bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Land‐use changes influence the sporulation and survival of Phytophthora agathidicida, a lethal pathogen of New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis)
Authors: Lewis Kai S. J. , Black Amanda , Condron Leo M. , Waipara Nick W. , Scott Peter , Williams Nari , O’Callaghan Maureen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPhytophthora agathidicida is the accepted causal agent of dieback in remnant stands of long‐lived indigenous New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis) and poses a significant threat to the long‐term survival of this species. Little is known about the effect of key soil physicochemical characteristics on the growth of P. agathidicida. In this study, we investigated the growth of P. agathidicida in soils collected from adjacent areas under original kauri forest, short rotation pine (Pinus radiata) plantation forest and grazed pastures. A growth response assay was used to quantify asexual (sporangia) and sexual (oospore) spore counts over 8 days in soils sampled from each land‐use. Significantly higher numbers of sporangia (p < 0.001) and oospores (p < 0.01) were found in pasture and pine forest soil within 2 days of the growth assay trials, suggesting these soils may favour asexual/sexual reproduction in the early stages of P. agathidicida establishment compared to kauri forest soils. Additionally, oospore production significantly increased over 8 days in pine forest soil, suggesting that with an increase in inoculum loads, these soils potentially act as pathogen reservoirs. The soil physicochemical properties (e.g., pH, C and N, phosphorus content and electrical conductivity) investigated in this study did not significantly correspond to spore count data between land‐uses, suggesting that differences in growth response are driven by other edaphic factors not explored in the present study.
Topical kinase inhibitors induce regression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Daifallah Aliaa E. M. , Shankar Shiela , Beer Jacob , Marshall Christine , Dentchev Tzvete , Seykora Francesca , D'Armas Sebastian , Hahn Jaeyi , Lee Vivian , Sabry Hanan H. , Farag Assem M. , Seykora John T. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractActinic keratoses (AKs) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) are precursor lesions for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), the second most common form of cancer. Current topical therapies for AKs and SCCIS promote skin inflammation to eradicate lesions and do not directly target the biological mechanisms driving growth. We hypothesized that topical small molecule inhibitors targeting kinases promoting keratinocyte growth in AKs and SCCIS could induce regression of these lesions with less inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we determined the efficacy of topical dasatinib, 5‐fluorouracil and BEZ‐235 in inducing regression of cSCCs in the K14‐Fyn Y528 transgenic mouse model. Topical dasatinib induced regression of cSCC with less inflammation, no ulceration and no mortality compared to 5‐fluorouracil. Topical BEZ‐235 induced cSCC regression similar to dasatinib without erythema or ulceration. These data indicate that topical small molecule kinase inhibitors targeting drivers of AK/SCCIS/cSCC growth represent a promising therapeutic approach to treat these common skin lesions.
Structural, biochemical and biophysical characterization of recombinant human fumarate hydratase
Authors: Ajalla Aleixo Mariana A. , Rangel Victor L. , Rustiguel Joane K. , de Pádua Ricardo A. P. , Nonato Maria Cristina 
Published: February 2019

Fumarate hydratases (FHs, fumarases) catalyze the reversible conversion of fumarate into l‐malate. FHs are distributed over all organisms and play important roles in energy production, DNA repair and as tumor suppressors. They are very important targets both in the study of human metabolic disorders and as potential therapeutic targets in neglected tropical diseases and tuberculosis. In this study, human FH (HsFH) was characterized by using enzyme kinetics, differential scanning fluorimetry and X‐ray crystallography. For the first time, the contribution of both substrates was analyzed simultaneously in a single kinetics assay allowing to quantify the contribution of the reversible reaction for kinetics. The protein was crystallized in the spacegroup C2221, with unit‐cell parameters a = 125.43, b = 148.01, c = 129.76. The structure was solved by molecular replacement and refined at 1.8 Å resolution. In our study, a HEPES molecule was found to interact with HsFH at the C‐terminal domain (Domain 3), previously described as involved in allosteric regulation, through a set of interactions that includes Lys 467. HsFH catalytic efficiency is higher when in the presence of HEPES. Mutations at residue 467 have already been implicated in genetic disorders caused by FH deficiency, suggesting that the HEPES‐binding site may be important for enzyme kinetics. This study contributes to the understanding of the HsFH structure and how it correlates with mutation, enzymatic deficiency and pathology.
Geographically widespread 13C‐depletion of grazing caddis larvae: A third way of fuelling stream food webs?
Authors: Sampson Aurora , Ings Nicola , Shelley Felicity , Tuffin Sarah , Grey Jonathan , Trimmer Mark , Woodward Guy , Hildrew Alan G. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Stream ecosystems are supported by both green (i.e. based on grazing) and brown (i.e. detritus) food webs, whereas methane‐derived carbon is not considered generally to be important; here, we add circumstantial evidence for this potential third way.

Grazing cased‐caddis (Trichoptera) larvae in the family Glossosomatidae can be very abundant in springs and headwaters and frequently have much lower stable carbon isotope ratios (i.e. they are depleted in the heavier 13C stable isotope) than the biofilm (epilithon) on the upper surfaces of the stones on which they live, and which is their presumed diet. Evidence for similar isotopic depletion in other lotic invertebrates is currently limited, however; even for glossosomatids it has been observed so far only in some streams draining the southern English cretaceous chalk and in a few headwaters in northern California. If this phenomenon proves to be more widespread, among streams or taxa, it could imply a more general underpinning of stream food webs by isotopically light carbon derived from methane and accessed via consumers feeding on methanotrophic bacteria.

Here, we sampled 58 stream sites to examine whether caddis larvae are also 13C‐depleted in streams draining other geologies. We focused mainly on carboniferous limestone and sandstone, as well as on further chalk streams representative of most of the British chalk aquifer: together, these new sites covered an area of almost 90,000 km2, around three times greater than that surveyed previously.

At all 58 sites methane gas was supersaturated relative to the atmospheric equilibrium, and at 49 of them larvae were conspicuously 13C‐depleted (from −17.5‰ to −3.6‰) relative to the bulk epilithon (components of which we know can oxidise methane). Although still most pronounced on chalk, this phenomenon was geographically and geologically much more widespread than shown previously and suggests methane‐derived carbon could indeed play a prominent role in stream food webs (i.e. the third way).
Spatial early warning signals for impending regime shifts: A practical framework for application in real‐world landscapes
Authors: Nijp Jelmer J. , Temme Arnaud J.A.M. , van Voorn George A.K. , Kooistra Lammert , Hengeveld Geerten M. , Soons Merel B. , Teuling Adriaan J. , Wallinga Jakob 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPrediction of ecosystem response to global environmental change is a pressing scientific challenge of major societal relevance. Many ecosystems display nonlinear responses to environmental change, and may even undergo practically irreversible ‘regime shifts’ that initiate ecosystem collapse. Recently, early warning signals based on spatiotemporal metrics have been proposed for the identification of impending regime shifts. The rapidly increasing availability of remotely sensed data provides excellent opportunities to apply such model‐based spatial early warning signals in the real world, to assess ecosystem resilience and identify impending regime shifts induced by global change. Such information would allow land‐managers and policy makers to interfere and avoid catastrophic shifts, but also to induce regime shifts that move ecosystems to a desired state. Here, we show that the application of spatial early warning signals in real‐world landscapes presents unique and unexpected challenges, and may result in misleading conclusions when employed without careful consideration of the spatial data and processes at hand. We identify key practical and theoretical issues and provide guidelines for applying spatial early warning signals in heterogeneous, real‐world landscapes based on literature review and examples from real‐world data. Major identified issues include (1) spatial heterogeneity in real‐world landscapes may enhance reversibility of regime shifts and boost landscape‐level resilience to environmental change (2) ecosystem states are often difficult to define, while these definitions have great impact on spatial early warning signals and (3) spatial environmental variability and socio‐economic factors may affect spatial patterns, spatial early warning signals and associated regime shift predictions. We propose a novel framework, shifting from an ecosystem perspective towards a landscape approach. The framework can be used to identify conditions under which resilience assessment with spatial remotely sensed data may be successful, to support well‐informed application of spatial early warning signals, and to improve predictions of ecosystem responses to global environmental change.
Oral nutritional supplements and 30‐day readmission rate in hypoalbuminemic maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Leonberg‐Yoo Amanda K. , Wang Weiling , Weiner Daniel E. , Lacson Eduardo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are hospitalized nearly twice yearly, and 35% of these patients are rehospitalized within 30‐days postdischarge. We hypothesized that monitored oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) during HD treatment may decrease readmissions.Methods: A cohort of maintenance HD patients, treated at a large dialysis organization, who were hospitalized with a postdischarge albumin of ≤3.5 g/dL, without documented ONS use 90 days prior to the index hospitalization were identified. Individuals who received monitored intradialytic ONS postdischarge were compared to those without receipt of ONS. The outcome of interest was 30‐day hospital readmissions. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between ONS receipt and 30‐day readmission events, with adjustment for case‐mix and laboratory variables.Findings: Of 5479 eligible patients, ONS was prescribed to 1420 individuals. Mean age was 64.6 ± 14.1 (SD) years; median dialysis vintage was 3.9 years. There were 274 (19%) readmissions among ONS recipients vs. 1571 (38.7%) among controls during the 30‐day follow‐up period. Individuals who did not receive ONS had increased odds of readmission [OR 2.26 (95% CI 1.02, 2.53)] in 30 days, as compared to those who did receive ONS postdischarge. In sensitivity analyses using a propensity score matched cohort, the odds ratio of readmissions within 30 days postdischarge was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.42, 2.07) for individuals who did not receive ONS as compared to those who received ONS.Discussion: Consumption of ONS during HD sessions is associated with reduced hospital readmission rates among in‐center maintenance HD with severe hypoalbuminemia at 30 days post‐hospital discharge.
Experience with antiviral agents for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients on the kidney wait list
Authors: Torun Dilek , Soydas Baris , Tekkarismaz Nihan , Ozelsancak Ruya , Micozkadioglu Hasan , Haberal Mehmet 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant patients. The ability to establish a sustained viral response before renal transplant is important for these patients. Direct‐acting antiviral agents can increase the sustained viral response in most patients with HCV infection. In this case series, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a combined therapy of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection without cirrhosis and on hemodialysis who were awaiting deceased‐donor kidney transplant.MethodsOur study included eight male and two female HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA)‐positive hemodialysis patients (mean age 50.7 ± 15 years, mean hemodialysis duration 14 ± 5.5 years, mean HCV duration 18 ± 3.7 years).FindingsThree patients with genotype 1a received oral therapy with 12.5 mg ombitasvir, 150 mg paritaprevir, 7 5 mg ritonavir, and 250 mg dasabuvir plus 200 mg ribavirin for 12 weeks. Seven patients with genotype 1b received 12.5 mg ombitasvir, 150 mg paritaprevir, 75 mg ritonavir, and 250 mg dasabuvir without ribavirin treatment for 12 weeks. The sustained virologic response rate was 100% at 12 weeks after completion of antiviral treatment in both treatment groups. No serious adverse effects were observed in either treatment group. Five patients had constitutional symptoms such as nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. During the treatment period, hemoglobin, white cell blood count, thrombocyte, and ferritin levels were similar to pretreatment levels. Treatment did not affect weekly erythropoietin and monthly intravenous iron treatment doses.DiscussionDirect‐acting antiviral agents are safe and effective for generating a sustained viral response in HCV genotype 1‐infected hemodialysis patients on kidney wait lists.
African philosophy in the age of neoliberal capitalism
Authors: Mba Chika C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAfrican philosophy is an established tradition of philosophy. Though modern African philosophy may lack what Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze notes—with a tinge of regret—as “historical distance,” it has developed full‐fledged discourses and technical reports in various domains present in other known traditions of philosophy, namely, logic, ontology, ethics, epistemology, political thought, and philosophy of education, philosophy of science and mathematics, feminism, and philosophy for children. The recent publication of The Palgrave Handbook of African Philosophy incontrovertibly re‐attests to the status and stature of African philosophy. In 50 essays, the volume edited by Nigerian philosopher Adeshina Afolayan and the accomplished Nigerian historian, Toyin Falola, presents the critical thought of prominent African philosophers about some of the most important issues affecting African peoples. Foregrounding analyses on the seminal contributions of the timely tome, this article assesses the state of the field of African philosophy in the combustible era of neoliberal capitalism. The article discursively presents the critical responses of African philosophers and scholars to the challenges facing Africa and Africans in the age of neoliberal globalisation, pointing out a few important areas not given sufficient, if any, attention in The Handbook.
Exploring social change through social media: The case of the Facebook group Indignant Citizens
Authors: Yannopoulou Natalia , Liu Martin J. , Bian Xuemei , Heath Teresa 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study examines the role of social media in facilitating the network of a social movement, the novel forms of exchange networks that are fashioned by participants of this movement and the drivers and effects of individuals’ engagement therein. Specifically, using the lens of political consumerism, we look at the movement of self‐described Indignant Citizens in Greece to reveal the underlying motivations for participants to engage in this social movement, the dynamics of their engagement and the ways in which Indignant Citizens’ online presence enables identity expression, community building and social change. We draw on interpretive analysis of findings from eight focus groups with members of Indignant Citizens. The findings reveal how this movement and the shared identity developed amongst its members empower our participants by giving them a voice and engage them in role mobilization, drive specific actions towards the conceptualization of a shared utopia and provide them with a platform to organize action and employ desired practices for the co‐creation of useful and gratifying exchanges.
Preparing pharmacy students for postgraduate training through a residency preparedness elective course†
Authors: Cho Jonathan C , Galeano Kathleen , Sillas Natalia , Dunn Rebecca L 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objective
To determine the benefit of a residency preparedness elective course and assess the ability of the course to provide students with the knowledge and experiences needed to competitively apply for residency programmes.

Methods
A pre-/postsurvey study on a 2-credit hour elective course for third-year pharmacy students. This course was designed to provide them with the knowledge and experiences needed to competitively apply for pharmacy residency programmes.

Key findings
Students’ perceptions of the elective course were captured through pre- and postcourse evaluations utilizing a 15-item survey. The main reasons students participated in this course was to gain a better understanding of the residency application process (median Likert score = 5; 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree), develop interviewing techniques (5) and enhance clinical competency (5). By the end of the course, students felt more confident with their understanding of pharmacy residency programmes (4 versus 5, P = 0.002) and of the residency application process (2 versus 5, P = 0.001).

Conclusion
Upon completion of a pharmacy residency preparedness elective course, students felt more confident in their understanding and ability to apply for a residency programme.
A matheuristic for the firefighter problem on graphs
Authors: Ramos Natanael , de Souza Cid Carvalho , de Rezende Pedro Jussieu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we describe a computational study conducted on The Firefighter Problem (FFP), which models fire spreading and containment in a graph. Once the fire breaks out on a set of vertices, the goal is to save as many vertices as possible with limited resources. Practical applications of the FFP occur in areas such as disease control and network security. The FFP is NP‐hard and heuristics have been proposed earlier. Our main contributions include improvements to an existing integer linear programming formulation that led to an average speedup of two to compute exact solutions. Moreover, we developed a novel matheuristic, a technique based on the interoperation between metaheuristics and mathematical programming. We performed extensive experiments on public benchmarks both for parameter tuning and for comparison of our results with those from the literature. A rigorous statistical analysis shows that our new matheuristic outperforms the existing approaches.
“Getting into it”: People with intellectual disabilities’ experiences and views of Behavioural Activation and Guided Self‐Help for depression
Authors: Knight Roseanna , Jahoda Andrew , Scott Katie , Sanger Kevanne , Knowles Dawn , Dagnan Dave , Hastings Richard P. , Appleton Kim , Cooper Sally‐Ann , Melville Craig , Jones Rob , Williams Chris , Hatton Chris 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundNo studies have explored the acceptability of Behavioural Activation and Guided Self‐Help interventions for depression with people who have intellectual disabilities.MethodTwenty‐five participants were purposively sampled from participants taking part in a trial comparing Behavioural Activation with a Guided Self‐Help intervention. A framework analysis was used to analyse interviews covering participants’ expectations and views of therapy.ResultsParticipants were largely positive about both interventions. However, they identified specific aspects of each intervention which they had found helpful. All participants valued the therapeutic relationship. The participants also had a number of criticisms and suggestions for improving the therapies. A common concern was the time‐limited nature of the interventions and a wish for longer‐term help. Overall, both sets of participants felt the interventions had relevance for their wider lives.ConclusionsThe participants reported having positive engagement with the therapies but expressed a wish for longer‐term supportive relationships.
SSRP1 promotes colorectal cancer progression and is negatively regulated by miR‐28‐5p
Authors: Wu Wei , He Ke , Guo Qian , Chen Jingdi , Zhang Mengjiao , Huang Kai , Yang Dongmei , Wu Lu , Deng Yunchao , Luo Xu , Yu Honggang , Ding Qianshan , Xiang Guoan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this study, microarray data analysis, real‐time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of SSRP1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue and in corresponding normal tissue. The association between structure‐specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1) expression and patient prognosis was examined by Kaplan‐Meier analysis. SSRP1 was knocked down and overexpressed in CRC cell lines, and its effects on proliferation, cell cycling, migration, invasion, cellular energy metabolism, apoptosis, chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity and cell phenotype‐related molecules were assessed. The growth of xenograft tumours in nude mice was also assessed. MiRNAs that potentially targeted SSRP1 were determined by bioinformatic analysis, Western blotting and luciferase reporter assays. We showed that SSRP1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in CRC tissue. We also confirmed that this upregulation was related to the terminal tumour stage in CRC patients, and high expression levels of SSRP1 predicted shorter disease‐free survival and faster relapse. We also found that SSRP1 modulated proliferation, metastasis, cellular energy metabolism and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in CRC. Furthermore, SSRP1 induced apoptosis and SSRP1 knockdown augmented the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5‐fluorouracil and cisplatin. Moreover, we explored the molecular mechanisms accounting for the dysregulation of SSRP1 in CRC and identified microRNA‐28‐5p (miR‐28‐5p) as a direct upstream regulator of SSRP1. We concluded that SSRP1 promotes CRC progression and is negatively regulated by miR‐28‐5p.