bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of type III effectors from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis in virulence and suppression of plant immunity
Authors: Medina Cesar Augusto , Reyes Paola Andrea , Trujillo Cesar Augusto , Gonzalez Juan Luis , Bejarano David Alejandro , Montenegro Nathaly Andrea , Jacobs Jonathan M. , Joe Anna , Restrepo Silvia , Alfano James R. , Bernal Adriana
Published: February 2017

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) causes cassava bacterial blight, the most important bacterial disease of cassava. Xam, like other Xanthomonas species, requires type III effectors (T3Es) for maximal virulence. Xam strain CIO151 possesses 17 predicted T3Es belonging to the Xanthomonas outer protein (Xop) class. This work aimed to characterize nine Xop effectors present in Xam CIO151 for their role in virulence and modulation of plant immunity. Our findings demonstrate the importance of XopZ, XopX, XopAO1 and AvrBs2 for full virulence, as well as a redundant function in virulence between XopN and XopQ in susceptible cassava plants. We tested their role in pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐triggered immunity (PTI) and effector‐triggered immunity (ETI) using heterologous systems. AvrBs2, XopR and XopAO1 are capable of suppressing PTI. ETI suppression activity was only detected for XopE4 and XopAO1. These results demonstrate the overall importance and diversity in functions of major virulence effectors AvrBs2 and XopAO1 in Xam during cassava infection.
Safety of Implantation of a Leadless Pacemaker via Femoral Approach in the Presence of an Inferior Vena Cava Filter
Authors: AFZAL MUHAMMAD R. , ACKERS JANICE , HUMMEL JOHN D. , AUGOSTINI RALPH
Published: February 2017

A 61‐year‐old woman with symptomatic complete heart block was referred for permanent pacemaker. The presence of a left‐sided arteriovenous fistula and right‐sided mastectomy with lymph node dissection precluded the implantation of a transvenous pacemaker, and therefore, a leadless pacemaker was recommended. The patient also had an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. The passage of a 27‐French introducer sheath housing the leadless pacemaker through IVC filter was carefully visualized under fluoroscopy and advanced to the right ventricle without any compromise to the filter. This case report shows the safety of passage of large sheaths via the IVC filter.
Human herpes virus 6 infection in pediatric organ transplant patients
Authors: Ylinen Elisa , Lehtinen Silja , Jahnukainen Timo , Karlsson Teemu , Loginov Raisa , Mannonen Laura , Lautenschlager Irmeli , Jalanko Hannu
Published: February 2017

Transplant patients need lifelong immunosuppressive medication, but this reduces their defense mechanisms, making them prone to viral infections and reactivations. We aimed to clarify the prevalence and clinical manifestations of the human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) infection in children after pediatric solid organ transplants. Clinical findings and viral loads were compared between primary HHV‐6 infections and reactivations. The study comprised 47 kidney, 25 liver, and 12 heart transplant patients who underwent surgery from 2009 to 2014. HHV‐6 antibodies were analyzed before surgery, and HHV‐6 DNAemia tests were regularly carried out after the transplant using a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. We found the primary HHV‐6 infection in 19 of 22 (86%) seronegative patients, and it was more common in patients under 3 years of age (79%) than over 3 (38%, P=.0002). Post‐transplant HHV‐6 DNAemia affected 48 of 84 (57%) patients and was significantly higher in primary infections than reactivations (P=.001), and 17 of 48 (35%) patients had symptoms when it was detected at a median of 2 weeks post‐transplant. The HHV‐6 infection was common after solid organ transplants, especially under 3 years of age, and it typically started 2 weeks after surgery. Testing for HHV‐6 DNAemia is recommended shortly after transplantation, especially in patients with fever, diarrhea, rash, seizures, or abnormal liver enzyme tests.
Absolute Orientation Based on Line Coordinates
Authors: Sheng Qing H. , Zhang Bin
Published: February 2017

Absolute orientation based on points is a common method of precise georeferencing in photogrammetry. In images of urban areas, straight‐line features such as buildings are prominent. A new absolute orientation approach dependent on line coordinates is proposed in this paper. An arbitrary spatial line can be described by its orientation vector and moment vector. Using the helical scaling displacement operator, the transformation of straight lines in model space and their corresponding control straight lines in object space can be achieved. Experimental results show that with eight control straight lines, the proposed approach is comparable to the precision of absolute orientation using four control points. Furthermore, the endpoints of corresponding line segments in the two spaces are not required to be conjugate points.
What Makes a Person Liable to Defensive Harm?
Authors: Gordon‐Solmon Kerah
Published: February 2017

On Jeff McMahan's influential ‘responsibility account’ of moral liability to defensive killing, one can forfeit one's right not be killed by engaging in an ordinary, morally permissible risk‐imposing activity, such as driving a car. If, through no fault of hers, a driver's car veers out of control and toward a pedestrian, the account deems it no violation of the driver's right to save the pedestrian's life at the expense of the driver's life.

Many critics reject the responsibility account on the grounds that, first, it has draconian implications for threateners like the driver, and second, it contravenes the plausible principle that wronging one's victim is necessary for forfeiting one's rights. But I argue, drawing on the account's luck‐egalitarian underpinnings, that (1) the account lacks the draconian implications widely attributed to it, and (2) contrary to what many assume, wrongdoing is unnecessary for rights‐forfeiture. Via these arguments, I seek both to deepen our understanding of the responsibility account, and to reissue it in a more plausible and attractive form.
Which Candidates Can Be Mavericks? The Effects of Issue Disagreement and Gender on Candidate Evaluations
Authors: Vraga Emily K.
Published: February 2017

As approval ratings of the U.S. Congress remain depressed, many candidates present themselves as mavericks, willing to counter their party on issues. Yet disagreeing with one's party can be a risky decision and one that is not equally viable for all politicians. In particular, female candidates often face a hostile political climate that privileges “masculine” traits over feminine traits, which may tie female candidates to their party's platform. An experimental study manipulating issue disagreement for a female versus male candidate demonstrates that the female candidate consistently faces harsher penalties in terms of candidate evaluations and voting intentions for disagreeing with her party on multiple issues. Implications for candidate behavior, campaign strategies, and political decision making are discussed.

Related Articles

Grossmann, Matt. 2014. “.” Politics & Policy 42 (): 881‐904. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12102

Joslyn, Mark R., and
Donald P. Haider‐Markel. 2014. “.” Politics & Policy 42 (): 919‐947. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12098/full

Kostadinova, Tatiana, and
Petia Kostadinova. 2016. “.” Politics & Policy 44 (): 5‐34. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12145/full

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2016. “Trump, As Outsider, Broke Every Rule on Road to Victory.” November 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v = rWnRYDRLF7U

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Manning, Jennifer. 2014. “Membership of the 113th Congress: A Profile.” Congressional Research Service. November 24. http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=%260BL%2BR%5CC%3F%0A
“Who Is at ‘Fault?’” The Media and the Stories of Induced Seismicity
Authors: Fisk Jonathan M. , Davis Charles , Cole Benjamin
Published: February 2017

Media attention to earthquake risks linked to the underground injection of produced waters from oil and gas fracking operations has increased over the past few years. However, little scholarly attention has been devoted to newspaper coverage of events and state policy actions that are associated with “induced seismicity.” A key concern addressed in this article is whether newspaper coverage is largely unrestrained or is restricted by other factors. Is coverage by differing newspapers influenced by frames emphasizing the economic importance of oil and gas production within the state? We conclude that the answer is “yes” based on information gleaned from content analyses of newspapers in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas from 2009 through 2014.

Related Articles

Delshad, Ashlie B. 2013. “.” Politics & Policy 41 (): 213‐240. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12009/abstract

Lavery, Lesley. 2013. “.” Politics & Policy 41 (): 877-910. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12051/full

Johnson, Tyler. 2012. “.” Politics & Policy 40 (): 1053‐1080. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00398.x/full

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USGS. n.d. “Induced Earthquakes.” https://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/induced/

Earthquakes in Oklahoma. 2016. “FAQs.” https://earthquakes.ok.gov/faqs/

Oklahoma's Rise in Quakes Linked to Man‐Made Causes. 2016. CBSNews.com. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-oklahoma-rise-in-quakes-linked-to-man-made-causes/
Factors Affecting Public Expenditure Efficiency in Developed Countries
Authors: Moreno‐Enguix María Del Rocío , Lorente Bayona Laura Vanesa
Published: February 2017

Measuring public efficiency can help governments to benchmark progress, identify gaps, and learn from best practices around the world. Our study designs Public Expenditure Efficiency Indexes, both for general government and for its functions, by using single synthetic indicators, as well as a Free Disposal Hull and a Data Envelopment Analysis model. The study also tests the association between public sector performance and public expenditure efficiency and other key socioeconomic indicators. Empirical analysis was applied in 2012 for a single cross‐section of 35 economies. Results show significant evidence of an association between public efficiency and state of development, democracy, and corruption, as well as with population density, especially in Environmental Protection. The direction of the association between public sector size and public performance differs per function. It is positive for Health and Social Protection.

Related Articles

Gatchair, Sonia D. 2015. “.” Politics & Policy 43 (): 887‐913. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12139/abstract

Ariely, Gal. 2011. “.” Politics & Policy 39 (): 997‐1019. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00329.x/abstract

Givel, Michael, and
Andrew L. Spivak. 2008. “.” Politics & Policy 36 (): 420‐447. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2008.00115.x/abstract

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Ethnic Inequality and National Pride
Authors: Ray Subhasish
Published: February 2017

This article examines patterns in individual attachments towards the nation‐state in multiethnic countries. Specifically, we examine the effect of between‐ethnic‐group political and economic inequality on these attachments. Pairing attitudinal data from the sixth and most recent wave of the World Values Survey, administered between 2010 and 2012, with ethnicity measures from the Ethnic Power Relations dataset, we show that between‐ethnic‐group political inequality significantly weakens national pride and identity, but between‐ethnic‐group economic inequality does not have a similar effect. Our findings provide robust support for the view that ethnic‐group separatism in divided societies is motivated, not by the quest for economic power, but by considerations of lost status and dignity that can only be recovered through ownership in state institutions. Hence, the binding constraint on national integration in these settings is political, not economic, inequality.
Defensive coping and essential amino acid markers as possible predictors for structural vascular disease in an African and Caucasian male cohort: The SABPA study
Authors: Möller Marisa , Malan Leoné , Magnusson Martin , Mels Carina M. C. , Malan Nico T.
Published: February 2017

Defensive coping (DefS), oxidative stress, inflammation, and related amino acids (phenylalanine [Phe] and tyrosine [Tyr]) have been implicated in cardiovascular disease. This study assessed whether inflammation, oxidative stress, changes in essential amino acids, and altered coping strategies are correlated with subclinical vascular changes in African (n = 82) and Caucasian (n = 100) men from the Sympathetic Activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans (SABPA) study. The Coping Strategy Indicator questionnaire identified DefS participants. Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was monitored for 24 h, whereas carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and cross‐sectional wall area (CSWA) were determined ultrasonically. Essential amino acids were analyzed with a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Oxidative‐inflammatory markers were measured by spectrophotometry. African men had poorer health than Caucasian men, including higher alcohol abuse, elevated BP, abdominal obesity, physical inactivity, and elevated inflammation. Phe (p < .001) and Phe/Tyr ratio (p = .006) as well as CIMT (p = .032) were higher in African men. DefS African men had higher levels of Phe (p = .002) and Phe/Tyr (p = .009) compared to DefS Caucasian men; these differences were not observed in non‐DefS men. Systolic BP and inflammation (C‐reactive protein) were positively associated with left (L‐) CSWA, while Phe/Tyr was negatively associated with L‐CSWA in DefS African men. African males presented with elevated Phe and Phe/Tyr ratio, catecholamine precursors, worsening during DefS—possibly driven by inflammation and BP contributing to structural vascular abnormalities.
Impaired reproduction in Japanese Black cattle under cold environmental conditions
Authors: Nabenishi H , Yamazaki A
Published: February 2017

Contents

Environmental factors such as the temperature–humidity index (THI) are known to affect reproductive parameters in cattle. Therefore, here, we examined whether there was any correlation between the THI and the reproductive performance of Japanese Black cattle by analysing the first‐service conception rates of 178,492 artificially inseminated cows across 9,833 herds in south‐western Japan over a 3‐year period. The daily mean (±SD) THI over the study period was 63.6 ± 11.3 (range: 41.4–81.5). The calving to first artificial insemination (AI) interval was significantly negatively correlated with THI in the month of AI (r = −.75, p < .001), whereas conception rate to first AI (CRFA) showed a cyclical change that did not correspond with that of THI, resulting in a time lag between CRFA and THI in the month of AI. Furthermore, there was a stronger correlation between CRFA and THI between 3 and 2 months before AI (r = .76 vs. .83, p < .001) than in the month of AI (r = .34, p = .04). Therefore, this extensive field study showed that a decrease in THI was associated with declined reproductive performance in Japanese Black cattle and that the impact of the cold environment on the conception rate is attributable to a carryover effect from the cold season before AI rather than conditions at the time of AI.
Speaking plates: text, performance, and banqueting trenchers in Early Modern Europe
Authors: Yeoman Victoria
Published: February 2017

Dining and banqueting in Renaissance Europe have traditionally received a great deal of attention in historical scholarship, especially within the fields of food history and museum studies. This article intervenes in this much‐debated topic through an investigation of banqueting trenchers, objects which have received almost no scholarly attention. Specialized plates used in after‐dinner, sweet banquets, trenchers were decorated with pictorial images and accompanying mottos and epigrams. While they may have originated in the context of lavish banquets enjoyed by the social elite, this paper examines their wider use further down the social scale. This article reveals that trenchers required specific oral recitations as well as a repertoire of corporeal acts from diners who engaged with them at the table. In doing so, it analyses over three hundred extant trenchers held in European and North American collections, as well as a wide variety of literary and non‐literary textual documents, including almanacs, poetry, and — most importantly — Thomas Middleton's largely ignored city comedy No Wit Like A Woman's (1611), in which trenchers are performed on stage. The essay argues that trenchers facilitated entertainment and lively conversation, both much desired at banquets, however the series of physical manipulations required to use trenchers also produced ‘performances’ of sociability.
Improved detection of Zika virus RNA in human and animal specimens by a novel, highly sensitive and specific real‐time RT‐PCR assay targeting the 5′‐untranslated region of Zika virus
Authors: Chan Jasper Fuk‐Woo , Yip Cyril Chik‐Yan , Tee Kah‐Meng , Zhu Zheng , Tsang Jessica Oi‐Ling , Chik Kenn Ka‐Heng , Tsang Terance Gi‐Wai , Chan Chris Chung‐Sing , Poon Vincent Kwok‐Man , Sridhar Siddharth , Yin Feifei , Hung Ivan Fan‐Ngai , Chau Sandy Ka‐Yee , Zhang Anna Jinxia , Chan Kwok‐Hung , Yuen Kwok‐Yung
Published: February 2017

Objective and Method

We developed and evaluated five novel real‐time RT‐PCR assays targeting conserved regions in the 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR), envelope (E'), non‐structural protein 2A (NS2A), NS5 and 3′‐UTR of the ZIKV genome.

Results

The ZIKV‐5′‐UTR assay exhibited the lowest in vitro limit of detection (5–10 RNA copies/reaction and 3.0 × 10−1 plaque‐forming units/ml). Compared to the modified version of a widely adopted RT‐PCR assay targeting the ZIKV‐E gene, the ZIKV‐5′‐UTR assay showed better sensitivity in human clinical specimens, and representative mouse specimens, including many organs which are known to be involved in human ZIKV infection but difficult to obtain in clinical settings. The ZIKV‐5′‐UTR assay detected ZIKV RNA in 84/84 (100.0%) ZIKV‐E'‐positive and an additional 30/296 (10.1%, P < 0.01) ZIKV‐E'‐negative mouse specimens. The higher sensitivity of the ZIKV‐5′‐UTR assay was most significant in kidney and testis/epididymis specimens (P < 0.01). No in vitro or in vivo cross‐reactivity was found between the ZIKV‐5′‐UTR assay and dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, hepatitis C virus and Chikungunya virus.

Conclusions

The highly sensitive and specific ZIKV‐5′‐UTR assay may help to improve the laboratory diagnosis of ZIKV infection.
Identification of Arabidopsis genic and non‐genic promoters by paired‐end sequencing of TSS tags
Authors: Tokizawa Mutsutomo , Kusunoki Kazutaka , Koyama Hiroyuki , Kurotani Atsushi , Sakurai Tetsuya , Suzuki Yutaka , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Kurata Tetsuya , Yamamoto Yoshiharu Y.
Published: February 2017

Information about transcription start sites (TSSs) provides baseline data for the analysis of promoter architecture. In this paper we used paired‐ and single‐end deep sequencing to analyze Arabidopsis TSS tags from several libraries prepared from roots, shoots, flowers and etiolated seedlings. The clustering of approximately 33 million mapped TSS tags led to the identification of 324 461 promoters that covered 79.7% (21 672/27 206) of protein‐coding genes in the Arabidopsis genome. In addition we identified intragenic, antisense and orphan promoters that were not associated with any gene models. Of these, intragenic promoters exhibited unique characteristics regarding dinucleotide sequences at TSSs and core promoter element composition, suggesting that these promoters use different mechanisms of transcriptional initiation. An analysis of base composition with regard to promoter position revealed a low GC content throughout the promoter region and several local strand biases that were evident for TATA‐type promoters, but not for Coreless‐type promoters. Most observed strand biases coincided with strand biases of single nucleotide polymorphism rate. Our analysis also revealed that transcription of a gene is supported by an average of 2.7 genic promoters, among which one specific promoter, designated as a top promoter, substantially determines the expression level of the gene.
Monetary policy spillovers and currency crisis in comparative perspective: East Asia before the 1997 crisis and Eastern Europe after tapering
Authors: Kim Jong‐Hee
Published: February 2017

This paper estimates the possibility of currency crisis in Eastern Europe that can be triggered by monetary policy change in the key currency countries, such as tapering measure. We examine the crisis possibility in the five Eastern European nations—the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania—by performing a comparative analysis with East Asian countries before the 1997 currency crisis. For the analysis, we estimate how much the exchange rate deviates from the estimated equilibrium exchange rate, as well as the synchronicity of currency value towards some of the key currencies by creating market pressure index. The results can be explained in two ways. First, the market pressure in the Eastern Europe after 2012 is smaller than they were in East Asia before 1997. The crisis possibility especially intensifies when more the exchange rate deviates from the equilibrium value. Second, the monetary policy change in the key currency countries does not greatly affect the crisis possibility in Eastern Europe when their local currencies have the strong synchronisation with euro. Therefore, Eastern European countries show strong synchronicity towards the euro, so the crisis possibility may be alleviated if the Eurozone continues its expansionary monetary policy.
Epigenomics of human CD8 T cell differentiation and aging
Authors: Moskowitz David M. , Zhang David W. , Hu Bin , Le Saux Sabine , Yanes Rolando E. , Ye Zhongde , Buenrostro Jason D. , Weyand Cornelia M. , Greenleaf William J. , Goronzy Jörg J.
Published: February 2017

Genome-wide epigenetic profiling defines the transcriptional networks involved in T cell aging.
Effects of Gelling Agent and Extracellular Signaling Molecules on the Culturability of Marine Bacteria
Authors: Rygaard Anita Mac , Thøgersen Mariane Schmidt , Nielsen Kristian Fog , Gram Lone , Bentzon-Tilia Mikkel
Published: February 2017

Only 1% of marine bacteria are currently culturable using standard laboratory procedures, and this is a major obstacle for our understanding of the biology of marine microorganisms and for the discovery of novel microbial natural products. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate if improved cultivation conditions, including the use of an alternative gelling agent and supplementation with signaling molecules, improve the culturability of bacteria from seawater. Replacing agar with gellan gum improved viable counts 3- to 40-fold, depending on medium composition and incubation conditions, with a maximum of 6.6% culturability relative to direct cell counts. Through V4 amplicon sequencing we found that culturable diversity was also affected by a change in gelling agent, facilitating the growth of orders not culturable on agar-based substrates. Community analyses showed that communities grown on gellan gum substrates were significantly different from communities grown on agar and that they covered a larger fraction of the seawater community. Other factors, such as incubation temperature and time, had less obvious effects on viable counts and culturable diversity. Supplementation with acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) did not have a positive effect on total viable counts or a strong effect on culturable diversity. However, low concentrations of AHLs increased the relative abundance of sphingobacteria. Hence, with alternative growth substrates, it is possible to significantly increase the number and diversity of cultured marine bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Serious challenges to human health, such as the occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance and an aging human population in need of bioactive pharmaceuticals, have revitalized the search for natural microbial products. The marine environment, representing the largest ecosystem in the biosphere, harbors an immense and virtually untapped microbial diversity producing unique bioactive compounds. However, we are currently able to cultivate only a minute fraction of this diversity. The lack of cultivated microbes is hampering not only bioprospecting efforts but also our general understanding of marine microbes. In this study, we present a means to increase the number and diversity of cultured bacteria from seawater, showing that relatively simple changes to medium components may facilitate the isolation and growth of hitherto unknown bacterial orders.
Gut Microbiota Colonization and Transmission in the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides throughout Development
Authors: Wang Yin , Rozen Daniel E.
Published: February 2017

Carrion beetles in the genus
Nicrophorus
rear their offspring on decomposing carcasses where larvae are exposed to a diverse community of decomposer bacteria. Parents coat the carcass with antimicrobial secretions prior to egg hatch (defined as prehatch care) and also feed regurgitated food, and potentially bacteria, to larvae throughout development (defined as full care). Here, we partition the roles of prehatch and posthatch parental care in the transmission and persistence of culturable symbiotic bacteria to larvae. Using three treatment groups (full care, prehatch care only, and no care), we found that larvae receiving full care are predominantly colonized by bacteria resident in the maternal gut while larvae receiving no care are colonized with bacteria from the carcass. More importantly, larvae receiving only prehatch care were also predominantly colonized by maternal bacteria; this result indicates that parental treatment of the carcass, including application of bacteria to the carcass surface, is sufficient to ensure symbiont transfer even in the absence of direct larval feeding. Later in development, we found striking evidence that pupae undergo an aposymbiotic stage, after which they are recolonized at eclosion with bacteria similar to those found on the molted larval cuticle and on the wall of the pupal chamber. Our results clarify the importance of prehatch parental care for symbiont transmission in
Nicrophorus vespilloides
and suggest that these bacteria successfully outcompete decomposer bacteria during larval and pupal gut colonization.

IMPORTANCE
Here, we examine the origin and persistence of the culturable gut microbiota of larvae in the burying beetle
Nicrophorus vespilloides
. This insect is particularly interesting for this study because larvae are reared on decomposing vertebrate carcasses, where they are exposed to high densities of carrion-decomposing microbes. Larvae also receive extensive parental care in the form of carcass preservation and direct larval feeding. We find that parents transmit their gut bacteria to larvae both directly, through regurgitation, and indirectly via their effects on the carcass. In addition, we find that larvae become aposymbiotic during pupation but are recolonized apparently from bacteria shed onto the insect cuticle before adult eclosion. Our results highlight the diverse interactions between insect behavior and development on microbiota composition. They further suggest that competitive interactions mediate the bacterial composition of
Nicrophorus
larvae together with or apart from the influence of beetle immunity, suggesting that the bacterial communities of these insects may be highly coevolved with those of their host species.
Plant Community and Nitrogen Deposition as Drivers of Alpha and Beta Diversities of Prokaryotes in Reconstructed Oil Sand Soils and Natural Boreal Forest Soils
Authors: Masse Jacynthe , Prescott Cindy E. , Renaut Sébastien , Terrat Yves , Grayston Sue J.
Published: February 2017

The Athabasca oil sand deposit is one of the largest single oil deposits in the world. Following surface mining, companies are required to restore soil-like profiles that can support the previous land capabilities. The objective of this study was to assess whether the soil prokaryotic alpha diversity (α-diversity) and β-diversity in oil sand soils reconstructed 20 to 30 years previously and planted to one of three vegetation types (coniferous or deciduous trees and grassland) were similar to those found in natural boreal forest soils subject to wildfire disturbance. Prokaryotic α-diversity and β-diversity were assessed using massively parallel sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The β-diversity, but not the α-diversity, differed between reconstructed and natural soils. Bacteria associated with an oligotrophic lifestyle were more abundant in natural forest soils, whereas bacteria associated with a copiotrophic lifestyle were more abundant in reconstructed soils. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea were most abundant in reconstructed soils planted with grasses. Plant species were the main factor influencing α-diversity in natural and in reconstructed soils. Nitrogen deposition, pH, and plant species were the main factors influencing the β-diversity of the prokaryotic communities in natural and reconstructed soils. The results highlight the importance of nitrogen deposition and aboveground-belowground relationships in shaping soil microbial communities in natural and reconstructed soils.

IMPORTANCE
Covering over 800 km
2
, land disturbed by the exploitation of the oil sands in Canada has to be restored. Here, we take advantage of the proximity between these reconstructed ecosystems and the boreal forest surrounding the oil sand mining area to study soil microbial community structure and processes in both natural and nonnatural environments. By identifying key characteristics shaping the structure of soil microbial communities, this study improved our understanding of how vegetation, soil characteristics and microbial communities interact and drive soil functions.
Atypical presentation of a spontaneous coeliac artery dissection resulting in jejunal ischaemia
Authors: George Jayan , Nathani Harsh , Hu Andrew , Al-Mukhtar Ahmed
Published: February 2017

We describe a case of a 59-year-old man with no significant medical history apart from a hiatus hernia and depression who presented with periumbilical pain which woke him at night. Before this he had 6 weeks of generalised abdominal pain. Blood tests were relatively normal and CT revealed some ill-defined stranding around the coeliac artery. He was diagnosed with a spontaneous coeliac artery dissection. Given the complexity of the case, a multidisciplinary team approach was adopted. He was managed conservatively and improved significantly over the next few days. Further investigations confirmed ischaemic changes to the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum. He has since been followed-up with CT scans and has had no further episodes 12 months from his initial admission.
Randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of VVZ-149 injections for postoperative pain following laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Authors: Nedeljkovic Srdjan S , Correll Darin J , Bao Xiaodong , Zamor Natacha , Zeballos Jose L , Zhang Yi , Young Mark J , Ledley Johanna , Sorace Jessica , Eng Kristen , Hamsher Carlyle P , Maniam Rajivan , Chin Jonathan W , Tsui Becky , Cho Sunyoung , Lee Doo H
Published: February 2017

Introduction

In spite of advances in understanding and technology, postoperative pain remains poorly treated for a significant number of patients. In colorectal surgery, the need for developing novel analgesics is especially important. Patients after bowel surgery are assessed for rapid return of bowel function and opioids worsen ileus, nausea and constipation. We describe a prospective, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial testing the hypothesis that a novel analgesic drug, VVZ -149, is safe and effective in improving pain compared with providing opioid analgesia alone among adults undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods and analysis

Based on sample size calculations for primary outcome, we plan to enrol 120 participants. Adult patients without significant medical comorbidities or ongoing opioid use and who are undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery will be enrolled. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either VVZ-149 with intravenous (IV) hydromorphone patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) or the control intervention (IV PCA alone) in the postoperative period. The primary outcome is the Sum of Pain Intensity Difference over 8 hours (SPID-8 postdose). Participants receive VVZ-149 for 8 hours postoperatively to the primary study end point, after which they continue to be assessed for up to 24 hours. We measure opioid consumption, record pain intensity and pain relief, and evaluate the number of rescue doses and requests for opioid. To assess safety, we record sedation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, laboratory tests and ECG readings after study drug administration. We evaluate for possible confounders of analgesic response, such as anxiety, depression and catastrophising behaviours. The study will also collect blood sample data and evaluate for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval of the study protocol has been obtained from Institutional Review Boards at the participating institutions. Trial results will be disseminated through scientific conference presentations and by publication in scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02489526; pre-results.
Retrospective examination of lipid-lowering treatment patterns in a real-world high-risk cohort in the UK in 2014: comparison with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2014 lipid modification guidelines
Authors: Steen Dylan L , Khan Irfan , Ansell David , Sanchez Robert J , Ray Kausik K
Published: February 2017

Background

In 2014, guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provided updated recommendations on lipid-modifying therapy (LMT). We assessed clinical practice contemporaneous to release of these guidelines in a UK general practice setting for secondary and high-risk primary-prevention populations, and extrapolated the findings to UK nation level.

Methods

Patients from The Health Improvement Network database with the following criteria were included: lipid profile in 2014 (index date); ≥20 years of age; ≥2 years representation in database prior to index; ≥1 statin indication either for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or the non-ASCVD conditions high-risk diabetes mellitus and/or chronic kidney disease.

Results

Overall, 183 565 patients met the inclusion criteria (n=91 479 for ASCVD, 92 086 for non-ASCVD). In those with ASCVD, 79% received statin treatment and 31% received high-intensity statin. In the non-ASCVD group, 62% were on a statin and 57% received medium-intensity or high-intensity statin. In the ASCVD and non-ASCVD cohorts, 6% and 15%, respectively, were already treated according to dosing recommendations as per updated NICE guidelines. Extrapolation to the 2014 UK population indicated that, of the 3.3 million individuals with ASCVD, 2.4 million would require statin uptitration and 680 000 would require statin initiation (31% de novo initiation, 60% reinitiation, 9% addition to non-statin LMT) to achieve full concordance with updated guidelines. Of the 3.5 million high-risk non-ASCVD individuals, 1.6 million would require statin uptitration and 1.4 million would require statin initiation (59% de novo initiation, 36% reinitiation, 5% addition to non-statin LMT).

Conclusions

A large proportion of UK individuals with ASCVD and high-risk non-ASCVD received statin treatment (79% and 62%, respectively) during the year of NICE 2014 guidelines release. Up to 94% of patients with ASCVD and 85% of high-risk non-ASCVD individuals, representing ∼3 million individuals in each group, would require statin uptitration or initiation to achieve full concordance with updated guidelines.
Informing efficient randomised controlled trials: exploration of challenges in developing progression criteria for internal pilot studies
Authors: Avery Kerry N L , Williamson Paula R , Gamble Carrol , O'Connell Francischetto Elaine , Metcalfe Chris , Davidson Peter , Williams Hywel , Blazeby Jane M
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Designing studies with an internal pilot phase may optimise the use of pilot work to inform more efficient randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Careful selection of preagreed decision or ‘progression’ criteria at the juncture between the internal pilot and main trial phases provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate the likely success of the main trial and optimise its design or, if necessary, to make the decision not to proceed with the main trial. Guidance on the appropriate selection and application of progression criteria is, however, lacking. This paper outlines the key issues to consider in the optimal development and review of operational progression criteria for RCTs with an internal pilot phase.

Design

A structured literature review and exploration of stakeholders' opinions at a Medical Research Council (MRC) Hubs for Trials Methodology Research workshop. Key stakeholders included triallists, methodologists, statisticians and funders.

Results

There is considerable variation in the use of progression criteria for RCTs with an internal pilot phase, although 3 common issues predominate: trial recruitment, protocol adherence and outcome data. Detailed and systematic reporting around the decision-making process for stopping, amending or proceeding to a main trial is uncommon, which may hamper understanding in the research community about the appropriate and optimal use of RCTs with an internal pilot phase. 10 top tips for the development, use and reporting of progression criteria for internal pilot studies are presented.

Conclusions

Systematic and transparent reporting of the design, results and evaluation of internal pilot trials in the literature should be encouraged in order to facilitate understanding in the research community and to inform future trials.
Health information needs, source preferences and engagement behaviours of women with metastatic breast cancer across the care continuum: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Tucker Carol A , Martin M Pilar , Jones Ray B
Published: February 2017

Introduction

The health information needs, information source preferences and engagement behaviours of women with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) depend on personal characteristics such as education level, prior knowledge, clinical complications, comorbidities and where they are in the cancer journey. A thorough understanding of the information behaviours of women living with mBC is essential to the provision of optimal care. A preliminary literature review suggests that there is little research on this topic, but that there may be lessons from a slightly broader literature. This review will identify what is known and what is not known about the health information needs, acquisition and influences of women with mBC across the care continuum. Findings will help to identify research needs and specific areas where in-depth systematic reviews may be feasible, as well as inform evidence-based interventions to address the health information needs of female patients with mBC with different demographics and characteristics and across the mBC journey.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be performed using the guidelines of Arksey and O'Malley as updated by subsequent authors to systematically search scientific and grey literature for articles in English that discuss the health information needs, source preferences, engagement styles, and associated personal and medical attributes of women ≥18 years living with mBC at different stages of the disease course. A variety of databases (including Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and PQDT Open), oncology, patient advocacy and governmental websites will be searched from inception to present day. Research and non-research literature will be included; no study designs will be excluded. The six-stage Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodological framework involves: (1) identifying the research question; (2) searching for relevant studies; (3) selecting studies; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results; and (6) consulting with stakeholders to inform or validate study findings (optional). Data will be extracted and analysed using a thematic chart and descriptive content analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Being a secondary analysis, this research will not require ethics approval. Results will be disseminated through patient support organisations and websites and publications targeting healthcare professionals, advocates and patients.
Caesarean sections and for-profit status of hospitals: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hoxha Ilir , Syrogiannouli Lamprini , Luta Xhyljeta , Tal Kali , Goodman David C , da Costa Bruno R , Jüni Peter
Published: February 2017

Objective

Financial incentives may encourage private for-profit providers to perform more caesarean section (CS) than non-profit hospitals. We therefore sought to determine the association of for-profit status of hospital and odds of CS.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from the first year of records through February 2016.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, studies had to report data to allow the calculation of ORs of CS comparing private for-profit hospitals with public or private non-profit hospitals in a specific geographic area.

Outcomes

The prespecified primary outcome was the adjusted OR of births delivered by CS in private for-profit hospitals as compared with public or private non-profit hospitals; the prespecified secondary outcome was the crude OR of CS in private for-profit hospitals as compared with public or private non-profit hospitals.

Results

15 articles describing 17 separate studies in 4.1 million women were included. In a meta-analysis of 11 studies, the adjusted odds of delivery by CS was 1.41 higher in for-profit hospitals as compared with non-profit hospitals (95% CI 1.24 to 1.60) with no relevant heterogeneity between studies (τ2≤0.037). Findings were robust across subgroups of studies in stratified analyses. The meta-analysis of crude estimates from 16 studies revealed a somewhat more pronounced association (pooled OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.27) with moderate-to-high heterogeneity between studies (τ2≥0.179).

Conclusions

CS are more likely to be performed by for-profit hospitals as compared with non-profit hospitals. This holds true regardless of women's risk and contextual factors such as country, year or study design. Since financial incentives are likely to play an important role, we recommend examination of incentive structures of for-profit hospitals to identify strategies that encourage appropriate provision of CS.
Protocol for a scoping review of post-trial extensions of randomised controlled trials using individually linked administrative and registry data
Authors: Fitzpatrick Tiffany , Perrier Laure , Tricco Andrea C , Straus Sharon E , Jüni Peter , Zwarenstein Merrick , Lix Lisa M , Smith Mark , Rosella Laura C , Henry David A
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Well-conducted randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provide the least biased estimates of intervention effects. However, RCTs are costly and time-consuming to perform and long-term follow-up of participants may be hampered by lost contacts and financial constraints. Advances in computing and population-based registries have created new possibilities for increasing the value of RCTs by post-trial extension using linkage to routinely collected administrative/registry data in order to determine long-term interventional effects. There have been recent important examples, including 20+ years follow-up studies of trials of pravastatin and mammography. Despite the potential value of post-trial extension, there has been no systematic study of this literature. This scoping review aims to characterise published post-trial extension studies, assess their value, and identify any potential challenges associated with this approach.

Methods and analysis

This review will use the recommended methods for scoping reviews. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A draft search strategy is included in this protocol. Review of titles and abstracts, full texts of potentially eligible studies and data/information extraction will be conducted independently by pairs of investigators. Eligible studies will be RCTs that investigated healthcare interventions that were extended by individual linkage to administrative/registry/electronic medical records data after the completion of the planned follow-up period. Information concerning the original trial, characteristics of the extension study, any clinical, policy or ethical implications and methodological or practical challenges will be collected using standardised forms.

Ethics and dissemination

As this study uses secondary data, and does not include person-level data, ethics approval is not required. We aim to disseminate these findings through journals and conferences targeting triallists and researchers involved in health data linkage. We aim to produce guidance for investigators on the conduct of post-trial extensions using routinely collected data.
Emergency extracorporeal life support and ongoing resuscitation: a retrospective comparison for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Schober A , Sterz F , Herkner H , Wallmueller C , Weiser C , Hubner P , Testori C
Published: February 2017

Background

In refractory cardiac arrest, with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for more than 30 min, chances of survival are small. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is an option for certain patients with cardiac arrest. The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics of patients selected for ECPR.

Methods

Anonymised data of adult patients suffering refractory cardiac arrest, transported with ongoing CPR to an ED of a tertiary care centre between 2002 and 2012 were analysed. Outcome measure was the selection for ECPR. Secondary outcome was 180 days survival in good neurological condition.

Results

Overall, 239 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. ECPR was initiated in seven patients. Patients treated with ECPR were younger (46 vs 60 years; p=0.04), had shorter intervals before CPR was started (0 vs 1 min; p=0.013), faster admissions at the ED (38 vs 56 min; p=0.31) and lower blood glucose levels on admission (14 vs 21 mmol/L; p=0.018). Survival to discharge in good neurological condition was achieved in 14 (6%) of all patients. One patient in the ECPR group survived in excellent neurological condition. Age was independently associated with the selection for ECPR (OR 0.07; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.85; p=0.037).

Conclusions

Emergency extracorporeal life support was used for a highly selected group of patients in refractory cardiac arrest. Several parameters were associated with the decision, but only age was independently associated with the selection for ECPR. The patient selection resulting in a survival of one patient out of seven treated seems reasonable. Randomised controlled trials evaluating the age limit as selection criteria are urgently needed to confirm these findings.