bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the selection of university courses in young adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Longobardi Claudio , Fabris Matteo A. , Mendola Manuela , Prino Laura Elvira
Published: March 2019

The literature contains a great deal of research on Specific Learning Disorders (SpLDs). However, almost all of the studies related to SpLDs deal with the difficulties that said disorders cause during childhood or adolescence. An interest in adults with SpLDs is only recent, especially in university students like those in this study. In Italy, research on SpLDs in higher education is rather limited. This study aims to rectify this lack of data by making a brief analysis of the data on SpLDs prevalence in higher education and of the courses chosen by university students with SpLDs. Our sample consisted of 585 students with SpLDs enrolled at 19 public universities that communicated the number of students who contacted their offices of service for students with SpLDs. The prevalence of students with SpLDs in the higher education populations we sample had a mean of 0.13% (SD = 0.11) and ranged from 0.03% to 0.48%. The data showed that the higher education faculties with the highest number of reported SpLDs students in our sample were Statistics, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Education, and Architecture. It is important to analyse the trend in university enrolment of student with SpLDs to protect the right to education for people with SpLDs.
Bridging eating disorder symptoms and trait anxiety in patients with eating disorders: A network approach
Authors: Forrest Lauren N. , Sarfan Laurel D. , Ortiz Shelby N. , Brown Tiffany A. , Smith April R.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Anxiety is thought to influence the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). However, little is known about how, specifically, anxiety influences ED symptoms and vice versa. Network analysis identifies how symptoms within and across disorders are interconnected. In a network, central nodes (i.e., symptoms) have the strongest relations to other nodes and are thought to maintain psychopathology. Bridge nodes are symptoms in one diagnostic cluster that are strongly connected to symptoms in another diagnostic cluster and are thought to explain comorbidity. We identified central and bridge nodes in a network of ED symptoms and trait anxiety features.

Method

We estimated a regularized partial correlation network in patients with mixed EDs (N = 296). ED symptoms were assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire. Trait anxiety was assessed with the Trait subscale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Items to include in the network were selected with a statistical algorithm to ensure that all nodes represented unique constructs. Central and bridge nodes were identified with empirical calculations.

Results

Central ED nodes were dietary restraint, as well as overvaluation of and dissatisfaction with shape and weight. The central trait anxiety node was low feelings of satisfaction. The strongest ED bridge node was avoidance of social eating. The strongest trait anxiety bridge node was low self‐confidence.

Discussion

Avoidance of social eating and low self‐esteem may be routes through which EDs and trait anxiety are linked.
Disentangling drivers of the abundance of coral reef fishes in the Western Indian Ocean
Authors: Samoilys Melita A. , Halford Andrew , Osuka Kennedy
Published: March 2019

Aim

Understanding the drivers of the structure of coral reef fish assemblages is vital for their future conservation. Quantifying the separate roles of natural drivers from the increasing influence of anthropogenic factors, such as fishing and climate change, is a key component of this understanding. It follows that the intrinsic role of historical biogeographical and geomorphological factors must be accounted for when trying to understand the effects of contemporary disturbances such as fishing.

Location

Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania, Western Indian Ocean (WIO).

Methods

We modeled patterns in the density and biomass of an assemblage of reef‐associated fish species from 11 families, and their association with 16 biophysical variables.

Results

Canonical analysis of principal coordinates revealed strong country affiliations of reef fish assemblages and distance‐based linear modeling confirmed geographic location and reef geomorphology were the most significant correlates, explaining 32% of the observed variation in fish assemblage structure. Another 6%–8% of variation was explained by productivity gradients (chl_a), and reef exposure or slope. Where spatial effects were not significant between mainland continental locations, fishing effects became evident explaining 6% of the variation in data. No correlation with live coral was detected. Only 37 species, predominantly lower trophic level taxa, were significant in explaining differences in assemblages between sites.

Main Conclusions

Spatial and geomorphological histories remain a major influence on the structure of reef fish assemblages in the WIO. Reef geomorphology was closely linked to standing biomass, with “ocean‐exposed” fringing reefs supporting high average biomass of ~1,000 kg/ha, while “lagoon‐exposed fringing” reefs and “inner seas patch complex” reefs yielded substantially less at ~500kg/ha. Further, the results indicate the influence of benthic communities on fish assemblages is scale dependent. Such insights will be pivotal for managers seeking to balance long‐term sustainability of artisanal reef fisheries with conservation of coral reef systems.
Genome streamlining via complete loss of introns has occurred multiple times in lichenized fungal mitochondria
Authors: Pogoda Cloe S. , Keepers Kyle G. , Nadiadi Arif Y. , Bailey Dustin W. , Lendemer James C. , Tripp Erin A. , Kane Nolan C.
Published: March 2019

Reductions in genome size and complexity are a hallmark of obligate symbioses. The mitochondrial genome displays clear examples of these reductions, with the ancestral alpha‐proteobacterial genome size and gene number having been reduced by orders of magnitude in most descendent modern mitochondrial genomes. Here, we examine patterns of mitochondrial evolution specifically looking at intron size, number, and position across 58 species from 21 genera of lichenized Ascomycete fungi, representing a broad range of fungal diversity and niches. Our results show that thecox1gene always contained the highest number of introns out of all the mitochondrial protein‐coding genes, that high intron sequence similarity (>90%) can be maintained between different genera, and that lichens have undergone at least two instances of complete, genome‐wide intron loss consistent with evidence for genome streamlining via loss of parasitic, noncoding DNA, inPhlyctis boliviensisandGraphis lineola. Notably, however, lichenized fungi have not only undergone intron loss but in some instances have expanded considerably in size due to intron proliferation (e.g.,Alectoria fallacinaandParmotrema neotropicum), even between closely related sister species (e.g.,Cladonia). These results shed light on the highly dynamic mitochondrial evolution that is occurring in lichens and suggest that these obligate symbiotic organisms are in some cases undergoing recent, broad‐scale genome streamlining via loss of protein‐coding genes as well as noncoding, parasitic DNA elements.
Altitude effects on spatial components of vascular plant diversity in a subarctic mountain tundra
Authors: Naud Lucy , Måsviken Johannes , Freire Susana , Angerbjörn Anders , Dalén Love , Dalerum Fredrik
Published: March 2019

Environmental gradients are caused by gradual changes in abiotic factors, which affect species abundances and distributions, and are important for the spatial distribution of biodiversity. One prominent environmental gradient is the altitude gradient. Understanding ecological processes associated with altitude gradients may help us to understand the possible effects climate change could have on species communities. We quantified vegetation cover, species richness, species evenness, beta diversity, and spatial patterns of community structure of vascular plants along altitude gradients in a subarctic mountain tundra in northern Sweden. Vascular plant cover and plant species richness showed unimodal relationships with altitude. However, species evenness did not change with altitude, suggesting that no individual species became dominant when species richness declined. Beta diversity also showed a unimodal relationship with altitude, but only for an intermediate spatial scale of 1 km. A lack of relationships with altitude for either patch or landscape scales suggests that any altitude effects on plant spatial heterogeneity occurred on scales larger than individual patches but were not effective across the whole landscape. We observed both nested and modular patterns of community structures, but only the modular patterns corresponded with altitude. Our observations point to biotic regulations of plant communities at high altitudes, but we found both scale dependencies and inconsistent magnitude of the effects of altitude on different diversity components. We urge for further studies evaluating how different factors influence plant communities in high altitude and high latitude environments, as well as studies identifying scale and context dependencies in any such influences.
The bioelements, the elementome, and the biogeochemical niche
Authors: Peñuelas Josep , Fernández‐Martínez Marcos , Ciais Philippe , Jou David , Piao Shilong , Obersteiner Michael , Vicca Sara , Janssens Ivan A. , Sardans Jordi
Published: March 2019

Every living creature on Earth is made of atoms of the various bioelements that are harnessed in the construction of molecules, tissues, organisms, and communities, as we know them. Organisms need these bioelements in specific quantities and proportions to survive and grow. Distinct species have different functions and life strategies, and have therefore developed distinct structures and adopted a certain combination of metabolic and physiological processes. Each species is thus also expected to have different requirements for each bioelement. We therefore propose that a “biogeochemical niche” can be associated with the classical ecological niche of each species. We show from field data examples that a biogeochemical niche is characterized by a particular elementome defined as the content of all (or at least most) bioelements. The differences in elementome among species are a function of taxonomy and phylogenetic distance, sympatry (the bioelemental compositions should differ more among coexisting than among non‐coexisting species to avoid competitive pressure), and homeostasis with a continuum between high homeostasis/low plasticity and low homeostasis/high plasticity. This proposed biogeochemical niche hypothesis has the advantage relative to other associated theoretical niche hypotheses that it can be easily characterized by actual quantification of a measurable trait: the elementome of a given organism or a community, being potentially applicable across taxa and habitats. The changes in bioelemental availability can determine genotypic selection and therefore have a feedback on ecosystem function and organization, and, at the end, become another driving factor of the evolution of life and the environment.
Human milk oligosaccharides promote immune tolerance via direct interactions with human dendritic cells
Authors: Xiao Ling , van De Worp Wouter RPH , Stassen Roderick , van Maastrigt Celine , Kettelarij Nienke , Stahl Bernd , Blijenberg Bernadet , Overbeek Saskia A. , Folkerts Gert , Garssen Johan , van't Land Belinda
Published: March 2019

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOS) are a complex mixture of bioactive components supporting the immune development of breastfed‐infants. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the regulation of immune responses, being specialized in antigen presentation and driving T‐cell priming as well as differentiation. However, little is known about the direct effects of HMOS on human DC phenotypes and functions. Here, we report that HMOS mixture isolated from pooled human milk, induced semi‐maturation of human monocytes‐derived DCs (moDCs), and elevated levels of IL‐10, IL‐27 and IL‐6 but not IL‐12p70 and TNF‐α. Consistently, HMOS‐conditioned human moDCs promoted Treg generation from naïve CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, HMOS limited LPS‐induced maturation of human moDCs, while maintained IL‐10 and IL‐27 secretion and reduced LPS‐induced production of IL‐12p70, IL‐6 and TNF‐α. Furthermore, HMOS+LPS‐stimulated DCs induced a higher frequency of Tregs and increased IL‐10 production, while a reduction in Tbet+Th1 frequency and IFN‐γ production was detected as compared to LPS‐DCs. The regulatory effects of HMOS seemed to be mediated by interactions of HMOS with receptors, including but not limited to TLR4 and DC‐SIGN on human moDCs. In conclusion, HMOS contain tolerogenic factors influencing human moDCs and thereby modulating the development of the neonatal immune system.
A New Synthetic Pathway to Triphenylpyridines via Cascade Reactions Utilizing a New Iron‐Organic Framework as a Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Doan Son H. , Tran Nhu K. Q. , Pham Phuc H. , Nguyen Vu H. H. , Nguyen Ngoc N. , Ha Phuong T. M. , Li Shuang , Le Ha V. , Le Nhan T. H. , Tu Thach N. , Phan Nam T. S.
Published: March 2019

A new iron‐organic framework, VNU‐22 {[Fe3(BTC)(BPDC)2]·11.97H2O}, constructed from BTC3–, BPDC2– pillars and infinite [Fe3(CO2)7]∞ rod SBU, was obtained. The VNU‐22 was utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of 2,4,6‐triphenylpyridines via cascade reactions from acetophenones and phenylacetic acids with ammonium acetate as a nitrogen source. This transformation is new. The VNU‐22 was more active in the cascade reactions than many homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. The framework catalyst was recovered and reutilized without an appreciable decline in its performance. To our best knowledge, this synthetic pathway to 2,4,6‐triphenylpyridines was not previously reported, and would attract interests from the chemical industry.
New Geometries for Calix[6]arene‐Based Rotaxanes
Authors: Bazzoni Margherita , Zanichelli Valeria , Casimiro Lorenzo , Massera Chiara , Credi Alberto , Secchi Andrea , Silvi Serena , Arduini Arturo
Published: March 2019

Understanding the role played by the nature, number, and arrangement of binding sites anchored to a macrocycle remains a topic of current interest for the synthesis of new interwoven species. We report the synthesis and detailed structural characterization of a new calix[6]arene derivative decorated with two phenylureido groups anchored at the diametrical position of the calix upper rim that adopts a 1,2,3‐alternate conformation in solution and in the solid state. Preliminary data on the ability of this host to form redox‐active pseudorotaxanes and rotaxanes are reported.
Separation of brombuterol enantiomers in capillary electrophoresis with cyclodextrin‐type chiral selectors and investigation of structure of selector‐selectand complexes using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Gogolashvili Ann , Tatunashvili Elene , Chankvetadze Lali , Sohajda Tamas , Gumustas Mehmet , Ozkan Sibel A. , Salgado Antonio , Chankvetadze Bezhan
Published: March 2019

The major goal of this study was to determine the affinity pattern of brombuterol (BB) enantiomers toward various cyclodextrins (CD) and to evaluate the potential of NMR spectroscopy for understanding fine mechanisms of interactions between CDs and BB enantiomers. Separation of BB enantiomers was performed in a fused‐silica capillary using a phosphate buffer, pH 2.5, at the room temperature in the normal polarity mode. It was shown once again that CE in combination with NMR spectroscopy represents a very sensitive tool for studies of affinity patterns and structure of CD complexes with chiral guests. Although opposite affinity patterns of BB enantiomers were observed toward native β‐ and γ‐CDs, no significant differences between the structures of the complexes of these two CDs with BB were detected by NMR spectroscopy. In contrary to this, the opposite affinity pattern of BB enantiomers toward β‐CD and its two sulfated derivatives, heptakis (2,3‐O‐diacetyl‐6‐sulfo)‐β‐CD (HDAS‐β‐CD) and heptakis (2‐O‐methyl‐3,6‐di‐O‐sulfo)‐β‐CD (HMDS‐β‐CD) was associated with major differences in the structure of the complexes. In addition, it was shown again that HMDS‐β‐CD provides separation of enantiomers without formation of inclusion‐type complex with the chiral analyte.
A Multitracer Approach to Quantifying Resource Utilization Strategies in Lake Trout Populations in Lake Huron
Authors: McLeod Anne M. , Di Pierdomenico Lauren , Haffner G. Douglas
Published: March 2019

Lake ecosystems are threatened by an array of stressors. An understanding of how food webs and bioaccumulation dynamics respond to these challenges requires the quantification of energy flow. We present a combined, multitracer approach using both polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and stable isotopes to trace energy flow, and to quantify how lake trout feeding strategies have adapted to changes in food web structure in 3 basins of Lake Huron (ON, Canada). This combined tracer approach allows the quantification of dietary proportions (using stable isotopes), which are then integrated using a novel PCB tracer approach that employs knowledge of PCB bioaccumulation pathways, to estimate consumption and quantify energy flow between age cohorts of individual fish across Lake Huron. We observed basin-specific differences in ultimate energy sources for lake trout, with Georgian Bay lake trout deriving almost 70% of their energy from benthic resources compared with 16 and 33% for Main Basin and North Channel lake trout, respectively. These differences in resource utilization are further magnified when they are contrasted with age. The dependency on pelagic energy sources in the Main Basin and North Channel suggests that these populations will be the most negatively affected by the ongoing trophic collapse in Lake Huron. Our study demonstrates the utility of a multitracer approach to quantify the consequences of food web adaptations to changes in aquatic ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1245–1255. © 2019 SETAC
Validation of Dried Blood Spots for Maternal Biomonitoring of Nonessential Elements in an Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Area of Tanzania
Authors: Nyanza Elias C. , Dewey Deborah , Bernier Francois , Manyama Mange , Hatfield Jennifer , Martin Jonathan W.
Published: March 2019

Biomonitoring studies of vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries are limited because traditional sampling methods are challenging to implement in low-resource settings. The present study examined the feasibility, precision, and accuracy of dried blood spots (DBS) for human biomonitoring of nonessential elements (cadmium [Cd], mercury [Hg], and lead [Pb]) in an area of northern Tanzania with artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities. Pregnant women (n = 44) were recruited in Geita during antenatal clinic visits, and DBS from capillary blood were collected on filter paper. As a gold-standard comparison, venous blood was sampled from the same participants and compared with the DBS. Venous blood, DBS, and quality control samples were analyzed for chemical elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Field blanks were very clean for most elements, generally only twice as high as corresponding laboratory filter blanks. No significant differences were found between duplicate DBS samples taken from the same participants, with near perfect intraclass correlation coefficients (0.99) for Cd, Hg, and Pb, indicating excellent reliability. Moreover, correlation was strong (r2 > 0.9) and significant (p < 0.0001) between DBS and the quantitative venous blood, with regression line slopes close to 1.0 (0.847, 0.976, and 0.969 for Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively), indicating high accuracy of the DBS method compared with the gold-standard approach. The DBS method is minimally invasive and was a feasible, precise, and accurate means of measuring exposure to Cd, Hg, and Pb in pregnant women in a low-resource setting. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1285–1293. © 2019 SETAC
Efficient controller placement and reelection mechanism in distributed control system for software defined wireless sensor networks
Authors: Kobo Hlabishi I. , Abu‐Mahfouz Adnan M. , Hancke Gerhard P.
Published: March 2019

Software‐defined wireless sensor networking (SDWSN) is a new wireless networking paradigm formed by applying software‐defined networking to wireless sensor networks. Fragmentation‐based distributed control system offers an efficient way of distributing the SDWSN control services across the network. Fragmentation aims to bring the control services closer to the infrastructure network in order to reduce the propagation latency. It also aims to improve the scalability, reliability, and performance of the network. The fragmentation model is earmarked to play a huge role in stimulating participation of SDWSN in Internet of Things. To realize this, we optimize the model for deployment and integration as well as for operational efficiency. We consider two aspects: controller placement and controller reelection after failure. This paper discusses the controller placement techniques suitable for SDWSN and the controller replacement in a case of failure for SDWSN. The controller placement and the controller replacement mechanism were both evaluated and the results proved to be effective and efficient.
A Seysen's algorithm–based incremental lattice reduction
Authors: He Qinwei , Hu Yulin , Schmeink Anke
Published: March 2019

Lattice reduction (LR)–aided detections have attracted great attention in the symbol detection of multiple‐input–multiple‐output communication, especially for systems with larger scale antennas. Recently, the Lenstra‐Lenstra‐Lovász (LLL)–based incremental LR (ILR) algorithms have been proposed to employ an early termination to jointly conduct the LR and retrieve the symbol based on a partial successive interference cancellation (SIC) detection, which induces a significant performance improvement. In this paper, we propose to apply the Seysen's algorithm (SA) to the ILR. After providing the feasibility analysis, two novel SA involved algorithms are introduced and studied. In particular, a new sorted QR decomposition‐based SA algorithm is proposed and tested as it plays a key role in the SIC detection. Subsequently, a novel SA‐based ILR scheme is further developed and investigated. By simulations, we show that the proposed approach outperforms conventional LLL‐based ILR in various aspects, while only a marginal increment in the complexity, restricted to medium signal‐to‐noise‐ratio regions, is observed.
The Oslo Study of Clonidine in Elderly Patients with Delirium; LUCID: a randomised placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Hov Karen R. , Neerland Bjørn Erik , Undseth Øystein , Wyller Vegard Bruun Bratholm , MacLullich Alasdair M.J. , Qvigstad Eirik , Skovlund Eva , Wyller Torgeir Bruun
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The aim of this double‐blinded randomised placebo‐controlled trial was to investigate the efficacy of clonidine for delirium in medical inpatients greater than 65 years.

Methods

Acutely admitted medical patients greater than 65 years with delirium or subsyndromal delirium were eligible for inclusion. Included patients were given a loading dose of either placebo or clonidine; 75 μg every third hour up to a maximum of four doses to reach steady state and further 75 μg twice daily until delirium free for 2 days, discharge or a maximum of 7 days of treatment. The primary endpoint was the trajectory of the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) for the 7 days of treatment. Presence of delirium according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) criteria and severity measured by MDAS were assessed daily until discharge or a maximum of 7 days after end of treatment.

Results

Because of slower enrolment than anticipated, the study was halted early. Ten patients in each group were studied. The low recruitment rate was mainly due to the presence of multiple patient exclusion criteria for patient safety. There was no significant difference between the treatment group in the primary endpoint comparing the trajectory of MDAS for the 7 days of treatment using mixed linear models with log transformation, (P = .60). The treatment group did not have increased adverse effects.

Conclusions

No effect of clonidine for delirium was found, although the study was under powered. Further studies in less frail populations are now required.
Validation of a brief Multicultural Cognitive Examination (MCE) for evaluation of dementia
Authors: Nielsen T. Rune , Segers Kurt , Vanderaspoilden Valérie , Beinhoff Ulrike , Minthon Lennart , Pissiota Anna , Bekkhus‐Wetterberg Peter , Bjørkløf Guro Hanevold , Tsolaki Magda , Gkioka Mara , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: March 2019

Background

The aims of this study were to present the psychometric properties of a newly designed cognitive screening instrument, the Multicultural Cognitive Examination (MCE), and to compare it with the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) in a multicultural population.

Methods

The study was a Western European cross‐sectional multicenter study. The MCE consists of four components evaluating separate cognitive functions and was constructed by adding measures of memory, verbal fluency, and visuospatial function to the RUDAS to create a scale with 0 to 100 points.

Results

A total of 66 patients with dementia and 123 cognitively intact participants were included across six memory clinics; 96 had minority ethnic background, and 93 had majority ethnic background. Moderate to large differences were present between patients with dementia and control participants on all MCE components. The MCE significantly improved diagnostic accuracy compared with using the RUDAS alone, with area under the curves of .918, .984, and .991 for the RUDAS, MCE composite, and demographically corrected composite scores, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of the MCE did not significantly differ between minority and majority ethnic groups. Across MCE subcomponents, patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia performed significantly poorer on the memory component compared with those with non‐AD dementia.

Conclusions

The MCE is a brief cross‐cultural cognitive screening instrument that expands evaluation of the cognitive functions covered by the RUDAS, does not require any specialized training, and may be useful for classification of mild dementia or dementia subtypes.
Sirtuin‐1/Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S5 Axis Enhances the Metabolic Flexibility of Liver Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Wei Zhihao , Jia Jiankun , Heng Gang , Xu Huailong , Shan Juanjuan , Wang Guiqin , Liu Chungang , Xia Jianyu , Zhou Haijun , Wu Min , Yang Zhi , Wang Meiling , Xiong Zhouxing , Huang Hong , Liu Limei , Qian Cheng
Published: March 2019

Metabolic reprogramming endows cancer cells with the ability to adjust metabolic pathways to support heterogeneously biological processes. However, it is not known how the reprogrammed activities are implemented during differentiation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this study, we demonstrated that liver CSCs relied on the enhanced mitochondrial function to maintain stemness properties, which is different from aerobic glycolysis playing main roles in the differentiated non‐CSCs. We found that liver CSCs exhibit increased mitochondrial respiratory capacity and that complex‐I of mitochondria was necessary for stemness properties of liver CSCs through regulation of mitochondrial respiration. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that mitochondrial ribosomal protein S5 (MRPS5) is closely related with the function of complex‐I. Further experiments confirmed that MRPS5 promoted the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is necessary for enhanced mitochondrial function in liver CSCs. MRPS5 played a critical role for liver CSCs to maintain stemness properties and to participate in tumor progression. Mechanistically, the acetylation status of MRPS5 is directly regulated by NAD+ dependent deacetylase sirtuin‐1 (SIRT1), which is abundant in liver CSCs and decreased during differentiation. Deacetylated MRPS5 locates in mitochondria to promote the function complex‐I and the generation of NAD+ to enhance mitochondrial respiration. Conversely, the acetylated MRPS5 gathered in nuclei leads to increased expression of glycolytic proteins and promotion of the Warburg Effect. Therefore, liver CSCs transform mitochondrial‐dependent energy supply to a Warburg phenotype by the dual function of MRPS5. Clinical analysis of SIRT1 and MRPS5 expression in tumor tissues showed the SIRT1High/Cytoplasmic‐MRPS5High profile was associated with patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with poor prognosis. Conclusion: SIRT1/MRPS5 axis participates in metabolic reprogramming to facilitate tumor progression and may serve as a promising therapeutic target of liver cancer.
Elements of community‐based models for treating hepatitis C virus in supporting HCV elimination in Australia: A Delphi study
Authors: Pourmarzi Davoud , Smirnov Andrew , Hepworth Julie , Rahman Tony , FitzGerald Gerrard , Hall Lisa
Published: March 2019

Background

A key to achieving the goal of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is the provision of its treatment in community settings. This study aimed to identify the important organisational and operational elements of community‐based models for treating HCV and their feasibility in the Australian context.

Methods

A Delphi study was conducted with 33 experts from Australia. The questionnaire included 13 elements drawn from the literature. Participants rated each element on a five‐point Likert scale for importance and feasibility and suggested additional elements. Consensus was identified when the sum of categories 1 and 2 or 4 and 5 of the five‐point Likert scale reached greater than or equal to 70%.

Results

Eight elements reached consensus in regard to importance including “Safe and enabling environment,” “Training and support for healthcare providers,” “Open referral policy,” “Linkage with or providing outreach services,” “Person‐centred approach,” “On‐site screening and assessment,” “Linkage or co‐location with harm reduction services,” and “Linkage or co‐location with drug and alcohol services.” At least 65% of participants agreed implementing elements of open referral policy, Training and support for healthcare providers, and Person‐centred approach are usually or always/very feasible. For the other five elements, this was agreed to by a range of 15.2%‐57.6% of participants.

Conclusion

Successful community‐based models for treating HCV in Australia are dependent on the integration and coordination of care and the support provided for both patients and healthcare providers. Substantial work is required across policy and health service planning to integrate these highly rated elements into Australian primary health care.
Institutional Analysis on Stakeholder Participation in China's Environmental Impact Assessment: A State–Attribution–Motivation–Interaction–Reengineering Framework
Authors: Li Yifan , Li Hua
Published: March 2019

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) play an essential role in promoting sustainable development by coordinating and balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives. As one of its mandatory components, stakeholder participation (SP) is designed to contribute to the implementation of EIAs as well as the relevant decision making with regard to a proposed project. Stakeholder participation ranges from being a token process to being a very effective practice; it has been criticized as ineffective in an authoritarian context. This research investigates the SP process of project EIAs via 3 case studies. A developed State–Attribution–Motivation– Interaction–Reengineering (SAMIR) framework is used to identify the causes, results, and substantive changes among 3 main actors or organizations: citizens, enterprises, and local governments. It demonstrates that the endogenous interactions among 3 institutional pillars—regulative, normative, and cognitive—are the root of institutional change. Initial cognitive actions can lead to regulative and normative social institutional change, thus stimulating the reengineering of the institutions’ system relevant to SP. To facilitate institutional innovation and reengineering of SP with Chinese characteristics, it is of crucial importance to deeply reform and detail institutional design, to promote the SP governance structural change from a closed model to an open model. In order for such change to occur, the following are recommended: Move from government to governance, have institutional innovations follow the mass line, pay more attention to fairness rather than focusing on efficiency, and in addition, disseminate science and promote actors’ communication. The benefits and advantages are instruments to overcome the “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) impact. And reengineering government structural change from and administration paradigm to a governance paradigm plays a primary role. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:607–620. © 2019 SETAC
Plasticity in the feeding ecology of native Ponto‐Caspian gobies suggests establishment success in their nonnative range
Authors: Tarkan Ali Serhan , Tepeköy Erdi G. , Karakuş Uğur , Top Nildeniz , Vilizzi Lorenzo
Published: March 2019

The feeding ecology of the two gobiid species monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis and western tubenose goby
Proterorhinus semilunaris was studied in four natural lakes of the Marmara Region (NW Turkey), with special emphasis on seasonal and ontogenetic shifts in diet. Both species had similar food composition consisting of zooplankton and detritus. However, diet composition of both species significantly varied amongst lakes, and particularly so for
P. semilunaris with seasonal and ontogenetic differences. Diet composition and seasonal/ontogenetic differences were overall similar to other populations of these gobiid species from both their native and nonnative ranges. The present findings suggest high plasticity in the diet of these two gobies, which can opportunistically utilize available food resources.
Volcanic rock‐based ceramsite adsorbent for highly selective fluoride removal: function optimization and mechanism
Authors: Chao Chunfang , Zhao Yingxin , Song Qian , Min Ji , Wang Zijian , Ma Huilin , Li Xin
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

While various granular adsorbents have been studied for fluoride removal from water, this study focuses on the optimization of mixture proportions of volcanic rock, bentonite, corn starch and aluminum sulfate using a four‐component simplex‐centroid mixture design (SCMD) method to achieve preferable fluoride removal ratio and ceramsite mechanical strength. To illustrate the adsorption mechanism, a series of experiments, including adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and effects of pH value and co‐existing anions, was carried out.

RESULTS

The synthesized adsorbent was mesoporous with 77.82% pore size distribution in the range 1.70–38.80 nm by detailed physicochemical characterization. A stable fluoride removal ratio (87.5%) was obtained in the wide pH range of 4.0–11.0, and the adsorption capacity was 10.17 mg g−1 at 298 K. The adsorbent remained high selectivity for F− in the presence of sulfate (SO42−), chloride (Cl−) and nitrate (NO3−), while carbonate (HCO3−) posed a slight adverse effect on F− adsorption due to ion competition. This adsorption process was well fitted with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm model. Electrostatic attraction and M+‐H2O and M+‐F ligand exchange were dominant in the adsorption mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

The synthesized ceramsite adsorbent will be competitive in the application for F− removal from aquatic environments. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Macromorphological and micromorphological seed features of selected taxa of Caesalpiniaceae using light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Ullah Farhat , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Muhammad , Jabeen Asma , Sultana Shazia , Ghani Abdul , Luqman Muhammad , Nazish Moona , Alam Fakhre
Published: March 2019

Seed micromorphological and macromorphological characteristics of 12 taxa of Caesalpiniaceae from Pakistan have been studied, using light and scanning electron microscopy, to investigate the importance of seed coat features as a taxonomic tool. Great variations have been observed in color, shape, dimension, and seed surface pattern among the different genera of the family. A taxonomic key was prepared for the studied taxa. Six types of seed shapes were observed; circular, elliptical, irregular, oblong, oval, and ovoid. All examined seeds were hard except fragile seeds of Haematoxylom campechianum. Eight types of surface ornamentation have been noticed that include levigate, lugose, papillate, reticulate, reticulate irregular, reticulate regular, rhombus, and rogues. Majority of the taxa has been observed with thick ornamentation wall but thin ornamentation wall has also been recorded in few species. Fracture line of the various patterns was present in all taxa except genus Bauhinia. Three types of texture crudeness; coarse, medium, and fine have been recorded. Both micromorphological and macromorphological characters of seed are very fruitful in identification and classification of Caesalpiniaceae.
Below the surface: The inner lives of TLR4 and TLR9
Authors: Marongiu Laura , Gornati Laura , Artuso Irene , Zanoni Ivan , Granucci Francesca
Published: March 2019

TLRs are a class of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that detect invading microbes by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Upon PAMP engagement, TLRs activate a signaling cascade that leads to the production of inflammatory mediators. The localization of TLRs, either on the plasma membrane or in the endolysosomal compartment, has been considered to be a fundamental aspect to determine to which ligands the receptors bind, and which transduction pathways are induced. However, new observations have challenged this view by identifying complex trafficking events that occur upon TLR-ligand binding. These findings have highlighted the central role that endocytosis and receptor trafficking play in the regulation of the innate immune response. Here, we review the TLR4 and TLR9 transduction pathways and the importance of their different subcellular localization during the inflammatory response. Finally, we discuss the implications of TLR9 subcellular localization in autoimmunity.
Guanylate-binding proteins at the crossroad of noncanonical inflammasome activation during bacterial infections
Authors: Gomes Marco Túlio R , Cerqueira Daiane M , Guimarães Erika S , Campos Priscila C , Oliveira Sergio C
Published: March 2019

The immune system is armed with a broad range of receptors to detect and initiate the elimination of bacterial pathogens. Inflammasomes are molecular platforms that sense a diverse range of microbial insults to develop appropriate host response. In that context, noncanonical inflammasome arose as a sensor for Gram-negative bacteria-derived LPS leading to the control of infections. This review describes the role of caspase-11/gasdermin-d-dependent immune response against Gram-negative bacteria and presents an overview of guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) at the interface of noncanonical inflammasome activation. Indeed, caspase-11 acts as a receptor for LPS and this interaction elicits caspase-11 autoproteolysis that is required for its optimal catalytic activity. Gasdermin-D is cleaved by activated caspase-11 generating an N-terminal domain that is inserted into the plasmatic membrane to form pores that induce pyroptosis, a cell death program involved in intracellular bacteria elimination. This mechanism also promotes IL-1β release and potassium efflux that connects caspase-11 to NLRP3 activation. Furthermore, GBPs display many features to allow LPS recognition by caspase-11, initiating the noncanonical inflammasome response prompting the immune system to control bacterial infections. In this review, we discuss the recent findings and nuances related to this mechanism and its biological functions.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection among adults during influenza season: A frequently overlooked diagnosis
Authors: Martínez‐Sanz Javier , Gilaberte Reyzábal Sergio , Salillas Juan , Lago Gómez María Rosa , Rodríguez‐Zurita M. Elena , Torralba Miguel
Published: March 2019

Our objective is to assess the characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adult patients and to establish differences with influenza viruses. Fifty‐four patients diagnosed with RSV and 198 with influenza were prospectively included. Compared with influenza, empirical antimicrobial therapy was more frequent in patients diagnosed with RSV, whereas antibiotic withdrawal at the time of diagnosis confirmation was lower (OR, 0.12; CI, 95% 0.01‐0.90; P = 0.040). RSV‐positive patients were more likely to need hospital readmission (OR, 3.00; CI, 95% 0.98‐9.09; P = 0.053). The role of RSV infection in adults is often overlooked, leading to inappropriate use of antibiotics and a probable increase in nosocomial RSV transmission.
Incidence and seasonality of respiratory viruses causing acute respiratory infections in the Northern United Arab Emirates
Authors: Jeon Jae‐Hyun , Han Minje , Chang Ho‐Eun , Park Sung‐Soo , Lee Jae‐Woong , Ahn Young‐Joon , Hong Duck‐Jin
Published: March 2019

Background

The data on the seasonality of respiratory viruses helps to ensure the optimal vaccination period and to monitor the possible outbreaks of variant type.

Objectives

This study was designed to describe the molecular epidemiology and seasonality of acute respiratory infection (ARI)‐related respiratory viruses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods

Both upper and lower respiratory specimens were collected for the analysis from all the patients who visited the Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital (SKSH) with ARI for over 2 years. The multiplex real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) test was used to detect respiratory viruses, which include human adenovirus, influenza virus (FLU) A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus, human enterovirus, human coronavirus, and human bocavirus.

Results

A total of 1,362 respiratory samples were collected from 733 (53.8%) male and 629 (46.2%) female patients with ARI who visited the SKSH between November 2015 and February 2018. The rRT‐PCR test revealed an overall positivity rate of 37.2% (507/1362). The positive rate increased during winter; it was highest in December and lowest in September. FLU was the most frequently detected virus (273/1362 [20.0%]), followed by human rhinovirus (146/1362 [10.7%]). The FLU positivity rate showed two peaks, which occurred in August and December. The peak‐to‐low ratio for FLU was 2.26 (95% confidence interval: 1.52‐3.35).

Conclusions

The pattern of FLU in the UAE parallels to that of temperate countries. The trend of the small peak of FLU in the summer suggests a possibility of semi‐seasonal pattern in the UAE.
Particle‐attached microorganism oxidation of ammonia in a hypereutrophic urban river
Authors: Cai Xianlei , Yao Ling , Hu Yuanyuan , Jiang Hui , Shen Mingdi , Hu Quanman , Wang Zixia , Dahlgren Randy A.
Published: March 2019

To elucidate the importance and mechanisms of particle‐attached microorganisms on ammonia oxidation, we conducted a controlled simulation experiment with samples collected from the Shunao River, an ammonia‐rich hypereutrophic urban river in eastern China. The effects of particle concentration, ammonia concentration, organic carbon source and concentration, dissolved oxygen concentration, and pH were investigated on ammonia transformation rate (ammonia removal rate and NO2− + NO3− accumulation rate) and abundance of particle‐attached ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA). All these factors significantly influenced ammonia transformation rates. Our results provided direct evidence that microorganisms attached on riverine suspended particles were associated with ammonia oxidation. Sequencing revealed that the AOA genus Nitrososphaera, and the AOB genus Nitrosomonas were the most dominant in particle‐attached ammonia‐oxidizing microbial communities. Further analysis showed that AOB communities had higher species richness and diversity compared with AOA communities. Additionally, AOB amoA genes were ~10–100 times more abundant than AOA amoA genes, and AOB abundance was more strongly correlated with ammonia transformation rates than AOA abundance in most experiments, indicating that particle‐attached AOB were more important than AOA in the hypereutrophic urban river. This study adds to our knowledge of particle‐attached microorganism oxidation of ammonia.
Thermostable and halotolerant keratinase from Bacillus aerius NSMk2 with remarkable dehairing and laundary applications
Authors: Bhari Ranjeeta , Kaur Manpreet , Singh Ram S.
Published: March 2019

Keratinases hydrolyze structural protein called keratin into constituent peptides. The present study reports excellent washing efficiency and dehairing properties of thermostable and halotolerant keratinase from Bacillus aerius NSMk2. Alkaline keratinase with molecular mass of 9 kDa displayed remarkable thermostability. K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mn2+, β‐mercaptoethanol, sodium sulfite, dithiothreitol, ethanol, isopropanol, Tween‐20, and Tween‐80 stimulated keratinase activity, while Hg2+ and Ba2+ were found to be inhibitory. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzed a variety of complex protein substrates and exhibited high catalytic efficiency toward keratin‐rich substrates and least toward collagen. Keratinase showed exceptional stability to salinity and was found to be compatible with most of the commercial detergents. Efficient removal of chocolate, blood, and egg albumin stains from clothes and tolerance to elevated temperature and salinity potentiated the suitability of keratinase from B. aerius NSMk2 as laundary additive. Keratinase could efficiently dehair goat skin after 15 hr of incubation without damaging the grain structure and collagen layers that assures its use as a promising contender for leather industry.
Intravenous Fish Oil and Serum Fatty Acid Profiles in Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure–Associated Liver Disease
Authors: Ong Margaret L. , Venick Robert S. , Shew Stephen B. , Dunn James C. Y. , Reyen Laurie , Grogan Tristan , Calkins Kara L.
Published: March 2019

Background

Intravenous fish oil (FO) treats pediatric intestinal failure–associated liver disease (IFALD). There are concerns that a lipid emulsion composed of ω‐3 fatty acids will cause an essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). This study's objective was to quantify the risk for abnormal fatty acid concentrations in children treated with FO.

Methods

Inclusion criteria for this prospective study were children with intestinal failure. Intravenous soybean oil (SO) was replaced with FO for no longer than 6 months. Serum fatty acids were analyzed using linear and logistic models, and compared with age‐based norms to determine the percentage of subjects with low and high concentrations.

Results

Subjects (n = 17) started receiving FO at a median of 3.6 months (interquartile range 2.4–9.6 months). Over time, α‐linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic, and Mead acid decreased, whereas docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid increased (P < 0.001 for all). Triene‐tetraene ratios remained unchanged (P = 1). Although subjects were 1.8 times more likely to develop a low linoleic acid while receiving FO vs SO (95% CI: 1.4–2.3,P < 0.01), there was not a significant risk for low arachidonic acid. Subjects were 1.6 times more likely to develop high docosahexaenoic acid while receiving FO vs SO; however, this was not significant (95% CI: 0.9–2.6,P = 0.08).

Conclusion

In this cohort of parenteral nutrition–dependent children, switching from SO to FO led to a decrease in essential fatty acid concentrations, but an EFAD was not evident. Low and high levels of fatty acids developed. Further investigation is needed to clarify if this is clinically significant.