bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An active β‐lactamase is a part of an orchestrated cell wall stress resistance network of Bacillus subtilis and related rhizosphere species
Authors: Bucher Tabitha , Keren‐Paz Alona , Hausser Jean , Olender Tsviya , Cytryn Eddie , Kolodkin‐Gal Ilana 
Published: January 2019

SummaryA hallmark of the Gram‐positive bacteria, such as the soil‐dwelling bacterium Bacillus subtilis, is their cell wall. Here, we report that d‐leucine and flavomycin, biofilm inhibitors targeting the cell wall, activate the β‐lactamase PenP. This β‐lactamase contributes to ampicillin resistance in B. subtilis under all conditions tested. In contrast, both Spo0A, a master regulator of nutritional stress, and the general cell wall stress response, differentially contribute to β‐lactam resistance under different conditions. To test whether β‐lactam resistance and β‐lactamase genes are widespread in other Bacilli, we isolated Bacillus species from undisturbed soils, and found that their genomes can encode up to five β‐lactamases with differentiated activity spectra. Surprisingly, the activity of environmental β‐lactamases and PenP, as well as the general stress response, resulted in a similarly reduced lag phase of the culture in the presence of β‐lactam antibiotics, with little or no impact on the logarithmic growth rate. The length of the lag phase may determine the outcome of the competition between β‐lactams and β‐lactamases producers. Overall, our work suggests that antibiotic resistance genes in B. subtilis and related species are ancient and widespread, and could be selected by interspecies competition in undisturbed soils.
The Quetzal Coalescence template library: A C++ programmers resource for integrating distributional, demographic and coalescent models
Authors: Becheler Arnaud , Coron Camille , Dupas Stéphane 
Published: January 2019

AbstractGenetic samples can be used to understand and predict the behaviour of species living in a fragmented and temporally changing environment. In this regard, models of coalescence conditioned to an environment through an explicit modelling of population growth and migration have been developed in recent years, and simulators implementing these models have been developed, enabling biologists to estimate parameters of interest with Approximate Bayesian Computation techniques. However, model choice remains limited, and developing new coalescence simulators is extremely time consuming because code re‐use is limited. We present Quetzal, a C++ library composed of re‐usable components, which is sufficiently general to efficiently implement a wide range of spatially explicit coalescence‐based environmental models of population genetics and to embed the simulation in an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework. Quetzal is not a simulation program, but a toolbox for programming simulators aimed at the community of scientific coders and research software engineers in molecular ecology and phylogeography. This new code resource is open‐source and available at https://becheler.github.io/pages/quetzal.html along with other documentation resources.
Combined photodynamic therapy with systemic chemotherapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Gonzalez‐Carmona Maria Angeles , Bolch Maximilian , Jansen Christian , Vogt Annabelle , Sampels Matthias , Mohr Raphael U. , van Beekum Katrin , Mahn Robert , Praktiknjo Michael , Nattermann Jacob , Trebicka Jonel , Branchi Vittorio , Matthaei Hanno , Manekeller Steffen , Kalff Jörg C. , Strassburg Christian P. , Weismüller Tobias J. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundChemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin is the current standard for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Local photodynamic therapy has also demonstrated benefit in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.AimTo evaluate the benefit of photodynamic therapy in combination with systemic chemotherapy in advanced extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsThree hundred and fifty‐three patients diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma between 2004 and 2016 were treated at the University Hospital of Bonn, Germany. Of these, 96 suffering from unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were included. Patients were stratified according to treatment: combination photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy (36 patients), photodynamic therapy alone (34 patients), and chemotherapy alone (26 patients).ResultsCombined photodynamic therapy with chemotherapy resulted in significantly longer overall survival than chemotherapy alone (P = 0.022). Median survival was 20 months in the combination group (95% CI: 16.38‐23.62), 15 months in the photodynamic alone group (95% CI: 10.02‐19.98) and 10 months in the chemotherapy alone group (95% CI: 8.45‐11.55). In multivariate analysis, combination therapy and photodynamic therapy alone (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22‐0.77, P = 0.006), metal stenting, and radiofrequency ablation were independent predictors of longer survival.ConclusionsCombination photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in significantly longer survival than chemotherapy alone. Application of photodynamic therapy significantly correlated with longer survival, demonstrating benefit in advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Thus, photodynamic therapy should be considered during therapeutic decision making in advanced cholangiocarcinoma.
Differences between childhood‐ and adulthood‐onset inflammatory bowel disease: the CAROUSEL study from GETECCU
Authors: Chaparro María , Garre Ana , Ricart Elena , Iglesias‐Flores Eva , Taxonera Carlos , Domènech Eugeni , Gisbert Javier P. ,   ENEIDA study group
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundCohort studies comparing the characteristics of childhood‐onset and adulthood‐onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the biologics era are scarce.AimTo compare disease characteristics, the use of immunomodulators and biologic agents and the need for surgery between childhood‐ and adulthood‐onset IBD.MethodsInflammatory bowel disease patients from the ENEIDA registry diagnosed between 2007 and 2017 were included. The childhood‐onset cohort comprised patients diagnosed at ≤16 years of age and the adulthood‐onset cohort those diagnosed at >16 years. The cumulative incidences of immunosuppressive therapy, biologic therapy and surgery were estimated using Kaplan‐Meier curves, compared by the log‐rank test. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictive factors of treatment with immunosuppressants, biologic agents or surgery.ResultsThe adulthood‐onset cohort comprised 21 200 patients out of 20 354 (96%) and the childhood‐onset cohort 846 (4%). Median follow‐up was 54 months in the childhood‐onset cohort and 38 months in the adulthood‐onset cohort (P < 0.01). Proportions of Crohn's disease, ileocolonic involvement and inflammatory behaviour at diagnosis were higher in the childhood‐onset cohort. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for sex, type of IBD, extraintestinal manifestations, family history and smoking habit, childhood‐onset IBD was associated with higher risk of immunomodulator use (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.1‐1.2) and higher probability of receiving biologic treatment (HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1‐1.3). However, childhood‐onset IBD was not associated with higher risk of surgery (HR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8‐1.2).ConclusionsChildhood‐onset IBD has differential characteristics and higher risk of treatment with immunomodulators and biologic agents, compared with adulthood‐onset IBD. Nevertheless, paediatric IBD is not associated with higher risk of surgery.
High concentrations of atorvastatin reducein-vitrofunction of conventional T and regulatory T cells
Authors: Rodríguez-Perea A L , Rojas M , Velilla-Hernández P A 
Published: January 2019

SummaryRegulatory T cells (Tregs) modulate the magnitude of immune responses and possess therapeutic potential in an array of immune diseases. Statins reduce the activation and proliferation of conventional T cells (Tcons), and they seem to up-regulate the frequency and function of Tregs. However, there is a lack of simultaneous evaluation of the in-vitro effect of statins on the functional profile of Tregs versus Tcons. Herein, magnetically purified Tcons and Tregs were stimulated with CD3/CD28/interleukin (IL)-2 in the presence of atorvastatin (ATV) at 1 or 10 µM. The suppressive function of Tregs, the expression of markers associated with Treg function, activation levels, cytokine production and calcium flux in both subpopulations were assessed by flow cytometry. ATV had no cytotoxic effect on T cells at the concentrations used. Interestingly, 10 µM ATV hampered the suppressive capacity of Tregs. Moreover, this higher concentration reduced the expression of forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA-4) and programmed death 1 (PD-1). In Tcons, ATV at 10 µM decreased PD-1 and CD45RO expression. The expression of CD25, CD69, CD95, CD38, CD62L, CCR7 and perforin was not affected in both subpopulations or at any ATV concentrations. Remarkably, 10 µM ATV increased the percentage of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-producing Tregs. Although there was a reduction of calcium flux in Tcons and Tregs, it was only significant in 10 µM ATV-treated Tcons. These results suggested that 10 µM ATV affects the cellular functions of both populations; however, this concentration particularly affected several aspects of Treg biology: its suppressive function, cytokine production and expression of Treg-specific markers.
Daily outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy for the management of paediatric periorbital cellulitis, a retrospective case series
Authors: Tritt Ashley , Kay‐Rivest Emily , Paradis Tiffany , Duval Melanie 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether outpatient treatment of periorbital cellulitis with daily administration of intravenous antibiotics and physician evaluation is an effective and safe alternative to admission.DesignA retrospective chart review study of paediatric patients treated on an outpatient basis for periorbital cellulitis at a tertiary children's hospital between 2013 and 2015 was performed. Children were assessed day by a paediatrician to monitor for resolution of symptoms or complications.SettingThe Montreal Children's hospital, a tertiary care centre.ParticipantsChildren diagnosed with an uncomplicated periorbital cellulitis secondary to an acute sinusitis or upper respiratory tract infection.Main outcome measuresThe number of days of intravenous antibiotics, complications or need for subsequent admission. Complications were defined as formation of an abscess or phlegmon confirmed on computerised tomography scan, worsening or recurrent persistent cellulitis, failure to improve on intravenous antibiotics, and intracranial complications.ResultsSixty‐six children with a diagnosis of uncomplicated periorbital cellulitis secondary to sinusitis who received intravenous antibiotics via medical day hospital and who fit the inclusion criteria were identified. The mean duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy was 4.1 days. All children received ceftriaxone, with one patient also receiving cefuroxime. Two of 66 patients developed complications; one patient required admission for failure to improve/subperiosteal phlegmon and later underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and one patient developed an eyelid abscess that did not require admission. No patients developed severe neurological or visual deficits.ConclusionsOutpatient intravenous therapy with daily reassessment by a physician may be a safe alternative to admission in select cases of periorbital cellulitis without systemic signs of illness.
Integration of physiological knowledge into hybrid species distribution modelling to improve forecast of distributional shifts of tropical corals
Authors: Rodríguez Laura , García Juan José , Carreño Francisco , Martínez Brezo 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimPredicting species distributional shifts in future climate scenarios representing conditions that do not exist in the current world is a challenge. Species distribution models may result in misrepresented projections for species living in extreme conditions if based on truncated response functions. Model extrapolation may not detect declines that could occur if future environment conditions exceeded the physiological tolerance of the species. We developed a novel method aimed to overcome this constrain by incorporating the physiological response function of a tropical hydrocoral to temperature as a predictor variable in a Hybrid SDM.LocationAtlantic Ocean.MethodsWe conducted ecophysiological experiments simulating heat and cold stress to determine the maximum photochemical efficiency of the hydrocoral's symbiont along a thermal gradient to identify sublethal and lethal conditions. The response curve obtained was then applied to a temperature raster to create a new physio‐climatic variable, which was integrated into the Hybrid SDM as a predictor. Simple Physiological and Correlative SDMs were compared with the Hybrid model.ResultsThe Hybrid SDM outperformed the Correlative SDM allowing predictions without extrapolations in the physio‐climatic predictor. It suggested habitat contractions in tropical regions with forecasted temperatures above the coral's physiological tolerance, which were underrepresented by the Correlative SDM. It also incorporated habitat suitability restrictions by other predictors of unknown physiological response by incorporating correlative information (as limitations in river mouths by low salinity). In this way, by integrating mechanistic and correlative knowledge, the Hybrid SDM also predicted a potential expansion to higher latitudes, which agreed with the recent evidence of its expansion into the subtropical Canary Islands.Main conclusionIntegrating physiological knowledge into Hybrid SDMs by adding a physio‐climatic predictor improves model transferability resulting in predictions of decline in future climates, which may be misrepresented by SDMs trained at present‐day conditions, and therefore are advisable for early warning in conservation management.
‘Minilateral’ Development Banks: What the Rise of Africa's Trade and Development Bank says about Multilateral Governance
Authors: Humphrey Chris 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTMultilateral development banks (MDBs) are one of the most popular forms of international organization, with at least 27 operating in the world today. Although most academics and policy makers focus on the World Bank and major regional MDBs, the majority of MDBs are in fact relatively small, and controlled by developing as opposed to industrialized countries. How do the differing governance arrangements of these ‘minilateral’ development banks (MnDBs) impact their operations? This article takes the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), an MDB in Africa with 22 regional member countries, as a case study to consider this question. Based on an analysis of TDB's track record since 2005 and interviews with management and shareholders, the author finds that borrower‐led governance leads to substantial disadvantages in terms of access to finance. Borrower‐led governance permits TDB and other MnDBs greater operational flexibility, which partially compensates for this financial disadvantage, but these operational strategies come with trade‐offs in terms of developmental effectiveness. The findings suggest that MnDBs have substantial latent potential and, in an increasingly multipolar world, they are likely to grow in coming years. However, MnDBs need to ensure that their developmental value added is strengthened in step with their financial power.
Can South–South Cooperation Compete? The Development Bank of Latin America and the Islamic Development Bank
Authors: Ray Rebecca , Kamal Rohini 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTSouthern‐led multilateral development banks (MDBs) play a key role in harnessing global capital to finance the sectors most important to borrowers, especially infrastructure. Two prominent Southern MDBs, the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), have become crucial drivers of regional infrastructure growth. This article explores whether their performance has lived up to their goals of establishing borrower control over bank governance without sacrificing financial dynamism. Using power‐weighted voting indices for member representation on bank boards, the authors determine that these banks offer borrowers much more representation on their boards than do their Northern‐based counterparts, the Inter‐American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The article also analyses bank operations to determine whether their governance structure impacts theirinternalperformance, as reflected on balance sheets, andexternalperformance — gaining relevance in development finance and particularly in infrastructure lending, including the burgeoning sector of sustainable (climate‐resilient) infrastructure. The authors find that the CAF and IsDB have become major players in development finance, including in sustainable infrastructure. However, important issues remain in relation to their continued internal capacity development, especially with regard to the environmental and social safeguards necessary to oversee lending.
Size matters in quantitative radar monitoring of animal migration: estimating monitored volume from wingbeat frequency
Authors: Schmid Baptiste , Zaugg Serge , Votier Stephen C. , Chapman Jason W. , Boos Mathieu , Liechti Felix 
Published: January 2019

Quantitative radar studies are an important component of studying the movements of birds. Whether a bird, at a certain distance from the radar, is detected or not depends on its size. The volume monitored by the radar is therefore different for birds of different sizes. Consequently, an accurate quantification of bird movements recorded by small‐scale radar requires an accurate determination of the monitored volume for the objects in question, although this has tended to be ignored.Here, we demonstrate the importance of sensitivity settings for echo detection on the estimated movement intensities of birds of different sizes. The amount of energy reflected from a bird and detected by the radar receiver (echo power) depends not only on the bird's size and on the distance from the radar antenna, but also on the beam shape and the bird's position within this beam. We propose a method to estimate the size of a bird based on the wingbeat frequency, retrieved from the echo‐signal, independent of the absolute echo power. The estimated bird‐size allows calculation of size‐specific monitored volumes, allowing accurate quantification of movement intensities. We further investigate the importance of applying size‐specific monitored volumes to quantify avian movements instead of using echo counts.We also highlight the importance of accounting for size‐specific monitored volume of small scale radar systems, and the necessity of reporting technical information on radar parameters. Applying this framework will increase the quality and validity of quantitative radar monitoring.
Slashing Phragmites (Phragmites australis) prior to planting does not promote native vegetation establishment
Authors: Greet Joe , King Elise 
Published: January 2019

SummaryPhragmites or Common Reed (Phragmites australis) is a tall rhizomatous cosmopolitan grass. While native to Australia, it can be invasive in wetlands, forming dense monocultures and reducing their ecological integrity. We assessed the potential for the cutting of Phragmites reeds prior to planting to promote the establishment of indigenous shrubs that might ultimately outcompete Phragmites. We established ten 5 m × 5 m quadrats in an area dominated by Phragmites, brush‐cut the reeds to ground level in five of them and left five uncut as controls. Within each quadrat, we planted 20 plants (~40 cm tall) of each of five indigenous shrub species, unguarded (4 plants/m2). We surveyed the plants one month after planting and annually for the following four years for survival, height and browsing damage. Browsing damage to plants was common (>50%) and unaffected by cutting. After four years, overall plant survival rates were ~25% and mean plant heights for the five shrub species ranged between 120 and 174 cm. Cutting of Phragmites had no positive effect on plant survival or height. In fact, two Melaleuca species grew taller in the uncut quadrats. Cutting of Phragmites reed beds prior to planting is unlikely to promote the establishment of woody plantings. However, planting within established Phragmites with or without prior brush‐cutting is worthy of further trialling as a potential tool for reinstating native diversity at Phragmites‐dominated sites.
Stakeholders’ approach on government auditing in the supreme audit institutions of Japan and Korea
Authors: Yamamoto Kiyoshi , Kim Min Jeong 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFrom a stakeholder theory approach, this paper reports on a comparative case study between the Board of Audit of Japan (BOAJ) and the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (BAIK) on how to balance independence and responses to stakeholders’ needs within their limited resources. The empirical results show that the BOAJ maintains its independence partially adapting to political pressure: neither the Diet nor citizens have a mandate to enforce audits on requested issues. On the other hand, the BAIK meets citizens’ needs through screening instruments to maintain independence and political neutrality, while responding to audit requests from the National Assembly.
Supreme audit institutions in a high‐impact context: A comparative analysis of performance audit in four Nordic countries
Authors: Johnsen Åge , Reichborn‐Kjennerud Kristin , Carrington Thomas , Jeppesen Kim Klarskov , Taro Külli , Vakkuri Jarmo 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis article analyses survey data regarding the impact of supreme audit institutions’ (SAIs) performance audit on public administration in four Nordic countries. Regression analysis with pooled data from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden indicates that performance audits have positive impacts on usefulness, changes, improvements and, to some extent, accountability, as perceived by auditees who have experienced the audits. The results show that some of the factors that earlier research found important for the impact of performance audits in some countries were insignificant for all the four Nordic countries, but that SAIs’ legitimacy, audit quality and consequences of media attention were important factors.
Combined effects of salinity and infectious disease on Daphnia dentifera at multiple scales
Authors: Merrick Abigail M. , Searle Catherine L. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Temperate freshwater ecosystems are currently being salinised through anthropogenic activities. These increases in freshwater salinity can impact individuals, populations, and species interactions.

We studied the effects of salinity on freshwater host–parasite interactions at multiple scales using the zooplankton host, Daphnia dentifera, and a fungal parasite (Metschnikowia bicuspidata). We conducted one experiment at the individual‐level to quantify the effects of salinity on infection prevalence and another to understand the combined population‐level effects of salinity and parasitism.

In our first experiment, we found that the effects of salinity on infection prevalence varied by host genotype; increased salinity reduced infection prevalence in one genotype but had no effect on infection prevalence in another. In our second experiment, infection prevalence was lower when NaCl was added to the microcosms compared to the control (no added salt) treatments. We also found a significant parasite × salinity interaction on D. dentifera density in our second experiment, where the parasite only reduced host densities in our control treatment, probably due to the reduced infection prevalence as salinity increased.

This study demonstrates that salinity can influence infection prevalence in freshwater hosts and that host population density may respond to the combined effects of salinisation and parasitism in a non‐additive manner.