bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct functional classes of excitatory neurons in mouse V1 are differentially modulated by learning and task engagement
Authors: Wekselblatt Joseph B. , Niell Cristopher M.
Published: January 2019

Learning can cause significant changes in neural responses to relevant stimuli, in addition to modulation due to task engagement. However, it is not known how different functional types of excitatory neurons contribute to these changes. To address this gap, we performed two-photon calcium imaging of excitatory neurons in layer 2/3 of mouse primary visual cortex before and after learning of a visual discrimination. We found that excitatory neurons show striking diversity in the temporal dynamics of their response to visual stimuli during the behavior, and based on this we classified them into transient, sustained, and suppressed groups. Notably, these functionally defined cell classes exhibit different visual stimulus selectivity and modulation by locomotion, and were differentially affected by training condition. In particular, we observed a decrease in the number of transient neurons responsive during behavior after learning, while both transient and sustained cells showed an increase in modulation due to task engagement after learning. The identification of functional diversity within the excitatory population, with distinct changes during learning and task engagement, provides insight into the cortical pathways that allow context-dependent neural representations.
Activity of Selected Nucleoside Analogue ProTides against Zika Virus in Human Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Bernatchez Jean A. , Coste Michael , Beck Sungjun , Wells Grace A. , Luna Lucas A. , Clark Alex E. , Zhu Zhe , Sohl Christal D. , Purse Byron W. , Siqueira-Neto Jair L.
Published: January 2019

Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging flavivirus which causes neurodevelopmental impairment to fetuses and has been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, continues to threaten global health due to the absence of targeted prophylaxis or treatment. Nucleoside analogues are good examples of efficient anti-viral inhibitors, and prodrug strategies using phosphate masking groups (ProTides) have been employed to improve the bioavailability of ribonucleoside analogues. Here, we synthesized and tested a library of 13 ProTides against ZIKV in human neural stem cells. Strong activity was observed for 2′-C-methyluridine and 2′-C-ethynyluridine ProTides with an aryloxyl phosphoramidate masking group. Conversion of the aryloxyl phosphoramidate ProTide group of 2′-C-methyluridine to a 2-(methylthio)ethyl phosphoramidate completely abolished antiviral activity of the compound. The aryloxyl phosphoramidate ProTide of 2′-C-methyluridine outperformed the hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug sofosbuvir in suppression of viral titers and protection from cytopathic effect, while the former compound’s triphosphate active metabolite was better incorporated by purified ZIKV NS5 polymerase over time. Molecular superpositioning revealed different orientations of residues opposite the 2′-fluoro group of sofosbuvir. These findings suggest both a nucleobase and ProTide group bias for the anti-ZIKV activity of nucleoside analogue ProTides in a disease-relevant cell model.
Community-based Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Endale Adugna , Erku Woldearegay , Medhin Girmay , Berhe Nega , Legesse Mengistu
Published: January 2019

Background

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The magnitude of HBV and HCV infections in Ethiopia has not been well studied at community level. This study aimed at investigating the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among HBV unvaccinated community members in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts from March to May 2018. Structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant clinical and socio-demographic data. Three milliliter of blood sample was collected from each study participant and screened for HBV and HCV using one step hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test strip and one step HCV test strip, respectively. Samples found positive for HBsAg were further tested using immunoassay of Alere DetermineTMHBsAg (Alere Inc., USA). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results

A total of 625 (51.4% males, age 6-80 years, mean age ± SD = 30.83 ± 13.51 years) individuals participated in the study. The sero-prevalence for HBV infection was 8.0% as detected using one step HBsAg test strip, while it was 7.2% using Alere DetermineTMHBsAg test. The sero-prevalence for HCV infection was 1.9%. Two (0.3%) of the participants were seropositive for both HBV and HCV infections. High sero-prevalence for HBV infection was associated with weakness and fatigue (AOR = 5.20; 95% CI: 1.58, 17.15), while high sero-prevalence of HCV infection was associated with age group between 46 and 65 years (AOR = 13.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 152.41).

Conclusion

this study revealed higher-intermediate endemicity level of HBV infection and low to intermediate endemicity level of HCV infection in the study area. Clinical symptoms like weakness and fatigue were found to be indictors for HBV infection, while individuals in the age group between 46 and 65 years were at higher risk for HCV infection. Provision of community-based health education, vaccination, mass screening and providing treatment would have utmost importance in reducing the transmission of these diseases in the present study area.
Mutations in NRXN1 and NRXN2 in a patient with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and respiratory depression
Authors: Rochtus Anne M. , Trowbridge Sara , Goldstein Richard D. , Sheidley Beth Rosen , Prabhu Sanjay P. , Haynes Robin , Kinney Hannah C. , Poduri Annapurna H.
Published: February 2019

Early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) is a severe disorder associated with epilepsy, developmental delay and intellectual disability, and in some cases premature mortality. We report the case of a female infant with EIEE and strikingly suppressed respiratory dysfunction that led to death. Postmortem research evaluation revealed hypoplasia of the arcuate nucleus of the medulla, a candidate region for respiratory regulation. Genetic evaluation revealed heterozygous variants in the related genes NRXN1 (c.2686C>T, p.Arg896Trp) and NRXN2 (c.3176G>A, p.Arg1059Gln), one inherited from the mother with family history of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and one from the father with family history of febrile seizures. Although there are no previous reports with the digenic combination of NRXN1 and NRXN2 variants, patients with biallelic loss of NRXN1 in humans and double neurexin 1α/2α knockout mice have severe breathing abnormalities, corresponding to the respiratory phenotype of our patient. These observations and the known interaction between the NRXN1 and NRXN2 proteins lead us to hypothesize that digenic variants in NRXN1 and NRXN2 contributed to the phenotype of EIEE, arcuate nucleus hypoplasia, respiratory failure, and death.
Identification and evaluation of determinants of competitiveness in the Indian auto-component industry
Authors: Tambade Hemantkumar , Singh Rohit Kr , Modgil Sachin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify dimensions of competitiveness, factors affecting the competitiveness and building the framework of competitiveness for the Indian auto-component industry and further develop and validate a survey instrument based on the identified factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Dimensions of competitiveness and factors affecting it are extracted out after extensive literature review. A theoretical framework is developed using these factors. A survey instrument is developed based on the theoretical framework and validated through a pilot survey.

Findings

In total, 30 variables are found to be reliable in establishing the potential indicators of competitiveness. There are three significant contributions to the theory of competitiveness. It provides a theoretical framework of competitiveness to address the current market conditions of volatility. Second, it incorporates the dimensions like supply chain management, presence of global value chains and employee empowerment. Third, it clearly identifies the dimensions of competitiveness relevant in current context, like ethical behavior of firms, protection of intellectual property and innovation.

Practical implications

The proposed approach provides a good basis for assessing the competitive performance of the companies. This can help researchers and practitioners in deciding how to improve the competitiveness of a company.

Originality/value

The research proposes a theoretical framework for measuring the competitiveness of firms from a specific industry. This study indicates the factors affecting the competitiveness of Indian auto-component industry. The findings can be useful for both researchers and practitioners.
Key ingredients for evaluating Industry 4.0 readiness for organizations: a literature review
Authors: Sony Michael , Naik Subhash
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Industry 4.0 is the present trend in automation and data exchange in organizations. However, till today, there is no generic and common understanding in terms of assessing the Industry 4.0 readiness for organizations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key ingredients for assessing Industry 4.0 readiness for organizations, the interrelationships that exist between these readiness factors and how future research should proceed given the research findings.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) methodology of Tranfield et al. (2003) was employed to ensure the replicability and transparency of the review process. Altogether, 68 articles were identified for the final thematic analysis.

Findings

The SLR results generated six broad themes of readiness factors. The interrelationship mechanism between these factors was identified. In addition, 17 research propositions were elucidated.

Research limitations/implications

Being the first literature review on assessing Industry 4.0 readiness for organizations, it finds 17 research propositions which will give the future researchers a guideline for further research in Industry 4.0.

Practical implications

Although Industry 4.0 is the buzzword, very few organizations understand the concept in detail. This paper will help the organizations to identify the factors which they have to asses critically before implementing Industry 4.0 in an organization.

Originality/value

Nevertheless, there has been a lot of research on Industry 4.0; this is the first systematic literature to identify the key ingredients for assessing Industry 4.0 readiness for organizations.
Role of resource slack in rapid international expansion of restaurant companies
Authors: Vaughan Yue , Koh Yoon
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between rapid internationalization and firm value in US restaurant companies. This study also identified the moderating role of available slack, potential slack and recoverable slack on the relationship of rapid internationalization and the firm’s value.

Design/methodology/approach

A hierarchical regression analysis with panel fixed effects was used in this study. Samples were drawn from publicly traded US restaurant companies, and span from 1993 to 2016 with 264 firm-year observations was used for the study’s analysis.

Findings

Drawing on Penrose’s seminal theory of firm-growth that a firm needs excess resources to grow and that the amount of slack resources directly influences a firm’s international growth, this study found that available slack alleviates the negative impact of rapid international expansion in achieving higher firm value.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few analyses that examined thespeedof rapid international expansion in the service context. In addition, this study contributes to existing literature by examining three different slack resources with regards to the speed of international expansion. The findings of this study shed light on restaurant companies whose financial resources are critical for value-adding international expansion.
The impact of employee conspicuous consumption cue and physical attractiveness on consumers’ behavioral responses to service failures
Authors: Wu Laurie , So Kevin Kam Fung , Xiong Lina , King Ceridwyn
Published: January 2019

Purpose

There is a growing trend that hospitality brands are allowing employees to personalize their workplace display. Following this trend in practice, this paper aims to examine the influence of employees’ conspicuous consumption cues (ECCCs) on consumer responses toward service failures in luxury dining.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experiments were conducted. Study 1 adopted a 2 (ECCC: present vs absent) × 2 (employee physical attractiveness: control vs high) between-subject experiment to test the effect of ECCCs in interactional service failures. Study 2 tested the hypotheses in core service failures.

Findings

The results of Study 1 indicate that the presence of ECCCs lowers consumers’ negative behavioral intentions in interactional service failures when employees are highly attractive. When employees’ attractiveness is not distinctive, however, ECCCs lead to higher levels of negative behavioral intentions. Mediation test results demonstrate that perceived employee service competence drives this effect. Results of Study 2 show that the joint effect of ECCCs and physical attractiveness is attenuated when core service failures are not attributable to the service employee.

Research limitations/implications

Extending previous research, this study reveals the impact of employees’ physical characteristics on consumers’ post-failure responses. In addition, the effect of ECCCs on consumers’ post-failure responses was driven by the psychological process of perceived competence.

Practical implications

Findings of this research emphasize the importance for hospitality brands to practice tight control over employee esthetics. For hospitality brands that embrace individuality in the workplace, results of this research highlight the importance of service training in customer interactions.

Originality/value

This research examines an underexplored phenomenon in the hospitality service setting: employees’ display of conspicuous consumption cues and its impact on consumers’ responses to service failures.
Testing an attribute-benefit-value-intention (ABVI) model of local food consumption as perceived by foreign tourists
Authors: Kim Seongseop (Sam) , Choe Ja Young (Jacey)
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the attribute-benefit-value-intention (ABVI) model of local food consumption as perceived by foreign tourists. The model was designed to test the structural relationships between local food attributes, perceived benefits, consumption value and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural relationships of foreign tourists’ perceptions of local food consumption were conceptualized, and hypotheses were proposed. The main survey was conducted using a large sample of 1,323 tourists in Hong Kong.

Findings

“Food quality”, “food novelty” and “restaurant quality” significantly affected “emotional” and “epistemic benefit”. “Emotional benefit” had a significant effect on “consumption value” and “behavioral intention”, while “epistemic benefit” only influenced “consumption value”.

Practical implications

Local food marketers and DMOs need to promote the product features that are relevant to tourists’ benefits. Restaurant marketers need to develop distinctive strategies for tourists from different national backgrounds.

Originality/value

This study proposed and empirically tested a new model of tourists’ local food consumption, including two benefits, consumption value and behavioral intention.
Work demand, stress and work-related musculoskeletal disorders among emergency workers
Authors: Kodom-Wiredu Justice Kwabena
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The demanding nature of firefighting exposes firefighters to unprecedented work stress and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Even though relationships among work demand, work stress and WMSDs have been examined, the mediating role of work stress in the relationship between work demand and WMSDs requires more attention, particularly among emergency workers. The purpose of this paper is to therefore assess the mediation role of firefighters’ work stress in the pathway of work demand and WMSDs.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design was used. Convenient sampling was employed to select 320 firefighters from the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation and regression.

Findings

The findings revealed that work demand and stress significantly affect WMSDs. Also, work demand has a significant positive effect on work stress. It was further found that work stress partially mediates the relationship between work demand and WMSDs.

Research limitations/implications

The usage of cross-sectional data limits the strength of causality and observation of changes within units of observation over time, hence the need to use longitudinal data in future studies.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in the revelation of the influence of stress in the pathway of work demand and WMSDs among emergency professionals, using an African lens.
Determination of individuals’ life satisfaction levels living in Turkey by FMCDM methods
Authors: Yapıcı Pehlivan Nimet , Gürsoy Zeynep
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to determine the ranking of the 81 provinces at the NUTS-3 level in Turkey with respect to the personal satisfaction and public services satisfaction by applying Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods to the Life Satisfaction Survey Results.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy TOPSIS, Fuzzy MULTIMOORA and Fuzzy ARAS are implemented to assess life satisfaction of the individuals who lived in provinces, based on Life Satisfaction Survey 2013 for Turkey’s national comparison. In the solution process, 14 indicators for personal satisfaction and 38 indicators for public services satisfaction were considered.

Findings

The results showed that personal health satisfaction, earnings from work satisfaction and monthly income satisfaction are the most important criteria in terms of personal satisfaction. Also, healthcare services satisfaction, judicial services satisfaction and education services satisfaction have the highest importance in terms of public services satisfaction. The final ranking of the 81 provinces is obtained by considered methods. According to the ranking results, there is no significant difference between the east and the west part of Turkey in terms of personal satisfaction, whereas there is a distinct difference between them in terms of satisfaction with public services.

Originality/value

This study is the first research for evaluating the ranking of the provinces at the NUTS-3 level in Turkey according to the Life Satisfaction Survey 2013 results considering 14 indicators for personal satisfaction and 38 indicators for public services satisfaction by using FMCDM approaches that have not been applied before.
Design requirements on the integration of technology databases
Authors: Masior Jonathan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The effective management and reuse of knowledge in the early product development supports the early identification of high potential technologies, reduces barriers of accessing them and ensures technology leadership. Until now, technology databases were only a means of communicating knowledge on innovations. The purpose of this study is to analyse the design of technology databases with a processual integration into research and development. It is a concept for companies to collaboratively and effectively develop and adapt innovative technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

In the Design4Energy project, an interdisciplinary, inter-divisional project team, including information and communications technology managers, engineers and energy experts, developed an architectural concept and use cases of a system to integrate the technology life cycle into the building creation process. Eventually, the stakeholders evaluated the system in industrial applications.

Findings

This research reveals that the developed system supports the collaboration between professionals in the design stage. Along the development and implementation of the system, the main success factors result in four design principles: effective and efficient design, basic functionalities supporting technology adaption, interoperability and integration into the processes and organization.

Practical implications

The results deal with the interoperability in early phases of product development and guide through the methodological design of technology databases. Transparent design requirements based on real case learnings increase system applicability and data consistency.

Originality/value

The work guides the methodology, process integration and IT architecture of technology databases, which literature does not provide. Thus, it leads to decision reliability in technology management and implies the success factors for living databases.
Quantifying deep‐sea predator–prey dynamics: Implications of biological heterogeneity for beaked whale conservation
Authors: Southall Brandon L. , Benoit‐Bird Kelly J. , Moline Mark A. , Moretti David
Published: January 2019

Prey distribution and density drive predator habitat usage and foraging behaviour. Understanding ecological relationships is necessary for effective management in any environment but can be challenging in certain contexts. While there has been substantial effort to quantify human disturbance for some protected, deep‐diving marine mammals, there are virtually no direct measurements of deep‐sea predator–prey dynamics.

We used recently developed techniques to measure deep‐water squid abundance, size and distribution within foraging habitat areas of deep‐diving Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) on and around a Navy training range where sonar is often used. Beaked whales are a management priority as both mortal strandings and sublethal disturbance have occurred in association with Navy mid‐frequency sonar.

We found large differences in prey (squid) abundance over small horizontal distances. Highest squid densities occurred within a commonly utilized foraging area on the range. Much lower prey abundance was measured in adjacent, bathymetrically similar areas less commonly used for foraging.

By combining prey densities with available behavioural and energetic data, we generate relativistic energetic assessments of foraging habitat quality. This provides a simple, yet quantitative means of evaluating fitness implications of spatial prey heterogeneity and associated consequences of disturbance.

Synthesis and applications. Given the challenges deep‐diving predators face with limited foraging time in extreme environments, small‐scale prey heterogeneity can have substantial implications for foraging success. Our results provide fine‐scale data within neighbouring beaked whale foraging habitat areas commonly disturbed by sonars. These results have direct management implications and inform population‐level models of disturbance consequences with empirical data on the foraging ecology of these protected species. These issues have been at the heart of recent debate and litigation over spatial management and proposed sonar exclusion zones, which have previously been based entirely on indirect assumptions regarding habitat quality. While limited in temporal and spatial scope, our novel results provide the first direct ecological data to inform such applied decisions. They also highlight broader regulatory implications of different disturbance consequences in nearby areas and demonstrate the value of empirical, biologically based approaches to spatial management of marine ecosystems generally.
Archiving anthropology in Portugal
Authors: DE ALMEIDA SÓNIA VESPEIRA , CACHADO RITA
Published: February 2019

This article examines some of the issues surrounding archiving in anthropology. It provides an account of archiving in the Portuguese context and seeks to problematize anthropology archives, contributing to the as yet timid debate over this question in the field. There are various ways of recording ethnographies and saving the ensuing records. Anthropologists often reflect on their archives, but rarely make these reflections public. Nor do we know much about what anthropologists in general plan to do with their fieldnotes, diaries, images, maps, drawings, audio and video recordings and objects, once a specific research project is complete. How do anthropologists store their data? What should be done with these materials? What stories can they tell? Will the ethnographic materials produced in the present be considered historical archives in the future?
Informality as Structure or Agency? Exploring Shed Housing in the UK as Informal Practice
Authors: Lombard Melanie
Published: January 2019

Recent attention to the phenomenon of ‘beds in sheds’—outbuildings used illegally for residential accommodation—suggests that shelter informality is increasing in the UK. Reflecting concerns about its apparent proliferation, the issue has been increasingly prominent on government and media agendas, framed in terms of illegal immigration and rogue landlordism, with policy announcements accompanied by high‐profile police and border agency raids. While little firm evidence exists on the scale, nature and causes of this type of informal shelter provision, this paper takes as its starting point the discursive construction of informality in the specific context of the UK, exploring the role of key agentic and structural factors therein. It suggests that an emphasis on agency in government and media accounts may risk obscuring the structural factors (including state policies) involved in the production of informality, as well as the interaction between agency and structure. The case of shed housing demonstrates how informality is produced by a complex interplay of structural and agentic factors characteristic of many global Northern cities, captured by the notion of ‘informality as practice’ which derives from debates focusing on Southern cities. At the same time, it shows how discourses around informality may be mobilized in the service of specifically context‐driven ideological agendas, in this case relating to immigration and welfare.
Irregular Connections: Everyday Energy Politics in Catalonia
Authors: Angel James
Published: January 2019

While questions of energy and energy transition have become hotly contested, the abstract and fetishized conception of energy that dominates contemporary political debates occludes connections to everyday life. By tracing the activities of Catalan activist network Alianza contra la Pobreza Energética (Alliance against Energy Poverty or APE), this article seeks to excavate the political possibilities opened up by a more everyday energy politics. The article addresses the practice of illegal utilities connections among the urban poor of Catalonia, arguing that this constitutes a form of makeshift urbanism resonant of that conceptualized from within ‘Southern’ cities. These ‘irregular connections’ to urban infrastructure networks are then distinguished from the ‘irregular connections’ formed between people within the collectivized social infrastructure of APE. APE, I argue, translate ‘energy’ as social reproduction, framing their struggle for the right to energy around the right to sustain life with dignity. This, I suggest, is the starting point for a feminist praxis capable of creating new and unruly subjectivities, reconfiguring reproductive relations in more caring and collective directions, and ultimately challenging the violence of the commodity form.
High‐Amylose Starches to Bridge the “Fiber Gap”: Development, Structure, and Nutritional Functionality
Authors: Li Haiteng , Gidley Michael J. , Dhital Sushil
Published: January 2019

Although high‐amylose starches are not a recent innovation, their popularity in recent years has been increasing due to their unique functional properties and enhanced nutritional values in food applications. While high‐amylose maize, barley, and potato are commercially available, high‐amylose variants of other main crops such as wheat and rice have once been developed more recently and will be available commercially in the near future. This review summarizes the development, structure, and nutritional functionality of high‐amylose starches developed and reported so far. The range of biotechnological strategies utilized are reviewed, as are the consequent effects on structural properties at different length scales, as well as sensory aspects of foods containing high‐amylose starch (HAS). This review identifies the molecular and microstructural features contributing to digestive enzyme resistance not only in native HAS but also in forms of relevance to food processing. During heat treatment, HAS tends to retain or form dense molecular structures that resist amylase degradation through the retention of the granular structure as well as helices (type‐2 resistant starch [RS]), reassociation of glucan chains (type‐3 RS), and formation of lipid–amylose complexes (type‐5 RS). The review also identifies opportunities for food manufacturers and consumers to incorporate HAS in food products and diets for better nutritional outcomes.
Effects of flood disturbance on the cohort structure of the riverine mayfly Ephemera orientalis (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae) in the Han River in Seoul, Korea
Authors: Seok Sangwoo , Baek Min Jeong , Hwang Jeong Mi , Park Sung Hwan , Bae Yeon Jae
Published: January 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the adaptation of coexisting Ephemera orientalis (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae) cohorts to flood timing. Larvae were collected from the Han River (Seoul, Korea) from 2012 to 2014, and their life history was assessed by measuring head capsule width and by comparing the emergence period of the insects in relation with the flood season. Two slow‐growing cohorts (S1 and S2) and one fast‐growing cohort (F) were identified. The S1 cohort was found to hatch in June or July and to emerge the following summer. Whereas, the S2 cohort was found to hatch in August or September and emerge the following August. Early‐hatching larvae from the S1 cohort became the F cohort through the process of cohort splitting and subsequently merged with the S2 cohort. The F cohort, however, was not observed when huge floods occurred or under low temperature conditions. Furthermore, floods that resulted from >80 mm precipitation significantly reduced larval abundance; therefore, flooding affects cohorts both directly and indirectly. Most cohorts emerged before and after the flood season (July 10 to August 10). The results of the present study indicate that the emergence period of E. orientalis has evolved to avoid the flood season.
Identification of Polyphenols, Glycoalkaloids, and Saponins in Solanum scabrum Berries Using HPLC‐UV/Vis‐MS
Authors: Yuan Bo , Byrnes David R. , Dinssa Fekadu F. , Simon James E. , Wu Qingli
Published: January 2019

Consumption safety of Solanum scabrum berries is controversial in different cultural practices and evaluation of the toxicity as well as micronutrition value relies on relevant phytochemical study. Thus, this study aimed to systematically profile the phytochemicals in the berries from different genetic sources and maturity. Using a combination of three different and complementary methods of HPLC‐UV/Vis‐MS or MS/MS with acid‐assisted hydrolysis, a total of 54 phytochemicals were identified including polyphenols, saponins and toxic glycoalkaloids. Particularly, a broad range of glycoalkaloids of solasodine and its uncommon or potentially novel hydroxylated and methylated derivatives were reported, with the structure putatively identified based on the known scaffold‐fragmentation pattern. Other identified phytochemicals included phenolic acids of chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid, flavonol glycosides of quercetin and isorhamnetin, anthocyanins of petunidin, malvidin and delphinidin, and saponins of diosgenin and tigogenin.

Practical Application

This study provides solutions for identifying the phytochemicals of S. scabrum berries, and unveiled for the first time a wide range of toxic glycoalkaloids of solasodine and analogues in the berries from different genetic sources and maturation stages. This work laid the foundation for prospective quantitative determination of berry phytochemicals and future toxicity and nutrition evaluation, and could also apply to facilitate screening or breeding for glycoalkaloid‐deficient genotypes that can be used as new food supply.
Molecular Characterization and Toxin Profiles of Bacillus spp. Isolated from Retail Fish and Ground Beef
Authors: Özdemir Fatma , Arslan Seza
Published: January 2019

Bacillus species are common in the environment due to their spore‐forming ability and nutritional versatility and cause food contamination. Bacilli play a significant role in foodborne illnesses and food spoilage. In this study, 52 Bacillus isolates from retail fish and ground beef were identified and differentiated based on 16S rRNA, gyrB, and rpoB gene sequencing. The presence of genes encoding emetic toxin (ces), hemolytic enterotoxin hemolysin BL (hbl), nonhemolytic enterotoxin (nhe) and cytotoxin K (cytK1) was assessed in all Bacillus isolates. The ability of the Bacillus isolates to produce several extracellular enzymes that contribute to pathogenicity and food spoilage was investigated. The 16S rRNA, rpoB, and gyrB gene sequence similarities of the Bacillus isolates tested were 96.1%, 83.2%, and 77.5%, respectively. The gyrB gene demonstrated a higher degree of sequence variation than the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes. The prevalence of Bacillus isolates producing at least two of the genes of the HBL and NHE complexes was 23.1% and 15.4%, respectively. Of the B. cereus isolates, 10 (41.7%) possessed two or more enterotoxin genes. None of the isolates carried the ces and cytK1 genes. All isolates were positive for the production of enzymes such as protease, lipase, gelatinase, and DNase. However, only 92.3% of the tested isolates were positive for amylase. In conclusion, our results revealed that the presence of genes involved in toxin production and enzyme production in meat‐originated B. cereus and other Bacillus isolates may cause spoilage of food and pose a health risk for consumers.

Practical Application

Bacillus species can be found in various foods due to their ubiquitous nature. Bacillus spp., especially B. cereus, are associated with food poisoning and other infections in humans. Toxins and many extracellular enzymes produced by Bacillus spp. are the causative agents of foodborne outbreaks, food spoilage, and low‐quality food with significantly reduced edibility. This study highlights the characterization of Bacillus spp. and presence of potentially pathogenic Bacillus species in meats.
Clinical presentations, social functioning, and treatment receipt among individuals with comorbid life‐time PTSD and alcohol use disorders versus drug use disorders: findings from NESARC‐III
Authors: Simpson Tracy L. , Rise Peter , Browne Kendall C. , Lehavot Keren , Kaysen Debra
Published: January 2019

Aims

To compare individuals with comorbid life‐time post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders [AUD; i.e. no drug use disorders (DUD)] with those with comorbid PTSD and DUD on past‐year prevalence of these disorders, social functioning, life‐time psychiatric comorbidities, and treatment receipt. The comorbid groups were also compared with their single diagnosis counterparts.

Design and Setting

Cross‐sectional cohort study using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC‐III).

Participants

The total sample size was 36 309. Six groups were established: PTSD/AUD, PTSD/DUD, AUD, DUD, PTSD, and neither PTSD nor AUD/DUD. Life‐time prevalence of AUD among those with PTSD/DUD was 80.2% and among those with DUD was 73.8%.

Measurements

The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule‐DSM‐5 version assessed life‐time and past‐year psychiatric disorders and treatment receipt. Demographics and social stability indicators were queried. Group characteristics were summarized using weighted means. Prevalences and estimates for adjusted differences in means and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were derived from multiple linear regression and logistic regression models, respectively. Analyses were conducted in R and accounted for the NESARC‐III's complex survey design, clustering, and non‐response.

Findings

Compared with those with life‐time PTSD/AUD, those with life‐time PTSD/DUD were significantly less likely to have neither disorder in the past year (PTSD/AUD = 16.1%; PTSD/DUD = 8.5%; aOR = 0.54), and were more likely to report worse social and psychiatric functioning, and to have received both addiction and mental health treatment (PTSD/AUD = 18.4%; PTSD/DUD = 43.2%; aOR = 3.88). Compared with their single disorder counterparts, those with PTSD/DUD reported greater impairment than both groups, whereas the comorbid PTSD/AUD group differed more from the AUD than the PTSD group.

Conclusions

People with comorbid PTSD and drug use disorder have greater social and psychiatric impairment and may require different types and intensity of intervention than people with comorbid post‐traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder.
Interpersonal and structural factors associated with receptive syringe‐sharing among a prospective cohort of female sex workers who inject drugs
Authors: Park Ju Nyeong , Footer Katherine H. A. , Decker Michele R. , Tomko Catherine , Allen Sean T. , Galai Noya , Sherman Susan G.
Published: January 2019

Aims

To determine the interpersonal and structural factors associated with receptive syringe sharing (RSS) among female sex workers who inject drugs (FSW‐IDU), a group at high risk of HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition.

Design

Sex workers And Police Promoting Health In Risky Environments (SAPPHIRE) study, a prospective cohort study.

Setting

Baltimore, MD, USA

Participants

One hundred and eighty FSW‐IDU; mean age = 33 years, 77.1% white and 62.9% in a relationship/married.

Measurements

Surveys were conducted between April 2016 and February 2018. The main outcome was recent RSS (past 3 months). In addition to socio‐demographic characteristics and drug use behaviors, we assessed factors at the interpersonal level, including injection practices, intimate partner and client drug use and exposure to violence. Structural‐level factors included methods of syringe access.

Findings

Nearly all FSW‐IDU used heroin (97.1%) or crack cocaine (89.7%). Recent RSS was reported by 18.3%. Syringes were accessed from needle exchange programs (64.6%), pharmacies (29.7%), street sellers (30.3%) or personal networks (29.1%). Some FSW‐IDU had clients or intimate partners who injected drugs (26.3 and 26.9%, respectively). Longitudinal factors independently associated with RSS in the multi‐level mixed‐effects model were recent client violence [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–4.33], having an intimate partner who injected drugs (aOR = 2.18, 95% CI = 0.98–4.85), being injected by others (aOR = 4.95, 95% CI = 2.42–10.10) and obtaining syringes from a street seller (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 0.94–3.78) or from a member of their personal network (aOR = 4.43, 95% CI = 2.21–8.90).

Conclusions

Client violence, intimate partner injection drug use, being injected by others and obtaining syringes from personal connections appear to increase parenteral HIV/HCV risk among female sex workers who inject drugs.
Association of APOBEC3 deletion with cancer risk: A meta‐analysis of 26 225 cases and 37 201 controls
Authors: Hashemi Mohammad , Moazeni‐Roodi Abdolkarim , Taheri Mohsen
Published: January 2019

Previous studies have found inconsistent results regarding gene deletion in APOBEC3 (apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing catalytic polypeptide‐like 3) and risk of cancer. We conducted a meta‐analysis of all eligible case–control studies to find out the associations between APOBEC3 deletion and cancer risk by pooling the odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Overall, the findings from 20 studies (13 articles) involving of a total of 26 225 cases and 37 201 controls revealed that DD genotype was associated significantly with increased cancer risk compared to II genotype (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.01–1.56, P = 0.04). Stratified analysis from 10 studies including 14 757 cases and 17 930 controls revealed that I/D variant significantly increased the risk of breast cancer in heterozygous codominant (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03–1.28, P = 0.02, ID vs II), dominant (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01–1.31, P = 0.03, ID + DD vs II), overdominant (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.05–1.25, P < 0.0001, ID vs DD + II) and allele (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.13–1.25, P = 0.03, D vs I) inheritance models.

In conclusion, the data propose that APOBEC3 deletion is significantly associated with increased susceptibility to cancer in overall and breast cancer. Our findings require well‐designed replication in a larger independent genetic association study with larger sample sizes in diverse ethnicities.
Acute circulatory complications in people with diabetes mellitus type 2: How admission varies between urban and rural Victoria
Authors: Gardiner Samantha , Robins Shalley , Terry Daniel
Published: January 2019

Objective

To identify the extent to which rurality influences the admission and mortality rates for acute circulatory complications among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

All Victorian hospitals.

Participants

State‐wide hospital admissions from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2015 using the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset. Data included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diagnosis of acute cardiovascular events, acute cerebrovascular haemorrhage or infarction, acute peripheral vascular events or hypertensive diseases.

Main outcome measure

Rates of admission and mortality were calculated for local government areas and Department of Health regions. Regression analysis identified the influence between admission rates and various predictor variables.

Results

In total, 5785 emergency hospital admissions occurred during the study period, with the highest and lowest mortality and admission rates occurring in rural areas. Moderately high admission rates were identified in urban areas. Cardiovascular events far outnumbered other acute circulatory admissions. Regression analysis identified a number of significant socioeconomic variables, primarily for metropolitan residents. Socioeconomic disadvantage was the only significant factor in rural areas.

Conclusion

Victorian admission and mortality rates for acute circulatory complications are greatest in rural areas; yet, there is considerable heterogeneity in the admission rates within both rural and metropolitan areas. Furthermore, socioeconomic status is more influential than remoteness in determining emergency admissions. Further research needs to investigate the particular variables that lead to poorer outcomes rurally, investigate socioeconomic disadvantage in rural areas and have greater emphasis on peripheral vascular disease prevention.
Diabetes screening in pregnancy failing women in rural Western Australia: An audit of oral glucose tolerance test completion rates
Authors: Kirke Andrew B. , Atkinson David , Moore Sarah , Sterry Kylie , Singleton Sally , Roxburgh Carly , Parrish Kate , Porter Cindy , Marley Julia V.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To quantify screening rate for gestational diabetes mellitus and completion of oral glucose tolerance test in rural and remote Western Australia.

Design and participants

Retrospective audit of 551 antenatal records from women of 16 years and older without pre‐existing diabetes and with singleton pregnancies delivered in 2013.

Main outcome measures

Number of women recorded screened for gestational diabetes mellitus in second or third trimester using oral glucose tolerance test or other tests; gestational diabetes mellitus rate.

Results

Only 278 (50.5%) women were screened with oral glucose tolerance test; 113 (20.5%) had no record of any screening related to gestational diabetes mellitus. In a nested mixed‐effects logistic regression model, women with a previous gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis, two or more risk factors (excluding ethnicity) or high‐risk gestational diabetes mellitus ethnicity other than Australian Aboriginal were more likely to be screened, while Australian Aboriginal women were less likely to be screened with oral glucose tolerance test. Clinicians reported patient and clinician factors and logistical difficulties as reasons for the oral glucose tolerance test not being completed at their site. Of those screened with oral glucose tolerance test, a high rate of gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed (14.7% versus Western Australia state‐wide average of 7.4%).

Conclusion

Adherence to oral glucose tolerance test screening in rural Western Australia is inadequate for effective screening for gestational diabetes mellitus. Screening was not acceptable or available for a significant proportion of women at risk. Efforts to improve oral glucose tolerance test adherence and exploration of alternative gestational diabetes mellitus screening strategies are required.
Utilising capacity in a rural hospital to support older people requiring hospital care: Kilcoy Connect
Authors: Padayachee Ansuyah , Ranatunga Cassandra , Comans Tracy A
Published: January 2019

Problem

The increasing specialisation of medical care in larger centres is contributing to the declining use of rural hospitals that are close to larger centres, risking bed closures or even facility closure.

Design

An allied health‐led model of care supported by telehealth geriatrician services was developed and implemented in eight beds in a rural hospital to manage older patients needing geriatric evaluation and management.

Setting

The project was set in Kilcoy Hospital, a small facility north of Caboolture in Queensland, Australia. The feeder hospital was Caboolture Hospital, the regional centre.

Key measures for improvement

Occupancy rates at the rural hospital along with length of stay, discharge destination and functional independence measure.

Strategies for change

A project officer was employed 1 day a week to facilitate the implementation of the new model of care. Training and education were provided to medical and nursing staff to understand and implement the geriatric evaluation and management model of care.

Effects of change

Over the project time frame, 93 patients were successfully managed in the rural hospital with improved occupancy rates. Outcomes were as effective and safe as compared to the group managed at the regional centre. The model of care is now routine practice.

Lessons learnt

Using excess capacity in rural hospitals by employing a geriatric evaluation and management approach is a viable strategy to address declining rural hospital usage.