bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 Employs Multiple Transcriptional Regulators To Control Metabolism of Particular Human Milk Oligosaccharides
Authors: James Kieran , O'Connell Motherway Mary , Penno Christophe , O'Brien Rebecca Louise , van Sinderen Douwe 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Bifidobacterial carbohydrate metabolism has been studied in considerable detail for a variety of both plant- and human-derived glycans, particularly involving the bifidobacterial prototype strain
Bifidobacterium breve
UCC2003. We recently elucidated the metabolic pathways by which the
h
uman
m
ilk
o
ligosaccharide (HMO) constituents lacto-
N
-tetraose (LNT), lacto-
N
-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-
N
-biose (LNB) are utilized by
B. breve
UCC2003. However, to date, no work has been carried out on the regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of the genetic loci involved in these HMO metabolic pathways. In this study, we describe the characterization of three transcriptional regulators and the corresponding operator and associated (inducible) promoter sequences, with the latter governing the transcription of the genetic elements involved in LN(n)T/LNB metabolism. The activity of these regulators is dependent on the release of specific monosaccharides, which are believed to act as allosteric effectors and which are derived from the corresponding HMOs targeted by the particular locus.

IMPORTANCE
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a key factor in the development of the breastfed-infant microbiota. They function as prebiotics, selecting for a specific range of microbes, including a number of infant-associated species of bifidobacteria, which are thought to provide a range of health benefits to the infant host. While much research has been carried out on elucidating the mechanisms of HMO metabolism in infant-associated bifidobacteria, to date there is very little understanding of the transcriptional regulation of these pathways. This study reveals a multicomponent transcriptional regulation system that controls the recently identified pathways of HMO metabolism in the infant-associated
Bifidobacterium breve
prototype strain UCC2003. This not only provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms present in other infant-associated bifidobacteria but also provides an example of a network of sequential steps regulating microbial carbohydrate metabolism.
Large Blooms of
Bacillales
(
Firmicutes
) Underlie the Response to Wetting of Cyanobacterial Biocrusts at Various Stages of Maturity
Authors: Karaoz Ulas , Couradeau Estelle , da Rocha Ulisses Nunes , Lim Hsiao-Chien , Northen Trent , Garcia-Pichel Ferran , Brodie Eoin L. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) account for a substantial portion of primary production in dryland ecosystems. They successionally mature to deliver a suite of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water retention and nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Biocrust assemblages are extremely well adapted to survive desiccation and to rapidly take advantage of the periodic precipitation events typical of arid ecosystems. Here we focus on the wetting response of incipient cyanobacterial crusts as they mature from “light” to “dark.” We sampled a cyanobacterial biocrust chronosequence before (dry) and temporally following a controlled wetting event and used high-throughput 16S rRNA and rRNA gene sequencing to monitor the dynamics of microbial response. Overall, shorter-term changes in phylogenetic beta diversity attributable to periodic wetting were as large as those attributable to biocrust successional stage. Notably, more mature crusts showed significantly higher resistance to precipitation disturbance. A large bloom of a few taxa within the
Firmicutes
, primarily in the order
Bacillales
, emerged 18 h after wetting, while filamentous crust-forming cyanobacteria showed variable responses to wet-up across the successional gradient, with populations collapsing in less-developed light crusts but increasing in later-successional-stage dark crusts. Overall, the consistent
Bacillales
bloom accompanied by the variable collapse of pioneer cyanobacteria of the
Oscillatoriales
order across the successional gradient suggests that the strong response of few organisms to a hydration pulse with the mortality of the autotroph might have important implications for carbon (C) balance in semiarid ecosystems.

IMPORTANCE
Desert biological soil crusts are terrestrial topsoil microbial communities common to arid regions that comprise 40% of Earth’s terrestrial surface. They successionally develop over years to decades to deliver a suite of ecosystem services of local and global significance. Ecosystem succession toward maturity has been associated with both resistance and resilience to disturbance. Recent work has shown that the impacts of both climate change and physical disturbance on biocrusts increase the potential for successional resetting. A larger proportion of biocrusts are expected to be at an early developmental stage, hence increasing susceptibility to changes in precipitation frequencies. Therefore, it is essential to characterize how biocrusts respond to wetting across early developmental stages. In this study, we document the wetting response of microbial communities from a biocrust chronosequence. Overall, our results suggest that the cumulative effects of altered precipitation frequencies on the stability of biocrusts will depend on biocrust maturity.
Reference values for peak oxygen uptake: cross-sectional analysis of cycle ergometry-based cardiopulmonary exercise tests of 10 090 adult German volunteers from the Prevention First Registry
Authors: Rapp Daniel , Scharhag Jürgen , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Scholl Johannes 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveThis study aims to construct quantile reference values for peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) measured by cycle ergometry-based incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests.DesignCross-sectional study using quantile regressions to fit sex-specific and age-specific quantile curves. Exercise tests were conducted using cycle ergometry. Maximal effort in the exercise tests was assumed when respiratory exchange ratio  ≥1.1 or lactate ≥8 mmol/L or maximal heart rate ≥90% of the age-predicted maximal heart rate. This was assessed retrospectively for a random subsample with an a priori calculated sample size of n=252 participants.SettingA network of private outpatient clinics in three German cities recorded the results of cycle ergometry-based cardiopulmonary exercise tests to a central database (Prevention First Registry) from 2001 to 2015.Participants10 090 participants (6462 men, 3628 women) from more than 100 local companies volunteered in workplace health promotion programmes. Participants were aged 21 to 83 years, were free of acute complaints and had primarily sedentary working environments.Main outcome measurePeak oxygen uptake was measured as absolute V̇O2peakin litres of oxygen per minute and relative V̇O2peakin millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute.ResultsThe mean age for both men and women was 46 years. Median relative V̇O2peakwas 36 and 30 mL/kg/min at 40 to 49 years, as well as 32 and 26 mL/kg/min at 50 to 59 years for men and women, respectively. An estimated proportion of 97% of the participants performed the exercise test until exertion.ConclusionsReference values and nomograms for V̇O2peakwere derived from a large sample of preventive healthcare examinations of healthy white-collar workers. The presented results can be applied to participants of exercise tests using cycle ergometry who are part of a population that is comparable to this study.
Clinical features, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and genomics of bacteria causing neonatal sepsis in a children’s hospital in Vietnam: protocol for a prospective observational study
Authors: Toan Nguyen Duc , Darton Thomas C , Boinett Christine J , Campbell James I , Karkey Abhilasha , Kestelyn Evelyne , Thinh Le Quoc , Mau Nguyen Kien , Thanh Tam Pham Thi , Nhan Le Nguyen Thanh , Quang Minh Ngo Ngoc , Phuong Cam Ngoc , Hung Nguyen Thanh , Xuan Ngo Minh , Thuong Tang Chi , Baker Stephen 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionThe clinical syndrome of neonatal sepsis, comprising signs of infection, septic shock and organ dysfunction in infants ≤4 weeks of age, is a frequent sequel to bloodstream infection and mandates urgent antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing is vital for ensuring appropriate therapy, as high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in low-income and middle-income countries, may adversely affect outcome. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in Vietnam is a rapidly expanding city in Southeast Asia with a current population of almost 8 million. There are limited contemporary data on the causes of neonatal sepsis in Vietnam, and we hypothesise that the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria is an increasing problem for the appropriate management of sepsis cases. In this study, we aim to investigate the major causes of neonatal sepsis and assess disease outcomes by clinical features, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and genome composition.Method and analysisWe will conduct a prospective observational study to characterise the clinical and microbiological features of neonatal sepsis in a major children’s hospital in HCMC. All bacteria isolated from blood subjected to whole genome sequencing. We will compare clinical variables and outcomes between different bacterial species, genome composition and AMR gene content. AMR gene content will be assessed and stratified by species, years and contributing hospital departments. Genome sequences will be analysed to investigate phylogenetic relationships.Ethics and disseminationThe study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Council on Harmonization Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Ethics approval has been provided by the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee 35-16 and Vietnam Children’s Hospital 1 Ethics Committee 73/GCN/BVND1. The findings will be disseminated at international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberISRCTN69124914; Pre-results.
Phase II Study of the Dual EGFR/HER3 Inhibitor Duligotuzumab (MEHD7945A) versus Cetuximab in Combination with FOLFIRI in Second-Line RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hill Andrew G. , Findlay Michael P. , Burge Matthew E. , Jackson Christopher , Alfonso Pilar Garcia , Samuel Leslie , Ganju Vinod , Karthaus Meinolf , Amatu Alessio , Jeffery Mark , Bartolomeo Maria Di , Bridgewater John , Coveler Andrew L. , Hidalgo Manuel , Kapp Amy V. , Sufan Roxana I. , McCall Bruce B. , Hanley William D. , Penuel Elicia M. , Pirzkall Andrea , Tabernero Josep 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Purpose: Duligotuzumab is a dual-action antibody directed against EGFR and HER3.
Experimental Design: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with KRAS ex2 wild-type received duligotuzumab or cetuximab and FOLFIRI until progression or intolerable toxicity. Mandatory tumor samples underwent mutation and biomarker analysis. Efficacy analysis was conducted in patients with RAS exon 2/3 wild-type tumors.
Results: Of 134 randomly assigned patients, 98 had RAS ex2/3 wild-type. Duligotuzumab provided no progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) benefit compared with cetuximab, although there was a trend for a lower objective response rate (ORR) in the duligotuzumab arm. No relationship was seen between PFS or ORR and ERBB3, NRG1, or AREG expression. There were fewer skin rash events for duligotuzumab but more diarrhea. Although the incidence of grade ≥3 AEs was similar, the frequency of serious AEs was higher for duligotuzumab.
Conclusions: Duligotuzumab plus FOLFIRI did not appear to improve the outcomes in patients with RAS exon 2/3 wild-type mCRC compared with cetuximab + FOLFIRI. Clin Cancer Res; 24(10); 2276–84. ©2018 AACR.
Red Cell Alloantibody Screening: Comparative Analysis of Three Different Technologies
Authors: Orlando Nicoletta , Bianchi Maria , Valentini Caterina Giovanna , Maresca Maddalena , Massini Giuseppina , Putzulu Rossana , Zini Gina , Teofili Luciana 
Published: March 2018

<b>Background: </b>The detection of irregular antibody is a critical issue in the management of red blood cell transfusion according to the Type &amp; Screen (T&amp;S) practice. In order to implement the T&amp;S procedure at our blood bank, we compared three different automated analyzers based on column agglutination technique (CAT) or solid phase red cell adherence assay (SPACA) methods. <b>Methods: </b>Pre-transfusion antibody screening was performed in 986 patients candidate to elective surgery at low risk for red blood cell transfusion. We tested the following kits: the three-cell panel micro-CAT system ID-DiaCell I-II-III (DiaMed), the four-cell panel solid-phase system Capture-R Ready Screen-4 (Immucor), and the four-cell panel micro-CAT system Serascan Diana-4 (Grifols). Positive results were further investigated using corresponding identification panels, and discrepant results were investigated with all the antibody identification systems. <b>Results:</b> Among 986 samples, we observed 967 concordant negative results (98.1%), 8 concordant positive results (0.8% of cases), and 11 discrepant results (1.1%). Among discrepant samples, an alloantibody could been identified in two patents (anti-M, detected by Serascan Diana-4 and ID-DiaCell I, II, III; anti-Kp<sup>a</sup>, detected by Capture-R Ready Screen-4 and Serascan Diana-4). <b>Conclusion: </b>Among the evaluated technologies<b>, </b>the four-cell panel micro-CAT system displayed the highest sensitivity and specificity with an optimal negative predictive value. These features might be relevant to the routine implementation of the T&amp;S transfusion strategy.
Temporal Trends of High‐Intensity Statin Therapy Among Veterans Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Bin Abdulhak Aref A. , Vaughan‐Sarrzin Mary , Kaboli Peter , Horwitz Phillip A. , Mosher Hilary , Sigurdsson Gardar , Walker Nicholas E. , Wallace Robert , Robinson Jennifer G. 
Published: March 2018

Background

The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association blood cholesterol guideline recommends high‐intensity statin therapy among certain groups of patients, but full implementation of the guideline has not yet been satisfactory. We aimed to investigate the temporal trends and predictors of high‐intensity statin therapy among veterans who had been treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (
PCI
) and followed up by cardiologists within the Veterans Health Administrative system.

Methods and Results

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Veterans Health Administrative system including all patients >18 years old who had their
PCI
procedure between October 2010 and September 2016. National Veterans Health Administrative databases were used to retrieve study participant's demographics, comorbid conditions, statin type and dose within 90 days before and after the
PCI
procedure. There were 48 862 patients who underwent a
PCI
procedure during the study period. High‐intensity statin use at 90 days post‐
PCI
rose from 23% in 2010 to 37% before release of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guideline, then rose sharply to 80% by 2016. The projected 10‐year risk of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease events among our study population was projected to be ≈1841 fewer if the cohort had received high‐intensity statin therapy versus moderate‐intensity statin.

Conclusions

By 2016, the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association blood cholesterol guideline was well implemented among veterans who had a
PCI
procedure in the Veterans Health Administrative system, suggesting systems of care can be improved to increase rates of high‐intensity statin initiation.
Using Equatorial Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies to Forecast Seasonal Energy Demand in Four U.S. Regions: An Applied Climate Research Experience for Undergraduate Meteorology Students
Authors: Russo Mark , Changnon David , Podolak Mike , Freestrom Hugh , Davis Jon B. 
Published: March 2018

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon explains some of the interannual climate variability in many tropical and midlatitude regions. It is important in developing more accurate seasonal climate forecasts and thus in aiding long-range weather-sensitive decision making in various sectors.
The degree to which ENSO information could forecast one of three classes of seasonal cooling degree days (CDD) and heating degree days (HDD) was examined using 1) the magnitude of the ENSO event during a given season, 2) the preseason rate of change of sea surface temperature (SSTs) (December–May for summers and June–October for winters), and 3) the effects of strong winter ENSO events on future seasons. All three ENSO-related indices were based on monthly equatorial Pacific SST anomalies in the Niño-3.4 region. Regional probabilities of each HDD/CDD category (above, average, and below) were determined for each ENSO predictive index. The highest probability of experiencing an HDD/CDD anomaly occurs with strong preseason SST trends. When presummer SST cooling occurs, the northeast and midcontinent experience above-average CDD (80% and 75%, respectively). Other interesting relationships were found between strong winter ENSO events and ensuing HDD/CDD anomalies. These results suggest that utility-based decision makers who can utilize enhanced climate information may reap benefits during particular years by integrating the ENSO information into their models. This study was part of a special student training experiment conducted at Northern Illinois University.
Patterns of Climate Extremes in the Coastal and Highland Regions of Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Abbas Farhat , Sarwar Nida , Ibrahim Muhammad , Adrees Muhammad , Ali Shafaqat , Saleem Farhan , Hammad Hafiz Mohkum 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Climatic extremes have direct and indirect effects on an ecosystem, whereby thermal variations bring warm and cold weather, and hydrological anomalies cause droughts and floods. Changing patterns of 13 temperature and 11 precipitation extreme indices for a 36-yr period (1980–2015) for four cities of the Balochistan province of Pakistan (Pasni, Jiwani, Khuzdar, and Dalbadin) were computed using RClimdex. A nonparametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimates were used to determine the statistical significance and magnitude of a trend, respectively. Most of the indices calculated for temperature extremes show statistically significant changes in their historic pattern, depicting a clear picture of warming in the regions. The indices calculated for precipitation extremes show statistically significant as well as nonsignificant results, depicting asymmetrical droughts in the region. If the patterns of humid weather with hot and wet extremes in the coastal cities of Balochistan continue for a couple of future decades, there will be challenges in implementing the multibillion-dollar Balochistan coastal development projects of the Pakistani port of Gwadar—a doorway to the Middle East for Chinese-planned business endeavors through Pakistan.
Investigating the Scale Adaptivity of a Size-Filtered Mass Flux Parameterization in the Gray Zone of Shallow Cumulus Convection
Authors: Brast Maren , Schemann Vera , Neggers Roel A. J. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In this study, the scale adaptivity of a new parameterization scheme for shallow cumulus clouds in the gray zone is investigated. The eddy diffusivity/multiple mass flux [ED(MF)n] scheme is a bin-macrophysics scheme in which subgrid transport is formulated in terms of discretized size densities. While scale adaptivity in the ED component is achieved using a pragmatic blending approach, the MF component is filtered such that only the transport by plumes smaller than the grid size is maintained. For testing, ED(MF)n is implemented into a large-eddy simulation (LES) model, replacing the original subgrid scheme for turbulent transport. LES thus plays the role of a nonhydrostatic testing ground, which can be run at different resolutions to study the behavior of the parameterization scheme in the boundary layer gray zone. In this range, convective cumulus clouds are partially resolved. The authors find that for quasi-equilibrium marine subtropical conditions at high resolutions, the clouds and the turbulent transport are predominantly resolved by the LES. This partitioning changes toward coarser resolutions, with the representation of shallow cumulus clouds gradually becoming completely carried by the ED(MF)n. The way the partitioning changes with grid spacing matches the behavior diagnosed in coarse-grained LES fields, suggesting that some scale adaptivity is captured. Sensitivity studies show that the scale adaptivity of the ED closure is important and that the location of the gray zone is found to be moderately sensitive to some model constants.
Understanding Short-run Stock Price Movements through System Dynamics
Authors: Srinivasan S , Mohapatra P K J , Sahu K C 
Published: March 2018

The Capital Assets Pricing Model (CAPM) provides insights into the equilibrium price of stocks but does not offer a structural framework for short range price movements. In this paper, Srinivasan, Mohapatra, and Sahu use the System Dynamics methodology and demonstrate through their model how short-run price movements can be explained. This model may be useful to finance managers who are concerned about the equity issue price for pricing new issues when they go to the capital market. It is also useful to financial institutions interested in buying and selling securities. The authors exhort researchers to develop a unified model combining CAPM and the System Dynamics model to explain long-run and short-run price movements.
Alien hand syndrome and migraine with aura: A case report
Authors: Erdal Yuksel , Emre Ufuk , Cimen Atalar Arife , Gunes Taskın 
Published: March 2018

Background Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS) is an uncontrollable, involuntary, but in appearance, purposeful motor control disorder of the upper extremity. Case report A 42-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic complaining of involuntary motor activity in his right hand. He had a previous history of migraine with visual aura. The uncontrollable motor control disorder was compatible with Alien Hand Syndrome, which was appearing immediately after the visual aura and before the beginning of headache. Conclusion Alien Hand Syndrome is usually observed with anterior cerebral artery infarction, midline tumors, trauma and several neurodegenerative diseases, but is rarely seen in paroxysmal conditions such as migraine with aura.