bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wood density, growth and mortality relationships of lianas on environmental gradients in fragmented forests of montane landscapes
Authors: Roeder Mareike , Liu JiaJia , Pasion Bonifacio , Yasuda Mika , Slik J. W. Ferry , Tomlinson Kyle W.
Published: September 2019

Aim

A better understanding of plant communities can be achieved by incorporating data of traits and dynamics into surveys. Wood density is a good predictor for growth and mortality in trees, but to date, no studies of lianas include all three. We examine how liana communities respond to environmental gradients and forest fragmentation in terms of abundance, diversity, size structure, mortality, relative growth rate and wood density, and tested how the latter three are related to each other in liana species.

Location

Xishuangbanna, SW China.

Methods

We repeated a survey of lianas (stems >0.5 cm diameter) in 47 plots, distributed in forest fragments of various size, on different bedrock (limestone or sandstone), over an elevational range and across different topographic elements (ridge, slope, valley). We gathered wood density data for 116 of 166 species, covering 90% of all surveyed stems. We also determined relative growth rate, mortality, stem diameter and basal area.

Results

At the species level, liana mortality and relative growth rate were lower at higher wood density, and mortality was higher with greater relative growth rate. At the plot level, liana communities in valleys had high relative growth and mortality rates as well as high abundance and diversity. Forest on limestone hosted few species but more large‐stemmed liana individuals, and communities had higher wood density weighted by basal area. Liana abundance, relative growth rates and mortality were greater and average wood density lower towards fragment edges, but the explanatory power of these models was low.

Conclusion

Habitat was the major factor shaping liana communities, whereas fragmentation was not an important predictor in our study. Resource‐rich environments such as valleys harbour diverse liana communities with high mortality and relative growth rates. This pattern matches earlier studies on survival/growth trade‐offs among plant species. The relationship between growth rates, mortality and wood density in lianas follows the same trade‐offs as found in trees.
Taking Metaregulation to the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Regime: The Case of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Arduin Sarah
Published: September 2019

This article argues that regulatory scholarship can be harnessed to promote human rights, in this case the rights of persons with disabilities. It argues that the regulatory regime of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention) establishes a human rights metaregulatory regime. It shows that the Convention delegates all of the regulatory functions to four different actors, to the effect that no single actor has the full range of regulatory competencies. The implication of this high degree of delegation is that the Convention establishes a three‐party framework whereby the interaction between the regulatee and the two regulators is mediated by an oversight body. While organically independent, each actor is functionally interdependent so that an equilibrium is established. At a time where the effectiveness of the UN human rights treaty system is under assault, this article argues that the metaregulatory regime of the CRPD provides an optimistic vision for the future of human rights treaties.
Host plant associations and geography interact to shape diversification in a specialist insect herbivore
Authors: Driscoe Amanda L. , Nice Chris C. , Busbee Robert W. , Hood Glen R. , Egan Scott P. , Ott James R.
Published: September 2019

Disentangling the processes underlying geographic and environmental patterns of biodiversity challenges biologists as such patterns emerge from eco‐evolutionary processes confounded by spatial autocorrelation among sample units. The herbivorous insect, Belonocnema treatae (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), exhibits regional specialization on three plant species whose geographic distributions range from sympatry through allopatry across the southern United States. Using range‐wide sampling spanning the geographic ranges of the three host plants and genotyping‐by‐sequencing of 1,217 individuals, we tested whether this insect herbivore exhibited host plant‐associated genomic differentiation while controlling for spatial autocorrelation among the 58 sample sites. Population genomic structure based on 40,699 SNPs was evaluated using the hierarchical Bayesian model entropy to assign individuals to genetic clusters and estimate admixture proportions. To control for spatial autocorrelation, distance‐based Moran's eigenvector mapping was used to construct regression variables summarizing spatial structure inherent among sample sites. Distance‐based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) incorporating the spatial variables was then applied to partition host plant‐associated differentiation (HAD) from spatial autocorrelation. By combining entropy and dbRDA to analyse SNP data, we unveiled a complex mosaic of highly structured differentiation within and among gall‐former populations finding evidence that geography, HAD and spatial autocorrelation all play significant roles in explaining patterns of genomic differentiation in B. treatae. While dbRDA confirmed host association as a significant predictor of patterns of genomic variation, spatial autocorrelation among sites explained the largest proportion of variation. Our results demonstrate the value of combining dbRDA with hierarchical structural analyses to partition spatial/environmental patterns of genomic variation.
Large‐scale biogeography and environmental regulation of methanotrophic bacteria across boreal inland waters
Authors: Crevecoeur Sophie , Ruiz‐González Clara , Prairie Yves T. , del Giorgio Paul A.
Published: September 2019

Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria (methanotrophs) use methane as a source of carbon and energy, thereby mitigating net methane emissions from natural sources. Methanotrophs represent a widespread and phylogenetically complex guild, yet the biogeography of this functional group and the factors that explain the taxonomic structure of the methanotrophic assemblage are still poorly understood. Here, we used high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of the bacterial community to study the methanotrophic community composition and the environmental factors that influence their distribution and relative abundance in a wide range of freshwater habitats, including lakes, streams and rivers across the boreal landscape. Within one region, soil and soil water samples were additionally taken from the surrounding watersheds in order to cover the full terrestrial–aquatic continuum. The composition of methanotrophic communities across the boreal landscape showed only a modest degree of regional differentiation but a strong structuring along the hydrologic continuum from soil to lake communities, regardless of regions. This pattern along the hydrologic continuum was mostly explained by a clear niche differentiation between type I and type II methanotrophs along environmental gradients in pH, and methane concentrations. Our results suggest very different roles of type I and type II methanotrophs within inland waters, the latter likely having a terrestrial source and reflecting passive transport and dilution along the aquatic networks, but this is an unresolved issue that requires further investigation.
Gene‐lifestyle interaction on risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: Dietrich Stefan , Jacobs Simone , Zheng Ju‐Sheng , Meidtner Karina , Schwingshackl Lukas , Schulze Matthias B.
Published: September 2019

The pathophysiological influence of gene‐lifestyle interactions on the risk to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) is currently under intensive research. This systematic review summarizes the evidence for gene‐lifestyle interactions regarding T2D incidence. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were systematically searched until 31 January 2019 to identify publication with (a) prospective study design; (b) T2D incidence; (c) gene‐diet, gene‐physical activity, and gene‐weight loss intervention interaction; and (d) population who are healthy or prediabetic. Of 66 eligible publications, 28 reported significant interactions. A variety of different genetic variants and dietary factors were studied. Variants at TCF7L2 were most frequently investigated and showed interactions with fiber and whole grain on T2D incidence. Further gene‐diet interactions were reported for, eg, a western dietary pattern with a T2D‐GRS, fat and carbohydrate with IRS1 rs2943641, and heme iron with variants of HFE. Physical activity showed interaction with HNF1B, IRS1, PPARγ, ADRA2B, SLC2A2, and ABCC8 variants and weight loss interventions with ENPP1, PPARγ, ADIPOR2, ADRA2B, TNFα, and LIPC variants. However, most findings represent single study findings obtained in European ethnicities. Although some interactions have been reported, their conclusiveness is still low, as most findings were not yet replicated across multiple study populations.
Measurement of the bone height of mandibular incisors and canines on computed tomography—Limitations according to bone thickness
Authors: Rédua Renato Barcellos , Carvalho Felipe de Assis Ribeiro , Artese Flavia Raposo Gebara
Published: September 2019

Aim

To verify the correlation between cone beam CT (CBCT) and spiral CT (SCT) images and direct measurement of the bone height and to verify whether bone thickness (BT) influences the accuracy of bone height measurement on CT.

Setting and Sample

One hundred and fourteen measurements were obtained in 10 dry human mandibles.

Materials and Methods

The alveolar bone height was measured on volumetric and linear images.

Results

Negative, average and significant correlations (−0.622** to −0.489**) were verified between BT and the absolute error. When the alveolar bone thickness was at least 0.6 mm, the mean differences were 0.16 and 0.28 mm on linear images and 0.12 and 0.03 mm on volumetric images for CBCT and SCT. Additionally, these values ranged from −0.46 to 0.79 and −0.32 to 0.88 mm on linear images and from −0.64 to 0.67 and −0.57 to 0.62 mm on volumetric images for CBCT and SCT. When the alveolar bone thickness was less than 0.6 mm, the CT evaluation varied from −1.74 to 5.42 and −1.64 to 5.42 mm on linear images and from −3.70 to 4.28 mm and −3.49 to 4.25 mm on volumetric images for CBCT and SCT.

Conclusions

Spiral CT and CBCT images demonstrate significant correlation with direct measurement for the alveolar bone height. Measurement of the alveolar bone labial and lingual to the mandibular incisors and canines presented higher accuracy when its thickness was greater than 0.6 mm. When the thickness was less than 0.6 mm, bone dehiscence can be diagnosed despite bone being clinically present.
A comparison of postprocedural anticoagulation in high‐risk patients undergoing WATCHMAN device implantation
Authors: Cohen Joshua A. , Heist E. Kevin , Galvin Jennifer , Lee Hang , Johnson Matthew , Fitzsimons Michael , Slattery Kathryn , Ghoshhajra Brian , Sakhuja Rahul , Ha Grace , Forsch Margaux , Shi Linsheng , Danik Jacqueline , Dal‐Bianco Jacob , Sanborn Danita , Hung Judy , Ruskin Jeremy , Gurol M. Edip , Mansour Moussa
Published: September 2019

Background

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative to long‐term anticoagulation for thromboembolic protection in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and high bleeding risk. Short‐term Warfarin use following LAAC is well‐studied, while data pertaining to novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use in this setting is less robust. Specifically, data regarding the safety and efficacy of postprocedural NOAC use in high‐risk patients is lacking.

Objective

To compare the safety and efficacy of Warfarin and NOAC use in a high‐risk patient population undergoing LAAC with the WATCHMAN device.

Methods

From November 2015 to October 2017, 97 patients underwent LAAC with the WATCHMAN device. All patients were discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting prior to device implantation. Longitudinal data were collected and analyzed for a composite endpoint of stroke and death at 8 months, and major bleeding at 3 and 6 months.

Results

Among the 90 patients included in the safety and efficacy analysis, 43 were prescribed Warfarin and 47 were prescribed NOACs. Baseline characteristics were comparable between study groups. There were no procedural complications and no significant differences in the incidence of death and stroke at 8 months or major bleeding at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion

For patients with AF at high risk of both thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, NOACs as compared to Warfarin, seem to be safe and effective for short‐term anticoagulation following LAAC with the WATCHMAN device. Further validation in large randomized controlled trials is required.
How do professionals perceive the governance of public–private partnerships? Evidence from Canada, the Netherlands and Denmark
Authors: Warsen Rianne , Greve Carsten , Klijn Erik Hans , Koppenjan Joop F. M. , Siemiatycki Matti
Published: September 2019

In public–private partnerships (PPPs), the collaboration between public and private actors can be complicated. With partners coming from different institutional backgrounds and with different interests, governing these partnerships is important to ensure the projects' progress. There is, however, little knowledge about the perceptions of professionals regarding the governance of PPPs. This study aims to exlore professionals' viewpoints about governing PPPs, and to explain potential differences using four theoretical governance paradigms. Using Q methodology, the preferences of 119 public and private professionals in Canada, the Netherlands and Denmark are explored. Results show four different viewpoints regarding the governance of PPPs. Experience, country and the public–private distinction seem to influence these viewpoints. Knowledge of these differences can inform efforts to govern PPPs and contribute to more successful partnerships.
Agreement between current status and retrospective data for prevalence and duration of exclusive breast feeding from low‐ and middle‐income countries surveys
Authors: Rinaldi Ana Elisa Madalena , Azeredo Catarina Machado , Pereira Leandro Alves , Horta Bernardo Lessa , Conde Wolney Lisboa
Published: September 2019

Background

Indicators to assess exclusive breast feeding (EBF) status are based on current status data according to World Health Organization (WHO), specially to avoid recall bias or imprecise reporting.

Objective

To analyse the agreement between current status and retrospective data for prevalence and duration of EBF in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) datasets of infants under six months from 10 low‐ and middle‐income countries. It was applied two kinds of data about EBF: (1) current status data: variables about breast milk and foods offered in the previous day (yes or no) and (2) retrospective data: variables about age at which foods were offered the first time. The prevalence of EBF was estimated the same way for current status and for retrospective data. The median duration for current status data was calculated according to WHO recommendation, and retrospective data were calculated using survival analysis. The Kappa coefficient was applied to assess the agreement of prevalence using both kinds of data.

Results

Prevalence of EBF was higher using current status data and differences between both data ranged from 0.5 to 6.4 percentage points. Kappa coefficient ranged from 0.74 (substantial) to 0.94 (almost perfect) in nine countries. Medians were higher using retrospective than current status data for two countries and lower for another two; however, differences were small (from 0.08 to 0.44 month). For six countries, breast‐feeding practice was so low that it was not possible to calculate the median using either data.

Conclusions

The difference between prevalence and median estimated using current status and retrospective data is little and the agreement ranged to substantial and almost perfect. We suggest the use of retrospective data to estimate duration of EBF in cross‐sectional surveys.
Feeling the words: Sayyid Qutb's affective engagement with the Qur'an in Al‐Taswir al‐Fanni fi al‐Qur'an
Authors: Osborne Lauren E.
Published: September 2019

Twentieth‐century Egyptian thinker Sayyid Qutb has been studied most extensively with respect to his political thought. In his early career, however, he published works of literary criticism, poetry, and works on the Qur'an in which he takes a literary approach. Among these is his 1945 work Al‐Taswir al‐Fanni fi al‐Qur'an (Artistic Imagery in the Qur'an), in which he presents a unified theory of Qur'anic style called artistic imagery (al‐taṣwīr al‐fannī). This paper argues that Qutb's engagement with the Qur'an in this work is one that relies on affect as a nondiscursive interpretive framework. In so doing, it suggests that Qutb's early artistic works, particularly those on the Qur'an, deserve more extended scholarly attention than they have received, as well as an extension of affect theory to consider encounters with textual traditions.
Measuring the time‐varying effects of fiscal policy on private saving in the process of financial integration
Authors: Cho Dooyeon , Pyun Ju Hyun
Published: September 2019

This paper investigates the effects of fiscal policy, measured as the extent to which private saving is offset by public saving, in the process of international financial integration. Using extensive panel data for 87 countries over the period 1970–2010, we find that the dynamics for the saving offset are highly nonlinear and time‐varying. While the saving offset has gradually declined in line with rapid financial integration in advanced economies, it has remained broadly stable in less financially integrated emerging and developing economies. This implies that the negative wealth effects of fiscal policy in advanced economies have been smaller owing to higher financial integration, which could help governments reduce their debt burdens through the well‐anchored domestic interest rates at the world level.
Identification of a novel recombinant allele, HLA‐DPB1*835:01:01:02, in Black South African individuals
Authors: Loubser Shayne , Kwenda Stanford , Sengupta Dhriti , Tiemessen Caroline T.
Published: September 2019

Genetic characterisation of a novel intra‐locus recombinant allele, HLA‐DPB1*835:01:01:02, in Black South African individuals.
The role of parameterization in comparing source attribution models based on microbial subtyping for salmonellosis
Authors: Jabin Hannah , Correia Carreira Guido , Valentin Lars , Käsbohrer Annemarie
Published: September 2019

Source attribution methods attribute human cases of a zoonotic disease to a certain source putatively responsible for this disease. Identifying and quantifying the contribution of different sources to human infections is important for taking appropriate actions for reducing the exposure of the consumer to zoonotic pathogens. One widely used method is the microbial subtyping approach, whose principle is to compare the frequency of pathogen subtypes from different sources (e.g. animals or food) with the frequency of these subtypes in human cases. This paper studies the relationship between a Bayesian microbial subtyping approach described by Hald and coworkers subsequently modified by David and coworkers, here called the Hald model, and a frequentist approach known as the “Dutch model.” The comparison between the Bayesian and frequentist model is done for two data sets on salmonellosis in Germany from different time periods (year 2004–2007 and 2010–2011). The results of both approaches are in good agreement with each other for the used data. It is shown here mathematically that a certain parameterization can be used to transform the probabilistic Hald model into a deterministic form, which is equivalent to the Dutch model. That certain parameterization secures independence of the model outcomes from the choice of so‐called unique subtypes (which are unique in the sense that they are found exclusively in one of the sources). It is shown that deviating from that certain parameterization leads variations in the model outcome dependent on which unique subtypes are chosen in the process of modelling.
Factors, Nature and Impacts of Slum Dwellers Residential Mobility within the Dhaka City
Authors: Satu Shammi Akter , Juthi Rowshon Ara Akter
Published: September 2019

The pattern of residential mobility varies throughout the world. Slum populations consistently report higher rates of residential mobility than other populations. However, the pattern and the consequences of residential mobility of the slum dwellers are not well studied. Dhaka, the Capital of Bangladesh, has a large population, more than 14 million of which about 1.06 million live in slums with an increase of 60.73 percent in the last 17 years. The objectives of this study are: (1) to identify the significant factors of residential mobility of slum dwellers; and (2) to examine the patterns of residential mobility of slum dwellers in three slums area located in Dhaka. This study further analyzed the impacts of residential mobility on the socio-economic aspect of the slum dwellers. For this research purpose, 267 households from three slums of Dhaka namely Kallyanpur slum, Agargaon slum, and Karwan Bazar railgate slum were selected through non-probability convenience sampling and interviewed. This study found that residential mobility was influenced by factors which are related to life cycle; employment, income and distress; land tenure and homeownership; neighbourhood condition and grouping issues. Among all the studied variables the most five significant factors influencing residential mobility are slum eviction, unavailability of utility services, marriage, changing job and getting homeownership status. It is revealed that the nature of the residential mobility for the surveyed slum dwellers is mainly negative and it poses a significant impact on the socio-economic aspects of life. The findings of the study pave the way to recommend specific measures for the slum dwellers to improve their condition by lessening the negative impacts of residential mobility.
Solar Salt Latent Heat Thermal Storage for a Small Solar Organic Rankine Cycle Plant
Authors: Costa Sol-Carolina , Mahkamov Khamid , Kenisarin Murat , Ismail Mohammad , Lynn Kevin , Halimic Elvedin , Mullen David
Published: September 2019

The design of the latent heat thermal storage system (LHTESS) was developed with a thermal capacity of about 100 kW h as a part of small solar plant based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The phase change material (PCM) used is solar salt with the melting/solidification temperature of about 220 °C. Thermophysical properties of the PCM were measured, including its phase transition temperature, heat of fusion, specific heat, and thermal conductivity. The design of the thermal storage was finalized by means of the 3D computational fluid dynamics analysis. The thermal storage system is modular, and the thermal energy is delivered with the use of thermal oil, heated by Fresnel mirrors. The heat is transferred into and from the PCM in the casing using bidirectional heat pipes, filled with water. A set of metallic screens are installed in the box with the pitch of 8–10 mm to enhance the heat transfer from heat pipes to the PCM and vice-versa during the charging and discharging processes, which take about 4 h. This work presents a numerical study on the use of metallic fins without thermal bonding as a heat transfer enhancement method for the solar salt LHTESS. The results show that the absence of the thermal bonding between fins and heat pipes (there was a gap of 0.5 mm between them) did not result in a significant reduction of charging or discharging periods. As expected, aluminum fins provide better performance in comparison with steel ones due to the difference in the material conductivity. The main advantage observed for the case of using aluminum fins was the lower temperature gradient across the LHTESS.
Investigation and Improvement of the Humidification–Dehumidification Solar Water Desalination System Implemented Wick as Packing Material
Authors: Shalaby S. M. , Kabeel A. E. , El-Bialy E.
Published: September 2019

In this work, a humidification–dehumidification unit powered by solar energy was designed, constructed, and tested for brackish water desalination. In order to enhance the mass and heat transfer between feedwater and flowing air, 16 layers of wick were used as packing material. The results showed that the daily productivity increased by 28.28% when wick was used. The desalination unit with wick was tested at different temperatures and flowrates of feedwater. High significance positive relation between productivity and feedwater flowrate was found. The proposed system was also tested at a wide range of air flowrate. The results also showed that the peak value of productivity was achieved when the air flowrate was 0.0075 kg/s. It was also found that the daily productivity increased by 31.3% when the feedwater flowrate was increased from 0.114 to 0.171 kg/s when the air flowrate was 0.0075 kg/s.
Arctic researchers prepare to go with the floes
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: September 2019

German ship will drift with ice pack as part of unprecedented international expedition.
Canadian cannabis research hits licensing logjam
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: September 2019

Frustration grows as government agency seeks to speed up application process.
Financial crisis looms at Brazilian science agency
Authors: Mega Emiliano Rodríguez
Published: September 2019

Cuts put scholarships and grants for 80,000 at risk.
Pathways to prevention
Authors: Miller Greg
Published: September 2019

Some straightforward approaches show promise. One question is how they can reach more people.
The global soil community and its influence on biogeochemistry
Authors: Crowther T. W. , van den Hoogen J. , Wan J. , Mayes M. A. , Keiser A. D. , Mo L. , Averill C. , Maynard D. S.
Published: September 2019

Microbes' role in soil decomposition

Soils harbor a rich diversity of invertebrate and microbial life, which drives biogeochemical processes from local to global scales. Relating the biodiversity patterns of soil ecological communities to soil biogeochemistry remains an important challenge for ecologists and earth system modelers. Crowther
et al.
review the state of science relating soil organisms to biogeochemical processes, focusing particularly on the importance of microbial community variation on decomposition and turnover of soil organic matter. Although there is variation in soil communities across the globe, ecologists are beginning to identify general patterns that may contribute to predicting biogeochemical dynamics under future climate change.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav0550
Response to Comment on “Legacy nitrogen may prevent achievement of water quality goals in the Gulf of Mexico”
Authors: Van Meter K. J. , Van Cappellen P. , Basu N. B.
Published: September 2019

Ballard
et al
. argue that our prediction of a 30-year or longer recovery time for Gulf of Mexico water quality is highly uncertain, and that much shorter time lags are equally likely. We demonstrate that their argument, based on the use of a two-component regression model, does not sufficiently consider fundamental watershed processes or multiple lines of evidence suggesting the existence of decadal-scale lags.
The induction of HAD-like phosphatases by multiple signaling pathways confers resistance to the metabolic inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose
Authors: Defenouillère Quentin , Verraes Agathe , Laussel Clotilde , Friedrich Anne , Schacherer Joseph , Léon Sébastien
Published: September 2019

An evolutionarily conserved family of phosphatases enables cells to resist the toxic metabolic effects of 2-deoxyglucose.
Diacylglycerol kinase ζ promotes allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness through distinct mechanisms
Authors: Singh Brenal K. , Lu Wen , Schmidt Paustian Amanda M. , Ge Moyar Q. , Koziol-White Cynthia J. , Flayer Cameron H. , Killingbeck Sara S. , Wang Nadan , Dong Xinzhong , Riese Matthew J. , Deshpande Deepak A. , Panettieri Reynold A. , Haczku Angela , Kambayashi Taku
Published: September 2019

Allergic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma are independently exacerbated by DGK activity.
MoGT2Is Essential for Morphogenesis and Pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Deng Shuzhen , Sun Wenda , Dong Lihong , Cui Guobing , Deng Yi Zhen
Published: September 2019

The ascomycete fungusMagnapothe oryzaeis the causal agent of rice blast disease, leading to severe loss in cultivated rice production worldwide. In this study, we identified a conserved type 2 glycosyltransferase named MoGt2 inM. oryzae. Themogt2Δ targeted gene deletion mutants exhibited pleiotropic defects in vegetative growth, conidiation, stress response, hyphal appressorium-mediated penetration, and pathogenicity. Furthermore, conserved glycosyltransferase domains are critical for MoGt2 function. The comparative transcriptome analysis revealed potential target genes under MoGt2 regulation inM. oryzaeconidiation. Identification of potential glycoproteins modified by MoGt2 provided information on its regulatory mechanism of gene expression and biological functions. Overall, our study represents the first report of type 2 glycosyltransferase function inM. oryzaeinfection-related morphogenesis and pathogenesis.
Photodynamic versus white light-guided treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a study protocol for a randomised trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness
Authors: Tandogdu Zafer , Lewis Rebecca , Duncan Anne , Penegar Steven , McDonald Alison , Vale Luke , Shen Jing , Kelly John D , Pickard Robert , N Dow James , Ramsay Craig , Mostafid Hugh , Mariappan Paramananthan , Nabi Ghulam , Creswell Joanne , Lazarowicz Henry , McGrath John , Taylor Ernest , Clark Emma , Maclennan Graeme , Norrie John , Hall Emma , Heer Rakesh
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Bladder cancer is the most frequently occurring tumour of the urinary system. Ta, T1 tumours and carcinoma in situ (CIS) are grouped as non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which can be effectively treated by transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). There are limitations to the visualisation of tumours with conventional TURBT using white light illumination within the bladder. Incomplete resections occur from the failure to identify satellite lesions or the full extent of the tumour leading to recurrence and potential risk of disease progression. To improve complete resection, photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) has been proposed as a method that can enhance tumour detection and guide resection. The objective of the current research is to determine whether PDD-guided TURBT is better than conventional white light surgery and whether it is cost-effective.

Methods and analysis

PHOTO is a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial (open parallel group, non-masked and superiority trial) comparing the intervention of PDD-guided TURBT with standard white light resection in newly diagnosed intermediate and high risk NMIBC within the UK National Health Service setting. Clinical effectiveness is measured with time to recurrence. Cost-effectiveness is assessed within trial via the calculation of incremental cost per recurrence avoided and incremental cost per quality-adjusted life per year gained over 3 years and over long term through a modelling exercise over patients’ lifetime.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethics review was undertaken with a favourable opinion, in line with UK regulatory procedures (REC reference number: 14/NE/1062). If reductions in time to recurrence is associated with long-term patient benefits, the cost-effectiveness evaluation will provide further evidence to inform adoption of the technology. Findings will be shared in lay media such as patient and charity forums and will be presented at key meetings and published in academic literature.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN84013636.
Improving cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Checks: a qualitative study
Authors: Hawking Meredith K D , Timmis Adam , Wilkins Fae , Potter Jessica L , Robson John
Published: September 2019

Objective

The NHS Health Check programme is a public screening and prevention initiative in England to detect early signs of cardiovascular ill health among healthy adults. We aimed to explore patient perspectives and experiences of a personalised Risk Report designed to improve cardiovascular risk communication in the NHS Health Check.

Design and setting

This is a qualitative study with NHS Health Check attendees in three general practices in the London Borough of Newham.

Intervention and participants

A personalised Risk Report for the NHS Health Check was developed to improve communication of results and advice. The Risk Report was embedded in the electronic health record, printed with auto-filled results and used as a discussion aid during the NHS Health Check, and was a take-home record of information and advice on risk reduction for the attendees. 18 purposively sampled socially diverse participants took part in semistructured interviews, which were analysed thematically.

Results

For most participants, the NHS Health Check was an opportunity for reassurance and assessment, and the Risk Report was an enduring record that supported risk understanding, with impact beyond the individual. For a minority, ambivalence towards the Risk Report occurred in the context of attending for other reasons, and risk and lifestyle advice were not internalised or acted on.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the potential of a personalised Risk Report as a useful intervention in NHS Health Checks for enhancing patient understanding of cardiovascular risk and strategies for risk reduction. Also highlighted are the challenges that must be overcome to ensure transferability of these benefits to diverse patient groups.

Trial registration number

NCT02486913.
School-based intervention study examining approaches for well-being and mental health literacy of pupils in Year 9 in England: study protocol for a multischool, parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial (AWARE)
Authors: Hayes Daniel , Moore Anna , Stapley Emily , Humphrey Neil , Mansfield Rosie , Santos Joao , Ashworth Emma , Patalay Praveetha , Bonin Eva , Evans-Lacko Sara , Moltrecht Bettina , Nisbet Kirsty , Thornton Emma , Lange Aurelie , Stallard Paul , Thompson Abigail , Boehnke Jan Rasmus , Deighton Jessica
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The prevalence of emotional difficulties in young people is increasing. This upward trend is largely accounted for by escalating symptoms of anxiety and depression. As part of a public health response, there is increasing emphasis on universal prevention programmes delivered in school settings. This protocol describes a three-arm, parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial, investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two interventions, alongside a process and implementation evaluation, to improve mental health and well-being of Year 9 pupils in English secondary schools.

Method

A three-arm, parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial comparing two different interventions, the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) or the Mental Health and High School Curriculum Guide (The Guide), to Usual Provision. Overall, 144 secondary schools in England will be recruited, involving 8600 Year 9 pupils. The primary outcome for YAM is depressive symptoms, and for The Guide it is intended help-seeking. These will be measured at baseline, 3–6 months and 9–12 months after the intervention commenced. Secondary outcomes measured concurrently include changes to: positive well-being, behavioural difficulties, support from school staff, stigma-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, and mental health first aid. An economic evaluation will assess the cost-effectiveness of the interventions, and a process and implementation evaluation (including a qualitative research component) will explore several aspects of implementation (fidelity, quality, dosage, reach, participant responsiveness, adaptations), social validity (acceptability, feasibility, utility), and their moderating effects on the outcomes of interest, and perceived impact.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has been approved by the University College London Research Ethics Committee. Findings will be published in a report to the Department for Education, in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN17631228.

Protocol

V1 3 January 2019. Substantial changes to the protocol will be communicated to the trials manager to relevant parties (eg, ISRCTN).
Is microdiffusion imaging able to improve the detection of cervical myelopathy? Study protocol of a prospective observational trial (MIDICAM-Trial)
Authors: Hohenhaus Marc , Egger Karl , Klingler Jan-Helge , Hubbe Ulrich , Reisert Marco , Wolf Katharina
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is difficult in numerous patients due to the limited correlation of clinical symptoms, electrophysiology and MRI. This applies especially for early disease stages with mild symptoms or in uncertainty due to comorbidities. Conventional MRI myelopathy signs show a restricted sensitivity to clinical symptoms of at most 60%. It is desirable to select patients for surgical treatment as early as possible before irreversible neurological damage occurs. To improve treatment, a more reliable imaging is necessary. Microdiffusion imaging (MIDI) is an innovative MRI modality to depict tissue alterations within one voxel based on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) postprocessing. By separating the affected area into several mesoscopic compartments, pathological changes might be detected more sensitive through this subtle tissue resolution. We hypothesise, that MIDI shows myelopathic alterations more sensitive than conventional MRI and improves the correlation to functional impairment.

Methods and analysis

In this prospective, observational trial, 130 patients with a relevant degenerative cervical spinal stenosis receive MRI including MIDI and a standard clinical and electrophysiological assessment. Special subvoxel diffusion parameters are calculated. Clinical follow-ups are conducted after 3, 6 and with additional MRI and electrophysiology after 12 months. The primary endpoint is the sensitivity of MIDI to detect functional myelopathy defined by clinical and electrophysiological features correlated to conventional MRI myelopathy signs. Twenty healthy subjects will be included as negative control. The results will provide new insights into the development of mesoscopic spinal cord alterations in DCM associated to the clinical course. Aim is to improve the diagnostics of incipient myelopathy through this new modality.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol is approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Freiburg (reference 261/17). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

DRKS00012962.
Anticoagulation adherence and its associated factors in patients with atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Pei-Ti , Wang Tsae-Jyy , Hsieh Ming-Hsiung , Liu Ju-Chi , Liu Chieh-Yu , Wang Kwua-Yun , Laio Wen-Chun
Published: September 2019

Objective

To investigate anticoagulant adherence and its associated factors, including demographics, clinical variables, atrial fibrillation (AF) severity, knowledge, satisfaction with services, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, symptom severity and self-efficacy in patients with AF.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Participants and setting

A convenient sample of patients with AF were recruited from cardiology clinics of two teaching hospitals in Taiwan.

Measures

Data were collected using the study questionnaires, including the AF-related symptom subscale of the AF Severity Scale, the Knowledge of Warfarin Anticoagulation Treatment Scale, the Satisfaction Scale about Service and Warfarin Treatment, the perceived benefits subscale of the Beliefs about Anticoagulation Survey, the Concerns about Anticoagulation Therapy Scale, The Self-efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale and the short-form Adherence to Reﬁlls and Medications Scale.

Results

A total of 151 patients with AF participated in the study; 53 treated with warfarin and 98 treated with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The difference in adherence to warfarin (mean=8.6; SD=1.6) and NOACs (mean=8.9; SD=2.0) was statistically insignificant. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perceived barriers (β=0.18, p=0.017) and self-efficacy (β=−0.48, p<0.001) were significant predictors of anticoagulation adherence. For every 1-unit increase in the perceived barriers, there will be a 0.18-unit increase in the adherence to anticoagulation therapy. For every 1-unit increase in the self-efficacy, there will be a 0.48-unit decrease in the adherence to anticoagulation therapy. Perceived barriers and self-efficacy collectively explained 34.0% of the variance in adherence to anticoagulation therapy (F(2,149)=38.11, p<0.001).

Conclusion

We found no better adherence to NOACs compared with warfarin. Patients with greater self-efficacy and perceived fewer barriers showed better adherence to anticoagulation therapy.
Cohort profile: role of lipoproteins in cardiovascular disease—the LipidCardio study
Authors: König Maximilian , Joshi Samita , Leistner David M , Landmesser Ulf , Sinning David , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Demuth Ilja
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The LipidCardio Study was established for in-depth analyses of cardiovascular risk factors, providing well-defined cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes. In particular, the role of lipoproteins in the pathobiological process and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) will be a main focus.

Participants

1005 individuals aged 21 years and older undergoing cardiac catheterisation during 17 months at a tertiary academic cardiology centre were enrolled (troponin-positive acute coronary syndrome was exclusion criterion). The baseline data not only contain detailed phenotyping, broad biochemical parameters, genetic data, but also standardised personal and family history, a screening test for cognitive impairment, pulse wave analysis and measurements of hand grip strength, among others. Blood samples were stored in a biobank for future analyses.

Findings to date

The mean age of the participants at enrolment was 70.9±11.1 years (70% male). Coronary angiography provided evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in 69.9% of participants. Those with evidence of CAD were significantly more likely to be male, inactive, diabetic and with a family history of CVD than participants without CAD.

About 20% of patients had lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) concentrations above 106.9 nmol/L (fifth quintile). These patients had significantly increased odds of obstructive CAD compared with participants in quintiles 1–4 (crude OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.48, p=0.005). There was reasonable evidence that with increasing severity of CAD the odds of having elevated Lp(a) increased. We were able to replicate the established strong association between specified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theLPAgene (rs10455872, rs3798220 and rs186696265) and theAPOEgene (rs7412), and the concentration of Lp(a), validating our phenotype database and biobank.

Future plans

Mortality information will be obtained in 2 year intervals. Follow-up phone interviews will be conducted at 3 and 6 years after enrolment. We seek to cooperate with other researchers, for example, by sharing data and biobank samples.
One-year rehospitalisations for congestive heart failure in Portuguese NHS hospitals: a multilevel approach on patterns of use and contributing factors
Authors: Moita Bruno , Marques Ana Patricia , Camacho Ana Maria , Leão Neves Pedro , Santana Rui
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Identification of rehospitalisations for heart failure and contributing factors flags health policy intervention opportunities designed to deliver care at a most effective and efficient level. Recognising that heart failure is a condition for which timely and appropriate outpatient care can potentially prevent the use of inpatient services, we aimed to determine to what extent comorbidities and material deprivation were predictive of 1 year heart failure specific rehospitalisation.

Setting

All Portuguese mainland National Health Service (NHS) hospitals.

Participants

A total of 68 565 hospitalisations for heart failure principal cause of admission, from 2011 to 2015, associated to 45 882 distinct patients aged 18 years old or over.

Outcome measures

We defined 1 year specific heart failure rehospitalisation and time to rehospitalisation as outcome measures.

Results

Heart failure principal diagnosis admissions accounted for 1.6% of total hospital NHS budget, and over 40% of this burden is associated to patients rehospitalised at least once in the 365-day follow-up period. 22.1% of the patients hospitalised for a principal diagnosis of heart failure were rehospitalised for the same cause at least once within 365 days after previous discharge. Nearly 55% of rehospitalised patients were readmitted within 3 months. Results suggest a mediation effect between material deprivation and the chance of 1 year rehospitalisation through the effect that material deprivation has on the prevalence of comorbidities. Heart failure combined with chronic kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases by 2.8 and 2.2 times, respectively, the chance of the patient becoming a frequent user of inpatient services for heart failure principal cause of admission.

Conclusions

One-fifth of patients admitted for heart failure are rehospitalised due to heart failure exacerbation. While the role of material deprivation remained unclear, comorbidities considered increased the chance of 1 year heart failure specific rehospitalisation, in particular, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Genes responsive to rapamycin and serum deprivation are clustered on chromosomes and undergo reorganization within local chromatin environments
Authors: Belak Zachery R. , Pickering Joshua. A. , Gillespie Zoe. E. , Audette Gerald , Eramian Mark , Mitchell Jennifer. A. , Bridger Joanna. M. , Kusalik Anthony , Eskiw Christopher H.
Published: September 2019

We previously demonstrated that genome reorganization, through chromosome territory repositioning, occurs concurrently with significant changes in gene expression in normal primary human fibroblasts treated with the drug rapamycin, or stimulated into quiescence. Although these events occurred concomitantly, it is unclear how specific changes in gene expression relate to reorganization of the genome at higher resolution. We used computational analyses, genome organization assays, and microscopy, to investigate the relationship between chromosome territory positioning and gene expression. We determined that despite relocation of chromosome territories, there was no substantial bias in the proportion of genes changing expression on any one chromosome, including chromosomes 10 and 18. Computational analyses identified that clusters of serum deprivation and rapamycin-responsive genes along the linear extent of chromosomes. Chromosome conformation capture (3C) analysis demonstrated the strengthening or loss of specific long-range chromatin interactions in response to rapamycin and quiescence induction, including a cluster of genes containing Interleukin-8 and several chemokine genes on chromosome 4. We further observed that the LIF gene, which is highly induced upon rapamycin treatment, strengthened interactions with up- and down-stream intergenic regions. Our findings indicate that the repositioning of chromosome territories in response to cell stimuli, this does not reflect gene expression changes occurring within physically clustered groups of genes.