bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nutritional geography of ants: Gradients of sodium and sugar limitation across North American grasslands
Authors: Kaspari Michael , Welti Ellen A. R. , de Beurs Kirsten M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSugar and sodium are essential nutrients to above‐ and below‐ground consumers. Unlike other properties of ecological communities such as abundance and richness, we know relatively little about nutritional geography—the sources and supply rates of nutrients, and how and why they vary across communities and ecosystems.Towards a remedy, we present a suite of hypotheses for how sodium and sugary exudate availability should vary for a common omnivore—the ants—and test them using a survey of 53 North American grasslands.We do so by running transects of salt and sugar baits and inferring the magnitude of environmental supplies as the inverse of their use as exogenous baits. We then use estimates of potential drivers of the availability of salt and sugary exudates—plant and soil nutrients, and bioclimatic variables—to test the best predictors of sodium and salt use by ant communities.Beyond a baseline of ant activity, salt use increased as an inverse of the amount of sodium in an ecosystem's plant tissue, but not its soils. Plant sodium varied by two orders of magnitude in grasslands across 16° latitude. This suggests that plant exudates are an important source of sodium for grassland consumers. The three drivers that best predict exogenous sugar use by ants all point to factors constraining sugar production: net above‐ground productivity, how far the community is into that year's growing season (both reflecting the rates of photosynthesis) and, intriguingly, the potassium content of plant tissue, which is likely linked to exudate production via plant turgor.These data suggest that ants and other consumers across a range of grasslands and climate vary significantly in the demand and supply of sugar and salt. This nutritional geography ultimately arises from gradients of climate and biogeochemistry with implications for the geography of plant–consumer interactions.
Bacillus subtilis builds structurally and functionally different spores in response to the temperature of growth
Authors: Isticato Rachele , Lanzilli Mariamichela , Petrillo Claudia , Donadio Giuliana , Baccigalupi Loredana , Ricca Ezio 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBacterial spores are commonly isolated from a variety of different environments, including extreme habitats. Although it is well established that such ubiquitous distribution reflects the spore resistance properties, it is not clear whether the growing conditions affect the spore structure and function. We used Bacillus subtilis spores of similar age but produced at 25, 37, or 42°C to compare their surface structures and functional properties. Spores produced at the 25°C were more hydrophobic while those produced at 42°C contained more dipicolinic acid, and were more resistant to heat or lysozyme treatments. Electron microscopy analysis showed that while 25°C spores had a coat with a compact outer coat, not tightly attached to the inner coat, 42°C spores had a granular, not compact outer coat, reminiscent of the coat produced at 37°C by mutant spores lacking the protein CotG. Indeed, CotH and a series of CotH‐dependent coat proteins including CotG were more abundantly extracted from the coat of 25 or 37°C than 42°C spores. Our data indicated that CotH is a heat‐labile protein with a major regulatory role on coat formation when sporulation occurs at low temperatures, suggesting that B. subtilis builds structurally and functionally different spores in response to the external conditions.
Zn(II) suppresses biofilm formation in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by inactivation of the Mn(II) uptake
Authors: Huang Ziyang , Wu Liming , Li Xi , Ma Liumin , Borriss Rainer , Gao Xuewen 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBiofilms are architecturally complex communities of microbial cells held together by a self‐produced extracellular matrix. Considerable research has focused on the environmental signals that trigger or inhibit biofilm formation by affecting cellular signalling pathways; however, response to soil cues in plant‐associated Bacillus has remained largely unaddressed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of Zn(II) ions in biofilm formation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42. We demonstrated that the biofilm formation of B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 was abolished by Zn(II) at non‐deleterious concentrations. Moreover, Zn(II) blocked matrix exopolysaccharide and TasA accumulations. Furthermore, the presence of Zn(II) suppressed expression of the response regulator Spo0F but not of sensor histidine kinases KinA‐D. Suppression of phosphorelay by excess Zn interferes with sinI induction under biofilm‐inducing conditions, leading to repression of transcription of operons epsA‐O and tapA‐sigW‐tasA. Addition of Zn(II) decreased the intracellular Mn(II) level by competing for binding to the solute‐binding protein MntA during Mn(II) uptake. These results suggest that the metal ion Zn(II) has a negative effect on biofilm formation in the plant growth promoting and biocontrol bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42.
Party effects on total and disaggregated welfare spending: A mixed‐effects approach
Authors: GARRITZMANN JULIAN L. , SENG KILIAN 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWelfare is the largest expenditure category in all advanced democracies. Consequently, much literature has studied partisan effects on total and policy‐specific welfare expenditure. Yet, these results cannot be trusted: the methodological standard is to apply time‐series cross‐section regressions to annual observation data. But governments hardly change annually. Thus, the number of observations is artificially inflated, leading to incorrect estimates. While this problem has recently been acknowledged, it has not been convincingly resolved. This article proposes mixed‐effects models (also known as ‘multilevel models’ or ‘hierarchical models’) as a solution, which allows decomposing variance into different levels and permits complex cross‐classification data structures. It is argued that mixed‐effects models combine the strengths of existing methodological approaches while alleviating their weaknesses. Empirically, partisan effects on total and on disaggregated expenditure in 23 OECD countries in the period 1960–2012 are studied using several measures of party preferences and revealing several substantially relevant findings.
Careers in context: An international study of career goals as mesostructure between societies' career‐related human potential and proactive career behaviour
Authors: Andresen Maike , Apospori Eleni , Gunz Hugh , Suzanne Pamela Agata , Taniguchi Mami , Lysova Evgenia I. , Adeleye Ifedapo , Babalola Olusegun , Bagdadli Silvia , Bakuwa Rhoda , Bogićević Milikić Biljana , Bosak Janine , Briscoe Jon P. , Cha Jong‐Seok , Chudzikowski Katharina , Cotton Richard , Dello Russo Silvia , Dickmann Michael , Dries Nicky , Dysvik Anders , Eggenhofer‐Rehart Petra , Fei Zhangfeng , Ferencikova Sonia , Gianecchini Martina , Gubler Martin , Hackett Denisa , Hall Douglas T. , Jepsen Denise , Çakmak‐Otluoğlu Kadriye Övgü , Kaše Robert , Khapova Svetlana , Kim Najung , Lazarova Mila , Lehmann Philip , Madero Sergio , Mandel Debbie , Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Mishra Sushanta Kumar , Naito Chikae , Nikodijević Ana D. , Parry Emma , Reichel Astrid , Rozo Posada Paula Liliana , Saher Noreen , Saxena Richa , Schleicher Nanni , Shen Yan , Schramm Florian , Smale Adam , Unite Julie , Verbruggen Marijke , Zikic Jelena 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCareers exist in a societal context that offers both constraints and opportunities for career actors. Whereas most studies focus on proximal individual and/or organisational‐level variables, we provide insights into how career goals and behaviours are understood and embedded in the more distal societal context. More specifically, we operationalise societal context using the career‐related human potential composite and aim to understand if and why career goals and behaviours vary between countries. Drawing on a model of career structuration and using multilevel mediation modelling, we draw on a survey of 17,986 employees from 27 countries, covering nine of GLOBE's 10 cultural clusters, and national statistical data to examine the relationship between societal context (macrostructure building the career‐opportunity structure) and actors' career goals (career mesostructure) and career behaviour (actions). We show that societal context in terms of societies' career‐related human potential composite is negatively associated with the importance given to financial achievements as a specific career mesostructure in a society that is positively related to individuals' proactive career behaviour. Our career mesostructure fully mediates the relationship between societal context and individuals' proactive career behaviour. In this way, we expand career theory's scope beyond occupation‐ and organisation‐related factors.
Association of global DNA hypomethylation with post‐operative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing hip surgery
Authors: Li Hui , Wu Ting‐Ting , Tang Lin , Liu Qing , Mao Xin‐zhan , Xu Jun‐mei , Dai Ru‐Ping 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundPost‐operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a decline of cognitive status that commonly occurs after surgery in elderly patients. Whether DNA methylation is associated with the development of POCD remains unclear.MethodsSubjects (N = 124) older than 65 years‐of‐age undergoing hip replacement surgery were enrolled. A battery of neuropsychiatric tests was used to examine the perioperative cognitive function of the patients. Early POCD was analyzed using the reliable change index (RCI), and subjects were diagnosed with POCD if RCI < −1.96. Peripheral leukocyte DNA was isolated, and DNA methylation was measured via 5‐methylcytosine (mC) using Elisa.ResultsTwenty‐four patients (19.4%) developed early POCD. There was no difference in baseline 5‐mC levels by POCD status. The 5‐mC levels significantly decreased on day 7 after surgery in patients who developed early POCD (P = .004), but did not change in non‐POCD patients. Moreover, post‐operative 5‐mC levels were significantly lower in POCD patients than those in non‐POCD patients (P = .003). Bivariate logistic models adjusted for age, gender, BMI, duration of anesthesia, and education level clearly demonstrated an independent association between post‐operative 5‐mC level and early POCD.ConclusionsPost‐operative global hypomethylation of leukocyte DNA was associated with the development of early POCD.Trial registrationClinicalTrial, NCT02965235. Registered 16 November 2016, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT02965235&rank=1#rowId0
Intrauterine phenotype features of fetuses with Williams–Beuren syndrome and literature review
Authors: Yuan Meizhen , Deng Linbei , Yang Yingjun , Sun Luming 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWilliams–Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a well‐defined multisystem chromosomal disorder that is caused by a chromosome 7q11.23 region heterozygous deletion. We explored prenatal diagnosis of WBS by ultrasound as well as multiple genetic methods to characterize the structural variants of WBS prenatally. Expanded noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT‐plus) was elected as a regular prenatal advanced screen for risk assessments of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy and genome‐wide microdeletion/microduplication syndromes at the first trimester. At the second and three trimester, seven prenatal cases of WBS were evaluated for the indication of the invasive testing, the ultrasound features, cytogenetic, single‐nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array), and fluorescent quantitative PCR (QF‐PCR) results. The NIPT‐plus results for seven fetuses were low risk. All cryptic aberrations were detected by the SNP array as karyotyping analyses were negative. Subsequently, QF‐PCR further confirmed the seven deletions. Combining our cases with 10 prenatal cases from the literature, the most common sonographic features were intrauterine growth retardation (82.35%, 14/17) and congenital cardiovascular abnormalities (58.82%, 10/17). The manifestations of cardiovascular defects mainly involve supravalvar aortic stenosis (40%, 4/10), ventricular septal defect (30%, 3/10), aortic coarctation (20%, 2/10), and peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis (20%, 2/10). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first largest prenatal study of WBS cases with detailed molecular analysis. Aortic coarctation combined with persistent left superior vena cava and right aortic arch cardiovascular defects were first reported in prenatal WBS cases by our study.
Intrapartum and neonatal mortality in low‐risk term women in midwife‐led care and obstetrician‐led care at the onset of labor: A national matched cohort study
Authors: Wiegerinck Melanie M. J. , Eskes Martine , van der Post Joris A. M. , Mol Ben W. , Ravelli Anita C. J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionMidwife‐led models of care have been the subject of debate for many years. We conducted a study to compare intrapartum and neonatal mortality rates in midwife‐led (primary) vs obstetrician‐led (secondary) care at the onset of labor in low‐risk term women.Material and methodsWe performed an unmatched and a propensity score matched cohort study using data from the national perinatal audit registry (PAN) and from the national perinatal registry (PERINED) of the Netherlands. We included women with singleton pregnancies (without congenital anomalies or antepartum fetal death) who gave birth at term between 2010 and 2012. We excluded the following major risk factors: non‐vertex position of the fetus, previous cesarean birth, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prolonged rupture of membranes (≥24 hours), vaginal bleeding in the second half of pregnancy, nonspontaneous start of labor and post‐term pregnancy (≥42 weeks). The primary outcome was intrapartum or neonatal mortality up to 28 days after birth. Secondary outcome measures were mode of delivery and a 5‐minute Apgar score <7.ResultsWe included 259 211 women. There were 100/206 642 (0.48‰) intrapartum and neonatal deaths in the midwife group and 23/52 569 (0.44‰) in the obstetrician group (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% CI 0.70‐1.74). Propensity score matched analysis showed mortality rates of 0.49‰ (26/52 569) among women in midwife‐led care and 0.44‰ (23/52 569) for women in obstetrician‐led care (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.65‐1.98). In the midwife group there were significantly lower rates of vaginal instrumental deliveries (8.4% vs 13.0%; matched OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.62‐0.67) and intrapartum cesarean sections (2.6% vs 8.2%; matched OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.30‐0.34), and fewer neonates with low Apgar scores (<7 after 5 minutes) (0.69% vs 1.11%; matched OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53‐0.69).ConclusionsAmong low‐risk term women, there were comparable intrapartum and neonatal mortality rates for women starting labor in midwife‐led vs obstetrician‐led care, with lower intervention rates and fewer low Apgar scores in the midwife group.
Assessing maternal dietary quality in early pregnancy in the programming of intrauterine fetal growth
Authors: Kennedy Rachel A. K. , Reynolds Ciara M. E. , O’Malley Eimer G. , Turner Michael J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionIt is established globally that a healthy maternal diet during pregnancy is important in programming fetal growth and development. The assessment of maternal dietary intake, however, is challenging both in clinical practice and in research studies. The aim of this study was to compare three individual dietary quality scores in early pregnancy based on European, American and World Health Organization (WHO) nutrient recommendations for the identification of suboptimal fetal growth.Material and methodsWomen were recruited conveniently at their first antenatal hospital visit and completed a supervised 4‐day diet history. The results were dichotomized into those women meeting and those not meeting macronutrient and micronutrient recommendations from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), WHO and the Institute of Medicine (USA). Composite nutrient scores were derived. The relation between the three individual dietary scores in early pregnancy and subsequent birthweight and small‐for‐gestational‐age was compared using regression analyses.ResultsOf the 202 women, the mean age was 32.2 (SD 5.0) years and 44.6% were nulliparas. The mean dietary quality scores were: EFSA 9.4 (SD 3.1), WHO 8.5 (SD 3.7) and USA 9.6 (SD 3.6). On multivariable regression, there was a positive relationship between the EFSA (β = 44.7, 95% CI 17.0‐72.4, P = 0.002), WHO (β = 39.2, 95% CI 17.2‐61.1, P = 0.001), and USA (β = 40.0 95% CI 17.6‐62.3, P = 0.001) score and birthweight. All 3 scores were positively associated with birthweight centiles. However, only those in the lowest quartile of the EFSA score were more likely to be small‐for‐gestational‐age (odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 1.1‐7.4, P = 0.03).ConclusionsThis study found that a dietary quality score based on European nutrient recommendations was better than other international recommendations at identifying in early pregnancy those women at risk of suboptimal fetal growth.
Closed loop automated oxygen control in neonates—A review
Authors: Sturrock Sarah , Williams Emma , Dassios Theodore , Greenough Anne 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimNeonates frequently require supplementary oxygen but may develop complications if the oxygen saturation is outside the target range. This review aimed to determine whether the algorithms used in closed loop automated oxygen control systems influenced their efficacy and whether use of the systems reduced relevant, long‐term neonatal complications.MethodsA literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search terms were ‘closed loop’ or ‘automat*’, ‘oxygen’ and ‘neonat*’.ResultsEighteen studies were identified: sixteen comparison clinical studies, an observational study and an animal study. Overall, closed loop automated oxygen control was associated with an increased percentage of time spent within the target oxygen saturation range and there were fewer manual adjustments to the inspired oxygen concentration when compared with manual oxygen control. The systems were effective in infants on non‐invasive respiratory support or mechanically ventilated, but no study included term‐born infants. No long‐term data were available to determine if complications of oxygen toxicity were reduced.ConclusionClosed loop automated oxygen control has been shown in short term trials including preterm and low birth weight infants to improve target saturation achievement. Whether long‐term outcomes will be improved with their use requires investigation.
Characteristics of graft‐versus‐host disease occurring after alemtuzumab‐containing allogeneic stem cell transplants: incidence, organ involvement, risk factors and survival
Authors: Finazzi Maria C. , Boschini Cristina , Craddock Charles , Rambaldi Alessandro , Ward Janice , Malladi Ram K. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryT‐cell depletion with alemtuzumab represents an effective form of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT); however, little is known regarding the impact of in vivo alemtuzumab on either the incidence or clinical characteristics of acute and chronic GVHD. We therefore studied 201 consecutive adult patients who received an alemtuzumab‐based, reduced‐intensity conditioned (RIC) allograft. With a median follow‐up of 24 months, the cumulative incidence of classic acute and late acute (persistent, recurrent and late onset) GVHD grades II–IV (grades III–IV) was 34% (13%) and 20% (8%) respectively; the cumulative incidence of classic chronic GVHD and overlap syndrome were 4% and 7% respectively. A previous diagnosis of classic acute GVHD is a risk factor for chronic GVHD (hazard ratio 10·91, 95% confidence interval 2·35–50·63, P = 0·0023) while late onset acute GVHD is not a risk factor for later development of chronic GVHD. Unrelated donor transplant is a risk factor for the development of classic acute GVHD but not for late onset or chronic GVHD. In conclusion, this study describes a distinctive pattern of GVHD following alemtuzumab‐RIC allografts, identifies the risk factors for GVHD development and provides prognostic information of patients with GVHD.
A randomised controlled trial of extended anticoagulation treatment versus standard treatment for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and post‐thrombotic syndrome in patients being treated for a first episode of unprovoked VTE (the ExACT study)
Authors: Bradbury Charlotte , Fletcher Kate , Sun Yongzhong , Heneghan Carl , Gardiner Chris , Roalfe Andrea , Hardy Pollyanna , McCahon Debbie , Heritage Gail , Shackleford Helen , Hobbs FD Richard , Fitzmaurice David 
Published: November 2019

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is prevalent and impactful, with a risk of death, morbidity and recurrence. Post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a common consequence and associated with impaired quality of life (QoL). The ExACT study was a non‐blinded, prospective, multicentred randomised controlled trial comparing extended versus limited duration anticoagulation following a first unprovoked VTE (proximal deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism). Adults were eligible if they had completed ≥3 months anticoagulation (remaining anticoagulated). The primary outcome was time to first recurrent VTE from randomisation. The secondary outcomes included PTS severity, bleeding, QoL and D‐dimers. Two‐hundred and eighty‐one patients were recruited, randomised and followed up for 24 months (mean age 63, male:female 2:1). There was a significant reduction in recurrent VTE for patients receiving extended anticoagulation [2·75 vs. 13·54 events/100 patient years, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0·20 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0·09 to 0·46, P < 0·001)] with a non‐significant increase in major bleeding [3·54 vs. 1·18 events/100 patient years, aHR 2·99 (95% CI: 0·81–11·05, P = 0·10)]. Outcomes of PTS and QoL were no different between groups. D‐dimer results (on anticoagulation) did not predict VTE recurrence. In conclusion, extended anticoagulation reduced VTE recurrence but did not reduce PTS or improve QoL and was associated with a non‐significant increase in bleeding. Results also suggest very limited clinical utility of D‐dimer testing on anticoagulated patients.