bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactions between plant defence signalling pathways: Evidence from bioassays with insect herbivores and plant pathogens
Authors: Moreira Xoaquín , Abdala‐Roberts Luis , Castagneyrol Bastien 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Sequential damage by attackers is hypothesized to result in reciprocal antagonism (crosstalk) between jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) defence signalling pathways in plants. However, evidence for this crosstalk is not universal and several studies have found positive interactions (i.e. synergism) or no interaction whatsoever between JA and SA pathways.

Here we conducted a meta‐analysis of studies on plant‐mediated effects of initial attackers on performance of subsequent attackers to test the hypothesis of crosstalk between plant hormonal signalling pathways.

We found a significant negative mean effect size of JA‐inducing initial attackers on both JA‐ and SA‐inducing subsequent attackers, but a non‐significant effect of SA‐inducing initial attackers on both JA‐ and SA‐inducing subsequent attackers. Effects on subsequent herbivores were contingent on the biology of the initial attacker, with negative effects of JA‐inducing initial herbivores but no effect of SA‐inducing initial herbivores, whereas pathogens on average did not influence subsequent herbivores. Furthermore, negative effects of JA‐inducing initial herbivores on JA‐ and SA‐inducing subsequent herbivores held when both attacks occurred on the same plant part, but when attacks were on different plant parts the effect of JA‐inducing herbivores on SA‐inducing herbivores was non‐significant.

Synthesis. These results indicate that reciprocal antagonism between jasmonic acid and salicylic acid pathways is not universal, and suggest assymetries and specificity in the strength of plant‐mediated interactions.
The relationship between supplier control and competition in public sector outsourcing
Authors: Johansson Tobias , Siverbo Sven 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aim of this article is to develop theory and contribute to empirical studies about how the effectiveness of bureaucratic controls in public sector outsourcing is contingent upon supplier competition, and why and how this interaction plays out differently for hard and soft types of outsourced services. In previous inter‐organizational management control (IOMC) research there is a contradiction between theory and empirical results concerning how bureaucratic control and supplier competition interacts in aligning suppliers. While IOMC theory suggests competition reduces the need for bureaucratic control, empirical studies clearly indicate the opposite. We extend previous research and theorizing by differing between the outsourcing of hard and soft types of services and by testing the joint effect of bureaucratic control and competition on supplier alignment. The empirical case for testing theory is outsourcing by competitive tendering in the public sector. We use transaction level data from 166 local government suppliers in Sweden. In accordance with our prediction, the effect of bureaucratic control in aligning suppliers decreases with supplier competition when hard types of services are outsourced. For soft types of services, our results indicate that bureaucratic control is not contingent upon supplier competition. Furthermore, we show that when supplier competition is low the effect of bureaucratic control on supplier alignment is stronger for hard than for soft types of services. These results constitute an important contribution to the central notion of the interplay between bureaucratic control and competition in the IOMC literature.
Ten‐year follow‐up study of Japanese patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Nakajima Akihiro , Matsuura Naomi , Mukai Keiichiro , Yamanishi Kyosuke , Yamada Hisashi , Maebayashi Kensei , Hayashida Kazuhisa , Matsunaga Hisato 
Published: April 2018

AimObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a well‐known chronic illness. This study retrospectively investigated 10‐year outcomes and associated clinical factors in Japanese OCD patients. We focused on the impact of several sociocultural factors, including medical expenses and insurance systems specific to each country, on the differences or biases in follow‐up procedures of OCD.MethodsSeventy‐nine patients diagnosed with OCD who received a standardized combination of treatments for 10 continuous years were divided into three groups according to their improvement rates on the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale after 10 years of treatment.ResultsA survival analysis revealed that the rate of patients achieving full remission increased every year. Following 10 years of treatment, 56% of OCD patients experienced ‘full remission’ for at least 1 year. Consequently, 48% exhibited full remission, and 37% exhibited partial remission at the end‐point of this study. We identified several factors that were predictive of poorer outcomes, including lower Global Assessment of Functioning Scale scores and the presence of hoarding symptoms or involvement behaviors. In addition, improvement rates after 1 year significantly predicted better 10‐year outcomes.ConclusionOur findings highlight the transcultural nature of long‐term outcomes of OCD treatment, which appear to be independent of sociocultural differences.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Bumped Kinase Inhibitor 1369 in a Pig Model of Acute Diarrhea Caused by Cryptosporidium hominis
Authors: Lee Sangun , Ginese Melanie , Beamer Gillian , Danz Hillary R. , Girouard Donald J. , Chapman-Bonofiglio Susan P. , Lee Minhee , Hulverson Matthew A. , Choi Ryan , Whitman Grant R. , Ojo Kayode K. , Arnold Samuel L. M. , Van Voorhis Wesley C. , Tzipori Saul 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Recent reports highlighting the global significance of cryptosporidiosis among children have renewed efforts to develop control measures. We evaluated the efficacy of bumped kinase inhibitor (BKI) 1369 in the gnotobiotic piglet model of acute diarrhea caused by
Cryptosporidium hominis
, the species responsible for most human cases. Five-day treatment with BKI 1369 reduced signs of disease early during treatment compared to those of untreated animals. Piglets treated with BKI 1369 exhibited significant reductions of oocyst excretion, mucosal colonization by
C. hominis
, and mucosal lesions, which resulted in considerable symptomatic improvement. BKI 1369 reduced the parasite burden and disease severity in the gnotobiotic pig model. Together these data suggest that a BKI-mediated therapeutic may be an effective treatment against cryptosporidiosis.
HC2091 Kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Targeting the MmpL3 Mycolic Acid Transporter
Authors: Zheng Huiqing , Williams John T. , Coulson Garry B. , Haiderer Elizabeth R. , Abramovitch Robert B. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis, caused by the intracellular pathogen
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, is a deadly disease that requires a long course of treatment. The emergence of drug-resistant strains has driven efforts to discover new small molecules that can kill the bacterium. Here, we report characterizations of the compound HC2091, which kills
M. tuberculosis
in a time- and dose-dependent manner
in vitro
and inhibits
M. tuberculosis
growth in macrophages. Whole-genome sequencing of spontaneous HC2091-resistant mutants identified single-nucleotide variants in the
mmpL3
mycolic acid transporter gene. HC2091-resistant mutants do not exhibit cross-resistance with the well-characterized
Mycobacterium
membrane protein large 3 (MmpL3) inhibitor SQ109, suggesting a distinct mechanism of interaction with MmpL3. Additionally, HC2091 does not modulate bacterial membrane potential or kill nonreplicating
M. tuberculosis
, thus acting differently from other known MmpL3 inhibitors. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) transcriptional profiling and lipid profiling of
M. tuberculosis
treated with HC2091 or SQ109 show that the two compounds target a similar pathway. HC2091 has a chemical structure dissimilar to those of previously described MmpL3 inhibitors, supporting the notion that HC2091 is a new class of MmpL3 inhibitor.
Forespore Targeting of SpoVD in Bacillus subtilis Is Mediated by the N-Terminal Part of the Protein
Authors: Sidarta Margareth , Li Dongdong , Hederstedt Lars , Bukowska-Faniband Ewa 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

SpoVD and PBP4b are structurally very similar high-molecular-weight, class B penicillin-binding proteins produced early during sporulation in
Bacillus subtilis
. SpoVD is known to be essential for endospore cortex synthesis and thereby the production of heat-resistant spores. The role of PBP4b is still enigmatic. Both proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm of the mother cell. PBP4b remains in the cytoplasmic membrane of the mother cell, whereas SpoVD accumulates in the forespore outer membrane. By the use of SpoVD/PBP4b chimeras with swapped protein domains, we show that the N-terminal part of SpoVD, containing the single transmembrane region, determines the forespore targeting of the protein.

IMPORTANCE
Beta-lactam-type antibiotics target penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which function in cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis. Bacteria of a subset of genera, including
Bacillus
and
Clostridium
species, can form endospores. The extreme resistance of endospores against harsh physicochemical conditions is of concern in clinical microbiology and the food industry. Endospore cortex layer biogenesis constitutes an experimental model system for research on peptidoglycan synthesis. The differentiation of a vegetative bacterial cell into an endospore involves the formation of a forespore within the cytoplasm of the sporulating cell. A number of proteins, including some PBPs, accumulate in the forespore. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind such subcellular targeting of proteins in bacterial cells can, for example, lead to a means of blocking the process of sporulation.
Not just a number: examining coverage and content of antenatal care in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Benova Lenka , Tunçalp Özge , Moran Allisyn C , Campbell Oona Maeve Renee 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionAntenatal care (ANC) provides a critical opportunity for women and babies to benefit from good-quality maternal care. Using 10 countries as an illustrative analysis, we described ANC coverage (number of visits and timing of first visit) and operationalised indicators for content of care as available in population surveys, and examined how these two approaches are related.MethodsWe used the most recent Demographic and Health Survey to analyse ANC related to women’s most recent live birth up to 3 years preceding the survey. Content of care was assessed using six components routinely measured across all countries, and a further one to eight additional country-specific components. We estimated the percentage of women in need of ANC, and using ANC, who received each component, the six routine components and all components.ResultsIn all 10 countries, the majority of women in need of ANC reported 1+ ANC visits and over two-fifths reported 4+ visits. Receipt of the six routine components varied widely; blood pressure measurement was the most commonly reported component, and urine test and information on complications the least. Among the subset of women starting ANC in the first trimester and receiving 4+ visits, the percentage receiving all six routinely measured ANC components was low, ranging from 10% (Jordan) to around 50% in Nigeria, Nepal, Colombia and Haiti.ConclusionOur findings suggest that even among women with patterns of care that complied with global recommendations, the content of care was poor. Efficient and effective action to improve care quality relies on development of suitable content of care indicators.
Fruit and vegetable intake and body adiposity among populations in Eastern Canada: the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health Study
Authors: Yu Zhijie Michael , DeClercq Vanessa , Cui Yunsong , Forbes Cynthia , Grandy Scott , Keats Melanie , Parker Louise , Sweeney Ellen , Dummer Trevor J B 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesThe prevalence of obesity among populations in the Atlantic provinces is the highest in Canada. Some studies suggest that adequate fruit and vegetable consumption may help body weight management. We assessed the associations between fruit and vegetable intake with body adiposity among individuals who participated in the baseline survey of the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (Atlantic PATH) cohort study.MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional analysis among 26 340 individuals (7979 men and 18 361 women) aged 35–69 years who were recruited in the baseline survey of the Atlantic PATH study. Data on fruit and vegetable intake, sociodemographic and behavioural factors, chronic disease, anthropometric measurements and body composition were included in the analysis.ResultsIn the multivariable regression analyses, 1 SD increment of total fruit and vegetable intake was inversely associated with body mass index (−0.12 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.19 to –0.05), waist circumference (−0.40 cm; 95% CI −0.58 to –0.23), percentage fat mass (−0.30%; 95% CI −0.44 to –0.17) and fat mass index (−0.14 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.19 to –0.08). Fruit intake, but not vegetable intake, was consistently inversely associated with anthropometric indices, fat mass, obesity and abdominal obesity.ConclusionsFruit and vegetable consumption was inversely associated with body adiposity among the participant population in Atlantic Canada. This association was primarily attributable to fruit intake. Longitudinal studies and randomised trials are warranted to confirm these observations and investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Associations between preoperative Oxford hip and knee scores and costs and quality of life of patients undergoing primary total joint replacement in the NHS England: an observational study
Authors: Eibich Peter , Dakin Helen A , Price Andrew James , Beard David , Arden Nigel K , Gray Alastair M 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo assess how costs and quality of life (measured by EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)) before and after total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) vary with age, gender and preoperative Oxford hip score (OHS) and Oxford knee score (OKS).DesignRegression analyses using prospectively collected data from clinical trials, cohort studies and administrative data bases.SettingUK secondary care.ParticipantsMen and women undergoing primary THR or TKR. The Hospital Episode Statistics data linked to patient-reported outcome measures included 602 176 patients undergoing hip or knee replacement who were followed up for up to 6 years. The Knee Arthroplasty Trial included 2217 patients undergoing TKR who were followed up for 12 years. The Clinical Outcomes in Arthroplasty Study cohort included 806 patients undergoing THR and 484 patients undergoing TKR who were observed for 1 year.Outcome measuresEQ-5D-3L quality of life before and after surgery, costs of primary arthroplasty, costs of revision arthroplasty and the costs of hospital readmissions and ambulatory costs in the year before and up to 12 years after joint replacement.ResultsAverage postoperative utility for patients at the 5th percentile of the OHS/OKS distribution was 0.61/0.5 for THR/TKR and 0.89/0.85 for patients at the 95th percentile. The difference between postoperative and preoperative EQ-5D utility was highest for patients with preoperative OHS/OKS lower than 10. However, postoperative EQ-5D utility was higher than preoperative utility for all patients with OHS≤46 and those with OKS≤44. In contrast, costs were generally higher for patients with low preoperative OHS/OKS than those with high OHS/OKS. For example, costs of hospital readmissions within 12 months after primary THR/TKR were £740/£888 for patients at the 5th percentile compared with £314/£404 at the 95th percentile of the OHS/OKS distribution.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that costs and quality of life associated with total joint replacement vary systematically with preoperative symptoms measured by OHS/OKS.
Can microstructural MRI detect subclinical tissue injury in subjects with asymptomatic cervical spinal cord compression? A prospective cohort study
Authors: Martin Allan R , De Leener Benjamin , Cohen-Adad Julien , Cadotte David W , Nouri Aria , Wilson Jefferson R , Tetreault Lindsay , Crawley Adrian P , Mikulis David J , Ginsberg Howard , Fehlings Michael G 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesDegenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) involves extrinsic spinal cord compression causing tissue injury and neurological dysfunction. Asymptomatic spinal cord compression (ASCC) is more common, but its significance is poorly defined. This study investigates if: (1) ASCC can be automatically diagnosed using spinal cord shape analysis; (2) multiparametric quantitative MRI can detect similar spinal cord tissue injury as previously observed in DCM.DesignProspective observational longitudinal cohort study.SettingSingle centre, tertiary care and research institution.Participants40 neurologically intact subjects (19 female, 21 male) divided into groups with and without ASCC.InterventionsNone.Outcome measuresClinical assessments: modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and physical examination. 3T MRI assessments: automated morphometric analysis compared with consensus ratings of spinal cord compression, and measures of tissue injury: cross-sectional area, diffusion fractional anisotropy, magnetisation transfer ratio and T2*-weighted imaging white to grey matter signal intensity ratio (T2*WI WM/GM) extracted from rostral (C1–3), caudal (C6–7) and maximally compressed levels.ResultsASCC was present in 20/40 subjects. Diagnosis with automated shape analysis showed area under the curve >97%. Five MRI metrics showed differences suggestive of tissue injury in ASCC compared with uncompressed subjects (p<0.05), while a composite of all 10 measures (average of z scores) showed highly significant differences (p=0.002). At follow-up (median 21 months), two ASCC subjects developed DCM.ConclusionsASCC appears to be common and can be accurately and objectively diagnosed with automated morphometric analysis. Quantitative MRI appears to detect subclinical tissue injury in ASCC prior to the onset of neurological symptoms and signs. These findings require further validation, but offer the intriguing possibility of presymptomatic diagnosis and treatment of DCM and other spinal pathologies.
Reoperation after breast-conserving surgery for cancer in Australia: statewide cohort study of linked hospital data
Authors: van Leeuwen Marina T , Falster Michael O , Vajdic Claire M , Crowe Philip J , Lujic Sanja , Klaes Elizabeth , Jorm Louisa , Sedrakyan Art 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate between-hospital variation in the probability of reoperation within 90 days of initial breast-conserving surgery (BCS), and the contribution of health system-level and other factors.DesignPopulation-based, retrospective cohort study.SettingNew South Wales (NSW), Australia.ParticipantsLinked administrative hospitalisation data were used to define a cohort of adult women undergoing initial BCS for breast cancer in NSW between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2013.Primary outcome measuresMultilevel, cross-classified models with patients clustered within hospitals and residential areas were used to examine factors associated with any reoperation, and either re-excision or mastectomy, within 90 days.ResultsOf 34 458 women undergoing BCS, 29.1% underwent reoperation within 90 days, half of which were mastectomies. Overall, the probability of reoperation decreased slightly over time. However, there were divergent patterns by reoperation type; the probability of re-excision increased alongside a concomitant decrease in the probability of mastectomy. Significant between-hospital variation was observed. Non-metropolitan location and surgery at low-volume hospitals were associated with a higher overall probability of reoperation, and of mastectomy specifically, after accounting for patient-level factors, calendar year and area-level socioeconomic status. The magnitude of association with geographical location and surgical volume decreased over time.ConclusionsReoperation rates within 90 days of BCS varied significantly between hospitals. For women undergoing mastectomy after BCS, this represents a dramatic change in clinical course. Multilevel modelling suggests unwarranted clinical variation may be an issue, likely due to disparities in access to multidisciplinary breast cancer care and preoperative diagnostic procedures. However, the observed reduction in disparities over time is encouraging and indicates that guidelines and policy initiatives have the potential to improve regional breast cancer care.
Metabolic syndrome and its components with neuron-specific enolase: a cross-sectional study in large health check-up population in China
Authors: Wang Shu-Yi , Zha Xiao-Juan , Zhu Xin-Ying , Li Wen-Bo , Ma Jun , Wu Ze-Wei , Wu Huan , Jiang Ming-Fei , Wen Yu-Feng 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveThis study was aimed at investigating the relationship between neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and components of metabolic syndrome (MS).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingChinese health check-up population.Participants40 684 health check-up people were enrolled in this study from year 2014 to 2016.Main outcome measuresOR and coefficient for MS.ResultsThe percentage of abnormal NSE and MS was 26.85% and 8.85%, respectively. There were significant differences in sex, body mass index, drinking habit, triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure and MS between low-NSE and high-NSE groups. In logistic regression analysis, elevated NSE was present in MS, higher body mass index, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension and low-HDL groups. Stepwise linear analysis showed a negative correlation between NSE and fasting blood glucose (FBG) (<6.0 mmol/L), and a positive correlation between NSE and TGs (<20 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure (75–200 mm Hg), HDL-C (0.75–2.50 mmol/L), diastolic blood pressure (<70 mm Hg) and FBG (6.00–20.00 mmol/L). Furthermore, MS was positively correlated with NSE within the range of 2.00–7.50 ng/mL, but had a negative correlation with NSE within the range of 7.50–23.00 ng/mL.ConclusionThere are associations between NSE with MS and its components. The result suggests that NSE may be a potential predictor of MS. Further research could be conducted in discussing the potential mechanism involved.
Ideal cardiovascular health metrics and its association with 20-year cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhou Long , Zhao Liancheng , Wu Yong , Wu Yangfeng , Gao Xiangmin , Li Ying , Mai Jinzhuang , Nie Zhiqiang , Ou Yanqiu , Guo Min , Liu Xiaoqing 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundThe American Heart Association (AHA) developed a simplified assessment tool based on seven ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics, but the relationship between the AHA defined ideal CVH metrics and cardiovascular risk in Chinese population has not been well estimated.MethodsThe baseline survey were conducted among 938 Chinese men and women from four urban and rural population samples in China, aged 35–59 years in 1983–1984. The cohort was followed up for multiple cardiovascular endpoints up to 2005. Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the associations accounting for multiple covariates. Outcomes were collected in 1987–2005 and data analysed in 2017.ResultsDuring a median of 20.3 years follow-up, 68 non-fatal CVD events and 139 deaths (29 CVD deaths) occurred. The multivariable adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for all CVD in the groups with three and 4–7 ideal CVH metrics were 0.59 (95% CI 0.33 to 1.04) and 0.24 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.47), when the group with 0–2 ideal CVH metrics as the reference. Results also showed that participants with 4–7 ideal CVH metrics had a 54% (95% CI 24% to 72%) lower risk of all-cause mortality in comparison with those with 0–2 ideal metrics.ConclusionsThe number of ideal CVH metrics was inversely associated with the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this Chinese general population.