bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latent Class Analysis of ADHD Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Comorbidities
Authors: Zablotsky Benjamin , Bramlett Matthew D. , Visser Susanna N. , Danielson Melissa L. , Blumberg Stephen J.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

Many children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience co-occurring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and those who do often exhibit higher levels of impairment than children with ADHD alone. This study provides a latent class analysis (LCA) approach to categorizing children with ADHD into comorbidity groups, evaluating condition expression and treatment patterns in each group.

Methods:

Parent-reported data from a large probability-based national sample of children diagnosed with ADHD (2014 National Survey of the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD and Tourette Syndrome) were used for an LCA to identify groups of children with similar groupings of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric comorbidities among children with current ADHD (n = 2495). Differences between classes were compared using multivariate logistic regressions.

Results:

LCA placed children who were indicated to have ADHD into 4 classes: (low comorbidity [LCM] [64.5%], predominantly developmental disorders [PDD] [13.7%], predominantly internalizing disorders [PID] [18.5%], and high comorbidity [HCM] [3.3%]). Children belonging to the HCM class were most likely to have a combined ADHD subtype and the highest number of impaired domains. Children belonging to the PDD class were most likely to be receiving school services, whereas children in the PID class were more likely to be taking medication than those belonging to the LCM class who were least likely to receive psychosocial treatments.

Conclusion:

Latent classes based on co-occurring psychiatric conditions predicted use of varied treatments. These findings contribute to the characterization of the ADHD phenotype and may help clinicians identify how services could be best organized and coordinated in treating ADHD.
A Randomized Evaluator-Blinded Trial Comparing Subsurface Monopolar Radiofrequency With Microfocused Ultrasound for Lifting and Tightening of the Neck
Authors: Jones Isabela T. , Guiha Isabella , Goldman Mitchel P. , Wu Douglas C.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Both subsurface monopolar radiofrequency (SMRF) and microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) have demonstrated the ability to lift and tighten the neck. No head-to-head comparison study exists of these 2 technologies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of SMRF and MFU-V for the lifting and tightening of neck.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty subjects aged from 18 to 65 with moderate neck skin laxity were randomized to receive either one treatment of SMRF or MFU-V.

RESULTS

At Days 0, 30, 90, and 180, the mean (SD) investigator-assessed Neck Laxity Grade was 2.7 (0.67), 2.1 (1.1), 1.6 (1.2), and 0.86 (0.7), respectively, for patients treated with SMRF, and 2.8 (0.63), 2.4 (1.07), 1.5 (0.53), and 1.4 (0.7), respectively, for those treated with MFU-V. Both SMRF and MFU-V led to a significant decrease in the mean investigator-assessed Neck Laxity Grade by Day 90 and persistent to Day 180. Subject assessment of firmness, texture, and laxity also significantly improved by Day 90 and persistent to Day 180. Adverse events were mild and transient.

CONCLUSION

There were no were statistically significant differences between SMRF and MFU-V in investigator-assessed and patient-assessed measures of neck laxity, patient satisfaction, and adverse events. Microfocused ultrasound with visualization was associated with more procedural pain.
The Effect of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants on Balance During Gait
Authors: Weaver Tyler S. , Shayman Corey S. , Hullar Timothy E.
Published: September 2017

Hypothesis:

Auditory input in people with hearing impairment will improve balance while walking.

Background:

Auditory input is increasingly recognized as an additional input for balance. Several studies have found auditory cues to improve static balance measured on a sway platform. The effect of audition on gait, a dynamic task also linked to fall risk, has not been fully examined. If a positive effect were shown between audition and balance, it would further indicate that improving hearing could also improve balance.

Methods:

Inertial sensors quantified gait parameters of 13 bilateral hearing aid users and 12 bilateral cochlear implant (CI) users with their hearing devices on and off. Outcome measures included gait velocity, stride length variability, swing time variability, and double support phase.

Results:

Group analysis of each of the gait outcomes showed no significant differences between the aided and unaided conditions in both the hearing aid and CI groups. Gait velocity, an outcome most strongly linked to fall risk had 95% confidence interval differences of −2.16 to 1.52 and −1.45 to 4.17 cm/s in hearing aid and CI users, respectively (aided versus unaided condition). There was considerable variation among participants with some individuals improving in all four parameters.

Conclusion:

The overall findings were not statistically significant, however, a small subset of our population improved clinically across several outcomes. This demonstrates that audition may have a clinically beneficial effect on balance in some patients.
Impact of MUC1 Expression on the Progression of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm With Worrisome Features During Follow-up
Authors: Tomishima Ko , Sai Jin Kan , Kanazawa Ryo , Miura Hiroko , Shimizu Ryo , Sato Koki , Ishii Shigeto , Saito Hiroaki , Ito Tomoyasu , Fukumura Yuki , Shiina Shuichiro , Watanabe Sumio
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate whether MUC1 expression is associated with progression of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms with worrisome features during follow-up.

Methods

Fifteen patients positive for MUC1 and negative for MUC2 (MUC1 group) and 16 patients negative for MUC1 and MUC2 (control group) were followed up and examined for changes in diameters of the main and ectatic branches of pancreatic ducts, enlargement of mural nodules, and appearance of a solid mass, by imaging studies. All of them presented worrisome features, and none had “high-risk stigmata.”

Results

The sizes of the main and ectatic branches of pancreatic ducts increased in 8 (53.3%) and 8 (53.3%) patients, respectively, of the MUC1 group and in 1 (6.3%) and 1 (6.3%) patients, respectively, of the control group (P = 0.0059 and 0.0059, respectively). A solid mass developed in 6 patients (33.3%) of the MUC1 group but in none of the control group patients (P = 0.0373).

Conclusions

Positive MUC1 expression in cell block cytology specimens may be associated with progressive dilation of the main and ectatic branches of pancreatic ducts and appearance of a solid mass in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with worrisome features during follow-up.
Effects of Rab27A and Rab27B on Invasion, Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Chemoresistance in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Li Jieying , Jin Qin , Huang Fang , Tang Zhiyuan , Huang Jianfei
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Rab family members are key regulatory factors that function as molecular switches in multiple phases of vesicular trafficking. Our previous study demonstrated that Rab27A and Rab27B overexpression may predict a poor outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Rab27A and Rab27B in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Methods

We down-regulated Rab27A and Rab27B expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines. The regulatory effects of knockdown Rab27A and Rab27B on pancreatic cancer cell were measured by cisplatin assay, invasion assay, proliferation assay, and Western blot assay.

Results

Rab27A and Rab27B down-regulation enhances sensitivity to cisplatin and induces apoptosis in ASPC-1 and PANC-1 cells. In addition, down-regulation of Rab27A reduced the invasive and proliferative ability of ASPC-1 cells, and Rab27B knockdown significantly prevented cancer invasion and proliferation in PANC-1 cells.

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence that Rab27A and Rab27B play significant roles in cell invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis, as well as in chemotherapy resistance.
Impact of Treatments on Diabetic Control and Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Total Pancreatectomy
Authors: Struyvenberg Maarten R. , Fong Zhi Ven , Martin Camilia R. , Tseng Jennifer F. , Clancy Thomas E. , Fernández-del Castillo Carlos , Tillman Hanna J. , Bellin Melena D. , Freedman Steven D.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aims of this study were to compare the safety, efficacy, and patients' quality of life with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) versus multiple daily injections (MDIs) in type 3c diabetes mellitus (T3cDM) following total pancreatectomy (TP) and pancreatic enzyme usage.

Methods

Thirty-nine patients with T3cDM (18 CSII patients vs 21 MDI patients) who underwent TP between 2000 and 2016 at 3 Harvard-affiliated hospitals and the University of Minnesota returned prospectively obtained questionnaires examining quality of life and both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions.

Results

Main indications for TP were as follows: chronic pancreatitis (n = 19), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (n = 12), and adenocarcinoma (n = 4). Median hemoglobin A1c using MDIs was 8.1% versus 7.3% in CSII. Severe hypoglycemic events using MDIs were increased compared with CSII (P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in quality-of-life measures with CSII versus MDIs. Pancreatic enzyme dose per meal (P < 0.05) differed between the hospitals. Gastrointestinal symptoms and unintended weight loss (P < 0.01) were more common with low doses of pancreatic enzymes.

Conclusions

After TP, CSII therapy is safe compared with MDIs in T3cDM and not associated with an increase in severe hypoglycemic events. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is highly variable with low doses associated with unintentional weight loss and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Efficacy of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in a United States–Based Cohort of Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients
Authors: Katona Bryson W. , Roccaro Giorgio A. , Soulen Michael C. , Yang Yu-Xiao , Bennett Bonita J. , Riff Brian P. , Glynn Rebecca A. , Wild Damian , Nicolas Guillaume P. , Pryma Daniel A. , Teitelbaum Ursina R. , Metz David C.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze in a retrospective cohort study the outcomes of a United States–based group of metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients who underwent peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

Methods

Twenty-eight patients from a single US NET Center were treated with PRRT. Toxicities were assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03. Progression was determined by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was performed to identify potential predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

The median age at NET diagnosis was 56 years, 50% of the patients were male, 46% of NET primaries were located in the pancreas, 71% of tumors were nonfunctional, 25% were World Health Organization (WHO) grade III, and 20% had at least a 25% hepatic tumor burden. Anemia (36%) was the most common post-PRRT toxicity, followed by leukopenia (31%), nephrotoxicity (27%), and thrombocytopenia (24%). Median PFS was 18 months, and median OS was 38 months. Having a WHO grade III NET and receiving systemic chemotherapy prior to PRRT were found to be to independent predictors of shorter PFS and OS.

Conclusions

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is an effective therapy in a US population. Progression-free survival and OS were better in WHO grade I/II NETs and when PRRT was sequenced prior to systemic chemotherapy.
Validation of the Integrated Model of Health Literacy in Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Hou Wen-Hsuan , Huang Yi-Jing , Lee Yen , Chen Cheng-Te , Lin Gong-Hong , Hsieh Ching-Lin
Published: September 2017

Background

Health literacy (HL) enables patients with breast cancer to actively participate in health decisions and promote positive health outcomes. The Integrated Model of Health Literacy (IMHL), defined as the personal, situational, and societal/environmental factors that predict the level of HL that can influence health outcomes, incorporates the concepts, determinants, and consequences of HL.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms and completeness of the IMHL in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Five hundred eleven Taiwanese patients were prospectively recruited. We conducted structural equation modeling to confirm and modify the predictive pathways linking the HL-related factors in the IMHL.

Results

Results on a total of 511 breast cancer patients showed good model-data fit. An alternative model revealed better fit with 2 pathways added from cancer stage to self-rated health and from cancer duration to shared decision making. Both the original model and alternative model modification revealed that only personal determinants (age, education, cancer stage, and duration) andnotsituational determinants (marital status) or social/environmental determinants (residence and occupation) could significantly predict the 3 domains of HL. Theorized consequences of HL were significantly influenced by HL in both models.

Conclusions

Our results partially support the relationships proposed in the IMHL for patients with breast cancer as only personal determinants significantly predicted HL.

Implications for Practice

Understanding the predictive pathways of the integrated HL model could help clinicians to tailor HL interventions using a patient’s personal determinants to facilitate participation in decision making and promote health for breast cancer patients.
Disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury: therapeutic options
Authors: Schnakers Caroline , Monti Martin M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose of review

Very few options exist for patients who survive severe traumatic brain injury but fail to fully recover and develop a disorder of consciousness (e.g. vegetative state, minimally conscious state).

Recent findings

Among pharmacological approaches, Amantadine has shown the ability to accelerate functional recovery. Although with very low frequency, Zolpidem has shown the ability to improve the level of consciousness transiently and, possibly, also in a sustained fashion. Among neuromodulatory approaches, transcranial direct current stimulation has been shown to transiently improve behavioral responsiveness, but mostly in minimally conscious patients. New evidence for thalamic deep brain stimulation calls into question its cost/benefit trade-off.

The growing understanding of the biology of disorders of consciousness has led to a renaissance in the development of therapeutic interventions for patients with disorders of consciousness. High-quality evidence is emerging for pharmacological (i.e. Amantadine) and neurostimulatory (i.e. transcranial direct current stimulation) interventions, although further studies are needed to delineate preconditions, optimal dosages, and timing of administration. Other exciting new approaches (e.g. low intensity focused ultrasound) still await systematic assessment. A crucial future direction should be the use of neuroimaging measures of functional and structural impairment as a means of tailoring patient-specific interventions.
Population Genomics of the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana boylii) and RADseq Parameter Choice for Large-Genome Organisms
Authors: McCartney-Melstad Evan , Gidiş Müge , Shaffer H. Bradley
Published: September 2017

Genomic data are useful for attaining high resolution in population genetic studies and have become increasingly available for answering questions in biological conservation. We analyzed RADseq data for the protected foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) throughout its native range in California and Oregon, including many of the same localities included in an earlier study based on mitochondrial DNA. We recovered five primary clades that correspond to geographic regions within California and Oregon, with better resolution and more spatially consistent patterns than the previous study, confirming the increased resolving power of genomic approaches compared to single-locus analyses. Bayesian clustering, PCA and population differentiation with admixture analyses all indicated that approximately half the range ofR. boyliiconsists of a single, relatively uniform population, while regions in the Sierra Nevada and Central Coast Range of California are deeply differentiated genetically. Additionally, a major methodological challenge for large genome organisms, including many amphibians, is deciding on sequence similarity clustering thresholds for population genetic analyses using RADseq data, and we develop a novel set of metrics that allow researchers to set a sequence similarity threshold that maximizes the separation of paralogous regions while minimizing the oversplitting of naturally occurring allelic variation within loci.
Regulated release of cryptococcal polysaccharide drives virulence and suppresses immune cell infiltration into the central nervous system
Authors: Denham Steven T. , Verma Surbhi , Reynolds Raymond C. , Worne Colleen L. , Daugherty Joshua M. , Lane Thomas E. , Brown Jessica C. S.
Published: September 2017

Cryptococcus neoformansis a common environmental yeast and opportunistic pathogen responsible for 15% of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Mortality primarily results from meningoencephalitis, which occurs when fungal cells disseminate from the initial pulmonary infection site and spread to the brain. A keyC. neoformansvirulence trait is the polysaccharide capsule. Capsule shields C. neoformans from immune-mediated recognition and destruction. The main capsule component, glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), is found both attached to the cell surface and free in the extracellular space (as exo-GXM). Exo-GXM accumulates in patient serum and cerebrospinal fluid at μg/mL concentrations, has well-documented immunosuppressive properties, and correlates with poor patient outcomes. However, it is poorly understood whether exo-GXM release is regulated or the result of shedding during normal capsule turnover. We demonstrate that exo-GXM release is regulated by environmental cues and inversely correlates with surface capsule levels. We identified genes specifically involved in exo-GXM release that do not alter surface capsule thickness. The first mutant,liv7∆, released less GXM than wild-type cells when capsule is not induced. The second mutant,cnag_00658∆, released more exo-GXM under capsule-inducing conditions. Exo-GXM release observedin vitrocorrelated with polystyrene adherence, virulence, and fungal burden during murine infection. Additionally, we find that exo-GXM reduces cell size and capsule thickness in capsule-inducing conditions, potentially influencing dissemination. Finally, we demonstrated that exo-GXM prevents immune cell infiltration into the brain during disseminated infection and highly inflammatory intracranial infection. Our data suggest that exo-GXM performs a different role from capsule GXM during infection, altering cell size and suppressing inflammation.

Importance

Cryptococcus neoformansis a leading cause of life-threatening meningoencephalitis in humans.C. neoformanscells produce an immunosuppressive polysaccharide, glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), that is the main component of a protective surface capsule. GXM is also released free into extracellular space as exo-GXM, although the distinction between cell-attached GXM and exo-GXM has been unclear. Exo-GXM influences the outcome of infection, is the basis for current diagnostic tools, and has potential therapeutic applications. This study increases our basic understanding of the fungal biology that regulates polysaccharide release, suggesting that the release of cell-attached GXM and exo-GXM are distinctly regulated. We also introduce a new concept that exo-GXM may alter cell body and capsule size, thereby influencing dissemination in the host. Finally, we provide experimental evidence to confirm clinical observations that exo-GXM influences inflammation during brain infection.
Estimates of vital rates and predictions of population dynamics change along a long-term monitoring program
Authors: Vincenzi Simone , Jesensek Dusan , Crivelli Alain J.
Published: September 2017

Despite the widespread recognition of the importance of monitoring, only a few studies have investigated how estimates of vital rates and predictions of population dynamics change with additional data collected along the monitoring program. We investigate how using the same models estimates of survival, individual growth, along with predictions about future population size change with additional years of monitoring and data collected, using as a model system freshwater populations of marble (Salmo marmoratus), rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and brown trout (Salmo truttaL.) living in Western Slovenian streams. Fish were sampled twice a year between 2004 and 2015. We found that in 3 out of 4 populations, a few years of data (3 or 4 sampling occasions, between 300 and 500 tagged individuals for survival, 100 to 200 for growth) provided the same estimates of average survival and growth as those obtained with data from more than 15 sampling occasions, while the estimation of the range of survival required more sampling occasions (up to 22 for marble trout), with little reduction of uncertainty around the point estimates. Predictions of mean density and variation in density over time did not change with more data collected after the first 5 years (i.e., 10 sampling occasions) and overall were within 10% of the observed mean and variation in density over the whole monitoring program.
De novo long-read assembly of a complex animal genome
Authors: Eccles David , Chandler Jodie , Camberis Mali , Henrissat Benard , Koren Sergey , Le Gros Graham , Ewbank Jonathan J.
Published: September 2017

Eukaryotic genome assembly remains a challenge in part because of the prevalence of complex DNA repeats. This is a particularly acute problem for holocentric nematodes because of the large number of satellite DNA sequences found throughout their genomes. These have been recalcitrant to most genome sequencing methods. At the same time, many nematodes are parasites and some represent a serious threat to human health. There is a pressing need for better molecular characterization of animal and plant parasitic nematodes. The advent of long-read DNA sequencing methods offers the promise of resolving complex genomes. Using Nippostrongylus brasiliensis as a test case, applying improved base-calling algorithms and assembly methods, we demonstrate the feasibility of de novo genome assembly matching current community standards using only MinION long reads. In doing so, we uncovered an unexpected diversity of very long and complex DNA repeat sequences, including massive tandem repeats of tRNA genes. The method has the added advantage of preserving haplotypic variants and so has the potential to be used in population analyses.
An exploratory study into organizational repatriates’ emotional support network
Authors: Van Gorp Lore , Boroş Smaranda , Bracke Piet , Stevens Peter A.J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how repatriates’ emotional support network affects their experience of re-entry.

Design/methodology/approach

This inductive, qualitative study is based on 27 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with Belgian organizational repatriates.

Findings

The analyses suggest that expatriation empathy is a key attribute of organizational repatriates’ main emotional support providers. In addition, the results show that although partners are a main source of emotional support on re-entry, they are also important potential causes of distress. Lastly, the results suggest that the cultural diversity of a repatriate’s emotional support network is linked with characteristics of the assignment and that it affects the experience of repatriation.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide empirical evidence that the expatriation empathy of repatriates’ support providers is a more informative characteristic to consider compared with whether they have personal experience of expatriation. In addition, the results suggest that research should also take into account the negative side of social support, and, for example, consider the influence of crossover distress of partners who experience relocation difficulties themselves.

Practical implications

This study points to the possible benefits of organizing social activities or training for repatriates and their partner and any children, as well as the advantages of encouraging expatriates to invite home-country friends to visit.

Originality/value

Although most scholars agree on the importance of support for expatriates’ well-being, the sources of relevant emotional support have received little research attention so far, as has how this influences the repatriation experience.
How to keep teachers healthy and growing: the influence of job demands and resources
Authors: Evers Arnoud T. , Yamkovenko Bogdan , Van Amersfoort Daniël
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Education depends on high-quality teachers who are committed to professional development and do not get burned out. The purpose of this paper was to investigate how job demands and resources can affect the health and cognitive development of teachers using the Demand-Induced Strain Compensation model.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional sample of 120 teachers in vocational education was used to investigate the proposed relationships and hypotheses with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression method.

Findings

In terms of teacher health and development, significant main effects were found for several predictors. Autonomy was significantly and negatively related to emotional exhaustion. Autonomy, emotional supervisor and colleague support were significantly and positively related to teachers’ development. However, little support was found for matching hypotheses, suggesting that matching demands and resources do not offer more explanatory power for occupation outcomes than other types of interaction effects.

Research limitations/implications

More powerful analyses techniques like structural equation modeling could be used in future research with a larger sample size. A second limitation is common method variance.

Practical implications

Schools in vocational education should provide sufficient job resources, such as autonomy and emotional support, but possibly also put a limit on teacher task variety.

Originality/value

Job demands and resources have until now mainly been related to negative outcomes such as poor health and ill-being, while the relationship with learning has also been hypothesized and is therefore meaningful to examine. In addition, it was investigated whether interaction effects of matching demands and resources, better explain these outcomes.
Kinetics of NH3‐oxidation, NO‐turnover, N2O‐production and electron flow during oxygen depletion in model bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidisers
Authors: Hink Linda , Lycus Pawel , Gubry‐Rangin Cécile , Frostegård Åsa , Nicol Graeme W. , Prosser James I. , Bakken Lars R.
Published: September 2017

Ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) are thought to emit more nitrous oxide (N2O) than ammonia oxidising archaea (AOA), due to their higher N2O yield under oxic conditions and denitrification in response to oxygen (O2) limitation. We determined the kinetics of growth and turnover of nitric oxide (NO) and N2O at low cell densities of Nitrosomonas europaea (AOB) and Nitrosopumilus maritimus (AOA) during gradual depletion of TAN (NH3 + ) and O2. Half‐saturation constants for O2 and TAN were similar to those determined by others, except for the half‐saturation constant for ammonium in N. maritimus (0.2 mM), which is orders of magnitudes higher than previously reported. For both strains, cell‐specific rates of NO turnover and N2O production reached maxima near O2 half‐saturation constant concentration (2–10 μM O2) and decreased to zero in response to complete O2‐depletion. Modelling of the electron flow in N. europaea demonstrated low electron flow to denitrification (≤1.2% of the total electron flow), even at sub‐micromolar O2 concentrations. The results corroborate current understanding of the role of NO in the metabolism of AOA and suggest that denitrification is inconsequential for the energy metabolism of AOB, but possibly important as a route for dissipation of electrons at high ammonium concentration.
Transcriptome and proteome dynamics in chemostat culture reveal how Campylobacter jejuni modulates metabolism, stress responses and virulence factors upon changes in oxygen availability
Authors: Guccione Edward J. , Kendall John J. , Hitchcock Andrew , Garg Nitanshu , White Michael A. , Mulholland Francis , Poole Robert K. , Kelly David J.
Published: September 2017

Campylobacter jejuni, the most frequent cause of food‐borne bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, is a microaerophile that has to survive high environmental oxygen tensions, adapt to oxygen limitation in the intestine and resist host oxidative attack. Here, oxygen‐dependent changes in C. jejuni physiology were studied at constant growth rate using carbon (serine)‐limited continuous chemostat cultures. We show that a perceived aerobiosis scale can be calibrated by the acetate excretion flux, which becomes zero when metabolism is fully aerobic (100% aerobiosis). Transcriptome changes in a downshift experiment from 150% to 40% aerobiosis revealed many novel oxygen‐regulated genes and highlighted re‐modelling of the electron transport chains. A label‐free proteomic analysis showed that at 40% aerobiosis, many proteins involved in host colonisation (e.g., PorA, CadF, FlpA, CjkT) became more abundant. PorA abundance increased steeply below 100% aerobiosis. In contrast, several citric‐acid cycle enzymes, the peptide transporter CstA, PEB1 aspartate/glutamate transporter, LutABC lactate dehydrogenase and PutA proline dehydrogenase became more abundant with increasing aerobiosis. We also observed a co‐ordinated response of oxidative stress protection enzymes and Fe‐S cluster biogenesis proteins above 100% aerobiosis. Our approaches reveal key virulence factors that respond to restricted oxygen availability and specific transporters and catabolic pathways activated with increasing aerobiosis.
Examining the Use of Corporate Governance Mechanisms in Public–Private Partnerships: Why Do They Not Deliver Public Accountability?
Authors: Stafford Anne , Stapleton Pamela
Published: September 2017

The paper examines corporate governance mechanisms which aim to ensure financial accountability in the context of long‐term Public–Private Partnership (PPP) contracts in Britain, and assesses the degree to which they provide taxpayers with control and accountability. The corporate governance arrangements are drawn from the private sector, and therefore downplay the traditional concepts of probity and stewardship, in part due to the British Treasury's adoption of private sector financial reporting. The paper draws on Shaoul et al.’s (2012a) governance‐based reporting framework to critique the corporate governance mechanisms of structure, financial reporting, contracts, and scrutiny in relation to British PPP projects. It shows that the way these mechanisms are set up means there is a lack of control by the public sector, thus rendering public accountability ineffective.
After the Ribbon Cutting: Governing PPPs in the Medium to Long Term*
Authors: Hodge Graeme , Boulot Emille , Duffield Colin , Greve Carsten
Published: September 2017

Much attention has gone towards ‘up‐front’ processes when delivering infrastructure public–private partnerships (PPPs), but less on how to best govern after the ribbon is cut and the infrastructure built. This paper identifies the primary contractual and institutional governance challenges arising in the medium to long term of PPP concession contracts and explores these governance challenges through interviews with high‐level PPP industry insiders. The paper presents new findings on the importance of good public administration for successful PPP operation, and on the interesting evolution of medium‐ to long‐term governance arrangements. It finds that although industry interviewees agreed PPP governance had improved significantly, they had differing views on how capable Australian states were in governing PPP and how well this task was being undertaken. They were also split on the adequacy of transparency; half feeling satisfied with the current contractual arrangements, and the other half favouring greater transparency, because commercial confidentiality had alienated the public.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Finding a Suitable Discount Rate for Evaluating Value for Money in Public–Private Partnership Proposals*
Authors: Zwalf Sebastian , Hodge Graeme , Alam Quamrul
Published: September 2017

The public sector comparator (PSC) is the key test for determining value for money in public–private partnership (PPP) proposals. Central to the use of the PSC is the discount rate adopted to develop a net present cost for the comparison of privately financed versus traditional delivery options. Several major theories exist informing what the discount rate should be; however, scholarly debate has been inconclusive about which theory is most suitable. This paper considers the two major discount rate theories and examines the discount rate policy applied in eight jurisdictions giving consideration to the rate applied and the theoretical basis on which discount rate policy is developed. It finds that the majority of jurisdictions rely on a variable project specific discount rate formula; a prescribed number is rare; most jurisdictions depart from the major theoretical schools and no two jurisdictions have the same approach; further, that a very wide range of discount rates are in use, ranging from 3.94% (nominal) to 10.15% (nominal) being observed.
The East West Link PPP Project's Failure to Launch: When One Crash‐Through Approach is Not Enough*
Authors: De Martinis Michael , Moyan Leslie
Published: September 2017

The East West Link (EWL) project was to have been a $22.8 billion public–private partnership (PPP) to construct and manage an 18 kilometre road linking freeways east and west of Melbourne. Contracts were signed before and terminated after a state election by different governments. These actions are examples of government control over traditional governance conventions and operational outcomes, also referred to as the ‘crash‐through’ approach. This long‐term infrastructure PPP project enabled the first government to crash‐through its infrastructure plans. However, the newly elected government argued that a new democratic mandate was more important than commercial contract continuation. This option came with a significant cost in excess of $1.1 billion. The project's failure to launch is examined via key events and controversies, and fulfilment of 13 PPP requirements. None were fulfilled, including the proper choice of a PPP as the procurement method and the delivery of value for money. Lessons learnt include the risk of suboptimal PPP outcomes when substandard and rushed state advice is used for decision making. We consider Victoria's Auditor‐General's new ‘follow‐the‐money’ powers and the recently established Infrastructure Victoria in addressing PPP legitimacy.
Public‐Private Partnerships: The Way They Were and What They Can Become
Authors: Hodge Graeme , Greve Carsten , Boardman Anthony
Published: September 2017

Infrastructure PPPs are now main‐stream. Both partnership language and its contractual forms have evolved over the past few decades, though. Compared to early optimistic promises, we now have a more nuanced and balanced view of what PPPs are and what they can achieve. Indeed, modern PPPs are tied more to seeking economic growth and political success rather than demonstrating ‘one‐best‐way’ to deliver efficient infrastructure. This article traces where the infrastructure PPP idea has come from and what it is now becoming. It takes a global perspective and places Australian and international experience in this context, particularly through the global financial crisis. It concludes that PPP can become an integrated part of infrastructure development around the world, assuming learning occurs from past experience. It presents several lessons on deepening partnerships; on the multiplicity of the PPP ‘model’ and its ingredients; on policy learning and on governing infrastructure in the medium term. And it also concludes that not only does the PPP brand today still offer manifold possibilities, even more public policy experimentation is currently warranted.
Nutritional and Nutraceutical Properties of Triticum dicoccum Wheat and Its Health Benefits: An Overview
Authors: Dhanavath Srinu , Prasada Rao U.J.S.
Published: September 2017

Triticum dicoccum wheat is one of the ancient wheat species and is gaining popularity due to its suggested health benefits as well as its suitability for organic farming. In some parts of the world, certain traditional foods prepared with dicoccum wheat are preferred due to their better taste, texture, and flavor. It is rich in bioactive compounds and its starch has been reported to have slow digestibility. However, content and composition of bioactive compounds is reported to vary depending on the geographical location, seasonal variations, varieties used, and the analytical methods followed. Therefore, in the present study, we report the food uses, digestibility of starch, nutritional and nutraceutical compositions of dicoccum wheat grown in different parts of the world, and also its health benefits in ameliorating diabetes and celiac disease.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial Evaluating Polydextrose as a Fiber in a Wet and Dry Matrix on Glycemic Control
Authors: Rahman Sajida , Zhao Anqi , Xiao Di , Park Eunyoung , Edirisinghe Indika , Burton‐Freeman Britt M.
Published: September 2017

Functional fibers can help Americans increase their fiber intake by incorporating extracted or synthesized fibers into food products. The United States Food and Drug Administration has recently proposed that “added” fibers must demonstrate a physiological health benefit, such as glucose control, to be included on the Nutrition Facts label as a dietary fiber. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of polydextrose (PDX), a water‐soluble glucose polymer resistant to mammalian digestion, on postprandial glucose concentrations when added to relatively high moisture (beverage) versus low moisture (bar) food products. The study was designed as 2 parts with each being controlled, randomized, singe‐blinded, cross‐over trials. A total of 34 and 19 healthy subjects were asked to consume PDX in a beverage and bar, respectively. PDX was investigated at 0, 8, 12, and 16 g in the beverage and 0 and 12 g in the bar. Blood samples were collected before beverage/bar consumption and for 3 h thereafter to evaluate changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. The 12 g PDX condition had significant impact on both outcomes as glucose was significantly increased in both matrices (P > 0.05) and insulin was increased in bar form only (P > 0.05). PDX was well tolerated at all dosages and matrices investigated. PDX did not lower postprandial glucose or insulin in either matrix at the doses provided; therefore, data do not support reporting PDX as a dietary fiber on the Nutrition Facts label under the current proposed rule using glycemic control as the endpoint for physiological benefit.
Reduction of 4(5)‐Methylimidazole Using Cookie Model Systems
Authors: Jung Min‐Chul , Kim Mina K. , Lee Kwang‐Geun
Published: September 2017

The objective of this study was to determine the reduction of 4(5)‐methylimidazole (4‐MI) under various baking conditions. For 4‐MI analysis, an analytical method using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was developed. The developed method was validated with linearity (r2 > 0.999), recovery (101% to 103%, 3 levels), and precision (1.5% to 4.3%, 3 levels). Limits of detection and quantification were 18.5 and 56.0 μg/kg, respectively. This method was used to monitor the level of 4‐MI in 11 commercial cookies, which ranged from 71.5 to 1254.8 μg/kg. Time and temperature were modified in the cookie model system to reduce 4‐MI. The largest reduction in 4‐MI (56%) was achieved by baking at 140 °C for 8 min; however the cookies baked at this condition were not well accepted by consumers. With combination of consumer liking test result, baking cookies at 140 °C for 16 min is optimal for 4‐MI reduction (28% reduction), while it has minimal impact on consumer acceptance. A strong correlation (r2 = 0.9981) was found between caramel colorant and 4‐MI in the cookie model system.

Practical Application

A consumer awareness toward toxicity of 4‐MI has been arising, and method to reduce the levels of 4‐MI in food products are being developed in many studies. Yet, these reduction studies in food model systems only focused on use of food additives for 4‐MI reduction. Current study investigated the use of process modification on 4‐MI reduction in cookie, and suggested that baking cookies longer at lower temperature, in turn, reduces the levels of 4‐MI in cookies without compromising consumer acceptance. Finding from current study can practically aid bakery industry to ensure safety of bakery products without affecting consumer likings.
Bacteria utilizing plant‐derived carbon in the rhizosphere of Triticum aestivum change in different depths of an arable soil
Authors: Uksa Marie , Buegger Franz , Gschwendtner Silvia , Lueders Tillmann , Kublik Susanne , Kautz Timo , Athmann Miriam , Köpke Ulrich , Munch Jean Charles , Schloter Michael , Fischer Doreen
Published: September 2017

Root exudates shape microbial communities at the plant‐soil interface. Here we compared bacterial communities that utilize plant‐derived carbon in the rhizosphere of wheat in different soil depths, including topsoil, as well as two subsoil layers up to 1 m depth. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse using soil monoliths with intact soil structure taken from an agricultural field. To identify bacteria utilizing plant‐derived carbon, 13C‐CO2 labelling of plants was performed for two weeks at the EC50 stage, followed by isopycnic density gradient centrifugation of extracted DNA from the rhizosphere combined with 16S rRNA gene‐based amplicon sequencing. Our findings suggest substantially different bacterial key players and interaction mechanisms between plants and bacteria utilizing plant‐derived carbon in the rhizosphere of subsoils and topsoil. Among the three soil depths, clear differences were found in 13C enrichment pattern across abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Whereas, OTUs linked to Proteobacteria were enriched in 13C mainly in the topsoil, in both subsoil layers OTUs related to Cohnella, Paenibacillus, Flavobacterium showed a clear 13C signal, indicating an important, so far overseen role of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes in the subsoil rhizosphere.
Innovation in the UAE: From First Foundations to ‘Beyond Oil’
Authors: Abou Hana Mona
Published: September 2017

The UAE's evolution from first foundations to the country that it is today as well as the vision it holds for the future is masterfully shaped by the Government's determination to the innovation agenda coupled with the passion and active participation of the private sector in the UAE. This article looks into the innovation drivers, major milestones, accomplishments of this relatively young yet highly achieving country and provides insights others can gain from. The article also highlights considerations for all countries in the Middle East region to reflect on in terms of 1) acting fast to keep up with the pace required for innovation, 2) being flexible, adapting to change and learning from failure, 3) being open for the wisdom of the crowds as well as partnerships and collaborations, and finally 4) getting on and following through the implementation of the innovation agenda.
Entrepreneurship: A New Era for Bahrain's Economy?
Authors: Al‐Shakar Areije
Published: September 2017

The entrepreneur eco‐system has drastically evolved over the past seven years in Bahrain. From government driven initiatives focusing on building awareness and various grants offered through Bahrain's Labor Fund (Tamkeen): A whole cultural movement towards a more entrepreneurial society has uncovered from both the public and private sector perspectives. It is now the time where we can see that both the public and private sector are aligned as to the importance of building an entrepreneurial economy building up Bahrain's economy to reach various strategic national goals, such as the Economic Vision 2030.
Sexual dimorphism in jaw muscles of the Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis)
Authors: Wang H. , Yan J. , Zhang Z.
Published: September 2017

Materials suitable for anatomical research of raptorial birds are rare. Bird‐eating raptors show distinct inter‐sexual differences in body size and parental roles. The large females catch larger prey and prepare small morsels to feed their young using their hooked beaks. Here, we investigated the architectural properties of different jaw muscles of the Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) and examined whether there is sexual dimorphism in their architectural design. The results showed that musculus depressor mandibulae, the opener of the lower jaw, was characterized by relatively long fascicle length, whereas musculus pterygoideus was characterized by its larger mass and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) in both sexes. Females have the potential capacity to produce rapid and strong bites by their significantly longer fascicle length of M. depressor mandibulae and larger mass and PCSA of M. pterygoideus. For body size‐matched gender, jaw muscles of males had fibres of relatively longer length than females, enabling greater velocity and excursion. Architectural characteristics of jaw muscles, together with the absolute dimorphism (the fascicle length of M. depressor mandibulae, the muscle mass and PCSA of M. pterygoideus) and relative dimorphism in the muscle mass of M. pterygoideus, reflect dietary difference and asymmetric parental roles between the sexes.
International publication trends originating from anaesthetic departments from 2001 to 2015
Authors: Ausserer J. , Miller C. , Putzer G. , Pehböck D. , Hamm P. , Wenzel V. , Paal P.
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study was to analyse publication trends from the anaesthetic literature of the G‐20 countries. We performed a literature search in Medline to identify articles related to anaesthetic departments published between 2001 and 2015, by specific G‐20 countries according to the affiliation field of the authors, and to three time periods 2001–2005, 2006–2010 and 2011–2015. The number of articles, number of original articles (vs. reviews, editorials or correspondence), articles per million inhabitants, and citations per article were analysed. In total, 96,920 articles were published between 2001 and 2015 in 74 anaesthetic and in 4117 non‐anaesthetic journals, with an increase of +104% absolute (i.e. from 23,028 in 2001–05 to 46,887 articles ìn 2010–15) and +85% as articles per million inhabitants. Similarly, the number of original articles increased by 21%, but the anaesthetic specialty's share of original articles (as a proportion of total articles in biomedicine) decreased from 31% in 2001–2005 to 19% in 2011–2015 (−38%). The USA published most articles (2011–15 16,016; 31% of total), second came the EU as a whole and third Japan (from 2001 to 2005) or Germany (2006–2010) until 2011–2015 when China took over the third rank. In 2011–2015, Canada published most articles per million inhabitants (68.7 articles/million inhabitants). China and India exhibited the most publication growth 11‐ and 9‐fold, respectively, and are now among the top five countries for the number of published articles.