bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transitional dialysis care units: A new approach to increase home dialysis modality uptake and patient outcomes
Authors: Morfín José A. , Yang Alex , Wang Elizabeth , Schiller Brigitte
Published: October 2017

Home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are associated with better clinical outcomes, lower hospitalization rates, and improved quality of life compared with conventional in‐center hemodialysis. However, <12% of patients requiring dialysis therapy use HHD or PD in the United States, even though over 90% of nephrologists would choose home‐based dialysis modalities for themselves. Inadequate patient education and decision‐making support are key barriers to patients choosing home‐based therapy. Likewise, there are key challenges for dialysis providers, including development and optimal delivery of education materials, appropriate staffing, and training. The Satellite Healthcare Optimal Transitions (OT) Program was developed to provide education and decision support to patients during the transitional period. OT provides in‐depth education in all dialysis modalities at the start of dialysis over a flexible time period (1‐4 weeks, adapted for various learning curves) to allow for time to physical stabilization, self‐care training, and modality choice based on each patient's individual life motivations, goals, and environments. OT may provide value to patients and providers by providing comprehensive support for dialysis modality selection, resulting in increased patient confidence to execute home dialysis with the potential for improved patient outcomes, and reduced hospitalizations.
Population Aging, Health Care, and Fiscal Policy Reform: The Challenges for Japan
Authors: Hsu Minchung , Yamada Tomoaki
Published: October 2017

We construct a transition analysis based on a general equilibrium life‐cycle model to investigate the effects of aging, and we evaluate various policy alternatives designed to lessen the negative influence of aging. In particular, we analyze reforms of insurance benefits and tax financing tools that were recently the focus of a great amount of attention and debate in Japan because of the tense financial situation there. We show that although the potential reforms improve the welfare of future generations, the political implementation of such reforms is difficult because of the large welfare costs for the current population. Our analysis suggests that a gradual reform with an intergenerational redistribution will be more politically implementable than an immediate reform.
Redefining generativity: Through life course and pragmatist lenses
Authors: Kim Seoyoun , Chee Kyong Hee , Gerhart Olga
Published: October 2017

Scholars in diverse disciplines have studied and used the concept of generativity, originally introduced in psychology as a midlife development task. However, a review of this multidisciplinary literature in generativity revealed several issues—the lack of a cohesive conceptual definition, incompatibility between a conceptual definition and measurements, and varying applications of the model, necessitating a new direction for further conceptual development. Interdisciplinary theoretical insight and empirical evidence collectively suggest that generativity as a targeted midlife task may no longer be sufficient for explaining a life course pattern of generative concerns, commitment, and actions. Given the current trend of population aging, it is especially important to understand better the phenomenon of generativity during the later stages of the life course. The current article offers a new definition for generativity applicable to people across the life course and develops an expanded generativity model, which considers social context and bears practical implications for well‐being. Major implications for future research consist of eliminating the implicit age bias in the conception of generativity and as informed by the pragmatist philosophical perspective, linking generativity to diverse personal experiences and growth rather than mortality.
Moving Up and Down the Ladder: Perceived Social Mobility and Emotional Dispositions Among South Florida's Immigrants
Authors: Vaquera Elizabeth , Aranda Elizabeth
Published: October 2017

Migrating to a new country is often associated with difficulties such as social isolation, financial strain, language barriers, and cultural differences. Less is known about how social mobility brought about by migration may be related to the emotional dispositions of immigrants (also referred to as subjective well‐being). To examine this relationship, we utilize data from a representative sample of 1,268 first‐generation immigrants from 80 different countries living in South Florida. Changes in perceived social mobility between the homeland and the United States—moving up and down the socioeconomic ladder—are indeed associated with differences in immigrants' negative dispositions. We draw from literature on expectations, social comparisons, and subjective class status to explain these findings. We do not find a statistically significant association between changes in socioeconomic status and positive dispositions, which may suggest that losses outweigh migration‐related gains. Additionally, findings reveal that nondominant groups fare worse than Cubans (the dominant group in the region) with regard to dispositions. Social comparisons to the dominant ethnic group may explain this, as well as perceptions of relative deprivation experienced by groups not favored by immigration policies and underrepresented in social and economic institutions. We conclude by discussing implications on how negative emotional dispositions represent risk factors that could affect immigrants' mental health.
Affective Lives of Rural Ageing
Authors: Maclaren Andrew S.
Published: October 2017

Affective and embodied knowledges have come to exert an influence on both rural studies and ageing studies. Drawing together these two contexts and considering the accelerated demographic ageing experienced in rural areas in contrast to urban areas, this article aims to explore the affective and emotional lives of older people living in rural Scotland. This article uses non‐representational theories as a mode of thought to attend to this aim, whilst considering the application of this theoretical perspective methodologically. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, this article first explores the more‐than‐human nature of rural spaces that older people experience. This leads into a consideration of socialities as a contour of rural ageing and the notion of atmosphere as part of an affective and emotional element of rural living. By linking non‐representational theories with rural ageing, this article ultimately contributes to ongoing debates within rural studies on affective rural lives.
Transcellular vesicular transport in epithelial and endothelial cells: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Fung Karen Y. Y. , Fairn Gregory D. , Lee Warren L.
Published: October 2017

Vesicle‐mediated transcellular transport or simply “transcytosis” is a cellular process used to shuttle macromolecules such as lipoproteins, antibodies, and albumin from one surface of a polarized cell to the other. This mechanism is in contrast to the transit of small molecules such as anions, cations and amino acids that occur via uptake, diffusion through the cytosol and release and is also distinct from paracellular leak between cells. Importantly, transcytosis has evolved as a process to selectively move macromolecules between 2 neighboring yet unique microenvironments within a multicellular organism. Examples include the movement of lipoproteins out of the circulatory system and into tissues and the delivery of immunoglobulins to mucosal surfaces. Regardless of whether the transport is conducted by endothelial or epithelial cells, the process often involves receptor‐mediated uptake of a ligand into an endocytic vesicle, regulated transit of the carrier through the cytoplasm and release of the cargo via an exocytic event. While transcytosis has been examined in detail in epithelial cells, for both historical and technical reasons, the process is less understood in endothelial cells. Here, we spotlight aspects of epithelial transcytosis including recent findings and review the comparative dearth of knowledge regarding the process in endothelial cells highlighting the opportunity for further study.
In search of spatial interdependence of US outbound FDI in the MENA region
Authors: Siddiqui Anjum , Iqbal Asim
Published: October 2017

The paper investigates the spatial interdependence of US MNE investments in the MENA region. Given the variations in resource endowments, governance structures and degree of infrastructure availability in MENA countries, one would expect these variables to affect an MNE's choice of FDI location. We do find that domestic non‐spatial factors such as own country inflation and governance measured by bureaucratic quality as well as infrastructure affect a host country's inward FDI. We also found that only one measure of natural resource endowment; that is, oil and gas exports were instrumental in attracting FDI. This non‐spatial result is generally robust and invariant to the two methodologies employed in this study, that is the spatially autoregressive (SAR) model and the spatial Durbin model (SDM). We found that neighbouring countries’ infrastructure availability measured either by “electricity used” or “energy used” affected FDI inflows in a host country. However, this spatial impact was found only in the SDM model. The spatial effects of neighbouring countries’ economic and political conditions and resource endowments were, however, not observed on a host country's inward FDI. The insignificance of both the surrounding market potential and the spatially weighted FDI suggests a purely horizontal motive of MNE investments in the MENA region.
Chronic β2‐adrenoceptor agonist treatment alters muscle proteome and functional adaptations induced by high intensity training in young men
Authors: Hostrup Morten , Onslev Johan , Jacobson Glenn A , Wilson Richard , Bangsbo Jens
Published: October 2017

Key points

While several studies have investigated the effects of exercise training in human skeletal muscle and the chronic effect of β2‐agonist treatment in rodent muscle, their effects on muscle proteome signature with related functional measures in humans are still incompletely understood.

Herein we show that daily β2‐agonist treatment attenuates training‐induced enhancements in exercise performance and maximal oxygen consumption, and alters muscle proteome signature and phenotype in trained young men.

Daily β2‐agonist treatment abolished several of the training‐induced enhancements in muscle oxidative capacity and caused a repression of muscle metabolic pathways; furthermore, β2‐agonist treatment induced a slow‐to‐fast twitch muscle phenotype transition.

The present study indicates that chronic β2‐agonist treatment confounds the positive effect of high intensity training on exercise performance and oxidative capacity, which is of interest for the large proportion of persons using inhaled β2‐agonists on a daily basis, including athletes.

Although the effects of training have been studied for decades, data on muscle proteome signature remodelling induced by high intensity training in relation to functional changes in humans remains incomplete. Likewise, β2‐agonists are frequently used to counteract exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction, but the effects β2‐agonist treatment on muscle remodelling and adaptations to training are unknown. In a placebo‐controlled parallel study, we randomly assigned 21 trained men to 4 weeks of high intensity training with (HIT+β2A) or without (HIT) daily inhalation of β2‐agonist (terbutaline, 4 mg dose−1). Of 486 proteins identified by mass‐spectrometry proteomics of muscle biopsies sampled before and after the intervention, 32 and 85 were changing (false discovery rate (FDR) ≤5%) with the intervention in HIT and HIT+β2A, respectively. Proteome signature changes were different in HIT and HIT+β2A (P = 0.005), wherein β2‐agonist caused a repression of 25 proteins in HIT+β2A compared to HIT, and an upregulation of 7 proteins compared to HIT. β2‐Agonist repressed or even downregulated training‐induced enrichment of pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and glycogen metabolism, but upregulated pathways related to histone trimethylation and the nucleosome. Muscle contractile phenotype changed differently in HIT and HIT+β2A (P ≤ 0.001), with a fast‐to‐slow twitch transition in HIT and a slow‐to‐fast twitch transition in HIT+β2A. β2‐Agonist attenuated training‐induced enhancements in maximal oxygen consumption (P ≤ 0.01) and exercise performance (6.1 vs. 11.6%, P ≤ 0.05) in HIT+β2A compared to HIT. These findings indicate that daily β2‐agonist treatment attenuates the beneficial effects of high intensity training on exercise performance and oxidative capacity, and causes remodelling of muscle proteome signature towards a fast‐twitch phenotype.
PIEZO2 as the anomalous mechanotransducer channel in auditory hair cells
Authors: Beurg Maryline , Fettiplace Robert
Published: October 2017

Throughout postnatal maturation of the mouse inner ear, cochlear hair cells display at least two types of mechanically gated ion channel: normal mechanotransducer (MT) channels at the tips of the stereocilia, activated by tension in interciliary tip links, and anomalous mechanosensitive (MS) channels on the top surface of the cells. The anomalous MS channels are responsible for the reverse‐polarity current that appears in mutants in which normal transduction is lost. They are also seen in wild‐type hair cells around birth, appearing 2 days earlier than normal MT channels, and being down‐regulated with the emergence of the normal channels. We review the evidence that the normal and anomalous channels are distinct channel types, which includes differences in localization, susceptibility to pharmacological agents, single‐channel conductance and Ca2+ permeability. The dichotomy is reinforced by the observation that the anomalous current is absent in cochlear cells of Piezo2‐null mice, even though the normal MT current persists. The anomalous current is suppressed by high intracellular Ca2+, suggesting that influx of the divalent ion via more Ca2+‐permeable normal MT channels inhibits the anomalous channels, thus explaining the temporal relationship between the two. Piezo2‐null mice have largely normal hearing, exhibiting up to 20 dB elevation in threshold in the acoustic brainstem response, so raising questions about the significance of PIEZO2 in the cochlea. Since the anomalous current declines with postnatal age, PIEZO2 may contribute to hair cell development, but it does not underlie the normal MT current. Its role in the development of hearing is not understood.

image
Design of a Novel Electrode of Radiofrequency Ablation for Large Tumors: A Finite Element Study
Authors: Fang Zheng , Zhang Bing , Moser Michael , Zhang Edwin , Zhang Wenjun
Published: October 2017

The aim of the study was to design a novel radiofrequency (RF) electrode for larger and rounder ablation volumes and its ability to achieve the complete ablation of liver tumors larger than 3 cm in diameter using finite element method. A new RF expandable electrode comprising three parts (i.e., insulated shaft, changing shaft, and hooks) was designed. Two modes of this new electrode, such as monopolar expandable electrode (MEE) and hybrid expandable electrode (HEE), and a commercial expandable electrode (CEE) were investigated using liver tissue with (scenario I) and without (scenario II) a liver tumor. A temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation (RFA) protocol with a target temperature of 95 °C and an ablation time of 15 min was used in the study. Both the volume and shape of the ablation zone were examined for all RF electrodes in scenario I. Then, the RF electrode with the best performance in scenario I and CEE were used to ablate a large liver tumor with the diameter of 3.5 cm (scenario II) to evaluate the effectiveness of complete tumor ablation of the designed RF electrode. In scenario I, the ablation volumes of CEE, HEE, and MEE were 12.11 cm3, 33.29 cm3, and 48.75 cm3, respectively. The values of sphericity index (SI) of CEE, HEE, and MEE were 0.457, 0.957, and 0.976, respectively. The best performance was achieved by using MEE. In scenario II, the ablation volumes of MEE and CEE were 71.59 cm3 and 19.53 cm3, respectively. Also, a rounder ablation volume was achieved by using MEE compared to CEE (SI: 0.978 versus 0.596). The study concluded that: (1) compared with CEE, both MEE and HEE get larger and rounder ablation volumes due to the larger electrode–tissue interface and rounder shape of hook deployment; (2) MEE has the best performance in getting a larger and rounder ablation volume; and (3) computer simulation result shows that MEE is also able to ablate a large liver tumor (i.e., 3.5 cm in diameter) completely, which has at least 0.785 cm safety margin.
Synthesis and self-assembly of low χ block copolymers with large periodicity
Authors: Breaux Caleb L. , Henderson Clifford L. , Li Haibo , Li Bing , Neisser Mark
Published: October 2017

Typically block copolymers (BCPs) are employed for their ability to phase separate at very small length scales (<20 nm) but rarely are the upper limits in pitch studied for BCPs. Large pitch forming BCPs show applications in extending cheap chip fabrication using older lithographic exposure tools as well as in light filtering as photonic crystals. For these large N BCPs, a low χ may be attractive as many suspect defects are kinetically trapped in phase separated BCPs due to high enthalpic penalties for defect annihilation to begin. Here, the authors synthesized and characterized the BCP poly(4-tertbutylstyrene)-block-poly(propyl methacrylate) (PtBS-b-PPMA) as a useful block copolymer for 248 nm lithography. Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to calculate the χ value of PtBS-b-PPMA as well as to measure the pitch. The χ for PtBS-b-PPMA was measured and found to be roughly 2/3 that of PS-b-poly(methylmethacrylate), leading to a BCP that should permit less kinetically trapped defects. A neutral underlayer was crafted for the BCP to phase separate on in order to form perpendicular features. Depending on the N pitches in the range of 20–83 nm were achieved.
Allometric trends reveal distinct evolutionary trajectories for avian communication
Authors: Torres Ingrid M. D. , Lopez Luiz C. S. , de Araújo Carlos B.
Published: October 2017

Acoustic signal production is affected by allometric relationships, by which the larger the animal, the lower its call frequency. In this paper, three evolutionary acoustic hypotheses were tested: the Signal-to-Noise Ratio Hypothesis (SNRH), in which evolution maximizes call ranges by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio; the Stimulus Threshold Hypothesis (STH), in which evolution maximizes the range of a specific signal threshold; and the Body Size Hypothesis (BSH), in which the emission of long wavelengths is enabled by body size. Three spectral metrics were measured, Dominant Frequency (FDOM), Minimum Fundamental Frequencies (FFMIN), and Maximum Fundamental Frequencies (FFMAX) of Neotropical Parrots, New World Doves, Woodcreepers, Tinamous, and Thrushes. A Ranged Major Axis (RMA) regression showed that body mass is significantly correlated with all of the spectral parameters in Parrots, Doves, and Woodcreepers, but only with the fundamental frequencies of Tinamous. The FDOM of Parrots corroborated the SNRH. The FFMIN of Woodcreepers and Tinamous corroborated the SNRH and BSH. The FFMAX of Parrots corroborated the STH and BSH. Those acoustic hypotheses could shed light on the evolutionary processes involved in avian communication, although results indicate that these depend on the taxa and spectral parameters considered.
Biaxial mechanical properties of human vocal fold cover under vocal fold elongation
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyan , Samajder Himadri , Long Jennifer L.
Published: October 2017

Mechanical properties of the human vocal fold cover layer were experimentally investigated in uniaxial and biaxial tensile tests. The results showed a coupling effect between the stress conditions along the anterior-posterior and transverse directions, with vocal fold elongation increasing vocal fold stiffness along both directions, thus allowing more efficient control of the fundamental frequency of voice through vocal fold elongation. This study also shows that vocal folds were nearly isotropic at resting conditions, thus a tendency to vibrate with incomplete glottal closure, but became increasingly anisotropic with increasing vocal fold elongation.
Calibrated mitotic oscillator drives motile ciliogenesis
Authors: Al Jord Adel , Shihavuddin Asm , Servignat d’Aout Raphaël , Faucourt Marion , Genovesio Auguste , Karaiskou Anthi , Sobczak-Thépot Joëlle , Spassky Nathalie , Meunier Alice
Published: October 2017

Taming mitosis for differentiation

The mitotic oscillator consists of molecular switches known to drive cell division forward. This conserved clocklike regulatory circuit has not previously been implicated in cellular processes other than division. Multiciliated cells generate motile cilia-powered flows that are essential for brain, respiratory, and reproductive functions. Al Jord
et al.
found that the mitotic oscillator was activated in a calibrated fashion in terminally differentiating progenitors of multiciliated cells (see the Perspective by Levine and Holland). The oscillator function was used to drive massive production of cilia-nucleating centrioles while avoiding mitotic commitment. Thus, mammalian postmitotic progenitors can recruit and calibrate the mitotic oscillator to impose timing and directionality of cellular differentiation instead of proliferation.

Science
, this issue p.
803
; see also p.
716
Complete Genome Sequence of a New
Firmicutes
Species Isolated from Anaerobic Biomass Hydrolysis
Authors: Abendroth Christian , Hahnke Sarah , Codoñer Francisco M. , Klocke Michael , Luschnig Olaf , Porcar Manuel
Published: October 2017

A new
Firmicutes
isolate, strain HV4-6-A5C, was obtained from the hydrolysis stage of a mesophilic and anaerobic two-stage lab-scale leach-bed system for biomethanation of fresh grass. It is assumed that the bacterial isolate contributes to plant biomass degradation. Here, we report a draft annotated genome sequence of this organism.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Chloracidobacterium
sp. CP2_5A, a Phototrophic Member of the Phylum
Acidobacteria
Recovered from a Japanese Hot Spring
Authors: Ward Lewis M. , McGlynn Shawn E. , Fischer Woodward W.
Published: October 2017

The phylum
Acidobacteria
contains a single known phototrophic member,
Chloracidobacterium thermophilum
, which was recovered from a hot spring metagenome from Yellowstone National Park. Here, we expand the diversity of the genus
Chloracidobacterium
with a genome recovered from a hot spring in Japan, extending the known range of this lineage to a new continent.
Complete Genome Sequence of Deformed Wing Virus Isolated from
Vespa crabro
in Italy
Authors: Forzan Mario , Felicioli Antonio , Sagona Simona , Bandecchi Patrizia , Mazzei Maurizio
Published: October 2017

In this article, we document the first isolation of a replication-competent deformed wing virus from
Vespa crabro
in Italy. Although the virus has never been isolated from this insect, the sequence of this virus shows a strong sequence homology with isolates obtained from
Apis mellifera
, which is considered its natural host.
Metagenomic Sequencing of Microbial Communities from Brackish Water of Pangong Lake of the Northwest Indian Himalayas
Authors: Rathour Rashmi , Gupta Juhi , Kumar Madan , Hiloidhari Moonmoon , Mehrotra Anil Kumar , Thakur Indu Shekhar
Published: October 2017

Pangong is a brackish water lake having environmental conditions that are hostile to supporting life. This is the first report unveiling the microbial diversity of sediment from Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India, using a high-throughput metagenomic approach. Metagenomic data analysis revealed a community structure of microbes in which functional genetic diversity facilitates their survival.
Long-Read Sequencing Reveals a GC Pressure during the Evolution of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus
Authors: Szűcs Attila , Moldován Norbert , Tombácz Dóra , Csabai Zsolt , Snyder Michael , Boldogkői Zsolt
Published: October 2017

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of a porcine endogenous retrovirus determined by Pacific Biosciences sequencing. A comparison of the genome of this isolate with those of other strains revealed the operation of a mechanism resulting in the selective accumulation of G and C bases in the viral DNA.
Complete Genome Sequence of Enterococcus durans Oregon-R-modENCODE Strain BDGP3, a Lactic Acid Bacterium Found in the Drosophila melanogaster Gut
Authors: Wan Kenneth H. , Yu Charles , Park Soo , Hammonds Ann S. , Booth Benjamin W. , Celniker Susan E.
Published: October 2017

Enterococcus durans
Oregon-R-modENCODE strain BDGP3 was isolated from the
Drosophila melanogaster
gut for functional host-microbe interaction studies. The complete genome is composed of a single circular genome of 2,983,334 bp, with a G+C content of 38%, and a single plasmid of 5,594 bp.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus kochii Oregon-R-modENCODE Strain BDGP4, Isolated from Drosophila melanogaster Gut
Authors: Wan Kenneth H. , Yu Charles , Park Soo , Hammonds Ann S. , Booth Benjamin W. , Celniker Susan E.
Published: October 2017

Bacillus kochii
Oregon-R-modENCODE strain BDGP4 was isolated from the gut of
Drosophila melanogaster
for functional host microbial interaction studies. The complete genome comprised a single chromosomal circle of 4,557,232 bp with a G+C content of 37% and a single plasmid of 137,143 bp.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Strain of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum Isolated from Mouse Feces and Associated with Improved Organ Transplant Outcome
Authors: Mongodin Emmanuel F. , Hittle Lauren L. , Nadendla Suvarna , Brinkman C. Colin , Xiong Yanbao , Bromberg Jonathan S.
Published: October 2017

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Bifidobacterium pseudolongum
strain UMB-MBP-01, isolated from the feces of C57BL/6J mice. This strain was identified in microbiome profiling studies and associated with improved transplant outcome in a murine model of cardiac heterotypic transplantation.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain MC2 Isolated from Cattle in France
Authors: Auffret Pauline , Segura Audrey , Bertin Yolande , Klopp Christophe , Bouchez Olivier , Kérourédan Monique , Bibbal Delphine , Brugère Hubert , Forano Evelyne
Published: October 2017

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) with serotype O157:H7 is a major foodborne pathogen. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of EHEC O157:H7 strain MC2 isolated from cattle in France. The assembly contains 5,400,376 bp that encoded 5,914 predicted genes (5,805 protein-encoding genes and 109 RNA genes).
Draft Genome Sequence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Serratia fonticola BWK15 Isolated from Feces of
Anas penelope
Authors: Kenzaka Takehiko , Tani Katsuji
Published: October 2017

Migratory birds have been postulated as potential vehicles of antibiotic resistance. Here we isolated the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Serratia fonticola
strain BWK15 from the feces of
Anas penelope
. The strain’s draft genome sequence indicated that it harbors class A ESBL, class C beta-lactamase, and many multidrug efflux pumps.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Fruiting Myxobacterium Myxococcus macrosporus Strain DSM 14697, Generated by PacBio Sequencing
Authors: Treuner-Lange Anke , Bruckskotten Marc , Rupp Oliver , Goesmann Alexander , Søgaard-Andersen Lotte
Published: October 2017

Members of the
Myxococcales
order initiate a developmental program in response to starvation that culminates in formation of spore-filled fruiting bodies. To investigate the genetic basis for fruiting body formation, we present the complete 8.9-Mb genome sequence of
Myxococcus macrosporus
strain DSM 14697, generated using the PacBio sequencing platform.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterococcus canintestini 49, a Potential Probiotic That Produces Multiple Bacteriocins
Authors: Acedo Jeella Z. , Ibarra Romero Cherry , Miyata Sarah T. , Blaine Alysson H. , McMullen Lynn M. , Vederas John C. , van Belkum Marco J.
Published: October 2017

Enterococcus canintestini
49, isolated from dog feces, is active against
Clostridium perfringens
, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and
Listeria monocytogenes
. Its draft genome sequence reported herein contains a gene cluster encoding multiple bacteriocins and indicates the absence of genes for virulence factors. These characteristics signify the strain’s potential for use as a probiotic.
Biochemical Features of Beneficial Microbes: Foundations for Therapeutic Microbiology
Authors: Engevik Melinda A. , Versalovic James
Published: October 2017

Commensal and beneficial microbes secrete myriad products which target the mammalian host and other microbes. These secreted substances aid in bacterial niche development, and select compounds beneficially modulate the host and promote health. Microbes produce unique compounds which can serve as signaling factors to the host, such as biogenic amine neuromodulators, or quorum-sensing molecules to facilitate inter-bacterial communication. Bacterial metabolites can also participate in functional enhancement of host metabolic capabilities, immunoregulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function. Secreted products such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, bacteriocins, and bacteriocin-like substances can also target the microbiome. Microbes differ greatly in their metabolic potential and subsequent host effects. As a result, knowledge about microbial metabolites will facilitate selection of next-generation probiotics and therapeutic compounds derived from the mammalian microbiome. In this article we describe prominent examples of microbial metabolites and their effects on microbial communities and the mammalian host.
Mutation spectrum of NDP, FZD4 and TSPAN12 genes in Indian patients with retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Rathi Sonika , Jalali Subhadra , Musada Ganeswara Rao , Patnaik Satish , Balakrishnan Divya , Hussain Anjli , Kaur Inderjeet
Published: October 2017

Aim

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative eye disease in preterm infants. Based on its phenotypic similarities with familial exudative vitreo retinopathy (FEVR), the present study was conducted to screen the Norrin signalling pathway genes (already been implicated in FEVR) for understanding their involvement among Indian patients with ROP.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of patients with ROP (n=246) and controls (n=300) that included full term (n=110) and preterm babies devoid of ROP (n=190). Screening of the NDP, FZD4, TSPAN12 genes were accomplished by resequencing the entire coding and untranslated regions (UTR). The genotype data of the patients with ROP were analysed in the background of their clinical manifestations and further analysed in conjunction with other available data on these genes worldwide.

Results

Two novel variants in intron 1 (IVS1 +16A>G) and 3′UTR (c.5 22T>C) along with a previously reported change in the 5′UTR (c.395_409del14bp) were observed in the NDP gene in three patients with ROP. Screening of the FZD4 revealed four heterozygous variants, p.(Pro33Ser), p.(Pro168Ser), p.(Ile192Ile) and p.(Ile360Val), a compound heterozygous (p.(Pro33Ser)/p.(Pro168Ser)) and a 3′UTR (c*G>T) variants in the study cohort. Variants p.(Pro33Ser) and p.(Pro168Ser) were found to be significantly associated with ROP. A heterozygous variant p.(Leu119Arg) in TSPAN12 gene was observed in a patient with threshold ROP. However, a formal genotype–phenotype correlation could not be established due to the low frequencies of the variant alleles in these genes.

Conclusions

This is a first study that revealed association of few variants in Norrin signalling genes among Indian patients with ROP that warrants further detailed investigation worldwide.
Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in serpiginous choroiditis
Authors: Montorio Daniela , Giuffrè Chiara , Miserocchi Elisabetta , Modorati Giulio , Sacconi Riccardo , Mercuri Stefano , Querques Lea , Querques Giuseppe , Bandello Francesco
Published: October 2017

Background/Aims

To analyse choroidal vascular density of affected and non-affected areas in active and inactive serpiginouschoroiditis (SC) by means of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

Methods

In this cross-sectional and observational study, 22 eyes of 11 patients diagnosed with SC were included. All patients underwent blue-light fundus autofluorescence (spectralis Heidelberg retinalangiography+OCT) and swept-source OCT-A (AngioPlex Elite 9000 SS-OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditech) to analyse qualitative features and choroidal vessel density of areas considered affected, and the inner and the outer border of the lesions. Unaffected areas of otherwise healthy retina have also been studied.

Results

All inactive inflammatory lesions were characterised by atrophy of choriocapillaris with an impairment of its detectable flow and greater visibility of choroidal vessels. On the other hand, all active inflammatory lesions showed an area of complete absence of decorrelation signal. The pathological border was characterised by a statistically significant lower choroidal vessel density compared with both the outer border and the unaffected area (0.650±0.113 vs 0.698±0.112, (p<0.001)). Although not statistically significant, vessel density of the outer border of inactive lesions was lower than vessel density of unaffected areas (0.650±0.113 vs 0.698±0.112, p=0.441). Active inflammatory lesions showed an area of complete absence of decorrelation signal at the level of the choriocapillaris and whole choroid.

Conclusion

OCT-A represents a new imaging technique that provides useful information about the leading changes of choroidal vascular network in active and inactive lesions of SC.
Needs and rights awareness of stroke survivors and caregivers: a cross-sectional, single-centre questionnaire survey
Authors: Li Xin , Xia Xiaoshuang , Wang Peilu , Zhang Shuting , Liu Ming , Wang Lin
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The needs and rights awareness of stroke survivors have not been reported in China. This study investigated the needs and rights awareness of stroke survivors and caregivers in Tianjin, China.

Setting

A survey launched by the World Stroke Organization was conducted in Tianjin, China. The questionnaire included demands for psychological support, treatment and care, social support and information. Stroke survivors and their caregivers were interviewed face to face for the questionnaire. Between June 2014 and February 2015, stroke survivors were invited to participate if they were more than 18 years old and had experienced a stroke. Exclusion criteria were patients who had disorders of consciousness, significant cognitive impairment, aphasia, communication difficulties or psychiatric disorders. Only caregivers who were family members of the patients were chosen. Paid caregivers were excluded.

Participants

Two hundred and forty-eight stroke survivors and 212 caregivers were enrolled.

Primary outcome measures

The correlations between levels of needs and potential effect factors were analysed. Levels of different needs were compared by age, gender and time since stroke.

Results

Among the cohort, 95.6% stroke survivors and 92.5% caregivers agreed to each question in the questionnaire. The participants prioritised the needs for psychological support (99.4%), treatment and care (98.6%), social support (98%) and information (96.2%). The total score was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.255, p<0.01). Patients below 65 years old had higher scores than those 65 years or older (p<0.01), while male patients had higher scores than female patients (p<0.01).

Conclusions

The needs for psychological and emotional support, individual treatment, social support and information about stroke were eagerly reported by most survivors. The Bill of Rights must be recognised by the Chinese society, providing appropriate stroke care to every patient to optimise stroke outcomes.
Productivity loss due to overweight and obesity: a systematic review of indirect costs
Authors: Goettler Andrea , Grosse Anna , Sonntag Diana
Published: October 2017

Objective

The increasingly high levels of overweight and obesity among the workforce are accompanied by a hidden cost burden due to losses in productivity. This study reviews the extent of indirect cost of overweight and obesity.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in eight electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, PsychInfo, Cinahl, EconLit and ClinicalTrial.gov). Additional studies were added from reference lists of original studies and reviews. Studies were eligible if they were published between January 2000 and June 2017 and included monetary estimates of indirect costs of overweight and obesity. The authors reviewed studies independently and assessed their quality.

Results

Of the 3626 search results, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis of the reviewed studies revealed substantial costs due to lost productivity among workers with obesity. Especially absenteeism and presenteeism contribute to high indirect costs. However, the methodologies and results vary greatly, especially regarding the cost of overweight, which was even associated with lower indirect costs than normal weight in three studies.

Conclusion

The evidence predominantly confirms substantial short-term and long-term indirect costs of overweight and obesity in the absence of effective customised prevention programmes and thus demonstrates the extent of the burden of obesity beyond the healthcare sector.
Cost-effectiveness of stroke care in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients: an observational cohort study in the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Zhao Yuejen , Guthridge Steven , Falhammar Henrik , Flavell Howard , Cadilhac Dominique A
Published: October 2017

Objective

To assess cost-effectiveness of stroke care for Aboriginal compared with non-Aboriginal patients in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia.

Design

Cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a cohort-based follow-up study of stroke incidents.

Setting

Public hospitals in the NT from 1992 to 2013.

Participants

Individual patient data were extracted and linked from the hospital inpatient and primary care information systems.

Outcome measures

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated and assessed graphically. Survival time was used to measure effectiveness of stroke care, in comparison with the net costs per life-year gained, from a healthcare perspective, by applying multivariable models to account for time-dependent confounding.

Results

2158 patients with incident stroke were included (1171 males, 1178 aged <65 years and 966 from remote areas). 992 patients were of Aboriginal origin (46.0%, disproportionately higher than the population proportion of 27%). Of all cases, 42.6% were ischaemic and 29.8% haemorrhagic stroke. Average age of stroke onset was 51 years in Aboriginal, compared with 65 years in non-Aboriginal patients (p<0.001). Aboriginal patients had 71.4% more hospital bed-days, and 7.4% fewer procedures than non-Aboriginal patients. Observed health costs averaged $A50 400 per Aboriginal compared with $A33 700 per non-Aboriginal patient (p<0.001). The differential costs and effects for each population were distributed evenly across the incremental cost-effectiveness plane threshold line, indicating no difference in cost-effectiveness between populations. After further adjustment for confounding and censoring, cost-effectiveness appeared greater for Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal patients, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.25).

Conclusions

Stroke care for the NT Aboriginal population is at least as cost-effective as the non-Aboriginal population. Stroke care presents worthwhile and equitable survival benefits for Aboriginal patients in remote communities, notwithstanding their higher level burden of disease. These findings are relevant for healthcare planning and policy development regarding equal access to stroke care for Aboriginal patients.
Impact of the community-based newborn care package in Nepal: a quasi-experimental evaluation
Authors: Paudel Deepak , Shrestha Ishwar B , Siebeck Matthias , Rehfuess Eva
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate the impact of the community-based newborn care package (CBNCP) on six essential practices to improve neonatal health.

Methods

CBNCP pilot districts were matched to comparison districts using propensity scores. Impact on birth preparedness, antenatal care seeking, antenatal care quality, delivery by skilled birth attendant, immediate newborn care and postnatal care within 48 hours were assessed using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and Health Management Information System (HMIS) data through difference-in-differences and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Findings

Changes over time in intervention and comparison areas were similar in difference-in-differences analysis of DHS and HMIS data. Logistic regression of DHS data also did not reveal any significant improvement in combined outcomes: birth preparedness, adjusted OR (aOR)=0.8 (95% CI 0.4 to 1.7); antenatal care seeking, aOR=1.0 (0.6 to 1.5); antenatal care quality, aOR=1.4 (0.9 to 2.1); delivery by skilled birth attendant, aOR=1.5 (1.0 to 2.3); immediate newborn care, aOR=1.1 (0.7 to 1.9); postnatal care, aOR=1.3 (0.9 to 1.9). Health providers’ knowledge and skills in intervention districts were fair but showed much variation between different providers and districts.

Conclusions

This study, while representing an early assessment of impact, did not identify significant improvements in newborn care practices and raises concerns regarding CBNCP implementation. It has contributed to revisions of the package and it being merged with the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness programme. This is now being implemented in 35 districts and carefully monitored for quality and impact. The study also highlights general challenges in evaluating the impacts of a complex health intervention under ‘real life’ conditions.
Characteristics of funding of clinical trials: cross-sectional survey and proposed guidance
Authors: Hakoum Maram B , Jouni Nahla , Abou-Jaoude Eliane A , Hasbani Divina Justina , Abou-Jaoude Elias A , Lopes Luciane Cruz , Khaldieh Mariam , Hammoud Mira Zein , Al-Gibbawi Mounir , Anouti Sirine , Guyatt Gordon , Akl Elie A
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To provide a detailed and current characterisation of funding of a representative sample clinical trials. We also aimed to develop guidance for standardised reporting of funding information.

Methods

We addressed the extent to which clinical trials published in 2015 in any of the 119 Core Clinical Journals included a statement on the funding source (eg, whether a not-for-profit organisation was supported by a private-for-profit organisation), type of funding, amount and role of funder. We used a stepwise approach to develop a guidance and an instrument for standardised reporting of funding information.

Results

Of 200 trials, 178 (89%) included a funding statement, of which 171 (96%) reported being funded. Funding statements in the 171 funded trials indicated the source in 100%, amount in 1% and roles of funders in 50%. The most frequent sources were governmental (58%) and private-for-profit (40%). Of 54 funding statements in which the source was a not-for-profit organisation, we found evidence of undisclosed support of those from private-for-profit organisation(s) in 26 (48%). The most frequently reported roles of funders in the 171 funded trials related to study design (42%) and data analysis, interpretation or management (41%). Of 139 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing pharmacological or surgical interventions, 29 (21%) reported information on the supplier of the medication or device. The proposed guidance addresses both the funding information that RCTs should report and the reporting process. Attached to the guidance is a fillable PDF document for use as an instrument for standardised reporting of funding information.

Conclusion

Although the majority of RCTs report funding, there is considerable variability in the reporting of funding source, amount and roles of funders. A standardised approach to reporting of funding information would address these limitations. Future research should explore the implications of funding by not-for-profit organisations that are supported by for-profit organisations.
Identifying patterns of non-communicable diseases in developed eastern coastal China: a longitudinal study of electronic health records from 12 public hospitals
Authors: Yu Dehua , Shi Jianwei , Zhang Hanzhi , Wang Zhaoxin , Lu Yuan , Zhang Bin , Pan Ying , Wang Bo , Sun Pengfei
Published: October 2017

Objective

Few studies have examined the spectrum and trends of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in inpatients in eastern coastal China, which is transforming from an industrial economy to a service-oriented economy and is the most economically developed region in the country. This study aimed to dynamically elucidate the spectrum and characteristics of severe NCDs in eastern coastal China by analysing patients’ longitudinal electronic health records (EHRs).

Setting

To monitor the spectrum of NCDs dynamically, we extracted the EHR data from 12 general tertiary hospitals in eastern coastal China from 2003 to 2014. The rankings of and trends in the proportions of different NCDs presented by inpatients in different gender and age groups were calculated and analysed.

Participants

We obtained a total sample of 1 907 484 inpatients with NCDs from 2003 to 2014, 50.05% of whom were men and 81.53% were aged 50 years or older.

Results

There was an increase in the number of total NCD inpatients in eastern coastal China from 2003 to 2014. However, the proportion of chronic respiratory diseases and cancer inpatients decreased over the 12-year period. Compared with men, women displayed a significant increase in the proportion of mental and behavioural disorders (p<0.001) over time. Additionally, digestive diseases and sensory organ diseases significantly decreased among men, but not women. The older group accounted for a larger and growing proportion of the NCD inpatients, and the most common conditions in this group were cerebral infarctions, coronary heart disease and hypertension. In addition, the proportion of 21-year-old to 50-year-old inpatients with diabetes, blood diseases or endocrine diseases skyrocketed from 2003 to 2014 (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The burden of inpatients’ NCDs increased rapidly, particularly among women and younger people. The NCD spectrum observed in eastern coastal China is a good source of evidence for developing prevention guides for regions experiencing transition.