bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of bioaugmentation on biochemical characterisation and microbial communities in Daqu using Bacillus, Saccharomycopsis and Absidia
Authors: Song Jiankun , Tang Hanlan , Liang Hebin , Luo Lixin , Lin Weifeng
Published: April 2019

Daqu, a saccharifying and fermenting agent for the production of Chinese vinegar and liquor, is manufactured through a spontaneous solid‐state fermentation process (SSF). To investigate the influence of bioaugmentation with native microorganisms on Daqu SSF process, physicochemical properties, microbial biomass, volatile compounds and microbial communities were analysed in laboratory‐scale Daqu. The results showed that the amylase activity of Daqu enhanced 6.35% ± 0.74% by inoculating Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and Absidia corymbifera. Obviously higher microbial richness was found in the Daqu with bioaugmentation, although the microbial community structure remained relatively stable. Moreover, a total of twenty‐two volatile compounds were detected in the mature Daqu. Slightly increase in the content of alcohols was found in the enhanced group by fungal inoculation, including ethanol (46.58 ± 1.36 mg kg−1), isobutanol (0.19 ± 0.04 mg kg−1) and isoamyl alcohol (1.55 ± 0.13 mg kg−1). This study demonstrated that bioaugmentation had a positive effect on the amylase activity, main volatile compounds and microbial community richness.
A biased‐randomized algorithm for redistribution of perishable food inventories in supermarket chains
Authors: Estrada‐Moreno Alejandro , Fikar Christian , Juan Angel A. , Hirsch Patrick
Published: April 2019

In supermarkets, perishable products need to be sold to consumers before a given deadline, after which their monetary value is significantly diminished or even completely lost. In the case of valuable products that should not be wasted, the following operational decision needs to be made as this deadline approaches: which is the best way to reallocate products from stores with surplus inventories to stores with unsatisfied demand? This question results in an optimization problem in which the goal is to minimize total transport cost plus opportunity cost associated with a reduction in market value of products being delivered after a given deadline. Our paper examines this inventory reallocation problem, which is modeled as an extension of the multi‐depot vehicle routing problem with soft deadlines, that is, delivery deadlines can be violated by incurring an opportunity or penalty cost. Being an NP‐hard optimization problem, a metaheuristic algorithm using biased‐randomization techniques is proposed as an effective solution approach. A series of computational experiments contribute to validate our algorithm and to illustrate the potential benefits that can be obtained by reallocating perishable and valuable products in various problem settings.
A novel pale‐yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor with site‐selected excitation and small thermal quenching
Authors: Wu Quansheng , Chen Xi , Chen Hande , Zhang Hanqiang , Zhou Jiangcong
Published: April 2019

A novel pale‐yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor with site‐selected excitation and small thermal quenching was synthesized by conventional solid‐state sintering. The crystal structure and luminescence properties have been investigated in detail for the first time using XRD patterns, photoluminescence spectra, diffuse reflection spectra, decay curves, and temperature‐dependent emission spectra. The results reveal that the excitation spectrum of Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor locates in the near‐ultraviolet region of 300‐400 nm, and its emission shows an obvious site‐selective excitation phenomenon since Bi3+ ions occupy two different crystallographic sites in the Ba2ZnGe2O7 host. When excited under 360 nm, the phosphors show a pale‐yellow emission in the range of 400‐700 nm with the maximum peaking at 520 nm, while when excited under 316 nm, the phosphors show a blue emission in the range of 400‐700 nm with the maximum peaking at 480 nm. In addition, the emission of Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ can also be easily controlled by changing the Bi3+ concentration. The Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor has small thermal quenching, and its emission intensity only decreases by 2% at 200°C. The results indicate that this novel pale‐yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor could be conducive to the development of white light‐emitting diodes.
Otolith shape analysis and daily increment validation during ontogeny of larval and juvenile European chub Squalius cephalus
Authors: Bounket Bernadette , Gibert Pierre , Gennotte Vincent , Argillier Christine , Carrel Georges , Maire Anthony , Logez Maxime , Morat Fabien
Published: April 2019

This assesses features of otoliths from laboratory‐reared embryos, larvae and juvenile European chub Squalius cephalus from hatching to 180 days post‐hatching (dph). We observed the development of the three pairs of otoliths (lapilli, sagittae and asterisci) and more precisely shape changes, as well as timing and deposition rate of increments of the lapilli. The lapilli and the sagittae were present at hatching, whereas the asterisci formed between 20 and 30 dph. The lapillus and sagitta shapes were round until 20 dph. From 60 dph the anterior and the posterior rostra of the sagittae were well developed, but very thin, making this otolith too fragile to manipulate for further studies of shape and validation of otolith increment deposition rate. The lapilli provided reliable age estimates for free embryos, larvae and juveniles up to 120 dph. However, caution should be taken when ageing fish older than 150 dph as an underestimation was noticeable. The regression of the number of otolith increments on age showed a slope and an intercept not significantly different from 1 and 0, respectively, which indicated that otolith growth increments were deposited on a daily basis, with the first microincrement occurring at hatching. Increment counts were consistent between three interpreters, indicating a consistent and reliable age estimate. This study validates that the otolith increment deposition rate can be used to assess hatching dates and daily growth of wild S. cephalus under 150 dph and in environments similar to the conditions used in this study.
Functional Outcomes After Hip Fracture in Independent Community‐Dwelling Patients
Authors: Ouellet Jennifer A. , Ouellet Gregory M. , Romegialli Alison M. , Hirsch Marilyn , Berardi Lisa , Ramsey Christine M. , Cooney Jr Leo M. , Walke Lisa M.
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVES

To determine predictors of new activities of daily living (ADLs) disability and worsened mobility disability and secondarily increased daily care hours received, in previously independent hip fracture patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic hospital with ambulatory follow‐up.

PARTICIPANTS

Community‐dwelling adults 65 years or older independent in ADLs undergoing hip fracture surgery in 2015 (n = 184).

MEASUREMENTS

Baseline, 3‐ and 6‐month ADLs, mobility, and daily care hours received were ascertained by telephone survey and chart review. Comorbidities, medications, and characteristics of hospitalization were extracted from patient charts. Models for each outcome used logistic regression with a backward elimination strategy, adjusting a priori for age, sex, and race.

RESULTS

Predictors of new ADL disability at 3 months were dementia (odds ratio [OR] = 11.81; P = .001) and in‐hospital delirium (OR = 4.20; P = .002), and at 6 months were age (OR = 1.04; P = .014), dementia (OR = 9.91; P = .001), in‐hospital delirium (OR = 3.00; P = .031) and preadmission opiates (OR = 7.72; P = .003). Predictors of worsened mobility at 3 months were in‐hospital delirium (OR = 4.48; P = .001) and number of medications (OR = 1.13; P = .003), and at 6 months were age (OR = 1.06; P = .001), preadmission opiates (OR = 7.23; P = .005), in‐hospital delirium (OR = 3.10; P = .019), and number of medications (OR = 1.13; P = .013). Predictors of increased daily care hours received at 3 and 6 months were age (3 months: OR = 1.07; P = .014; 6 months: OR = 1.06; P = .017) and number of medications (3 months: OR = 1.13; P = .004; 6 months: OR = 1.22; P = .013). The proportion of patients with ADL disability and care hours received did not change from 3 to 6 months, yet there were significant improvements in mobility.

CONCLUSION

Age, dementia, in‐hospital delirium, number of medications, and preadmission opiate use were predictors of poor outcomes in independent older adults following hip fracture. Further investigation is needed to identify factors associated with improved mobility measures from 3 to 6 months to ultimately optimize recovery.
Chronic alcohol consumption changes blood marker profile and bone density in rats with apical periodontitis
Authors: Dal‐Fabbro Renan , Marques de Almeida Melyna , Cosme‐Silva Leopoldo , Neto Antonio H. C. , Salzedas Leda M. P. , Cintra Luciano T. A. , Filho João E. G.
Published: April 2019

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate apical periodontitis (AP) development in rats under a chronic alcohol diet by calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase blood levels in addition to histological and radiographic analyses.

Methods

Thirty‐two rats were arranged into four groups: (a) group 1: without apical periodontitis and on a regular diet; (b) group 2: AP and on a regular diet; (c) group 3: alcoholic diet without apical periodontitis; and (d) group 4: alcoholic diet and apical periodontitis. Alcoholic solution at 20% was given throughout the 8‐week experiment. AP was induced in the first molars at the end of the 7th week. At the end, the animals were anesthetized for blood collection, followed by euthanasia, and jaws were removed for digital radiography and histological processing. The level of significance was 5%.

Results

Calcium levels remained constant in all groups (P > 0.05). Group 4 showed a higher phosphorous level than group 2 (P < 0.05). The alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in group 3 compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). Three animals in group 4 exhibited a severe inflammatory reaction, whereas the animals in group 2 did not demonstrate any reaction (P < 0.05). The lowest value of radiographic density was given by group 4 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Chronic alcohol consumption increased serum phosphorus and decreased bone density in the periapical region, favoring AP development.
Novel transforming growth factor beta receptor I kinase inhibitor galunisertib (LY2157299) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Faivre Sandrine , Santoro Armando , Kelley Robin K. , Gane Ed , Costentin Charlotte E. , Gueorguieva Ivelina , Smith Claire , Cleverly Ann , Lahn Michael M. , Raymond Eric , Benhadji Karim A. , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: April 2019

Background and Aims

We assessed the activity of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β1) receptor I, in second‐line patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in two cohorts of baseline serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP).

Methods

Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on or were ineligible to receive sorafenib, Child‐Pugh A/B7 and ECOG PS ≤1 were enrolled into Part A (AFP ≥ 1.5× ULN) or Part B (AFP < 1.5× ULN). Patients were treated with 80 or 150 mg galunisertib BID for 14 days per 28‐day cycle. Endpoints were time‐to‐progression (TTP) and changes in circulating AFP and TGF‐β1 levels, as well as safety, pharmacokinetics, progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS).

Results

Patients (n = 149) were enrolled with median age 65 years. Median TTP was 2.7 months (95% CI: 1.5‐2.9) in Part A (n = 109) and 4.2 months (95% CI: 1.7‐5.5) in Part B (n = 40). Median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI: 4.9‐10.5) in Part A and 16.8 months (95% CI: 10.5‐24.4) in Part B. OS was longer in AFP responders (>20% decrease from baseline, Part A) compared to non‐responders (21.5 months vs 6.8 months). OS was longer in TGF‐β1 responders (>20% decrease from baseline, all patients) compared to non‐responders. The most common Grade 3/4 treatment‐related adverse events were neutropenia (n = 4) and fatigue, anaemia, increased bilirubin, hypoalbuminemia and embolism (each, n = 2).

Conclusions

Galunisertib treatment had a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC. Lower baseline AFP and a response in AFP or TGF‐β1 levels (vs no response) correlated with longer survival. Trial Registration Number: NCT01246986 at ClinicalTrials.gov.
Long‐term outcomes of individualized treatment strategy in treatment of type I Budd‐Chiari syndrome in 456 patients
Authors: Ding Peng‐Xu , Han Xin‐Wei , Liu Chao , Zhang Yan , Cheng An‐Ling , Wu Yan , Liang Xiao‐Xue , Gao Xue‐Mei , Lee Edward Wolfgang
Published: April 2019

Aim

To evaluate individualized treatment strategy (ITS) and long‐term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Budd‐Chiari syndrome (BCS) with obstructed inferior vena cava (IVC) based on different degrees of hepatic vein (HV) involvement.

Methods

From January 2006 to June 2017, 456 consecutive patients with BCS with obstructed IVC underwent endovascular treatment with ITS. All patients received IVC recanalization. Then, 426 patients with at least one patent HV received no additional treatment. Twenty‐fivepatients with membranous or segmental occlusion of HVs underwent HV recanalization and for the remaining five patients with diffuse HVs occlusion, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed.

Results

The endovascular treatment was technically successful in 455 of the 456 patients (99.8%). The complication rate was 5.0% (23/456), with major complications in 13 patients (2.8%) and minor complications in 10 patients (2.2%). Median follow‐up time was 60.5 months (range, 4‐120 months). The cumulative 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐year primary vessel patency rates were 93.6%, 89.9%, 80.5% and 74.3% respectively and the cumulative 1‐, 2‐, 5‐, 10‐ year secondary patency rates were 99.8%, 99.8%, 98.2% and 97.2% respectively. The cumulative 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates were 98.4%, 95.8%, 91.2% and 76.5% respectively. Illness duration and decreased serum albumin were independent predictors of survival.

Conclusion

The ITS for Asian BCS with obstructed IVC and varying degrees of HV involvement appears to be effective and with good long‐term outcomes.
Mechanical understanding of hunting waves generated by killer whales
Authors: You Hojung , Hwang Jin Hwan , Park Yong Sung
Published: April 2019

The wave wash hunting employed by Orcinus orca, also known as killer whales, is unique in that the prey is hunted outside of the water by generating waves. To quantitatively analyze the specific mechanism of the wave wash, data were obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and wave theory was introduced as the theoretical background to clarify the mechanism. The relationships between the swimming characteristics and wave parameters are defined in this paper. The results obtained by numerical investigation revealed that the wavelength increased with the swimming speed. Additionally, the wave height increased as the swimming speed increased and the swimming depth became shallower, and subsequently converged to a maximum of 2.42 m. The success of hunting is determined by two wave parameters, which indicate the intensity of the wave wash: the wave height and force exerted on the prey. The metabolic rate and the drag force are considered to evaluate the efficiency of the locomotion, which varied according to the swimming speed (V) and swimming depth (d) of the whales. To generate hunting waves efficiently, the optimal ranges of V and d were estimated to be 3 ~ 5 m/s and 0.5 m ~ 1.1 m respectively.
Small molecule targeting of RNA structures in neurological disorders
Authors: Angelbello Alicia J. , Chen Jonathan L. , Disney Matthew D.
Published: April 2019

Aberrant RNA structure and function operate in neurological disease progression and severity. As RNA contributes to disease pathology in a complex fashion, that is, via various mechanisms, it has become an attractive therapeutic target for small molecules and oligonucleotides. In this review, we discuss the identification of RNA structures that cause or contribute to neurological diseases as well as recent progress toward the development of small molecules that target them, including small molecule modulators of pre‐mRNA splicing and RNA repeat expansions that cause microsatellite disorders such as Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The use of oligonucleotide‐based modalities is also discussed. There are key differences between small molecule and oligonucleotide targeting of RNA. The former targets RNA structure, while the latter prefers unstructured regions. Thus, some targets will be preferentially targeted by oligonucleotides and others by small molecules.
Influence of GST polymorphisms on busulfan pharmacokinetics in Japanese children
Authors: Nishikawa Takuro , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Ikawa Kazuro , Nakayama Kazutaka , Higashi Erika , Miyahara Emiko , Abematsu Takanari , Nakagawa Shunsuke , Kodama Yuichi , Tanabe Takayuki , Shigemi Akari , Shinkoda Yuichi , Okamoto Yasuhiro , Takeda Yasuo , Kawano Yoshifumi
Published: April 2019

Background

Fatal adverse effects or relapse can occur with excessive or insufficient busulfan exposure in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Given that busulfan is mainly metabolized by glutathione S‐transferase (GST), we investigated the influence of GST polymorphisms on busulfan pharmacokinetics in Japanese pediatric patients.

Methods

Blood samples were taken from patients receiving high‐dose i.v. busulfan as the first dose. Plasma busulfan concentration was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The area under the plasma busulfan concentration–time curve (AUC) was calculated. The genotype of GSTA1 was determined on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multiplex PCR was used to detect the presence or absence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the genomic DNA samples.

Results

Twenty patients were consecutively enrolled. Phenotype prediction was defined as follows: poor metabolizer (n = 4), one or more GSTA1*B haplotype or GSTM1/GSTT1 double‐null genotypes; and extensive metabolizer (n = 16), other genotypes. GSTA1, M1, and T1 independently had no significant differences in AUC0‐∞, clearance or elimination rate constant. For the infant with unexpectedly high AUC0‐∞ (2,591 μmol/L min), the GSTA1, M1, and T1 polymorphisms were wild type. On further analysis, the poor metabolizer group had lower clearance and higher AUC0‐∞, except for the aforementioned patient, compared with the extensive metabolizer group (1,531 vs 1,010 μmol/L min; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

GST polymorphisms may have affected busulfan pharmacokinetics, but these effects were obscured by other factors, such as underlying disease, systemic conditions, treatment history, and race.
Are two strategies better than one? Manipulation of seed density and soil community in an experimental prairie restoration
Authors: Lubin Terra K. , Schultz Peggy , Bever James D. , Alexander Helen M.
Published: April 2019

Restoration practitioners have a variety of practices to choose from when designing a restoration, and different strategies may address different goals. Knowledge of how to best use multiple strategies could improve restoration outcomes. Here, we examine two commonly suggested strategies in a single tallgrass prairie restoration experiment: increased forb sowing density and prairie soil inoculation. We designed a study with two different forb seeding densities. Within these densities, we transplanted seedlings into 1‐m2 plots that had been grown in either a whole prairie soil inoculum or sterilized prairie soil. After 4 years, we found positive effects of both high forb sowing density and inoculation treatments on the ratio of seeded to nonseeded plant cover in these plots, and negative effects of both treatments on nonseeded plant diversity. No effects of either treatment were seen on seeded plant diversity. Each strategy also affected the plant community in different ways: high forb sowing density increased seeded forb richness and decreased native nonseeded plant cover, while inoculation decreased non‐native cover, and tended to increase average successional stage of the community. These effects on restoration outcome were typically independent of each other, with the result that plots with both manipulations had the most positive effects on restoration outcomes. We thus advocate the combined use of these restoration strategies, and further studies which focus on both seeding and soil community manipulation in restoration.
Hospitalizations for patients with acute respiratory exacerbations: In pursuit of rest or recovery?
Authors: Osadnik Christian R.
Published: April 2019

See related Article
Osteopontin lung gene expression is a marker of disease severity in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Mura Marco , Cecchini Matthew J. , Joseph Mariamma , Granton John T.
Published: April 2019

Background and objective

Osteopontin (OPN) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PA‐SMC). OPN is upregulated in the lungs of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that the lung is a source of OPN. We hypothesized that OPN lung expression is elevated in Group I pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and is correlated to haemodynamics.

Methods

Microarray analysis (Affymetrix) was performed after RNA was extracted from explanted lungs in 15 patients with Group I PAH who underwent lung transplantation (LTx) and 11 normal controls. PA pressure levels were recorded intraoperatively, immediately before starting LTx. Serum OPN levels were measured in subjects with PAH, Group II PH and normal controls on the day of right heart catheterization.

Results

OPN was among the top five upregulated genes in PAH compared to normal controls, which was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). OPN expression was similar and equally elevated in different subtypes of PAH. A strong significant correlation was observed between mean pulmonary arterial pressure and OPN gene expression. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed the involvement of OPN in functions and networks relevant to angiogenesis, cell death and proliferation of PA‐SMC. OPN serum levels did not differ in subjects with Group I PAH and Group II PH.

Conclusion

In the lungs of patients with severe PAH, OPN is highly expressed and the level of expression is significantly correlated to disease severity. OPN may play an important role in the vascular remodelling process of PAH.
Estimating the Changing Nature of Scotland's Health Inequalities by using a Multivariate Spatiotemporal Model
Authors: Jack Eilidh , Lee Duncan , Dean Nema
Published: April 2019

Health inequalities are the unfair and avoidable differences in people's health between different social groups. These inequalities have a huge influence on people's lives, particularly those who live at the poorer end of the socio-economic spectrum, as they result in prolonged ill health and shorter lives. Most studies estimate health inequalities for a single disease, but this will give an incomplete picture of the overall inequality in population health. Here we propose a novel multivariate spatiotemporal model for quantifying health inequalities in Scotland across multiple diseases, which will enable us to understand better how these inequalities vary across disease and have changed over time. In developing this model we are interested in estimating health inequalities between Scotland's 14 regional health boards, who are responsible for the protection and improvement of their population's health. The methodology is applied to hospital admissions data for cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease and respiratory disease, which are three of the leading causes of death, from 2003 to 2012 across Scotland.
Transport and deposition of mud in deep‐water environments: Processes and stratigraphic implications
Authors: Boulesteix Kévin , Poyatos‐Moré Miquel , Flint Stephen S. , Taylor Kevin G. , Hodgson David M. , Hasiotis Stephen T.
Published: April 2019

Deep‐water mudstones are often considered as background sediments, deposited by vertical suspension fallout, and the range of transport and depositional processes are poorly understood compared with their shallow‐marine counterparts. This study presents a dataset from a 538·50 m thick cored succession through the Permian muddy lower Ecca Group of the Tanqua depocentre (south‐west Karoo Basin, South Africa). This study aims to characterize the range of mudstone facies, transport and depositional processes, and stacking patterns recorded in deep‐water environments prior to deposition of the Tanqua Karoo sandy basin‐floor fans. A combination of macroscopic and microscopic description techniques and ichnological analysis has defined nine sedimentary facies that stack in a repeated pattern to produce 2 to 26 m thick depositional units. The lower part of each unit is characterized by bedded mudstone deposited by dilute, low‐density turbidity currents with evidence for hyperpycnal‐flow processes and sediment remobilization. The upper part of each unit is dominated by more organic‐rich bedded mudstone with common mudstone intraclasts, deposited by debris flows and transitional flows, with scarce indicators of suspension fallout. The intensity of bioturbation and burrow size increases upward through each depositional unit, consistent with a decrease in physicochemically stressed conditions, linked to a lower sediment accumulation rate. This vertical facies transition in the single well dataset can be interpreted to represent relative sea‐level variations; the hyperpycnal stressed conditions in the lower part of the units were driven by relative sea‐level fall, and the more bioturbated upper part of the units represent backstepping, related to relative sea‐level rise. Alternatively, this facies transition may represent autogenic compensational stacking. The prevalence of sediment density flow deposits, even in positions distal or lateral to the sediment entry point, challenges the idea that deep‐water mudstones are primarily the deposits of passive rainout along continental margins.
Labor Unions and Support for Redistribution in an Era of Inequality*
Authors: Macdonald David
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The United States has become increasingly unequal over the past several decades. Despite this, public opinion toward redistribution has remained largely unchanged. This is puzzling, given Americans' professed concern regarding, and knowledge of, rising inequality. I argue that the decline of labor unions, an organization that promotes anti‐inequality attitudes among its members, can help us to understand this.

Method

I use panel data from the 50 U.S. states from 1978 to 2012 and ordinary least squares regression to examine how state‐level unionization levels condition the relationship between income inequality and support for redistributive spending.

Results

I find that in contexts where labor unions are stronger, higher levels of income inequality prompt greater support for welfare spending.

Conclusion

These findings illustrate an additional mechanism through which labor unions can check income inequality and help us to understand why the American public has not turned in favor of redistribution during an era of rising economic inequality.
Laying the Foundation for a Successful Presidential Campaign: Public Attention and Fundraising in the Preprimary Period*
Authors: Swearingen C. Douglas
Published: April 2019

Objective

This study advances the presidential primary fundraising literature in two ways. First, we explore candidate fundraising during the preprimary period through the lens of public attention, arguing that candidates must find ways to activate interest in their campaigns in order to raise money. Second, we use Google Trends data to measure how much the public is paying attention to each presidential primary candidate and how this concept affects fundraising.

Methods

We use pooled cross‐sectional time‐series models to determine the impact of public attention on a candidate's weekly fundraising totals.

Results

We find that a candidate's share of public attention is one of the main drivers of preprimary period fundraising, even for non‐front‐running candidates.

Conclusion

This finding illustrates the role the public plays in shaping the preprimary period and identifies a determinant of fundraising that is readily available and frequently updated, allowing both scholars and campaigns to better monitor the preprimary phase of the presidential nomination process.
Machine learning innovations in address matching: A practical comparison of word2vec and CRFs
Authors: Comber Sam , Arribas‐Bel Daniel
Published: April 2019

Record linkage is a frequent obstacle to unlocking the benefits of integrated (spatial) data sources. In the absence of unique identifiers to directly join records, practitioners often rely on text‐based approaches for resolving candidate pairs of records to a match. In geographic information science, spatial record linkage is a form of geocoding that pertains to the resolution of text‐based linkage between pairs of addresses into matches and non‐matches. These approaches link text‐based address sequences, integrating sources of data that would otherwise remain in isolation. While recent innovations in machine learning have been introduced in the wider record linkage literature, there is significant potential to apply machine learning to the address matching sub‐field of geographic information science. As a response, this paper introduces two recent developments in text‐based machine learning—conditional random fields and word2vec—that have not been applied to address matching, evaluating their comparative strengths and drawbacks.
TRPM7 channels mediate spontaneous Ca
2+
fluctuations in growth plate chondrocytes that promote bone development
Authors: Qian Nianchao , Ichimura Atsuhiko , Takei Daisuke , Sakaguchi Reiko , Kitani Akihiro , Nagaoka Ryohei , Tomizawa Masato , Miyazaki Yuu , Miyachi Hitoshi , Numata Tomohiro , Kakizawa Sho , Nishi Miyuki , Mori Yasuo , Takeshima Hiroshi
Published: April 2019

The ion channel TRPM7 mediates Ca
2+
fluctuations in growth plate chondrocytes that are needed for proper bone growth.
Revised Interpretation of the Hain Lifescience GenoType MTBC To Differentiate
Mycobacterium canettii
and Members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex
Authors: Loiseau Chloé , Brites Daniela , Moser Irmgard , Coll Francesc , Pourcel Christine , Robbe-Austerman Suelee , Escuyer Vincent , Musser Kimberlee A. , Peacock Sharon J. , Feuerriegel Silke , Kohl Thomas A. , Niemann Stefan , Gagneux Sebastien , Köser Claudio U.
Published: April 2019

Using 894 phylogenetically diverse genomes of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC), we simulated
in silico
the ability of the Hain Lifescience GenoType MTBC assay to differentiate the causative agents of tuberculosis. Here, we propose a revised interpretation of this assay to reflect its strengths (e.g., it can distinguish some strains of
Mycobacterium canettii
and variants of
Mycobacterium bovis
that are not intrinsically resistant to pyrazinamide) and limitations (e.g.,
Mycobacterium orygis
cannot be differentiated from
Mycobacterium africanum
).
Novel MenA Inhibitors Are Bactericidal against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and Synergize with Electron Transport Chain Inhibitors
Authors: Berube Bryan J. , Russell Dara , Castro Lina , Choi Seoung-ryoung , Narayanasamy Prabagaran , Parish Tanya
Published: April 2019

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is the leading cause of morbidity and death resulting from infectious disease worldwide. The incredible disease burden, combined with the long course of drug treatment and an increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance among
M. tuberculosis
isolates, necessitates novel drugs and drug targets for treatment of this deadly pathogen.
Reversible Gene Expression Control in Yersinia pestis by Using an Optimized CRISPR Interference System
Authors: Wang Tong , Wang Min , Zhang Qingwen , Cao Shiyang , Li Xiang , Qi Zhizhen , Tan Yafang , You Yang , Bi Yujing , Song Yajun , Yang Ruifu , Du Zongmin
Published: April 2019

Yersinia
pestis
is a lethal pathogen responsible for millions of human deaths in history. It has also attracted much attention for potential uses as a bioweapon or bioterrorism agent, against which new vaccines are desperately needed. However, many
Y. pestis
genes remain uncharacterized, greatly hampering the development of measures for plague prevention and control. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat interference (CRISPRi) has been successfully used in a variety of bacteria in functional genomic studies, but no such genetic tool has been reported in
Y. pestis
. Here, we systematically optimized the CRISPRi approach for use in
Y. pestis
, which ultimately repressed target gene expression with high efficiency in a reversible manner. Knockdown of functional genes using this method produced phenotypes that were readily detected by
in vitro
assays, cell infection assays, and mouse infection experiments. This is a report of a CRISPRi approach in
Y. pestis
and highlights the potential use of this approach in high-throughput functional genomics studies of this pathogen.
Pathoadaptive Alteration of
Salmonella
Biofilm Formation in Response to the Gallbladder Environment
Authors: Neiger Michael R. , González Juan F. , Gonzalez-Escobedo Geoffrey , Kuck Harkness , White Peter , Gunn John S.
Published: April 2019

Chronic carriers are the main reservoirs for the spread of typhoid fever in regions of endemicity.
Salmonella
Typhi forms biofilms on gallstones in order to persist. A strain with enhanced biofilm-forming ability was recovered after a nine-month chronic-carriage mouse study. After sequencing this strain and recreating some of the mutations, we could not duplicate the phenotype. The isolate did show a difference in flagella, a preference to bind to cholesterol, and a systemic virulence defect. Finally, gallbladder conditions were simulated
in vitro
. After 60 days, there was a 4.5-fold increase in hyperbiofilm isolates when a gallstone was present. These results indicate that
Salmonella
spp. can undergo genetic changes that improve persistence in gallbladder albeit at the cost of decreased virulence.
Specific ActivationIn Vivoof HIV-1 by a Bromodomain Inhibitor from Monocytic Cells in Humanized Mice under Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Li Guangming , Zhang Zheng , Reszka-Blanco Natalia , Li Feng , Chi Liqun , Ma Jianping , Jeffrey Jerry , Cheng Liang , Su Lishan
Published: April 2019

Bromodomain inhibitors have been reported to activate HIV-1 transcriptionin vitro, but their effect on activation of HIV-1 reservoirs during cARTin vivois unclear. We found that BETi (I-BET151) treatment reactivated HIV-1 gene expression in humanized mice during suppressive cART. Interestingly, I-BET151 preferentially reactivated HIV-1 gene expression in monocytic cells, but not in CD4 T cells, in cART-treated mice. Furthermore, I-BET151 significantly increased HIV-1 transcription in monocytic cells, but not in HIV-1-infected CD4 T cells, via CDK2-dependent mechanisms. Our findings suggest that BETi can preferentially activate monocytic HIV-1 reservoir cells and that a combination of reservoir activation agents targeting different cell types and pathways is needed to achieve reactivation of different HIV-1 reservoir cells during cART.
Dictyostelid Cellular Slime Molds from Christmas Island, Indian Ocean
Authors: Liu Pu , Zou Yue , Li Wenxiu , Li Yu , Li Xinru , Che Songhao , Stephenson Steven L.
Published: April 2019

Reported here are the results of a study for dictyostelids carried out on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Six isolates representing four species of dictyostelid cellular slime molds were obtained from two of the four localities from which samples were collected on the island. Two of the species (
Dictyostelium insulinativitatis
and
D. barbarae
) belong to the Dictyosteliaceae, genus
Dictyostelium
, and are new to science. These are described based on both morphology and phylogeny. The diversity and abundance of dictyostelids on Christmas Island appear to be low, which might in part be due to the abundance of land crabs, which considerably reduce the extent of the litter layer on the forest floor.
Comprehensive Identification of Fim-Mediated Inversions in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli with Structural Variation Detection Using Relative Entropy
Authors: Russell Colin W. , Sukumaran Rashmi , Liow Lu Ting , Periaswamy Balamurugan , Rafee Shazmina , Chee Yuemin C. , Chen Swaine L.
Published: April 2019

UTI is a common ailment that affects more than half of all women during their lifetime. The leading cause of UTIs is UPEC, which relies on type 1 pili to colonize and persist within the bladder during infection. The regulation of type 1 pili is remarkable for an epigenetic mechanism in which a section of DNA containing a promoter is inverted. The inversion mechanism relies on what are thought to be dedicated recombinase genes; however, the full repertoire for these recombinases is not known. We show here that there are no additional targets beyond those already identified for the recombinases in the entire genome of two UPEC strains, arguing that type 1 pilus expression itself is the driving evolutionary force for the presence of these recombinase genes. This further suggests that targeting the type 1 pilus is a rational alternative nonantibiotic strategy for the treatment of UTI.
A Novel Virulence Phenotype Rapidly Assesses
Candida
Fungal Pathogenesis in Healthy and Immunocompromised
Caenorhabditis elegans
Hosts
Authors: Feistel Dorian J. , Elmostafa Rema , Nguyen Nancy , Penley McKenna , Morran Levi , Hickman Meleah A.
Published: April 2019

Opportunistic pathogens are commensals capable of causing disease and are serious threats to human health. It is critical to understand the mechanisms and host contexts under which opportunistic pathogens become virulent. In this work, we present a novel assay to quickly and quantitatively measure pathogen virulence in healthy and immunocompromised nematode hosts. We found that
Candida
species, one of the most prominent fungal opportunistic pathogens of humans, decrease host fitness by reducing survival and impacting host reproduction. Most importantly, by measuring virulence in hosts that have intact or compromised immune function, we can reveal the pathogenic potential of opportunistic fungal pathogens.
Accuracy of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for screening to detect major depression: individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Levis Brooke , Benedetti Andrea , Thombs Brett D
Published: April 2019

Objective

To determine the accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for screening to detect major depression.

Design

Individual participant data meta-analysis.

Data sources

Medline, Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (January 2000-February 2015).

Inclusion criteria

Eligible studies compared PHQ-9 scores with major depression diagnoses from validated diagnostic interviews. Primary study data and study level data extracted from primary reports were synthesized. For PHQ-9 cut-off scores 5-15, bivariate random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity, separately, among studies that used semistructured diagnostic interviews, which are designed for administration by clinicians; fully structured interviews, which are designed for lay administration; and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric (MINI) diagnostic interviews, a brief fully structured interview. Sensitivity and specificity were examined among participant subgroups and, separately, using meta-regression, considering all subgroup variables in a single model.

Results

Data were obtained for 58 of 72 eligible studies (total n=17 357; major depression cases n=2312). Combined sensitivity and specificity was maximized at a cut-off score of 10 or above among studies using a semistructured interview (29 studies, 6725 participants; sensitivity 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 0.92; specificity 0.85, 0.82 to 0.88). Across cut-off scores 5-15, sensitivity with semistructured interviews was 5-22% higher than for fully structured interviews (MINI excluded; 14 studies, 7680 participants) and 2-15% higher than for the MINI (15 studies, 2952 participants). Specificity was similar across diagnostic interviews. The PHQ-9 seems to be similarly sensitive but may be less specific for younger patients than for older patients; a cut-off score of 10 or above can be used regardless of age..

Conclusions

PHQ-9 sensitivity compared with semistructured diagnostic interviews was greater than in previous conventional meta-analyses that combined reference standards. A cut-off score of 10 or above maximized combined sensitivity and specificity overall and for subgroups.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42014010673.
Improving patient flow in a regional anaesthesia block room
Authors: Brown Brigid , Khemani Ekta , Lin Cheng , Armstrong Kevin
Published: April 2019

University Hospital is a tertiary academic centre in London, Ontario, Canada. A designated space known as the block room (BR) supports a model of care to perform regional anaesthesia prior to entering the resource intense operating room (OR). Stress due to time pressure was reported by BR staff. It was presumed that upstream delays in patient admission, preparation, transportation and in the BR resulted in late OR starts. There was limited data for a patient’s preoperative transit at our institution. A prospective quality improvement project was conceived to understand and address concerns surrounding patient flow. Using Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) methodology, we collected baseline data of patients perioperative transit and performed three PDSA cycles for improvement. We established targets for OR entry time and patient arrival to the BR. We examined communication between the surgical preparation unit, BRandORs, involved stakeholders in decision making and continuously sourced feedback for improvement. Over three incremental rapid PDSA cycles and reaudit of our baseline, we found a statistically significant improvement in patients arriving to the BR 60 min prior to the scheduled OR time from a baseline of 31%–53% (p=0.04) and patient operations commencing on time improved from 52% to 65% (p=0.03). The availability of patients in the BR within 15 min of a decision to have them available reached 98% from a baseline of 69% (p<0.001). As a result of the quality improvement process, we were able to significantly improve the flow of the preoperative patient journey at our institution. With a better understanding of complex preoperative processes, we can strategically intervene and potentially improve efficiency, morale and safety.
Unsymmetric dihydropyridines bearing 2-pyridyl methyl carboxylate as modulators of P-glycoprotein; synthesis and biological evaluation in resistant and non-resistant cancer cells
Authors: Nejati Maryam , Sadeghpour Hossein , Ranjbar Sara , Javidnia Katayoun , Edraki Najmeh , Saso Luciano , Firuzi Omidreza , Miri Ramin
Published: April 2019

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells is often associated with overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp or ABCB1 or MDR1); therefore, modulators of this transporter might be helpful in overcoming MDR. In this study, 16 novel unsymmetrical dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives bearing 2-pyridyl methyl carboxylate at C3and a nitroimidazole or nitrophenyl ring at C4positions of the DHP ring were synthesized. Their cytotoxicity was tested against four human cancer cells by MTT assay. The reversal capacity of MDR was examined in P-gp overexpressing cells (MES-SA/DX5) by measuring the alteration of doxorubicin’s IC50and performing flow cytometric determination of intracellular rhodamine 123 accumulation. The calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity, as a side effect of DHPs, was tested on the ileum of a guinea pig. Molecular docking was performed to explain the binding mode of compounds. Two derivatives, 4a and 4c, containing 4-nitrophenyl at C4and possessing methyl (4a) and iso-propyl (4c) carboxylates at the C5position of DHP core demonstrated superior cytotoxic and MDR reversal activities and lower CCB effect. Docking analysis confirmed the importance of the 4-nitrophenyl ring for P-gp inhibitory activity. Some of the synthesized DHP derivatives with considerable MDR reversal capacity could be promising compounds for further discovery of useful agents for management of drug resistant cancer.
“From nude calendars to tractor calendars”: the perspectives of female executives on gender aspects in the North American and Nordic forest industries
Authors: Larasatie Pipiet , Baublyte Gintare , Conroy Kendall , Hansen Eric , Toppinen Anne
Published: April 2019

Increasing gender diversity is no longer just the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. Although there is general literature about gender diversity and the perspectives of females in top management and leadership, there are, however, very few forest sector specific studies. This exploratory study utilizes interviews to better understand how female executives in North America and the Nordic countries of Finland and Sweden perceive the impact of the situation of gender diversity in the forest industry. Respondents also provide career advice for young females entering or considering entry into the industry. Female executives in both regions agree that although the forest sector is still seen as a male-oriented industry, there are signs of increasingly positive attitudes regarding industry and company culture towards the benefits of greater gender diversity; however, the described changes represent an evolution, not revolution. Interestingly, despite the status of Nordic countries as leaders in bridging the gender gap, respondents from this region believe that there is significant progress yet to be made in the forest industry, especially at the entry level. With respect to career development, North American respondents suggested that young females should consider sacrificing their social life and leisure time activities, whereas Nordic respondents instead emphasized personal supports or using exit strategy from an unsupportive company or boss.
Delineating the origins of the multidrug-resistant pathogens in ornamental fish farms by multilocus sequence typing and identification of a novel multidrug-resistant plasmid
Authors: Fu Songzhe , Ni Ping , Wang Yi , Jin Shibo , Jiang Zhiqiang , Ye Shigen , Li Ruijun
Published: April 2019

To evaluate the overuse of antibiotics and to identify the origin of pathogens in the ornamental fish industry, we conducted a field investigation of three representative fish farms in Liaoning province, China. Drug-resistant pathogens in the fishponds and groundwater were isolated and subtyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). In total, 33 pathogenic strains, including Aeromonas veronii and five other pathogens, were isolated from diseased fish and from groundwater. MLST revealed that A. veronii obtained from diseased fish in three fish farms can be subtyped into four sequence types, which were also identified in the corresponding groundwater. All of the isolates obtained from diseased fish showed resistance to at least four antibiotics. Notably, Citrobacter freundii JY-17 exhibited resistance to the majority of the antibiotics and was a carrier of a megaplasmid with 15 drug resistance genes. PCR assays targeting β-lactam, kanamycin, macrolide, phenicol, sulfonamide, and trimethoprim resistance genes in the pathogens from the diseased fish and groundwater were also conducted. The results revealed strong correlations between antibiotic treatment and increased antimicrobial resistance in fish pathogens. The results suggested that groundwater is the origin of the pathogens in ornamental fish. Antibiotic treatment of ornamental fish promoted the emergence of resistant pathogens.