a full kinetic model combining experimental data and mathematical modeling to reveal mechanisms that contribute to in vivo specificity. A 1.4 Å-resolution crystal structure of the Geobacter Hypr GGDEF domain was determined to understand the molecular basis for those mechanisms, including key cross-dimer interactions. Together these results demonstrate that specific signaling can result from a promiscuous enzyme.
Transposable element insertions in fission yeast drive adaptation to environmental stress
Authors: Esnault Caroline , Lee Michael , Ham Chloe , Levin Henry L.
Published: December 2018

Cells are regularly exposed to a range of naturally occurring stress that can restrict growth or cause lethality. In response, cells activate expression networks with hundreds of genes that together increase resistance to common environmental insults. However, stress response networks can be insufficient to ensure survival, which raises the question of whether cells possess genetic programs that can promote adaptation to novel forms of stress. We found transposable element (TE) mobility in Schizosaccharomyces pombe was greatly increased when cells were exposed to unusual forms of stress such as heavy metals, caffeine, and the plasticizer phthalate. By subjecting TE-tagged cells to CoCl2, we found the TE integration provided the major path to resistance. Groups of insertions that provided resistance were linked to TOR regulation and metal response genes. We extended our study of adaptation by analyzing TE positions in 57 genetically distinct wild strains. The genomic positions of 1048 polymorphic LTRs were strongly associated with a range of stress response genes, indicating TE integration promotes adaptation in natural conditions. These data provide strong support for the idea, first proposed by Barbara McClintock, that TEs provide a system to modify the genome in response to stress.
Estimating the built environment stock in Cape Verde
Authors: Lopes Jorge Pedro , Oliveira Rui Alexandre , Abreu Maria Isabel
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the estimates of the value of the built environment stock in Cape Verde, a Sub-Saharan African country that is scattered through ten relatively small islands.

Design/methodology/approach

It applies the perpetual inventory method in a long series of construction investment data at 1980 and 2007 constant prices published by the Cape Verde’s National Statistics Office.

Findings

The results show that the capital-output ratio is similar to those in the advanced industrial countries. The high value of this indicator suggests that the country should shift its focus from building new investment projects to managing the considerable amount of built stock.

Originality/value

The main originality of the paper comes from the use of different data sets from the National Statistical Office to construct the indicators of the construction industry activity in a comprehensive way.
MHD mixed convection of nanofluid due to an inner rotating cylinder in a 3D enclosure with a phase change material
Authors: Chamkha Ali J. , Selimefendigil Fatih
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to numerically examine the mixed convection of CuO-water nanofluid due to a rotating inner hot circular cylinder in a 3D cubic enclosure with phase change material (PCM) attached to its vertical surface. Heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics were examined for various values of pertinent parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element method was used in the numerical simulation. Influence of various pertinent parameters such as Rayleigh number (between 10$^5$ and 10$^6$), Hartmann number (between 0 and 100), angular rotational speed of the cylinder (between −50 and 50), solid nanoparticle volume fraction (between 0 and 0.04) and PCM parameters (height-between 0.2H and 0.8H, thermal conductivity ratio- between 0.1 and 10) on the convective heat transfer characteristics are numerically studied.

Findings

It was observed that local heat transfer variations along the hot surface differ significantly for the cases with and without magnetic field where three distinct hot spots of peak Nusselt number are established when magnetic field is imposed. The average Nusselt number enhancement with the nanofluid at the highest particle volume fraction is 52.85 per cent at Hartmann number of 100, whereas its value is 39.76 per cent for the case in the absence of magnetic field. When the inner cylinder rotates, flow and thermal fields are affected within the cavity. The local heat transfer variations spread over the hot surface with cylinder rotation and 16.43 per cent of reduction in the average heat transfer is obtained with counter-clockwise rotation at 100 rad/sec. An enhancement in the PCM height and a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the PCM result in average heat transfer deterioration for the 3D cavity. The amount of the reduction is 43 per cent when the PCM height is increased from 0.2H to 0.8H, whereas 19.10 per cent enhancement in the heat transfer is achieved when thermal conductivity ratio (PCM) to the base fluid is increased from 0.1 to 10.

Originality/value

Such configurations can be designed for convection control, and in our case, various methods are available. Some of the investigated methods can be used in applications where magnetic field already exists. Convection control study in 3D cavity gives more realistic results as compared to 2D configurations, and results of the current investigation may be used for the design, optimization and flow control of many thermal applications involving magnetic field effects.
Supervisor support and turnover in hotels
Authors: Gordon Susan , Tang Chun-Hung (Hugo) , Day Jonathon , Adler Howard
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether employee subjective well-being acts as a mediator in the relationship between perceived supervisor support and turnover intention within the context of select-service hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample included hourly employees in select-service hotels in the Midwest USA. The significance of the relationships was assessed using regression, and both the Sobel test and bootstrapping methods were performed to test the mediating effect of subjective well-being on the relationship between perceived supervisor support and turnover intention.

Findings

The results confirm subjective well-being acted as a partial mediator in the relationship between supervisor support and turnover intention. Employees who perceive higher levels of support from their supervisors are less likely to leave their organizations. At the same time, supervisor support also positively affects subjective well-being, which reduces turnover intention.

Practical implications

Actions by supervisors’ impact the well-being of their employees, which in turn may influence whether an employee stays with the organization. Organizations could use management training and employee feedback on supervisor support to improve employee support mechanisms. Organizations should also pay attention to improving employee subjective well-being beyond the work place. Improving the well-being of employees and supporting employees can help reduce turnover and may increase employee satisfaction, guest satisfaction and profits.

Originality/value

This study is the first to show that subjective well-being mediates the relationship between supervisor support and turnover intention; and one of the few within the hospitality context to examine the constructs of subjective well-being, supervisor support and turnover together.
The use of poly(amido)amine dendrimer in modification of cotton for improving dyeing properties of acid dye
Authors: Patil Ashwini A. , Maiti Saptarshi , Adivarekar Ravindra V.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Cotton being an anionic fiber can be dyed with direct, reactive, vat and sulfur dyes but cannot be dyed with acid dyes due to their chemical differences. But there are certain advantages of acid dyes like acid dyeing is the simplest method than the other classes of dyes; and it offers various intense and bright shades. So, the purpose of this paper is to focus on acid dyeing of cotton fabric after its chemical modification.

Design/methodology/approach

Such modification of cotton fabric has been achieved using poly(amido)amine dendrimer (PAMAM) treatment. The current work is based on the synthesis of a full-generation PAMAM dendrimer (G0) and its application onto the cotton fabric for modifying the cotton substrate by the exhaust and padding method.

Findings

The treatment of the dendrimer on cotton fabric has been analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The dyeing results in terms of color strength of the treated cotton fabrics are compared with those of conventional acid dyed silk fabric. The fastness assessments such as wash, light and rubbing fastnesses after dyeing of treated cotton fabrics are also performed and found to be satisfactory.

Originality/value

This paper can be used in the application of synthesized poly(amido)amine dendrimer in acid dyeing of cotton.
Impact of wash types and stitching parameters on shrinkage of knitwear made from pique fabric
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad Babar , Rasheed Abher , Ali Zulfiqar , Ahmad Sheraz , Naeem Muhammad Salman , Afzal Ali
Published: December 2018

Purpose

In the field of knitwear, dimensional stability is assumed as a critical problem that affects the quality and salability of a product. Although much work has been done in this area with a focus on the factors affecting fabric shrinkage, however, there is a lack of work on knitwears with respect to their dimensional stability. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of stitching parameters and wash types on the dimensional properties of knitwear.

Design/methodology/approach

The crew-neck t-shirts were prepared by using pique knitted fabrics. Different sewing and finishing parameters were used that include stitch density, stitch type, stitching thread and wash type. The critical measurements of the selected garment are taken as output variables which are body width, sleeve length, body length and across shoulder. After laundering process, shrinkage percentage was calculated by using before-wash and after-wash measurements.

Findings

This study shows that the stitching parameters affect significantly on knitwear’s shrinkage. Thus, when patterns are being developed for the cutting of fabric, expected shrinkage, known as residual shrinkage, must be considered to avoid unexpected changes in garment shape.

Originality/value

This research will be useful for knitwear manufacturing industry.
Critical drivers (CDs) of value management adoption in the Nigerian construction industry
Authors: Ojo Lekan Damilola , Ogunsemi Deji Rufus
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the drivers of value management (VM) in the Nigerian construction industry with a view to identify the critical ones through Delphi study.

Design/methodology/approach

A team of 15 carefully selected experts in VM were engaged in two rounds of Delphi survey, and the responses of the survey were analyzed with descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and mode). Kendall’s coefficient of concordance test and Chi-square (χ2) test were also used to test the level of consensus amongst the respondents at the two rounds of the survey to draw inference. Interrater agreement analysis and significant level analysis were further used to determine the criticality of critical drivers.

Findings

The critical drivers to VM adoption are adequate understanding of the benefits of VM, higher/postgraduate programme that teaches VM technique, professional’s previous experience with VM, collaboration of all construction professional bodies in Nigeria and VM training.

Originality/value

This paper used opinions of VM experts only to achieve the aim of this study as against the common survey method in which respondents who are not knowledgeable in the area of research might fill the questionnaire.
Cognitive absorption and behavioural intentions in virtual health communities
Authors: Mpinganjira Mercy
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a conceptual model that elucidates the role of cognitive absorption in explaining behavioural intentions in virtual health communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 361 contributing members of virtual health communities from Gauteng, South Africa, using a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling using AMOS software was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings show that cognitive absorption has a significant direct positive influence on content posters’ intentions to continue participating on virtual health community platforms. Cognitive absorption was also found to have an indirect influence on behavioural intentions through its influence on members’ attitude. It was also found to play a mediating role in the influence of perceived usefulness and behavioural intention.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows the value of linking flow theory and the technology acceptance model to provide a comprehensive understanding of behavioural intentions in virtual health community forums.

Practical implications

Managers of virtual health communities need to pay attention to experiential aspects of their sites. Success in ensuring that community members are cognitively absorbed is key to the development of positive attitude and intentions towards virtual health community forums.

Originality/value

Virtual health communities play a new and growing role in the way health-related information and support is offered and accessed by those in need. Despite their importance, not much research has been done to explain the role of consumer experience in member behavioural intentions on such forums. The study contributes to this understanding by demonstrating the value of cognitive absorption in directly explaining users’ attitude and behavioural intentions. The study also sheds light on the role played by cognitive absorption in explaining the influence of perceived usefulness on behavioural intentions.
Transformational leadership and polychronicity as antecedents of work-home boundaries
Authors: Mittal Rakesh , Bienstock Joshua E.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to bring together leadership and boundary theories to conceptualize how transformational leadership behaviors and polychronicity might impact our life satisfaction through the boundaries we maintain around our work and home domains. It is argued that transformational behavior of the supervisor will be negatively associated with the strength of boundary that the followers construct around their home domain but will be positively associated with the boundary strength around the work domain. Additionally, it is posited that polychronicity will be negatively associated with the boundary strengths at home and at work but will be positively related with life satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The concepts of leadership, polychronicity and work-home boundaries are explained, and logical arguments are presented to develop a conceptual framework incorporating these constructs.

Findings

The conceptual exploration of this study denotes that transformational leadership of supervisors would positively impact the life satisfaction of employees, directly as well as through the boundaries around their work and home domains. Specifically, transformational leadership behaviors of supervisors are expected to be associated with followers’ strong work boundaries but with weak home boundaries. At the same time, highly polychronic individuals are expected to keep weak boundaries around their work and home domains and to have higher life satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptualization of this paper focused on constructs that have not been linked before in one framework. As such, empirical research is suggested to validate the model.

Practical implications

Understanding the antecedents of life satisfaction of employees is of crucial interest to managers at workplaces. It is suggested that managers should engage employees in co-constructing their work and home boundaries, with a view to increasing the life satisfaction of employees. Further, it seems possible that the hitherto prevalent practice of fostering strong boundaries at work may be hindering the well-being of employees.

Social implications

Variables active at workplaces, such as polychronicity, also affect the non-work domain and, thereby, the life satisfaction of employees.

Originality/value

Through this conceptualization, this paper has attempted to fill a gap in boundary management literature by linking transformational leadership of the supervisor to the work and home boundaries of the followers. This study also situates polychronicity as an important player in the work-home interface and life satisfaction of employees. This research links transformational leadership, polychronicity, boundary management and life satisfaction in one model. It thereby contributes to the leadership literature and extends the nomological network of work-non-work boundary management.
Challenges of achieving social upgrading in Bangladesh’s apparel industry
Authors: Islam Mohammad Tarikul , Stringer Christina
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Despite substantial economic upgrading, Bangladesh’s apparel industry remains confronted by claims of precarious working conditions. This paper aims to understand the challenges of achieving social upgrading and whether benefits of economic upgrading can transfer to workers and their dependents through social upgrading.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 90 participants from six apparel firms in Bangladesh. The interviews were conducted following the Rana Plaza disaster.

Findings

The results suggest that social upgrading has not occurred to the same extent as economic upgrading. Social upgrading has been compromised in part, by the tiered factory system operating and a lack of governance within the lower tier firms.

Research limitations/implications

Single country and one industry constitute the main limitations of this research. Future research could include multiple countries and industries to allow for greater generalization of findings.

Originality/value

The paper provides new insights on how social upgrading might be compromised within the global value chains context and its impact on developing country supplier firms, workers and their families.
Incidence, causes and correlates of maternal near‐miss morbidity: a multi‐centre cross‐sectional study
Authors: Oppong SA , Bakari A , Bell AJ , Bockarie Y , Adu JA , Turpin CA , Obed SA , Adanu RM , Moyer CA
Published: December 2018

Objective

To explore the incidence and factors associated with maternal near‐miss.

Design

Cross‐sectional study with an embedded case–control study.

Setting

Three tertiary referral hospitals in southern Ghana.

Population

All women admitted to study facilities with pregnancy‐related complications or for birth.

Methods

An adapted version of the WHO Maternal Near Miss Screening Tool was used to identify maternal near‐miss cases. These were compared with unmatched controls (uncomplicated deliveries) in a ratio of 1:2.

Main outcome measures

Incidence of maternal near‐miss, maternal near‐miss to maternal mortality ratio, and cause of and factors associated with maternal near‐miss.

Results

Out of 8433 live births, 288 maternal near‐miss cases and 62 maternal deaths were identified. In all, 454 healthy controls were recruited for comparison. Maternal near‐miss and maternal death incidence ratios were 34.2 (95% CI 30.2–38.1) and 7.4 (95% CI 5.5–9.2) per 1000 live births, respectively with a maternal near‐miss to mortality ratio of 4.6:1. Cause of near‐miss was pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia (41.0%), haemorrhage (12.2%), maternal sepsis (11.1%) and ruptured uterus (4.2%). A major factor associated with maternal near‐miss was maternal fever within the 7 days before birth (OR 5.95, 95%CI 3.754–9.424). Spontaneous onset of labour was protective against near‐miss (OR 0.09 95% CI 0.057–0.141).

Conclusion

For every maternal death, there were nearly five maternal near‐misses. Women having a fever in the 7 days before delivery were six times more likely to experience a near‐miss than women not having fever.

Tweetable abstract

Maternal near‐miss exceeds maternal death by 5:1, with the leading cause of maternal near‐miss was pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia.
Prospects for early childhood feeding interventions: An exploration of parent's concerns and acceptability towards social media intervention opportunities
Authors: Boswell Nikki , Byrne Rebecca , Davies Peter S.W.
Published: December 2018

Aim

The present study aims to (i) consult with parents regarding child feeding concerns, as relevant to child feeding interventions, (ii) determine parents’ willingness to participate in online and social media‐based interventions and (iii) determine differences in intervention acceptability based on geographic diversity and demographic characteristics.

Methods

Three hundred thirty Australian parents of children (2.0–5.0 years) with child feeding concerns participated in an online, cross‐sectional survey. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's multiple‐comparison test, using Bonferroni adjustment, was used to compare differences between variables and participants characteristics (region of residence, parent age, parent education and income).

Results

About 53.9% of respondents were concerned about child fussy eating, with lack of time and child tantrums common barriers to addressing concerns. Respondents indicated that a combination of online platforms (websites, email, Facebook) was their preferred method of intervention participation, although, a combination of online and face‐to‐face methods also had modest preference, particularly among lower educated parents. Participants indicated that they would participate in an online intervention (participating once a week) for more than 12 weeks (42.7%), compared with only 4 weeks (participating once a week) for traditionally delivered interventions. About 32.4% of respondents said they would be concerned about their privacy in an online intervention.

Conclusions

Fussy eating is likely to be an appealing focus for future child feeding interventions, with strategies to address common barriers an important curriculum area. Online interventions are likely to offer an acceptable and plausible alternative to traditional interventions that are able to reach geographically diverse populations, although face‐to‐face intervention components still hold appeal.
Comprehensive Study of the Boundaries of Enterotoxin A Production and Growth of Staphylococcus aureus at Various Temperatures and Salt Concentrations
Authors: Elahi Shaheem , Fujikawa Hiroshi
Published: December 2018

Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning, which is still a serious health problem worldwide, is caused by the intoxication of staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE). Among many types of SE, staphylococcal enterotoxin type A (SEA) is known to be the most responsible for S. aureus food poisoning worldwide. Several researchers have reported the modeling of growth/no growth boundaries for S. aureus with a logistic regression model. In this study, the boundaries of SEA production and S. aureus growth in broth were first performed with the logistic regression model, to evaluate the effects of environmental factors of temperature and salt. Consequently, the boundaries of SEA production and growth of S. aureus in temperature and salt concentration could be produced with the model in shaking and stationary cultures. The area where S. aureus cells would grow, but not produce SEA could be shown between the boundaries of SEA production and growth. Internal and external validations showed that the model could well describe and predict experimental results. Further, the maximum concentrations of SEA and cell population under various conditions of temperature and salt concentration were also compared between the shaking and stationary cultures. These results obtained in this study would become useful information in food industry to prevent S. aureus food poisoning outbreaks.

Practical Application

Production/no production of staphylococcal enterotoxin A at various temperatures and salt concentrations in shaking and stationary cultures could be estimated well with a logistic regression model. Growth/no growth of staphylococcal cells under the same conditions was also well estimated with the model. The area where S. aureus cells would grow, but not produce SEA could be shown with the model. This present analysis would provide useful information in food industry to prevent staphylococcal food poisoning outbreaks.
Loss of PTEN induces lung fibrosis via alveolar epithelial cell senescence depending on NF‐κB activation
Authors: Tian Yaqiong , Li Hui , Qiu Ting , Dai Jinghong , Zhang Yingwei , Chen Jingyu , Cai Hourong
Published: December 2018

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aging‐associated disease with poor prognosis. Currently, there are no effective drugs for preventing the disease process. The mechanisms underlying the role of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) senescence in the pathogenesis of IPF remain poorly understood. We aimed to explore whether PTEN/NF‐κB activated AEC senescence thus resulting in lung fibrosis. First, we investigated the association between the activation of PTEN/NF‐κB and cellular senescence in lung tissues from IPF patients. As a result, decreased PTEN, activated NF‐κB and increased senescent markers (P21WAF1, P16ink4a, and SA‐β‐gal) were found in AECs in fibrotic lung tissues detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). In vitro experiments showed increased expression levels of senescent markers and augmented senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in AECs treated with bleomycin (Blm); however, PTEN was reduced significantly following IκB, IKK, and NF‐κB activation after stimulation with Blm in AECs. AEC senescence was accelerated by PTEN knockdown, whereas senescence was reversed via NF‐κB knockdown and the pharmacological inhibition (BMS‐345541) of the NF‐κB pathway. Interestingly, we observed increased collagen deposition in fibroblasts cultured with the supernatants collected from senescent AECs. Conversely, the deposition of collagen in fibroblasts was reduced with exposure to the supernatants collected from NF‐κB knockdown AECs. These findings indicated that senescent AECs controlled by the PTEN/NF‐κB pathway facilitated collagen accumulation in fibroblasts, resulting in lung fibrosis. In conclusion, our study supports the notion that as an initial step in IPF, the senescence process in AECs may be a potential therapeutic target, and the PTEN/NF‐κB pathway may be a promising candidate for intervention.
Expectations about alcohol, cocaine, and benzodiazepine abstinence following inpatient heroin withdrawal management
Authors: Kenney Shannon R. , Anderson Bradley J. , Bailey Genie L. , Stein Michael D.
Published: December 2018

Background and Objectives

Polysubstance use is associated with relapse and poor treatment outcomes among people dependent on heroin. Despite the high prevalence of polysubstance use among patients detoxifying from heroin, little is known about patients’ expectations to abstain or use non‐opiate substances. The current study examined factors associated with expectations about abstaining from alcohol, cocaine, and benzodiazepines (BZDs) following heroin withdrawal management.

Methods

Between May and December of 2015, we surveyed 417 patients (71.9% male, 31.7 [±8.39] mean years old) initiating short‐term inpatient heroin withdrawal management who reported alcohol, cocaine, or BZD use in the past 30 days. We used logistic regression to evaluate the adjusted associations of background characteristics with expectations about using each substance following discharge.

Results

Approximately half of respondents reported past month alcohol (52%), cocaine (47.0%), or BZD (47.0%) use, and 25.9% reported using all three substances. Approximately half of those reporting drinking, 6.6% reporting cocaine use, and 27% of reporting BZD use expected to abstain from using that substance following heroin withdrawal. Prior opioid withdrawal was associated with a lower likelihood of expecting to stop using alcohol and BZDs, and more days of BZD use was associated with a greater likelihood of expecting to abstain from BZDs following discharge.

Conclusion

Persons with opioid use disorder often do not expect to stop using other substances following withdrawal management, with very few planning cocaine cessation.

Scientific Significance

Inpatient heroin withdrawal programs need to address and educate patients about how polysubstance use complicates recovery from heroin use. (Am J Addict 2019;28:36–42)
The role of the sapovirus infection increased in gastroenteritis after national immunisation was introduced
Authors: Pitkänen Oskari , Vesikari Timo , Hemming‐Harlo Maria
Published: December 2018

Aim

This study examined the prevalence and clinical significance of the sapovirus infection in children with acute gastroenteritis before and after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccination in Finland in 2009.

Methods

We collected 1437 stool samples from children under 16 years during three prospective hospital‐based surveillance studies of acute gastroenteritis at Tampere University Hospital, Finland. The children were seen in the emergency department (47%) or admitted to the ward (53%). Sapovirus findings from 2006 to 2008 (n = 759), before national immunisation, were compared to 2009–2011 (n = 330) and 2012–2014 (n = 348), after the national programme was launched.

Results

The overall incidence of the sapovirus was 3.3%. It was present in 1.4% of acute gastroenteritis cases in 2006–2008 and 5.5% in the post‐vaccination years, but the absolute number did not increase. Sapoviruses mainly occurred in the winter and spring, but did not follow the prevalence of the norovirus or rotavirus. Sapovirus GI.1 and GII.1 were the most common genotypes, but the predominant strain was different each season. Many sapovirus lineages appeared during multiple seasons and reappeared later.

Conclusion

The sapovirus was uncommonly and sporadically detected in children seen in the hospital for acute gastroenteritis, and its relative role increased after national immunisation was introduced.
Lenalidomide‐based response‐adapted therapy for older adults without high risk myeloma
Authors: Baz Rachid , Naqvi Syeda Mahrukh Hussnain , Lee Jae‐Hoon , Brayer Jason , Hillgruber Nancy , Fridley Brooke L. , Shain Kenneth H. , Sullivan Daniel M. , Alsina Melissa
Published: December 2018

Combined lenalidomide and dexamethasone is a standard‐of‐care therapy for the treatment of older adults with multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide monotherapy has not been evaluated in newly diagnosed myeloma patients. We conducted a phase II study, evaluating a response‐adapted therapy for older adults newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma without high‐risk features who were ineligible for high‐dose therapy and stem cell transplant. Patients were started on single‐agent lenalidomide, and low‐dose dexamethasone was added in the event of progressive disease, in a response‐adapted approach. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS), and the International Myeloma Working Group's uniform response criteria were used to assess response and progression. Twenty‐seven patients were enrolled, and 20 (74%) experienced a partial response or better to this response‐adapted therapy. After a median follow‐up of 69 months, the median PFS was 36 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 29·8 to not reached], and the median overall survival was 65 months (95% CI, 35·3 to not reached). Grade 3/4 adverse events were mainly haematological in nature. This response‐adapted therapy in this patient population is feasible and results in durable responses that compare favourably with concurrent lenalidomide and dexamethasone. These results should be validated in prospective studies.
Revisiting the difference between instrumental and terminal values to predict (stimulating) prosocial behaviours: The transcendental‐change profile
Authors: Oceja Luis , Stocks Eric , Heerdink Marc , Villar Sergio , Salgado Sergio , Carrera Pilar , Arribas María , Bargsted Mariana , Beramendi Maite , Caballero Amparo , Espinosa Agustín , Escanés Gabriel , Lima Luisa , Muñoz Dolores , Nájera Pablo , Pereira Sabina , Villegas Marisol , Zubieta Elena
Published: December 2018

Past research suggests that the connection between values and people's behaviour may not be as straightforward and robust as has been claimed. We propose that a more holistic and discriminative view that acknowledges the influence of a specific combination of values on specific kinds of behaviour is needed. In the current project, we test two hypotheses regarding the transcendental‐change profile (TCP). First, that TCP is characterized by a combination of the readiness to engage in those challenges (instrumental) that can make the world a better place (terminal). Second, the centrality of the TCP facilitates performance of those prosocial actions that are perceived as stimulating and global. The results of five studies support the reliability and validity of this conceptualization of TCP (Studies 1 and 2), and show that when the prosocial initiative is perceived as either global (Study 3) or stimulating (Studies 4 and 5), the TCP is the strongest predictor of the willingness and commitment to engage in such prosocial action.
B7‐H5/CD28H is a co‐stimulatory pathway and correlates with improved prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Qi , Wang Jianxin , Chen Wei , Zhang Qi , Wei Tao , Zhou Yue , Xu Xingyuan , Bai Xueli , Liang Tingbo
Published: December 2018

B7‐H5 and its cognate receptor CD28H are T lymphocyte second signaling transduction molecules. Here we aimed to explore the function of this pathway in pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo, and evaluated the clinical significance in 136 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma enrolled from January 2012 to February 2017 in our hospital. Surgical tumor specimens were collected for immunohistochemical staining to evaluate B7‐H5 expression. Patients’ baseline characteristics, including gender, age, tumor size, tumor location, tumor grading, clinical TNM staging, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, CA19‐9 and chemotherapy treatment, along with the subsequent follow‐up data, were documented and analyzed. When co‐cultured with T cells, pancreatic cancer PC cells with high B7‐H5 expression induced a more potent immune reaction, indicated by elevated cytokine release and increased proliferation of T lymphocytes compared with cells exhibiting low B7‐H5 expression. Xenograft pancreatic tumors derived from high B7‐H5 expression PC cells exhibited attenuated growth compared to tumors from low B7‐H5 expression cells after transfusion with T lymphocytes in immune‐deficient mice. Of the 136 PDAC tumor tissues, 93 (68.38%) were strong and 43 (31.62%) were weak B7‐H5 expression. Patients with strong B7‐H5 expression had significantly longer overall survival than those with weak expression (median: 16.5 vs 11.5 months, P = .017). TNM staging, tumor location and subsequent chemotherapy were also prognostic factors in these patients. Collectively, B7‐H5/CD28H is a co‐stimulatory signal pathway, and expression of B7‐H5 is associated with improved disease prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Are children smoke‐free at home? Using wearable cameras to study children's exposure to smoking and smoking paraphernalia in private spaces
Authors: Gurtner Marcus , Gage Ryan , Thomson George , Jaine Richard , Stanley James , Smith Moira , Barr Michelle , Chambers Tim , Signal Louise
Published: December 2018

Background

There is limited evidence available on the nature of children's exposure to smoking and smoking paraphernalia in private spaces (homes and cars). We aimed to evaluate the extent and nature of children's exposure to smoking in these settings using image data captured by wearable cameras.

Methods

One‐hundred and sixty‐eight children wore wearable cameras for 4 days that automatically took pictures every 7 s. Images captured in private spaces (n = 140,818) by children living in households with a smoker (n = 34) were screened for instances of smoking and smoking paraphernalia.

Results

A total of 37 incidents of smoking—four indoor, 21 outdoor, and two in‐vehicles—and 62 incidents of smoking paraphernalia were observed. Most smoking incidents in homes (21 of 33) took place outdoors.

Conclusions

The findings support health promotion efforts to make smokers more aware that smoking paraphernalia may normalize smoking for children. The methodology (wearable cameras) appears to have high utility for studying health behaviours in private spaces.
Brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Shorakae Soulmaz , Jona Eveline , de Courten Barbora , Lambert Gavin W. , Lambert Elisabeth A. , Phillips Sarah E. , Clarke Iain J. , Teede Helena J. , Henry Belinda A.
Published: December 2018

Objective

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased obesity with a greater propensity to weight gain and a lack of sustainable lifestyle interventions. Altered brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis is a potential contributor to obesity in PCOS. BAT activity and modulation have not been studied in PCOS. This observational study explored BAT thermogenesis and its associations in women with and without PCOS.

Participants and methods

Cutaneous temperature was recorded from supraclavicular (indicator of BAT activity) and upper arm regions using dataloggers (SubCue, Calgary, Canada) in a cross‐sectional substudy, nested within a randomized control trial, of community‐recruited premenopausal women with (n = 47, Rotterdam diagnostic criteria) and without (n = 11) PCOS.

Results

Complete temperature data were available in 44 PCOS (mean age: 30.0 ± 6.2, mean BMI: 29.3 ± 5.5) and 11 non‐PCOS (mean age: 33.0 ± 7.0, mean BMI: 25 ± 3) women. Women with PCOS had lower supraclavicular skin temperature compared to controls overall (33.9 ± 0.7 vs 34.5 ± 1, P < 0.05) and during sleep (34.5 ± 0.6 vs 35.2 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). In the PCOS group, supraclavicular skin temperature overall and over sleep and waking hours correlated inversely with testosterone (r = −0.41 P < 0.05, r = −0.485 P < 0.01 and r = −0.450 P < 0.01 respectively). Testosterone levels explained approximately 15%, 30% and 20% of the variability in supraclavicular skin temperature overall and over sleep and waking hours in women with PCOS, respectively.

Conclusion

Women with PCOS have lower BAT activity compared to controls. BAT thermogenesis is negatively associated with androgen levels in PCOS.
“Strivers”, “doers”, and “seekers”: Social workers and their commitment to the job
Authors: Smith Roger , Venn Laura , Stepanova Evgenia , Carpenter John , Patsios Demi
Published: December 2018

Amid considerable interest in the experiences of early career professionals in social work in England and internationally, and the relationship between these and retention and progression, this article reports on the findings of one element of a larger evaluation. It reports the findings and analysis of interviews with 42 relative newcomers to social work, some 3 years following qualification, focusing on their current career orientations, and how these appear to affect their future intentions.

We identified three distinct groups, designated as “strivers,” “doers,” and “seekers.” Each of these groups demonstrated a different kind and level of commitment to their social work role and identity: Strivers were oriented towards career progression and taking on senior roles; doers were committed practitioners who saw themselves as continuing in front line service delivery for the foreseeable future; and seekers, although still committed to social work in principle, tended to be more unsure about their future place in the profession.

This typology appears to be reasonably robust on the basis of our investigation and has implications for career planning and supervision of social work professionals, especially at the early stages of their careers.