bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute inflammation is a predisposing factor for weight gain and insulin resistance
Authors: de Oliveira Edson M. , Silva Jacqueline C. , Ascar Thais P. , Sandri Silvana , Marchi Alexandre F. , Migliorini Silene , Nakaya Helder T. I. , Fock Ricardo A. , Campa Ana
Published: March 2019

Aim

Intense endotoxaemia and infection are able to reduce appetite and induce a catabolic state, therefore leading to weight loss. However, it is underexplored its late effects on energy homeostasis, regulation of body weight and glucose metabolism. Here we addressed whether serial intense endotoxaemia, characterized by an acute phase response and weight loss, could be an aggravating or predisposing factor to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and associated metabolic impairments.

Methods

Male Swiss Webster mice were submitted to 8 consecutive doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS - 10 mg/kg), followed by 10 weeks in high-fat diet (HFD).

Results

After the end of the acute endotoxaemia period, mice under chow diet recovered their weight rapidly, within one-week recovery period, which remained similar to its control counterparts. However, acute endotoxaemia caused a long-lasting adipose tissue expression of the inflammatory markers TLR-4, CD14 and serum amyloid A (SAA) and, when challenged by a HFD, LPS-treated mice gained more weight, showed increased fat depots, leptin and insulin levels, and also impaired insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions

LPS-treated mice showed a higher susceptibility to the harmful effects of a subsequent HFD. Conditions leading to intense and recurrent endotoxaemia, such as common childhood bacterial infections, may resound for a long time and aggravate the effects of a western diet. If confirmed in humans, infections should be considered an additional factor contributing to obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics and additionally impose more rigorous dietary recommendations for patients in post-infection recovery.

Bullet points

Intense endotoxemia causes a long-lasting increase in the expression of inflammatory markers in adipose tissue.

Intense endotoxemia is a predisposing factor to diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

Infections may contribute to weight gain when associated to a western diet.
The CNS in the face of ART contains T cell origin HIV which can lead to drug resistance
Authors: Lustig Gila , Cele Sandile , Karim Farina , Ganga Yashica , Khan Khadija , Gosnell Bernadett , Moosa Yunus , Harrichandparsad Rohen , Marais Suzaan , Gupta Ravindra K. , Derache Anne , Giandhari Jennifer , de Oliveira Tulio , Govender Katya , Adamson John , Patel Vinod , Sigal Alex
Published: March 2019

HIV persists despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) in cellular reservoirs thought to occur in distinct anatomical compartments. Therapy failure may occur because of incomplete ART adherence and possibly viral replication at some reservoir sites. The CNS may serve as a reservoir site due to lowered ART penetration and virus production from long-lived tissue resident macrophages. Compelling evidence for the CNS as a reservoir is the existence of individuals where HIV is suppressed below limit of detection in blood but detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), termed CSF Escape. Here, we asked whether HIV in CSF Escape individuals is derived from macrophages or persists due to lowered ART. We used cell surface markers on the HIV envelope to determine the cellular source of HIV. We verified detection usingin vitroderived virus from infected macrophages and T cells and tested CSF from CSF Escape individuals. We observed host surface markers consistent with T cell origin. We also measured ART concentrations in the CSF and plasma. We found a dramatic decrease in CSF ART concentrations described previously, but no significant difference between CSF Escape versus fully suppressed individuals. To examine the effect of the observed CSF ART concentrations on HIV replication, we used long-term infection with ART in cell culture. CSF Escape ART levels led to either HIV suppression or evolution of drug resistance, but not replication of drug sensitive HIV. These observations argue that persistent CNS viremia despite ART can be T cell generated and may result in drug resistance and therapy failure.
Unified rational protein engineering with sequence-only deep representation learning
Authors: Alley Ethan C. , Khimulya Grigory , Biswas Surojit , AlQuraishi Mohammed , Church George M.
Published: March 2019

Rational protein engineering requires a holistic understanding of protein function. Here, we apply deep learning to unlabelled amino acid sequences to distill the fundamental features of a protein into a statisticalrepresentationthat is semantically rich and structurally, evolutionarily, and biophysically grounded. We show that the simplest models built on top of thisunifiedrepresentation (UniRep) are broadly applicable and generalize to unseen regions of sequence space. Our data-driven approach reaches near state-of-the-art or superior performance predicting stability of natural andde novodesigned proteins as well as quantitative function of molecularly diverse mutants. UniRep further enables two orders of magnitude cost savings in a protein engineering task. We conclude UniRep is a versatile protein summary that can be applied across protein engineering informatics.
Cross-talk between m6A and m1A regulators, YTHDF2 and ALKBH3 fine-tunes mRNA expression
Authors: Lao Nga , Barron Niall
Published: March 2019

The recently re-discovered interest in N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) - one of more than a hundred modifications found on eukaryotic mRNA (known as epi-transcriptomic codes) - is currently one of the most topical areas in science. The m6A methylation impacts on all aspects of cellular RNA metabolism and several physiological processes. Although less abundant than the m6A epitranscriptomic mark, the m1A methylation has recently also attracted interest due to its dynamic nature in response to physiological changes. We investigated the role of the YTH domain-containing m6A reader protein family and the m1A eraser ALKBH3 on the expression of a transgene in mammalian cells. We present the first evidence that expression of a transgene is subjected to co-ordinated regulation by both m6A and m1A regulators. In addition, we provide genetic data implicating that the m6A reader YTHDF2 can read m1A site. Furthermore, we show that the m1A eraser ALKBH3 is a target of m1A methylation.
Aurora kinase A mediated phosphorylation of mPOU is critical for skeletal muscle differentiation
Authors: Karthigeyan Dhanasekaran , Bose Arnab , Boopathi Ramachandran , Rao Vinay Jaya , Shima Hiroki , Bharathy Narendra , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Taneja Reshma , Kundu Tapas K.
Published: March 2019

Aurora kinases are Ser/Thr-directed protein kinases which play pivotal roles in mitosis. Recent evidences highlight the importance of these kinases in non-mitotic biological events like skeletal myogenesis. Our earlier study identified POU6F1 (or mPOU) as a novel Aurora kinase A (AurkA) substrate. Here, we report that AurkA phosphorylates POU6F1 at Ser197 and inhibits its DNA binding ability. Delving into POU6F1 physiology, we find that the phospho-mimic (S197D) POU6F1 mutant exhibits enhancement, while wild type (WT) or phospho-deficient (S197A) mutant shows retardation in C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Interestingly, POU6F1 depletion phenocopies S197D-POU6F1 overexpression in the differentiation context. Collectively, our results signify mPOU as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle differentiation and strengthens the importance of AurkA in skeletal myogenesis.
Graph analysis of looming-selective networks in the tectum, and its replication in a simple computational model
Authors: Khakhalin Arseny S.
Published: March 2019

Looming stimuli evoke behavioral responses in most animals, yet the mechanisms of looming detection in vertebrates are poorly understood. Here we hypothesize that looming detection in the tectum may rely on spontaneous emergence of synfire chains: groups of neurons connected to each other in the same sequence in which they are activated during a loom. We then test some specific consequences of this hypothesis. First, we use high-speed calcium imaging to reconstruct functional connectivity of small networks within the tectum of Xenopus tadpoles. We report that reconstructed directed graphs are clustered and hierarchical, that their modularity increases in development, and that looming-selective cells tend to collect activation within these graphs. Second, we describe spontaneous emergence of looming selectivity in a computational developmental model of the tectum, governed by both synaptic and intrinsic plasticity, and driven by structured visual inputs. We show that synfire chains contribute to looming detection in the model; that structured inputs are critical for the emergence of selectivity, and that biological tectal networks follow most, but not all predictions of the model. Finally, we propose a conceptual scheme for understanding the emergence and fine-tuning of collision detection in developing aquatic animals.
Genetic Mapping Of Morpho-Physiological Traits Involved During Reproductive Stage Drought Tolerance In Rice
Authors: Barik Saumya Ranjan , Pandit Elssa , Mohanty Shakti Prakash , Pradhan Sharat Kumar , Mohapatra Trilochan
Published: March 2019

Reproductive stage drought stress is an important factor for yield reduction in rice. Genetic mapping of drought responsive QTLs will help to develop cultivars suitable for drought prone environments through marker-assisted breeding. QTLs linked to morpho-physiological traits under drought stress were mapped by evaluating 190 F7 recombinant inbred lines (RIL). Significant variations were observed for eleven morpho-physiological traits involved during the stress. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) strategy was adopted for genotyping the RIL population. A total of 401 SSR primers were tested for parental polymorphism of which 77 were polymorphic. Inclusive composite interval mapping detected a total of five consistent QTLs controlling leaf rolling (qLR9.1), leaf drying (qLD9.1), harvest index (qHI9.1), spikelet fertility (qSF9.1) and relative water content (qRWC9.1) under reproductive stage drought stress. Another two non-allelic QTLs controlling leaf rolling (qLR8.1) and leaf drying (qLD12.1) were linked in a single year. QTL controlling leaf rolling, qLR8.1 was validated in this mapping population and useful in marker-assisted breeding (MAB) programs. Out of these five consistent QTLs, four (qLR9.1, qLD9.1, qHI9.1 and qRWC9.1) were detected to be novel QTLs and useful for MAB for reproductive stage drought tolerance in rice.
Small-angle scattering model for efficient characterization of wood nanostructure and moisture behaviour
Authors: Penttilä Paavo A. , Rautkari Lauri , Österberg Monika , Schweins Ralf
Published: March 2019

Small-angle scattering methods allow an efficient characterization of the hierarchical structure of wood and other cellulosic materials. However, their full utilization would require an analytical model to fit the experimental data. This contribution presents a small-angle scattering model tailored to the analysis of wood samples. The model is based on infinitely long cylinders packed in a hexagonal array with paracrystalline distortion, adapted to the particular purpose of modelling the packing of cellulose microfibrils in the secondary cell wall of wood. The new model has been validated with small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering data from real wood samples at various moisture contents. The model yields reasonable numerical values for the microfibril diameter (2.1–2.5 nm) and packing distance (4 and 3 nm in wet and dry states, respectively) and comparable results between the two methods. It is particularly applicable to wet wood samples and allows changes in the packing of cellulose microfibrils to be followed as a function of moisture content.
d2Dplot: 2D X-ray diffraction data processing and analysis for through-the-substrate microdiffraction
Authors: Vallcorba Oriol , Rius Jordi
Published: March 2019

The d2Dplot computer program provides a set of tools for the visualization, processing and analysis of 2D X-ray diffraction (2DXRD) data. Among the operations available there are the sum/subtraction of 2DXRD images, conversion to 1D data (powder pattern), azimuthal plotting, calibration of instrumental parameters, background subtraction and a command-line mode to run operations inside data processing pipelines. The graphical user interface allows easy use of the program. It also includes two main features: (i) the possibility of creating a user compound database to help in the fast phase identification of similar samples, and (ii) a detailed peak analysis routine for the application of the through-the-substrate microdiffraction methodology.
(Z)-3-({[3-Methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]imino}methyl)benzene-1,2-diol
Authors: Demir Kanmazalp Sibel , Doĝan Onur Erman , Dege Necmi , Aĝar Erbil , Bulbul Hakan , Golenya Irina A.
Published: March 2019

The title compound, C15H12F3NO3, crystallizes with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The mean planes of the two phenyl rings of the Schiff base moiety, bearing the OH groups and the imine group, respectively, are inclined to each other by 4.91 (1)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of bifurcated O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the phenol OH groups, forming inversion dimers with an R
1
2(5) ring motif. The structure exhibits also intramolecular O—H...N and C—H...F hydrogen-bonding interactions. Hirshfeld surfaces analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were applied to quantify the intermolecular interactions. The three F atoms of the trifluoromethyl group are disordered over two sets of sites, with occupancy factors of 0.578 (8) and 0.422 (8). The crystal studied was refined as an inversion twin
Quantitative analysis of weak non-covalent interactions in (Z)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-phenylacrylonitrile: insights from PIXEL and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Udayakumar Mani , Cerón Margarita , Ceballos Paulina , Percino Judith , Thamotharan Subbiah
Published: March 2019

In the solid state, the title compound, C15H10ClN, is disordered over two orientations with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.86 (2):0.14 (2). The crystal structure is mainly stabilized by intermolecular C—H...N and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, and C—H...π interactions. The molecules pack in columns and adjacent columns are linked by weak C—H...Cl interactions. The PIXEL energy analysis suggests that the intermolecular C—H...π interactions form a strong dimer in the major component. Hirshfeld analysis reveals that H...C, H...H, H...Cl and H...N contacts are the most important contributors to the crystal packing.
Optimal energy saving of doubly fed induction motor based on scalar rotor voltage control and water cycle algorithm
Authors: Elkholy Mahmoud M. , Abd-Elkader Fathi
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present an optimal variable speed drive of a doubly fed induction motor (DFIM) with minimum losses and reduced inverter capacity. The operation with minimum losses ensures that the DFIM develops the required load torque at desired speed with maximum energy saving. Moreover, the control of rotor voltage ensures the reduced inverter capacity. The water cycle algorithm (WCA) as one of meta-heuristic optimization techniques is used to estimate the optimal rotor voltages to drive the DFIM with minimum losses. The results of WCA are confirmed with other well-known and reliable optimization method such as particle swarm optimization along with classical method.

Design/methodology/approach

The DFIM is an efficient alternative solution of synchronous motor (SM) because of its speed is synchronized with both stator and rotor frequencies regardless the load torque. As a result, the speed of variable speed drive associated with DFIM can be controlled through a rotor inverter with reduced capacity rather than SM. The output voltage of rotor inverter is controlled to develop the demanded output power with minimum motor losses.

Findings

A complete DFIM drive model is developed under MATLAB/SIMULINK environment using d-q dynamic model to verify the strength and significance of the proposed controller. An experimental setup using a 300 W three-phase wound rotor induction motor is established to validate the mathematical models and theoretical results. The motor performances with proposed rotor voltage control (minimum losses) are compared with conventional method of constant voltage to frequency ratio (V/f constant). It is found that the proposed WCA based on controller achieves significant reductions in motor losses, input power and rotor inverter power.

Originality/value

The paper presents an efficient method to maximize the energy saving of DFIM with a reduced inverter capacity using WCA.
Happiness as a value of event organizers in Abu Dhabi
Authors: Slak Valek Natasa , Fotiadis Anestis
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the self-determination theory (SDT) to examine the perceived impact of events on happiness based on event organizers’ opinions. Moreover, it explores whether event organizers in Abu Dhabi consider promoting happiness and well-being as a value of their event and examines how organizers define a successful event.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was inspired by Abu Dhabi’s governmental initiative to promote happiness at all stages, with the aim of becoming one of the happiest countries in the world. A qualitative approach was used, and seven event organizers from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates were interviewed.

Findings

Attributes of an event were analyzed, and the results indicated that happiness as a value of events is not an idea that occurs to organizers by recalling values; yet, after reminding them of “happiness,” they all agreed that this value is what they do promote with their events.

Practical implications

Thus, actions must be considered to implement happiness with the potential to become a “first-on-mind” value of events organized in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Originality/value

Specifically, the authors researched if event organizers consider promoting happiness and well-being as a value of their event, as well as to determine what they considered to be a successful event.
Wholesalers perspectives on mango supply chain efficiency in India
Authors: Negi Saurav , Anand Neeraj
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors and most significant reasons leading to supply chain inefficiency with respect to high cost, high lead time and poor quality at wholesale stage of mango supply chain in India, and also to find out the measures which may be taken to improve supply chain efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an exploratory study using the quantitative and qualitative method of research. The study was conducted at Asia’s largest and world’s second largest fruits and vegetable wholesale market (Mandi) in Azadpur, Delhi. Factors have been identified using factor analysis and the measures to improve supply chain efficiency in fruits sector have been found out through semi-structured interviews with agri- and food-supply chain experts.

Findings

Based on the factor analysis, three factors were identified for high cost, namely, operational charges, labour and resources; four factors were identified for high lead time, namely, operational issues, labour, resources and infrastructure; and four factors were identified for poor quality, namely, operational issues, infrastructure, resources and poor ambience. It was also found that operational factor is the most significant factor leading to supply chain inefficiency. The study also highlighted the measures for improving supply chain efficiency based on the outcome of the interviews.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the wholesale stage of fruit supply chain with the focus on Azadpur Mandi, Delhi, India, with specific reference to mango. Also, the measures have been identified for only the most significant reasons under each factor leading to supply chain inefficiency with respect to cost, time and quality.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of literature on improving the supply chain efficiency pertaining to the wholesale stage of fruits and vegetable sector in India. This paper tries to fulfil the gap and contributed to the literature on agriculture supply chain, which may be helpful for the researchers as well as the practitioners to improve food supply chain pertaining to developing countries.
Analysis of incentive structures at producer–processor interface of beef supply chain in Brazil
Authors: Shanoyan Aleksan , Schiavi Bankuti Sandra Mara , Colares-Santos Lechan
Published: March 2019

Purpose

With recent shifts in market forces driven by food safety and quality concerns, managers in the Brazilian beef processing industry are forced to reevaluate their procurement arrangements with cattle producers. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight on the effect of live-weight (LW) and dead-weight (DW) procurement arrangements on farmers’ incentives to invest in cattle quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methods involve a conceptual model based on principal-agent framework and data from targeted interviews of cattle farmers and slaughterhouse managers in the Western Region of São Paulo state of Brazil.

Findings

Findings highlight the potential for adverse selection of low-quality cattle producers under LW arrangement and misaligned incentives for quality improvement, they also illustrate incentive compatibility of DW arrangement when the carcass yield is verifiable by producers. The evidence from field data was largely consistent with the predictions of the model and highlighted the important role of trust for a lasting procurement relationship under DW arrangement.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the lack of publicly available data and the challenges associated with the collection of primary field data, the sample is limited to 30 cattle producers and 5 processing firms.

Originality/value

This paper provides a theoretical and empirical platform for developing further research on coordination at the producer–processor interface of beef supply chain in Brazil and other countries with similar transaction characteristics. The findings will assist in designing more incentive compatible and self-enforcing arrangements between cattle farmers and slaughterhouses to enhance the product quality and the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
Generation and distribution of income in Mexico, 1990-2015
Authors: Ayvar-Campos Francisco Javier , Navarro-Chávez José César Lenin , Giménez Víctor
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to review the efficient use of economic and social resources to generate income and, at the same time, reduce the concentration of wealth in the 32 states of the Mexican Republic during the period 1990-2015.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis with the inclusion of a bad output was used to diagnose the efficiency of Mexican entities, and the Malmquist–Luenberger index was applied to understand how this efficiency evolves.

Findings

The results clearly show that only 3 of the 32 units studied generated and distributed wealth efficiently, while the other 29 must increase their level of income and its distribution.

Originality/value

According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that performs a temporal analysis of the efficiency in the generation of Human Development Index using bad outputs and the Malmquist–Luenberger index.
Factors influencing the decision to choose a birth center by pregnant women in Gombe state Nigeria
Authors: Yahya Muhammad Basheer , Pumpaibool Tepanata
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Gombe state in northeast Nigeria records a high prevalence of home deliveries with very low facility deliveries despite the efforts of government and international non-governmental organizations in supporting maternal health services. The purpose of this paper is to assess the factors influencing the decision to choose a birth center by pregnant women in Gombe, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The design was a cross-sectional study of women from a baseline survey conducted in August 2016 in Gombe state, Nigeria. Data on women groups’ utilization of maternal services with a focus on antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care were collected using a structured questionnaire used for household survey conducted in the state. Data for 157 pregnant women from the sample of 750 women (15–49 years) were selected for the purpose of this analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the factors associated with choice of birth center.

Findings

Religion (AOR=12.117, 95% CI 1.774–82.741), paid work (AOR=3.633, 95% CI 1.243–10.615) and identification and knowledge of pregnancy complications (AOR=4.281, 95% CI 1.054–17.387) were the factors found to be significantly associated with choice of birth center by pregnant women. Age, education, closeness to a facility and decision by husband or woman were not found to be statistically significant.

Originality/value

The significance of disseminating knowledge about pregnancy complications, role of religious leaders and encouraging savings from women earnings need attention of the government to improve facility-based delivery.
Clathrin‐dependent endocytosis predominantly mediates protein absorption by fat body from the hemolymph in Bombyx mori
Authors: Wang Yu‐Jie , Li Shu‐Yan , Zhao Jia‐Ye , Li Kang , Xu Jing , Xu Xian‐Ying , Wu Wen‐Mei , Yang Rong , Xiao Yang , Ye Ming‐Qiang , Liu Ji‐Ping , Zhong Yang‐Jin , Cao Yang , Yi Hui‐Yu , Tian Ling
Published: March 2019

During insect larval–pupal metamorphosis, proteins in the hemolymph are absorbed by the fat body for the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis; however, the type of proteins and how these proteins are internalized into the fat body are unclear. In Bombyx mori, the developmental profiles of total proteins in the hemolymph and fat body showed that hemolymph‐decreased protein bands (55–100 kDa) were in accordance with those protein bands that increased in the fat body. Inhibition of clathrin‐dependent endocytosis predominantly blocked the transportation of 55–100 kDa proteins from the hemolymph into the fat body, which was further verified by RNA interference treatment of Bmclathrin. Six hexamerins were shown to comprise ∼90% of the total identified proteins in both the hemolymph and fat body by mass spectrum (MS) analysis. In addition, hemolymph‐specific proteins were mainly involved in material transportation, while fat body‐specific proteins particularly participated in metabolism. In this paper, four hexamerins were found for the first time, and potential proteins absorbed by the fat body from the hemolymph through clathrin‐dependent endocytosis were identified. This study sheds light on the protein absorption mechanism during insect metamorphosis.
Assessing the local economic impacts of land protection
Authors: Sims Katharine R. E. , Thompson Jonathan R. , Meyer Spencer R. , Nolte Christoph , Plisinski Joshua S.
Published: March 2019

Land protection, whether public or private, is often controversial at the local level because residents worry about lost economic activity. We used panel data and a quasi‐experimental impact‐evaluation approach to determine how key economic indicators were related to the percentage of land protected. Specifically, we estimated the impacts of public and private land protection based on local area employment and housing permits data from 5 periods spanning 1990–2015 for all major towns and cities in New England. To generate rigorous impact estimates, we modeled economic outcomes as a function of the percentage of land protected in the prior period, conditional on town fixed effects, metro‐region trends, and controls for period and neighboring protection. Contrary to narratives that conservation depresses economic growth, land protection was associated with a modest increase in the number of people employed and in the labor force and did not affect new housing permits, population, or median income. Public and private protection led to different patterns of positive employment impacts at distances close to and far from cities, indicating the importance of investing in both types of land protection to increase local opportunities. The greatest magnitude of employment impacts was due to protection in more rural areas, where opportunities for both visitation and amenity‐related economic growth may be greatest. Overall, we provide novel evidence that land protection can be compatible with local economic growth and illustrate a method that can be broadly applied to assess the net economic impacts of protection.
Vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus in solid organ transplant recipients: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice
Authors: Nellore Anoma , Huprikar Shirish ,   the AST ID Community of Practice
Published: March 2019

These updated guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation address vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) infections in SOT candidates and recipients. VRE are an important cause of infection and have been named by the CDC as a serious public threat. Typically, a commensal of the gastrointestinal tract, VRE may become pathogenic after abdominal organ manipulation like transplantation. This guideline reviews the microbiology, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of VRE infection in the context of solid organ transplantation. Treatment regimens including combination therapies and novel investigational agents are also reviewed. Finally, an updated appraisal of infection control measures relevant to VRE infection and colonization is presented.
Fatigue design curve under LCF as well as combined LCF and HCF regime at 923 K in a type 316LN stainless steel
Authors: Sarkar Aritra , Nagesha Atikukke
Published: March 2019

The paper presents a novel approach towards developing fatigue design curve under combined loading involving low cycle fatigue (LCF) and high cycle fatigue (HCF), in a type 316LN austenitic stainless steel. The total strain life curve used for fatigue design is modified taking into account the effect of varying load history. The methodology relies on the test data obtained to previous studies by authors pertaining to LCF‐HCF interaction using a sequential pattern at 923 K. Modified design curves are generated at 923 K where the effect of varying degree of prior LCF exposure at strain range of 0.12% is accounted for, on HCF.
Identifying and treating outliers in finance
Authors: Adams John , Hayunga Darren , Mansi Sattar , Reeb David , Verardi Vincenzo
Published: March 2019

Outliers represent a fundamental challenge in the empirical finance research. We investigate whether the routine techniques used in finance research to identify and treat outliers are appropriate for the data structures we observe in practice. Specifically, we propose a multivariate identification strategy that can effectively detect outliers. We also introduce an estimator that minimizes the bias outliers caused in both cross‐sectional and panel regressions and provide outlier mitigation guidance. Using replications of four recently published studies in premier finance journals, we show how adjusting for multivariate outliers can lead to significantly different results.
Urban geology: a geological ramble in Culcheth, or doesn’t everywhere deserve a field guide?
Authors: Donovan Stephen K
Published: March 2019

Write field guides! Not just to areas of classic geology, although these are particularly important, but also to your local area. These will be an aid to the local geologist, for their own pleasure and information, and, if relevant, for that of their students. But such guides will be of particular importance to local residents and amateur naturalists without a specialist geological knowledge.
Gene cloning to clinical trials—the trials and tribulations of a life with collagen
Authors: Boot‐Handford Raymond P.
Published: March 2019

This review, based on the BSMB Fell‐Muir Lecture I presented in July 2018 at the Matrix Biology Europe Conference in Manchester, gives a personal perspective of my own laboratory's contributions to research into type X collagen, metaphyseal chondrodysplasia type Schmid and potential treatments for this disorder that are currently entering clinical trial. I have tried to set the advances made in the context of the scientific technologies available at the time and how these have changed over the more than three decades of this research.
Health professions students’ attitudes and perceptions of interprofessional biases
Authors: Gillette Chris , Dinkins Melissa M , Bliss Rebecca , Pfaff Michele , Maupin Elizabeth , Badran Aseel , Manolakis Michael , Smith Lisa , Sweetman Melissa
Published: March 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes toward interprofessional, team-based care in first-year health professions students.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to all first-year health professions students in their first semester at one university using the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS). Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to analyze the data.

Key findings

Results indicated only two significant differences among students in IPAS subdomains: teamwork (χ2 = 13.11, df = 3, P = 0.004) and patient-centredness (χ2 = 40.75, df = 3, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Not all health professions students come into their formal education with the same level of attitudes toward team-based care. Educators should consider this when designing IPE activities.
The effects of amine oxidase‐producing starter culture on biogenic amine accumulation in traditional Chinese smoked horsemeat sausages
Authors: Huichao Zhang , Binbin Li , Lili Zhao , Qingling Wang , Baokun Li , Shiling Lu
Published: March 2019

The effects of autochthonous starter cultures (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius and L. plantarum + L. salivarius) on the accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in traditional Chinese smoked horsemeat sausage were investigated. The concentration of biogenic amines, microbiological growth, pH, and moisture content were evaluated. Starter cultures could effectively inhibit indigenous bacteria, as judged by traditional microbiological methods and polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE), and promote the degradation of BAs through oxidative deamination catalyzed by amine oxidase. L. salivarius inhibited BAs to a greater extent than the other two strains, and L. plantarum and L. salivarius had an antagonistic effect on the accumulation of BAs. The results indicate that starter cultures producing amine oxidase have a bacteriostatic effect and decrease the production of BAs during ripening of smoked horsemeat sausage, provided that suitable strain combinations are employed.

Practical applications

Smoked horsemeat sausage is favored by consumer with its special flavor and high nutritional value. However, it is usually manufactured in small workshop following spontaneous fermentation. Therefore, the quality and safety of the final product is not guaranteed. The application of starter cultures is one of efficient methods for smoked horsemeat sausage’ quality. In this study, L. plantarum + L. salivarius were used as starter cultures, which can reduce BA content to ensure food safety, and inhibit contaminant microorganisms growth, as well as no negatively influence to traditional properties of the product.
Concordance of Rural‐Urban Self‐identity and ZIP Code‐Derived Rural‐Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Designation
Authors: Onega Tracy , Weiss Julie E. , Alford‐Teaster Jennifer , Goodrich Martha , Eliassen M. Scottie , Kim Sunny Jung
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study examined the concordance between individuals’ self‐reported rural‐urban category of their community and ZIP Code‐derived Rural‐Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) category.

Methods

An Internet‐based survey, administered from August 2017 through November 2017, was used to collect participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, self‐reported ZIP Code of residence, and perception of which RUCA category best describes the community in which they live. We calculated weighted kappa (ĸ) coefficients (95% confidence interval [CI]) to test for concordance between participants’ ZIP Code‐derived RUCA category and their selection of RUCA descriptor. Descriptive frequency distributions of participants' demographics are presented.

Findings

A total of 622 survey participants, residents of New Hampshire (63%) and Vermont (37%), responded to the survey's self‐reported rural‐urban category. The overall ĸ was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.27‐0.38). The highest concordance was found among those living in a small rural area (N = 81, 13%): 62% of this group identified their communities as small rural. Sixty‐five percent (300/459) of participants residing in urban or large rural areas reported their community as more rural (small rural or isolated). Sixty‐eight percent (111/163) of participants living in small rural or isolated areas identified their community as more urban (large rural or urban).

Conclusions

Discordance was found between self‐report of rural‐urban category and ZIP Code‐derived RUCA designation. Caution is warranted when attributing rural‐urban designation to individuals based on geographic unit, since perceived rurality/urbanicity of their community that relates to health behaviors may not be reflected.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in healthy and Pasteurella multocida‐infected Gaoyou ducks
Authors: Lan Weixuan , Xiao Xia , Jiang Yongjia , Jiang Lijie , Zhao Xu , Yu Zhaoyang , Zhu Biwen , Li Congcong , Bian Lin , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: March 2019

Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of fowl cholera, and florfenicol (FF) has potent antibacterial activity against P. multocida and is widely used in the poultry industry. In this study, we established a P. multocida infection model in ducks and studied the pharmacokinetics of FF in serum and lung tissues after oral administration of 30 mg/kg bodyweight. The maximum concentrations reached (Cmax) were lower in infected ducks (13.88 ± 2.70 μg/ml) vs. healthy control animals (17.86 ± 1.57 μg/ml). In contrast, the mean residence time (MRT: 2.35 ± 0.13 vs. 2.27 ± 0.18 hr) and elimination half‐life (T½β: 1.63 ± 0.08 vs. 1.57 ± 0.12 hr) were similar for healthy and diseased animals, respectively. As a result, the area under the concentration curve for 0–12 hr (AUC0–12 hr) for FF in healthy ducks was significantly greater than that in infected ducks (49.47 ± 5.31 vs. 34.52 ± 8.29 μg hr/ml). The pharmacokinetic differences of FF in lung tissues between the two groups correlated with the serum pharmacokinetic differences. The Cmax and AUC0–12 hr values of lung tissue in healthy ducks were higher than those in diseased ducks. The concentration of FF in lung tissues was approximately 1.2‐fold higher than that in serum both in infected and healthy ducks indicating that FF is effective in treating respiratory tract infections in ducks.
Prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine modalities in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Liem Kin Seng , Yim Colina , Ying Thomas D. , Zanjir Wayel R. , Fung Scott , Wong David K. , Shah Hemant , Feld Jordan J. , Hansen Bettina E. , Janssen Harry L. A.
Published: March 2019

Background & Aims

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can interact with antiviral treatment or influence health‐seeking behaviour. We aimed to study the use of individual CAM modalities in CHB and explore determinants of use, particularly migration‐related, socio‐economic and clinical factors.

Methods

A total of 436 CHB outpatients who attended the Toronto Centre for Liver Disease in 2015‐2016 were included in this cross‐sectional study. Using the comprehensive I‐CAM questionnaire and health records, data were collected on socio‐demographic and clinical variables and on usage of 16 CAM modalities in the last year.

Results

Sixty percent of patients were male, 74% were Asian and 46% were using antiviral treatment. Three‐hundred and nine (71%) patients used CAM. Vitamin/mineral preparations (45% of patients) were most commonly used. Overall CAM use and the specific use of potentially injurious CAM, such as green tea extract (9.2%) and St. John's wort (0.2%), were not associated with liver disease severity. Female sex, family history of CHB, lower serum HBV DNA, and higher socio‐economic status were independently associated with bio‐holistic CAM use, the clinically most‐relevant CAM group (P < 0.05); ethnicity, antiviral therapy use and liver disease severity were not.

Conclusions

CAM use among CHB patients was extensive, especially use of vitamin and mineral preparations, but without direct influence on liver disease severity. Bio‐holistic CAM use appeared to be associated with socio‐economic status rather than with ethnicity or liver disease severity. Despite the rare use of hepatotoxins, physicians should actively inquire about it.
Heritable variation in bleaching responses and its functional genomic basis in reef‐building corals (Orbicella faveolata)
Authors: Dziedzic Katherine E. , Elder Holland , Tavalire Hannah , Meyer Eli
Published: March 2019

Reef‐building corals are highly sensitive to rising ocean temperatures, and substantial adaptation will be required for corals and the ecosystems they support to persist in changing ocean conditions. Genetic variation that might support adaptive responses has been measured in larval stages of some corals, but these estimates remain unavailable for adult corals and the functional basis of this variation remains unclear. In this study, we focused on the potential for adaptation in Orbicella faveolata, a dominant reef‐builder in the Caribbean. We conducted thermal stress experiments using corals collected from natural populations in Bocas del Toro, Panama, and used multilocus SNP genotypes to estimate genetic relatedness among samples. This allowed us to estimate narrow‐sense heritability of variation in bleaching responses, revealing that variation in these responses was highly heritable (h2 = 0.58). This suggests substantial potential for adaptive responses to warming by natural populations of O. faveolata in this region. We further investigated the functional basis for this variation using genomic and transcriptomic approaches. We used a publicly available genetic linkage map and genome assembly to map markers associated with bleaching responses, identifying twelve markers associated with variation in bleaching responses. We also profiled gene expression in corals with contrasting bleaching phenotypes, uncovering substantial differences in transcriptional stress responses between heat‐tolerant and heat‐susceptible corals. Together, our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that natural populations of corals possess genetic variation in thermal stress responses that may potentially support adaptive responses to rising ocean temperatures.
Hce2 domain‐containing effectors contribute to the full virulence ofValsa maliin a redundant manner
Authors: Zhang Mian , Xie Shichang , Zhao Yuhuan , Meng Xiang , Song Linlin , Feng Hao , Huang Lili
Published: March 2019

Valsa maliis the causal agent of appleValsacanker, a destructive disease in East Asia. Effector proteins play important roles in the virulence of phytopathogenic fungi, and we identified five Hce2 domain‐containing effectors (VmHEP1, VmHEP2, VmHEP3, VmHEP4 and VmHEP5) from theV.maligenome. Amongst these, VmHEP1 and VmHEP2 were found to be up‐regulated during the early infection stage and VmHEP1 was also identified as a cell death inducer through its transient expression inNicotiana benthamiana. Although the deletion of each singleVmHEPgene did not lead to a reduction in virulence, the double‐deletion ofVmHEP1andVmHEP2notably attenuatedV. malivirulence in both apple twigs and leaves. An evolutionary analysis revealed thatVmHEP1 and VmHEP2are two paralogues, under purifying selection.VmHEP1andVmHEP2are located next to each other on chromosome 11 as tandem genes with only a 604 bp physical distance. Interestingly, the deletion ofVmHEP1promoted the expression ofVmHEP2and, vice versa, the deletion ofVmHEP2promoted the expression ofVmHEP1. The present results provide insights into the functions of Hce2 domain‐containing effectors acting as virulence factors ofV. mali, and provide a new perspective regarding the contribution of tandem genes to the virulence of phytopathogenic fungi.
Building detection and regularisation using DSM and imagery information
Authors: Mousa Yousif A. , Helmholz Petra , Belton David , Bulatov Dimitri
Published: March 2019

An automatic method for the regularisation of building outlines is presented, utilising a combination of data‐ and model‐driven approaches to provide a robust solution. The core part of the method includes a novel data‐driven approach to generate approximate building polygons from a list of given boundary points. The algorithm iteratively calculates and stores likelihood values between an arbitrary starting boundary point and each of the following boundary points using a function derived from the geometrical properties of a building. As a preprocessing step, building segments have to be identified using a robust algorithm for the extraction of a digital elevation model. Evaluation results on a challenging dataset achieved an average correctness of 96·3% and 95·7% for building detection and regularisation, respectively.
Implications of Application Programming Interfaces for Third‐Party New App Development and Copycatting
Authors: Xue Ling , Song Peijian , Rai Arun , Zhang Cheng , Zhao Xia
Published: March 2019

Digital platforms can use application programming interfaces (APIs) to support third‐party development of new apps and achieve growth at an unprecedented scale. However, there is also a dilemma between original new development and copycatting by third‐party suppliers. Motivated by this tension, we examined how APIs provided by digital platforms may influence two types of third‐party new app development: original apps and app copycatting. We also investigated how these influences are dependent on app market conditions. We empirically tested our theoretical conjectures using data on a leading web browser platform, and applying analytics techniques on app source code to identify original apps and copycat apps. Based on a difference‐in‐differences identification strategy, our findings suggest that the provision of platform APIs enhance the original new development of apps. While platform APIs may facilitate app copycatting as well, our findings suggest that platform APIs can enhance app suppliers’ relative attractiveness to original new development in comparison to copycatting. The enhancing effect of platform APIs on original new development is strengthened by app market potential and high market‐level app complexity. The enhancing effect of platform APIs on app copycatting is strengthened by app market potential and high market concentration. Our study has important theoretical and practical implications.