bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methyl DNA phosphate adduct formation in lung tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue of lung cancer patients
Authors: Ma Bin , Villalta Peter W , Hochalter J Bradley , Stepanov Irina , Hecht Stephen S 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The formation of methyl DNA adducts is a critical step in carcinogenesis initiated by the exposure to methylating carcinogens. Methyl DNA phosphate adducts, formed by methylation of the oxygen atoms of the DNA phosphate backbone, have been detected in animals treated with methylating carcinogens. However, detection of these adducts in human tissues has not been reported. We developed an ultrasensitive liquid chromatography–nanoelectrospray ionization–high resolution tandem mass spectrometry method for detecting methyl DNA phosphate adducts. Using 50 μg of human lung DNA, a limit of quantitation of two adducts/1010 nucleobases was achieved. Twenty-two structurally unique methyl DNA phosphate adducts were detected in human lung DNA. The adduct levels were measured in both tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 30 patients with lung cancer, including 13 current smokers and 17 current non-smokers, as confirmed by measurements of urinary cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol. Levels of total methyl DNA phosphate adducts in normal lung tissues were higher in smokers than non-smokers, with an average of 13 and 8 adducts/109 nucleobases, respectively. Methyl DNA phosphate adducts were also detected in lung tissues from untreated rats with steady-state levels of 5–7 adducts/109 nucleobases over a period of 70 weeks. This is the first study to report the detection of methyl DNA phosphate adducts in human lung tissues. The results provide new insights toward using these DNA adducts as potential biomarkers to study human exposure to environmental methylating carcinogens.
The Impact of Private for-Profit Hospital Ownership on Costs and Quality of Care – Evidence from Germany
Authors: Wübker Ansgar , Wuckel Christiane 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
What is the impact of private for-profit (PfP) hospital ownership on costs and quality of care? In light of a substantial and increasing share of PfP hospitals in many hospital markets like the USA or Germany, this is an important question. We estimate the effect of PfP ownership on hospital 30-day- and 1-year-mortality outcomes and hospital costs by focusing on heart attacks and pneumonia, two very common conditions in healthcare markets. We use rich administrative hospital data from Germany for the years 2006–2015. Applying differential distance as instrument for hospital choice, we imitate randomization of patients into PfP hospitals. Our results suggest that PfP hospitals have no higher mortality rates for heart attack treatment than public ones. For pneumonia patients, we even find lower 30-day-mortality rates of PfP hospitals compared to public hospitals. Finally, we show that PfP hospitals have higher hospital costs than public or private not-for-profit hospitals for both conditions.
Clusters of Sexual Behavior in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–positive Men Who Have Sex With Men Reveal Highly Dissimilar Time Trends
Authors: Salazar-Vizcaya Luisa , Kusejko Katharina , Schmidt Axel J , Carrillo-Montoya Germán , Nicca Dunja , Wandeler Gilles , Braun Dominique L , Fehr Jan , Darling Katharine E A , Bernasconi Enos , Schmid Patrick , Günthard Huldrych F , Kouyos Roger D , Rauch Andri 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Separately addressing specific groups of people who share patterns of behavioral change might increase the impact of behavioral interventions to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections. We propose a method based on machine learning to assist the identification of such groups among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods
By means of unsupervised learning, we inferred “behavioral clusters” based on the recognition of similarities and differences in longitudinal patterns of condomless anal intercourse with nonsteady partners (nsCAI) in the HIV Cohort Study over the last 18 years. We then used supervised learning to investigate whether sociodemographic variables could predict cluster membership.

Results
We identified 4 behavioral clusters. The largest behavioral cluster (cluster 1) contained 53% of the study population and displayed the most stable behavior. Cluster 3 (17% of the study population) displayed consistently increasing nsCAI. Sociodemographic variables were predictive for both of these clusters. The other 2 clusters displayed more drastic changes: nsCAI frequency in cluster 2 (20% of the study population) was initially similar to that in cluster 3 but accelerated in 2010. Cluster 4 (10% of the study population) had significantly lower estimates of nsCAI than all other clusters until 2017, when it increased drastically, reaching 85% by the end of the study period.

Conclusions
We identified highly dissimilar behavioral patterns across behavioral clusters, including drastic, atypical changes. The patterns suggest that the overall increase in the frequency of nsCAI is largely attributable to 2 clusters, accounting for a third of the population.
Trajectories of sickness absence, disability pension and unemployment in young immigrants with common mental disorders
Authors: Di Thiene D , Mittendorfer-Rutz E , Rahman S , Wang M , Alexanderson K , Tiihonen J , La Torre G , Helgesson M 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
The aims were to elucidate if trajectories of labour market marginalization (LMM), measured as sickness absence (SA)/disability pension (DP) or unemployment, differed between young immigrants and natives before and after an incident diagnosis of a common mental disorder (CMD), and to investigate if educational level, psychiatric comorbidity and duration of residence in Sweden (in immigrants) had different associations with subsequent LMM in natives compared with immigrants.

Methods
A total of 28 971 young adults (19–30 years), with an incident CMD (inpatient or specialized outpatient healthcare due to CMDs or dispensed prescribed antidepressants during 2007) were included. Group-based trajectory models were utilized to identify trajectories of annual months of LMM 3 years before and 6 years after the diagnosis. The associations of risk factors with different trajectories were investigated by multinomial logistic regression, χ2-test and Nagelkerke R2 to measure the associations’ strength. Immigrants were categorized into Western and non-Western immigrants.

Results
Young natives and immigrants showed similar trajectories of SA/DP. A higher proportion of non-Western immigrants (20.5%) followed trajectories of high levels of unemployment (&gt;2 annual months) compared with Western immigrants (15%) and natives (16.5%). Educational level and duration of residence in Sweden (in immigrants) discriminated trajectories of both SA/DP and unemployment, whereas psychiatric comorbidity only discriminated trajectories of SA/DP.

Conclusions
Differences in trajectories of unemployment between young natives and immigrants with an incident CMD were found. Educational level and psychiatric comorbidity provided information on differences between natives and immigrants and duration of residence gave information for subgroups of immigrants.
The Topology of the Set of Non-Escaping Endpoints
Authors: Evdoridou Vasiliki , Sixsmith David J 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
There are several classes of transcendental entire functions for which the Julia set consists of an uncountable union of disjoint curves each of which joins a finite endpoint to infinity. Many authors have studied the topological properties of this set of finite endpoints. It was recently shown that, for certain functions in the exponential family, there is a strong dichotomy between the topological properties of the set of endpoints that escape and those of the set of endpoints that do not escape. In this paper, we show that this result holds for large families of functions in the Eremenko–Lyubich class. We also show that this dichotomy holds for a family of functions, outside that class, which includes the much-studied Fatou function defined by $$\begin{equation*}f(z):= z + 1+ e^{-z}.\end{equation*}$$Finally, we show how our results can be used to demonstrate that various sets are spiders’ webs, generalising results such as those in [9].
Spinosyns Cause Aedeagus Eversion in Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
Authors: Cottrell Ted E , Reeves Benjamin L , Horton Dan L 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
During an assessment of various insecticides against sap beetles, Carpophilus sp., it was noted that at least some males everted their reproductive structures (referred to as aedeagus from here forward) when treated with a spinosyn insecticide, spinetoram. This response to spinosyns or other insecticides is not documented in the literature even though sap beetles have been included in numerous insecticide assays and spinosyn insecticides have been in widespread commercial use for >20 yr. Additionally, other insect species have not been documented to show a similar aedeagus eversion response to spinosyns or other insecticides. The objective of this study was to further examine eversion of the aedeagus when sap beetles were exposed to different rates of two spinosyn insecticides, spinetoram and spinosad. Additionally, we examined whether a similar response would occur in other insects when three species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) and one species of Curculionidae (Coleoptera) were exposed to spinetoram. Our results show that male sap beetles respond to both spinosyns by everting the aedeagus, females did not have an analogous response. No similar response was observed for the assayed species of Coccinellidae or Curculionidae.
Water stress combined with sulfur deficiency in pea affects yield components but mitigates the effect of deficiency on seed globulin composition
Authors: Henriet Charlotte , Aimé Delphine , Térézol Morgane , Kilandamoko Anderson , Rossin Nadia , Combes-Soia Lucie , Labas Valerie , Serre Rémy-Félix , Prudent Marion , Kreplak Jonathan , Vernoud Vanessa , Gallardo Karine 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Water stress and sulfur (S) deficiency are two constraints increasingly faced by crops due to climate change and low-input agricultural practices. To investigate their interaction in the grain legume pea (Pisum sativum), sulfate was depleted at the mid-vegetative stage and a moderate 9-d water stress period was imposed during the early reproductive phase. The combination of the stresses impeded reproductive processes in a synergistic manner, reducing seed weight and seed number, and inducing seed abortion, which highlighted the paramount importance of sulfur for maintaining seed yield components under water stress. On the other hand, the moderate water stress mitigated the negative effect of sulfur deficiency on the accumulation of S-rich globulins (11S) in seeds, probably due to a lower seed sink strength for nitrogen, enabling a readjustment of the ratio of S-poor (7S) to 11S globulins. Transcriptome analysis of developing seeds at the end of the combined stress period indicated that similar biological processes were regulated in response to sulfur deficiency and to the combined stress, but that the extent of the transcriptional regulation was greater under sulfur deficiency. Seeds from plants subjected to the combined stresses showed a specific up-regulation of a set of transcription factor and SUMO ligase genes, indicating the establishment of unique regulatory processes when sulfur deficiency is combined with water stress.
Spatial heterogeneity of the planktonic protistan community in a semi-closed eutrophic bay, China
Authors: Du Ping , Jiang Zhi B , Wang Yong M , Qian Peng , Hu Han J , Liao Yi B , Zhou Kong L , Zeng Jiang N , Chen Quan Z , Shou Lu , Zhang De M 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe examined the planktonic protistan community in Xiangshan Bay during spring 2015 using 18S rDNA sequencing. We found significant spatial heterogeneity in α-diversity, β-diversity (Bray–Curtis and Jaccard indices) and the relative abundance of dominant taxa. The spatial heterogeneity of the protistan community was due more to variation in species (operational taxonomic units) than abundance, and the spatial variation in species was dominated by variation in rare biota. Salinity was the most important driver of spatial heterogeneity in the total community and the abundant subcommunity, but environmental factors could not explain the variation in the rare subcommunity. For α-diversity, spatial heterogeneity was mainly associated with the rare biota; α-diversity was positively correlated with water mass complexity but negatively correlated with temperature and nutrients. Of the dominant protistan phyla, the more abundant Cryptophyta, Chlorophyta and Haptophyta were correlated with lower salinity and higher nutrient concentrations, while the more abundant mixotrophs (e.g. Dinoflagellata and Protalveolata) were associated with lower nutrient concentration. Our study suggests that rare taxa are important for preserving the spatial heterogeneity of the protistan community, whose structural variation might be influenced by biotic interactions.
Comorbidity burden in axial spondyloarthritis: a cluster analysis
Authors: Zhao Sizheng Steven , Radner Helga , Siebert Stefan , Duffield Stephen J , Thong Daniel , Hughes David M , Moots Robert J , Solomon Daniel H , Goodson Nicola J 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Objectives
To examine how comorbidities cluster in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and whether these clusters are associated with quality of life, global health and other outcome measures.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients meeting ASAS criteria for axSpA in Liverpool, UK. Outcome measures included quality of life (EQ5D), global health and disease activity (BASDAI). We used hierarchical cluster analysis to group patients according to 38 pre-specified comorbidities. In multivariable linear models, the associations between distinct comorbidity clusters and each outcome measure were compared, using axSpA patients with no comorbidities as the reference group. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, symptom duration, BMI, deprivation, NSAID-use and smoking.

Results
We studied 419 patients (69% male, mean age 46 years). 255 patients (61%) had at least one comorbidity, among whom the median number was 1 (range 1–6). Common comorbidities were hypertension (19%) and depression (16%). Of 15 clusters identified, the most prevalent clusters were hypertension-coronary heart disease and depression-anxiety. Compared with patients with no comorbidities, the fibromyalgia-irritable bowel syndrome cluster was associated with adverse patient-reported outcome measures; these patients reported 1.5-unit poorer global health (95%CI 0.01, 2.9), reduced quality of life (0.25-unit lower EQ5D; 95%CI −0.37, −0.12) and 1.8-unit higher BASDAI (95% CI 0.4, 3.3). Similar effect estimates were found for patients in the depression-anxiety cluster.

Conclusion
Comorbidity is common among axSpA patients. The two most common comorbidities were hypertension and depression. Patients in the depression-anxiety and fibromyalgia-IBS clusters reported poorer health and increased axSpA severity.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy as a Non-invasive Method to Quantify Muscle Carnosine in Humans: a Comprehensive Validity Assessment
Authors: da Eira Silva Vinicius , de Salles Painelli Vitor , Shinjo Samuel Katsuyuki , Pereira Wagner Ribeiro , Cilli Eduardo Maffud , Sale Craig , Gualano Bruno , Otaduy Maria Concepción , Artioli Guilherme Giannini 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTCarnosine is a dipeptide abundantly found in human skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and neuronal cells having numerous properties that confers performance enhancing effects, as well as a wide-range of potential therapeutic applications. A reliable and valid method for tissue carnosine quantification is crucial for advancing the knowledge on biological processes involved with carnosine metabolism. In this regard, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) has been used as a non-invasive alternative to quantify carnosine in human skeletal muscle. However, carnosine quantification by 1H-MRS has some potential limitations that warrant a thorough experimental examination of its validity. The present investigation examined the reliability, accuracy and sensitivity for the determination of muscle carnosine in humans using in vitro and in vivo experiments and comparing it to reference method for carnosine quantification (high-performance liquid chromatography – HPLC). We used in vitro 1H-MRS to verify signal linearity and possible noise sources. Carnosine was determined in the m. gastrocnemius by 1H-MRS and HPLC to compare signal quality and convergent validity. 1H-MRS showed adequate discriminant validity, but limited reliability and poor agreement with a reference method. Low signal amplitude, low signal-to-noise ratio, and voxel repositioning are major sources of error.
Experimental introgression to evaluate the impact of sex specific traits onDrosophila melanogasterincipient speciation
Authors: Cortot Jérôme , Farine Jean-Pierre , Houot Benjamin , Everaerts Claude , Ferveur Jean-François 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTSex specific traits are involved in speciation but it is difficult to determine whether their variation initiates or reinforces sexual isolation. In some insects, speciation depends of the rapid change of expression in desaturase genes coding for sex pheromones. Two closely related desaturase genes are involved inDrosophila melanogasterpheromonal communication:desat1affects both the production and the reception of sex pheromones whiledesat2is involved in their production in flies of Zimbabwe populations. There is a strong asymmetric sexual isolation between Zimbabwe populations and all other “Cosmopolitan” populations: Zimbabwe females rarely copulate with Cosmopolitan males whereas Zimbabwe males readily copulate with all females. All populations expressdesat1but only Zimbabwe strains show highdesat2expression. To evaluate the impact of sex pheromones, female receptivity anddesatexpression on the incipient speciation process between Zimbabwe and Cosmopolitan populations, we introgressed the Zimbabwe genome into a Cosmopolitan genome labelled with thewhitemutation, using a multi-generation procedure. The association between these sex-specific traits was determined during the procedure. The production of pheromones was largely dissociated between the sexes. The copulation frequency (but not latency) was highly correlated with the female—but not with the male—principal pheromones. We finally obtained two stablewhitelines showing Zimbabwe-like sex pheromones, copulation discrimination anddesatexpression. Our study indicates that the variation of sex pheromones and of mating discrimination depend of distinct—yet overlapping—sets of genes in each sex suggesting that their cumulated effects participate to reinforce the speciation process.
Mechanical, physical and chemical characterisation of mycelium-based composites with different types of lignocellulosic substrates
Authors: Elsacker Elise , Vandelook Simon , Brancart Joost , Peeters Eveline , Laet Lars De 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe current physical goods economy produces materials by extracting finite valuable resources without taking their end of the life and environmental impact into account. Modernity leaves us with devasted landscapes of depleted resources, waste landfill, queries, oil platforms. At the time of the Anthropocene, the various effects the human role has on the constitution of the soils create an acceleration of material entropy. It is the terrestrial entanglement of fungal materials that we investigate in this paper by offering an alternative fabrication paradigm based on the growth of resources rather than on extraction. Unlike the latter, biologically augmented building materials can be grown by combining micro-organisms such as fungal mycelium with agricultural plant-based waste. In this study, we investigate the production process, the mechanical, hygrothermal and chemical properties of mycelium-based composites with different types of lignocellulosic reinforcement fibres combined with a white rot fungus, Trametes versicolor. Together, they form an interwoven three-dimensional filamentous network binding the feedstock into a lightweight material. The mycelium-based material is heat-killed after the growing process. This is the first study reporting the dry density, the Young’s modulus, the compressive stiffness, the stress-strain curves, the thermal conductivity, the water absorption rate and a complete FTIR analyse of mycelium-based composites by making use of a disclosed protocol with T. versicolor and five different type of fibres (hemp, flax, flax waste, softwood, straw) and fibre conditions (loose, chopped, dust, pre-compressed and tow). These experimental results show that mycelium-composites can fulfil the requirements of thermal insulation. The thermal conductivity and water absorption coefficient of the mycelium composites with flax, hemp, and straw have an overall good insulation behaviour in all the aspects compared to conventional unsustainable materials. The conducted tests reveal that the mechanical performances of the mycelium-based composites depend more on the fibre condition, size, and processing than on the chemical composition of the fibres.Abstract FigureGraphical abstractHighlightsThe type of fibre influences the colonisation of mycelium: samples containing flax, hemp, straw and flax-waste resulted in a well-developed compositeThe type of fibre has a smaller influence on the compressive stiffness than the fibre processing and size.Pre-compression and chopped fibres (particle size <5mm) improve the compressive mechanical properties of mycelium composites.The thermal conductivity and water absorption coefficient of the mycelium composites with flax, hemp, and straw have an overall good insulation behaviour in all the aspects compared to conventional unsustainable materials.