bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AGN in dwarf galaxies: frequency, triggering processes and the plausibility of AGN feedback
Authors: Kaviraj Sugata , Martin Garreth , Silk Joseph 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
While active galactic nuclei (AGN) are considered to be key drivers of the evolution of massive galaxies, their potentially significant role in the dwarf-galaxy regime (M* &lt; 109 M⊙) remains largely unexplored. We combine optical and infrared data, from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) and the Wide-field Infrared Explorer, respectively, to explore the properties of ∼800 AGN in dwarfs at low redshift (z &lt; 0.3). Infrared-selected AGN fractions are ∼10–30 per cent in dwarfs, which, for reasonable duty cycles, indicates a high black hole (BH)-occupation fraction. Visual inspection of the deep HSC images indicates that the merger fraction in dwarf AGN (∼6 per cent) shows no excess compared to a control sample of non-AGN, suggesting that the AGN-triggering processes are secular in nature. Energetic arguments indicate that, in both dwarfs and massive galaxies, bolometric AGN luminosities (LAGN) are significantly greater than supernova luminosities (LSN). LAGN/LSN is, in fact, higher in dwarfs, with predictions from simulations suggesting that this ratio only increases with redshift. Together with the potentially high BH-occupation fraction, this suggests that if AGN feedback is an important driver of massive-galaxy evolution, the same is likely to be true in the dwarf regime, contrary to our classical thinking.
Ancient Hybridization and Adaptive Introgression of an Invadolysin Gene in Schistosome Parasites
Authors: Platt Roy N , McDew-White Marina , Le Clec’h Winka , Chevalier Frédéric D , Allan Fiona , Emery Aidan M , Garba Amadou , Hamidou Amina A , Ame Shaali M , Webster Joanne P , Rollinson David , Webster Bonnie L , Anderson Timothy J C 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntrogression among parasite species has the potential to transfer traits of biomedical importance across species boundaries. The parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis in humans across sub-Saharan Africa. Hybridization with other schistosome species is assumed to occur commonly, because genetic crosses between S. haematobium and livestock schistosomes, including S. bovis, can be staged in the laboratory, and sequencing of mtDNA and rDNA amplified from microscopic miracidia larvae frequently reveals markers from different species. However, the frequency, direction, age, and genomic consequences of hybridization are unknown. We hatched miracidia from eggs and sequenced the exomes from 96 individual S. haematobium miracidia from infected patients from Niger and the Zanzibar archipelago. These data revealed no evidence for contemporary hybridization between S. bovis and S. haematobium in our samples. However, all Nigerien S. haematobium genomes sampled show hybrid ancestry, with 3.3–8.2% of their nuclear genomes derived from S. bovis, providing evidence of an ancient introgression event that occurred at least 108–613 generations ago. Some S. bovis-derived alleles have spread to high frequency or reached fixation and show strong signatures of directional selection; the strongest signal spans a single gene in the invadolysin gene family (Chr. 4). Our results suggest that S. bovis/S. haematobium hybridization occurs rarely but demonstrate profound consequences of ancient introgression from a livestock parasite into the genome of S. haematobium, the most prevalent schistosome species infecting humans.
HIV Care for Patients With Complex Needs: A Controlled Evaluation of a Walk-In, Incentivized Care Model
Authors: Dombrowski Julia C , Galagan Sean R , Ramchandani Meena , Dhanireddy Shireesha , Harrington Robert D , Moore Allison , Hara Katie , Eastment Mckenna , Golden Matthew R 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background
New approaches are needed to provide care to persons with HIV who do not engage in conventionally organized HIV clinics. The Max Clinic in Seattle, Washington, is a walk-in, incentivized HIV care model located in a public health STD clinic that provides care in collaboration with a comprehensive HIV primary care clinic (the Madison Clinic).

Methods
We compared outcomes in the first 50 patients enrolled in Max Clinic and 100 randomly selected matched Madison Clinic control patients; patients in both groups were virally unsuppressed (viral load [VL] &gt;200 copies/mL) at baseline. The primary outcome was any VL indicating viral suppression (≥1 VL &lt;200 copies/mL) during the 12 months postbaseline. Secondary outcomes were continuous viral suppression (≥2 consecutive suppressed VLs ≥60 days apart) and engagement in care (≥2 medical visits ≥60 days apart). We compared outcomes in the 12 months pre- and postbaseline and used generalized estimating equations to compare changes in Max vs control patients, adjusting for unstable housing, substance use, and psychiatric disorders.

Results
Viral suppression improved in both groups pre-to-post (20% to 82% Max patients; P &lt; .001; and 51% to 65% controls; P = .04), with a larger improvement in Max patients (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8–5.9). Continuous viral suppression and engagement in care increased in both groups but did not differ significantly (continuous viral suppression: aRRR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.5–5.2; engagement: aRRR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9–1.9).

Conclusions
The Max Clinic improved viral suppression among patients with complex medical and social needs.
Long-Lasting Transcriptional Changes in Circulating Monocytes of Acute Q Fever Patients
Authors: Raijmakers Ruud Ph , Stenos John , Keijmel Stephan P , Ter Horst Rob , Novakovic Boris , Nguyen Chelsea , Van Der Meer Jos Wm , Netea Mihai G , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P , Joosten Leo Ab , Graves Stephen R 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Objective
Although most patients recover from acute Q fever, around 20% develop Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS), a debilitating fatigue syndrome that lasts at least 6 months. This study investigated transcriptional profiles of circulating monocytes and circulating cytokines as a subsequent mirror of myeloid cell function, 1 and 6 months after an acute Q fever infection.

Methods
Total RNA of circulating monocytes was collected from 11 acute Q fever patients and 15 healthy controls, matched for age (±5 years) and sex. Samples were collected at a median of 27 days (baseline, interquartile range, 15–35 days) after the infection and again 6 months thereafter. Transcriptome analysis was performed using RNA sequencing. Additionally, concentrations of circulating interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 were measured in serum.

Results
At baseline, acute Q fever patients clearly show a differential transcriptional program compared with healthy controls. This is still the case at follow-up, albeit to a lesser extent. At baseline, a significant difference in levels of circulating IL-10 (P = .0019), IL-1β (P = .0067), IL-1Ra (P = .0008), and IL-6 (P = .0003) was seen. At follow-up, this difference had decreased for IL-10 (P = .0136) and IL-1Ra (P = .0017) and had become nonsignificant for IL-1β (P = .1139) and IL-6 (P = .2792).

Conclusions
We show that an acute Q fever infection has a long-term effect on the transcriptional program of circulating monocytes and, therefore, likely their myeloid progenitor cells, as well as concentrations of circulating IL-10, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, and IL-6.
Optimising the use of molecular tools for the diagnosis of yaws
Authors: Munson Morgan , Creswell Benjamin , Kondobala Kofi , Ganiwu Bawa , Lomotey Rita Dede , Oppong Paul , Agyeman Frederick Opoku , Kotye Nana , Diwura Mukaila , Ako Ebenezer Padi , Simpson Shirley Victoria , Addo Kennedy Kwasi , Pickering Harry , Handley Rebecca , Houghton Joanna , Kwakye Cynthia , Marks Michael 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionYaws is a neglected tropical disease and results in lesions of skin, soft tissues and bones. PCR plays an important part in surveillance.MethodsChildren suspected to have yaws were enrolled. From the largest lesion paired swabs were collected; one into transport medium and one as a dry swab. In children with multiple lesions we collected additional swabs from up to four subsequent lesions. Swabs in transport medium were maintained in a cold-chain whilst dry swabs were stored at ambient temperature. Swabs were tested by PCR for Treponema pallidum and Haemophilus ducreyi.ResultsOf 55 individuals, 10 (18%) had at least 1 positive PCR for T. pallidum and 12 (22%) had at least 1 positive result for H. ducreyi. Concordance was 100% between swabs in transport medium and dry swabs. One patient had PCR-confirmed yaws on the swab of a third lesion when both the first and second lesions were PCR-negative.DiscussionStoring swabs in transport medium and transporting in a cold chain did not improve yield, however detection of T. pallidum is increased by swabbing additional lesions. As the target for yaws is eradication approaches to sample collection need revisiting to ensure cases are not missed.
Perception of whole-body motion during balance perturbations is impaired in Parkinson’s disease and is associated with balance impairment
Authors: Bong Sistania M. , McKay J. Lucas , Factor Stewart A. , Ting Lena H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn addition to motor deficits, Parkinson’s disease (PD) may cause perceptual impairments. The role of perceptual impairments in sensorimotor function is unclear, and has typically been studied in single-joint motions. Research Question: We hypothesized that perception of whole-body motion is impaired in PD and contributes to balance impairments. We tested 1) whether directional acuity to whole body perturbations during standing was worse in people with PD compared to neurotypical older adults (NOA), and 2) whether balance ability, as assessed by the MiniBESTest, was associated with poor directional acuity in either group.MethodsParticipants were exposed to pairs of support-surface translation perturbations in a two-alternative forced choice testing paradigm developed previously in a young healthy population. The first perturbation of each pair was directly backward and the second deviated to the left or right (1°–44°). Participants judged and reported whether the perturbations in each pair were in the “same” or “different” direction. This information was used to calculate directional acuity thresholds corresponding to “just-noticeable differences” in perturbation direction. Linear mixed models determined associations between directional thresholds and clinical variables including MDS UPDRS-III score, age, and MiniBESTest score. Results: 20 PD (64±7 y, 12 male, ⩾12 hours since last intake of antiparkinsonian medications) and 12 NOA (64±8, 6 male) were assessed. Directional thresholds were higher (worse) among PD participants (17.6±5.9° vs. 12.8±3.3°, P<0.01). Linear mixed models further showed that higher thresholds were associated with MDS UPDRS-III score (P<0.01), and were associated with poorer balance ability among PD participants (P<0.01), but not among NOA participants (P=0.40). Significance: Perception of whole-body motion is impaired in PD and may contribute to impaired balance and falls.
Trends and variation in unsafe prescribing of methotrexate: a cohort study in English NHS primary care
Authors: MacKenna Brian , Curtis Helen J , Walker Alex J , Croker Richard , Bacon Seb , Goldacre Ben 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo describe trends and geographical variation in methotrexate prescribing that breaches national safety recommendations; deaths from methotrexate poisoning; and associated litigation.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of English NHS primary care prescribing data, complemented by information obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. The main outcome measures were: (1) variation in ratio of breaching / adherent prescribing, geographically and over time, between General Practices and Clinical Commissioning Groups; (2) description of responses to FOI requests.ResultsOut of 7349 NHS General Practices in England, 1689 practices prescribed both 2.5mg and 10mg tablets to individual patients in 2017, breaching national guidance. In April 2018, 697 practices (at the 90th centile and above) prescribed at least 14.3% of all methotrexate as 10mg tablets, breaching national guidance. The 66 practices at the 99th percentile and above gave at least 52.4% of all prescribed methotrexate in the form of 10 mg tablets. The prescribing of 10mg tablets has fallen over 7 years, with 10mg tablets as a proportion of all methotrexate tablets falling from 9.1% to 3.4%. 21 deaths caused by methotrexate poisoning have been reported from 1993-2017.ConclusionsThe prevalence of unsafe methotrexate prescribing has reduced but it remains common, with substantial variation between organisations. We recommend the NHS invests in better strategies around implementation of safety recommendations. 21 deaths have been attributed to methotrexate poisoning but with no further details easily available: the full coroners reports for these deaths should be reviewed to identify recurring themes.
Urbanization impacts apex predator gene flow but not genetic diversity across an urban-rural divide
Authors: Trumbo DR , Salerno PE , Logan KA , Alldredge M , Gagne RB , Kozakiewicz CP , Kraberger S , Fountain-Jones N , Craft ME , Carver S , Ernest HB , Crooks K , VandeWoude S , Funk WC 
Published: June 2019

AbstractApex predators are important indicators of intact natural ecosystems. They are also sensitive to urbanization because they require broad home ranges and extensive contiguous habitat to support their prey base. Pumas (Puma concolor) can persist near human developed areas, but urbanization may be detrimental to their movement ecology, population structure, and genetic diversity. To investigate potential effects of urbanization in population connectivity of pumas, we performed a landscape genomics study of 134 pumas on the rural Western Slope and more urbanized Front Range of Colorado, USA. Over 12,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using double-digest, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). We investigated patterns of gene flow and genetic diversity, and tested for correlations between key landscape variables and genetic distance to assess the effects of urbanization and other landscape factors on gene flow. Levels of genetic diversity were similar for the Western Slope and Front Range, but effective population sizes were smaller, genetic distances were higher, and there was more overall population substructure in the more urbanized Front Range. Forest cover was strongly positively associated with puma gene flow on the Western Slope, while impervious surfaces restricted gene flow and more open, natural habitats enhanced gene flow on the Front Range. Landscape genomic analyses revealed differences in puma movement and gene flow patterns in rural versus urban settings. Our results highlight the utility of dense, genome-scale markers to document subtle impacts of urbanization on a wide-ranging carnivore living near a large urban center.
Differential Treatment Benefit Prediction For Treatment Selection in Depression: A Deep Learning Analysis of STAR*D and CO-MED Data
Authors: Mehltretter Joseph , Fratila Robert , Benrimoh David , Kapelner Adam , Perlman Kelly , Snook Emily , Israel Sonia , Miresco Marc , Turecki Gustavo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundDepression affects one in nine people, but treatment response rates remain low. There is significant potential in the use of computational modelling techniques to predict individual patient responses and thus provide more personalized treatment. Deep learning is a promising computational technique that can be used for differential treatment selection based on predicted remission probability.MethodsUsing STAR*D and CO-MED trial data, we employed deep neural networks to predict remission after feature selection. Differential treatment benefit was estimated in terms of improvement of population remission rates after application of the model for treatment selection using both naive and conservative approaches. The naïve approach assessed population remission rate in five sets of 200 patients held apart from the training set; the conservative approach used bootstrapping for sample generation and focused on population remission rate for patients who actually received the drug predicted by the model compared to the general population.ResultsOur deep learning model predicted remission in a pooled CO-MED/STAR*D dataset (including four treatments) with an AUC of 0.69 using 17 input features. Our naive analysis showed an improvement of remission of over 30% (from a 34.33% population remission rate to 46.12%). Our conservative analysis showed a 7.2% improvement in population remission rate (p= 0.01, C.I. 2.48% ± .5%).ConclusionOur model serves as proof-of-concept that deep learning has utility in differential prediction of antidepressant response when selecting from a number of treatment options. These models may have significant real-world clinical implications.
Protein:Protein Interactions in the Cytoplasmic Membrane Influencing Sugar Transport and Phosphorylation Activities of theE. coliPhosphotransferase System
Authors: Aboulwafa Mohammad , Zhang Zhongge , Saier Milton H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe multicomponent phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar-transporting phosphotransferase system (PTS) inEscherichia colitakes up sugar substrates and concomitantly phosphorylates them. We have recently provided evidence that many of the integral membrane PTS permeases interact with the fructose PTS (FruA/FruB) [1]. However, the biochemical and physiological significance of this finding was not known. We have carried out molecular genetic/biochemical/physiological studies that show that interactions of the fructose PTS often enhance, but sometimes inhibit the activities of other PTS transporters many fold, depending on the target PTS system under study. Thus, the glucose, mannose, mannitol and N- acetylglucosamine permeases exhibit enhancedin vivosugar transport and sometimesin vitroPEP-dependent sugar phosphorylation activities while the galactitol and trehalose systems show inhibited activities. This is observed when the fructose system is induced to high levels and prevented when thefruA/fruBgenes are deleted. Overexpression of thefruAand/orfruBgenes in the absence of fructose induction during growth also enhances the rates of uptake of other hexoses. The β-galactosidase activities ofman, mtl,andgat-lacZtranscriptional fusions and the sugar-specific transphosphorylation activities of these enzyme transporters were not affected either by frustose induction orfruABoverexpression, showing that the rates of synthesis and protein levels in the membrane of the target PTS permeases were not altered. We thus suggest that specific protein-protein interactions within the cytoplasmic membrane regulate transportin vivo(and sometimes the PEP-dependent phosphorylation activitiesin vitroof PTS permeases) in a physiologically meaningful way that may help to provide a hierarchy of preferred PTS sugars. These observations appear to be applicable in principle to other types of transport systems as well.
The Ca2+ Permeation Mechanism of the Ryanodine Receptor Revealed by a Multi-Site Ion Model
Authors: Zhang Aihua , Yu Hua , Liu Chunhong , Song Chen 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe ryanodine receptors (RyR) are ion channels responsible for the release of Ca2+ from the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum and play a crucial role in the precise control of Ca2+ concentration in the cytosol. The detailed permeation mechanism of Ca2+ through RyR is still elusive. By using molecular dynamics simulations with a specially designed Ca2+ model, here we show that multiple Ca2+ accumulate in the upper selectivity filter of RyR1, but only one Ca2+ can enter and translocate in the narrow pore at a time. The Ca2+ is nearly fully hydrated during the whole permeation process, with the first solvation shell intact even at the narrowest constrict sites of the selectivity filter and gate. These results present a one-at-a-time permeation pattern for the hydrated ions, which is distinct from the fully/partially dehydrated knock-on permeation in K+ and Na+ channels and uncovers the underlying reason for the high permeability and low selectivity of the RyR channels.
Exhaust toxicity evaluation in a gas turbine engine fueled by aviation fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons
Authors: Gawron Bartosz , Białecki Tomasz , Janicka Anna , Zawiślak Maciej , Górniak Aleksander 
Published: June 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the toxicological impacts of exhaust generated during the combustion process of aviation fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons.Design/methodology/approachTests on aircraft turbine engines in full scale are complex and expensive. Therefore, a miniature turbojet engine was used in this paper as a source of exhaust gases. Toxicity was tested using innovative BAT–CELL Bio–Ambient Cell method, which consists of determination of real toxic impact of the exhaust gases on the human lung A549 and mouse L929 cells. The research was of a comparative nature. The engine was powered by a conventional jet fuel and a blend of conventional jet fuel with synthesized hydrocarbons.FindingsThe results show that the BAT–CELL method allows determination of the real exhaust toxicity during the combustion process in a turbine engine. The addition of a synthetic component to conventional jet fuel affected the reduction of toxicity of exhaust gases. It was confirmed for both tested cell lines.Originality/valueIn the literature related to the area of aviation, numerous publications in the field of testing the emission of exhaust gaseous components, particulates or volatile organic compounds can be found. However, there is a lack of research related to the evaluation of the real exhaust toxicity. In addition, it appears that the data given in aviation sector, mainly related to the emission levels of gaseous exhaust components (CO, Nox and HC) and particulate matters, might be insufficient. To fully describe the engine exhaust emissions, they should be supplemented with additional tests, i.e. in terms of toxicity.
The impact of incentive framing format and language congruency on readers’ post-reading responses to email advertisements
Authors: Leung Daniel , Tsou Megan 
Published: June 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how incentive framing format and language congruency interactively influence readers’ post-reading responses to hotel-related email advertisements.Design/methodology/approachA 2 (incentive framing format: amount-off versus percentage-off) × 2 (language congruency: use of readers’ native language versus use of readers’ foreign language) between-subject experiment was conducted with 233 bilingual speakers from China.FindingsThe findings unveil that readers are more likely to be enticed to search for more information about the promoted hotel restaurant, click the call-to-action button and share the promotional message with friends and families if an email advertisement presents the incentive of a price promotion in the form of amount-off (versus percentage-off). The indirect impact of language congruency is also verified. Specifically, the impact of incentive framing format on readers’ post-reading response is more salient when information is communicated using readers’ native (versus non-native) language.Practical implicationsThe findings provide actionable clues for hoteliers to optimize their email marketing campaigns. If hotels want to publicize a price promotion for their high-priced service (e.g. hotel restaurant dining) via email advertisements, marketers should present the incentive in the form of amount-off. Hotels should also personalize the language used in the email advertisements according to readers’ native language.Originality/valueThis study enriches the literature on email marketing by explicating how hoteliers can improve the efficacy of email marketing via personalizing the incentive framing format and language used in the email advertisement according to the readers’ preferences.