bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole Genome Sequencing of Extended Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Founou Raspail Carrel , Founou Luria Leslie , Allam Mushal , Ismail Arshad , Essack Sabiha Yusuf 
Published: April 2019

AbstractExtended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae remain a critical clinical concern worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae detected within and between two hospitals in uMgungundlovu district, South Africa, using whole genome sequencing (WGS). An observational period prevalence study on antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE (i.e. Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.) bacteria was carried out in hospitalized patients during a two-month period in 2017. Rectal swabs and clinical specimens were collected from patients hospitalized and were screened for ESBL-producing, Gram-negative ESKAPE bacteria using cefotaxime-containing MacConkey agar and ESBL combination disk tests. Nine confirmed ESBL-K. pneumoniae isolated from six patients and two hospitals were whole genome sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Genome sequences were screened for presence of integrons, insertion sequences, plasmid replicons, CRISPR regions, resistance genes and virulence genes using different software tools. Of the 159 resistant Gram-negative isolates collected, 31 (19.50%) were ESBL-producers, of which, nine (29.03%) were ESBL-K. pneumoniae. The nine K. pneumoniae isolates harboured several β-lactamase genes, including blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1b, blaSHV-1, blaOXA-1 concomitantly with many other resistance genes e.g. acc(6′)-lb-cr, aadAI6, oqxA and oqxB that confer resistance to aminoglycosides and/or fluoroquinolones, respectively. Three replicon plasmid types were detected in both clinical and carriage isolates, namely ColRNAI, IncFIB(K), IncF(II). Sequence type ST152 was confirmed in two patients (one carriage isolate detected on admission and one isolate implicated in infection) in one hospital. In contrast, ST983 was confirmed in a clinical and a carriage isolate of two patients in two different hospitals. Our data indicate introduction of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates into hospitals from the community. We also found evidence of nosocomial transmission within a hospital and transmission between different hospitals. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated cas3 genes were further detected in two of the nine ESBL-KP isolates. This study showed that both district and tertiary hospital in uMgungundlovu District were reservoirs for several resistance determinants and highlighted the necessity to efficiently and routinely screen patients, particularly those receiving extensive antibiotic treatment and long-term hospitalization stay. It also reinforced the importance of infection, prevention and control measures to reduce the dissemination of antibiotic resistance within the hospital referral system in this district.
Neutrophil properties in healthy and Leishmania infantum-naturally infected dogs
Authors: Wardini Amanda Brito , Pinto-da-Silva Lucia Helena , Nadaes Natalia Rocha , Nascimento Michelle Tanny , Roatt Bruno Mendes , Reis Alexandre Barbosa , Viana Kelvinson Fernandes , Giunchetti Rodolfo Cordeiro , Saraiva Elvira Maria 
Published: April 2019

AbstractVisceral leishmaniasis is a chronic disease that affects humans and dogs as well. Dogs, the domestic reservoir of Leishmania, play a central role in the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis, the most severe form of this disease. Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in blood and interact with the parasite after infection. Here, we evaluate the effector properties of neutrophils from healthy and naturally Leishmania infantum-infected dogs. Our results showed that the parasite induced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release from neutrophils in both groups. Additionally, phagocytosis and NETs contributed differently to parasite killing by neutrophils from healthy and infected animals, and IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-4 and TNF-α production by neutrophils from both groups were differentially modulated by the parasite. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the complex role played by neutrophils in canine visceral leishmaniasis, which may favor the development of more effective therapies.
No compromise between metabolism and behavior of decorator crabs in reduced pH conditions
Authors: Rankin Ashley , Seo Kyungah , Graeve Olivia A. , Taylor Jennifer R. A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMany marine calcifiers experience metabolic costs when exposed to experimental ocean acidification conditions, potentially limiting the energy available to support regulatory processes and behaviors. Decorator crabs expend energy on decoration camouflage and may face acute trade-offs under environmental stress. We hypothesized that under reduced pH conditions, decorator crabs will be energy limited and allocate energy towards growth and calcification at the expense of decoration behavior. Decorator crabs, Pelia tumida, were exposed to ambient (8.01) and reduced (7.74) pH conditions for five weeks. Half of the animals in each treatment were given sponge to decorate with. Animals were analyzed for changes in body mass, exoskeleton mineral content (Ca and Mg), organic content (a proxy for metabolism), and decoration behavior (sponge mass and percent cover). Overall, decorator crabs showed no signs of energy limitation under reduced pH conditions. Exoskeleton mineral content, body mass, and organic content of crabs remained the same across pH and decoration treatments, with no effect of reduced pH on decoration behavior. Despite being a relatively inactive, osmoconforming species, Pelia tumida is able to maintain multiple regulatory processes and behavior when exposed to environmental pH stress, which underscores the complexity of responses within Crustacea to ocean acidification conditions.
Abiotic and biotic factors controlling fine root biomass, carbon and nutrients in closed-canopy hybrid poplar stands on post-agricultural land
Authors: Fortier Julien , Truax Benoit , Gagnon Daniel , Lambert France 
Published: April 2019

AbstractFine roots (diameter <2 mm) have a pivotal role in resource acquisition, symbiosis development, and for elemental cycling in forests. Various abiotic and biotic factors affect their biomass and nutrient content. Understanding the effect of these factors on root traits could improve biogeochemical modelling, nutrient management and ecosystem services provision in planted forests. Data from 14-year old poplars planted along a fertility/climatic gradient in Southeastern Canada, show that live fine root biomass varied with genotype and environment, was negatively correlated to soil fertility, and uncorrelated to tree size. Dead fine root biomass varied with genotype and peaked during fall and in colder environments with slower element cycling. Root chemistry also varied with environment, genotype and season. The genotype producing recalcitrant leaf litter had the highest root biomass, suggesting a compensation strategy. Along the studied gradient, plasticity level observed for some root traits (biomass, element contents) was genotype-specific and high for some genotypes. Regionally, such plasticity patterns should be considered in elemental budgets, for nutrient management and ecosystem services provision in plantations (carbon storage, nutrient retention). The small inter-site aboveground productivity differences observed suggest that plasticity in fine root growth may contribute to overcome nutrient limitations on less fertile marginal lands.
Improved methods for the detection of histone interactions with peptide microarrays
Authors: Petell Christopher J. , Pham Andrea T. , Skela Jessica , Strahl Brian D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHistone post-translational modifications contribute to chromatin function largely through the recruitment of effector proteins that contain specialized “reader” domains. While a significant number of reader domains have been characterized for their histone binding specificities, many of these domains remain poorly characterized. Peptide microarrays have been widely employed for the characterization of histone readers, as well as modifying enzymes and histone antibodies. While powerful, this platform has limitations in terms of its sensitivity and they frequently miss low affinity reader domain interactions. Here, we provide several technical changes that improve reader domain detection of low-affinity interactions. We show that 1% non-fat milk in 1X PBST as the blocking reagent during incubation improved reader-domain interaction results. Further, coupling this with post-binding high-salt washes and a brief, low-percentage formaldehyde cross-linking step prior to the high-salt washes provided the optimal balance between resolving specific low-affinity interactions and minimizing background or spurious signals. We expect this improved methodology will lead to the elucidation of previously unreported reader-histone interactions that will be important for chromatin function.
Life-stage specific transcriptomes of a migratory endoparasitic plant nematode, Radopholus similis elucidate a different parasitic and life strategy of plant parasitic nematodes
Authors: Huang Xin , Xu Chun-Ling , Yang Si-Hua , Li Jun-Yi , Wang Hong-Le , Zhang Zi-Xu , Chen Chun , Xie Hui 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRadopholus similis is an important migratory endoparasitic nematode, severely harms banana, citrus and many other commercial crops. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of infection and pathogenesis of R. similis. In this study, 64761 unigenes were generated from eggs, juveniles, females and males of R. similis. 11443 unigenes showed significant expression difference among these four life stages. Genes involved in host parasitism, anti-host defense and other biological processes were predicted. There were 86 and 102 putative genes coding for cell wall degrading enzymes and antioxidase respectively. The amount and type of putative parasitic-related genes reported in sedentary endoparasitic plant nematodes are variable from those of migratory parasitic nematodes on plant aerial portion. There were no sequences annotated to effectors in R. similis, involved in feeding site formation of sedentary endoparasites nematodes. This transcriptome data provides a new insight into the parasitic and pathogenic molecular mechanisms of the migratory endoparasitic nematodes. It also provides a broad idea for further research on R. similis.
Mathematical modelling of the internal circulation anaerobic reactor by Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1, simultaneously combined with hydrodynamics
Authors: Huang Yifeng , Ma Yongwen , Wan Jinquan , Wang Yan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this study, the hydrodynamic characteristic of a lab-scale internal circulation (IC) anaerobic reactor was investigated. We found that the gradual Increasing-Size Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactors (ISC) model is desirable to describe the hydraulic character of the reactor. As a generalized anaerobic digestion model, Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 (ADM1) was combined simultaneously with the ISC model to simulate the effluent of the IC reactor. Both the stable running and overloading shock tests were carried out to validate the simulation. The mathematical simulation results agreed well with the experimental observation. This proposed model may be valuable to simulate the performance of the IC reactor effectively and to supply a useful tool to for designing and operating other anaerobic reactors.
Okuläre Syphilis kann zu bleibender Seheinschränkung führen
Authors: Hamann Timothy , Al-Sheikh Mayss , Zweifel Sandrine , Meier Fabio , Barthelmes Daniel , Böni Christian 
Published: April 2019

Zusammenfassung
Zweck Bei Patienten mit okulärer Syphilis wurde das Spektrum der intraokulären und der systemischen Befunde beschrieben. Es wurde analysiert, wie häufig persistierende Seheinschränkungen trotz Therapie auftraten und welches morphologische Korrelat den visuellen Dysfunktionen zugrunde lag.
Methoden Eingeschlossen wurden Patienten, die zwischen 2010 und 2018 mit okulärer Syphilis im UniversitätsSpital Zürich behandelt wurden. Allgemeine Charakteristika, okuläre Präsentation, visuelle Funktionen (bestkorrigierter Visus, Gesichtsfeld) vor und nach Therapie wurden retrospektiv analysiert.
Ergebnisse Bei 17 Patienten (1 weiblich, 16 männlich) mit einem medianen Alter von 42 Jahren (Spannweite 22 – 53), wurde eine okuläre Syphilis diagnostiziert. In 11 Fällen zeigte sich eine bilaterale Entzündung, es waren 28 von 34 Augen betroffen (82%). Anteriore (n = 3), intermediäre (n = 4), posteriore Uveitis (n = 10), Panuveitis (n = 5) und Papillitis (n = 6) lagen vor. Bei 8 Patienten fand sich ein abnormaler Liquorbefund (47%). Sechs von 17 Patienten (35%) waren HIV-positiv (HIV: human immunodeficiency virus). Bei allen Patienten sprach die intraokuläre Entzündung auf die intravenöse antibiotische Therapie mit Benzylpenicillin an. Die initiale Sehschärfe aller betroffenen Augen (n = 28) lag im Median bei 0,1 logMAR (0,8 dezimal), Spannweite 2,8 bis − 0,1 logMAR (Lichtperzeption bis 1,25 dezimal). Im letzten Follow-up lag die mediane Sehschärfe bei 0 logMAR, Spannweite 0,4 bis − 0,1 logMAR (0,4 – 1,25 dezimal). Die mediane Follow-up-Dauer lag bei 11 Monaten (Spannweite 3 – 60 Monate). Bei 4 Augen von 3 Patienten wurde beim letzten Follow-up ein korrigierter Visus von ≤ 0,6 erreicht. Sechs Augen von 5 Patienten zeigten ein persistierendes Skotom mit zentralen Gesichtsfelddefekten. Als morphologisches Korrelat der persistierenden Sehdysfunktionen fanden sich Alteration und Desintegration der äußeren Netzhautschichten und/oder eine Atrophie der peripapillären Nervenfaserschicht in Patienten, in denen sich die syphilitische Uveitis als Panuveitis mit Retinitis (n = 3 Augen), als posteriore Uveitis (n = 2 Augen) oder als Papillitis (n = 4 Augen) manifestierte.
Schlussfolgerungen Das Spektrum der Manifestationen bei okulärer Syphilis ist breit. Trotz Therapie führte die okuläre Syphilis in über einem Drittel der betroffenen Augen zu persistierenden visuellen Einschränkungen. Besonders Patienten mit Retinitis oder Papillitis hatten ein Risiko für bleibende visuelle Dysfunktionen.
Positiver Effekt von Laktobazillen auf die Prävalenz von
Metritiden und Expression verschiedener Entzündungsparameter
Authors: Ganz Sebastian 
Published: April 2019

Genis S, Cerri RLA, Bach A et al. Pre-calving intravaginal administration of
lactic acid bacteria reduces metritis prevalence and regulates blood neutrophile
gene expression after calving in dairy cattle. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5: 135
Aufgrund der Resistenzentwicklung von Antibiotika wird nach Alternativen bei
der Therapie von Metritiden nach der Kalbung gesucht. Die antibiotische
Behandlung führt bei 67–77 % der Fälle zu einer Verminderung klinischer
Symptome (Fiebersenkung, Reduzierung von geruchlich abweichendem Ausfluss).
Der Einsatz von Probiotika könnte eine vielversprechende Alternative in der
Metritisbehandlung darstellen. Damit könnten Tiere vor Infektion und
Entzündung geschützt, die Genexpression von Entzündungszellen und -markern
moduliert und somit die immunologische Situation der Kuh im postpartalen
Zeitraum verbessert werden.
Contribution of Palmar Radiocarpal and Ulnocarpal Ligaments to the Stability of the Canine Antebrachiocarpal Joint
Authors: Milgram Joshua , Stockman Jonathan , Segev Gilad , Meiner Yaron , Shipov Anna 
Published: April 2019

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the palmar radiocarpal ligament and the palmar ulnocarpal ligament to canine antebrachiocarpal joint stability.
Materials and Methods The right carpus of four dog cadavers, free of musculoskeletal pathology, was stripped of muscle. Each specimen was placed into a custom-made joint testing machine and tested at 15° extension, and 0° and 15° flexion. A single motion tracking sensor was fixed to the metacarpal bones. All specimens were tested with all ligaments intact and after transection of the palmar radiocarpal and ulnocarpal ligaments. A range of weights between 0.2 and 2.0 kg was used to test the carpi in three directions (axial, medial/lateral and cranial/caudal) and two moments (pronation/supination and valgus/varus).
Results No differences were found between the translations and rotations of the manus relative to the radius and ulna with the ligaments intact and the ligaments transected at any of the carpal angles tested, except at 15° of flexion. Increasing the angle of flexion resulted in a significant increase in cranial and caudal translation of the manus relative to the radius and ulna both in the intact and transected specimens.
Clinical relevance Antebrachiocarpal joint position plays a more important role in craniocaudal antebrachiocarpal joint stability than the palmar radiocarpal and ulnocarpal ligaments.
The opt out paradigm
Authors: Spit Sybren , Andringa Sible , Rispens Judith , Aboh Enoch O. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA common assumption is that children learn a language implicitly and without conscious awareness of form and grammar, but this assumption has virtually never been tested experimentally. We propose a novel experimental method to examine if children’s ability to acquire linguistic regularities relates to awareness of these regularities. Traditional methods investigating awareness often rely on learners’ abilities to verbalize their awareness. For young children, such methods are not adequate because they often cannot reflect explicitly on their acquired knowledge, although they might be aware of it in a way they cannot verbalize. To test this, we adapted a method that is used to investigate awareness in animals, because it does not rely on verbalization for demonstrating awareness. Pilot results with 26 adults and 48 kindergartners show some important procedural prerequisites are met. In future research, this procedure could be used to investigate the development of meta-linguistic awareness in children.
Substitution of sedentary time with light physical activity is related to increased bone density in U.S. women over 50 years old. An iso‐temporal substitution analysis based on the National health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Ricci Cristian , Gervasi Federico , Havemann Nel Lize , Smuts Cornelius M. , Kruger Salome H. , Leitzmann Michael F. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractU.S. women are ageing. This is causing rises in osteoporosis prevalence and risk of fracture with related increases in health care costs. Replacing sedentary time with light physical activity may represent a cost effective public health solution to osteoporosis in elderly women. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted over the period 2003–2006 provided cross‐sectional data on bone mineral density and objectively assessed physical activity among 1,052 women aged 50–85 years old. Substitution analysis was applied to estimate increased bone mineral density and reduced osteoporosis for those women replacing 30 min of sedentary time with an equivalent amount of light physical activity. Substitution of 30 min of sedentary time with an equal amount of light physical activity was associated with increased bone mineral density of about 3 mg/cm2 and a 12% reduced risk of osteoporosis in the spine. When considering overweight women and women over 65 years of age, this association was reinforced and it extended to the pelvis, legs and trunk, resulting in a consistent bone mineral density increase of about 3–6 mg/cm2. The substitution of 30 min of sedentary time with an equal amount of light physical activity appears a possible primary prevention method to reduce osteoporosis and related increases in risk of fracture, mortality, and health care costs in women over 50 years old.
Spatio-temporal variation of crop loss in the United States from 2001 to 2016
Authors: Reyes Julian J , Elias Emile 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Crop insurance loss data can illuminate variations in agricultural impacts from exposure to weather and climate-driven events, and can improve our understanding of agricultural vulnerabilities. Here we perform a retrospective analysis of weather and climate-driven reasons for crop loss (i.e. cause of loss) obtained from the Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. The federal crop insurance program has insured over $440 billion in liabilities representing farmers’ crops from 2001 to 2016. Specifically, we examine the top ten weather and climate-driven causes of loss from 2001 to 2016 across the nation comprising at least 83% of total indemnities (i.e. insurance payouts provided to farmers after crop loss events). First, we analyzed the relative fraction of indemnities by causes of loss, over different spatial and temporal resolutions. We found that drought and excess precipitation comprised the largest sources of crop loss across the nation. However, these causes varied strongly over space and time. We applied two additional normalization techniques to indemnities using (1) insurance premia and the gross domestic product implicit price deflator, and (2) liabilities to calculate the loss cost. We conducted trend analyses using the Mann–Kendall statistical test on loss cost over time. Differential trends and patterns in loss cost demonstrated the importance of spatio-temporal resolution in assessing causes of loss. The majority of monthly significant trends (p < 0.05) showed increasing loss cost (i.e. increasing indemnities or decreasing liabilities) in response to weather events. Finally, we briefly discuss an online portal (AgRisk Viewer) to make these data accessible at multiple spatial scales and sub-annual time steps to support both research and outreach efforts promoting adaptation and resilience in agricultural systems.
An Experimental Comparison of Enriched Biogas and CNG on Dual Fuel Operation of a Diesel Engine
Authors: Verma Saket , Das L.M. , Kaushik S.C. , Tyagi S.K. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
In the present work CNG and enriched biogas (93% CH4 by vol.) have been experimentally compared for performance and emission characteristics in a dual fuel diesel engine. The diesel is used as the pilot fuel, which is directly injected into the engine cylinder. The CNG and biogas are used as the main fuels, which are inducted with the intake air in the intake manifold. The experimental observations are taken for steady state conditions at varying engine loads for maximum pilot fuel substitution conditions. The performance of the engine is evaluated based on energy and exergy analyses. The emission characteristics are shown for oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke emissions. It was found that enriched biogas showed the performance similar to that with CNG, whereas slight variations in the emissions were observed. The exergy efficiencies of 27.8% and 26.9% were calculated for CNG and biogas dual fuel operations respectively at the full load. Similarly, maximum pilot fuel substitutions were found 73.4% and 71.4% for the above conditions respectively.