bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Defective Undecaprenyl Pyrophosphate Synthase Induces Growth and Morphological Defects That Are Suppressed by Mutations in the Isoprenoid Pathway of Escherichia coli
Authors: MacCain William J. , Kannan Suresh , Jameel Dannah Z. , Troutman Jerry M. , Young Kevin D.
Published: July 2018

Bacterial morphology is determined primarily by the overall structure of the semirigid macromolecule peptidoglycan. Not only does peptidoglycan contribute to cell shape, but it also protects cells against lysis caused by excess osmotic pressure. Because it is critical for bacterial survival, it is no surprise that many antibiotics target peptidoglycan biosynthesis. However, important gaps remain in our understanding about how this process is affected by peptidoglycan precursor availability. Here, we report that a mutation altering the enzyme that synthesizes Und-P prevents cells from growing at high temperatures and that compensatory mutations in enzymes functioning upstream of
uppS
can reverse this phenotype. The results highlight the importance of Und-P metabolism for maintaining normal cell wall synthesis and shape.
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 3C Facilitates Cell Proliferation by Regulating Cyclin D2
Authors: Pei Yonggang , Singh Rajnish Kumar , Shukla Sanket Kumar , Lang Fengchao , Zhang Shengwei , Robertson Erle S.
Published: July 2018

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first identified human tumor virus and is associated with a range of human cancers. During EBV-induced lymphomas, the essential viral latent proteins modify the expression of cell cycle-related proteins to disturb the cell cycle process, thereby facilitating the proliferative process. The essential EBV nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA3C) plays an important role in EBV-mediated B-cell transformation. Here we show that EBNA3C stabilizes cyclin D2 to regulate cell cycle progression. More specifically, EBNA3C directly binds to cyclin D2, and they colocalize together in nuclear compartments. EBNA3C enhances cyclin D2 stability by inhibiting its ubiquitin-dependent degradation and significantly promotes cell proliferation in the presence of cyclin D2. Our results provide novel insights into the function of EBNA3C on cell progression by regulating the cyclin D2 protein and raise the possibility of the development of new anticancer therapies against EBV-associated cancers.
Regulatory Role of the Morbillivirus Attachment Protein Head-to-Stalk Linker Module in Membrane Fusion Triggering
Authors: Herren Michael , Shrestha Neeta , Wyss Marianne , Zurbriggen Andreas , Plattet Philippe
Published: July 2018

MeV and CDV remain important human and animal pathogens. Development of antivirals may significantly support current global vaccination campaigns. Cell entry is orchestrated by two interacting glycoproteins (H and F). The current hypothesis postulates that tetrameric H ectodomains (composed of stalk, connector, and head domains) undergo receptor-induced rearrangements to productively trigger F; these conformational changes may be regulated by the H-stalk C-terminal module (linker) and the following connector domain. Mutagenesis scan analysis of both microdomains revealed that replacing amino acid 146 in the H-linker region with nonhydrophobic residues produced covalent H tetramers which were compromised in triggering membrane fusion activity. However, these mutant proteins retained their ability to traffic to the cell surface and to bind to the virus receptor. These data suggest that the morbillivirus linker module contributes to the folding of functional pre-F-triggering H tetramers. Furthermore, such structures might be critical to convert receptor engagement into F activation.
Mutation W222L at the Receptor Binding Site of Hemagglutinin Could Facilitate Viral Adaption from Equine Influenza A(H3N8) Virus to Dogs
Authors: Wen Feng , Blackmon Sherry , Olivier Alicia K. , Li Lei , Guan Minhui , Sun Hailiang , Wang Peng George , Wan Xiu-Feng
Published: July 2018

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause a significant burden on human and animal health, and mechanisms for interspecies transmission of IAVs are far from being understood. Findings from this study suggest that an equine-origin A(H3N8) IAV with mutation W222L at its hemagglutinin increased binding to canine-specific receptors with sialyl Lewis X and Neu5Gc motifs and, thereby, may have facilitated viral adaption from horses to dogs. These findings suggest that in addition to the glycosidic linkage (e.g., α2,3-linked and α2,6-linked), the substructure in the receptor saccharides (e.g., sialyl Lewis X and Neu5Gc) could present an interspecies transmission barrier for IAVs and drive viral mutations to overcome such barriers.
Draft Macronuclear Genome Sequence of the Ruminal Ciliate Entodinium caudatum
Authors: Park T. , Wijeratne S. , Meulia T. , Firkins J. , Yu Z.
Published: July 2018

The transcriptionally active macronucleus of a ruminal ciliate,
Entodinium caudatum
MZG-1, was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore MinION platforms. This is the first draft macronuclear genome sequence of a ruminal protozoon, and the genomic information will provide useful insight into the metabolism, physiology, and ecology of ruminal ciliates.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Influenza C Virus Strain Identified from a Sick Calf in the United States
Authors: Zhang Hewei , Porter Elizabeth Poulsen , Lohman Molly , Lu Nanyan , Peddireddi Lalitha , Hanzlicek Gregg , Marthaler Douglas , Liu Xuming , Bai Jianfa
Published: July 2018

Influenza C virus (ICV) has been identified for the first time from bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) samples in the United States. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the strain C/bovine/Montana/12/2016, identified from a nasal swab sample collected from a sick calf with clinical signs of respiratory disease in Montana.
Regulation of
Trypanosoma brucei
Acetyl Coenzyme A Carboxylase by Environmental Lipids
Authors: Ray Sunayan S. , Wilkinson Christina L. , Paul Kimberly S.
Published: July 2018

Trypanosoma brucei
is a eukaryotic parasite that causes African sleeping sickness.
T. brucei
is transmitted by the blood-sucking tsetse fly. In order to adapt to its two very different hosts,
T. brucei
must sense the host environment and alter its metabolism to maximize utilization of host resources and minimize expenditure of its own resources. One key nutrient class is represented by fatty acids, which the parasite can either take from the host or make themselves. Our work describes a novel environmental regulatory pathway for fatty acid synthesis where the parasite turns off fatty acid synthesis when environmental lipids are abundant and turns on synthesis when the lipid supply is scarce. This pathway was observed in the tsetse midgut form but not the mammalian bloodstream form. However, pharmacological activation of this pathway in the bloodstream form to turn fatty acid synthesis off may be a promising new avenue for sleeping sickness drug discovery.
Taxon-Driven Functional Shifts Associated with Storm Flow in an Urban Stream Microbial Community
Authors: Chaudhary Adit , Kauser Imrose , Ray Anirban , Poretsky Rachel
Published: July 2018

Urban streams in various parts of the world are facing increased anthropogenic pressure on their water quality, and storm flow events represent one such source of complex physical, chemical, and biological perturbations. Microorganisms are important components of these streams from both ecological and public health perspectives. Analysis of the effect of perturbations on the stream microbial community can help improve current knowledge on the impact such chronic disturbances can have on these water resources. This study examines microbial community dynamics during rain-induced storm flow conditions in an urban stream of the Chicago Area Waterway System. Additionally, using shotgun metagenomics we identified significant shifts in the microbial community composition and functional gene content following a high-rainfall event, with potential environment and public health implications. Previous work in this area has focused on specific genes/organisms or has not assessed immediate storm flow impact.
The 5′ Untranslated Region of the
EFG1
Transcript Promotes Its Translation To Regulate Hyphal Morphogenesis in
Candida albicans
Authors: Desai Prashant R. , Lengeler Klaus , Kapitan Mario , Janßen Silas Matthias , Alepuz Paula , Jacobsen Ilse D. , Ernst Joachim F.
Published: July 2018

Many of the virulence traits that make
Candida albicans
an important human fungal pathogen are regulated on a transcriptional level. Here, we report an important regulatory contribution of translation, which is exerted by the extensive 5′ untranslated regulatory sequence (5′ UTR) of the transcript for the protein Efg1, which determines growth, metabolism, and filamentation in the fungus. The presence of the 5′ UTR is required for efficient translation of Efg1, to promote filamentation. Because transcripts for many relevant regulators contain extensive 5′ UTR sequences, it appears that the virulence of
C. albicans
depends on the combination of transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanisms.
Do the associations of sedentary behaviour with cardiovascular disease mortality and cancer mortality differ by physical activity level? A systematic review and harmonised meta-analysis of data from 850 060 participants
Authors: Ekelund Ulf , Brown Wendy J , Steene-Johannessen Jostein , Fagerland Morten Wang , Owen Neville , Powell Kenneth E , Bauman Adrian E , Lee I-Min
Published: July 2018

Objective

To examine whether the associations between sedentary behaviours (ie, daily sitting/TV-viewing time) and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer differ by different levels of physical activity (PA).

Design

Harmonised meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Data on exposure variables were harmonised according to a predefined protocol and categorised into four groups for sedentary behaviours and into quartiles of PA (MET-hour/week).

Data sources

PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, Sport Discus and Scopus.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Individual level data on both sedentary behaviours and PA and reported effect estimates for CVD or cancer mortality.

Results

Nine studies (n=850 060; deaths=25 730) and eight studies (n=777 696; deaths=30 851) provided data on sitting time and CVD and cancer mortality, respectively. Five studies had data on TV-viewing time and CVD (n=458 127; deaths=13 230) and cancer (n=458 091; deaths=16 430) mortality. A dose–response association between sitting time (9%–32% higher risk; p for trend <0.001) and TV time (3%–59% higher risk; p for trend <0.001) with CVD mortality was observed in the ‘inactive’, lowest quartile of PA. Associations were less consistent in the second and third quartiles of PA, and there was no increased risk for CVD mortality with increasing sedentary behaviours in the most active quartile. Associations between sedentary behaviours and cancer mortality were generally weaker; 6%–21% higher risk with longer sitting time observed only in the lowest quartile of PA.

Conclusion

PA modifies the associations between sedentary behaviours and CVD and cancer mortality. These findings emphasise the importance of higher volumes of moderate and vigorous activity to reduce, or even eliminate these risks, especially for those who sit a lot in their daily lives.
UDAY: A comprehensive diabetes and hypertension prevention and management program in India
Authors: Mohan Sailesh , Jarhyan Prashant , Ghosh Shreeparna , Venkateshmurthy Nikhil Srinivasapura , Gupta Ruby , Rana Ritu , Malhotra Cheena , Rao M Bhaskara , Kalra Sanjay , Tandon Nikhil , Srinath Reddy K , Prabhakaran Dorairaj
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Diabetes and hypertension are two leading non-communicable conditions, which are suboptimally managed in India. Thus, innovative comprehensive approaches that can concomitantly improve their detection, prevention and control are warranted.

Methods and analysis

UDAY, a 5-year initiative, aims to reduce the risk of diabetes and hypertension and improve management by implementing a comprehensive intervention programme in the two selected study sites, Sonipat and Visakhapatnam (Vizag). It has a pre-post evaluation design with representative cross-sectional surveys before and after intervention. Within these two sites, urban and rural subsites each with a total population of approximately 100 000 people each were selected and a baseline and postintervention assessment was conducted deploying five surveys [among general population (including body measurements or biosamples), patients, healthcare providers including physicians and pharmacists, health facilities], which will determine the knowledge levels about diabetes and hypertension, the proportion treated and controlled; the patient knowledge and self-management skills; healthcare providers’ management practices; the level of access and barriers to obtaining care.

The interventions will include: tailored health promotion for improving public knowledge; screening of adults aged ≥ 30 years for identifying those at high risk of diabetes and/or hypertension for linkage to the healthcare system; patient education using technology enabled community health workers, geographic information system (GIS) based mapping of the communities, healthcare provider training on management guidelines, community based diabetes registry and; advocacy to improve access to healthcare. The baseline surveys have been completed, the study areas mapped using GIS and the interventions are being implemented. UDAY is expected to increase over baseline the levels of: public knowledge about diabetes and hypertension; those treated and controlled; patient self-management skills; the use of guideline based management by providers and; access to healthcare, leading to improved health outcomes and inform development of a India relevant chronic care model.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical clearance for conduct of the study was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of the Public Health Foundation of India. The findings will be targeted primarily at public health policymakers and advocates, but will be disseminated widely through other mechanisms including conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, as well as to the participating communities.
B Part of It protocol: a cluster randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of 4CMenB vaccine on pharyngeal carriage ofNeisseria meningitidisin adolescents
Authors: Marshall Helen S , McMillan Mark , Koehler Ann , Lawrence Andrew , MacLennan Jenny M , Maiden Martin C J , Ramsay Mary , Ladhani Shamez N , Trotter Caroline , Borrow Ray , Finn Adam , Sullivan Thomas , Richmond Peter , Kahler Charlene M , Whelan Jane , Vadivelu Kumaran
Published: July 2018

Introduction

South Australia (SA) has the highest notification rate of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia with the majority of cases due to serogroup B.Neisseria meningitidisis carried in the pharynx, with adolescents having the highest rates of carriage. A vaccine designed to offer protection against serogroup B (4CMenB) is licensed in Australia. The SA MenB vaccine carriage study aims to assess the impact of 4CMenB on carriage ofN. meningitidisin adolescents.

Methods and analysis

This is a parallel cluster randomised controlled trial enrolling year 10, 11 and 12 school students (approximately 16–18 years of age) throughout SA, in metropolitan and rural/remote areas. Schools are randomised to intervention (4CMenB vaccination at baseline) or control (4CMenB vaccination at study completion) with randomisation stratified by school size and socioeconomic status, as measured by the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (Australian Curriculum). Oropharyngeal swabs will be taken from all students at visit 1, and 12 months later from year 11 and 12 students. Students unvaccinated in 2017 will receive vaccine at the 12-month follow-up. Carriage prevalence ofN. meningitidiswill be determined by PCR at baseline and 12 months following 4CMenB vaccination and compared with carriage prevalence at 12 months in unvaccinated students. A questionnaire will be completed at baseline and 12 months to assess risk factors associated with carriage. The primary outcome of carriage prevalence of disease causingN. meningitidisat 12 months will be compared between groups using logistic regression, with generalised estimating equations used to account for clustering at the school level. The difference in carriage prevalence between groups will be expressed as an OR with 95% CI.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee (WCHN HREC). The protocol, informed consent forms, recruitment materials, social media and all participant materials have been reviewed and approved by the WCHN HREC and updated on ClinicalTrials.gov. Results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. The study findings will be provided in public forums and to study participants and participating schools.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12617000079347.NCT03089086; Pre-results.
Association between proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 and late saphenous vein graft disease after coronary artery bypass grafting: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gao Jing , Wang Hai-Bo , Xiao Jian-yong , Ren Min , Reilly Kathleen Heather , Li Yu-Ming , Liu Yin
Published: July 2018

Objective

The study aims to explore the association between serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) level and saphenous vein grafts disease (SVGD) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

A secondary hospital in Tianjin City, China.

Participants

A total of 231 participants were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age ≥18 years, previous CABG surgery at least 12 months ago, at least one SVG for bypass during CABG, abnormal non-invasive test results or recurrent stable angina pectoris by coronary angiography indications, and willing to participate and sign informed consent. Participants with any of the following were excluded from the study: congenital valvular disease, decompensated heart failure, anaemia defined as a haemoglobin level of <12 g/dL in women or <13 g/dL in men, malignant neoplasms, renal failure, severe hepatic disease, thyroid disease, acute or chronic inflammatory disease and chronic obstructive lung disease.

Primary outcome measure

SVGD was defined as at least one SVG with significant stenosis (≥50%). Circulating PCSK9 levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Results

The mean PCSK9 level in the SVGD group was significantly higher than that in the patent group (275.2±38.6 vs 249.3±37.7, p<0.01). The multivariate logistic regression model revealed a significant association between serum PCSK9 and SVGD (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.46–2.95) per 1 SD increase in serum PCSK9.

Conclusions

The present study is the first to identify an independent association between PCSK9 and late SVGD after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors. A multicentre prospective cohort study with large sample size should be conducted in the future to further research this relationship.
Use of age-specific hospital catchment populations to investigate geographical variation in inpatient admissions for children and young people in England: retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Arora Sandeepa , Cheung C Ronny , Sherlaw-Johnson Christopher , Hargreaves Dougal S
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To develop a method for calculating age-specific hospital catchment populations (HCPs) for children and young people (CYP) in England. To show how these methods allow geographical variation in hospital activity to be investigated and addressed more effectively.

Design

Retrospective, secondary analysis of existing national datasets.

Setting

Inpatient care of CYP (0-18 years) in England.

Participants

Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data were accessed for all inpatient admissions (elective and emergency) for CYP from birth to 18 years, 364 days, for 2011/2012–2014/2015. In 2014/2015, 857 112 admissions were analysed, from an eligible population of approximately 11.9 million CYP.

Outcome measures

For each hospital Trust, the catchment population of CYP was calculated; Trust-level admission rates per thousand per year were then calculated for admissions due to (1) any diagnostic code, (2) primary diagnosis of epilepsy and (3) epilepsy listed as primary diagnosis or comorbidity.

Results

Estimated 2014/2015 HCPs for CYP ranged from 268 558 for Barts Health NHS Trust to around 30 000 for the smallest acute general paediatric services and below 10 000 for many Trusts providing specialist services. As expected, the composition of HCPs was fairly consistent for age breakdown but levels of deprivation varied widely. After standardising for population characteristics, admission rates with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy ranged from 14.3 to 157.7 per 100 000 per year (11.0-fold variation) for Trusts providing acute general paediatric services. All-cause admission rates showed less variation, ranging from 4033 to 11 681 per 100 000 per year (2.9-fold variation).

Conclusions

Use of age-specific catchment populations allows variation in hospital activity to be linked to specific teams and care pathways. This provides an evidence base for initiatives to tackle unwarranted variation in healthcare activity and health outcomes.
Genomic ERBB2/ERBB3 mutations promote PD-L1-mediated immune escape in gallbladder cancer: a whole-exome sequencing analysis
Authors: Li Maolan , Liu Fatao , Zhang Fei , Zhou Weiping , Jiang Xiaoqing , Yang Yuan , Qu Kai , Wang Yueqi , Ma Qiang , Wang Ting , Bai Lu , Wang Zheng , Song Xiaoling , Zhu Yidi , Yuan Ruiyan , Gao Yuan , Liu Yongchen , Jin Yunpeng , Li Huaifeng , Xiang Shanshan , Ye Yuanyuan , Zhang Yijian , Jiang Lin , Hu Yunping , Hao Yajuan , Lu Wei , Chen Shili , Gu Jun , Zhou Jian , Gong Wei , Zhang Yong , Wang Xuefeng , Liu Xiyong , Liu Chang , Liu Houbao , Liu Yun , Liu Yingbin
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) lack effective treatment methods largely due to the inadequacy of both molecular characterisation and potential therapeutic targets. We previously uncovered a spectrum of genomic alterations and identified recurrent mutations in the ErbB pathway in GBC. Here, we aimed to study recurrent mutations of genes and pathways in a larger cohort of patients with GBC and investigate the potential mechanisms and clinical significance of these mutations.

Design

We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 157 patients with GBC. Functional experiments were applied in GBC cell lines to explore the oncogenic roles of ERBB2/ERBB3 hotspot mutations, their correlation with PD-L1 expression and the underlying mechanisms. ERBB inhibitors and a PD-L1 blocker were used to evaluate the anticancer activities in co-culture systems in vitro and in vivo.

Results

WES identified ERBB2 and ERBB3 mutations at a frequency of 7%–8% in the expanded cohort, and patients with ERBB2/ERBB3 mutations exhibited poorer prognoses. A set of in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed increased proliferation/migration on ERBB2/ERBB3 mutation. Ectopic expression of ERBB2/ERBB3 mutants upregulated PD-L1 expression in GBC cells, effectively suppressed normal T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro through activation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and contributed to the growth and progression of GBC in vivo. Treatment with an ERBB2/ERBB3 inhibitor or a PD-L1 monoclonal antibody reversed these immunosuppressive effects, and combined therapy revealed promising therapeutic activities.

Conclusions

ERBB2/ERBB3 mutations may serve as useful biomarkers in identifying patients who are sensitive to ERBB2/ERBB3 inhibitors and PD-L1 monoclonal antibody treatment.

Trial registration number

NCT02442414;Pre-results.
Prevalence and treatment of atrial fibrillation in UK general practice from 2000 to 2016
Authors: Adderley Nicola Jaime , Ryan Ronan , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Marshall Tom
Published: July 2018

Objective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and an important risk factor for stroke. Treatment with anticoagulants substantially reduces risk of stroke. Current prevalence and treatment rates of AF in the UK as well as changes in recent years are not known. The aim of this analysis was to determine trends in age–sex specific prevalence and treatment of AF in the UK from 2000 to 2016.

Methods

17 sequential cross-sectional analyses were carried out between 2000 and 2016 using a large database of electronic primary care records of patients registered with UK general practitioners. These determined the prevalence of patients diagnosed with AF, the stroke risk of those with AF and the proportion of AF patients currently receiving anticoagulants. Stroke risk was assessed using CHA2DS2-VASc score.

Results

Age–sex standardised AF prevalence increased from 2.14% (95% CI 2.11% to 2.17%) in 2000 to 3.29% (95% CI 3.27% to 3.32%) in 2016. Between 2000 and 2016, the proportion of patients with AF prescribed anticoagulants increased from 35.4% (95% CI 34.7% to 36.1%) to 75.5% (95% CI 75.1% to 75.8%) in those with high stroke risk (p for change over time <0.001) and from 32.8% (95% CI 30.5% to 35.2%) to 47.1% (95% CI 45.4% to 48.7%) in those with moderate stroke risk (p<0.001). In patients with low risk of stroke, the proportion decreased from 19.9% (95% CI 17.8% to 22.2%) to 9.7% (95% CI 8.4% to 11.1%) (p<0.001). Anticoagulant prescribing performance varied between practices; in 2016, the proportion of eligible patients treated was 82.9% (95% CI 82.2% to 83.7%) and 62.0% (95% CI 61.0% to 63.0%) in the highest-performing and lowest-performing practice quintiles, respectively. There was poor agreement in individual practice performance over time from 2006 to 2016: linear-weighted κ=0.10 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.19).

Conclusions

From 2000 to 2016, the prevalence of recorded AF has increased in all age groups and both sexes. Anticoagulant treatment of eligible patients with AF has more than doubled, with marked improvements since 2011, alongside a reduction in the use of anticoagulants in ineligible patients with AF.
Respiratory symptoms among search and rescue workers who responded to the 2016 Taiwan earthquake
Authors: Wu Chen-Long , Lan Fan-Yun , Chen Bo-Lei , Chang Ray Hsienho , Chang Wei Hung , Pan Shih-Tien , Fang Pin-Hui , Lu Chien-Hsin , Lin Chih-Hao
Published: July 2018

Objectives

High respiratory hazards among search and rescue workers (SRWs) emerged after the World Trade Center attacks on 11 September 2001. There have been limited studies on respiratory symptoms among earthquake SRWs. We investigated the respiratory symptoms and the use of respiratory protective equipment among the SRWs who responded to the 2016 Taiwan earthquake.

Methods

On 6 February 2016, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan and caused 513 injuries and 117 deaths. During the 9-day field operation, 519 firefighters affiliated with the Tainan City Government Fire Bureau participated in the search and rescue response. A standardised, self-completed questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, dust exposures, personal protective measures and health outcomes 3 weeks after the earthquake. Descriptive and multivariate analyses adjusting for demographics and exposure variables were performed for new or worsened outcomes.

Results

Of the 519 SRWs, 414 (80%) responded to the questionnaire. Of these SRWs, 153 (37%) reported new or worsened respiratory symptoms, with cough (23%) as the leading symptom, followed by rhinorrhoea or nasal congestion (22%) and chest tightness (6%). More than 90% of the symptoms persisted to the third week after the earthquake. The prevalence of new or worsened respiratory symptoms was significantly higher among SRWs with a higher level of exposure to dust. Prior training in response to respiratory pollutants was only 5%.

Conclusions

There were significant respiratory hazards among earthquake SRWs. The persistent symptoms and low coverage of training warrant further regular examination and occupational health programmes.
NOTCH3 contributes to rhinovirus-induced goblet cell hyperplasia in COPD airway epithelial cells
Authors: Jing Yaxun , Gimenes Joao Antonio , Mishra Rahul , Pham Duc , Comstock Adam T , Yu Daohai , Sajjan Umadevi
Published: July 2018

Rationale

Goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) is one of the cardinal features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and contributes to airways obstruction. Rhinovirus (RV), which causes acute exacerbations in patients with COPD, also causes prolonged airways obstruction. Previously, we showed that RV enhances mucin gene expression and increases goblet cell number in a COPD mouse model. This study examines whether RV causes sustained GCH in relevant models of COPD.

Methods

Mucociliary-differentiated COPD and normal airway epithelial cell cultures and mice with normal or COPD phenotype were infected with RV or sham and examined for GCH by immunofluorescence and/or mucin gene expression. In some experiments, RV-infected COPD cells and mice with COPD phenotype were treated with γ-secretase inhibitor or interleukin-13 neutralising antibody and assessed for GCH. To determine the contribution of NOTCH1/3 in RV-induced GCH, COPD cells transduced with NOTCH1/3 shRNA were used.

Results

RV-infected COPD, but not normal cell cultures, showed sustained GCH and increased mucin genes expression. Microarray analysis indicated increased expression of NOTCH1, NOTCH3 and HEY1 only in RV-infected COPD cells. Blocking NOTCH3, but not NOTCH1, attenuated RV-induced GCH in vitro. Inhibition of NOTCH signalling by γ-secretase inhibitor, but not neutralising antibody to IL-13, abrogated RV-induced GCH and mucin gene expression.

Conclusions

RV induces sustained GCH via NOTCH3 particularly in COPD cells or mice with COPD phenotype. This may be one of the mechanisms that may contribute to RV-induced prolonged airways obstruction in COPD.
Regulating the local availability of tobacco retailing in Madrid, Spain: a GIS study to evaluate compliance
Authors: Valiente Roberto , Sureda Xisca , Bilal Usama , Navas-Acien Ana , Pearce Jamie , Franco Manuel , Escobar Francisco
Published: July 2018

Background

In Spain, tobacco sales are limited to tobacco-exclusive stores and associated vending machines. A minimum of 150 m between stores is required, unless they exceed a legal sales threshold. Minimum distances to schools are recommended but not defined. We evaluated compliance with these regulations in Madrid, Spain.

Methods

Information about tobacco-exclusive stores and their sales volume was obtained in 2014. We used geographic information system to identify stores closer than 150 m between them and examine whether they exceeded the sales threshold. We estimated distances between stores and schools, considering different distance intervals (<150 m, 150–300 m and >300 m) and calculations (crow flies and street network). We assessed the association of area-level demographic and socioeconomic characteristics with the distribution of tobacco stores.

Results

5.3% (34/638) of tobacco stores were within 150 m of each other. Among those, 76% (26/34) did not meet the regulation sales threshold. These stores were in areas with lower proportion of young population (<15 years) and higher proportion of people with university-level education. 75% (476/638) of stores were situated closer than 300 m to schools. No differences were identified in sociodemographic and economic characteristics by the store distance to schools.

Conclusion

Most tobacco stores are compliant with the regulations in Spain. However, these regulations are insufficient to reduce tobacco availability. More restrictive regulations are needed to limit the geographic distribution of tobacco retailers, and health criteria should also be considered in the current legislation. The evaluation of the Spanish regulatory model may provide useful insights for other jurisdictions looking to decrease the tobacco retail availability.
Acute perceptions of preferred cigarettes when blinded to brand
Authors: Perkins Kenneth A , Karelitz Joshua L
Published: July 2018

Background

Marketing claims often have promoted specific perceptions that users should expect from acutely smoking that cigarette brand. Yet, little controlled study has determined the degree to which actual perceptions are based on the cigarette’s tobacco constituents in the absence of knowledge about the brand’s identity.

Methods

194 adult dependent smokers rated their perceptions on ‘liking’, ‘satisfying’, ‘strong’ and perceived amount of ‘nicotine’ after smoking ad lib one of their preferred brands of cigarettes. All did so either when blinded (n=118) or unblinded (n=76) to the brand they were given, with the blinding conditions from separate studies. These between-groups secondary analyses determined differences in perceptions based on blinding to brand, controlling for age and cigarettes/day.

Results

All perceptions were lower for those smoking own brand under blinded versus unblinded conditions, as hypothesised. Consistent with lowered perceptions for smoking one’s own brand obtained from the 118 blinded to brand, their ‘somewhat’ ratings for a ‘how similar to own brand’ item indicated uncertainty, just mid-way between ‘not at all’ and ‘very much’ on the 0–100 visual analogue scale. (The 76 unblinded were already informed it was their own brand.)

Conclusions

Acute perceptions of one’s own cigarette are substantially lower when smokers are simply unaware of brand, relative to those aware it is their preferred brand. Results support the notion that perceptions of smoking own brand are enhanced by marketing efforts to associate brands with expectations of pleasurable subjective effects, beyond the impact due solely to the cigarette’s manufactured product constituents.
Effects of isokinetic eccentric versus traditional lower body resistance training on muscle function: examining a multiple-joint short-term training model
Authors: Gordon Joshua P. , Thompson Brennan J. , Crane Joshua S. , Bressel Eadric , Wagner Dale R.
Published: July 2018

Early adaptations in eccentric training show several advantages over those in concentric training. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of 4 weeks of multiple-joint eccentric versus traditional leg press (TLP) training on muscle strength, rate of torque development (RTD), and jump and sprint performance adaptations. Twenty-six resistance-trained adults performed either an eccentric or a TLP resistance-training program twice per week for 4 weeks. Single-joint isometric maximal and rapid strength (peak torque and RTD, respectively) and isokinetic strength of the knee extensors and flexors, multiple-joint eccentric strength, leg press strength (1-repetition maximum), 40-m sprint, and vertical and long jump were measured before, at the midpoint, and after a 4-week training period. Four weeks of isokinetic multiple-joint eccentric training elicited greater test-specific strength gains (effect size (ES) = 1.06) compared with TLP training (ES = 0.11). The eccentric group also yielded moderate improvements in the middle-late phase RTD (RTD100–200; ES = 0.51 and 0.54 for the knee flexors and extensors, respectively), whereas the TLP group showed small-moderate improvements (ES = 0.37). The majority of the single-joint strength variables showed negligible improvements. Performance tests showed no (broad jump) to small (vertical jump; sprint for the leg press) improvements. Multiple-joint eccentric training induced significant improvements in lower body strength in a short amount of time in a recreationally trained population. These accelerated adaptations along with the lower energy requirements of eccentric exercise, may be useful for clinicians or practitioners when prescribing training programs for those who are injured, sedentary, or elderly as a means to elicit time- and metabolically efficient muscle function improvements.
Modelling effects of recent suction history on small-strain stiffness of unsaturated soil
Authors: Kaewsong R. , Zhou C. , Ng C.W.W.
Published: July 2018

Recent suction history has been found to affect shear modulus of unsaturated soil at small strains (i.e., from 0.001% to 1%). In this study, a bubble model for unsaturated soil is developed within the framework of kinematic hardening and bounding surface plasticity. An elliptical elastic bubble is defined inside a modified Cam-clay bounding surface. Being a key feature of the proposed model, the size of the elastic bubble is modelled as a function of suction, degree of saturation, and plastic volumetric strain. Translation of the elastic bubble is governed by suction, degree of saturation, and stress increments. Moreover, hardening modulus depends on not only stress and void ratio, but also suction, degree of saturation, and relative position of the elastic bubble and the bounding surface. The proposed model is evaluated using suction-controlled constant-p shear tests on completely decomposed tuff (silt). It is evident that the new model is capable of capturing well the effects of recent suction history on nonlinear stress–strain relation and shear modulus degradation at small strains.
Bayesian identification of soil stratigraphy based on soil behaviour type index
Authors: Cao Zi-Jun , Zheng Shuo , Li Dian-Qing , Phoon Kok-Kwang
Published: July 2018

The cone penetration test (CPT) has been widely used to determine the soil stratigraphy (including the number N and thicknesses HNof soil layers) during geotechnical site investigation because it is rapid, repeatable, and economical. For this purpose, several deterministic and probabilistic approaches have been developed in the literature, but these approaches generally only give the “best” estimates (e.g., the most probable values) of N and HNbased on CPT data according to prescribed soil stratification criteria, providing no information on the identification uncertainty (degrees-of-belief) in these “best” estimates. This paper develops a Bayesian framework for probabilistic soil stratification based on the profile of soil behaviour type index Iccalculated from CPT data. The proposed Bayesian framework not only provides the most probable values of N and HN, but also quantifies their associated identification uncertainty based on the Icprofile and prior knowledge. Equations are derived for the proposed approach, and they are illustrated and validated using real and simulated Icprofiles. Results show that the proposed approach properly identifies the most probable soil stratigraphy based on the Icprofile and prior knowledge, and rationally quantifies the uncertainty in identified soil stratigraphy with consideration of inherent spatial variability of Ic.
Incidence of blossom-end rot in elongated tomato fruit
Authors: Riboldi Lucas Baiochi , Araújo Sabrina Helena da Cruz , de Freitas Sérgio Tonetto , Camargo e Castro Paulo Roberto de
Published: July 2018

Blossom-end rot (BER) is a physiological disorder that can affect 100% of the fruit crop depending on the genotype. Tomato varieties with elongated fruit usually have a greater susceptibility to BER than other varieties. To evaluate and identify the possible physiological and morphological characteristics related to the onset of BER development, four varieties of long-shape tomato fruit with different susceptibility to BER: ‘San Marzano,’ ‘Banana Legs,’ ‘Roma,’ and ‘Mini-Roma’ were examined. Our results show that ‘San Marzano’ and ‘Banana Legs’ (elongated fruit) had a higher incidence of BER and lower Ca2+ concentration in the distal fruit tissue. ‘San Marzano’ (the most elongated fruit) presented higher electrolyte leakage in the distal fruit tissue. By comparison, ‘Roma’ and ‘Mini-Roma’ (less elongated fruit) were less susceptible to BER and had a higher ratio for proximal/distal fruit Ca2+ and a lower distal cell-wall bound content of Ca2+. Additionally, xylem functionality (vessels transporting water and solutes) in the distal fruit tissue was also higher in these more-tolerant varieties. These results support the theory that total fruit content of Ca2+ is not the only factor determining fruit susceptibility to BER, but rather a balance between physiological and morphological factors that influence Ca2+ transport and allocation in the fruit.
Arsenic-hypertolerant and arsenic-reducing bacteria isolated from wells in Tucumán, Argentina
Authors: Maizel Daniela , Balverdi Pilar , Rosen Barry , Sales Adriana M. , Ferrero Marcela A.
Published: July 2018

Arsenic-hypertolerant bacteria were isolated from arsenic-contaminated well water from the village of Los Pereyra in Tucumán province, Argentina. Microorganisms that biotransform arsenic are a major factor in arsenic mobilization in contaminated aquifers. Groundwater analyses showed a level of arsenic contamination (mean concentration of 978 μg·L−1) that exceeds the safe drinking water limit of 10 μg·L−1recommended by the World Health Organization and the Argentine Food Code. There was considerable spatial variability in the concentration of arsenic in each of the wells analyzed and in the distribution of the major anions HCO3–, SO42–, and Cl–. Eighteen bacterial strains were characterized. Six strains belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum were able to grow in media with 20 mmol·L–1As(III) or 200 mmol·L–1As(V) and were also highly resistant to Cr, Cd, and Cu. Their ability to biotransform arsenic was examined by speciation of the products by high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, two strains, Brevibacterium sp. strain AE038-4 and Microbacterium sp. strain AE038-20, were capable of aerobic arsenate reduction, which suggests that these strains could increase the mobility of arsenic by formation of more mobile As(III).
ThreeSalmonella entericaserovar Enteritidis bacteriophages from theSiphoviridaefamily are promising candidates for phage therapy
Authors: Chen Yibao , Sun Erchao , Song Jiaoyang , Tong Yigang , Wu Bin
Published: July 2018

Salmonella is a common and widely distributed foodborne pathogen that is frequently implicated in gastrointestinal infections. The emergence and spread of Salmonella strains resistant to multiple antibiotics poses a significant health threat, highlighting the urgent need for early and effective therapeutic strategies. We isolated a total of 32 phages from water samples and anal swabs from pigs. Of these, three phages that produced large, clear plaques were selected for further study using the following methods: electron microscopy, analysis of the life cycle parameters, genetic analysis, inhibition of bacterial growth, and activity against biofilms. The three Salmonella phages (vB_SenS_CSP01, vB_SenS_PHB06, and vB_SenS_PHB07) were assigned to the family Siphoviridae on the basis of their morphology. All showed polyvalent infectivity, and individual phages or phage cocktails could inhibit the growth of host Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis strains or reduce biofilm formation by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. In summary, these three phages merit further research as biocontrol agents for Salmonella infection.
Soil fertility increases rapidly during the 6–10 yr following conversion of cropland to grassland in China’s Loess Plateau region
Authors: Zhang Qingyin , Shao Ming’an
Published: July 2018

Change in land use causes changes in soil properties and soil fertility, with long-term effects on ecosystem and crop productivity. This study determined soil fertility along sequential conversion of cropland to grassland in China’s Loess Plateau. Soil samples were collected in 2015 at two sites in the semiarid region, following the conversion of cropland to grassland. Soil particle-size distribution, bulk density, pH, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available potassium, and available phosphorus were measured in this study. In addition, we analysed the changes of soil OC, TN, and TP, and evaluated soil fertility after the conversion from cropland to grassland. The establishment of grassland significantly increased soil OC, N, and P content, especially in the 0–10 cm soil layer. The highest change in soil OC, N, and P content occurred 6–10 yr after land conversion. The measured soil variables did not change significantly after 10 yr of land conversion. The overall increase in soil fertility after the land conversion was 13% at one site and 26% at the other site. The results suggested that establishing grassland could enhance soil fertility in the semiarid Loess Plateau region of China, and this enhancement is optimal 6–10 yr after the establishment of grassland.
Aquatic herbicide applications for the control of aquatic plants in Canada: effects to nontarget aquatic organisms
Authors: Breckels R.D. , Kilgour B.W.
Published: July 2018

Nuisance growths of aquatic plants in Canadian surface waters continue to be problematic. Only diquat, a contact herbicide that is used to control many free-floating plants (but is less effective at controlling emergent plants), is registered in Canada for general aquatic use. Other herbicides are currently only permitted under “emergency registration.” Recent emergency registrations have been granted to glyphosate and imazapyr, and these two herbicides are likely candidates to be proposed for full registration for direct application to water in Canada in the foreseeable future. These herbicides have been extensively studied in laboratory conditions and have provided a benchmark for ecotoxicity for a variety of aquatic organisms, yet the inherent toxicity of these herbicides derived from tests does not always translate into their environmental toxicity in natural aquatic ecosystems as the fate (e.g., removal from the water body via binding to sediments and suspended solids, degradation, volatization, etc.) and exposure (i.e., continuous in the laboratory versus “pulsed” in the field) of herbicides in the natural environment is very different from their fate and exposure in laboratories. These differences will likely result in field studies having lower biological effects than laboratory studies, even if the initial exposure concentrations were similar. This review details the current knowledge based on field studies that examine the effects of the direct application of diquat, glyphosate, and imazapyr to aquatic environments on aquatic organisms. The studies of the effects of the aquatic formulations of diquat, glyphosate, and imazapyr that are reviewed here generally found negligible or short-lived impacts on fish and aquatic invertebrates in situ, whereas they found that the application of these herbicides was often beneficial through the physical modification of available habitat (i.e., an increase in open water outweighs any potential toxic effects). Conversely, certain surfactants used to increase herbicide efficacy have been suggested to be more toxic than the herbicide itself. We thus suggest monitoring the effects associated with controlled applications of diquat and other aquatic herbicides including glyphosate and imazapyr and their surfactants, as this would be a means of accumulating information that may guide future uses of herbicides in Canadian waterways.