bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations to the Esophageal Microbiome Associated with Progression from Barrett's Esophagus to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Snider Erik J. , Compres Griselda , Freedberg Daniel E. , Khiabanian Hossein , Nobel Yael R. , Stump Stephania , Uhlemann Anne-Catrin , Lightdale Charles J. , Abrams Julian A.
Published: August 2019

Background:

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has risen dramatically over the past half century, and the underlying reasons are incompletely understood. Broad shifts to the upper gastrointestinal microbiome may be partly responsible. The goal of this study was to describe alterations in the esophageal microbiome that occur with progression from Barrett's esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods:

A case–control study was performed of patients with and without Barrett's esophagus who were scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy. Demographic, clinical, and dietary intake data were collected, and esophageal brushings were collected during the endoscopy. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to characterize the microbiome.

Results:

A total of 45 patients were enrolled and included in the analyses [16 controls; 14 Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia (NDBE); 6 low-grade dysplasia (LGD); 5 high-grade dysplasia (HGD); and 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma]. There was no difference in alpha diversity between non–Barrett's esophagus and Barrett's esophagus, but there was evidence of decreased diversity in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma as assessed by Simpson index. There was an apparent shift in composition at the transition from LGD to HGD, and patients with HGD and esophageal adenocarcinoma had decreased Firmicutes and increased Proteobacteria. In addition, patients with HGD or esophageal adenocarcinoma had increased Enterobacteriaceae and Akkermansia muciniphila and reduced Veillonella. In the study population, patients taking proton pump inhibitors had increased Streptococcus and decreased Gram-negative bacteria overall.

Conclusions:

Shifts in the Barrett's esophagus–associated microbiome were observed in patients with HGD and esophageal adenocarcinoma, with increases in certain potentially pathogenic bacteria.

Impact:

The microbiome may play a role in esophageal carcinogenesis.
COMMD3:BMI1 Fusion and COMMD3 Protein Regulate C-MYC Transcription: Novel Therapeutic Target for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Umbreen Syed , Banday Mudassir Meraj , Jamroze Anmbreen , Mansini Adrian P. , Ganaie Arsheed A. , Ferrari Marina G. , Maqbool Raihana , Beigh Firdous H. , Murugan Paari , Morrissey Colm , Corey Eva , Konety Badrinath R. , Saleem Mohammad
Published: August 2019

Gene rearrangement is reported to be associated to the aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in prostate cancer. We identified a gene fusion between a transcription repressor (BMI1) and transcriptional factor (COMMD3) in human prostate cancer. We show that COMMD3:BMI1 fusion expression is significantly increased in prostate cancer disease in an order: normal tissue < primary < metastatic tumors (Mets). Although elevated TMPRSS-ERG/ETV fusion is reported in prostate cancer, we identified a subtype of Mets exhibiting low TMPRSS:ETV and high COMMD3:BMI1. We delineated the mechanism and function of COMMD3 and COMMD3:BMI1 in prostate cancer. We show that COMMD3 level is elevated in prostate cancer cell models, PDX models (adenocarcinoma, NECaP), and Mets. The analysis of TCGA/NIH/GEO clinical data showed a positive correlation between increased COMMD3 expression to the disease recurrence and poor survival in prostate cancer. We show that COMMD3 drives proliferation of normal cells and promotes migration/invasiveness of neoplastic cells. We show that COMMD3:BMI1 and COMMD3 regulate C-MYC transcription and C-MYC downstream pathway. The ChIP analysis showed that COMMD3 protein is recruited at the promoter of C-MYC gene. On the basis of these data, we investigated the relevance of COMMD3:BMI1 and COMMD3 as therapeutic targets using in vitro and xenograft mouse models. We show that siRNA-mediated targeting of COMMD3:BMI1 and COMMD3 significantly decreases (i) C-MYC expression in BRD/BET inhibitor–resistant cells, (ii) proliferation/invasion in vitro, and (iii) growth of prostate cancer cell tumors in mice. The IHC analysis of tumors confirmed the targeting of COMMD3-regulated molecular pathway under in vivo conditions. We conclude that COMMD3:BMI1 and COMMD3 are potential progression biomarkers and therapeutic targets of metastatic prostate cancer.
Breast Cancer Risk–Associated SNPs in the mTOR Promoter Form De Novo KLF5- and ZEB1-Binding Sites that Influence the Cellular Response to Paclitaxel
Authors: Chen Qiuchen , Deng Xiaolan , Hu Xiaoyun , Guan Shu , He Miao , Wang Yilin , Wei Binbin , Zhang Jing , Zhao Haishan , Yao Weifan , Jin Feng , Liu Yong , Chen Jianjun , Olapade Olufunmilayo I. , Wu Huizhe , Wei Minjie
Published: August 2019

ZEB1 (a positive enhancer) and KLF5 (a negative silencer) affect transcription factors and play inherently conserved roles in tumorigenesis and multidrug resistance. In humans, the rs2295080T-allele at the mTOR promoter locus has been associated with human cancer risk; however, the 63 bp spacing of another SNP rs2295079 has not been identified. Here, we discovered, for the first time, that rs2295079 (-78C/G) and rs2295080 (-141G/T) formed linkage haplotypes, with Ht1 (-78C/-141G) and Ht2 (-78G/-141T) being dominant, which were associated with distinct susceptibility to breast cancer, response to paclitaxel, and clinical outcomes in breast cancer. At the cellular level, compared with Ht1, Ht2 exhibits a much stronger effect on promoting mTOR expression, leading to enhanced tumor cell growth and strengthened resistance to PTX treatment. Mechanistically, the -141T allele of Ht2 creates a novel ZEB1-binding site; meanwhile, the -78C allele of Ht1 exists as an emerging KLF5-binding site, which synergistically induces promote/inhibit mTOR expression, cell proliferation, and excretion of cytotoxic drugs through the ZEB1/KLF5–mTOR–CCND1/ABCB1 cascade, thereby affecting the response to paclitaxel treatment in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggest the existence of a ZEB1/KLF5–mTOR–CCND1/ABCB1 axis in human cells that could be involved in paclitaxel response pathways and functionally regulate interindividualized breast cancer susceptibility and prognosis.

Implications:

This study highlights the function of haplotypes of mTOR -78C/-141G and -78G/-141T, in affecting breast cancer susceptibility and paclitaxel response regulated by ZEB1/KLF5–mTOR–CCND1/ABCB1 axis.
A Novel Feature Selection Method for High-Dimensional Biomedical Data Based on an Improved Binary Clonal Flower Pollination Algorithm
Authors: Yan Chaokun , Ma Jingjing , Luo Huimin , Zhang Ge , Luo Junwei
Published: August 2019

In the biomedical field, large amounts of biological and clinical data have been accumulated rapidly, which can be analyzed to emphasize the assessment of at-risk patients and improve diagnosis. However, a major challenge encountered associated with biomedical data analysis is the so-called “curse of dimensionality.” For this issue, a novel feature selection method based on an improved binary clonal flower pollination algorithm is proposed to eliminate unnecessary features and ensure a highly accurate classification of disease. The absolute balance group strategy and adaptive Gaussian mutation are adopted, which can increase the diversity of the population and improve the search performance. The KNN classifier is used to evaluate the classification accuracy. Extensive experimental results in six, publicly available, high-dimensional, biomedical datasets show that the proposed method can obtain high classification accuracy and outperforms other state-of-the-art methods.
GENETICS IDENTIFICATION OF SEA HOLLY (Acanthus ilicifolius) THROUGH DNA BARCODING FROM COASTAL CILACAP, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors: Harisam Taufan , Haryono Florencius Eko Dwi , Marhaeni Bintang , Amron Amron , Prayogo Norman Arie , Sukardi Purnama
Published: August 2019

Sea holly (Acanthus ilicifolius) is an important true mangrove species commonly growing on wetlands at the river mouths and coastal areas. Very limited information is available on the molecular taxonomy of sea holly growing along the coasts of Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia. The present study aimed to identify the sea holly in coastal Cilacap and to produce a reference library on the molecular characteristics of the species. The recently recorded species were utilized for the barcoding investigation. Genetic identification was evaluated through the rbcL and matK gene. Young leaf samples of A. ilicifolius were collected for DNA extraction, isolation and amplification using the rbcL and matK primer. The length of rbcL gene was 608 bp, and the matK gene was 970 bp.The evolutionary history was build using the Neighbor-Joining Method. The barcode sequences rbcL and matK were analyzed using BLAST and MULTALIN. The sequences were also submitted to NCBI.Â  Genus Acanthus (Acanthaceae) and other genera were clustered in the same clade with high bootstrap value. The results indicated that locus of rbcL and matK gene cannot be used for species differentiation in Acanthus, however, these genes can be used for distinguishing the genus level within Acanthaceae.
INFLUENCE OF WATER STRESS AND PLANT AGE ON THE YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM Cymbopogon winterianus JOWITT
Authors: Abduh Muhammad Yusuf , Ibarahim Izni Nur , Atika Ulya , Manurung Robert , Suheryadi Dedi
Published: August 2019

Citronella oil, which is also known as Java citronella oil, is typically obtained from the leaves of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt and has been widely used as an antiseptic, fragrance flavor and many other applications. However, systematic studies on the factors affecting the yield and composition of citronella oil are limited. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the influence of water stress (low to high) and plant age (0.5 to 5 years) on the yield and composition of citronella oil. Citronella leaves were dried at room temperature (26-30 Â°C) with a relative humidity of 62-74% for 3 days before the citronella oil was extracted using a steam distillation unit. Introducing a high-water stress condition to the plants increased the yield from 0.8% (control) to 1.4% (high water stress) dry weight. The geraniol content slightly increased from 15% to 17% whereas the citronellal content considerably increased from 31% to 44% when the plants were subjected to high water stress in comparison to the control. The oil yield increased with plant age before it reached its plateau at 3.5% dry weight at age 4 years. However, the composition of citronella oil did not significantly vary with plant age.
STEMFLOW, THROUGHFALL AND RAINWATER INTERCEPTION OF EIGHT INDONESIAN TREE SPECIES
Authors: Sofiah Siti , Soejono Soejono
Published: August 2019

Tree architecture affects how rainwater is partitioned into canopy interception, throughfall and stemflow. The canopy shape and bark/leaf surface morphology affects the plantsâ€™ ability to intercept and redistribute the rainwater. Hence, the tree structure plays a key role in soil and water conservation, especially in erosion runoff. This research was conducted to predict the most suitable tree species for soil and water conservation, and recorded 32 rainfall events during the rainy season in January 2014-March 2015 in Purwodadi-LIPI, Indonesia. The stemflow, throughfall, individual tree architectural characteristics, and leaf morphology were measured for eight selected local tree species namely: Sterculia cordata, Aleurites moluccanus, Buchanania arborescens, Calophyllum inophyllum, Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Alstonia scholaris, and Pometia pinnata. The species which held the greatest amount of interception was Aleurites moluccanus at 68.1% of rainfall. Special characteristics of the leaves (like fine hairs), globose stem and long, grooved bark, probably resulted in an Â increased relative interception of the rain water that was higher than those of other trees. The throughfall and stemflow for each species were closely related to rainfall amount but not related to rainfall intensity.Â
POPULATION STRUCTURE, DISPERSION PATTERN AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF GEWANG PALM (Corypha utan Lam.) IN TIMOR ISLAND, INDONESIA
Authors: Kusuma Yayan Wahyu Candra , Witono Joko Ridho
Published: August 2019

Food insecurity has been reported to be the top most concern in East Nusa Tenggara (Timor Island) compared to that in other provinces in Indonesia. The use of local species as food sources is one possible arm in the fight against food insecurity. Gewang (Corypha utan Lam.) is a palm species which produces starch similar to the true sago palm (Metroxylon sagu). Although it is important to promote the species as a starch crop, information on its current population and seedling growth performance is still lacking. Hence, a one-hectare plot was surveyed and an experimental plot was established for population and regeneration analyses. In the 1 ha plot there were 31 productive trees, 2 post productive trees, 63 immature trees and 2,211 seedlings. The dispersion of the species followed the clumped pattern for immature trees and seedlings, but shifted to random pattern at maturity or productive stage. The seedling survival was stable when weeded, but dropped to 50% when un-weeded. However, in spite of its stem extraction for starch consumption, the population of C. utan in East Nusa Tenggara was stable. This indicated that C. utan in East Nusa Tenggara is a potential alternative food source to help build food security in Indonesia especially in dry lands like Timor Island and its adjacent regions.
Cultura digital, juventud y prácticas ciudadanas emergentes en Medellín, Colombia
Authors: Uribe-Zapata Alejandro
Published: August 2019

Este artículo parte de la siguiente pregunta: ¿cómo entender la emergencia de prácticas ciudadanas juveniles que usan de manera intensiva internet? Se utilizó un enfoque cualitativo en el que se recurre a entrevistas semiestructuradas, la observación participante y la revisión de las páginas web y redes sociales de los colectivos
seleccionados. El resultado es un tejido de cinco hilos, a saber: urbano, institucional, epistémico, político y tecnológico. Se concluye: reivindicación del derecho a la ciudad, crisis de los lugares formales clásicos de la modernidad, auge de otras maneras de organizarse, colectivos productores y validadores de conocimiento, movimientos
que ensayan formas alternativas de estar juntos, apropiaciones contextualizadas y críticas frente la tecnología.
Anisotropia de susceptibilidade magnética do plúton Serra da Caiçara, Batólito Águas Belas-Canindé Alagoas, Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Neves Charles Henrique Fernandes Sales das , Ferreira Valderez Pinto , Neves Sergio Pacheco , Correia Paulo De Barros
Published: August 2019

O método de anisotropia de susceptibilidade magnética (ASM) foi aplicado no plúton Serra da Caiçara, que faz parte do batólito Águas Belas-Canindé, Domínio Pernambuco-Alagoas, Província Borborema, Nordeste do Brasil. O plúton tem altos valores de susceptibilidade magnética (K) (90% dos valores acima de 5 × 10-3 SI), típicas da série magnetita granitos. O grau de anisotropia (P) varia de 1.025 a 1.320. Os maiores valores de P estão associados às bordas do corpo e possuem correlação positiva com K. O plúton apresenta trama mista, levemente mais oblata, com valores de T entre -0,822 e 0,823. Em geral, as atitudes das foliações e lineações magnéticas são bastante uniformes. As foliações magnéticas têm duas direções preferenciais: NW-SE (dominante, geralmente mergulhando para SW) e NNE-SSW, com mergulho mais variado (geralmente associada aos altos valores de P). As lineações majoritariamente apresentam sentido de caimento SE ou SW. A foliação e a lineação da fácies hornblenda quartzo sienito têm mergulho e caimento moderado, sugerindo se tratar de um corpo tabular, intrusivo concordantemente à foliação regional. A fácies hornblenda quartzo álcali-feldspato sienito (centro do corpo) constitui uma intrusão discordante, com fluxo de SW para NE e mudança de trend para NW. Os dados sugerem que o plúton intrude aproveitando a foliação regional, formada durante a fase de convergência da orogênese Brasiliana. Durante a fase final de cristalização, o plúton foi afetado pela fase transcorrente da tectônica Brasiliana, atuando principalmente nas bordas do corpo e condicionando as foliações e lineações NE-SW.
Medium- and large-sized mammal composition in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park and adjacent areas, state of Goiás, Brazil
Authors: Ferreguetti Átilla Colombo , Lessa Isadora Cristina Motta , Vieira Emerson Monteiro , Cunha André Almeida , Bergallo Helena Godoy
Published: August 2019

The Cerrado is the second largest Brazilian biome and only 2.8% is represented by protected areas. Considering the relevance of the Cerrado and Conservation Units in preserving the mammalian diversity, we provided the first assessment of the diversity of medium- and large-sized mammal species in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP) and surroundings. We tested the effectiveness of the CVNP by assessing the difference in species composition within the park and its surroundings. We sampled CVNP in the rainy (October-December 2013) and dry seasons (March-June 2014) in order to characterize the seasonality within the community. We selected 36 sampling sites to evaluate the composition of the medium and large mammals in the CVNP and its surroundings, 18 in the CVNP and 18 in the park surroundings. We ordered mammalian composition and frequency of individuals data by using a Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling analysis (NMDS). We assessed the effect of season (dry and rainy seasons) and locality (within the CVNP and surroundings) on mammalian species richness with a two-way analysis of variance (Two-way ANOVA). We recorded 23 species, 13 within the CVNP and 17 species in its surroundings. Composition and frequency of records differed between dry and rainy seasons, with higher richness in the rainy season. Species’ composition and the frequency of records were also different between within the CVNP and its surroundings, with higher richness in the surroundings. These results provide information for the increase of the knowledge of mammalian ecology but also is useful as a tool for future strategies to the conservation of these species. More attention should be given to the monitoring of these species in the long term because this area still harbor some viable populations.
New distribution record, host plant and notes on natural history of Tomoplagia rudolphi (Lutz & Lima, 1918) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Savaris Marcoandre , Luz Felipe Da , Lorini Lisete Maria , Lampert Silvana
Published: August 2019

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, there are few records of geographical distribution and host plants to species of Tomoplagia Coquillett, as well as other genera of Tephritidae, especially those associated with plants of the family Asteraceae. Here, we report the first occurrence of Tomoplagia rudolphi (Lutz & Lima, 1918) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, inducing stem galls in Vernonanthura tweediana (Baker) H. Rob. (Asteraceae, Vernonieae), whose plant becomes a new host record for this species. In this way, is increased to nine species of Tomoplagia recorded for Rio Grande do Sul. Biological and morphological data and photos of gall, larvae, pupae at new host and distribution map of the species in Brazil are provided.
Aspergillosis in domestic and wild birds from Argentina
Authors: Della Vedova Romina , Hevia Alejandra , Vivot Walter , Fernández Julián , Córdoba Susana Beatriz , Reynaldi Francisco José
Published: August 2019

Aspergillus species are widely distributed throughout the world and can develop parasitic and saprophytic ways of life, allowing Aspergillus to infect living hosts, including plants, insects, birds and mammals. The most common form of aspergillosis in poultry and other birds is respiratory infection. Clinical manifestations depend on the infective dose, pre-existing diseases, and the immune response of the host. The aim of the present research was to study aspergillosis in domestic and wild birds from Argentina. We carried out morphological and molecular identification, and determination of antifungal susceptibility against seven antifungal drugs. Six birds from different cities of Buenos Aires Province of Argentina were studied. Three of the samples belonged to broiler chicks, while the other three belonged to an eagle, a pheasant, and a kelp gull. Two isolates were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus by morphological characteristics and growth at 50 °C. Morphology and BenA sequencing enabled us to identify three isolates as Aspergillus flavus, and one as Aspergillus sydowii. All antifungal drugs tested showed low MIC values, ranging from 0.008 to 1 mg/L. Aspergillosis in birds causes high economic losses and could be controlled by sanitation, avoidance of moldy food, nest and litter and reducing stress factors.
Cost-effectiveness of implant-supported dental prosthesis compared to conventional dental prosthesis
Authors: Probst Livia Fernandes , Vanni Tazio , Cavalcante Denise De Fátima Barros , Silva Erica Tatiane da , Cavalcanti Yuri Wanderley , Passeri Luis Augusto , Pereira Antonio Carlos
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of alternatives for rehabilitation treatment of mandibular edentulism in the context of the Brazilian Unified Health System (implantsupported total dental prosthesis versus conventional total dental prosthesis). METHODS: A Markov model was developed to capture long-term clinical and economic outcomes. The model’s population was comprised of a hypothetical cohort of 1,000,000 patients, aged 55 years, with total mandibular edentulism and without medical contraindications for performing surgical procedures. The adopted analysis perspective was that of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Based on the proposed model, we calculated cost – in BRL, and effectiveness – measured by quality-adjusted prosthesis year (QAPY). The time horizon of the analysis was 20 years. RESULTS: Considering a 5% discount in costs and effects, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of implant-supported total dental prostheses compared to conventional total dental prosthesis (BRL 464.22/QAPY) was lower than the willingness to pay threshold adopted in the model (BRL 3,050.00/QAPY). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this economic analysis showed that the rehabilitation of mandibular edentulous patients by implant-supported total prosthesis is very cost-effective when compared to conventional complete prosthesis, considering the cost-effectiveness limits employed.
Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood–Derived Cellular Fraction Improves Left Ventricular Function and Remodeling After Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Zhao Lin , Cheng Guangming , Choksi Kashyap , Samanta Anweshan , Girgis Magdy , Soder Rupal , Vincent Robert J. , Wulser Michael , De Ruyter Matt , McEnulty Patrick , Hauptman Jeryl , Yang Yanjuan , Weiner Carl P. , Dawn Buddhadeb
Published: August 2019

Rationale:

Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) contains diverse populations of stem/progenitor cells. Whether hUCB-derived nonhematopoietic cells would induce cardiac repair remains unknown.

Objective:

To examine whether intramyocardial transplantation of hUCB-derived CD45
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Lin
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nonhematopoietic cellular fraction after a reperfused myocardial infarction in nonimmunosuppressed rats would improve cardiac function and ameliorate ventricular remodeling.

Methods and Results:

Nonhematopoietic CD45
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Lin
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cells were isolated from hUCB. Flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to characterize this subpopulation. Age-matched male Fischer 344 rats underwent a 30-minute coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion and 48 hours later received intramyocardial injection of vehicle or hUCB CD45
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Lin
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cells. After 35 days, compared with vehicle-treated rats, CD45
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Lin
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cell–treated rats exhibited improved left ventricular function, blunted left ventricular hypertrophy, greater preservation of viable myocardium in the infarct zone, and superior left ventricular remodeling. Mechanistically, hUCB CD45
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Lin
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cell injection favorably modulated molecular pathways regulating myocardial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation in postinfarct ventricular myocardium. Rare persistent transplanted human cells could be detected at both 4 and 35 days after myocardial infarction.

Conclusions:

Transplantation of hUCB-derived CD45
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Lin
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nonhematopoietic cellular subfraction after a reperfused myocardial infarction in nonimmunosuppressed rats ameliorates left ventricular dysfunction and improves remodeling via favorable paracrine modulation of molecular pathways. These findings with human cells in a clinically relevant model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in immunocompetent animals may have significant translational implications.Visual Overview: An online visual overview is available for this article.
Door-in-Door-Out Time of 60 Minutes for Stroke With Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion at a Primary Stroke Center
Authors: Choi Philip M.C. , Tsoi Andrew H. , Pope Alun L. , Leung Shelton , Frost Tanya , Loh Poh-Sien , Chandra Ronil V. , Ma Henry , Parsons Mark , Mitchell Peter , Dewey Helen M.
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose—

Rapid reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy in ischemic strokes with emergent large vessel occlusions leads to significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. The door-in-door-out (DIDO) time is an important metric for stroke centers without an on-site mechanical thrombectomy service. We report the outcome of a continuous quality improvement program to improve the DIDO time since 2015.

Methods—

Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients transferred out from a metropolitan primary stroke center for consideration of mechanical thrombectomy between January 1, 2015, and October 31, 2018. Clinical records were interrogated for eligible patients with DIDO times and reasons for treatment delays extracted.

Results—

One hundred thirty-three patients were transferred over the 46-month period. Median DIDO time reduced by 14% per year, from 111 minutes interquartile range (IQR, 98– 142) in 2015 to 67 minutes (IQR, 55–94) in 2018. A median DIDO time of 59 minutes (IQR, 51–80) was achieved in 2018 during working hours (0800–1700 hours). Overall, 65 patients had no documented delays (49%) with a median DIDO time of 75 minutes (IQR, 54–93) and 103 minutes (IQR, 75–143) in those with at least one delay factor documented.

Conclusions—

A median DIDO time of <60 minutes can be achieved in a primary stroke center.
Inhuman Attunements: Eiko Otake’s A Body in Places at The Met Cloisters
Authors: Akıncı Eylül Fidan
Published: August 2019

The Met iteration of Eiko Otake’s A Body in Places presents the artist’s ongoing engagement with the Fukushima triple disaster of 11 March 2011. This durational performance, which took place during the opening hours of The Met’s three locations in November 2017, develops its own politics of representation in the face of the most alarming nuclear catastrophe since Chernobyl.
Granularity of algorithmically constructed publication-level classifications of research publications: Identification of specialties
Authors: Sjögårde Peter , Ahlgren Per
Published: August 2019

In this work, we build on and use the outcome of an earlier study on topic identification in an algorithmically constructed publication-level classification (ACPLC), and address the issue of how to algorithmically obtain a classification of topics (containing articles), where the classes of the classification correspond to specialties. The methodology we propose, which is similar to that used in the earlier study, uses journals and their articles to construct a baseline classification. The underlying assumption of our approach is that journals of a particular size and focus have a scope that corresponds to specialties. By measuring the similarity between (1) the baseline classification and (2) multiple classifications obtained by topic clustering and using different values of a resolution parameter, we have identified a best performing ACPLC. In two case studies, we could identify the subject foci of the specialties involved, and the subject foci of specialties were relatively easy to distinguish. Further, the class size variation regarding the best performing ACPLC is moderate, and only a small proportion of the articles belong to very small classes. For these reasons, we conclude that the proposed methodology is suitable for determining the specialty granularity level of an ACPLC.
The impact of Acacia saligna and the loss of mobile dunes on rodent populations: a case study in the Ashdod-Nizzanim sands in Israel
Authors: Anglister Nili , Yom-Tov Yoram , Motro Uzi
Published: August 2019

The Mediterranean coastal dune habitat of Israel is diminishing rapidly, mostly due to massive urbanization, changes in habitat characteristics caused by dune stabilization and the presence of Acacia saligna, an invasive species brought to Israel for the purpose of dune stabilization. In this study we document the effect of sand stabilization on the composition of small mammal communities in the Ashdod-Nizzanim sands, Israel. We analyzed differences in species diversity and abundance for species of rodents in four types of habitat: unstable (mobile) sand dune, semi-stabilized dune, inter-dune depression and a plot of the invasive Acacia saligna. Rodent communities were found to undergo gradual changes concurrently with the stabilization of the sands. The mobile dune was the only habitat in which the strict psammophiles Jaculus jaculus and Gerbillus pyramidum were captured in abundance. No species commensal with human were captured neither in the mobile nor in the semi-stabilized dunes. However, in the inter-dune depression there was quite a large representation of Mus musculus, a rodent commensal with humans. The Acacia saligna plot had the lowest number of captures and the lowest rodent biomass calculated, with Mus musculus composing nearly half of the captures. The results of this study demonstrate that stabilization of the sands in Ashdod-Nizzanim area is associated with the disappearance of psammophile rodents and the appearance of species commensal with humans. In order to preserve the habitat for psammophile rodents, measures should be taken to halt the spread of acacia and the continuing stabilization of the sands.
The effect of sheep manure on yield and quality in production of organic sugar beet
Authors: Pişkin Ahmet
Published: August 2019

This study was carried out in the Konya Experiment Station experimental plots of the Directorate of Sugar Research Institute of the Turkish Sugar Factories Corporation from 2005 to 2010, with first two years being the transition period, for the purpose of investigating the effect of manure on sugar beet yield and quality in production of organic sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Trials were organized into a randomized block design with 4 replications in the same plot. The experiments evaluated manure application, chemical fertilizer application and control (growing plants with no fertilizer). The study investigated sugar beet root yield, sugar concentration, white sugar concentration and white sugar yield. According to the 3 year experimental results, 69.8–83.3% of the white sugar in chemical fertilizer treatment achieved by sheep manure treatment. Despite some reduction in sugar beet yield values, it is evident that manure may be used effectively in the production of organic sugar beet in accordance with an organic production system.
The first representative of the extinct flat wasp subfamily Protopristocerinae (Insecta: Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

Authors: FALIERÈS ELSA , NEL ANDRÉ
Published: August 2019

Bethylidae are found frequently in Cenozoic amber (Azevedo et al., 2018), especially in the lowermost Eocene Oise amber of France, where one species of Bethylinae (Eupsenella eocenica De Ploëg & Nel, 2004), three species of Epyrinae (Elektroepyris magnificus Perrichot & Nel, 2008, Chloromyia gallicus (Perrichot & Nel, 2008), and Epyris moulyi Falières & Nel, 2018), one species of Scleroderminae, and two species of Pristocerinae (Eopristocera bilobata Falières & Nel 2019 and one in the genus Pristocera) (Falières & Nel, 2019a, b) have previously been recorded. Thus the Oise amber fauna confirms that this important hymenopteran family was already well established and diverse in the Paleogene. Here we describe the first representative in this amber of the small extinct subfamily Protopristocerinae, previously known from two genera and species from the Baltic amber, plus an uncertainly assigned genus from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.
A new amber outcrop from the Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China

Authors: AZAR DANY , MAKSOUD SIBELLE , CAI CHENYANG , HUANG DIYING
Published: August 2019

The amber is a fossilized vegetal resin ranging from a few millions to more than 300 million years (mid-Carboniferous) in age (Sargent Bray & Anderson, 2009). It constitutes a superb material for the conservation of biological inclusions in their minute three-dimensional details (Poinar, 2003).
Gluta laosensis (Anacardiaceae), a new species from Vientiane, Laos

Authors: TAGANE SHUICHIRO , KAMEDA CHIKA , PHOUPHASOUK SOUPHACHAY , SOULADETH PHETLASY
Published: August 2019

A new species of Gluta (Anacardiaceae), Gluta laosensis Tagane & Kameda, from Vientiane, Central Laos, is described and illustrated. A new species is easily distinguished from the other species of the genus in Indo-China in having short petioles less than 4 mm long, obovate-oblong or oblong-elliptic leaf blade with rounded to slightly cordate base, and 18–24 pairs of secondary veins.
Exploration of Copper-Cysteamine Nanoparticles as a New Type of Agents for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation
Authors: Huang Liyi , Ma Lun , Xuan Weijun , Zhen Xiumei , Zheng Han , Chen Wei , Hamblin Michael R.
Published: August 2019

Copper-cysteamine (Cu-Cy) nanoparticles (NPs) are a new type of sensitizers that can be activated by UV light, X-rays, microwaves and ultrasound to produce reactive oxygen species for cancer treatment. Here, for the first time, we explored Cu-Cy NPs for bacteria inactivation by treating
gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii), respectively. The results show that Cu-Cy NPs are very effective in killing gram-positive bacteria
but are quite limited in killing gram-negative bacteria yet. The major killing mechanism is cell damage by singlet oxygen and Cu-Cy NPs are potential agents for bacteria inactivation.
Invoking indigeneity: Olive Schreiner and the poetics of plants
Authors: Driver Dorothy
Published: August 2019

Olive Schreiner’s social and political attitudes have received considerable attention, but less attention has been paid to the formal strategies of her writing. Her representation of indigenous plant-life adds to our understanding of the political significance of her writing. This essay responds to some of the comments made in this issue to my edition of From Man to Man (2015). Arguing that Schreiner’s interest in the locational identity of her main character, Rebekah, and of the novel itself, can be understood through the concept of proprioceptivity, the essay shows Schreiner’s increasing interest in recognizing and shaping an indigenous environment as the locus for her vision of social change. The change Schreiner has From Man to Man envisage is most likely to be realized on African ground. If, in her earlier novel, The Story of an African Farm, the stones speak to Waldo, in this novel, it is the plants that speak.
Effects of harvesting and ginning practices on Southern High Plains cotton: textile quality
Authors: Delhom Christopher D , Indest Matthew O , Wanjura John D , Armijo Carlos B , Boman Randal K , Faulkner William B , Holt Gregory A , Pelletier Mathew G
Published: August 2019

The impact of the harvesting method, as well as the ginning method (saw or high-speed roller ginning), on textile quality was studied over three years of cotton production in the Southern High Plains. The Southern High Plains region is the largest cotton production area of the USA. The Southern High Plains and the Texas Gulf Coast are the only areas of the USA where brush-roll stripper harvesting is common, alongside traditional spindle picker machine harvesting. Different harvesting methods lead to differences in micronaire, maturity, length distribution, color and non-lint content within the bale. Ginning differences were primarily found to be length and length distribution related. Lint was processed into rotor-spun, carded ring-spun and combed ring-spun medium count yarns to determine the impacts of harvesting and ginning methods on textile product quality. Rotor spinning produced comparable quality yarns regardless of harvest or ginning method, while carded ring-spun yarns showed statistical differences in quality, with spindle-picked cottons having greater uniformity and higher tenacity. Combing was able to eliminate any functional differences in quality due to the pre-mill handling of the cottons at the expense of increased noil levels for stripper-harvested cottons. There were no differences in ends-down during ring spinning, regardless of harvest and ginning method, although cottons produced with high-speed roller ginning were able to be spun at higher spindle speeds, which equates to higher production speeds.
A Preliminary Investigation of Cognitive Features Associated With Worry Among African American Youth
Authors: Geronimi Elena M. C. , Richards Allyn , Gramszlo Colette , Woodruff-Borden Janet
Published: August 2019

Although knowledge of the cognitive factors that place children at risk for worry has grown, little is known about these processes within African American youth. The present study investigated cognitive factors associated with worry in a sample of 47 African American children, ages 8 to 13. Participants completed self-report measures of worry, intolerance of uncertainty, positive and negative beliefs about worry, and negative problem orientation. Results supported the hypothesis that cognitive factors demonstrated significant positive associations with worry. Based on a model predicting worry from all cognitive factors, negative beliefs about worry emerged as the only individual predictor. This is the first study to examine cognitive factors associated with worry in an African American sample of children and provides initial support for the applicability of these cognitive factors in future examinations of worry within this population. Future research should continue to explore cognitive as well as other factors that predispose African America children to worry.
Benefits of a Voluntary Cell Phone Abstinence Intervention in General Psychology Courses
Authors: Whittington Brandon L.
Published: August 2019

Although cell phones are often discussed as a problem in higher education research, the literature focuses largely on disciplinary tactics or integration of phones into the curriculum. The present study provides further support for the use of positive reinforcement to minimize the negative effects of cell phones in the classroom. A quasi-experimental design randomly assigned course sections of general psychology to participate in an electronic device-free project for the entire semester or only the second half of the semester. Results provide support for previous research of the deleterious effects of cell phone use on exam scores and further expands the literature by also demonstrating negative effects of cell phone use on classmate connection and course satisfaction.
The PI3K-Akt-HIF-1α Pathway Reducing Nasal Airway Inflammation and Remodeling in Nasal Polyposis
Authors: He Fei , Liu Huaigang , Luo Wei
Published: August 2019

Objective:

Previous studies suggested that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) plays an important role in the progression of inflammation and remodeling of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. However, the molecule mechanisms of HIF-1α activation and regulation of cytokine expressions, such as interleukin (IL) 25 and IL-17RB, in nasal polyposis are not clear.

Method:

The IL-25 and IL-17RB levels in human nasal epithelial cells after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and the proteins of HIF-1α and p-Akt were detected by Western blot method. Moreover, we evaluated the cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa of a murine model of nasal polyposis.

Results:

The levels of IL-25 and IL-17RB showed dose- and time-dependent release in response to LPS stimulation. The proteins of HIF-1α and p-Akt were both increased significantly after LPS stimulation. After inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway by PI3K inhibitor LY294002, the levels of IL-25 and IL-17RB and HIF-1α were decreased by LPS stimulation.

Conclusions:

Inhibition of PI3K or HIF-1α pathway could significantly reduce growth factor production and decrease nasal inflammation. The HIF-1α pathway could be a novel therapeutic approach for reducing nasal airway inflammation and remodeling in nasal polyposis.
Impacts of Neighbors on Local Tax Rates: A Space–Time Dynamic Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Ramajo Julián , Ricci-Risquete Alejandro , Jerez Lourdes , Hewings Geoffrey J. D.
Published: August 2019

This article explores the spatiotemporal pattern in the local tax system of Extremadura, a region in the southwest of Spain. Using the most relevant tax in terms of revenues at the local level in Spain, the property tax on urban land, a very general space–time dynamic panel data model with spatial and time period fixed effects, has been estimated to explore different types of strategic tax interactions among local governments. The empirical analysis uses a balanced panel database covering 383 municipalities from Extremadura for the period 2006–2015 to estimate the reaction of tax policy in a given municipality to its own past, to changes in tax policy in other municipalities, and to (direct and indirect) changes in some control variables. The results show that nominal local property tax rates are affected by tax policy inertia from the own municipality and neighboring municipalities and two observed municipal characteristics, whereas effective tax rates depend on tax policy inertia from the own municipality and property tax policies from neighboring municipalities and five observed municipal characteristics. In both cases, local spillover effects are not significant at standard statistical levels.
Surviving Dangerous Waters: Teaching Critical Consciousness Against a Tide of Post-truth
Authors: Rondini Ashley C.
Published: August 2019

In an analysis based upon an original cartoon image by artist Michael Scalzo, this sociological essay proposes an allegory of critical consciousness within the context of our contemporary sociocultural landscape. Likening the role of critical consciousness to that of an oxygen tank for a fish surrounded by polluted water, I draw upon theoretical literature engaging critical epistemological and pedagogical praxis, as well as Marxist, critical race, feminist, and queer sociological theories to frame the role of critical pedagogy in elucidating the relationships between hegemonic ideology and structural oppression.
Surveying Allied Health Professionals Within a Public Health Service: What Works Best, Paper or Online?
Authors: Kidd Joanna C. , Colley Sue , Dennis Sarah
Published: August 2019

Poor response rate, self-selection bias, and item noncompletion negatively impact the generalization of results from surveys. This study examined differences in these factors between a paper and online survey among allied health clinicians. Clinicians within a large local health district were initially invited to complete the Research Capacity in Context Tool online via an e-mail link. Following a lower-than-expected response rate, potential selection bias, and item noncompletion, the survey was readministered in paper form to the same cohort of clinicians 6–12 months later. The response rate to the paper survey was higher than to the online survey (27.6% vs. 16.5%). Selection biases were evident, characterized by seniority and discipline: Junior clinicians responded at rates significantly less than expected to the online survey but as expected to the paper survey. Occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and podiatrists responded more highly to the online survey, while other disciplines responded more highly to the paper survey. The rate of item noncompletion was higher for online than paper survey (6.72% vs. 3.8% questions not completed, respectively), with patterns of noncompletion also differing. These data suggest paper surveys are likely to produce less biased and more generalizable data from allied health clinicians.
Reporting Subscore Profiles Using Diagnostic Classification Models in Health Professions Education
Authors: Park Yoon Soo , Morales Amy , Ross Linette , Paniagua Miguel
Published: August 2019

Learners and educators in the health professions have called for more fine-grained information (subscores) from assessments, beyond a single overall test score. However, due to concerns over reliability, there have been limited uses of subscores in practice. Recent advances in latent class analysis have made contributions in subscore reporting by using diagnostic classification models (DCMs), which allow reliable classification of examinees into fine-grained proficiency levels (subscore profiles). This study examines the innovative and practical application of DCM framework to health professions educational assessments using retrospective large-scale assessment data from the basic and clinical sciences: National Board of Medical Examiners Subject Examinations in pathology ( n = 2,006) and medicine ( n = 2,351). DCMs were fit and analyzed to generate subscores and subscore profiles of examinees. Model fit indices, classification (reliability), and parameter estimates indicated that DCMs had good psychometric properties including consistent classification of examinees into subscore profiles. Results showed a range of useful information including varying levels of subscore distributions. The DCM framework can be a promising approach to report subscores in health professions education. Consistency of classification was high, demonstrating reliable results at fine-grained subscore levels, allowing for targeted and specific feedback to learners.
Association between food insecurity, cardiorenal syndrome and all-cause mortality among low-income adults
Authors: Banerjee Srikanta , Radak Timothy
Published: August 2019

Background:

Food insecurity is known to be a major public health issue. There is limited data on food insecurity and chronic disease in the general population.

Aim:

We aimed to assess effect of food insecurity on mortality of individuals with chronic disease like cardiorenal syndrome (CRS).

Methods:

The study was conducted on participants aged 20 years or older in the United States living below the 130% Federal Poverty Level. We assessed food insecurity utilizing the Household Food Security Survey Module in NHANES survey for the years 1999 to 2010 with mortality follow-up. Prospective analysis was performed using complex samples Cox regression with adjustment for known confounders to determine the relationship of food insecurity and CRS.

Results:

Prevalence of food insecurity among the low-income population was 16.1% among males and 21.7% among females. The mean follow-up was 6.5 years. For all-cause mortality, the overall unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of food insecurity to no food insecurity was 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–1.37, p < 0.001). Adjusted HR was elevated, 2.81 (CI 1.57–5.05, p < 0.001), among participants who were CRS-positive and food insecure but closer to 1.0 (2.48 CI 1.73–3.55, p < 0.001) among those who were CRS-positive and food secure, after controlling for medical and demographic risk factors.

Conclusions:

Food insecurity is associated with higher mortality than food security. Food insecurity also may modify the effect of CRS on all-cause mortality in a representative general population. Social policy, when addressing food insecurity, should be inclusive among those with specific chronic diseases.