bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Campylobacter sp.: Pathogenicity factors and prevention methods—new molecular targets for innovative antivirulence drugs?
Authors: Kreling Vanessa , Falcone Franco H. , Kehrenberg Corinna , Hensel Andreas 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInfections caused by bacterial species from the genusCampylobacterare one of the four main causes of strong diarrheal enteritis worldwide. Campylobacteriosis, a typical food-borne disease, can range from mild symptoms to fatal illness. About 550 million people worldwide suffer from campylobacteriosis and lethality is about 33 million p.a. This review summarizes the state of the current knowledge onCampylobacterwith focus on its specific virulence factors. Using this knowledge, multifactorial prevention strategies can be implemented to reduce the prevalence ofCampylobacterin the food chain. In particular, antiadhesive strategies with specific adhesion inhibitors seem to be a promising concept for reducingCampylobacterbacterial load in poultry production. Antivirulence compounds against bacterial adhesion to and/or invasion into the host cells can open new fields for innovative antibacterial agents. Influencing chemotaxis, biofilm formation,quorum sensing, secretion systems, or toxins by specific inhibitors can help to reduce virulence of the bacterium. In addition, the unusual glycosylation of the bacterium, being a prerequisite for effective phase variation and adaption to different hosts, is yet an unexplored target for combatingCampylobactersp. Plant extracts are widely used remedies in developing countries to combat infections withCampylobacter. Therefore, the present review summarizes the use of natural products against the bacterium in an attempt to stimulate innovative research concepts on the manifold still open questions behindCampylobactertowards improved treatment and sanitation of animal vectors, treatment of infected patients, and new strategies for prevention.Key points• Campylobacter sp. is a main cause of strong enteritis worldwide.• Main virulence factors: cytolethal distending toxin, adhesion proteins, invasion machinery.• Strong need for development of antivirulence compounds.
Diagnostik und Therapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit chronischem Schmerz
Authors: Selent Felix , Schenk Sabrina , Genent Dunja , Wager Julia , Zernikow Boris 
Published: November 2020

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit
Bei der Behandlung chronischer funktioneller Schmerzen im Kindes- und Jugendalter nimmt international sowohl die Anzahl an diagnostischen und therapeutischen Maßnahmen als auch ihre Invasivität zu. Studienziel ist die Erforschung der vor Beginn einer spezialisierten stationären Schmerztherapie durchgeführten, die pädiatrischen Patienten potenziell gefährdenden Maßnahmen in Deutschland.

Material und Methoden
In einem retrospektiven Studiendesign wurden Patientenakten eines tertiären Kinderschmerzzentrums der Jahre 2004, 2008, 2012 und 2016 ausgewertet (N = 585). Neben diagnostischen und therapeutischen Maßnahmen wurden primäre Schmerzparameter und Patientencharakteristika erfasst. In einer interdisziplinären Expertenumfrage (N = 13) wurden die Invasivität, das Risiko und die psychische Belastung von Maßnahmen bewertet.

Ergebnisse
Diagnostische und medikamentöse Maßnahmen nehmen bis 2012 zu. Ab 2012 lässt sich ein abnehmender Trend erkennen (χ2(3) = 11,708; p = 0,008). Die Invasivität (χ2(3) = 13,342; p = 0,004), das Risiko (χ2(3) = 13,135; p = 0,004) und die psychische Belastung (χ2(3) = 14,403; p = 0,002) durchgeführter Maßnahmen zeigen ein gleiches Veränderungsmuster. In der Gesamtstichprobe sind Patienten mit Bauch- oder Gliederschmerzen besonders gefährdet für hoch invasive und sehr risikoreiche Diagnostik.

Diskussion
Eine Zunahme diagnostischer und therapeutischer Maßnahmen bei funktionellen Schmerzstörungen lässt sich nur bis 2012 beobachten. Bei bestimmten Patientengruppen kommen invasive, risikoreiche und die Psyche stärker belastende Maßnahmen häufiger zur Anwendung.
Einarbeitung von Nanoclay in Polyolefine mittels Planetwalzenextruder
Authors: Ohrdorf Karl-Heinz , Birr Thomas , Flachberger Helmut 
Published: November 2020

ZusammenfassungAls aktive Füllstoffe in Polymeren zum Einsatz gelangende Organoclays werden durch Kationenaustausch aus natürlichen Natrium-Bentoniten hergestellt, für die es in Europa keine industriell verwertbaren Lagerstätten gibt. Am Lehrstuhl für Aufbereitung und Veredlung der Montanuniversität Leoben konnte ein für diese Anwendung gleichwertiger Organoclay aus europäischen Kalzium-Bentoniten entwickelt werden.Die Einarbeitung eines idealerweise vollständig exfolierten Organoclays in nichtpolare Polymere wie Polypropylen und Polyethylen gilt als sehr schwierig. Dafür sind eine schlechte Kompatibilität und die Neigung zur Re-Agglomeration der mineralischen Partikel verantwortlich.Die Exfolierung von schichtpaketartigen Füllstoff-Agglomeraten erfordert sehr hohe Scherkräfte beim Compoundieren bei latenter Gefahr, dass dabei das Polymer geschädigt werden kann.Erste Compoundierversuche mit einem Doppelschneckenextruder brachten nicht den gewünschten Effekt. Der hier beschriebene Planetwalzenextruder zeigte eindeutige Verbesserungen bei der Dispergierung der Agglomerate. Eine zufriedenstellende Exfolierung konnte aber auch hier nicht erzielt werden.Es konnte nicht erklärt werden, warum sich der Füllstoff mit einem d98 < 5 µm beim Eintrag in ein homopolymeres Polypropylen zu Aggregaten mit einem ca. 60-fach größeren Durchmesser zusammenballt, während dies beim Polyethylen nicht geschieht.Die erwarteten Verbesserungen der mechanischen Eigenschaften wie E‑Modul und Zugfestigkeit wurden auch bei höheren Füllgraden nicht erreicht.
Visualisation of
H2O2 penetration through skin
indicates importance to develop pathway-specific epidermal sensing
Authors: Jankovskaja Skaidre , Labrousse Anaïs , Prévaud Léa , Holmqvist Bo , Brinte Anders , Engblom Johan , Rezeli Melinda , Marko-Varga György , Ruzgas Tautgirdas 
Published: November 2020

AbstractElevated amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) are observed in the
epidermis in different skin disorders. Thus, epidermal sensing of
H2O2 should be useful to monitor
the progression of skin pathologies. We have evaluated epidermal sensing of
H2O2 in vitro, by visualising
H2O2 permeation through the skin.
Skin membranes were mounted in Franz cells, and a suspension of Prussian white
microparticles was deposited on the stratum corneum face of the skin. Upon
H2O2 permeation, Prussian white
was oxidised to Prussian blue, resulting in a pattern of blue dots. Comparison of
skin surface images with the dot patterns revealed that about 74% of the blue dots
were associated with hair shafts. The degree of the Prussian white to Prussian blue
conversion strongly correlated with the reciprocal resistance of the skin membranes.
Together, the results demonstrate that hair follicles are the major pathways of
H2O2 transdermal penetration. The
study recommends that the development of
H2O2 monitoring on skin should aim
for pathway-specific epidermal sensing, allowing micrometre resolution to detect and
quantify this ROS biomarker at hair follicles.Graphical abstract
Species composition of introduced and natural minnow populations of the Phoxinus cryptic complex in the westernmost part of the Po River Basin (north Italy)
Authors: De Santis Vanessa , Delmastro Giovanni B. , Vanetti Isabella , Britton J. Robert , Zaccara Serena 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInvasive alien species are a major driver of biodiversity loss, with their impacts potentially more intense when complexes of cryptic species are involved. In freshwaters, the anthropogenic manipulation of fish communities has resulted in altered fish communities, and in Europe has increased the complexity of Phoxinus species assemblages. Here, we investigated the Phoxinus communities of the westernmost part of the Po river basin, where adjacent freshwater ecosystems (Alpine high-altitude lakes and lowland streams) are representative of different management strategies (i.e. manipulated fish communities via stocking in Alpine lakes vs. natural populations in streams). We tested the genetic composition of the cryptic Phoxinus populations inhabiting these waters, as the species are morphologically indistinct. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were obtained from 239 specimens, with the results indicating that 17 Alpine high-altitude lakes are now populated by a complex of Phoxinus species, comprising P. septimaniae (native to the Mediterranean area of France), P. csikii (native to the Central Balkans) and P. lumaireul (native to the North Adriatic Sea basins). Their introduction resulted from their use as angling live baits. Minnow populations in lowland streams were primarily comprised of native P. lumaireul, with only a single P. csikii specimen detected. While nuclear sequences of the recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1) marker were not useful for tracking the presence of alien alleles in these stream populations, the COI data emphasised the importance of using molecular tools to investigate cryptic species complexes that have been modified by anthropogenic activities.
Distributional Impacts of Carbon Pricing: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ohlendorf Nils , Jakob Michael , Minx Jan Christoph , Schröder Carsten , Steckel Jan Christoph 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the distributional impacts of market-based climate policies is crucial to design economically efficient climate change mitigation policies that are socially acceptable and avoid adverse impacts on the poor. Empirical studies that examine the distributional impacts of carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidy reforms in different countries arrive at ambiguous results. To systematically determine the sources of variation between these outcomes, we apply an ordered probit meta-analysis framework. Based on a comprehensive, systematic and transparent screening of the literature, our sample comprises 53 empirical studies containing 183 effects in 39 countries. Results indicate a significantly increased likelihood of progressive distributional outcomes for studies on lower income countries and transport sector policies. The same applies to study designs that consider indirect effects, demand-side adjustments of consumers or lifetime income proxies.
Application of the Gauss–Bonnet theorem to lensing in the NUT metric
Authors: Halla Mourad , Perlick Volker 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe show with the help of Fermat’s principle that every lightlike geodesic in the NUT metric projects to a geodesic of a two-dimensional Riemannian metric which we call the optical metric. The optical metric is defined on a (coordinate) cone whose opening angle is determined by the impact parameter of the lightlike geodesic. We show that, surprisingly, the optical metrics on cones with different opening angles are locally (but not globally) isometric. With the help of the Gauss–Bonnet theorem we demonstrate that the deflection angle of a lightlike geodesic is determined by an area integral over the Gaussian curvature of the optical metric. A similar result is known to be true for static and spherically symmetric spacetimes. The generalisation to the NUT spacetime, which is neither static nor spherically symmetric (at least not in the usual sense), is rather non-trivial.
Foveal structure in nanophthalmos and visual acuity
Authors: Okumichi Hideaki , Itakura Katsumasa , Yuasa Yuki , Fukuto Atsuhiko , Kiuchi Yoshiaki 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the fovea in nanophthalmic eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA), and to investigate the relationship between the macular microstructure and visual acuity.

Methods
This is a retrospective case series of five nanophthalmic patients. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area was measured in superficial and deep vascular layers with OCTA. The thickness of the inner retinal layer (IRL) was measured with SD-OCT. The ratio of the foveal and parafoveal IRL thickness (fIRL/pIRL ratio) was calculated. The relationship between these parameters and visual acuity was then investigated.

Results
Eight eyes were identified as nanophthalmic with a mean axial length of 17.19 ± 1.44 mm (range: 15.71 to 19.88 mm). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) was 0.12 ± 0.18 (range: − 0.18 to 0.40). OCTA showed that FAZs were either absent or undeveloped in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. Two patients did not show any visual impairments despite small FAZ and a shallow foveal depression. Although the BCVA was significantly correlated with the deep FAZ size, it did not correlate with the superficial FAZ size, axial length, or fIRL/pIRL ratio. However, the refractive error, axial length, and deep FAZ size were all significantly correlated with the fIRL/pIRL ratio.

Conclusions
The FAZs were commonly found to be small in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. Although the deep FAZ size correlated with visual acuity, it is unclear whether the retinal microstructure and the FAZ size are responsible for the visual impairments observed in the same individuals.
Sibling correlation in risk attitudes: evidence from Burkina Faso
Authors: Sepahvand Mohammad H. , Shahbazian Roujman 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study uses sibling correlation to provide novel descriptive evidence of parental and household characteristics on three different risk domains collected in a nationally representative survey from Burkina Faso. The sibling correlations are between 0.51 and 0.83. The correlations are higher in the general risk domain compared to risk taking in financial matters and traffic. Moreover, the sibling correlation is higher for sisters than brothers. We also explore which factors might drive these correlations; parents’ risk attitudes appears to play a role in explaining these correlations, whereas socioeconomic outcomes, family structure, parental health and residential zone seems to have only a limited contribution. We also find that gender seems to be important in explaining the variation in sibling correlations. Mother’s appear to have a stronger contribution on daughters than their sons correlation, whereas father’s help to explain their sons correlation.
Cognitive training for robotic surgery: a chance to optimize surgical training? A pilot study
Authors: Schönburg Sandra , Anheuser Petra , Kranz Jennifer , Fornara Paolo , Oubaid Viktor 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe rapid rise of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has necessitated an efficient and standardized training curriculum. Cognitive training (CT) can significantly improve skills, such as attention, working memory and problem solving, and can enhance surgical capacity and support RAS training. This pilot study was carried out between 02/2019 and 04/2019. The participants included 33 student volunteers, randomized into 3 groups: group 1 received training using the da Vinci training simulator, group 2 received computer-based cognitive training, and group 3 was the control group without training. Before (T1) and after-training (T2), performance was measured. Additionally, expert ratings and self-evaluations were collected. Subjective evaluations of performance were supplemented by evaluations based on three scales from the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R). In total, 25 probands remained with complete data for further analyses: n = 8 (group 1), n = 7 (group 2) and n = 10 (group 3). There were no significant differences in T1 and T2 among all three groups. The average training gain of group 1 and 2 was 15.87% and 24.6%, respectively, (a restricting condition is the loss of the last training session in group 2). Analyses of semi-structured psychological interviews (SPIs) revealed no significant differences for T1, but in T2, significance occurred at ‘self-reflection’ for group 2 (F(2.22) = 8.56; p < .005). The efficacy of CT in training highly complex and difficult procedures, such as RAS, is a proven and accepted fact. Further investigation involving higher numbers of training trials (while also being cost effective) should be performed.
The course of peripheral neuropathy and its association with health-related quality of life among colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Bonhof Cynthia S. , van de Poll-Franse Lonneke V. , Wasowicz Dareczka K. , Beerepoot Laurens V. , Vreugdenhil Gerard , Mols Floortje 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To gain more insight into the course of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a population-based sample of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients up to 2 years after diagnosis.

Methods
All newly diagnosed CRC patients from four hospitals in the Netherlands were eligible for participation in an ongoing prospective cohort study. Patients (n = 340) completed questions on CIPN (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) and HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) before initial treatment (baseline) and 1 and 2 years after diagnosis.

Results
Among chemotherapy-treated patients (n = 105), a high sensory peripheral neuropathy (SPN) level was reported by 57% of patients at 1 year, and 47% at 2-year follow-up, whereas a high motor peripheral neuropathy (MPN) level was reported by 47% and 28%, at years 1 and 2, respectively. Linear mixed model analyses showed that SPN and MPN symptoms significantly increased from baseline to 1-year follow-up and did not return to baseline level after 2 years. Patients with a high SPN or MPN level reported a worse global quality of life and a worse physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning compared with those with a low SPN or MPN level.

Conclusions
Future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying CIPN so targeted interventions can be developed to reduce the impact of CIPN on patient’s lives.

Implications for cancer survivors
Patients need to be informed of both CIPN and the impact on HRQoL.
Repurposing Inflatable Packaging Pillows as Bioreactors: a Convenient Synthesis of Glucosone by Whole-Cell Catalysis Under Oxygen
Authors: Mozuch Michael D. , Hirth Kolby C. , Schwartz Thomas J. , Kersten Philip J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBiocatalysis using molecular oxygen as the electron acceptor has significant potential for selective oxidations at low cost. However, oxygen is poorly soluble in water, and its slow rate of mass transfer in the aqueous phase is a major obstacle, even for laboratory-scale syntheses. Oxygen transfer can be accelerated by vigorous mechanical methods, but these are often incompatible with biological catalysts. Gentler conditions can be achieved with shallow, high surface area bag reactors that are designed for single use and generally for specialized cell culture applications. As a less-expensive alternative to these high-end bioreactors, we describe repurposing inflatable shipping pillows with resealable valves to provide high surface area mixing under oxygen for preparative synthesis of glucosone (D-arabino-hexos-2-ulose) from D-glucose using non-growing Escherichia coli whole cells containing recombinant pyranose 2-oxidase (POX) as catalyst. Parallel reactions permitted systematic study of the effects of headspace composition (i.e., air vs 100% oxygen), cell density, exogenous catalase, and reaction volume in the oxidation of 10% glucose. Importantly, only a single charge of 100% oxygen is required for stoichiometric conversion on a multi-gram scale in 18 h with resting cells, and the conversion was successfully repeated with recycled cells.
Church Growth in Times of Secularization: A Case Study of People Joining Evangelical Congregations in the Netherlands
Authors: Vermeer Paul , Scheepers Peer 
Published: November 2020

Background Today the Dutch religious landscape is characterized by two opposite trends. On the one hand, there is a massive and dominant trend of religious disaffiliation which mostly affects the Roman Catholic Church and the mainline Protestant churches, while on the other hand the Netherlands also witnesses the emergence of several independent, evangelical congregations of near megachurch size. Purpose Against the background of these opposite trends, this paper focuses on the second trend and tries to explain why some people join an evangelical congregation. Methods For this purpose, quantitative data gathered among the audiences of six thriving evangelical congregations are analyzed in view of the following research questions: (1) What was the previous religious affiliation of the people who switched or converted to one of the six participating evangelical congregations? and (2) Which factors induced the switch or conversion to these congregations? Results Results of bivariate and multivariate analyses show that these congregations attract both mainline and orthodox Protestant switchers as well as a significant number of secular converts, whose decision to join these evangelical congregations is induced by early socialization experiences, their intrinsic religious orientation and the switching of their partner. Closer scrutiny into the background of the apparent secular converts reveals, however, that several of these converts are probably re-affiliates. Although these secular converts indicated to be a religious none in their early teens, their conversion to evangelicalism is in part still induced by certain, early religious socialization experiences. Conclusions and Implications This insight puts the alleged success of these evangelical congregations in more perspective. It shows that their success is more a matter of circulating, religious believers and not so much a matter of successfully reaching out to the unchurched. In all likelihood, then, thriving evangelical congregations will remain an exception in secular societies like the Netherlands and evangelical church growth in no way marks a break with the ongoing trend of religious disaffiliation.
Democratic Public Justification
Authors: Motchoulski Alexander 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDemocratic institutions are appealing means of making publicly justified social choices. By allowing participation by all citizens, democracy can accommodate diversity among citizens, and by considering the perspectives of all, via ballots or debate, democratic results can approximate what the balance of reasons favors. I consider whether, and under what conditions, democratic institutions might reliably make publicly justified social decisions. I argue that conventional accounts of democracy, constituted by voting or deliberation, are unlikely to be effective public justification mechanisms. I conclude that the limitations of conventional mechanisms can be ameliorated through the use of lotteries instead of elections.
Electroencephalography Attenuations in Adults: Clinical Correlates
Authors: Hunter Gary , Verity Ryan 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT:Spontaneous intermittent generalized attenuations (SIGAs) are defined as a transient decrease in amplitude of electroencephalography (EEG) activity in response to a physiologic process, external stimuli, or as a result of a pathologic condition. We seek to investigate their relationship to clinical outcomes. Demographic information, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and clinical information were noted on 22 consecutive patients with SIGAs on their EEG. 12 of the 22 patients (54.5%) died, and 12 patients (54.5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit or coronary care unit. Future studies should attempt to prospectively compare outcomes among patients with SIGAs against a control group.