bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of wild lizards in an urban landscape vary with reproduction, physiology, space and time
Authors: Durso Andrew M , Smith Geoffrey D , Hudson Spencer B , French Susannah S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of animals contains ecological information that we are just beginning to understand. In both field and lab studies, stoichiometric or isotopic ratios are related to physiological mechanisms underlying nutrition or stress. Conservation and ecosystem ecology may be informed by isotopic data that can be rapidly and non-lethally collected from wild animals, especially where human activity leaves an isotopic signature (e.g. via introduction of chemical fertilizers, ornamental or other non-native plants or organic detritus). We examined spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of the toes of Uta stansburiana (side-blotched lizards) living in urban and rural areas in and around St. George, Utah. We found substantial spatial and temporal variation as well as context-dependent co-variation with reproductive physiological parameters, although certain key predictions such as the relationship between δ15N and body condition were not supported. We suggest that landscape change through urbanization can have profound effects on wild animal physiology and that stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios can provide unique insights into the mechanisms underlying these processes.
Fixed the gap, solved the problem? Eating skills in esophageal atresia patients at 3 years
Authors: Bevilacqua Francesca , Ragni Benedetta , Conforti Andrea , Gentile Simonetta , Zaccara Antonio , Dotta Andrea , Bagolan Pietro , Aite Lucia 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Although eating problems have been described as long-term morbidities of esophageal atresia (EA), there have been few studies exploring eating outcomes in children born with EA as primary aim. Parents of children operated on for EA in our Institution from January 2012 to January 2016, answered a telephone structured interview developed specifically to conduct the present study, assessing eating skills at 3 years of age. Clinical data were collected from children’s medical records. Parents (45 mothers and 6 fathers) of 51 children (male = 34; female = 17) with a median age of 3.5 years form the object of the study. Considering eating problems, parents reported that 23 children (45%) still have episodes of choking during meals at 3 years of age, 9 (45%) of these have more than one episode a week, and 19 parents (39%) reported higher levels of anxiety during mealtimes. Forty-four children (86%) were described by their parents as able to eat alone, 32 (65%) accepted all food textures and 45 (90%) was described as curious about food (3 years). Forty-three (86%) parents let their children eat with other people. Correlations showed that weaning age was significantly associated with number of dilatations (rs = 0.35, P = 0.012), days of mechanical ventilation (rs = 0.40, P &lt; 0.001), and presence of gastrostomy tube at discharge (rs = 0.45, P &lt; 0.001). Chewing age resulted associated with number of dilatations (rs = 0.34, P &lt; 0.01) and days of mechanical ventilation (rs = 0.38, P &lt; 0.01). Presence of choking episodes was associated with curiosity about food (rs = 0.29, P &lt; 0.05), while frequent choking episodes were associated with higher parental anxiety during mealtimes (rs = 0.45, P &lt; 0.05). In order to prevent delay in the achievement of eating developmental milestones in children operated on of EA, we advocate a dedicated preventive intervention from birth to follow-up.
Improving headgear wear: why force level and direction of traction matter
Authors: Stocker Larissa Olivia , Patcas Raphael , Schätzle Marc Andreas 
Published: January 2020

SummaryBackgroundEmpiric data on headgear wear are scarce. The aim was to examine a possible discrepancy between the duration of wearing and force application, and whether such a difference is influenced by force level or direction of traction.Materials and methodsIn this retrospective analysis, 122 consecutive patients were included. All were treated with headgear (three subgroups: high-pull headgear [n = 60], cervical-pull headgear [n = 32], and high-pull headgear in combination with an activator [n = 30]) and were monitored for three successive months using an electronic module. The device recorded chronographically the measured force magnitude and temperature, allowing to differentiate between the duration of headgear wear (recorded body temperature) and actual force application (recorded force).ResultsFor all subgroups, the average recorded force application was lower than wear time (mean inactivity during wear: 15.9 ± 22.8 minutes/night). The direction of traction significantly influenced the extent and length of wear time without force application (P &lt; 0.001): patients with cervical-pull headgear were more prone to inactive wear time (27.7 minutes/night) than patients with high-pull headgear (13.7 minutes/night) or with headgear–activator (7.8 minutes/night). The observed inter-individual variability of inactive wear time was considerable (0–134 minutes/night). The mean applied force was highly significantly associated with inactive wear time (correlation coefficient: −0.575; P &lt; 0.001), and force levels below 250 g seem particularly related to episodes of inactivity.ConclusionsThere is a clear incongruity between the duration of headgear wear and the duration of force application. Inactive wear time is influenced by the direction of traction and force level applied. Clinicians should be aware of the likelihood of periods of inactive wear time and researchers should search for options to reduce or even eliminate these periods.
Sex differences in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: results from AXAFA-AFNET 5
Authors: Kloosterman Mariëlle , Chua Winnie , Fabritz Larissa , Al-Khalidi Hussein R , Schotten Ulrich , Nielsen Jens C , Piccini Jonathan P , Di Biase Luigi , Häusler Karl Georg , Todd Derick , Mont Lluis , Van Gelder Isabelle C , Kirchhof Paulus ,   for the AXAFA-AFNET 5 investigators
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Aims
Study sex-differences in efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods and results
We assessed first AF ablation outcomes on continuous anticoagulation in 633 patients [209 (33%) women and 424 (67%) men] in a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the AXAFA-AFNET 5 trial. We compared the primary outcome (death, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, or major bleeding) and secondary outcomes [change in quality of life (QoL) and cognitive function] 3 months after ablation. Women were older (66 vs. 63 years, P &lt; 0.001), more often symptomatic, had lower QoL and a longer history of AF. No sex differences in ablation procedure were found. Women stayed in hospital longer than men (2.1 ± 2.3 vs. 1.6 ± 1.3 days, P = 0.004). The primary outcome occurred in 19 (9.1%) women and 26 (6.1%) men, P = 0.19. Women experienced more bleeding events requiring medical attention (5.7% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.03), while rates of tamponade (1.0% vs. 1.2%) or intracranial haemorrhage (0.5% vs. 0%) did not differ. Improvement in QoL after ablation was similar between the sexes [12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical 5.1% and 5.9%, P = 0.26; and SF-12 mental 3.7% and 1.6%, P = 0.17]. At baseline, mild cognitive impairment according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was present in 65 (32%) women and 123 (30%) men and declined to 23% for both sexes at end of follow-up.

Conclusion
Women and men experience similar improvement in QoL and MoCA score after AF ablation on continuous anticoagulation. Longer hospital stay, a trend towards more nuisance bleeds, and a lower overall QoL in women were the main differences observed.
Biodegradation of propanil by Acinetobacter baumannii DT in a biofilm-batch reactor and effects of butachlor on the degradation process
Authors: Oanh Nguyen Thi , Duc Ha Danh , Ngoc Dau Thi Hong , Thuy Nguyen Thi Dieu , Hiep Nguyen Huu , Van Hung Nguyen 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
The herbicide, propanil, has been extensively applied in weed control, which causes serious environmental pollution. Acinetobacter baumannii DT isolated from soil has been used to determine the degradation rates of propanil and 3,4-dichloroaniline by freely suspended and biofilm cells. The results showed that the bacterial isolate could utilize both compounds as sole carbon and nitrogen sources. Edwards's model could be fitted well to the degradation kinetics of propanil, with the maximum degradation of 0.027 ± 0.003 mM h−1. The investigation of the degradation pathway showed that A. baumannii DT transformed propanil to 3,4-dichloroaniline before being completely degraded via the ortho-cleavage pathway. In addition, A. baumannii DT showed high tolerance to butachlor, a herbicide usually mixed with propanil to enhance weed control. The presence of propanil and butachlor in the liquid media increased the cell surface hydrophobicity and biofilm formation. Moreover, the biofilm reactor showed increased degradation rates of propanil and butachlor and high tolerance of bacteria to these chemicals. The obtained results showed that A. baumannii DT has a high potential in the degradation of propanil.
Progress in the use of detection dogs for emerald ash borer monitoring
Authors: Hoyer-Tomiczek Ute , Hoch Gernot 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEarly detection of infestation by the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis is extremely difficult; hence developing additional methods is desirable. We built on the successful use of canine scent detection for the invasive long-horned beetles Anoplophora glabripennis and Anoplophora chinensis and trained six dogs in detection of EAB. A first test series was performed to evaluate detection accuracy of five of these dogs. Seven different experimental settings were tested under single blind conditions: (1) forest nursery, (2) piles of firewood, (3) firewood on the ground, (4) ash logs on the ground, (5) old urban ash trees, (6) urban forest with ash trees and (7) natural forest with ash trees. In total, 214 positive samples were presented to the dogs, out of which 20 remained undetected. The experiments ascertained sensitivity (correct positives of all positives) ranging from 73.3 to 100 percent and specificity (correct negatives of all negatives) from 88.9 to 99.8 percent in the tested settings. This initial study demonstrates that trained dogs are able to detect EAB scent from sources such as larval galleries in bark/wood, frass, living or dead larvae or dead dry beetles. The numbers of tested dogs and test series were limited, and further studies are needed to confirm the initial results. However, the preliminary findings demonstrate the potential of the method particularly for inspection of wood or plants at entry points.
Halfway to Rota’s Basis Conjecture
Authors: Bucić Matija , Kwan Matthew , Pokrovskiy Alexey , Sudakov Benny 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In 1989, Rota made the following conjecture. Given $n$ bases $B_{1},\dots ,B_{n}$ in an $n$-dimensional vector space $V$, one can always find $n$ disjoint bases of $V$, each containing exactly one element from each $B_{i}$ (we call such bases transversal bases). Rota’s basis conjecture remains wide open despite its apparent simplicity and the efforts of many researchers (e.g., the conjecture was recently the subject of the collaborative “Polymath” project). In this paper we prove that one can always find $\left (1/2-o\left (1\right )\right )n$ disjoint transversal bases, improving on the previous best bound of $\Omega \left (n/\log n\right )$. Our results also apply to the more general setting of matroids.
Large-Scale Screening and Identification of Novel Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus Genes Using a Silkworm Infection Model
Authors: Paudel Atmika , Hamamoto Hiroshi , Panthee Suresh , Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Sekimizu Kazuhisa 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The regulatory network of virulence factors produced by the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is unclear and the functions of many uncharacterized genes in its genome remain to be elucidated. In this study, we screened 380 genes whose function was unassigned, utilizing gene-disrupted transposon mutants of the community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus USA300 for pathogenicity in silkworms. We identified 10 strains with reduced silkworm killing ability. Among them, 8 displayed reduced virulence in a mouse model as evidenced by reduced colony-forming units in organs of infected mice. The role of each gene in pathogenicity was further confirmed by complementation and pathogenicity tests in silkworms, where we found that the phenotype was not restored in 1 strain. Additionally, some of the mutants displayed reduced hemolysis, proteolysis, pigment production, and survival in murine RAW 264.7 monocyte-macrophage cells. These newly identified genes involved in virulence will enhance our understanding of the pathogenicity of S. aureus.
Evaluation of penicillin G susceptibility testing methods for Staphylococcus lugdunensis
Authors: Hagstrand Aldman Malin , Påhlman Lisa I 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Staphylococcus lugdunensis belongs to the CoNS group, but is regarded to be more virulent than most other CoNS. It is also remarkably susceptible to antibiotics, including penicillin G.

Objectives
To evaluate different methods for penicillin susceptibility testing, to assess penicillin susceptibility rates among S. lugdunensis and to describe the clinical presentation including antibiotic treatment.

Methods
Clinical isolates of S. lugdunensis were tested for penicillin susceptibility using disc diffusion according to CLSI (10 U disc) and EUCAST (1 U disc), assessment of zone-edge appearance, nitrocefin test and Etest for MIC determination. PCR of the blaZ gene was used as a reference method.

Results
Of the 112 isolates included in the study, 67% were susceptible to penicillin G according to blaZ PCR. The EUCAST disc diffusion test had 100% sensitivity, whereas the CLSI method had one very major error with a false-susceptible isolate. When zone-edge appearance was included in the assessment, the false-susceptible isolate was correctly classified as resistant. Foreign-body infection was the most common focus of infection, affecting 49% of the participants. Only 4% of the patients were treated with penicillin G.

Conclusions
Penicillin susceptibility is common in S. lugdunensis and the disc diffusion method according to EUCAST had a higher sensitivity than that of CLSI. Assessment of zone-edge appearance could increase the sensitivity of the disc diffusion test. Penicillin susceptibility testing and treatment should be considered in S. lugdunensis infections.
OmpC regulation differs between ST131 and non-ST131 Escherichia coli clinical isolates and involves differential expression of the small RNA MicC
Authors: Suelter Corey S , Hanson Nancy D 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Virulence genes and the expression of resistance mechanisms undoubtedly play a role in the successful spread of the pandemic clone Escherichia coli ST131. Porin down-regulation is a chromosomal mechanism associated with antibiotic resistance. Translation of porin proteins can be impacted by modifications in mRNA half-life and the interaction among small RNAs (sRNAs), the porin transcript and the sRNA chaperone Hfq. Modifications in the translatability of porin proteins could impact the fitness and therefore the success of E. coli ST131 isolates in the presence of antibiotic.

Objectives
To identify differences in the translatability of OmpC and OmpF porins for different STs of E. coli by comparing steady-state RNA levels, mRNA half-life, regulatory sRNA expression and protein production.

Methods
RNA expression was evaluated using real-time RT–PCR and OmpC mRNA half-life by northern blotting. OmpC, OmpF and Hfq protein levels were evaluated by immunoblotting.

Results
Differences between ST131 and non-ST131 isolates included: (i) the level of OmpC RNA and protein produced with mRNA expression higher for ST131 but OmpC protein levels lower compared with non-ST131 isolates; (ii) OmpC mRNA half-life (21–30 min for ST131 isolates compared with &lt;2–23 min for non-ST131 isolates); and (iii) levels of the sRNA MicC (2- to 120-fold for ST131 isolates compared with −4- to 70-fold for non-ST131 isolates).

Conclusions
Mechanisms involved in the translatability of porin proteins differed among different STs of E. coli. These differences could provide a selective advantage to ST131 E. coli when confronted with an antibiotic-rich environment.
Extract-and-Inject Analysis of Veterinary Drug Residues in Catfish and Ready-to-Eat Meats by Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lehotay Steven J , Lightfield Alan R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Validated analytical methods are needed to conduct regulatory monitoring of ready-to-eat meats and fish for food safety, risk assessment, and other purposes. The methods should be cost-effective, high-throughput, and meet acceptable performance standards for a wide scope of drugs and matrixes.

Objective
The goal of this study was to demonstrate the validity for possible implementation in the US National Residue Program of an efficient method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 176 targeted drugs at levels as low as 10 ng/g in hot dogs, catfish and swai (Siluriformes), chicken tenders, fried bacon, and sausage using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).

Methods
Sample preparation simply involved a 5 min extraction by shaking 2 g comminuted samples with 10 mL of 4/1 (v/v) acetonitrile/water followed by centrifugation and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of 2 μL injections. For cleanup comparison purposes only, sausage extracts were also prepared using a cartridge-based EMR-Lipid method prior to analysis.

Results
Acceptable validation of 70–120% recoveries with &lt;25% RSDs was met for 156–176 out of 186 drugs and quality control analytes without cleanup depending on the matrix. The EMR-Lipid method for sausage improved results for some analytes, such as mectin anthelmintics, due to reduction of indirectly interfering fats in the final extracts, but it also led to significantly worse results for several other drugs, resulting in 32 fewer analytes meeting the given validation criteria than without cleanup.

Conclusions
The simple, high-throughput method was demonstrated to be valid to meet routine regulatory and other monitoring needs for many diverse targeted drugs in fish and ready-to-eat meat matrixes.
Evaluation of the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate for the Enumeration of E. coli and Coliforms: Collaborative Study, First Action: 2018.13
Authors: Bird Patrick , Bastin Benjamin , Klass Nicole , Crowley Erin , Agin James , Goins David , Bakken Hannah , Lingle Cari , Schumacher April ,   Collaborators, Calle A , Suntharesan K , Gohil V , Donkers A , Smith R , Wood D , Diederich S , Kuchenberg S , Satoshi I , Brown M , Alvarez N , Corti S , Hochreuter M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
The 3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate is a selective and differential sample-ready-culture medium designed for the rapid enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliforms in the food and beverage industries.

Objective
The 3M Petrifilm Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate was compared to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Chapter 4 Enumeration of Escherichia coli and the Coliform Bacteria, the International Organization of Standards (ISO) 4832:2006 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs — Horizontal method for the enumeration of coliforms—Colony-count technique, and ISO 16649-2:2017 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs—Horizontal method for the enumeration of beta-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli—Part 2 Colony-count technique at 44 degrees C using bromo-4-chloro-3- indolyl beta-D-glucuronide methods for the enumeration of E. coli and coliforms in dry dog kibble.

Method
The candidate method was evaluated using two diluents, Butterfield's phosphate buffered diluent and peptone salt solution, in a paired study design with each reference method in a multi-laboratory collaborative study following the current AOAC Validation Guidelines. Three target contamination levels and an uninoculated control level were evaluated.

Results
The candidate and reference methods were not statistically different at each contamination level. Reproducibility values obtained during the collaborative study were similar between the candidate and reference methods.

Conclusion
These results demonstrate that the candidate method is equivalent to the reference methods.

Highlight
3M Petrifilm Rapid E. coli/Coliform Count Plate was recommended for Official First Action status for enumeration of E. coli and coliforms in a broad range of foods and environmental surfaces.
Immune system stimulation increases the irreversible loss of cysteine to taurine, but not sulfate, in starter pigs
Authors: Rakhshandeh Anoosh , de Lange Cornelis F M , Htoo John K , Rakhshandeh Amanda R 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAn isotope tracer study was conducted to evaluate the effects of immune system stimulation (ISS) on the irreversible loss of cysteine (Cys) to taurine (Tau) and sulfate (SO4), as well as glutathione (GSH) synthesis, during the fed state in pigs. We previously have reported that ISS increases plasma Cys flux and the GSH synthesis rate at the tissue and whole-body levels in growing pigs. Thus, the current article presents the data on the irreversible loss of Cys during ISS in pigs. Ten gilts (BW: 7.0 ± 0.12 kg) were feed restricted a sulfur amino acids (SAA) limiting diet and injected twice with either saline (n = 4) or increasing amounts of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (n = 6). The day after the second injection, a 5-h primed continuous intravenous infusion of 35S-Cys was conducted. ISS reduced plasma Cys and total SAA concentrations (16% and 21%, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). However, ISS had no effect on the plasma concentrations of Tau and SO4, nor did it affect the appearance of 35S in plasma Tau, plasma SO4, urinary Tau, or urinary SO4 (P &gt; 0.19). On a whole-body basis and including urinary excretion, ISS increased the appearance of 35S in Tau by 67% (P &lt; 0.05), but tended to decrease the appearance of 35S in SO4 by 22% (P &lt; 0.09). Overall, the current findings indicate that during ISS, decreased plasma SAA concentrations and increased plasma Cys flux are attributed in part to increased rates of Cys conversion to Tau, but not Cys catabolism to SO4. Thus, increased utilization of Cys for the synthesis of immune system metabolites, such as GSH and Tau, is likely the main contributor to increased Cys flux during ISS in pigs. In addition, the irreversible loss of Cys during ISS is small and has a minimal impact on the daily SAA requirements of starter pigs.
Regulation of growth in Drosophila melanogaster: the roles of mitochondrial metabolism
Authors: Jacobs Howard T , George Jack , Kemppainen Esko 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMitochondrial functions are often considered purely from the standpoint of catabolism, but in growing cells they are mainly dedicated to anabolic processes, and can have a profound impact on the rate of growth. The Drosophila larva, which increases in body mass ∼200-fold over the course of ∼3 days at 25°C, provides an excellent model to study the underlying regulatory machinery that connects mitochondrial metabolic capacity to growth. In this review, we will focus on several key aspects of this machinery: nutrient sensing, endocrine control of feeding and nutrient mobilization, metabolic signalling, protein synthesis regulation and pathways of steroid biosynthesis and activity. In all these aspects, mitochondria appear to play a crucial role.