bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The distinct functions of two classical arabinogalactan proteins BcMF8 and BcMF18 during pollen wall development in Brassica campestris
Authors: Lin Sue , Yue Xiaoyan , Miao Yingjing , Yu Youjian , Dong Heng , Huang Li , Cao Jiashu
Published: February 2018

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are extensively glycosylated hydroxyproline‐rich glycoproteins ubiquitous in all plant tissues and cells. AtAGP6 and AtAGP11, the only two functionally known pollen‐specific classical AGP encoding genes in Arabidopsis, are reported to have redundant functions in microspore development. BcMF18 and BcMF8 isolated from Brassica campestris are the orthologues of AtAGP6 and AtAGP11, respectively. In contrast to the functional redundancy of AtAGP6 and AtAGP11, single‐gene disruption of BcMF8 led to deformed pollen grains with abnormal intine development and ectopic aperture formation in B. campestris. Here, we further explored the action of BcMF18 and its relationship with BcMF8. BcMF18 was specifically expressed in pollen during the late stages of microspore development. Antisense RNA transgenic lines with BcMF18 reduction resulted in aberrant pollen grains with abnormal cellulose distribution, lacking intine, cytoplasm and nuclei. Transgenic plants with repressive expression of both BcMF8 and BcMF18 showed a hybrid phenotype, expressing a mixture of the phenotypes of the single gene knockdown plant lines. In addition, we identified functional diversity between BcMF18/BcMF8 and AtAGP6/AtAGP11, mainly reflected by the specific contribution of BcMF18 and BcMF8 to pollen wall formation. These results suggest that, unlike the orthologous genes AtAGP6 and AtAGP11 in Arabidopsis, BcMF18 and BcMF8 are both integral to pollen biogenesis in B. campestris, acting through independent pathways during microspore development.
Anglo‐Indian slang in dictionaries on historical principles
Authors: Lambert James
Published: February 2018

This article deals with the lexicography of Anglo‐Indian English; specifically it examines both past and contemporary work in the style of dictionary known as the ‘dictionary on historical principles’. This type of dictionary is commonly viewed as the pinnacle of the western lexicographical tradition and for world Englishes scholars wishing to find out detailed information about a particular lexical item in a certain variety of English, a dictionary on historical principles is by far the best type of dictionary to use, provided one exists that covers the variety in question. The goal of the present study was to gauge the need for greater lexicographical research into Anglo‐Indian English by conducting a focused lexicographical study and comparing the results against bothHobson‐Jobsonand theOED. The results, now published as dictionary entries in the online version ofGreen's Dictionary of Slang, add greatly to our knowledge of Anglo‐Indian English and reveal a need for continued dictionary work to improve upon the coverage provided by previous lexicography.
Tropical ideals
Authors: Maclagan Diane , Rincón Felipe
Published: February 2018

We introduce and study a special class of ideals, called tropical ideals, in the semiring of tropical polynomials, with the goal of developing a useful and solid algebraic foundation for tropical geometry. The class of tropical ideals strictly includes the tropicalizations of classical ideals, and allows us to define subschemes of tropical toric varieties, generalizing Giansiracusa and Giansiracusa [Equations of tropical varieties, Duke Math. J. 165 (2016), 3379–3433]. We investigate some of the basic structure of tropical ideals, and show that they satisfy many desirable properties that mimic the classical setup. In particular, every tropical ideal has an associated variety, which we prove is always a finite polyhedral complex. In addition we show that tropical ideals satisfy the ascending chain condition, even though they are typically not finitely generated, and also the weak Nullstellensatz.
Controlling the Contact Times of Bouncing Droplets: Droplet Impact on Vibrating Surfaces
Authors: Weisensee Patricia , Ma Jingcheng , King William , Miljkovic Nenad
Published: February 2018

Droplet impact on vibrating solids is ubiquitous in nature and industrial applications, including impact on turbine blades, insect wings, or during spray cooling of electronic systems and steel manufacturing processes. Using high speed imaging, we demonstrate that through substrate vibration (60 – 320 Hz), droplet contact times tc, which are independent of impact speed on rigid stationary substrates, can be actively manipulated and controlled. We show that droplet dynamics and contact times are most sensitive to impact phase, followed by vibration frequency, with vibration amplitude having negligible effects (Figure 1, Figure 2b). We determine a critical impact phase φc at which contact times transition rapidly from a minimum (tc ≈ 0.5tc,th) to a maximum (tc ≈ 1.6tc,th), where tc,th is the theoretical contact time on a stationary rigid substrate (insert Figure 2a). Averaging contact times over all impact phases, we show that for low frequencies (< 80 Hz) average contact times increase relative to impact on stationary substrates, while contact times decrease for impact at higher vibration frequencies (> 100 Hz) (Figure 2a). The present findings provide guidelines for the rational design of applications where the contact time influences heat transfer. During spray cooling, for example, the per droplet heat transfer rates increase (decrease) for longer (shorter) contact times. Thus, by tailoring the vibration frequency of the substrate, the average contact time, and consequently the average heat transfer, can be actively controlled.
Neutron attenuation analysis of cryogenic propellants
Authors: Bellur Kishan , Hussey Daniel , Jacobson David , Lamana Jacob , Medici Ezequiel , Hermanson James , Allen Dr. Jeffrey S. , Choi Chang Kyoung
Published: February 2018

Neutron imaging enables direct visualization of evaporation and condensation of cryogenic propellants in metal containers such as aluminum and stainless steel. CFD models of propellant behaviors inside the large tanks have shown that a thin liquid film is formed along the interior surface, but this had not been verified experimentally. In the present study, neutron imaging is used to study evaporation and condensation rates of liquid methane inside a cylindrical 10 mm, Al 6061 cell. The liquid meniscus is clearly shown, but the spatial resolution is insufficient to directly image thin liquid films that may be on the interior surface. Optical density (neutron attenuation) analysis enables quantitative measurements of these liquid films. An optical density image is formed by removing the background noise and normalizing the liquid image with that of the empty cell. Optical densities are then transformed into a liquid transmission thickness using the Beer-Lambert law. This technique enables measurement of film thicknesses smaller than the spatial resolution of the imaging system. The above graphic shows an optical density image during condensation of methane and the corresponding horizontal scan which suggests that a 11 μm film exists on the wall. The images indicate that methane undergoes film-wise condensation and is perfectly wetting to aluminum.

These experiments were conducted at the NIST Center for Neutron Research in the Neutron Imaging Facility and the relevant work is supported by an Early stage Innovations Grant from NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program (Grant # NNX14AB05G).
Identification
of Material Parameters of a Hyper-Elastic Body With Unknown Boundary
Conditions
Authors: Hajhashemkhani M. , Hematiyan M.
R. , Goenezen S.
Published: February 2018

Identification of material properties of hyper-elastic materials such as soft tissues of the human body or rubber-like materials has been the subject of many works in recent decades. Boundary conditions generally play an important role in solving an inverse problem for material identification, while their knowledge has been taken for granted. In reality, however, boundary conditions may not be available on parts of the problem domain such as for an engineering part, e.g., a polymer that could be modeled as a hyper-elastic material, mounted on a system or an in vivo soft tissue. In these cases, using hypothetical boundary conditions will yield misleading results. In this paper, an inverse algorithm for the characterization of hyper-elastic material properties is developed, which takes into consideration unknown conditions on a part of the boundary. A cost function based on measured and calculated displacements is defined and is minimized using the Gauss–Newton method. A sensitivity analysis is carried out by employing analytic differentiation and using the finite element method (FEM). The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical and experimental examples. The novel method is tested with a neo–Hookean and a Mooney–Rivlin hyper-elastic material model. In the experimental example, the material parameters of a silicone based specimen with unknown boundary condition are evaluated. In all the examples, the obtained results are verified and it is observed that the results are satisfactory and reliable.
Role of film thickness on the structural and optical properties of GaN on Si (100) grown by hollow-cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition
Authors: Gungor Nese , Alevli Mustafa
Published: February 2018

In this study, the authors report on the evolution of crystallinity, chemical composition, surface morphology, and optical properties of highly oriented (002) GaN films as a function of film thickness, ranging from 5.37 to 81.40 nm deposited on Si substrates via low-temperature hollow-cathode plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (HCPA-ALD). GaN thin films were prepared using a sequential injection of triethyl gallium and N2/H2 plasma within the self-limited growth regime, i.e., ALD window at 200 °C. The grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD) analysis reveals that GaN films have a (002) preferential growth direction and the crystalline quality of GaN films was improved with the increase in thickness. GIXRD and atomic force microscopy confirmed the presence of GaN grains, and the grain size increases when the thickness of the GaN layer increases from 5.37 to 48.65 nm. From the x-ray photoelectron spectra, it was shown that the amount of oxygen incorporated in the GaN film decreases as the thickness increases. The spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis reveals that the optical film density and local crystallinity was improved with increasing film thickness to 48.65 nm, but further increase in the film thickness does not seem to improve these features. The optical band edge results suggested that bandgap widening is valid for all HCPA-ALD grown GaN samples. The overall results suggested that GaN films with thicknesses above 48.65 nm have different behavior compared to the thinner GaN films.
In situ transformation and cleaning of tin-drop contamination on mirrors for extreme ultraviolet light
Authors: Böwering Norbert , Meier Christian
Published: February 2018

Tin-drop contamination was cleaned from multilayer-coated mirrors by induction of phase transformation. The β → α phase transition of tin was induced to initiate material embrittlement and enable the facile removal of thick tin deposits. The necessary steps were performed under high-vacuum conditions for an in situ demonstration of the removal of severe tin contamination from optics used for reflection of extreme ultraviolet light. Molten tin of high purity was dripped onto mirror samples, inoculated with small seed particles of gray tin and then cooled to temperatures in the range of −25 to −40 °C. As recorded by photographic imaging, the drops were converted in an evacuated chamber to gray tin by induction of tin pest leading to their disintegration within a few hours. They could then be easily cleaned or fell off from the surface without causing any damage of the multilayer coating. Cleaning of tin contamination from the mirrors with almost complete structural transformation of the tin drops and subsequent removal by puffs of dry gas could be achieved within a day. The fraction of area coverage of untransformed tin remaining on the samples after cleaning was evaluated from the images and generally found to be well below 1%. After tin dripping, phase transition and cleaning, analysis of the reflectance of a Mo/Si-coated mirror with measurements at wavelengths of 13.6 and 13.5 nm showed a reduction of only 0.5%, with an upper limit of 1%.
Apparent-talker height is influenced by Mandarin lexical tone
Authors: Barreda Santiago , Liu Zoey Y.
Published: February 2018

Apparent-talker height is determined by a talker's fundamental frequency (f0) and spectral information, typically indexed using formant frequencies (FFs). Barreda [(2017b). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 141, 4781–4792] reports that the apparent height of a talker can be influenced by vowel-specific variation in the f0 or FFs of a sound. In this experiment, native speakers of Mandarin were presented with a series of syllables produced by talkers of different apparent heights. Results indicate that there is substantial variability in the estimated height of a single talker based on lexical tone, as well as the inherent f0 and FFs of vowel phonemes.
Acoustic noise interferometry in a time-dependent coastal ocean
Authors: Godin Oleg A.
Published: February 2018

Interferometry of underwater noise provides a way to estimate physical parameters of the water column and the seafloor without employing any controlled sound sources. In applications of acoustic noise interferometry to coastal oceans, the propagation environment changes appreciably during the averaging times that are necessary for the Green's functions to emerge from noise cross-correlations. Here, a theory is developed to quantify the effects of nonstationarity of the propagation environment on two-point correlation functions of diffuse noise. It is shown that temporal variability of the ocean limits from above the frequency range, where noise cross-correlations approximate the Green's functions. The theoretical predictions are in quantitative agreement with results of the 2012 noise interferometry experiment in the Florida Straits. The loss of coherence at high frequencies constrains the passive acoustic remote sensing to exploiting a low-frequency part of measured noise cross-correlations, thus limiting the resolution of deterministic inversions. On the other hand, the passively measured coherence loss contains information about statistical characteristics of the ocean dynamics at unresolved spatial and temporal scales.
In-air microfluidics enables rapid fabrication of emulsions, suspensions, and 3D modular (bio)materials
Authors: Visser Claas Willem , Kamperman Tom , Karbaat Lisanne P. , Lohse Detlef , Karperien Marcel
Published: February 2018

Designer microparticles and multiscale materials can be fabricated in one step by microfluidic processing in the air.
Discrete roles and bifurcation of PTEN signaling and mTORC1-mediated anabolic metabolism underlie IL-7–driven B lymphopoiesis
Authors: Zeng Hu , Yu Mei , Tan Haiyan , Li Yuxin , Su Wei , Shi Hao , Dhungana Yogesh , Guy Cliff , Neale Geoffrey , Cloer Caryn , Peng Junmin , Wang Demin , Chi Hongbo
Published: February 2018

PTEN-PI3K and IL-7R–mTORC1–Myc are two discrete signaling axes driving B cell development.
Astrocyte-derived interleukin-33 promotes microglial synapse engulfment and neural circuit development
Authors: Vainchtein Ilia D. , Chin Gregory , Cho Frances S. , Kelley Kevin W. , Miller John G. , Chien Elliott C. , Liddelow Shane A. , Nguyen Phi T. , Nakao-Inoue Hiromi , Dorman Leah C. , Akil Omar , Joshita Satoru , Barres Ben A. , Paz Jeanne T. , Molofsky Ari B. , Molofsky Anna V.
Published: February 2018

Call to action

The developing brain initially makes more synapses than it needs. With further development, excess synapses are pruned away, leaving mature circuits. Synapses can be eliminated by microglia, which engulf and destroy them. Vainchtein
et al.
found that the microglia are called into action by astrocytes, supportive cells on which neurons rely. Astrocytes near a redundant synapse release the cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33), which recruits microglia to the site. In mice, disruptions in this process, as caused by deficiency in IL-33, led to too many excitatory synapses and overactive brain circuitry.

Science
, this issue p.
1269
Single-cell Wnt signaling niches maintain stemness of alveolar type 2 cells
Authors: Nabhan Ahmad N. , Brownfield Douglas G. , Harbury Pehr B. , Krasnow Mark A. , Desai Tushar J.
Published: February 2018

Fibroblasts as lung stem cell niche

Each breath that we take provides oxygen to the bloodstream via tiny sacs in the lung called alveoli. AT1 cells line the alveoli and mediate gas exchange, whereas AT2 cells secrete lung surfactant. A subset of AT2s also serve as stem cells that slowly generate new alveolar cells throughout adult life. Nabhan
et al.
show that the rare AT2 stem cells have a special niche next to a fibroblast secreting Wnts. This Wnt activity is needed to select and maintain the stem cells. Injury expands the stem cell pool by transiently inducing autocrine Wnts in other surfactant-secreting alveolar cells. This simple but expandable niche sustains oxygen delivery, and it is co-opted in lung cancer.

Science
, this issue p.
1118
C1orf106
is a colitis risk gene that regulates stability of epithelial adherens junctions
Authors: Mohanan Vishnu , Nakata Toru , Desch A. Nicole , Lévesque Chloé , Boroughs Angela , Guzman Gaelen , Cao Zhifang , Creasey Elizabeth , Yao Junmei , Boucher Gabrielle , Charron Guy , Bhan Atul K. , Schenone Monica , Carr Steven A. , Reinecker Hans–Christian , Daly Mark J. , Rioux John D. , Lassen Kara G. , Xavier Ramnik J.
Published: February 2018

Overcoming a barrier to IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders linked to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Colitis is a type of IBD that affects the inner lining of the colon and has been linked to a gene known as
C1orf106
. Mohanan
et al.
found that
C1orf106
encodes a protein that stabilizes the integrity of epithelial junctions and enhances barrier defense (see the Perspective by Citi). IBD-associated mutations in
C1orf106
lead to greater cytohesin-1 protein levels, changes in E-cadherin localization, and enhanced susceptibility to intestinal pathogens. Modulation of C1orf106 may thus hold promise for treating colitis and other IBDs.

Science
, this issue p.
1161
; see also p.
1097
High-energy, high-fat lifestyle challenges an Arctic apex predator, the polar bear
Authors: Pagano A. M. , Durner G. M. , Rode K. D. , Atwood T. C. , Atkinson S. N. , Peacock E. , Costa D. P. , Owen M. A. , Williams T. M.
Published: February 2018

A demanding lifestyle

Polar bears appear to be well adapted to the extreme conditions of their Arctic habitat. Pagano
et al.
, however, show that the energy balance in this harsh environment is narrower than we might expect (see the Perspective by Whiteman). They monitored the behavior and metabolic rates of nine free-ranging polar bears over 2 years. They found that high energy demands required consumption of high-fat prey, such as seals, which are easy to come by on sea ice but nearly unavailable in ice-free conditions. Thus, as sea ice becomes increasingly short-lived annually, polar bears are likely to experience increasingly stressful conditions and higher mortality rates.

Science
, this issue p.
568
; see also p.
514
A whirling plane of satellite galaxies around Centaurus A challenges cold dark matter cosmology
Authors: Müller Oliver , Pawlowski Marcel S. , Jerjen Helmut , Lelli Federico
Published: February 2018

Dwarf galaxies move in unexpected ways

Massive galaxies like our Milky Way are orbited by satellite dwarf galaxies. Standard cosmological simulations of galaxy formation predict that these satellites should move randomly around their host. Müller
et al.
examined the satellites of the nearby elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (see the Perspective by Boylan-Kolchin). They found that the satellites are distributed in a planar arrangement, and the members of the plane are orbiting in a coherent direction. This is inconsistent with more than 99% of comparable galaxies in simulations. Centaurus A, the Milky Way, and Andromeda all have highly statistically unlikely satellite systems. This observational evidence suggests that something is wrong with standard cosmological simulations.

Science
, this issue p.
534
; see also p.
520
Reversibility of citrate synthase allows autotrophic growth of a thermophilic bacterium
Authors: Mall Achim , Sobotta Jessica , Huber Claudia , Tschirner Carolin , Kowarschik Stefanie , Bačnik Katarina , Mergelsberg Mario , Boll Matthias , Hügler Michael , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Berg Ivan A.
Published: February 2018

About-face for citrate synthase

Classically, it is thought that citrate synthase only works in one direction: to catalyze the production of citrate from acetyl coenzyme A and oxaloacetate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The TCA cycle can run in reverse to cleave citrate and fix carbon dioxide autotrophically, but this was thought to occur only with alternative enzymes, such as citrate lyase. Now Nunoura
et al.
and Mall
et al.
have discovered thermophilic bacteria with highly efficient and reversible citrate synthase that requires reduced ferredoxin (see the Perspective by Ragsdale). This function is undetectable by metagenomics, but classical biochemistry filled in the gaps seen between the genome sequences and the phenotypes of the organisms. The direction of catalysis depends on the availability of organic versus inorganic carbon and reflects a flexible bet-hedging strategy for survival in fluctuating environments. In evolutionary terms, this capacity might predate the classical TCA cycle and is likely to occur in a wide range of anaerobic microorganisms.

Science
, this issue p.
559
, p.
563
; see also p.
517
A primordial and reversible TCA cycle in a facultatively chemolithoautotrophic thermophile
Authors: Nunoura Takuro , Chikaraishi Yoshito , Izaki Rikihisa , Suwa Takashi , Sato Takaaki , Harada Takeshi , Mori Koji , Kato Yumiko , Miyazaki Masayuki , Shimamura Shigeru , Yanagawa Katsunori , Shuto Aya , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Fujita Nobuyuki , Takaki Yoshihiro , Atomi Haruyuki , Takai Ken
Published: February 2018

About-face for citrate synthase

Classically, it is thought that citrate synthase only works in one direction: to catalyze the production of citrate from acetyl coenzyme A and oxaloacetate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The TCA cycle can run in reverse to cleave citrate and fix carbon dioxide autotrophically, but this was thought to occur only with alternative enzymes, such as citrate lyase. Now Nunoura
et al.
and Mall
et al.
have discovered thermophilic bacteria with highly efficient and reversible citrate synthase that requires reduced ferredoxin (see the Perspective by Ragsdale). This function is undetectable by metagenomics, but classical biochemistry filled in the gaps seen between the genome sequences and the phenotypes of the organisms. The direction of catalysis depends on the availability of organic versus inorganic carbon and reflects a flexible bet-hedging strategy for survival in fluctuating environments. In evolutionary terms, this capacity might predate the classical TCA cycle and is likely to occur in a wide range of anaerobic microorganisms.

Science
, this issue p.
559
, p.
563
; see also p.
517
Polarity compensation mechanisms on the perovskite surface KTaO
3
(001)
Authors: Setvin Martin , Reticcioli Michele , Poelzleitner Flora , Hulva Jan , Schmid Michael , Boatner Lynn A. , Franchini Cesare , Diebold Ulrike
Published: February 2018

Compensating a polar surface

An ionic crystal surface can be electrostatically unstable, and the surface must reconstruct in some way to avoid this “polar catastrophe.” Setvin
et al.
used scanning probe microscopies and density functional theory to study the changes in the polar surface of the perovskite KTaO
3
. They observed several structural reconstructions as the surface cleaved in vacuum was heated to higher temperatures. These ranged from surface distortions to the formation of oxygen vacancies to the development of KO and TaO
2
stripes. Hydroxylation after exposure to water vapor also stabilized the surface.

Science
, this issue p.
572
Topological insulator laser: Theory
Authors: Harari Gal , Bandres Miguel A. , Lumer Yaakov , Rechtsman Mikael C. , Chong Y. D. , Khajavikhan Mercedeh , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Segev Mordechai
Published: February 2018

Topological protection for lasers

Ideas based on topology, initially developed in mathematics to describe the properties of geometric space under deformations, are now finding application in materials, electronics, and optics. The main driver is topological protection, a property that provides stability to a system even in the presence of defects. Harari
et al.
outline a theoretical proposal that carries such ideas over to geometrically designed laser cavities. The lasing mode is confined to the topological edge state of the cavity structure. Bandres
et al.
implemented those ideas to fabricate a topological insulator laser with an array of ring resonators. The results demonstrate a powerful platform for developing new laser systems.

Science
, this issue p.
eaar4003
, p.
eaar4005
Lighting up superconducting stripes
Authors: Ergeçen Emre , Gedik Nuh
Published: February 2018

Terahertz radiation reveals pair density waves in underdoped cuprate superconductors
Picturing the future
Closer Than We Think
Brett Ryan Bonowicz, director
Clindar, 2017, 85 minutes.
Authors: Greenbaum Dov
Published: February 2018

A new film celebrates a mid-century illustrator who stoked imaginations with prescient comics
Enhancing responses to cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Kvistborg Pia , Yewdell Jonathan W.
Published: February 2018

The capacity of antigen presentation influences responses to checkpoint immunotherapy
Out of balance in the Arctic
Authors: Whiteman John P.
Published: February 2018

Polar bears have high energy requirements that rise further as a result of climate change
Effects of Environmental and Management-Associated Factors on Prevalence and Diversity of Streptococcus suis in Clinically Healthy Pig Herds in China and the United Kingdom
Authors: Zou Geng , Zhou Jianwei , Xiao Ran , Zhang Liangsheng , Cheng Yuting , Jin Hui , Li Lu , Zhang Lijun , Wu Bin , Qian Ping , Li Shaowen , Ren Lixin , Wang Jinhong , Oshota Olusegun , Hernandez-Garcia Juan , Wileman Thomas M. , Bentley Stephen , Weinert Lucy , Maskell Duncan J. , Tucker A. W. (Dan) , Zhou Rui
Published: February 2018

Streptococcus suis
, a global zoonosis of pigs, shows regional differences in the prevalence of human-associated disease for Asian and non-Asian countries. The isolation rates and diversities of
S. suis
on tonsils of healthy slaughter pigs in China and the United Kingdom were studied for effects of geography, temperature, pig age, and farm type. Isolates underwent analysis of molecular serotype and multilocus sequence type and virulence-associated genotyping. Although we found no significant difference in positive isolation rates between Chinese and UK farms, the prevalences of serotypes previously associated with human disease were significantly greater in the Chinese collection (
P
= 0.003). A significant effect of temperature was found on the positive isolation rate of the Chinese samples and the prevalence of human disease-associated serotypes in the UK
S. suis
population (China,
P
= 0.004; United Kingdom,
P
= 0.024) and on the prevalence of isolates carrying key virulence genes in China (
P
= 0.044). Finally, we found marked diversity among
S. suis
isolates, with statistically significant temperature effects on detection of multiple strain types within individual pigs. This study highlighted the high carriage prevalence and diversity of
S. suis
among clinically healthy pig herds of China and the United Kingdom. The significant effect of temperature on prevalence of isolation, human disease-associated serotypes, and diversity carried by individual pigs may shed new light on geographic variations in human
S. suis
-associated disease.

IMPORTANCE
Streptococcus suis
is a global zoonotic pathogen and also a normal colonizer mainly carried on the tonsil of pigs. Thus, it is important to study the effect of environmental and management-associated factors on the
S. suis
populations in clinically healthy pigs. In this research, we investigated the similarities and differences between the
S. suis
populations obtained from different pig ages, seasons, and farm management systems and discovered the relationship between high climatic temperature and the prevalence of
S. suis
.
Relative Abundances of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata in
In Vitro
Coculture Biofilms Impact Biofilm Structure and Formation
Authors: Olson Michelle L. , Jayaraman Arul , Kao Katy C.
Published: February 2018

Candida
is a member of the normal human microbiota and often resides on mucosal surfaces such as the oral cavity or the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to their commensality,
Candida
species can opportunistically become pathogenic if the host microbiota is disrupted or if the host immune system becomes compromised. An important factor for
Candida
pathogenesis is its ability to form biofilm communities. The two most medically important species—
Candida albicans
and
Candida glabrata
—are often coisolated from infection sites, suggesting the importance of
Candida
coculture biofilms. In this work, we report that biofilm formation of the coculture population depends on the relative ratio of starting cell concentrations of
C. albicans
and
C. glabrata
. When using a starting ratio of
C. albicans
to
C. glabrata
of 1:3, ∼6.5- and ∼2.5-fold increases in biofilm biomass were observed relative to those of a
C. albicans
monoculture and a
C. albicans
/
C. glabrata
ratio of 1:1, respectively. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed the heterogeneity and complex structures composed of long
C. albicans
hyphae and
C. glabrata
cell clusters in the coculture biofilms, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) studies showed increases in the relative expression of the
HWP1
and
ALS3
adhesion genes in the
C. albicans
/
C. glabrata
1:3 biofilm compared to that in the
C. albicans
monoculture biofilm. Additionally, only the 1:3
C. albicans
/
C. glabrata
biofilm demonstrated an increased resistance to the antifungal drug caspofungin. Overall, the results suggest that interspecific interactions between these two fungal pathogens increase biofilm formation and virulence-related gene expression in a coculture composition-dependent manner.

IMPORTANCE
Candida albicans
and
Candida glabrata
are often coisolated during infection, and the occurrence of coisolation increases with increasing inflammation, suggesting possible synergistic interactions between the two
Candida
species in pathogenesis. During the course of an infection, the prevalence of each
Candida
species may change over time due to differences in metabolism and in the resistance of each species to antifungal therapies. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the dynamics between
C. albicans
and
C. glabrata
in coculture to develop better therapeutic strategies against
Candida
infections. Existing
in vitro
work has focused on understanding how an equal-part culture of
C. albicans
and
C. glabrata
impacts biofilm formation and pathogenesis. What is not understood, and what is investigated in this work, is how the composition of
Candida
species in coculture impacts overall biofilm formation, virulence gene expression, and the therapeutic treatment of biofilms.
Associations between introduction and withdrawal of a financial incentive and timing of attendance for antenatal care and incidence of small for gestational age: natural experimental evaluation using interrupted time series methods
Authors: Adams Jean , van der Waal Zelda , Rushton Steven , Rankin Judith
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To determine whether introduction or withdrawal of a maternal financial incentive was associated with changes in timing of first attendance for antenatal care (‘booking’), or incidence of small for gestational age.

Design

A natural experimental evaluation using interrupted time series analysis.

Setting

A hospital-based maternity unit in the north of England.

Participants

34 589 women (and their live-born babies) who delivered at the study hospital and completed the 25th week of pregnancy in the 75 months before (January 2003 to March 2009), 21 months during (April 2009 to December 2010) and 36 months after (January 2011 to December 2013) the incentive was available.

Intervention

The Health in Pregnancy Grant was a financial incentive of £190 ($235; €211) payable to pregnant women in the UK from the 25th week of pregnancy, contingent on them receiving routine antenatal care.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was mean gestational age at booking. Secondary outcomes were proportion of women booking by 10, 18 and 25 weeks’ gestation; and proportion of babies that were small for gestational age.

Results

By 21 months after introduction of the grant (ie, immediately prior to withdrawal), compared with what was predicted given prior trends, there was an reduction in mean gestational age at booking of 4.8 days (95% CI 2.3 to 8.2). The comparable figure for 24 months after withdrawal was an increase of 14.0 days (95% CI 2.8 to 16.8). No changes in incidence of small for gestational age babies were seen.

Conclusions

The introduction of a universal financial incentive for timely attendance at antenatal care was associated with a reduction in mean gestational age at first attendance, but not the proportion of babies that were small for gestational age. Future research should explore the effects of incentives offered at different times in pregnancy and of differing values; and how stakeholders view such incentives.
Did case-based payment influence surgical readmission rates in France? A retrospective study
Authors: Vuagnat Albert , Yilmaz Engin , Roussot Adrien , Rodwin Victor , Gadreau Maryse , Bernard Alain , Creuzot-Garcher Catherine , Quantin Catherine
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To determine whether implementation of a case-based payment system changed all-cause readmission rates in the 30 days following discharge after surgery, we analysed all surgical procedures performed in all hospitals in France before (2002–2004), during (2005–2008) and after (2009–2012) its implementation.

Setting

Our study is based on claims data for all surgical procedures performed in all acute care hospitals with >300 surgical admissions per year (740 hospitals) in France over 11 years (2002–2012; n=51.6 million admissions).

Interventions

We analysed all-cause 30-day readmission rates after surgery using a logistic regression model and an interrupted time series analysis.

Results

The overall 30-day all-cause readmission rate following discharge after surgery increased from 8.8% to 10.0% (P<0.001) for the public sector and from 5.9% to 8.6% (P<0.001) for the private sector. Interrupted time series models revealed a significant linear increase in readmission rates over the study period in all types of hospitals. However, the implementation of case-based payment was only associated with a significant increase in rehospitalisation rates for private hospitals (P<0.001).

Conclusion

In France, the increase in the readmission rate appears to be relatively steady in both the private and public sector but appears not to have been affected by the introduction of a case-based payment system after accounting for changes in care practices in the public sector.
Is palliative care support associated with better quality end-of-life care indicators for patients with advanced cancer? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ziegler Lucy E , Craigs Cheryl L , West Robert M , Carder Paul , Hurlow Adam , Millares-Martin Pablo , Hall Geoff , Bennett Michael I
Published: February 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to establish the association between timing and provision of palliative care (PC) and quality of end-of-life care indicators in a population of patients dying of cancer.

Setting

This study uses linked cancer patient data from the National Cancer Registry, the electronic medical record system used in primary care (SystmOne) and the electronic medical record system used within a specialist regional cancer centre. The population resided in a single city in Northern England.

Participants

Retrospective data from 2479 adult cancer decedents who died between January 2010 and February 2012 were registered with a primary care provider using the SystmOne electronic health record system, and cancer was certified as a cause of death, were included in the study.

Results

Linkage yielded data on 2479 cancer decedents, with 64.5% who received at least one PC event. Decedents who received PC were significantly more likely to die in a hospice (39.4% vs 14.5%, P<0.005) and less likely to die in hospital (23.3% vs 40.1%, P<0.05), and were more likely to receive an opioid (53% vs 25.2%, P<0.001). PC initiated more than 2 weeks before death was associated with avoiding a hospital death (≥2 weeks, P<0.001), more than 4 weeks before death was associated with avoiding emergency hospital admissions and increased access to an opioid (≥4 weeks, P<0.001), and more than 33 weeks before death was associated with avoiding late chemotherapy (≥33 weeks, no chemotherapy P=0.019, chemotherapy over 4 weeks P=0.007).

Conclusion

For decedents with advanced cancer, access to PC and longer duration of PC were significantly associated with better end-of-life quality indicators.
Prevalence of tobacco consumption among young physicians at a regional university hospital in southern Spain: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ranchal Sánchez Antonio , Pérula de Torres Luis Ángel , Santos Luna Francisco , Ruiz-Moral Roger
Published: February 2018

Introduction

The aim of the study is to analyse the prevalence of smoking among resident physicians at a regional university hospital. In addition, we examined the trends in the smoking behaviour of physicians in relation to results obtained in other studies carried out previously at this hospital, as well as those published nationally and internationally

Method

A cross-sectional observational study evaluating tobacco consumption in young physicians was carried out at the level of secondary healthcare in a regional university hospital in Cordoba, Spain. All the study subjects were resident physicians who underwent a mandatory preliminary occupational health examination between 2012 and 2016. There was no sampling selection as anyone who took this examination was considered to be within the target population. We calculated the proportions of smokers, former smokers and non-smokers, with 95% CIs. Univariate and multivariate analyses (binary logistic regression) were used to analyse the results (P<0.05).

Results

The response rate was 99.4%, with a sample size of 324 out of a possible 326 physicians. The average age was 28.6±3.7—DT—(95% CI 28.2 to 29.0), and 62.3% (202/324; 95% CI 57.3 to 67.2) were women. Smoking prevalence was 6.5% (21/324; 95% CI 3.5 to 9.3) with a further 5.2% (17/324; 95% CI 2.7 to 7.8) being ex-smokers. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of tobacco consumption according to age (P=0.266), sex (9.0% for men and 5.0% for women; P=0.128), medical specialty (P=0.651) or year of residency (P=0.975). A 52.7% decline in the number of young physician smokers was noted between 1986 and 2016 (95% CI −44.0 to −63.5), together with a 64.4% increase in non-smokers (95% CI 55.2 to 77.3).

Conclusions

We observed a significantly low prevalence of tobacco use among trainee physicians in the cohort, an effect of new antismoking laws, with positive role model implications for new physicians and medical students.
Overuse of diagnostic tools and medications in acute rhinosinusitis in Spain: a population-based study (the PROSINUS study)
Authors: Jaume Francesca , Quintó Llorenç , Alobid Isam , Mullol Joaquim
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) has a high incidence. Diagnosis is clinical, and evolution is mostly self-limited. The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and use of diagnostic tools and medications in patients with ARS.

Design

This is a prospective observational study in real-life clinical practice.

Setting

Patients with clinical diagnosis of ARS (n=2610) were included from ear, nose and throat clinics in Spain. A second visit at resolution was done.

Participants

Patients were classified according to the duration of symptoms: viral ARS (≤10 days), postviral ARS (>10 days, ≤12 weeks) and chronic rhinosinusitis (>12 weeks).

Main outcome measures

Sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms, disease severity, quality of life (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-16), used diagnostic tools and medications, and the management performed by primary care physicians (PCPs) and by otorhinolaryngologists (ORLs) were assessed.

Results

Of the patients 36% were classified as having viral ARS, 63% postviral ARS and 1% as chronic rhinosinusitis. Working in a poorly air-conditioned environment was a risk factor (OR: 2.26, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.04) in developing postviral ARS. A higher number of diagnostic tools (rhinoscopy/endoscopy: 80% vs 70%; plain X-ray: 70% vs 55%; CT scan: 22% vs 12%; P<0.0001) were performed in postviral than viral cases. PCPs performed more X-rays than ORLs (P<0.0001). Patients, more those with postviral than viral ARS, received a high number of medications (oral antibiotics: 76% vs 62%; intranasal corticosteroids: 54% vs 38%; antihistamines: 46% vs 31%; mucolytic: 48% vs 60%; P<0.0001). PCPs prescribed more antibiotics, antihistamines and mucolytics than ORLs (P<0.0068). More patients with postviral than viral ARS reported symptoms of potential complications (1.5% vs 0.4%; P=0.0603). Independently of prescribed medications, quality of life was more affected in patients with postviral (38.7±14.2 vs 36.0±15.3; P=0.0031) than those with viral ARS. ARS resolution was obtained after 6.04 (viral) and 16.55 (postviral) days, with intranasal corticosteroids being associated with longer (OR: 1.07, 95% 1.02 to 1.12) and phytotherapy with shorter (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.00) duration.

Conclusions

There is a significant overuse of diagnostic tools and prescribed medications, predominantly oral antibiotics, by PCPs and ORLs, for viral and postviral ARS.
Protein-enriched, milk-based supplement to counteract sarcopenia in acutely ill geriatric patients offered resistance exercise training during and after hospitalisation: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial
Authors: Gade Josephine , Beck Anne Marie , Bitz Christian , Christensen Britt , Klausen Tobias Wirenfeldt , Vinther Anders , Astrup Arne
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, sarcopaenia, burdens many older adults. The process is accelerated with bed rest, protein intakes below requirements and the catabolic effect of certain illnesses. Thus, acutely ill, hospitalised older adults are particularly vulnerable. Protein supplementation can preserve muscle mass and/or strength and, combining this with resistance exercise training (RT), may have additional benefits. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of protein supplementation as an addition to offering RT among older adults while admitted to the geriatric ward and after discharge. This has not previously been investigated.

Methods and analysis

In a block-randomised, double-blind, multicentre intervention study, 165 older adults above 70 years, fulfilling the eligibility criteria, will be included consecutively from three medical departments (blocks of n=20, stratified by recruitment site). After inclusion, participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either ready-to-drink, protein-enriched, milk-based supplements (a total of 27.5 g whey protein/day) or isoenergetic placebo products (<1.5 g protein/day), twice daily as a supplement to their habitual diet. Both groups will be offered a standardised RT programme for lower extremity muscle strength (daily while hospitalised and 4×/week after discharge). The study period starts during their hospital stay and continues 12 weeks after discharge. The primary endpoint is lower extremity muscle strength and function (30 s chair-stand-test). Secondary endpoints include muscle mass, measures of physical function and measures related to cost-effectiveness.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval is given by the Research Ethic Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (reference no. H-16018240) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (reference no. HGH-2016-050). There are no expected risks associated with participation, and each participant is expected to benefit from the RT. Results will be published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented at national and international congresses and symposiums.

Trial registration number

NCT02717819 (9 March 2016).
Identification of new biomarkers to promote personalised treatment of patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease: protocol for an open cohort study
Authors: Kringelbach Tina Marie , Glintborg Bente , Hogdall Estrid V , Johansen Julia Sidenius , Hetland Merete Lund
Published: February 2018

Introduction

The introduction of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) has improved the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases dramatically. However, bDMARD treatment failure occurs in 30%–40% of patients due to lack of effect or adverse events, and the tools to predict treatment outcomes in individual patients are currently limited. The objective of the present study is to identify diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers, which can be used to (1) diagnose inflammatory rheumatic diseases early in the disease course with high sensitivity and specificity, (2) improve prognostication or (3) predict and monitor treatment effectiveness and tolerability for the individual patient.

Methods and analysis

The present study is an observational and translational open cohort study with prospective collection of clinical data and biological materials (primarily blood) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated in routine care. Patients contribute with one cross-sectional blood sample and/or are enrolled for longitudinal follow-up on initiation of a new DMARD (blood sampling after 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 months of treatment). Other biological materials will be collected when accessible and relevant. Demographics, disease characteristics, comorbidities and lifestyle factors are registered at inclusion; DMARD treatment and outcomes are collected repeatedly during follow-up. Currently (July 2017), >5000 samples from approximately 3000 patients have been collected. Data will be analysed using appropriate statistical analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol is approved by the Danish Ethics Committee and the Danish Data Protection Agency. Participants give written and oral informed consent. Biomarkers will be evaluated and published according to the Reporting Recommendations for Tumour Marker (REMARK) prognostic studies, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) and the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) guidelines. Results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03214263.