bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women's bargaining power and child feeding in Nepal: Linkages through nutrition information
Authors: Kulkarni Shibani , Frongillo Edward A. , Cunningham Kenda , Moore Spencer , Blake Christine E.
Published: August 2019

Women's intra‐household bargaining power is an important determinant of child nutritional status, but there is limited evidence on how it relates to infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using 2012 baseline data from the impact evaluation of Suaahara, a multisectoral programme in Nepal, focusing on households with children 0–23 months (n = 1787). We examined if women's bargaining power was related to exposure to IYCF information and if exposure to IYCF information was in turn associated with improved IYCF practices: early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, minimum meal frequency and dietary diversity. Bargaining power consisted of four domains: (i) ownership and control of assets; (ii) social participation; (iii) workload; and (iv) household decision‐making control and were primarily measured using additive scales. We used generalized structural equation modelling to examine if exposure to IYCF information mediated the relationship between the bargaining domains and the four IYCF practices, separately. Social participation was positively associated with exposure to IYCF information (β = 0.266, P < .001), which in turn was related to early initiation (β = 0.241, P = .001). We obtained similar results for the relationship between social participation and dietary diversity. Decision‐making control was directly associated with exclusive breastfeeding (β = 0.350, P = .036). No domains were associated with minimum meal frequency. Different domains of women's bargaining power may relate to exposure to nutrition information and IYCF behaviours. Understanding specific domains of bargaining power is critical to developing interventions that can effectively address gender‐related issues that underlie child nutrition outcomes.
Loss and gain of sexual reproduction in the same stick insect
Authors: Morgan‐Richards Mary , Langton‐Myers Shelley S. , Trewick Steven A.
Published: August 2019

The outcome of competition between different reproductive strategies within a single species can be used to infer selective advantage of the winning strategy. Where multiple populations have independently lost or gained sexual reproduction it is possible to investigate whether the advantage is contingent on local conditions. In the New Zealand stick insect Clitarchus hookeri, three populations are distinguished by recent change in reproductive strategy and we determine their likely origins. One parthenogenetic population has established in the United Kingdom and we provide evidence that sexual reproduction has been lost in this population. We identify the sexual population from which the parthenogenetic population was derived, but show that the UK females have a post‐mating barrier to fertilisation. We also demonstrate that two sexual populations have recently arisen in New Zealand within the natural range of the mtDNA lineage that otherwise characterizes parthenogenesis in this species. We infer independent origins of males at these two locations using microsatellite genotypes. In one population, a mixture of local and nonlocal alleles suggested males were the result of invasion. Males in another population were most probably the result of loss of an X chromosome that produced a male phenotype in situ. Two successful switches in reproductive strategy suggest local competitive advantage for outcrossing over parthenogenetic reproduction. Clitarchus hookeri provides remarkable evidence of repeated and rapid changes in reproductive strategy, with competitive outcomes dependent on local conditions.
Expression of microRNA‐like RNA‐2 (Fgmil‐2) and bioH1 from a single transcript in Fusarium graminearum are inversely correlated to regulate biotin synthesis during vegetative growth and host infection
Authors: Guo Mao‐Wei , Yang Peng , Zhang Jing‐Bo , Liu Gang , Yuan Qing‐Song , He Wei‐Jie , Nian Jun‐Na , Yi Shu‐Yuan , Huang Tao , Liao Yu‐Cai
Published: August 2019

MicroRNA‐like RNAs (milRNAs) post‐transcriptionally down‐regulate target genes. We investigated Fusarium graminearum (Fg) milRNA expression during fungal vegetative growth and infection of wheat. Small RNA sequencing identified 36 milRNAs from Fg, one of which, Fgmil‐2, had >100 transcripts per million in conidia, mycelia and infected wheat, with the highest expression in conidia and the lowest expression in colonized wheat tissue. Fgmil‐2 displays perfect homology to the 3ʹ‐untranslated region (3ʹ‐UTR) of an FgbioH1 messenger RNA that is involved in biotin biosynthesis. Poly(A) polymerase‐mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends combined with sequencing analysis demonstrated that cleavage at a specific site by FgDicer2 in the 3ʹ‐UTR of FgbioH1 transcripts generated the Fgmil‐2 precursor with a typical hairpin structure. Deletion of FgbioH1 or FgDicer2 genes abolished Fgmil‐2 biogenesis. FgbioH1 had an inversely correlated pattern of expression to that of Fgmil‐2 and FgDicer2. Deletion of FgbioH1 also showed that it is required for mycelial growth, virulence, mycotoxin biosynthesis and expression of biotin‐dependent carboxylase genes. This study reveals in Fg a novel mode of inversely correlated post‐transcriptional regulation in which Fgmil‐2 originates from its own target transcript, FgbioH, to govern biotin biosynthesis.
Invited Review: The spectrum of age‐related small vessel diseases: potential overlap and interactions of amyloid and nonamyloid vasculopathies
Authors: Schreiber S. , Wilisch‐Neumann A. , Schreiber F. , Assmann A. , Scheumann V. , Perosa V. , Jandke S. , Mawrin C. , Carare R. O. , Werring D. J.
Published: August 2019

Deep perforator arteriopathy (DPA) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) are the commonest known cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD), which cause ischaemic stroke, intracebral haemorrhage (ICH) and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). While thus far mainly considered as separate entities, we here propose that DPA and CAA share similarities, overlap and interact, so that ‘pure’ DPA or CAA are extremes along a continuum of age‐related small vessel pathologies. We suggest blood‐brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, endothelial damage and impaired perivascular β‐amyloid (Aβ) drainage are hallmark common mechanisms connecting DPA and CAA. We also suggest a need for new biomarkers (e.g. high‐resolution imaging) to deepen understanding of the complex relationships between DPA and CAA.
Ghrelin ameliorates the phenotype of newborn rats induced with mild necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Meister Alissa L. , Burkholder Cameron R. , Doheny Kim K. , Travagli R. Alberto
Published: August 2019

Background

We have shown previously that an attenuated rodent model of mild necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) increases intestinal histopathological severity grade, prevents typical developmental increases in the high‐frequency spectrum of heart rate variability (HF‐HRV), alters the nitrergic myenteric phenotype, and increases IL‐6 and IL‐1β when combined with anterior subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. The aims of the present study were to test the hypotheses that in mild NEC‐induced pups, administration of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin (a) reduces the histopathological score, (b) increases the HF‐HRV power, (c) improves the altered myenteric phenotype, and (d) subdiaphragmatic vagotomy prevents the effects of ghrelin.

Methods

Newborn Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to seven days of brief periods of cold stress and hypoxia to induce mild NEC with or without anterior subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. HRV was measured at postnatal days one, five, and ten; intraperitoneal ghrelin (0.05 mg kg−1) was administered postnatal days five through ten b.i.d. Pups were sacrificed at day 12, and whole brains, gastrointestinal tissues, and blood were collected for immunohistochemical, corticosterone, and cytokine analysis.

Key Results

Ghrelin treatment reduced the intestinal histopathological score, increased the HF‐HRV power, improved the altered intestinal myenteric phenotype, and subdiaphragmatic vagotomy prevented the effects of ghrelin. There were no differences in serum cytokines or corticosterone between groups.

Conclusions and Inferences

Our data suggest that ghrelin administration is able to recover the mild NEC‐induced changes to the histology, HF‐HRV, and myenteric phenotype in a vagally dependent manner.
Multiparametric real‐time sensing of cytosolic physiology links hypoxia responses to mitochondrial electron transport
Authors: Wagner Stephan , Steinbeck Janina , Fuchs Philippe , Lichtenauer Sophie , Elsässer Marlene , Schippers Jos H. M. , Nietzel Thomas , Ruberti Cristina , Van Aken Olivier , Meyer Andreas J. , Van Dongen Joost T. , Schmidt Romy R. , Schwarzländer Markus
Published: August 2019

Hypoxia regularly occurs during plant development and can be induced by the environment through, for example, flooding.

To understand how plant tissue physiology responds to progressing oxygen restriction, we aimed to monitor subcellular physiology in real time and in vivo. We establish a fluorescent protein sensor‐based system for multiparametric monitoring of dynamic changes in subcellular physiology of living Arabidopsis thaliana leaves and exemplify its applicability for hypoxia stress.

By monitoring cytosolic dynamics of magnesium adenosine 5'‐triphosphate, free calcium ion concentration, pH, NAD redox status, and glutathione redox status in parallel, linked to transcriptional and metabolic responses, we generate an integrated picture of the physiological response to progressing hypoxia. We show that the physiological changes are surprisingly robust, even when plant carbon status is modified, as achieved by sucrose feeding or extended night. Inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain causes dynamics of cytosolic physiology that are remarkably similar to those under oxygen depletion, highlighting mitochondrial electron transport as a key determinant of the cellular consequences of hypoxia beyond the organelle.

A broadly applicable system for parallel in vivo sensing of plant stress physiology is established to map out the physiological context under which both mitochondrial retrograde signalling and low oxygen signalling occur, indicating shared upstream stimuli.
Simultaneous Diagnostic Testing for Nonlinear Time Series Models with An Application to the U.S. Federal Fund Rate
Authors: Li Shuo , Guo Bin , Tu Yundong
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes a simultaneous test for the specification of the conditional mean and conditional variance functions as well as the error distribution in nonlinear time series models. Constructed by comparing two density estimators for the response variable, the proposed test has a Gumbel‐limiting distribution under the null hypothesis and is consistent against a general class of alternative hypotheses. A parametric bootstrap procedure is proposed for practical implementation, and is shown to perform well in extensive simulations. The application to the continuous time diffusion model is illustrated via an analysis on the U.S. Federal fund rate data.
Prognostic Factors for the Outcome of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
Authors: Wendling‐Keim Danielle S , Binder Marion , Dietz Hans‐Georg , Lehner Markus
Published: August 2019

Objective

To detect the influence of the type of osteosynthesis, the timing of surgery, and the experience of the surgeon on the outcome of supracondylar humeral fractures in children.

Methods

In this study we included 97 patients aged 0 to 18 years with displaced supracondylar humeral fractures that required osteosynthesis within a time period of 5 years. In detail, unstable type II as well as type III and type IV fractures were registered. Fractures were treated with Kirschner wire fixation or with elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). A C‐arm was used to control the position of the fragments. Immobilization, if indicated after the operation, was achieved through the fitting of long‐arm plaster, or fiberglass splints. The study was carried out retrospectively. The time period to surgery, the duration of the surgery, the type of osteosynthesis, and the experience of the surgeon were determined and correlated to the incidence of complication intraoperatively, postoperatively, and during the long‐term follow‐up. The hospital's electronic archive, including all charts and radiological studies, was analyzed. Statistical significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05.

Results

Of the 97 supracondylar fractures in this study, 55 (56.7%) occurred in boys and 42 (43.3%) in girls; the average age was 5.8 years. The outcome of the operation was independent of the time interval between the trauma and the operation as well as the mode of transportation (P > 0.05) because the complication rate did not differ significantly between patients who had surgery on the same day and between patients who waited for up to 2 days for surgery. Furthermore, the duration of surgery and the experience of the performing surgeon did not influence the occurrence of any complications. However, the complication rate increased after operations performed during the night shift. During the shift between 10 pm and 2 am, the incidence of paresthesia was significantly increased (P = 0.01) compared to the shift from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. However, no difference was detected between business and non‐business days regarding any complications. In addition, ESIN and closed reductions resulted in lower complication rates than Kirschner wire fixation and open reductions in this study population.

Conclusion

In our study population, patients undergoing surgery during the night shift, Kirschner wire fixation and open reduction were associated with an increased rate of complications in comparison to operations during the day, closed reduction, and ESIN. Notably, the timing of surgery and the experience of the surgeon did not have any impact on the outcome after supracondylar humeral fracture.
Max Weber in the tropics: How global climate politics facilitates the bureaucratization of forestry in Indonesia
Authors: Lederer Markus , Höhne Chris
Published: August 2019

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is one of the most advanced global climate governance arrangements and we show that it contributes to the buildup of autonomous capacities and reliable procedures in areas of rather limited statehood. These partially unintended effects can be conceptualized as an increasing rational–legal bureaucratization, which has been initiated through both external and domestic actors as we illuminate in the case of Indonesia's forestry sector in the period from 2007 until 2017. Our finding is that a bureaucratization of a new kind is increasingly strengthened in Indonesia's forest despite enduring patterns of neopatrimonialism, emerging signs of new public management approaches, and the strengthening of functional equivalents such as community‐based forest management. We thus claim that Max Weber's perspective on the prospects and problems of rational–legal bureaucratization is still valuable, even when travelling to the tropics.
Blood eosinophil count as a predictor of hospital length of stay in COPD exacerbations
Authors: Ko Fanny W.S. , Chan Ka Pang , Ngai Jenny , Ng So‐Shan , Yip Wing Ho , Ip April , Chan Tat‐On , Hui David S.C.
Published: August 2019

Background and objective

Airway inflammation accompanying exacerbations varies among individuals with some having neutrophilic, while others showing eosinophilic inflammation. This study assessed the cut‐off values of blood eosinophil count for identifying subjects with longer hospital length of stay (LOS) with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods

Patients were recruited at presentation to the hospital with an AECOPD. Complete blood picture with differential count was taken on admission. Patients were treated with a standard course of systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic and evaluated at 8 weeks post‐exacerbation for lung function measurement and 6‐min walk. They were followed up in 1 year for any readmissions or mortality. Cut‐off values of eosinophils for assessment of longer LOS were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

A total of 346 patients with admission eosinophil count were included in the analysis (333 (96.2%) were males; mean ± SD age: 74.9 ± 7.8 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1): 43.4 ± 16.3% predicted). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) of the absolute peripheral eosinophil count, percent eosinophil count and LOS were 0.11 (0.25) × 109/L, 1 (3) % and 5 (7) days, respectively. Using the median LOS of ≥5 days as the cut‐off, ROC analysis of the cut‐off value of eosinophil count associated with longer LOS was at <2% (area under the curve (AUC): 0.666, P < 0.001) while absolute eosinophil count was at <0.144 × 109/L (AUC: 0.645, P < 0.001). These eosinophil cut‐off values could predict longer LOS independent of age, lung function and previous hospital admissions, but had no association with readmissions for AECOPD and mortality at 12 months.

Conclusion

An eosinophil value of <0.144 × 109/L on admission or <2% was associated with longer hospital LOS for AECOPD.
Nasal high flow does not improve exercise tolerance in COPD patients recovering from acute exacerbation: A randomized crossover study
Authors: Prieur Guillaume , Medrinal Clement , Combret Yann , Dupuis Lozeron Elise , Bonnevie Tristan , Gravier Francis‐Edouard , Quieffin Jean , Lamia Bouchra , Borel Jean‐Christian , Reychler Gregory
Published: August 2019

Background and objective

We hypothesized that by reducing respiratory work and improving gas exchange, nasal high flow (NHF) would improve exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following respiratory exacerbation.

Methods

This was a monocentric, randomized, controlled crossover study. Patients with severe to very severe COPD carried out two high‐intensity constant work‐rate exercise tests (CWRET) with and without NHF on two consecutive days. The primary outcome was the mean difference in endurance time between both conditions. The secondary aims included vastus lateralis oxygenation (StO2), dyspnoea, leg discomfort, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), transcutaneous CO2 pressure (PtcCO2), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and pulsed O2 saturation (SpO2), as well as the patients' opinions of the device.

Results

A total of 19 patients were included (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s = 28.7 ± 10.8%, age = 62.1 ± 9.1 years). No significant differences in endurance time during the CWRET were found between the two test conditions (−66.58 (95% CI: −155.9 to 22.7) s, P = 0.12). StO2, PtCO2 and HR were reduced at the end of the exercise with NHF (−2.1% (95% CI: −4.3 to −0.0); −1.3 mm Hg (95% CI: −2.5 to −0.2); −2.7 bpm (95% CI: −5.0 to −0.5), respectively, P ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found for any of the other secondary outcomes. Half of the patients evaluated the device as being moderately to very uncomfortable.

Conclusion

NHF during exercise did not increase endurance time in patients with COPD following exacerbation.

Clinical trial registration

NCT03058081 at clinicaltrials.gov
Long‐term clinical course and outcome of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features
Authors: Kim Ho Cheol , Lee Joo Hee , Chae Eun Jin , Song Joon Seon , Song Jin Woo
Published: August 2019

Background and objective

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) with autoimmune features that does not fulfil connective tissue disease (CTD) criteria has been recently defined as interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). However, its long‐term clinical course and outcome are poorly understood.

Methods

We included consecutive patients diagnosed with IIP (n = 586) or CTD‐related interstitial lung disease (CTD‐ILD, n = 149). Some patients with IIP were reclassified as IPAF based on recent guidelines.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 45 months. Among the IIP patients, 109 (18.6%) were reclassified as IPAF. Compared to the non‐IPAF‐IIP group, the IPAF group had slower diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and total lung capacity declines, and more frequent CTD development during follow‐up periods. The prognosis of the IPAF was better than that of the non‐IPAF‐IIP and similar to that of the CTD‐ILD. IPAF was associated with better prognosis in the IIP cohort on univariate but not on multivariate analysis. Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern, old age and low DLCO independently predicted mortality in the IPAF group.

Conclusion

Compared to the non‐IPAF‐IIP group, the IPAF group had slower lung function declines and more frequent CTD development during follow‐up. Although the prognosis of IPAF group was better than that of non‐IPAF‐IIP group and similar to that of CTD‐ILD group, it showed poor prognosis in patients with old age, UIP pattern, and low DLCO.
Stalls in Fertility Transitions in sub‐Saharan Africa: Revisiting the Evidence
Authors: Schoumaker Bruno
Published: August 2019

Stalls in fertility decline were first identified in Ghana and Kenya in the early 2000s, and since then as many as 20 African countries have been classified in the “stall” category at some point. The countries and time periods in which they occurred are not well established, however, and whether stalls in sub‐Saharan Africa are pervasive or not remains an open question. This article identifies where and when fertility stalls have occurred in sub‐Saharan Africa. I combine a variety of data sources and methods to identify cases of fertility stalls strongly supported by the data. I find unambiguous support for stalls in two countries (Namibia and Zimbabwe), very strong support in three additional countries (Congo, Kenya, and Zambia), and fairly strong support in Cameroon, in the early 2000s. Stalls are possible in seven cases in six other countries (Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania), where evidence is moderate. Fertility stalls in sub‐Saharan Africa are thus not widespread, but they are not exceptional either. Further research on the causes of these stalls is key to a better understanding of the future paths of fertility in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Racialized im/migration and autonomy of migration perspectives: New directions and opportunities
Authors: Olmos Daniel
Published: August 2019

Given the surge of nativist politics in the United States today, scholars are increasingly recognizing the importance of the intersections of race and im/migration. Moving beyond the colorblind assimilation and neo‐assimilation theories that dominated the social sciences, critical sociologists have opened up new lines of inquiry that highlight the underlying racialized power and inequalities that structure im/migration incorporation. This article provides an overview of the growing body of literature on racialized im/migration and explores the importance of understanding the racial order through relational racialization and racialized illegality. The article then introduces newly developed autonomy of migration (AoM) theories and their contributions to the materialist study of im/migration and racialized subordination. The article concludes by suggesting that future research attempt to bridge racialized im/migration and autonomy of migration perspectives.
Transgender health education for medical students
Authors: Click Ivy A , Mann Abbey K , Buda Morgan , Rahimi‐Saber Anahita , Schultz Abby , Shelton K Maureen , Johnson Leigh
Published: August 2019

Background

Transgender individuals face numerous health disparities and report negative experiences with health care providers related to their gender identity. Significant gaps in medical education regarding transgender health persist despite calls for increased sexual and gender minority content. The purpose of this student‐led study was to assess the effectiveness of a half‐day educational intervention on first‐ and second‐year medical students’ attitudes and knowledge of transgender health.

Methods

Students and faculty members collaborated to develop an educational session on transgender health. This content was presented to first‐ and second‐year medical students at Integrated Grand Rounds, a pedagogical method in which basic science and clinical faculty members co‐present didactic content interspersed between live patient interviews and student‐led small group discussions. Student participants (n = 138) completed voluntary 9‐item pre‐ and post‐session surveys assessing comfort with and knowledge of transgender medicine.

Results

Students’ comfort with and perceived knowledge about transgender patients increased significantly between pre‐ and post‐test. Students’ knowledge of transgender medicine standards of care also improved, though not all items reached significance.

Discussion

A half‐day educational intervention improved many facets of medical students’ attitudes and knowledge about transgender patients. The significant disparities in physical health, mental health and access to care currently experienced by transgender persons in the United States warrants the continued testing and refinement of educational interventions for future and practising providers.

Students’ comfort with transgender patients increased significantly between pre‐ and post‐test
Reflections on Conversations and Memory
Authors: Cyr Travis G. , Hirst William
Published: August 2019

The study of memory and remembering has traditionally either stripped meaning away from acts of remembering to reveal the “raw material of memory” or explored how meaning guides the reconstruction of the past. In reflecting on the contributions to this topic, there appears to be an emerging “third‐way,” which holds that there is an inextricable relation between conversations and remembering. The articles in this volume exemplify how conversing is often an act of remembering and represent approaches to memory that might not otherwise be taken if one were to study memory as a within‐individual phenomenon. The implications of this approach are far‐ranging and present the opportunity to pose new questions about the nature of remembering as it unfolds in conversation. The contributing articles have expanded the scope of what memory researchers can study by adopting a relatively straightforward assumption about the sociality of remembering and the role of the conversation in the social process.
Communication, Socialization and Citizenship: Theoretical-Conceptual Bases to Understand the Expression of Contemporary Citizen Politics
Authors: Romeu Vivian , Alvarez Maylen
Published: August 2019

This text reflects theoretically and conceptually on the contemporary political expression of citizenship - which we have also named as emergent, given its recent appearance and its novel forms and contents - from three perspectives of analysis: that of science and political philosophy, from the approach of inclusive citizenship around the binomial citizenship-rights; that of relational sociology that makes it possible to think of citizen's political action practices as practices of individual-individual relationship; and communication as an expression, from which political expression is conceptualized as a communicative phenomenon and its levels of analysis are delineated. The result implies recognizing these practices as a possible revitalization/re-foundation of democracy, under the guarantor of human rights.
IRF6 and TAK1 coordinately promote the activation of HIPK2 to stimulate apoptosis during palate fusion
Authors: Ke Chen-Yeh , Mei Hua-Hsuan , Wong Fen-Hwa , Lo Lun-Jou
Published: August 2019

The kinase HIPK2 promotes cell death that is necessary for proper palate development in mice.
The kinase PKD3 provides negative feedback on cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis by suppressing insulin signaling
Authors: Mayer Alexander E. , Löffler Mona C. , Loza Valdés Angel E. , Schmitz Werner , El-Merahbi Rabih , Viera Jonathan Trujillo , Erk Manuela , Zhang Thianzhou , Braun Ursula , Heikenwalder Mathias , Leitges Michael , Schulze Almut , Sumara Grzegorz
Published: August 2019

PKD3 prevents triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation in the liver in response to insulin.
The ADEP Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Streptomyces hawaiiensis NRRL 15010 Reveals an Accessory
clpP
Gene as a Novel Antibiotic Resistance Factor
Authors: Thomy Dhana , Culp Elizabeth , Adamek Martina , Cheng Eric Y. , Ziemert Nadine , Wright Gerard D. , Sass Peter , Brötz-Oesterhelt Heike
Published: August 2019

Antibiotic acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) represent a promising new class of potent antibiotics and, at the same time, are valuable tools to study the molecular functioning of their target, ClpP, the proteolytic core of the bacterial caseinolytic protease. Here, we present a straightforward purification procedure for ADEP1 that yields substantial amounts of the pure compound in a time- and cost-efficient manner, which is a prerequisite to conveniently study the antimicrobial effects of ADEP and the operating mode of bacterial ClpP machineries in diverse bacteria. Identification and characterization of the ADEP biosynthetic gene cluster in
Streptomyces hawaiiensis
NRRL 15010 enables future bioinformatics screenings for similar gene clusters and/or subclusters to find novel natural compounds with specific substructures. Most strikingly, we identified a cluster-associated
clpP
homolog (named
clpP
ADEP
) as an ADEP resistance gene. ClpP
ADEP
constitutes a novel bacterial resistance factor that alone is necessary and sufficient to confer high-level ADEP resistance to
Streptomyces
across species.
Structural, Biosynthetic, and Serological Cross-Reactive Elucidation of Capsular Polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae Serogroup 16
Authors: Li Chengxin , Duda Katarzyna A. , Elverdal Pernille L. , Skovsted Ian C. , Kjeldsen Christian , Duus Jens Ø.
Published: August 2019

The vaccine pressure against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
could result in a change of prevalence in carriage and invasive serotypes. As such, it is necessary to monitor the distribution to achieve successful vaccination of the population, and similarly, it is important to increase the knowledge of even the currently less prevalent serotypes. The CPS are vital for the virulence of the pathogen, and antigenic properties of CPS are based on the structure. Consequently, a better understanding of the structure, biosynthesis, and serology of the capsular polysaccharides can be of great importance toward developing future diagnostic tools and vaccines.
QuantiFERON-TB Performs Better in Children, Including Infants, than in Adults with Active Tuberculosis: a Multicenter Study
Authors: Lombardi Giulia , Pellegrino Maria Teresa , Denicolò Agnese , Corsini Ilaria , Tadolini Marina , Bergamini Barbara Maria , Meacci Marisa , Garazzino Silvia , Peracchi Marta , Lanari Marcello , Re Maria Carla , Dal Monte Paola
Published: August 2019

Immunological tests, including the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) assay, represent an important aid for diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infections in children, but concerns about their use in children <5 years of age persist. This is a multicenter retrospective study comparing a population of 226 children to 521 adults with pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB.
Human Cytomegalovirus pUL37x1 Is Important for Remodeling of Host Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Xi Yuecheng , Harwood Samuel , Wise Lisa M. , Purdy John G.
Published: August 2019

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a common pathogen that asymptomatically infects most people and establishes a lifelong infection. However, HCMV can cause end-organ disease that results in death in the immunosuppressed and is a leading cause of birth defects. HCMV infection depends on host metabolism, including lipid metabolism. However, the viral mechanisms for remodeling of metabolism are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the viral UL37x1 protein (pUL37x1) is important for infection-associated increases in lipid metabolism, including fatty acid elongation to produce very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Furthermore, we found that HCMV infection results in a significant increase in phospholipids, particularly those with VLCFA tails (PL-VLCFAs). We found that pUL37x1 was important for the high levels of fatty acid elongation and PL-VLCFA accumulation that occur in HCMV-infected cells. Our findings identify a viral protein that is important for changes in lipid metabolism that occur following HCMV infection.
Pathophysiology of narrow complex dilated cardiomyopathy insight derived from the velocity equation: velocity = distance/time
Authors: Houck Philip D , Jones Billy , Patel Rikin , Olsovsky Greg
Published: August 2019

The pathophysiology of narrow complex dilated cardiomyopathy is not defined, so therapeutic options are limited. By utilising the velocity equation, the pathophysiology of narrow complex cardiomyopathy allows above normal conduction propagation velocities. There are two pathophysiological theories that allow above normal conduction velocities and failure to capture the myocardium: (1)insulating fibres of the conduction system extending beyond the apex and (2) reduction of axon branching. A patient with narrow complex cardiomyopathy was subjected to graded increase in amplitude and pulse width pacing to overcome the failure of native conduction to capture the myocardium. Peak systolic strain maps demonstrated a progressive increase in apical contractility with increasing pulse width and amplitude. Ejection fraction improved from 17% to 31%. Understanding the pathophysiology of narrow complex cardiomyopathy leads to proposed therapies. One potential pacing therapy is multi-lead pacing at high amplitude and pulse width to capture myocardial cells not captured by native conduction.
Does initial postgraduate career intention and social demographics predict perceived career behaviour? A national cross-sectional survey of UK postgraduate doctors
Authors: Scanlan Gillian Marion , Cleland Jennifer , Stirling Suzanne Anderson , Walker Kim , Johnston Peter
Published: August 2019

Objective

Studies indicate that initial career intentions and personal characteristics (eg, gender) can influence medical career decision-making. However, little is known about how personal characteristics and intention interact with career decision-making. To address this gap, we examined the link between career intention at the start of the 2-year UK Foundation Programme (FP) and career intentions on its completion.

Methods

Data came from the 2017 UK National Career Destination Survey, a cross-sectional study completed by all second year foundation doctors. We included respondents’ demographics (gender, graduate status on entry to medical school, career intention on starting the FP) and career intention as an outcome measure (eg, specialty (residency) training (UK), NHS non-training posts/further study, career break, working abroad). Multinomial regression was used to assess the independent relationship between background characteristics and career intention.

Results

There were 6890 participants and 5570 usable responses. 55.9% of respondents were female and 43.1% were male, 77.1% were non-graduates and 22.9% were graduate entrants to medical school. Approximately two-thirds (62.3%, n=2170) of doctors who had an original intention to pursue specialty training after F2, still intended to do so on completion. Most of those who stated at the start of F2 that they did not want to pursue specialty indicated at the end of F2 they would be undertaking other employment opportunities outwith formal training. However, 37.7% of respondents who originally intended to pursue specialty training on FP completion did something different. Graduate entrants to medicine were more likely to immediately progress into specialty training compared with their peers who did medicine as a primary first degree.

Conclusion

Original intention is a strong predictor of career intentions at the end of the FP. However, a considerable proportion of doctors changed their mind during the FP. Further research is needed to understand this behaviour.
Is an obesity simulation suit in an undergraduate medical communication class a valuable teaching tool? A cross-sectional proof of concept study
Authors: Herrmann-Werner Anne , Loda Teresa , Wiesner Lisa M , Erschens Rebecca Sarah , Junne Florian , Zipfel Stephan
Published: August 2019

Objective

With the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity, medical students should be prepared to engage in weight management and obesity-related communications in order to prevent patients from having stigmatising experiences. In addition, medical students should have training to reduce anti-fat prejudices.

Design

Cross-sectional proof of concept study.

Setting

University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany.

Participants

246 participants (207 second-year medical students, 13 standardised patients (SPs) and 22 teachers) took part in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the assessment of degree of reality of the encounter with the SP wearing an obesity simulation suit (OSS). The secondary outcome was the evaluation of students’ awareness and prejudice against patients with obesity in a simulated role play. Additionally, a description of the advantages and disadvantages when using such a teaching tool is delivered.

Results

The OSS contributed to a realistic perception of the patient group depicted in a role play according to students, teachers and SPs. OSS body mass index estimation by students, teachers and SPs correctly was over 30 kg/m2—thus in the range of obesity. In a selected subscale of the Anti-Fat Attitudes Test, students showed significantly stronger anti-fat stigmatisation compared with teachers and SPs.

Conclusions

An OSS worn by an SP is a valuable teaching tool to raise awareness about patients with obesity. It gives a realistic picture of the encounter. Stigmatisation was low in general but was especially present in the students. Further research should include intervention studies to address this issue.
Type 2 diabetes prevalence among Canadian adults — dietary habits and sociodemographic risk factors
Authors: Hosseini Zeinab , Whiting Susan J. , Vatanparast Hassan
Published: August 2019

Patients with diagnosed diabetes receive recommendations by their healthcare providers about lifestyle modification, particularly on diet. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of type 2 diagnosed diabetes, undetected (undiagnosed) type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes of Canadian adults, and to evaluate whether individuals with diagnosed diabetes have different dietary intakes compared with the other groups. We used nationally representative data from Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycles 1 and 2 (n = 6807, representing estimated population of 23 022 890). We evaluated prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, undetected diabetes, and prediabetes and their distribution across sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The intake from different food/food groups was compared between those with diagnosed diabetes and the rest of the population. Among Canadians 20–79 years of age, 12.4% had prediabetes, and 7.5% had diabetes. Among all diabetes cases, 37.3% were undiagnosed. All 3 diabetic categories were more prevalent among older age groups (60–79 years) compared with younger age (20–39 years) groups. Diagnosed diabetes and prediabetes were more prevalent among less educated individuals compared with the higher educated ones. Diagnosed diabetes was more common among individuals with lower-middle income level compared with the highest income level. Diagnosed diabetes individuals had lower intake from juice and ice cream and higher intake from potatoes and diet soft drinks compared with other groups. More than 600 000 adults were unaware of their diabetes status; the aware ones had lower intakes of sugar-containing foods. In evaluating the association between dietary intake and risk of chronic diseases in populations, diagnosed diabetes cases should be evaluated separately.
Effects of high-intensity interval training and nutrition advice on cardiometabolic markers and aerobic fitness in adolescent girls with obesity
Authors: Plavsic Ljiljana , Knezevic Olivera M. , Sovtic Aleksandar , Minic Predrag , Vukovic Rade , Mazibrada Ilijana , Stanojlovic Olivera , Hrncic Dragan , Rasic-Markovic Aleksandra , Macut Djuro
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and nutrition advice on cardiometabolic biomarkers, hormonal parameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescent girls with obesity. Adolescent girls with obesity (n = 44, aged 13–19 years) were randomized into a 12-week intervention as follows: (i) dietary advice and HIIT (n = 22), and (ii) dietary advice only (n = 22). The concentration of biomarkers of inflammation, biochemical and hormonal testing, oral glucose tolerance test, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity levels, and nutrition were assessed. After a 3-month intervention, the diet+HIIT group significantly increased insulin sensitivity index (–0.34 ± 1.52 vs. 1.05 ± 3.21; p = 0.001) and work load (0.6 ± 11.3 W vs. 14.6 ± 20.2 W; p = 0.024) and decreased glucose area under the curve (–0.29 ± 4.69 vs. −0.98 ± 4.06; p = 0.040), insulin area under the curve (−9.65 ± 117.9 vs. −98.7 ± 201.8; p = 0.003), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (0.12 ± 1.92 mg/L vs. −1.47 ± 3.67 mg/L; p = 0.039) in comparison with the diet group. Regarding within-group changes, both groups had significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), BMI-standard deviation score, body fat percentage, and systolic blood pressure. Positive impact on waist circumference, waist circumference/height ratio, diastolic blood pressure, hs-CRP, work load, maximal heart rate, and resting heart rate was observed only after the diet+HIIT intervention. No significant change was noted in peak oxygen uptake, lipid profile, and hormonal parameters between groups after intervention.

Novelty HIIT and nutrition advice increased insulin sensitivity and decreased BMI, body fat, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Nutrition advice decreased BMI, body fat, and systolic blood pressure in adolescent girls with obesity.
Genesis and role of bitumen in fracture development during early catagenesis
Authors: Abu-Mahfouz Israa S. , Cartwright Joe A. , Idiz Erdem , Hooker John N. , Robinson Stuart , van den Boorn Sander
Published: August 2019

Bitumen-bearing fractures and vugs were investigated in the highly organic-rich Jordan oil shale (JOS) of Late Cretaceous–Eocene age, which has potential as a highly fractured, unconventional hydrocarbon play. Bitumen is present as macroscopically visible deposits, and as inclusions in the cement of abundant natural fractures and adjacent vugs. The frequency of bitumen occurrence in fractures closely correlates with total organic carbon (TOC) and burial depth. Petrographical and organic-geochemical analyses on bitumen samples extracted from fractures and their host-rock matrix show that the fracture-filling bitumen comprises indigenous low maturity hydrocarbons derived from the surrounding organic-rich oil shale and has not migrated from a deeper source. Maturity indicators imply that the oil shale is in the pre-oil generation stage of early catagenesis throughout the investigated area, but with a regional increase in thermal maturity from west to east as the result of greater maximum burial depth. Bitumen mobilization in the host rock was mainly controlled by vertical loading stress acting on the non-Newtonian bitumen phase in load-bearing configurations in the organic-rich matrix. Bitumen fractures were developed by hydraulic fracturing as the result of fluid overpressure in the organic matter. Overpressured bitumen has acted as a fracture driver, generating bitumen veins in both the organic-rich mudstones and the adjacent chert and silicified intervals.

Supplementary material
:
A summary of core data and photographs of the fracture bitumen and matrix bitumen are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4602290

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Naturally Fractured Reservoirs collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/naturally-fractured-reservoirs
AI profiles
Authors: Neumann Marion
Published: August 2019

Welcome to the eighth interview profiling a senior AI researcher. This time we will hear from Leslie Kaelbling, Panasonic Professor of Computer Science and Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT.
AI education matters
Authors: Neller Todd W.
Published: August 2019

In this column, we briefly describe a rich dataset with many opportunities for interesting data science and machine learning assignments and research projects, we take up a simple question, and we offer code illustrating use of the dataset in pursuit of answers to the question.
The 26th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2018) Seattle, Washington, USA November 6--9, 2018
Authors: Güting Ralf Hartmut , Tamassia Roberto , Xiong Li , Banaei-Kashani Farnoush , Hoel Erik
Published: August 2019

This report describes the development and finalization of the 26th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2018), held in Seattle, Washington, USA, November 6--9, 2018. The attendance for the 2018 conference was 414 (representing 29 countries), the first such event with more than 400 attendees. The conference was also notable for having 148 of the attendees from industry, exceeding the previous high of 100 attendees in 2015 (also in Seattle).
Spatial gems
Authors: Krumm John , Shahabi Cyrus , Züfle Andreas
Published: August 2019

As researchers, we sometimes develop new approaches for solving spatial problems that fall between a textbook chapter and a research paper. These are fundamental techniques that would be useful to both researchers and practitioners. Until now, there has not been a good forum to disseminate these "spatial gems".
Koli Calling 2019 call for submissions
Authors: Falkner Nick , Ihantola Petri
Published: August 2019

Koli Calling is one of the leading international conferences dedicated to the scholarship of teaching and learning and to education research in the computing disciplines. Koli Calling is a single-track conference for original and novel work with research, practice, and systems presentations as well as a keynote and invited talks. The conference is known for its moderate size, intimate atmosphere, and lively discussions. The conference is held annually in the Koli National Park, about 70km north of Joensuu, Finland.
CRA-W grad cohort for women
Authors: Gorson Jamie , Oleson Alannah
Published: August 2019

The Computing Research Association Women (CRA-W) Grad Cohort was held in Chicago, Illinois, USA on April 12-13, 2019. More than 400 women attended. Two participants in the event shared some thoughts about their experience.