bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat preference and flowering‐time variation contribute to reproductive isolation between diploid and autotetraploid Anacamptis pyramidalis
Authors: Pegoraro L. , Cafasso D. , Rinaldi R. , Cozzolino S. , Scopece G.
Published: July 2016

Tetraploid lineages are typically reproductively isolated from their diploid ancestors by post‐zygotic isolation via triploid sterility. Nevertheless, polyploids often also exhibit ecological divergence that could contribute to reproductive isolation from diploid ancestors. In this study, we disentangled the contribution of different forms of reproductive isolation between sympatric diploid and autotetraploid individuals of the food‐deceptive orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis by quantifying the strength of seven reproductive barriers: three prepollination, one post‐pollination prezygotic and three post‐zygotic. The overall reproductive isolation between the two cytotypes was found very high, with a preponderant contribution of two prepollination barriers, that is phenological and microhabitat differences. Although the contribution of post‐zygotic isolation (triploid sterility) is confirmed in our study, these results highlight that prepollination isolation, not necessarily involving pollinator preference, can represent a strong component of reproductive isolation between different cytotypes. Thus, in the context of polyploidy as quantum speciation, that generates reproductive isolation via triploid sterility, ecological divergence can strengthen the reproductive isolation between cytotypes, reducing the waste of gametes in low fitness interploidy crosses and thus favouring the initial establishment of the polyploid lineage. Under this light, speciation by polyploidy involves ecological processes and should not be strictly considered as a nonecological form of speciation.
An Interpretive Phenomenological Inquiry of Family and Friend Reactions to Suicide Disclosure
Authors: Frey Laura M. , Hans Jason D. , Cerel Julie
Published: July 2016

Suicide attempt survivors’ interpretations of reactions to attempts are understudied, yet could inform prevention efforts concerning subsequent attempts. Interviews with 40 attempt survivors about family and friend reactions were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological techniques. Three distinct patterns emerged as follows: (a) Stigmatizing statements and emphasis on reactor's feelings were interpreted as signs that attempt survivors were a burden to others, (b) avoidant reactions and excessive monitoring were interpreted as cues that suicidal behavior must remain hidden to not be a burden, and (c) asking questions and projecting strength were interpreted as signs that attempt survivors belonged and were not a burden. These findings highlight the importance of working with family and friends to encourage reactions that reduce the risk of future attempts.
What's in a Name? Roles of RFamide‐Related Peptides Beyond Gonadotrophin Inhibition
Authors: Kim J. S.
Published: July 2016

RFamide‐related peptides (RFRPs) have been heavily implicated in the control of reproductive function subsequent to their discovery more than 16 years ago. However, recent studies using genetic and pharmacological tools have challenged their importance in regulating the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis. It is generally accepted that RFRPs act as part of a wider RFamide system, which involves two receptors, called the neuropeptide FF receptors (NPFFR1 and R2), and includes the closely‐related neuropeptide NPFF. NPFF has been studied ever since the 1980s and many of the functions of NPFF are also shared by RFRPs. The current review questions whether these functions of NPFF are indeed specific to just NPFF alone and presents evidence from both neuroendocrine and pharmacological perspectives. Furthermore, recently emerging new functions of RFRPs are discussed with the overall goal of clarifying the functions of RFRPs beyond the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis.
The comparison of the melanin content and UV exposure affecting aging process: seven countries in Asia
Authors: Bae Sung Hae , Park Jung Jun , Song Eun Jeung , Lee Jung Ah , Byun Kyung Soo , Kim Nam Soo , Moon Tae Kee
Published: July 2016

Background

The skin brightness is determined according to the amount and type of melanin. People with darker skin have a greater amount of melanin that makes their skin less susceptible to UV damages. They live in lower latitude and receive a greater amount of the intensity of the UV radiation.

Aim

We wanted to know how the latitude and skin brightness affect skin aging.

Methods

Three thousand volunteers from seven countries (Korea, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia), aged 20–59 years, participated in this study. We measured skin brightness, Ra (wrinkles parameter), and R2 (elasticity parameter) under controlled environmental conditions. The skin brightness of the face was measured using the Janus® which is a facial analysis system. Cutometer® the elasticity was measured by on the cheeks, and PRIMOS lite® was used to evaluate wrinkles on crow's feet.

Results

Latitude and skin brightness showed a positive correlation (0.346). Also, the correlations of Ra and R2 with skin brightness were significantly negative (−0.181) and positive (0.105), respectively. Results of comparison of Ra and R2 with age among the countries showed no significant difference among the 20s, but there was a significant difference among the 50s between countries with high latitude and low latitude.

Conclusion

The long‐term exposure of UV radiation, the natural environmental factor, seems to have more decisive effect on the skin aging process than the photoprotective effect of melanin of epidermal skin. This study helps to understand differences of the skin properties among countries in Asia.
The role of oxidative stress in organophosphate and nerve agent toxicity
Authors: Pearson Jennifer N. , Patel Manisha
Published: July 2016

Organophosphate (OP) nerve agents exert their toxicity through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. The excessive stimulation of cholinergic receptors rapidly causes neuronal damage, seizures, death, and long‐term neurological impairment in those that survive. Owing to the lethality of organophosphorus agents and the growing risk they pose, medical interventions that prevent OP toxicity and the delayed injury response are much needed. Studies have shown that oxidative stress occurs in models of subacute, acute, and chronic exposure to OP agents. Key findings of these studies include alterations in mitochondrial function and increased free radical–mediated injury, such as lipid peroxidation. This review focuses on the role of reactive oxygen species in OP neurotoxicity and its dependence on seizure activity. Understanding the sources, mechanisms, and pathological consequences of OP‐induced oxidative stress can lead to the development of rational therapies for treating toxic exposures.
Limitations in current acetylcholinesterase structure–based design of oxime antidotes for organophosphate poisoning
Authors: Kovalevsky Andrey , Blumenthal Donald K. , Cheng Xiaolin , Taylor Palmer , Radić Zoran
Published: July 2016

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7), an essential enzyme of cholinergic neurotransmission in vertebrates, is a primary target in acute nerve agent and organophosphate (OP) pesticide intoxication. Catalytically inactive OP–AChE conjugates formed between the active‐center serine and phosphorus of OPs can, in principle, be reactivated by nucleophilic oxime antidotes. Antidote efficacy is limited by the structural diversity of OP–AChE conjugates resulting from differences in the structure of the conjugated OP, the different active‐center volumes they occupy when conjugated to the active‐center serine of AChE, and the distinct chemical characteristics of both OPs and oximes documented in numerous X‐ray structures of OP‐conjugated AChEs. Efforts to improve oxime reactivation efficacy by AChE structure–based enhancement of oxime structure have yielded only limited success. We outline here the potential limitations of available AChE X‐ray structures that preclude an accurate prediction of oxime structures, which are necessary for association in the OP–AChE gorge and nucleophilic attack of the OP‐conjugated phosphorus.
Scrambler Therapy®MC‐5A for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Case Reports
Authors: Raucci Umberto , Tomasello Caterina , Marri Marcello , Salzano Marco , Gasparini Augusto , Conicella Elena
Published: July 2016

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disorder that is often challenging to treat and can be associated with a prolonged course of severe pain. Therapy of CRPS remains controversial; the pain often can be very difficult to control, and treatment includes medications, physical therapy, regional anesthesia, and neuromodulation.

Aim

We evaluated Scrambler Therapy® (ST) in terms of efficacy, safety, and durability of treatment effect in patients suffering from CRPS.

Materials and Methods

We report the response to ST in four patients with CRPS referred to the Pain Center of Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital. The patients previously did not respond to conventional and nonconventional medical treatments.

Results

The treatment with ST was found effective in all four of our patients; they obtained pain relief for long periods and an improvement in their quality of life. We observed a progressive improvement with complete disappearance of neuropathic pain. Patients also reported a muscle strength increase that allowed them to resume normal daily activities.

Discussion and Conclusion

We conclude that ST may offer a therapeutic opportunity for patients with neuropathic pain resulting from CRPS, without side effects and with minimal discomfort during treatment. The observed pain relief indicates that ST could be an effective option for such patients.
Expression of the MYB transcription factor gene BplMYB46 affects abiotic stress tolerance and secondary cell wall deposition in Betula platyphylla
Authors: Guo Huiyan , Wang Yucheng , Wang Liuqiang , Hu Ping , Wang Yanmin , Jia Yuanyuan , Zhang Chunrui , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yiming , Wang Chao , Yang Chuanping
Published: July 2016

Plant MYB transcription factors control diverse biological processes, such as differentiation, development and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we characterized BplMYB46, an MYB gene from Betula platyphylla (birch) that is involved in both abiotic stress tolerance and secondary wall biosynthesis. BplMYB46 can act as a transcriptional activator in yeast and tobacco. We generated transgenic birch plants with overexpressing or silencing of BplMYB46 and subjected them to gain‐ or loss‐of‐function analysis. The results suggest that BplMYB46 improves salt and osmotic tolerance by affecting the expression of genes including SOD, POD and P5CS to increase both reactive oxygen species scavenging and proline levels. In addition, BplMYB46 appears to be involved in controlling stomatal aperture to reduce water loss. Overexpression of BplMYB46 increases lignin deposition, secondary cell wall thickness and the expression of genes in secondary cell wall formation. Further analysis indicated that BplMYB46 binds to MYBCORE and AC‐box motifs and may directly activate the expression of genes involved in abiotic stress responses and secondary cell wall biosynthesis whose promoters contain these motifs. The transgenic BplMYB46‐overexpressing birch plants, which have improved salt and osmotic stress tolerance, higher lignin and cellulose content and lower hemicellulose content than the control, have potential applications in the forestry industry.
CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated efficient directed mutagenesis and RAD51‐dependent and RAD51‐independent gene targeting in the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Collonnier Cécile , Epert Aline , Mara Kostlend , Maclot François , Guyon‐Debast Anouchka , Charlot Florence , White Charles , Schaefer Didier G. , Nogué Fabien
Published: July 2016

The ability to address the CRISPR‐Cas9 nuclease complex to any target DNA using customizable single‐guide RNAs has now permitted genome engineering in many species. Here, we report its first successful use in a nonvascular plant, the moss Physcomitrella patens. Single‐guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed to target an endogenous reporter gene, PpAPT, whose inactivation confers resistance to 2‐fluoroadenine. Transformation of moss protoplasts with these sgRNAs and the Cas9 coding sequence from Streptococcus pyogenes triggered mutagenesis at the PpAPT target in about 2% of the regenerated plants. Mainly, deletions were observed, most of them resulting from alternative end‐joining (alt‐EJ)‐driven repair. We further demonstrate that, in the presence of a donor DNA sharing sequence homology with the PpAPT gene, most transgene integration events occur by homology‐driven repair (HDR) at the target locus but also that Cas9‐induced double‐strand breaks are repaired with almost equal frequencies by mutagenic illegitimate recombination. Finally, we establish that a significant fraction of HDR‐mediated gene targeting events (30%) is still possible in the absence of PpRAD51 protein, indicating that CRISPR‐induced HDR is only partially mediated by the classical homologous recombination pathway.
Climate Finance in the Paris Outcome: Why Do Today What You Can Put Off Till Tomorrow?
Authors: Yamineva Yulia
Published: July 2016

The United Nations meeting in Paris resulting in a new treaty on climate change has been described as a major success in multilateral processes to address global challenges. Prior to the meeting, there were fair concerns as to the fate of the negotiations, not least because of serious disagreements about climate financing provided by developed countries to developing countries. The negotiations did not resolve these disagreements. The Paris Agreement simply formalized what was previously proposed in the Copenhagen Accord and subsequent decisions of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. On divisive issues, such as a new quantified goal for mobilizing funds in the post‐2020 period and transparency of climate finance, parties avoided substantive solutions and instead established processes for negotiating them further. Importantly, however, these procedural decisions contain clear goals and deadlines. The successful adoption of the Paris Agreement is also significant as a symbolic milestone signalling to public and private entities the global consensus on a low‐carbon and climate‐resilient future.
The ‘New’ Impacts of the Implementation of Climate Change Response Measures
Authors: Chan Nicholas
Published: July 2016

One of the more politically sensitive elements of the Paris package (although one of the less well known) is how it addresses the negative impacts of mitigation action on economic development – also known as ‘response measures’. This article analyses the Paris outcome in the context of protracted discussions on response measures across the historical span of the climate negotiations. First, it charts the widening scope of the debate beyond the traditional concern of oil‐exporting developing countries about the negative economic impacts of decarbonization. Other developing countries have also raised concerns in relation to sectors such as agriculture and tourism, especially from trade‐related measures. Second, efforts at constructing an institutional space have had mixed results, finding deadlock on the appropriate structure for substantive discussions. The Paris Agreement marks a new phase in how response measures are treated in the global climate change governance architecture, reflecting the substantive and institutional evolution of the subject.
Public School Consolidation: A Partial Observability Spatial Bivariate Probit Approach
Authors: Brasington David M. , Parent Olivier
Published: July 2016

A pair of municipalities may consolidate services if they are contiguous. Traditional estimation methods assume that each voting process is independent. Instead we propose a new estimation procedure that allows the probability of consolidation to be influenced by neighbouring decisions. We extend a model of local interaction by allowing consolidation effort of neighbours to be either strategic substitutes or strategic complements. We disentangle direct effects arising from a change in one's own characteristics from indirect or spillover effects associated with a change in the other municipalities’ characteristics. Results reveal that the endogenous peer effect coming from neighbours is a primary determinant of willingness to consolidate.
Additive Model Building for Spatial Regression
Authors: Nandy Siddhartha , Lim Chae Young , Maiti Tapabrata
Published: July 2016

Spatial regression is an important predictive tool in many scientific applications and an additive model provides a flexible regression relationship between predictors and a response variable. We develop a regularized variable selection technique for building a spatial additive model. We find that the methods developed for independent data do not work well for spatially dependent data. This motivates us to propose a spatially weighted l2-error norm with a group lasso type of penalty to select additive components in spatial additive models. We establish the selection consistency of the approach proposed where the penalty parameter depends on several factors, such as the order of approximation of additive components, characteristics of the spatial weight and spatial dependence. An extensive simulation study provides a vivid picture of the effects of dependent data structure and choice of a spatial weight on selection results as well as the asymptotic behaviour of the estimators. As an illustrative example, the method is applied to lung cancer mortality data over the period of 2000–2005, obtained from the ‘Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results’ programme, National Cancer Institute, USA.
Is Cumulative Exposure to Suicide Attempts and Deaths a Risk Factor for Suicidal Behavior Among Firefighters? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Kimbrel Nathan A. , Pennington Michelle L. , Cammarata Claire M. , Leto Frank , Ostiguy William J. , Gulliver Suzy B.
Published: July 2016

The association between cumulative exposure to suicide attempts and deaths and suicidal behavior was examined in a sample of 61 professional firefighters. On average, firefighters reported 13.1 (SD = 16.6) exposures over the course of their lifetime. Cumulative exposure to suicide attempts and deaths was positively correlated with suicidal behavior (r = .38, p = .004). Moreover, firefighters with 12+ exposures were more likely to screen positive for risk of suicidal behavior (OR = 7.885, p = .02). Additional research on the potential impact of cumulative exposure to suicide attempts and deaths on firefighters' health and safety is needed.
Predictors and Outcomes of Psychiatric Hospitalization in Youth Presenting to the Emergency Department with Suicidality
Authors: Hughes Jennifer L. , Anderson Nicholas L. , Wiblin Jessica L. , Asarnow Joan R.
Published: July 2016

Youth suicide attempters presenting to the emergency department (ED) are frequently admitted to psychiatric inpatient hospitals, yet little is known about how clinicians decide which youths to admit versus discharge to outpatient care. We examine predictors of inpatient hospitalization and describe service use outcomes associated with hospitalization in 181 youths drawn from consecutive ED admissions for suicidality. Predictors of hospitalization include ED site, suicide plan, and parent report of problems. Hospitalization was associated with improved linkage to outpatient treatment and more intensive service use. Future research is needed to understand the best service delivery and treatments for these high‐risk youth.
Positive and Negative Expectations of Hopelessness as Longitudinal Predictors of Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Behavior in High‐Risk Adolescents
Authors: Horwitz Adam G. , Berona Johnny , Czyz Ewa K. , Yeguez Carlos E. , King Cheryl A.
Published: July 2016

The relationship between hopelessness and depression in predicting suicide‐related outcomes varies based on the anticipation of positive versus negative events. In this prospective study of adolescents at elevated risk for suicide, we used two Beck Hopelessness Scale subscales to assess the impact of positive and negative expectations in predicting depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior over a 2‐ to 4‐year period. In multivariate regressions controlling for depression, suicidal ideation, and negative‐expectation hopelessness, positive‐expectation hopelessness was the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior. Clinical interventions may benefit from bolstering positive expectations and building optimism.
The Geography of Foreign Investments in the EU Neighbourhood
Authors: Ascani Andrea , Crescenzi Riccardo , Iammarino Simona
Published: July 2016

This paper aims at investigating the drivers of Multinational Enterprise (MNE) investment in countries linked to the ‘core’ of the European Union (EU 15) by different degrees of functional, economic and political integration: the EU ‘new’ Member States, accession and candidate countries, European Neighbourhood Policy countries, as well as Russia. Understanding the drivers of foreign direct investment (FDI) in these countries is highly relevant in consideration of their increasing integration into the global market and the strong influence exerted by the EU on this process. By employing data on individual greenfield investment projects for the period 2003 to 2008, this paper aims to disentangle the drivers of FDI in these countries for different industrial sectors, business functions and investment origins. The empirical results suggest that FDI in the area tends to follow market‐seeking and efficiency‐oriented strategies, and show path‐dependency and concentration patterns that may reinforce core‐periphery development trajectories in the EU neighbourhood.
PPM1A silences cytosolic RNA sensing and antiviral defense through direct dephosphorylation of MAVS and TBK1
Authors: Xiang Weiwen , Zhang Qian , Lin Xia , Wu Shiying , Zhou Yao , Meng Fansen , Fan Yunyun , Shen Tao , Xiao Mu , Xia Zongping , Zou Jian , Feng Xin-Hua , Xu Pinglong
Published: July 2016

An enzyme safeguards antiviral recognition machinery to avoid leaking and excessive danger response.
Copper-induced structural conversion templates prion protein oligomerization and neurotoxicity
Authors: Yen Chi-Fu , Harischandra Dilshan S. , Kanthasamy Anumantha , Sivasankar Sanjeevi
Published: July 2016

Copper induces prion protein misfolding, aggregation, and neurotoxicity.
Early scattering of the solar protoplanetary disk recorded in meteoritic chondrules
Authors: Marrocchi Yves , Chaussidon Marc , Piani Laurette , Libourel Guy
Published: July 2016

The presence of magmatic magnetites in chondrules implies their formation under impact-generated oxidizing conditions.
Evidence of Naturalized Stress-Tolerant Strains of Escherichia coli in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Zhi Shuai , Banting Graham , Li Qiaozhi , Edge Thomas A. , Topp Edward , Sokurenko Mykola , Scott Candis , Braithwaite Shannon , Ruecker Norma J. , Yasui Yutaka , McAllister Tim , Chui Linda , Neumann Norman F.
Published: July 2016

Escherichia coli
has been proposed to have two habitats—the intestines of mammals/birds and the nonhost environment. Our goal was to assess whether certain strains of
E. coli
have evolved toward adaptation and survival in wastewater. Raw sewage samples from different treatment plants were subjected to chlorine stress, and ∼59% of the surviving
E. coli
strains were found to contain a genetic insertion element (IS
30
) located within the
uspC-flhDC
intergenic region. The positional location of the IS
30
element was not observed across a library of 845
E. coli
isolates collected from various animal hosts or within GenBank or whole-genome reference databases for human and animal
E. coli
isolates (
n
= 1,177). Phylogenetics clustered the IS
30
element-containing wastewater
E. coli
isolates into a distinct clade, and biomarker analysis revealed that these wastewater isolates contained a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) biomarker pattern that was specific for wastewater. These isolates belonged to phylogroup A, possessed generalized stress response (RpoS) activity, and carried the locus of heat resistance, features likely relevant to nonhost environmental survival. Isolates were screened for 28 virulence genes but carried only the
fimH
marker. Our data suggest that wastewater contains a naturalized resident population of
E. coli
. We developed an endpoint PCR targeting the IS
30
element within the
uspC-flhDC
intergenic region, and all raw sewage samples (
n
= 21) were positive for this marker. Conversely, the prevalence of this marker in
E. coli
-positive surface and groundwater samples was low (≤5%). This simple PCR assay may represent a convenient microbial source-tracking tool for identification of water samples affected by municipal wastewater.

IMPORTANCE
The results of this study demonstrate that some strains of
E. coli
appear to have evolved to become naturalized populations in the wastewater environment and possess a number of stress-related genetic elements likely important for survival in this nonhost environment. The presence of non-host-adapted strains in wastewater challenges our understanding of using
E. coli
as a microbial indicator of wastewater treatment performance, suggesting that the
E. coli
strains present in human and animal feces may be very different from those found in treated wastewater.
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) Crown Galls Host Distinct Microbiota
Authors: Faist Hanna , Keller Alexander , Hentschel Ute , Deeken Rosalia
Published: July 2016

Crown gall disease of grapevine is caused by virulentAgrobacteriumstrains and establishes a suitable habitat for agrobacteria and, potentially, other bacteria. The microbial community associated with grapevine plants has not been investigated with respect to this disease, which frequently results in monetary losses. This study compares the endophytic microbiota of organs from grapevine plants with or without crown gall disease and the surrounding vineyard soil over the growing seasons of 1 year. Amplicon-based community profiling revealed that the dominating factor causing differences between the grapevine microbiota is the sample site, not the crown gall disease. The soil showed the highest microbial diversity, which decreased with the distance from the soil over the root and the graft union of the trunk to the cane. Only the graft union microbiota was significantly affected by crown gall disease. The bacterial community of graft unions without a crown gall hosted transient microbiota, with the three most abundant bacterial species changing from season to season. In contrast, graft unions with a crown gall had a higher species richness, which in every season was dominated by the same three bacteria (Pseudomonassp.,Enterobacteriaceaesp., andAgrobacterium vitis). Forin vitro-cultivated grapevine plantlets,A. vitisinfection alone was sufficient to cause crown gall disease. Our data show that microbiota in crown galls is more stable over time than microbiota in healthy graft unions and that the microbial community is not essential for crown gall disease outbreak.

IMPORTANCEThe characterization of bacterial populations in animal and human diseases using high-throughput deep-sequencing technologies, such as 16S amplicon sequencing, will ideally result in the identification of disease-specific microbiota. We analyzed the microbiota of the crown gall disease of grapevine, which is caused by infection with the bacterial pathogenAgrobacterium vitis.All otherAgrobacteriumspecies were found to be avirulent, even though they lived together withA. vitisin the same crown gall tumor. As has been reported for human cancer, the crown gall tumor also hosted opportunistic bacteria that are adapted to the tumor microenvironment. Characterization of the microbiota in various diseases using amplicon sequencing may help in early diagnosis, to serve as a preventative measure of disease in the future.
A Diverse Soil Microbiome Degrades More Crude Oil than Specialized Bacterial Assemblages Obtained in Culture
Authors: Bell Terrence H. , Stefani Franck O. P. , Abram Katrina , Champagne Julie , Yergeau Etienne , Hijri Mohamed , St-Arnaud Marc
Published: July 2016

Soil microbiome modification may alter system function, which may enhance processes like bioremediation. In this study, we filled microcosms with gamma-irradiated soil that was reinoculated with the initial soil or cultivated bacterial subsets obtained on regular media (REG-M) or media containing crude oil (CO-M). We allowed 8 weeks for microbiome stabilization, added crude oil and monoammonium phosphate, incubated the microcosms for another 6 weeks, and then measured the biodegradation of crude oil components, bacterial taxonomy, and functional gene composition. We hypothesized that the biodegradation of targeted crude oil components would be enhanced by limiting the microbial taxa competing for resources and by specifically selecting bacteria involved in crude oil biodegradation (i.e., CO-M). Postincubation, large differences in taxonomy and functional gene composition between the three microbiome types remained, indicating that purposeful soil microbiome structuring is feasible. Although phylum-level bacterial taxonomy was constrained, operational taxonomic unit composition varied between microbiome types. Contrary to our hypothesis, the biodegradation of C10to C50hydrocarbons was highest when the original microbiome was reinoculated, despite a higher relative abundance of alkane hydroxylase genes in the CO-M microbiomes and of carbon-processing genes in the REG-M microbiomes. Despite increases in the relative abundances of genes potentially linked to hydrocarbon processing in cultivated subsets of the microbiome, reinoculation of the initial microbiome led to maximum biodegradation.

IMPORTANCEIn this study, we show that it is possible to sustainably modify microbial assemblages in soil. This has implications for biotechnology, as modification of gut microbial assemblages has led to improved treatments for diseases likeClostridium difficileinfection. Although the soil environment determined which major phylogenetic groups of bacteria would dominate the assemblage, we saw differences at lower levels of taxonomy and in functional gene composition (e.g., genes related to hydrocarbon degradation). Further studies are needed to determine the success of such an approach in nonsterile environments. Although the biodegradation of certain crude oil fractions was still the highest when we inoculated with the diverse initial microbiome, the possibility of discovering and establishing microbiomes that are more efficient in crude oil degradation is not precluded.
Antimicrobial Effects of Free Nitrous Acid on Desulfovibrio vulgaris: Implications for Sulfide-Induced Corrosion of Concrete
Authors: Gao Shu-Hong , Ho Jun Yuan , Fan Lu , Richardson David J. , Yuan Zhiguo , Bond Philip L.
Published: July 2016

Hydrogen sulfide produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in sewers causes odor problems and asset deterioration due to the sulfide-induced concrete corrosion. Free nitrous acid (FNA) was recently demonstrated as a promising antimicrobial agent to alleviate hydrogen sulfide production in sewers. However, details of the antimicrobial mechanisms of FNA are largely unknown. Here, we report the multiple-targeted antimicrobial effects of FNA on the SRBDesulfovibrio vulgarisHildenborough by determining the growth, physiological, and gene expression responses to FNA exposure. The activities of growth, respiration, and ATP generation were inhibited when exposed to FNA. These changes were reflected in the transcript levels detected during exposure. The removal of FNA was evident by nitrite reduction that likely involved nitrite reductase and the poorly characterized hybrid cluster protein, and the genes coding for these proteins were highly expressed. During FNA exposure, lowered ribosome activity and protein production were detected. Additionally, conditions within the cells were more oxidizing, and there was evidence of oxidative stress. Based on an interpretation of the measured responses, we present a model depicting the antimicrobial effects of FNA onD. vulgaris. These findings provide new insight for understanding the responses ofD. vulgaristo FNA and will provide a foundation for optimal application of this antimicrobial agent for improved control of sewer corrosion and odor management.

IMPORTANCEHydrogen sulfide produced by SRB in sewers causes odor problems and results in serious deterioration of sewer assets that requires very costly and demanding rehabilitation. Currently, there is successful application of the antimicrobial agent free nitrous acid (FNA), the protonated form of nitrite, for the control of sulfide levels in sewers (G. Jiang et al., Water Res 47:4331–4339, 2013,http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.05.024). However, the details of the antimicrobial mechanisms of FNA are largely unknown. In this study, we identified the key responses (decreased anaerobic respiration, reducing FNA, combating oxidative stress, and shutting down protein synthesis) ofDesulfovibrio vulgarisHildenborough, a model sewer corrosion bacterium, to FNA exposure by examining the growth, physiological, and gene expression changes. These findings provide new insight and underpinning knowledge for understanding the responses ofD. vulgaristo FNA exposure, thereby benefiting the practical application of FNA for improved control of sewer corrosion and odor.
Integrating Acupuncture into Primary Health Care: The Experience of an Educational Model Implemented within the Brazilian Unified Health System in FlorianóPolis
Authors: Moré Ari Ojeda Ocampo , Tesser Charles Dalcanale , Min Li Shih
Published: July 2016

Objective

Primary health care (PHC) is the main entry point and the first level of contact for individuals, families and communities within the Brazilian public health system. Considering that few studies have investigated the use of acupuncture in PHC, this article presents our experience in the city of Florianópolis when integrating acupuncture into PHC using an educational programme developed to teach acupuncture to primary care physicians (PCPs).

Methods

The course programme was designed using the WHO standards for acupuncture training and discussed at three consensus meetings. Between 2011 and 2014 three iterations of an introductory acupuncture course for PCPs were offered. During this period 53 physicians finished the programme.

Results

The number of acupuncture sessions in PHC rose from 1349 in 2011 to 6488 in 2015. It was observed in 2015 that 81% of the course participants working in PHC were regularly using acupuncture in their daily practice, with a mean number of sessions of 11.35 sessions per month. Moreover, collaborative work, which started during the course between the PCPs and the acupuncture specialists in secondary and tertiary public health care, helped to increase the quality of acupuncture referrals and facilitate clinical case discussions.

Conclusions

Our experience in the city of Florianópolis shows that teaching acupuncture to PCPs is a sustainable model that can help introduce acupuncture into PHC. Furthermore it can expand access to acupuncture treatment for the population and increase the communication between PCPs and acupuncture specialists.
Validation of administrative hospital data for identifying incident pancreatic and periampullary cancer cases: a population-based study using linked cancer registry and administrative hospital data in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Creighton Nicola , Walton Richard , Roder David , Aranda Sanchia , Currow David
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Informing cancer service delivery with timely and accurate data is essential to cancer control activities and health system monitoring. This study aimed to assess the validity of ascertaining incident cases and resection use for pancreatic and periampullary cancers from linked administrative hospital data, compared with data from a cancer registry (the ‘gold standard’).

Design, setting and participants

Analysis of linked statutory population-based cancer registry data and administrative hospital data for adults (aged ≥18 years) with a pancreatic or periampullary cancer case diagnosed during 2005–2009 or a hospital admission for these cancers between 2005 and 2013 in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of pancreatic and periampullary cancer case ascertainment from hospital admission data were calculated for the 2005–2009 period through comparison with registry data. We examined the effect of the look-back period to distinguish incident cancer cases from prevalent cancer cases from hospital admission data using 2009 and 2013 as index years.

Results

Sensitivity of case ascertainment from the hospital data was 87.5% (4322/4939), with higher sensitivity when the cancer was resected (97.9%, 715/730) and for pancreatic cancers (88.6%, 3733/4211). Sensitivity was lower in regional (83.3%) and remote (85.7%) areas, particularly in areas with interstate outflow of patients for treatment, and for cases notified to the registry by death certificate only (9.6%). The PPV for the identification of incident cases was 82.0% (4322/5272). A 2-year look-back period distinguished the majority (98%) of incident cases from prevalent cases in linked hospital data.

Conclusions

Pancreatic and periampullary cancer cases and resection use can be ascertained from linked hospital admission data with sufficient validity for informing aspects of health service delivery and system-level monitoring. Limited tumour clinical information and variation in case ascertainment across population subgroups are limitations of hospital-derived cancer incidence data when compared with population cancer registries.
Association of inpatient hospital experience with patient safety indicators: a cross-sectional, Canadian study
Authors: Kemp Kyle A , Santana Maria J , Southern Danielle A , McCormack Brandi , Quan Hude
Published: July 2016

Objectives

There remains concern regarding the use of survey data to assess aspects of healthcare quality. The relationship between patient experience and adverse events as documented by patient safety indicators (PSIs) is a timely research topic. The objectives were to document the association of PSIs and patient experience scores, and to determine risk-adjusted odds of high experience scores versus PSI presence.

Setting and participants

From April 2011 to March 2014, 25 098 patients completed a telephone survey following discharge from 93 inpatient hospitals in Alberta, Canada.

Research design

A modified version of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) instrument was used. Surveys were linked to inpatient records and PSI presence was documented using a validated algorithm.

Measures

Three questions about overall hospital, physician and nurse ratings were scored on an 11-point Likert scale from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). Experience was classified as high (9 or 10) versus low (0–8). Demographic/clinical differences between respondents with/without a PSI were assessed. Logistic regression examined the relationship between factors including PSI and experience ratings.

Results

Overall, physician and nurse care was rated high by 61.9%, 73.7% and 66.2% of respondents. 1085 patients (4.3%) had a documented PSI. Most frequent PSIs were haemorrhagic events (n=502; 2.0% of sample), events relating to obstetrics (n=373; 1.5%) and surgical-related events (n=248; 1.0%). Risk-adjusted models showed patients with PSIs had decreased odds of having high overall (OR=0.86; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97), physician (OR=0.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.87) and nurse (OR=0.83; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.94) ratings.

Conclusions

There is clear evidence that inpatient experience ratings are associated with PSIs, one element of quality of care. Future research, examining individual PSIs and patient experience questions, is warranted, as this may inform targeted quality improvement initiatives.
Impact of approaches in improving male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV on the uptake of PMTCT services in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Takah Noah F , Kennedy Iain T R , Johnman Cathy
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Several studies have reported approaches used in improving the delivery of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services through the involvement of male partners, but evidence from a systematic review is limited. We aim at determining the impact of male partner involvement on PMTCT in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods and analysis

This will be a systematic review of published literature. Interventional and observational studies on male involvement in PMTCT carried out in sub-Saharan Africa will be included irrespective of the year and language of publication. OVID Medline, Embase, PschINFO, and Cochrane database of controlled trials will be searched. After manual searching of articles, authors shall be contacted for further information. 2 authors (NFT and CJ) will independently screen potential articles for eligibility using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools, Jadad scale and the STROBE checklist will be used for critical appraisal, and the 2 authors will independently assess the quality of articles. Authors will independently extract data from studies using a pre-established data collection form, and any discrepancies will be sorted by a third author (TRK). Outcomes will be analysed using STATA V.12.0. The random effect model will be used to produce forest plots. The heterogeneity χ2statistics and I2will be used to assess for heterogeneity. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots. This protocol is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval since included studies will be published studies that had already obtained ethical approvals. The findings will guide HIV programmes on the best approaches towards involving male partners in PMTCT with a view to improving PMTCT services in sub-Saharan Africa.

PROSPERO registration number

42016032673.
Seroepidemiology ofToxoplasma gondiiin pregnant women in Aguascalientes City, Mexico: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alvarado-Esquivel Cosme , Terrones-Saldívar María del Carmen , Hernández-Tinoco Jesús , Muñoz-Terrones María Daniela Enriqueta , Gallegos-González Roberto Oswaldo , Sánchez-Anguiano Luis Francisco , Reyes-Robles Martha Elena , Jaramillo-Juárez Fernando , Liesenfeld Oliver , Estrada-Martínez Sergio
Published: July 2016

Objectives

We determined the seroprevalence and correlates ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in pregnant women in Aguascalientes City, Mexico.

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Pregnant women were enrolled in the central Mexican city of Aguascalientes.

Participants

We studied 338 pregnant women who attended prenatal care in 3 public health centres.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Women were examined for IgG/IgM antibodies toT. gondiiby using commercially available enzyme immunoassays, and an avidity test. Multiple analyses were used to determine the association ofT. gondiiseropositivity with the characteristics of the pregnant women.

Results

Of the 338 pregnant women studied, 21 (6.2%) had IgG antibodies toT. gondii, and 1 (4.8%) of them was also positive for IgM antibodies toT. gondii. Avidity of IgG antibodies toT. gondiiwas high in the IgM-positive sample. Logistic regression analysis of sociodemographic, behavioural and housing variables showed thatT. gondiiseropositivity was associated with white ethnicity (OR=149.4; 95% CI 10.8 to 2054.1; p<0.01), not washing hands before eating (OR=6.41; 95% CI 1.73 to 23.6; p=0.005) and use of latrine (OR=37.6; 95% CI 4.63 to 306.31; p=0.001).

Conclusions

Results demonstrate that pregnant women in Aguascalientes City have a low seroprevalence ofT. gondiiinfection. However, this low prevalence indicates that most pregnant women are at risk for a primary infection. Factors associated withT. gondiiexposure found in this study, including food hygiene, may be useful to determine preventive measures againstT. gondiiinfection and its sequelae.
Management of critical illness with non-invasive ventilation by an Australian HEMS
Authors: Coggins Andrew R , Cummins Erin N , Burns Brian
Published: July 2016

Background

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy is widely used for the management of acute respiratory failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the current use of NIV during interhospital retrievals in an Australian physician-led aeromedical service.

Methods

We reviewed patients receiving NIV during interhospital retrieval at the Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Medical Services (GSA-HEMS) over a 14-month period. The main objectives were to describe the number of retrievals using NIV, the need for intubation in NIV patients and the effect of the therapy on mission duration.

Results

Over the study period, 3018 missions were reported; 106 cases (3.51%) involved administration of NIV therapy during the retrieval. The most common indication for NIV was pneumonia (34.0%). 86/106 patients received a successful trial of NIV therapy prior to interhospital transfer. 58 patients were transferred on NIV, while 28 patients had NIV removed during transport. None of these 86 patients required intubation or died, although 17/86 ultimately required intubation within 24 hours at the receiving centre. 20/106 patients required intubation at the referring hospital after a failed trial of NIV therapy. NIV was successfully used in all available transport platforms including rotary wing. Patients receiving NIV were found to have prolonged mission durations compared with other GSA-HEMS patients (222.5 vs 193 min). This increase in mission duration was largely attributable to NIV failure, resulting in a need for Rapid Sequence Intubation at the referring hospital.

Conclusions

With careful patient selection, the use of interhospital NIV is feasible and appears to be safe in a retrieval system with care provided by a critical care physician.
Intermediate microRNA expression profile in Graves’ disease falls between that of normal thyroid tissue and papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Pohl Matthias , Grabellus Florian , Worm Karl , Arnold Georg , Walz Martin , Schmid Kurt Werner , Sheu-Grabellus Sien-Yi
Published: July 2016

Aims

Many studies have previously reported a higher prevalence of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) in patients with Graves' disease (GD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that are upregulated in PTC compared with benign thyroid tissue. The objective of the study was to examine the miRNA expression of selected miRNAs that are known to be upregulated in PTC in patients with GD.

Methods

Paraffin embedded thyroid tissue from 159 patients with GD was screened for expression of the miRNAs 146b, 181b, 21, 221 and 222 by RT-PCR. The expression profiles of four normal thyroids, 50 PTCs without concomitant GD and 11 patients with untreated GD served as the controls.

Results

The expression pattern of these miRNAs in patients with GD is intermediate between that of benign thyroid tissue (p<0.001) and PTC (in three out of five miRNAs, p<0.001). This corresponds to a 15-fold change for GD versus PTC, and a 31-fold change for GD versus normal thyroid tissue. The miRNA expression in 11 papillary microcarcinomas found in our study (a prevalence of 0.07) was not different from that in PTC samples from patients without GD for four of five miRNA types. Furthermore, we found a significant difference in the expression of miRNA 221/222 between treated and untreated GD tissue.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we found an intermediate expression of specific miRNAs in thyroid tissue from patients with GD that fell between the expression levels found in normal thyroid glands and PTC, which suggests a possible influence of certain miRNAs on developing PTC in patients with GD.