bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness Childbirth Classes Transform the Experiences of Postpartum Women
Authors: Kantrowitz‐Gordon Ira , Abbott Shannon , Hoehn Rachel
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore women's experiences with mindfulness in the year following childbirth using in‐depth interviews.

Research Questions

The specific aims were to understand: 1) how women used mindfulness skills to meet the physical, emotional, and relationship challenges in the year after childbirth and 2) how mindfulness helped them enhance their positive experience of the postpartum period.

Significance

The postpartum period can be a challenging experience for many women as they adjust to the physical and social changes of new motherhood. Mindfulness‐based interventions have been developed for stress reduction in a variety of health contexts, including pregnancy. Mindfulness‐based interventions may provide strategies for new mothers to handle the challenges of breastfeeding and to increase acceptance of postpartum physical changes and image. Limited research has explored the benefits of mindfulness classes for the postpartum experience and parenting.

Methods

Twelve women who participated in a Mindfulness for Childbirth and Parenting course during pregnancy were interviewed within the first year postpartum. The semi‐structured interview guide included questions on how participants may have used mindfulness to approach a variety of positive and negative postpartum experiences. Qualitative description methodology guided the research team in independent coding of the transcripts. The team subsequently met to review and achieve consensus in the development of codes, categories, and themes in the data.

Results

Four themes were identified in women's postpartum experiences: 1) challenges across the postpartum experience; 2) formal practices of mindfulness to address postpartum challenges; 3) informal practices to address postpartum challenges; and 4) the life‐changing and transformative effects of mindfulness. These themes showed a pathway by which participants used mindfulness skills to not only address the postpartum challenges, but to also transform their postpartum experience with a positive and magical perspective.

Discussion

Mindfulness skills helped class participants to cope with physical and emotional challenges postpartum and to develop a positive and meaningful relationship with the newborn. Findings have implications for future research on the postpartum experience and for optimizing the content of perinatal mindfulness classes to maximize the benefit during the postpartum year.
Do universal school‐based mental health promotion programmes improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people? A literature review
Authors: O'Connor Clare A. , Dyson Judith , Cowdell Fiona , Watson Roger
Published: September 2017

Aims and objectives

To examine evidence—using a range of outcomes—for the effectiveness of school‐based mental health and emotional well‐being programmes.

Background

It is estimated that 20% of young people experience mental health difficulties every year. Schools have been identified as an appropriate setting for providing mental health and emotional well‐being promotion prompting the need to determine whether current school‐based programmes are effective in improving the mental health and emotional well‐being of young people.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using the health and education databases, which identified 29 studies that measured the effectiveness of school‐based universal interventions. Prisma guidelines were used during the literature review process.

Results

Thematic analysis generated three key themes: (i) help seeking and coping; (ii) social and emotional well‐being; and (iii) psycho‐educational effectiveness.

Conclusion

It is concluded that whilst these studies show promising results, there is a need for further robust evaluative studies to guide future practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

All available opportunities should be taken to provide mental health promotion interventions to young people in the school environment, with a requirement for educational professionals to be provided the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that the school setting continues to be a beneficial environment for conducting mental health promotion.
Prevalence and correlates of sleep disturbance among older women in Vietnam
Authors: Dao‐Tran Tiet‐Hanh , Seib Charrlotte
Published: September 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore prevalence and correlates of sleep disturbance among women aged 60 and over in Vietnam.

Background

Sleep disturbance can negatively influence human's health. Sleep disturbance is likely to increase with age, and women appear to be more likely to experience sleep disturbance than men. Knowledge about sleep disturbance in women aged 60 and over in Vietnam is under‐researched.

Design

The study presents results from a cross‐sectional survey of 440 women aged 60 and over from 16 rural and urban suburbs in Vietnam from August 2014–January 2015

Methods

Structured questionnaires were used to gather data about residence, age, marital status, educational attainment, employment status, income, body mass index, physical activity, exercise, perceived stress, general health status, number of chronic diseases and sleep disturbance. Descriptive analysis, bivariate correlation and binary logistic generalised linear model were used for data analysis.

Results

Among older women in Vietnam, (i) the prevalence of sleep disturbance was 38.9%; (ii) the most commonly problem was difficulty maintaining sleep, followed by sleep latency, reduced sleep quality, early waking and daytime sleepiness, (iii) body mass index and physical health were significantly associated with sleep disturbance status.

Conclusions

Sleep disturbance was relatively common among older women in Vietnam. Overweight increased their sleep disturbance while physical health was negatively associated with their sleep disturbance.

Relevance to clinical practice

This article provided evidence about sleep problems among older women in Vietnam and suggested that interventions targeting weight control and physical health promotion would be useful to improve their sleep problems.
TECTONOSTRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE UPPER CAMBRIAN – DEVONIAN SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSION IN THE CENTRAL DARLING BASIN, SE AUSTRALIA: AN INTEGRATED INTERPRETATION OF SEISMIC, GRAVITY AND WELL DATA
Authors: Khalifa M. Kh. , Mills K J. , Al‐Kahtany Kh. M.
Published: September 2017

This paper presents a tectonostratigraphic interpretation based on seismic, gravity and well data of the Upper Cambrian through Devonian sedimentary succession in the central part of the Darling Basin, New South Wales (SE Australia). A composite roughly north‐south trending 2D seismic section through this area, tied to two exploration wells, defines four unconformity‐bound second‐order seismic megasequences. The megasequences are: A, Upper Cambrian – Middle Ordovician (Llanvirnian?); B, uppermost Silurian – Lower Devonian (Emsian); C, upper Lower Devonian – lower Middle Devonian (Givetian); and D, upper Middle Devonian – Upper Devonian (Famennian). The megasequences are bounded by prominent seismic marker horizons which represent phases of regional‐scale orogenic activity.

The composite 2D section studied is about 150 km long and traverses from north to south the Pondie Range sub‐basin, the inverted Wilcannia High and the Blantyre sub‐basin. Along the section, the Upper Cambrian to Devonian succession is deformed into a series of large‐scale, fault‐associated anticlines and synclines including the Avon High, an asymmetric anticlinal fold associated with several high‐angle reverse faults. Major faults extend into, and flatten within, the basement. The top‐basement surface is characterized by broad highs and lows which are represented on a gravity map of the study area. The map shows that the Wilcannia High defines the northern margin of the Blantyre sub‐basin and the southern margin of the Pondie Range sub‐basin. These sub‐basins are in general defined by gravity lows.

The development of the Blantyre and Pondie Range sub‐basins can be divided into five tectonostratigraphic phases during which there were distinct patterns of fault activity and regional subsidence. These phases are investigated using a restoration model which involves the successive removal of each seismic megasequence in turn, assuming simple vertical shear. The model provides new constraints on the distribution of structural and stratigraphic features which are relevant for future hydrocarbon exploration.
Bumpy Rides: School‐to‐work Transitions in South Africa
Authors: Pugatch Todd
Published: September 2017

Re‐enrollment in school following a period of dropout is a common feature of school‐to‐work transitions, but has been largely ignored in the literature on sequential schooling choice. I quantify the importance of the option to re‐enroll in school‐to‐work transitions in South Africa. I estimate a model of sequential schooling choice using a panel that contains the entire schooling and labor market histories of sampled youth. The model incorporates Bayesian learning about academic ability and the probability of employment in response to outcomes from past choices, with updated beliefs influencing the expected returns to human capital investment and labor market participation. I conduct a policy simulation under which re‐enrollment prior to high school completion is completely restricted, raising the opportunity cost of dropout. The resulting fall in dropout increases school attainment, raising the proportion of students completing at least 12 years of schooling by 5 percentage points. The corresponding income gains fail to compensate for the welfare loss incurred from removing the option to re‐enroll, however. The results suggest that the option to re‐enroll is an important component of the incentives South African youth face when making schooling decisions.
Using formative research to promote antenatal care attendance and iron folic acid supplementation in Zinder, Niger
Authors: Hess Sonja Y. , Ouédraogo Césaire T. , Bamba Ibrahim F. , Wessells K. Ryan , Keith Nancy , Faye Thierno , Ndiaye Banda , Doudou Maimouna , Nielsen Jennifer
Published: September 2017

In Niger, use of antenatal care (ANC) and iron folic acid (IFA) supplements is suboptimal. The objectives of this paper are as follows: (a) to conduct formative research to understand barriers and beliefs among pregnant women related to ANC, IFA supplementation, and pregnancy outcomes; (b) assess the quality of currently provided ANC services; (c) use the findings to guide the development of programmatic interventions to improve coverage of ANC services and IFA supplementation of pregnant women. Structured in‐home interviews (n = 72) and focus groups (n = 4) were conducted with pregnant women in 4 randomly selected villages in rural Zinder. ANC consultations (n = 33) were observed in 5 randomly selected health centres, and exit interviews were conducted with all pregnant women and seven health agents following these observations. During workshops with stakeholders, results of the formative research were interpreted, and programmatic interventions were developed. In home interviews, 72% of women reported having attended at least one ANC visit. They also reported husbands (71%), mothers (40%), and friends (33%) supporting ANC attendance. Among those having attended ANC, only 65% reported taking IFA the day prior to the interview. Three of five health centres visited had IFA in stock. Health staff did not provide IFA supplements during 18 of 33 observed ANC consultations of which only 7 cases could be explained by the lack of IFA supplements in stock. Findings were used to design a 3‐pronged intervention: (a) behaviour change communication activities in communities; (b) quality improvement activities in health centres to strengthen ANC; and (c) provision of key supplies required for ANC.
Selection on a behaviour‐related gene during the first stages of the biological invasion pathway
Authors: Mueller Jakob C. , Edelaar Pim , Baños‐Villalba Adrián , Carrete Martina , Potti Jaime , Blas Julio , Tella Jose Luis , Kempenaers Bart
Published: September 2017

Human‐induced biological invasions are common worldwide and often have negative impacts on wildlife and human societies. Several studies have shown evidence for selection on invaders after introduction to the new range. However, selective processes already acting prior to introduction have been largely neglected. Here, we tested whether such early selection acts on known behaviour‐related gene variants in the yellow‐crowned bishop (Euplectes afer), a pet‐traded African songbird. We tested for nonrandom allele frequency changes after trapping, acclimation and survival in captivity. We also compared the native source population with two independent invasive populations. Allele frequencies of two SNPs in the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene—known to be linked to behavioural activity in response to novelty in this species—significantly changed over all early invasion stages. They also differed between the African native population and the two invading European populations. The two‐locus genotype associated with reduced activity declined consistently, but strongest at the trapping stage. Overall genetic diversity did not substantially decrease, and there is little evidence for new alleles in the introduced populations, indicating that selection at the DRD4 gene predominantly worked on the standing genetic variation already present in the native population. Our study demonstrates selection on a behaviour‐related gene during the first stages of a biological invasion. Thus, pre‐establishment stages of a biological invasion do not only determine the number of propagules that are introduced (their quantity), but also their phenotypic and genetic characteristics (their quality).
One gene, two proteins: coordinated production of a copper chaperone by differential transcript formation and translational frameshifting in Escherichia coli
Authors: Drees Steffen L. , Klinkert Birgit , Helling Stefan , Beyer Dominik F. , Marcus Katrin , Narberhaus Franz , Lübben Mathias
Published: September 2017

Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) is a translational anomaly causing the ribosome to shift into an alternative reading frame. PRFs are common in viral genomes, using a single nucleotide sequence to code for two proteins in overlapping frames. In bacteria and eukaryota, PRFs are less frequent. We report on a PRF in the copper detoxification system of Escherichia coli where a metallochaperone is generated out of the first 69 amino acids and a C‐terminal out‐of‐frame glycine of the gene copA. copA besides codes for the P1B‐ATPase CopA, a membrane‐integral protein and principal interaction target of the chaperone. To enhance the production of the frameshift‐generated cytosolic copper binding protein a truncated transcript is produced from the monocistronic copA gene. This shorter transcript is essential for producing sufficient amounts of the chaperone to support the membrane pump. The findings close the gap in our understanding of the molecular physiology of cytoplasmic copper transport in E. coli, revealing that a chaperone‐like entity is required for full functionality of the P1B‐ATPase copper pump. We, moreover, demonstrate that the primary transcriptional response to copper results in formation of the small transcript and concurrently, the metallochaperone plays a key role in resistance against copper shock.
The role of a cytoplasmic loop of MotA in load‐dependent assembly and disassembly dynamics of the MotA/B stator complex in the bacterial flagellar motor
Authors: Pourjaberi Seyedeh Noorolhoda Shajari , Terahara Naoya , Namba Keiichi , Minamino Tohru
Published: September 2017

The proton‐driven flagellar motor of Salmonella enterica can accommodate a dozen MotA/B stators in a load‐dependent manner. The C‐terminal periplasmic domain of MotB acts as a structural switch to regulate the number of active stators in the motor in response to load change. The cytoplasmic loop termed MotAC is responsible for the interaction with a rotor protein, FliG. Here, to test if MotAC is responsible for stator assembly around the rotor in a load‐dependent manner, we analyzed the effect of MotAC mutations, M76V, L78W, Y83C, Y83H, I126F, R131L, A145E and E155K, on motor performance over a wide range of external load. All these MotAC mutations reduced the maximum speed of the motor near zero load, suggesting that they reduce the rate of conformational dynamics of MotAC coupled with proton translocation through the MotA/B proton channel. Dissociation of the stators from the rotor by decrease in the load was facilitated by the M76V, Y83H and A145E mutations compared to the wild‐type motor. The E155K mutation reduced the number of active stators in the motor from 10 to 6 under extremely high load. We propose that MotAC is responsible for load‐dependent assembly and disassembly dynamics of the MotA/B stator units.
Diabetes‐mediated myelopoiesis and the relationship to cardiovascular risk
Authors: Barrett Tessa J. , Murphy Andrew J. , Goldberg Ira J. , Fisher Edward A.
Published: September 2017

Diabetes is the greatest risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, which, in turn, is the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetics. These patients have elevations in inflammatory monocytes, a factor consistently reported to drive the development of atherosclerosis. In preclinical models of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, studies have demonstrated that the increased production and activation of monocytes is driven by enhanced myelopoiesis, promoted by factors, including hyperglycemia, impaired cholesterol efflux, and inflammasome activation, that affect the proliferation of bone marrow precursor cells. This suggests that continued mechanistic investigations of the enhanced myelopoiesis and the generation of inflammatory monocytes are timely, from the dual perspectives of understanding more deeply the underlying bases of diabetes pathophysiology and identifying therapeutic targets to reduce cardiovascular risk in these patients.
The fructan syndrome: Evolutionary aspects and common themes among plants and microbes
Authors: Versluys Maxime , Kirtel Onur , Toksoy Öner Ebru , Van den Ende Wim
Published: September 2017

Fructans are multifunctional fructose‐based water soluble carbohydrates found in all biological kingdoms but not in animals. Most research has focused on plant and microbial fructans and has received a growing interest because of their practical applications. Nevertheless, the origin of fructan production, the so‐called “fructan syndrome,” is still unknown. Why fructans only occur in a limited number of plant and microbial species remains unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of plant and microbial fructan research with a focus on fructans as an adaptation to the environment and their role in (a)biotic stress tolerance. The taxonomical and biogeographical distribution of fructans in both kingdoms is discussed and linked (where possible) to environmental factors. Overall, the fructan syndrome may be related to water scarcity and differences in physicochemical properties, for instance, water retaining characteristics, at least partially explain why different fructan types with different branching levels are found in different species. Although a close correlation between environmental stresses and fructan production is quite clear in plants, this link seems to be missing in microbes. We hypothesize that this can be at least partially explained by differential evolutionary timeframes for plants and microbes, combined with potential redundancy effects.
Who cares about demands–abilities fit? Moderating effects of goal orientation on recruitment and organizational entry outcomes
Authors: Dineen Brian R. , Vandewalle Don , Noe Raymond A. , Wu Lusi , Lockhart Daniel
Published: September 2017

The authors conduct three studies to systematically examine how avoiding and learning goal orientation (AGO and LGO) influence relationships between perceived demands‐abilities (DA) fit and critical outcomes during three organizational entry stages. Study 1, a multilevel study using a series of mock job advertisements, shows that participant likelihood of applying for jobs for which they perceive higher DA fit increases when AGO is stronger. Study 2 finds a stronger positive relationship between perceived DA fit and internship satisfaction among interns with a stronger AGO. Study 3 finds a stronger positive relationship between perceived DA fit and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) among new organizational entrants with a stronger AGO. Implications and future research directions regarding the importance of goal orientation during job search and organizational entry are discussed.
The Asymmetry of Causality: A Realist Solution
Authors: McBreen Bernard
Published: September 2017

How do we distinguish between cause and effect? The main argument of this paper is that if a realist account of the meaning of causal statements is adopted, then two clear distinctions between cause and effect emerge. By realist account is meant conceiving a cause as something with a power to act. Since a realist approach to causality is not widely accepted among philosophers, two arguments against a realist approach to causality are countered. The asymmetry of causality is defended against the claim that physics, in the main, describes a symmetrical universe.
Five‐State Study of ACA Marketplace Competition: A Summary Report
Authors: Morrisey Michael A. , Rivlin Alice M. , Nathan Richard P. , Hall Mark A.
Published: September 2017

This field study sought to better understand the evolution of health insurance competition in the health insurance exchange marketplaces in five states: California, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. This summary highlights key findings from each of the states and offers a series of testable hypotheses about the evolution of these markets. Four broad themes emerged from the analysis. First, health insurance markets are local, largely due to the necessity to establish local networks of health care providers. Second, higher than expected claims costs were the source of much of the turmoil in the marketplaces over the initial 4 years. Third, there has been a substantial shift toward narrower networks of providers, largely achieved by eliminating preferred provider plan options. Fourth, hospital and physician competition is essential for a robust and competitive insurer market.
A new species of Dolichocybe (Acari: Dolichocybidae) from Western Siberia, Russia
Authors: Khaustov Alexander
Published: September 2017

A new species, Dolichocybe sibiriensis sp. nov. (Acari: Dolichocybidae), collected in alcohol sediments containing bark beetle Ips typographus Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), collected in pheromone traps in Western Siberia, Russia, is described. A key to species of Dolichocybe Krantz, 1957 is provided.
Use of Linear and Circular Polarization: The Secret LCD Screen and 3D Cinema
Authors: Richtberg Stefan , Girwidz Raimund
Published: September 2017

References to everyday life are important for teaching physics. Discussing polarization phenomena, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and 3D cinemas provide such references. In this paper we describe experiments to support students’ understanding of linearly polarized light as well as the phenomenon of inverted colors using a secret LCD screen. Moreover we explain how 3D glasses work (when using polarizers) and introduce some experiments to point out why 3D cinemas use circularly polarized light instead of linearly polarized light. When using linearly polarized light, viewers must keep their head level all the time. Using circularly polarized light, this is not necessary.
One Method for Inhibiting the Copying of Online Homework
Authors: Busch Hauke
Published: September 2017

Over the last several years online homework solutions have become ever more accessible to students. This is due in part to programs like Yahoo Answers, Chegg, publisher solution manuals, and other web resources that are readily available online. The student can easily search any physics homework problem posted on the web in a matter of seconds and have the solution. The results of this are an apparent increase in students copying the answers without solving the problem, which may lead to an increase in homework scores but a reduction in exam scores and an overall lower grade in the class. A secondary effect that may be observed is that tutoring centers, recitations, and supplemental instructor sessions have reduced student attendance. Some might say that the readily available solutions for homework systems such as MasteringPhysics (MP), WebAssign, etc. have greatly diminished them as a teaching tool, and for grading and assessing students’ performance in a course. It is the purpose of this paper to offer a possible solution for preventing students from potentially copying online homework solutions.
A classroom activity and laboratory on astronomical scale
Authors: LoPresto Michael
Published: September 2017

The four basics “scales” at which astronomy is studied, that of (1) the Earth-Moon system, (2) the solar system, (3) the galaxy, and (4) the universe (Fig. 1), are a common place to start an intro astronomy course. In fact, courses and textbooks are often divided into approximately four sections based on these scales.
Synergistic Effects of Tacrolimus and Azoles against Exophiala dermatitidis
Authors: Gao Lujuan , Sun Yi , He Chengyan , Zeng Tongxiang , Li Ming
Published: September 2017

In vitro
interactions of tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, and azoles, including itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole, against planktonic cells and biofilms of
Exophiala dermatitidis
were assessed via a broth microdilution checkerboard technique. A total of 16 clinical isolates were studied. The results revealed favorable synergistic inhibitory activity between tacrolimus and itraconazole, voriconazole, or posaconazole against 68.8%, 87.5%, and 100% of tested strains of planktonic
E. dermatitidis
, respectively.However, limited synergism was observed against biofilms of
E. dermatitidis
. No antagonism was observed in all combinations.
Gelofusine Ameliorates Colistin-Induced Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Sivanesan Sivashangarie S. , Azad Mohammad A. K. , Schneider Elena K. , Ahmed Maizbha U. , Huang Jiayuan , Wang Jiping , Li Jian , Nation Roger L. , Velkov Tony
Published: September 2017

Colistin therapy is used as the last line of defense against life-threatening Gram-negative infections. Nephrotoxicity is the major dose-limiting side effect that impedes optimal dosing of patients. This study aims to examine the nephroprotective effect of the plasma volume expander gelofusine against colistin-induced nephrotoxicity. Renal protection was assessed in mice that were subcutaneously injected with colistin sulfate (14 mg/kg of body weight × 6 doses every 2 h; accumulated dose, 84 mg/kg) and simultaneously injected in the intraperitoneal region with gelofusine (75, 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg × 6). At 2 and 20 h after the last colistin dose, mice were euthanized, and the severity of renal alteration was examined histologically. Histological findings in mice revealed that colistin-induced nephrotoxicity was ameliorated by gelofusine in a dose-dependent manner, whereas significant histological abnormalities were detected in the kidneys of mice in the colistin-only group. The impact of coadministered gelofusine on colistin pharmacokinetics was investigated in rats. Rats were administered a single intravenous dose of gelofusine at 400 mg/kg 15 min prior to the intravenous administration of colistin (1 mg/kg). Gelofusine codosing did not alter the pharmacokinetics of colistin in rats; however, gelofusine did significantly lower the accumulation of colistin in the kidney tissue of mice. This is the first study demonstrating the protective effect of gelofusine against colistin-induced nephrotoxicity. These findings highlight the clinical potential of gelofusine as a safe adjunct for ameliorating the nephrotoxicity and increasing the therapeutic index of polymyxins.
An Antipersister Strategy for Treatment of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections
Authors: Koeva Martina , Gutu Alina D. , Hebert Wesley , Wager Jeffrey D. , Yonker Lael M. , O'Toole George A. , Ausubel Frederick M. , Moskowitz Samuel M. , Joseph-McCarthy Diane
Published: September 2017

Bacterial persisters are a quasidormant subpopulation of cells that are tolerant to antibiotic treatment. The combination of the aminoglycoside tobramycin with fumarate as an antibacterial potentiator utilizes an antipersister strategy that is aimed at reducing recurrent
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections by enhancing the killing of
P. aeruginosa
persisters. Stationary-phase cultures of
P. aeruginosa
were used to generate persister cells. A range of tobramycin concentrations was tested with a range of metabolite concentrations to determine the potentiation effect of the metabolite under a variety of conditions, including a range of pH values and in the presence of azithromycin or cystic fibrosis (CF) patient sputum. In addition, 96-well dish biofilm and colony biofilm assays were performed, and the cytotoxicity of the tobramycin-fumarate combination was determined utilizing a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Enhanced killing of up to 6 orders of magnitude of
P. aeruginosa
persisters over a range of CF isolates, including mucoid and nonmucoid strains, was observed for the tobramycin-fumarate combination compared to killing with tobramycin alone. Furthermore, significant fumarate-mediated potentiation was seen in the presence of azithromycin or CF patient sputum. Fumarate also reduced the cytotoxicity of tobramycin-treated
P. aeruginosa
to human epithelial airway cells. Finally, in mucoid and nonmucoid CF isolates, complete eradication of
P. aeruginosa
biofilm was observed in the colony biofilm assay due to fumarate potentiation. These data suggest that a combination of tobramycin with fumarate as an antibacterial potentiator may be an attractive therapeutic for eliminating recurrent
P. aeruginosa
infections in CF patients through the eradication of bacterial persisters.
Vancomycin and Clarithromycin Show Synergy against
Mycobacterium abscessus In Vitro
Authors: Mukherjee Devika , Wu Mu-Lu , Teo Jeanette W. P. , Dick Thomas
Published: September 2017

Lung disease caused by
Mycobacterium abscessus
is increasing, and current clarithromycin-based treatment regimens are only moderately effective. Here, we determined the effect of clarithromycin-vancomycin combination against
M. abscessus
complex isolates
in vitro
. Synergy was found with a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) score of ≤0.5 and a 4- to 10-fold decrease in MIC.
Colocation of the Multiresistance Gene
cfr
and the Fosfomycin Resistance Gene
fosD
on a Novel Plasmid in Staphylococcus arlettae from a Chicken Farm
Authors: Liu Bi-Hui , Lei Chang-Wei , Zhang An-Yun , Pan Yun , Kong Ling-Han , Xiang Rong , Wang Yong-Xiang , Yang Yan-Xian , Wang Hong-Ning
Published: September 2017

The novel 63,558-bp plasmid pSA-01, which harbors nine antibiotic resistance genes, including
cfr
,
erm
(C),
tet
(L),
erm
(T),
aadD
,
fosD
,
fexB
,
aacA-aphD
, and
erm
(B), was characterized in
Staphylococcus arlettae
strain SA-01, isolated from a chicken farm in China. The colocation of
cfr
and
fosD
genes was detected for the first time in an
S. arlettae
plasmid. The detection of two IS
431
-mediated circular forms containing resistance genes in SA-01 suggested that IS
431
may facilitate dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.
RgpF Is Required for Maintenance of Stress Tolerance and Virulence in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Kovacs C. J. , Faustoferri R. C. , Quivey R. G.
Published: September 2017

Bacterial cell wall dynamics have been implicated as important determinants of cellular physiology, stress tolerance, and virulence. In
Streptococcus mutans
, the cell wall is composed primarily of a rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide (RGP) linked to the peptidoglycan. Despite extensive studies describing its formation and composition, the potential roles for RGP in
S. mutans
biology have not been well investigated. The present study characterizes the impact of RGP disruption as a result of the deletion of
rgpF
, the gene encoding a rhamnosyltransferase involved in the construction of the core polyrhamnose backbone of RGP. The Δ
rgpF
mutant strain displayed an overall reduced fitness compared to the wild type, with heightened sensitivities to various stress-inducing culture conditions and an inability to tolerate acid challenge. The loss of
rgpF
caused a perturbation of membrane-associated functions known to be critical for aciduricity, a hallmark of
S. mutans
acid tolerance. The proton gradient across the membrane was disrupted, and the Δ
rgpF
mutant strain was unable to induce activity of the F
1
F
o
ATPase in cultures grown under low-pH conditions. Further, the virulence potential of
S. mutans
was also drastically reduced following the deletion of
rgpF
. The Δ
rgpF
mutant strain produced significantly less robust biofilms, indicating an impairment in its ability to adhere to hydroxyapatite surfaces. Additionally, the Δ
rgpF
mutant lost competitive fitness against oral peroxigenic streptococci, and it displayed significantly attenuated virulence in an
in vivo
Galleria mellonella
infection model. Collectively, these results highlight a critical function of the RGP in the maintenance of overall stress tolerance and virulence traits in
S. mutans
.

IMPORTANCE
The cell wall of
Streptococcus mutans
, the bacterium most commonly associated with tooth decay, is abundant in rhamnose-glucose polysaccharides (RGP). While these structures are antigenically distinct to
S. mutans
, the process by which they are formed and the enzymes leading to their construction are well conserved among streptococci. The present study describes the consequences of the loss of RgpF, a rhamnosyltransferase involved in RGP construction. The deletion of
rgpF
resulted in severe ablation of the organism's overall fitness, culminating in significantly attenuated virulence. Our data demonstrate an important link between the RGP and cell wall physiology of
S. mutans
, affecting critical features used by the organism to cause disease and providing a potential novel target for inhibiting the pathogenesis of
S. mutans
.
Pan-genomic analyses identify key
Helicobacter pylori
pathogenic loci modified by carcinogenic host microenvironments
Authors: Noto Jennifer M , Chopra Abha , Loh John T , Romero-Gallo Judith , Piazuelo M Blanca , Watson Mark , Leary Shay , Beckett Amber C , Wilson Keith T , Cover Timothy L , Mallal Simon , Israel Dawn A , Peek Richard M
Published: September 2017

Objective

Helicobacter pylori
is the strongest risk factor for gastric cancer; however, the majority of infected individuals do not develop disease. Pathological outcomes are mediated by complex interactions among bacterial, host and environmental constituents, and two dietary factors linked with gastric cancer risk are iron deficiency and high salt. We hypothesised that prolonged adaptation of
H. pylori
to in vivo carcinogenic microenvironments results in genetic modification important for disease.

Design

Whole genome sequencing of genetically related
H. pylori
strains that differ in virulence and targeted
H. pylori
sequencing following prolonged exposure of bacteria to in vitro carcinogenic conditions were performed.

Results

A total of 180 unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified among the collective genomes when compared with a reference
H. pylori
genome. Importantly, common SNPs were identified in isolates harvested from iron-depleted and high salt carcinogenic microenvironments, including an SNP within
fur
(FurR88H). To investigate the direct role of low iron and/or high salt,
H. pylori
was continuously cultured
in vitro
under low iron or high salt conditions to assess
fur
genetic variation. Exposure to low iron or high salt selected for the FurR88H variant after only 5 days. To extend these results,
fur
was sequenced in 339 clinical
H. pylori
strains. Among the isolates examined, 17% (40/232) of strains isolated from patients with premalignant lesions harboured the FurR88H variant, compared with only 6% (6/107) of strains from patients with non-atrophic gastritis alone (p=0.0034).

Conclusion

These results indicate that specific genetic variation arises within
H. pylori
strains during in vivo adaptation to conditions conducive for gastric carcinogenesis.
PYGOPUS2 expression in prostatic adenocarcinoma is a potential risk stratification marker for PSA progression following radical prostatectomy
Authors: Kao Kenneth R , Popadiuk Paul , Thoms John , Aoki Satoko , Anwar Shahgul , Fitzgerald Emily , Andrews Phillip , Voisey Kim , Gai Luis , Challa Satya , He Zhijian , Gonzales-Aguirre Paola , Simmonds Andrea , Popadiuk Catherine
Published: September 2017

Aims

Prostate cancer (PrCa) is the most frequently diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer in men. Without clear pathological indicators of disease trajectory at diagnosis, management of PrCa is challenging, given its wide-ranging manifestation from indolent to highly aggressive disease. This study examines the role in PrCa of the Pygopus (PYGO)2 chromatin effector protein as a risk stratification marker in PrCa.

Methods

RNA expression was performed in PrCa cell lines using Northern and RT-PCR analyses. Protein levels were assessed using immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue microarrays constructed from radical prostatectomies with 5-year patient follow-up data including Gleason score tumour staging, margin and lymph node involvement and prostate serum antigen (PSA) levels. Biochemical recurrence (BR) was defined as a postoperative PSA level of >0.2 nL. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using SAS and Kaplan-Meier curves using graphPad (Prism).

Results

In vitro depletion of PYGO2 by RNAi in both androgen receptor positive and negative PrCa cell lines attenuated growth and reduced Ki67 and 47S rRNA expression, while PYGO2 protein was localised to the nuclei of tumours as determined by immunohistochemistry. High expression levels of PYGO2 in tumours (n=156) were correlated with BR identified as PSA progression, after 7-year follow-up independent of other traditional risk factors. Most importantly, high PYGO2 levels in intermediate grade tumours suggested increased risk of recurrence over those with negative or weak expression.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that elevated PYGO2 expression in primary prostate adenocarcinoma is a potential risk factor for BR.
No effects of increased alcohol availability during adolescence on alcohol-related morbidity and mortality during four decades: a natural experiment
Authors: Thern Emelie , Jia Ting , Willmer Mikaela , de Munter Jeroen , Norström Thor , Ramstedt Mats , Davey Smith George , Tynelius Per , Rasmussen Finn
Published: September 2017

Background

A strict high legal age limit for alcohol purchases decreases adolescents’ access to alcohol, but little is known about long-term health effects. The aim was to estimate the effect of increased alcohol availability during adolescence on alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.

Methods

A nationwide register-based study using data from a natural experiment setting. In two regions of Sweden, strong beer (4.5%–5.6% alcohol by volume) became temporarily available for purchase in grocery stores for individuals 16 years or older (instead of 21) in 1967/1968. The intervention group was defined as all individuals living in the intervention area when they were 14–20 years old (n=72 110). The remaining Swedish counties excluding bordering counties, without the policy change, were used as the control group (n=456 224). The outcomes of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality were collected from the Hospital Discharge Register and Cause of Death Register, in which average follow-up times were 38 years and 41 years, respectively. HRs with 95% CIs were obtained by Cox regression analysis.

Results

In the fully adjusted model, no clear evidence of an association between increased alcohol availability during adolescence and alcohol-related morbidity (HR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.02) or mortality (HR: 1.02, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.10) was found.

Conclusion

The initial elevated risk of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality later in life among adolescents exposed to increased access to strong beer in Sweden vanished when a regional measure population density of locality was included in the model, which is important to consider in future research.
Mutational Profiling of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Normal Cytogenetics in Brazilian Patients: The Value of Next-Generation Sequencing for Genomic Classification
Authors: de Noronha Thiago Rodrigo , Mitne-Neto Miguel , de Lourdes Chauffaille Maria
Published: September 2017

Karyotype (KT) aberrations are important prognostic factors for acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, around 50% of cases present normal results. Single nucleotide polymorphism array can detect chromosomal gains, losses or uniparental disomy that are invisible to KT, thus improving patients’ risk assessment. However, when both tests are normal, important driver mutations can be detected by the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS). Fourteen adult patients with AML with normal cytogenetics were investigated by NGS for 19 AML-related genes. Every patient presented at least one mutation: DNMT3A in nine patients; IDH2 in six; IDH1 in three; NRAS and NPM1 in two; and TET2, ASXL1, PTPN11, and RUNX1 in one patient. No mutations were found in FLT3, KIT, JAK2, CEBPA, GATA2, TP53, BRAF, CBL, KRAS, and WT1 genes. Twelve patients (86%) had at least one mutation in genes related with DNA methylation ( DNMT3A, IDH1, IDH2, and TET2), which is involved in regulation of gene expression and genomic stability. All patients could be reclassified based on genomic status and nine had their prognosis modified. In summary, NGS offers insights into the molecular pathogenesis and biology of cytogenetically normal AML in Brazilian patients, indicating that the prognosis could be further stratified by different mutation combinations. This study shows a different frequency of mutations in Brazilian population that should be confirmed.
Border disease‐like clinical signs in sheep caused by a BVDV‐2 type d
Authors: Eiras Maria Carmen , Viña Miguel , Fernandez David , Martínez Santiago , Dieguez Francisco J
Published: September 2017

The present paper accounts for the study of an outbreak of abortions within a sheep herd over a span of three months. To this purpose, one of the aborted fetuses that tested positive for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), specifically BVDV‐2, was analysed by RT‐qPCR. Afterwards, sera from all the animals in the herd were collected in order to perform serological and virological analyses. BVDV was detected in 42 of the lambs but none of the adult animals. Two of the positive samples were typed detecting BVDV‐2 type d. In order to trace possible sources of infection, three neighbouring farms (a dairy cattle herd, a mixed cattle–sheep flock and a mixed sheep–goat flock) were also sampled, with the result showing the animals tested negative. Considering the similarity of clinical signs in sheep caused by BVDV and border disease virus, genetic analysis seems to be important to establish a differential diagnosis.
Exchange-rate fluctuation and pricing behavior in China’s wood-based panel exporters: evidence from panel data
Authors: Wang Fang , Yin Zhonghua , Gan Jianbang
Published: September 2017

As the largest wood-based panel producing and exporting country, China has experienced sharp reductions in the growth rate of its wood-based panel exports because of pressure caused by exchange-rate fluctuation. These fluctuations were exacerbated by the global financial crisis. China’s wood-based panel exporters need to adjust their pricing strategy to cope with the changes of international market conditions. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the relationship between exchange-rate fluctuation and the pricing behavior of China’s wood-based panel exporters. To evaluate the impact of the exchange rate on China’s wood-based panel export prices across multiple destinations, a pricing-to-market model incorporating panel data was used. The empirical results suggest that although complete exchange-rate pass-through exists widely in China’s wood-based exports, China’s fiberboard and plywood exporters tended to adopt different pricing strategies in the international wood-based panel market during the post-crisis era. China’s fiberboard exporters often used the pricing-to-market model to determine prices in the main export destination countries, while China’s plywood exporters tended to amplify the exchange-rate effects. This indicates that China’s plywood exporters have stronger international market power than China’s fiberboard exporters, partly because China’s plywood exporters have more advantages in terms of skilled labor.
Doping and energy dependences of thermal conductivity in cuprate superconductors
Authors: Ma Chunsheng , Qi Rui , Yuan Feng , Chen Shaou , Zhao Huaisong
Published: September 2017

By considering the pseudogap effect, the doping and energy dependences of thermal conductivity in cuprate superconductors are studied. Our results show that the thermal conductivity as a function of energy exhibits a characteristic peak from underdoping to overdoping due to the presence of the pseudogap in pseudogap phase of cuprate superconductors. The thermal conductivity is strongly doping dependent. On the one hand, with increasing doping concentration, the weight of thermal conductivity increases quickly, especially the residual thermal conductivity which is in qualitative agreement with the experimental data. On the other hand, the characteristic energy corresponding to the position of the characteristic peak decreases monotonically upon increasing doping concentration, and it scales with the doping dependence of pseudogap. In particular, we have studied the doping dependence of the ratio of quasiparticle velocities normal and tangential to the Fermi surface at the nodes [Formula: see text]. It is shown that [Formula: see text] increases with the increase of doping concentration. Moreover, we explain that both the residual thermal conductivity and [Formula: see text] increase rapidly upon the increase in doping concentration in heavily overdoped cuprate superconductors.
Time-varying q-deformed dark energy interacts with dark matter
Authors: Dil Emre , Kolay Erdinç
Published: September 2017

We propose a new model for studying the dark constituents of the universe by regarding the dark energy as a [Formula: see text]-deformed scalar field interacting with the dark matter, in the framework of standard general relativity. Here we assume that the number of particles in each mode of the [Formula: see text]-deformed scalar field varies in time by the particle creation and annihilation. We first describe the [Formula: see text]-deformed scalar field dark energy quantum-field theoretically, then construct the action and the dynamical structure of these interacting dark sectors, in order to study the dynamics of the model. We perform the phase space analysis of the model to confirm and interpret our proposal by searching the stable attractor solutions implying the late-time accelerating phase of the universe. We then obtain the result that when interaction and equation-of-state parameter of the dark matter evolve from the present day values into a particular value, the dark energy turns out to be a [Formula: see text]-deformed scalar field.