bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root volatiles in plant–plant interactions I: High root sesquiterpene release is associated with increased germination and growth of plant neighbours
Authors: Gfeller Valentin , Huber Meret , Förster Christiane , Huang Wei , Köllner Tobias G. , Erb Matthias 
Published: February 2019

AbstractVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plant leaves can influence the physiology of neighbouring plants. In contrast to leaf VOCs, little is known about the role of root VOCs in plant–plant interactions. Here, we characterize constitutive root VOC emissions of the spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) and explore the impact of these VOCs on the germination and growth of different sympatric plant species. We show that C. stoebe roots emit high amounts of sesquiterpenes, with estimated release rates of (E)‐β‐caryophyllene above 3 μg g−1 dw hr−1. Sesquiterpene emissions show little variation between different C. stoebe populations but vary substantially between different Centaurea species. Through root transcriptome sequencing, we identify six root‐expressed sesquiterpene synthases (TPSs). Two root‐specific TPSs, CsTPS4 and CsTPS5, are sufficient to produce the full blend of emitted root sesquiterpenes. VOC‐exposure experiments demonstrate that C. stoebe root VOCs have neutral to positive effects on the germination and growth of different sympatric neighbours. Thus, constitutive root sesquiterpenes produced by two C. stoebe TPSs are associated with facilitation of sympatric neighbouring plants. The release of root VOCs may thus influence plant community structure in nature.
Glutathione S‐transferase polymorphisms in patients with photosensitive and non‐photosensitive drug eruptions
Authors: Ben Ami Tal , Sarig Ofer , Sprecher Eli , Goldberg Ilan 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundGlutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) play a critical role in cellular protection against oxidative damage. Polymorphisms in three major GST loci have been described. A number of studies have looked for an association between GSTs and skin diseases.PurposeTo ascertain the possibility that polymorphisms in the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes may predict the development of photo‐induced and non‐photo‐induced drug eruptions.MethodsA cohort of 40 patients with drug eruptions, 10 of whom had developed a photo‐induced drug reaction, and matched controls (116 for GSTM1 and GSTT1, 120 for GSTP1) were studied. Genotyping was conducted using direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe GSTP1 Val/Val genotype was significantly associated with non‐photosensitive drug eruptions (OR = 3.64, P value = 0.038), whereas associations observed between GSTP1, GSTM1, GSTT1 polymorphisms and photosensitive drug eruptions did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsVariations in GSTP1 may affect the risk to develop non‐photo‐induced drug eruptions. These results warrant confirmatory studies in a larger patient sample.
Spillovers from Us Monetary Policy: Evidence from a Time Varying Parameter Global Vector Auto-Regressive Model
Authors: Crespo Cuaresma Jesús , Doppelhofer Gernot , Feldkircher Martin , Huber Florian 
Published: February 2019

SummaryThe paper develops a global vector auto-regressive model with time varying parameters and stochastic volatility to analyse whether international spillovers of US monetary policy have changed over time. The model proposed enables us to assess whether coefficients evolve gradually over time or are better characterized by infrequent, but large, breaks. Our findings point towards pronounced changes in the international transmission of US monetary policy throughout the sample period, especially so for the reaction of international output, equity prices and exchange rates against the US dollar. In general, the strength of spillovers has weakened in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Using simple panel regressions, we link the variation in international responses to measures of trade and financial globalization. We find that a broad trade base and a high degree of financial integration with the world economy tend to cushion risks stemming from a foreign shock such as US tightening of monetary policy, whereas a reduction in trade barriers and/or a liberalization of the capital account increase these risks.
The impact of a multimodal approach to vancomycin discontinuation in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (HSCT) with febrile neutropenia (FN)
Authors: Perreault Sarah , McManus Dayna , Bar Noffar , Foss Francine , Gowda Lohith , Isufi Iris , Seropian Stuart , Malinis Maricar , Topal Jeffrey E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundCurrent guidelines recommend adding vancomycin to empiric treatment of FN in patients who meet specific criteria. After 48 hours, the guidelines recommend discontinuing vancomycin if resistant Gram‐positive organisms are not identified. Based on these recommendations, a vancomycin stewardship team defined criteria for discontinuation of vancomycin at 48 hours and increased surveillance of vancomycin usage through a multimodal approach. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to assess the impact of this multimodal approach on the discontinuation of empiric vancomycin at 48 hours in FN.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included a pre‐ and post‐intervention cohort of 200 HSCT recipients with FN from 2015 to 2018. Criteria for continued vancomycin use beyond 48 hours included culture‐documented resistant Gram‐positive infection, positive Methicillin‐Resistant S aureus (MRSA) nasal swab with evidence of pneumonia, or hemodynamic instability with concern for sepsis. The following patient characteristics were collected: previous MRSA infection, MRSA nasal swab collection and results, culture results, duration of vancomycin use, rationale for continuation of vancomycin beyond 48 hours, and re‐initiation of vancomycin.ResultsIn the post‐intervention cohort, vancomycin discontinuation at 48 hours increased from 31% (95% CI 21.94‐40.05) to 70% (95% CI 61.02‐78.97; P < 0.0001). An additional 23% of vancomycin orders were discontinued at 72 hours. Off criteria vancomycin use decreased from 33% in pre to 1% in the post‐implementation cohort.ConclusionEstablishing define criteria for vancomycin use in FN patients with a multimodal approach of physicians from hematology and infectious diseases, clinical pharmacists and the antibiotic stewardship team significantly improved vancomycin discontinuation.
Seroprevalence for norovirus genogroups GII and GIV in captive non‐human primates
Authors: Di Profio Federica , Sarchese Vittorio , Melegari Irene , Palombieri Andrea , Massirio Ivano , Bermudez Sanchez Sandra , Friedrich Klaus Gunther , Coccia Federico , Marsilio Fulvio , Martella Vito , Di Martino Barbara 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNoroviruses (NoVs) are a major cause of epidemic gastroenteritis in children and adults. Several pieces of evidence suggest that viruses genetically and antigenically closely related to human NoVs might infect animals, raising public health concerns about potential cross‐species transmission. The natural susceptibility of non‐human primates (NPHs) to human NoV infections has already been reported, but a limited amount of data is currently available. In order to start filling this gap, we screened a total of 86 serum samples of seven different species of NPHs housed at the Zoological Garden (Bioparco) of Rome (Italy), collected between 2001 and 2017, using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on virus‐like particles (VLPs) of human GII.4 and GIV.1 NoVs. Antibodies specific for both genotypes were detected with an overall prevalence of 32.6%. In detail, IgG antibodies against GII.4 NoVs were found in 18 Japanese macaques (29.0%, 18/62), a mandrill (10.0%, 1/10), a white‐crowned mangabey (16.6%, 1/6) and in an orangutan (33.3%, 1/3). Twelve macaques (19.3%, 12/62), five mandrills (50.0%, 5/10), two chimpanzees (100%, 2/2) and a white‐crowned mangabey (16.6%, 1/6) showed antibodies for GIV.1 NoVs. The findings of this study confirm the natural susceptibility of captive NHPs to GII NoV infections. In addition, IgG antibodies against GIV.1 were detected, suggesting that NHPs are exposed to GIV NoVs or to antigenically related NoV strains.
Platforms and Analytical Tools Used in Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Microbial Genotyping Procedures
Authors: MacCannell Duncan 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACT

In the decade and a half since the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS), the technical feasibility, cost, and overall utility of sequencing have changed dramatically, including applications for infectious disease epidemiology. Massively parallel sequencing technologies have decreased the cost of sequencing by more than 6 orders or magnitude over this time, with a corresponding increase in data generation and complexity. This review provides an overview of the basic principles, chemistry, and operational mechanics of current sequencing technologies, including both conventional Sanger and NGS approaches. As the generation of large amounts of sequence data becomes increasingly routine, the role of bioinformatics in data analysis and reporting becomes all the more critical, and the successful deployment of NGS in public health settings requires careful consideration of changing information technology, bioinformatics, workforce, and regulatory requirements. While there remain important challenges to the sustainable implementation of NGS in public health, in terms of both laboratory and bioinformatics capacity, the impact of these technologies on infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigations has been nothing short of revolutionary. Understanding the important role that NGS plays in modern public health laboratory practice is critical, as is the need to ensure appropriate workforce, infrastructure, facilities, and funding consideration for routine NGS applications, future innovation, and rapidly scaling NGS-based infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response activities.

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This article is part of a curated collection.
Phase Variation ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Jing-Ren 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeundergoes phase variation or spontaneous, reversible phenotypic variation in colony opacity, encapsulation, and pilus expression. The variation in colony opacity appears to occur in all strains, whereas the switches in the production of the capsule and pilus have been observed in several strains. This chapter elaborates on the variation in colony opacity since this phenomenon has been extensively characterized.S. pneumoniaeproduces opaque and transparent colonies on the translucent agar medium. The different colony phases are fundamentally distinct phenotypes in their metabolism and multiple characteristics, as exemplified by cell surface features and phenotypes in colonization and virulence. Opaque variants, which express more capsular polysaccharides and fewer teichoic acids, are more virulent in animal models of sepsis but colonize the nasopharynx poorly. In contrast, transparent variants, with fewer capsular polysaccharides and more teichoic acid, colonize the nasopharynx in animal models more efficiently but are relatively avirulent. Lastly, pneumococcal opacity variants are generated by differential methylation of the genome DNA variation. The reversible switch in the methylation pattern is caused by DNA inversions in three homologoushsdSgenes of the colony opacity determinant (cod) or SpnD39III locus, a conserved type I restriction-modification (RM) system. ThehsdSgene encodes the sequence recognition subunit of the type I RM DNA methyltransferase. The combination of DNA inversion and differential methylation, a complex mechanism of phase variation, generates a mixed population that may allow for the selection of organismsin vivowith characteristics permissive for either carriage or systemic infection.
Toxins and Superantigens of Group A Streptococci
Authors: Shannon Blake A. , McCormick John K. , Schlievert Patrick M. 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pyogenes(i.e., the group AStreptococcus) is a human-restricted and versatile bacterial pathogen that produces an impressive arsenal of both surface-expressed and secreted virulence factors. Although surface-expressed virulence factors are clearly vital for colonization, establishing infection, and the development of disease, the secreted virulence factors are likely the major mediators of tissue damage and toxicity seen during active infection. The collective exotoxin arsenal ofS. pyogenesis rivaled by few bacterial pathogens and includes extracellular enzymes, membrane active proteins, and a variety of toxins that specifically target both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, including the superantigens; however, despite their role inS. pyogenesdisease, each of these virulence factors has likely evolved with humans in the context of asymptomatic colonization and transmission. In this article, we focus on the biology of the true secreted exotoxins of the group AStreptococcus, as well as their roles in the pathogenesis of human disease.
Sortases, Surface Proteins, and Their Roles inStaphylococcus aureusDisease and Vaccine Development
Authors: Schneewind Olaf , Missiakas Dominique 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTSortases cleave short peptide motif sequences at the C-terminal end of secreted surface protein precursors and either attach these polypeptides to the peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria or promote their assembly into pilus structures that are also attached to peptidoglycan. Sortase A, the enzyme first identified in the human pathogenStaphylococcus aureus, binds LPXTG motif sorting signals, cleaves between threonine (T) and glycine (G) residues, and forms an acyl enzyme between its active-site cysteine thiol and the carboxyl group of threonine (T). Sortase A acyl enzyme is relieved by the nucleophilic attack of the cross bridge amino group within lipid II, thereby generating surface protein linked to peptidoglycan precursor. Such products are subsequently incorporated into the cell wall envelope by enzymes of the peptidoglycan synthesis pathway. Surface proteins linked to peptidoglycan may be released from the bacterial envelope to diffuse into host tissues and fulfill specific biological functions.S. aureussortase A is essential for host colonization and for the pathogenesis of invasive diseases. Staphylococcal sortase-anchored surface proteins fulfill key functions during the infectious process, and vaccine-induced antibodies targeting surface proteins may provide protection againstS. aureus. Alternatively, small-molecule inhibitors of sortase may be useful agents for the prevention ofS. aureuscolonization and invasive disease.
Evaluation of the overdiagnosis in breast screening programmes using a Monte Carlo simulation tool: a study of the influence of the parameters defining the programme configuration
Authors: Forastero Cristina , Zamora Luis I , Guirado Damián , Lallena Antonio M 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesTo build up and test a Monte Carlo simulation procedure for the investigation of overdiagnosis in breast screening programmes (BSPs).DesignA Monte Carlo tool previously developed has been adapted for obtaining the quantities of interest in order to determine the overdiagnosis: the annual and cumulative number of cancers detected by screening, plus interval cancers, for a population following the BSP, and detected clinically for the same population in the absence of screening. Overdiagnosis is obtained by comparing these results in a direct way.ResultsOverdiagnosis between 7% and 20%, depending on the specific configuration of the programme, have been found. These range of values is in agreement with some of the results available for actual BSPs. In the cases analysed, a reduction of 11% at most has been found in the number of invasive tumours detected by screening in comparison to those clinically detected in the control population. It has been possible to establish that overdiagnosis is almost entirely linked to ductal carcinoma in situ tumours.ConclusionsThe use of Monte Carlo tools may facilitate the analysis of overdiagnosis in actual BSPs, permitting to address the role played by various quantities of relevance for them.
Trends in cerebrovascular diseases mortality in Serbia, 1997–2016: a nationwide descriptive study
Authors: Ilic Irena , Ilic Milena , Sipetic Grujicic Sandra 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesOver the last decades, mortality from cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) has decreased in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the trends of CVDs mortality in Serbia.MethodsDescriptive epidemiological study. Age-standardised rates (ASRs) for CVDs mortality were assessed by joinpoint regression analysis to identify significant changes in trends and estimate annual per cent changes with 95% CI. The age-period-cohort analysis has been used to describe variations in mortality.ResultsOver this 20-year period, there were 312 847 deaths from CVDs, with the overall average annual ASR of 148.4 per 100 000. The trend of ASRs from CVDs mortality in males in Serbia showed a significant joinpoint: rates insignificantly decreased from 1997 to 2005 by −0.8% per year (95% CI −1.7% to 0.2%) and thereafter rapidly decreased by −5.0% per year (95% CI −5.6% to −4.5%). A joinpoint for females was found in 2006: the mortality trend was first significantly decreasing by −1.0% per year (95% CI −1.9% to −0.0%) and then sharply falling down by −6.0% per year (95% CI −6.8% to −5.3%). Results of age-period-cohort analysis indicated that the relative risk for CVDs mortality showed statistically significant (p<0.05) cohort and period effects, as well as the net drift and local drifts in Serbian population. The trends in mortality for all subtypes of CVDs were similar in both sexes: trends significantly decreased for most subtypes, with the exception of a significant increase for cerebral infarction.ConclusionsAfter a decade of increase, CVDs mortality rates are declining in last decade in Serbia. However, mortality rates from CVDs remain exceedingly high in Serbia. Differences in mortality trends of the stroke subtypes should be taken into account in the creation of both prevention and treatment guidelines.
Temporal trends in relative survival following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Hulme William J , Sperrin Matthew , Martin Glen Philip , Curzen Nick , Ludman Peter , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Mamas Mamas A 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivePercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has seen substantial shifts in patient selection in recent years that have increased baseline patient mortality risk. It is unclear to what extent observed changes in mortality are attributable to background mortality risk or the indication and selection for PCI itself. PCI-attributable mortality can be estimated using relative survival, which adjusts observed mortality by that seen in a matched control population. We report relative survival ratios and compare these across different time periods.MethodsNational Health Service PCI activity in England and Wales from 2007 to 2014 is considered using data from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society PCI Registry. Background mortality is as reported in Office for National Statistics life tables. Relative survival ratios up to 1 year are estimated, matching on patient age, sex and procedure date. Estimates are stratified by indication for PCI, sex and procedure date.Results549 305 procedures were studied after exclusions for missing age, sex, indication and mortality status. Comparing from 2007 to 2008 to 2013–2014, differences in crude survival at 1 year were consistently lower in later years across all strata. For relative survival, these differences remained but were smaller, suggesting poorer survival in later years is partly due to demographic characteristics. Relative survival was higher in older patients.ConclusionsChanges in patient demographics account for some but not all of the crude survival changes seen during the study period. Relative survival is an under-used methodology in interventional settings like PCI and should be considered wherever survival is compared between populations with different demographic characteristics, such as between countries or time periods.
Quality assessment of clinical trial registration with traditional Chinese medicine in WHO registries
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Tian Ran , Yang Zhen , Zhao Chen , Yao Liang , Lau Chungtai , Wu Taixiang , Shang Hongcai , Zhang Xiaoyang , Lu Aiping , Bian Zhaoxiang 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the registration quality of clinical trials (CTs) with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and identify the common problems if any.MethodsThe ICTRP database was searched for all TCM CTs that were registered up to 31 December 2017. Registered information of each trial was collected from specific registry involved in ICTRP through hyperlink. The primary analysis was to assess the reporting quality of registered trials with TCM interventions, which is based on the minimum 20 items of WHO Trial Registration Data Set (TRDS, V.1.2.1) plus optional additional three items recommended by ICTRP, and some specific items for TCM information (including TCM intervention, diagnosis, outcome and rationale). Descriptive statistics were additionally used to analyse the baseline characteristics of TCM trial registrations.ResultsA total of 3339 records in 15 registries were examined. The number of TCM registered trials has increased rapidly after the requirement of mandatory trial registration proposed by International Committee of Medical Journal Editors on 1 July 2005, and the top two registries were Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and ClincialTrials.gov. Of 3339 trials, 61% were prospective registration and 12.8% shared resultant publications. There were 2955 interventional trials but none of them had a 100% reporting rate of the minimum 20 items and additional three items. The reporting quality of these 23 items was not optimal due to 11 of them had a lower reporting rate (<65%). For TCM details, 49.2% lacked information on description of TCM intervention(s), 85.9% did not contain TCM diagnosis criteria, 92.6% did not use TCM outcome(s) and 67.1% lacked information on TCM background and rationale.ConclusionThe registration quality of TCM CTs should be improved by prospective registration, full completion of WHO TRDS, full reporting of TCM information and results sharing. Further full set of trial registration items for TCM trials should be developed thus to standardise the content of TCM trial registration.