bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Resistance on Farms: A Review Including Biosecurity and the Potential Role of Disinfectants in Resistance Selection
Authors: Davies Robert , Wales Andrew 
Published: April 2019

AbstractResistance to therapeutic antimicrobial agents is recognized as a growing problem for both human and veterinary medicine, and the need to address the issue in both of these linked domains is a current priority in public policy. Efforts to limit antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on farms have so far focused on control of the supply and use of antimicrobial drugs, plus husbandry measures to reduce infectious disease. In the United Kingdom and some other countries, substantial progress has been made recently against targets on agricultural antimicrobial drug use. However, evidence suggests that resistant pathogenic and commensal bacteria can persist and spread within and between premises despite declining or zero antimicrobial drug use. Reasons for this are likely complex and varied but may include: bacterial adaptations to ameliorate fitness costs associated with maintenance and replication of resistance genes and associated proteins, horizontal transmission of genetic resistance determinants between bacteria, physical transfer of bacteria via movement (of animals, workers, and equipment), ineffective cleaning and disinfection, and co‐selection of resistance to certain drugs by use of other antimicrobials, heavy metals, or biocides. Areas of particular concern for public health include extended‐spectrum cephalosporinases and fluoroquinolone resistance among Enterobacteriaceae, livestock‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the emergence of transmissible colistin resistance. Aspects of biosecurity have repeatedly been identified as risk factors for the presence of AMR on farm premises, but there are large gaps in our understanding of the most important risk factors and the most effective interventions. The present review aims to summarize the present state of knowledge in this area, from a European perspective.
Different response of bacteria, archaea and fungi to process parameters in nine full‐scale anaerobic digesters
Authors: Langer Susanne G. , Gabris Christina , Einfalt Daniel , Wemheuer Bernd , Kazda Marian , Bengelsdorf Frank R. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryBiogas production is a biotechnological process realized by complex bacterial, archaeal and likely fungal communities. Their composition was assessed in nine full‐scale biogas plants with distinctly differing feedstock input and process parameters. This study investigated the actually active microbial community members by using a comprehensive sequencing approach based on ribosomal 16S and 28S rRNA fragments. The prevailing taxonomical units of each respective community were subsequently linked to process parameters. Ribosomal rRNA of bacteria, archaea and fungi, respectively, showed different compositions with respect to process parameters and supplied feedstocks: (i) bacterial communities were affected by the key factors temperature and ammonium concentration; (ii) composition of archaea was mainly related to process temperature; and (iii) relative abundance of fungi was linked to feedstocks supplied to the digesters. Anaerobic digesters with a high methane yield showed remarkably similar bacterial communities regarding identified taxonomic families. Although archaeal communities differed strongly on genus level from each other, the respective digesters still showed high methane yields. Functional redundancy of the archaeal communities may explain this effect. 28S rRNA sequences of fungi in all nine full‐scale anaerobic digesters were primarily classified as facultative anaerobic Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Since the presence of ribosomal 28S rRNA indicates that fungi may be active in the biogas digesters, further research should be carried out to examine to which extent they are important players in anaerobic digestion processes.
Genome‐wide association studies reveal genetic loci associated with plasma cholinesterase activity in ducks
Authors: Xu Y. , Liu H. , Jiang Y. , Fan W. , Hu J. , Zhang Y. , Guo Z. , Xie M. , Huang W. , Liu X. , Zhou Z. , Hou S. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryPlasma cholinesterase (PCHE) activity is an important auxiliary test in human clinical medicine. It can distinguish liver diseases from non‐liver diseases and help detect organophosphorus poisoning. Animal experiments have confirmed that PCHE activity is associated with obesity and hypertension and changes with physiological changes in an animal's body. The objective of this study was to locate the genetic loci responsible for PCHE activity variation in ducks. PCHE activity of Pekin duck × mallard F2 ducks at 3 and 8 weeks of age were analyzed, and genome‐wide association studies were conducted. A region of about 1.5 Mb (21.8–23.3 Mb) on duck chromosome 9 was found to be associated with PCHE activity at both 3 and 8 weeks of age. The top SNP, g.22643979C>T in the butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) gene, was most highly associated with PCHE activity at 3 weeks (−logP = 21.45) and 8 weeks (−logP = 27.60) of age. For the top SNP, the strong associations of CC and CT genotypes with low PCHE activity and the TT genotype with high PCHE activity indicates the dominant inheritance of low PCHE activity. Problems with block inheritance or linkage exist in this region. This study supports that BCHE is a functional gene for determining PCHE levels in ducks and that the genetic variations around this gene can cause phenotypic variations of PCHE activity.
Initiation Sequence of E‐Cigarette and Cigarette Smoking Among US Adolescents: A National Study
Authors: McCabe Sean Esteban , Veliz Philip , McCabe Vita V. , Boyd Carol J. 
Published: April 2019

Background and ObjectivesThe primary objectives were to: (1) examine the initiation sequence of e‐cigarette use and cigarette smoking; (2) assess other substance use as a function of the initiation sequence of e‐cigarettes and cigarettes; and (3) investigate the role of early e‐cigarette initiation among US secondary school students.MethodsData were collected via self‐administered questionnaires from independent 2015 and 2016 nationally representative cross‐sectional samples of 8th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade students (N = 36 410).ResultsThe lifetime initiation sequence included: (1) e‐cigarette use before cigarette smoking (1.7%); (2) e‐cigarette use and cigarette smoking in same grade (4.2%); (3) cigarette smoking before e‐cigarette use (6.1%); (4) e‐cigarette use only (12.6%); (5) cigarette smoking only (3.6%); and (6) no e‐cigarette use or cigarette smoking (71.8%). The risk of substance use was highest among dual users (regardless of initiation sequence), followed by cigarette smokers, e‐cigarette users, and no e‐cigarette use or cigarette smoking. The most prevalent initiation sequence of e‐cigarette use involved initiating other substances before e‐cigarettes, especially among older adolescents. Early initiation of e‐cigarette use was associated with increased odds of substance use behaviors for all three age groups.Discussion and ConclusionsAdolescents who report a history of both e‐cigarette use and cigarette smoking should be considered at high risk for substance‐related problems. Early initiation of e‐cigarette use is a signal for other substance use.Scientific SignificanceYouth substance use prevention programs and prospective studies must take into account polysubstance use when addressing the relationships between e‐cigarette use and cigarette smoking. (Am J Addict 2019;28:285–294)
Prediction Analysis for Microbiome Sequencing Data
Authors: Wang Tao , Yang Can , Zhao Hongyu 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
One goal of human microbiome studies is to relate host traits with human microbiome compositions. The analysis of microbial community sequencing data presents great statistical challenges, especially when the samples have different library sizes and the data are overdispersed with many zeros. To address these challenges, we introduce a new statistical framework, called predictive analysis in metagenomics via inverse regression (PAMIR), to analyze microbiome sequencing data. Within this framework, an inverse regression model is developed for overdispersed microbiota counts given the trait, and then a prediction rule is constructed by taking advantage of the dimension-reduction structure in the model. An efficient Monte Carlo expectation-maximization algorithm is proposed for maximum likelihood estimation. The method is further generalized to accommodate other types of covariates. We demonstrate the advantages of PAMIR through simulations and two real data examples.
Using pastoral ideology to understand human–wildlife coexistence in arid agricultural landscapes
Authors: Laverty Theresa M. , Teel Tara L. , Thomas Rebecca E. W. , Gawusab A. Archie , Berger Joel 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntegrating social and ecological knowledge is requisite for solutions to global conservation problems, including human–wildlife conflict, but gathering sufficient data to facilitate integration has proved difficult. Social–ecological systems models have also traditionally overlooked individual human thought and behavior that can affect the success of management interventions. In response to these challenges, we drew upon psychological theory and long‐term ecological data on wildlife populations and conflict occurrence to inform qualitative research on pastoralists' values toward wildlife in the northern Namib Desert. We explored how values and ecological conditions shaped individuals': (a) interactions with and tolerance of species; and (b) perceptions of challenges and potential solutions to living with wildlife. Semi‐structured interview data revealed a prevailing domination value orientation toward wildlife, reflected in concerns for human and livestock wellbeing. Despite these concerns and high rates of reported conflicts, pastoralists were generally tolerant of wildlife, including predators, and indicated this in their proposed management solutions. In addition to its practical implications for informing human–wildlife coexistence strategies in the Namibian context, our approach advances knowledge about wildlife values globally, offers insights on the utility of qualitative assessments for cross‐cultural social–ecological systems research, and furthers understanding of conservation challenges and opportunities in extreme arid environments.
Field observation of predation on a horsehair worm (Gordioida: Chordodidae) by a diving beetle larva Cybister brevis Aubé (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
Authors: Watanabe Reiya 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDiving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) are carnivorous in both the larval and adult stages; larvae are exclusively predatory, whereas adults also scavenge for food. They are known to prey on zooplankton, insects, gastropods, fish, amphibians and reptiles. However, there have been no previous reports detailing direct predation on adult Gordioida by Dytiscidae in the field. This study represents the first observation of a diving beetle larva, Cybister brevis Aubé (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), predating on an adult horsehair worm (Gordioida: Chordodidae). This might be the first report of predation on horsehair worms by insects.
Protective effect of alpha‐lipoic acid against apical periodontitis‐induced cardiac injury in rats
Authors: Sehirli Ahmet Ö. , Aksoy Umut , Kermeoglu Fatma , Kalender Atakan , Savtekin Gokce , Ozkayalar Hanife , Sayiner Serkan 
Published: April 2019

This study was designed to assess the possible protective effect of alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) on apical periodontitis (AP)‐induced cardiac injury. Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups: control; ALA; AP; and ALA + AP. Rats of the control and ALA groups were not endodontically treated, but saline and ALA (100 mg kg−1) were administered. In rats of the AP and ALA + AP groups, the pulp chambers of mandibular first molar teeth were exposed and left open for 30 d to induce AP. Saline and ALA (100 mg kg−1) were administered intraperitoneally every 24 h during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the rats were killed. Establishment of AP was verified by radiographic and histopathological evaluation. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined using an automated biochemical analyzer, and the structural cardiac injury was assessed pathologically. Serum ALP, LDH, and CK activities were elevated, and SOD activities were decreased, in the AP group. The changed enzyme activities were significantly normalized by treatment with ALA. We conclude that ALA administration alleviated the AP‐induced heart injury and improved cardiac structure and function, and therefore this agent may be of potential therapeutic value in protecting cardiac tissue from systemic injury caused by AP.
A telomerase subunit homolog La protein from Trypanosoma brucei plays an essential role in ribosomal biogenesis
Authors: Shan Fangzhen , Mei Song , Zhang Jiahai , Zhang Xuecheng , Xu Chao , Liao Shanhui , Tu Xiaoming 
Published: April 2019

The autoantigen La protein is an important component of telomerase and a predominantly nuclear phosphoprotein. As a telomerase subunit, La protein associates with the telomerase ribonucleoprotein and influences telomere length. In the reverse transcription, La protein stimulates enzymatic activity and increases repeated addition processivity of telomerase. As nuclear phosphoprotein, La protein binds the 3′ poly(U)‐rich elements of nascent RNA polymerase III transcripts to facilitate its correct folding and maturation. In this work, we identified a La protein homolog (TbLa) from Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei). We revealed that TbLa interacts with ribosome‐associated protein P34/P37, 40S ribosomal protein SA, and 60S ribosomal subunit L5 in T. brucei. In the interactions between TbLa protein and (P34/P37)/L5/SA, RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain of TbLa was indicated to make the major contribution to the processes. We determined the solution structure of TbLa RRM domain. NMR chemical shift perturbations revealed that the positively charged RNA‐binding pocket of TbLa RRM domain is responsible for its interaction with ribosomal and ribosome‐associated proteins P37/L5/SA. Furthermore, depletion of TbLa affected the maturation process of 5S rRNA and ribosomal assembly, suggesting TbLa protein might play a significant role in the ribosomal biogenesis pathway in T. brucei. Taken together, our results provide a novel insight and structural basis for better understanding the roles of TbLa and RRM domain in ribosomal biogenesis in T. brucei.DatabaseStructural data are available in the PDB under the accession number 5ZUH.
Two Nimrod receptors, NimC1 and Eater, synergistically contribute to bacterial phagocytosis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Melcarne Claudia , Ramond Elodie , Dudzic Jan , Bretscher Andrew J. , Kurucz Éva , Andó István , Lemaitre Bruno 
Published: April 2019

Eater and NimC1 are transmembrane receptors of the Drosophila Nimrod family, specifically expressed in haemocytes, the insect blood cells. Previous ex vivo and in vivoRNAi studies have pointed to their role in the phagocytosis of bacteria. Here, we have created a novel NimC1 null mutant to re‐evaluate the role of NimC1, alone or in combination with Eater, in the cellular immune response. We show that NimC1 functions as an adhesion molecule ex vivo, but in contrast to Eater it is not required for haemocyte sessility in vivo. Ex vivo phagocytosis assays and electron microscopy experiments confirmed that Eater is the main phagocytic receptor for Gram‐positive, but not Gram‐negative bacteria, and contributes to microbe tethering to haemocytes. Surprisingly, NimC1 deletion did not impair phagocytosis of bacteria, nor their adhesion to the haemocytes. However, phagocytosis of both types of bacteria was almost abolished in NimC11;eater1 haemocytes. This indicates that both receptors contribute synergistically to the phagocytosis of bacteria, but that Eater can bypass the requirement for NimC1. Finally, we uncovered that NimC1, but not Eater, is essential for uptake of latex beads and zymosan particles. We conclude that Eater and NimC1 are the two main receptors for phagocytosis of bacteria in Drosophila, and that each receptor likely plays distinct roles in microbial uptake.
Officers’ fiduciary duties and acquisition outcomes
Authors: Reza Syed Walid 
Published: April 2019

AbstractUsing a Delaware case law that recognized officers’ distinct fiduciary duties for the first time in 2009, I examine the effect of officers' fiduciary duties (OFDs) on corporate acquisitions. I find that firms with entrenched officers prior to 2009 experienced increased announcement‐period abnormal stock returns, mainly because their acquisitions created more synergies and reduced officers’ incentives to preserve control. These firms increased liability insurance premium expenditures, but reduced value‐decreasing acquisition frequencies. Furthermore, the effect of OFDs is more pronounced in firms where officers are not directors, have wealth risk, face less product market competition, are insulated from the market for corporate control, or are able to avoid board monitoring. Overall, OFDs are a critical corporate governance mechanism that works in tandem with other disciplinary mechanisms.
Strong zonation of benthic communities across a tidal freshwater height gradient
Authors: McLachlan Jack R. , Haghkerdar Jessica M. , Greig Hamish S. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Trade‐offs associated with environmental gradients generate patterns of diversity and govern community organisation in a landscape. In freshwaters, benthic community structure is driven by trade‐offs along generally orthogonal gradients of habitat permanence and predation—where ephemeral systems are physiologically harsh because of drying stress, but inhabitants are less likely to be under the intense predation pressure of more permanent waterbodies. However, in tidal freshwaters, these two stressors are compounding, and the trade‐offs associated with them are decoupled.

We investigated benthic community structure in a tidal freshwater habitat. These communities experience a suite of conditions atypical for a freshwater habitat: twice‐daily drying; and high predation pressure by mobile fishes. We compared benthic communities at three tidal heights (low, mid, high) and contrasted these with nearby non‐tidal freshwaters that varied in their hydrology (permanent, temporary).

We found that communities were more strongly differentiated in tidal freshwater habitats than between permanent and temporary inland freshwaters, which was surprising given the high interconnectedness and condensed longitudinal scale of tidal habitats. The differentiation of communities in tidal habitats was probably driven by the combined gradients of desiccation risk at low tide and intense predation by fish at high tide—a combination of pressures that are novel for the evolutionary history of the regional freshwater invertebrate fauna.

Our study provides evidence that environmental gradients can produce stronger patterns of community zonation than would be predicted for habitats that are spatially contiguous and have little or no dispersal limitation. These results give insight into how communities might respond if drivers of community structure are altered or reorganised from their regional or evolutionary norms.
Developing allometric models to predict the individual aboveground biomass of shrubs worldwide
Authors: Conti G. , Gorné L. D. , Zeballos S. R. , Lipoma M. L. , Gatica G. , Kowaljow E. , Whitworth‐Hulse J. I. , Cuchietti A. , Poca M. , Pestoni S. , Fernandes P. M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimExisting global models to predict standing biomass are based on trees characterized by a single principal stem, well developed in height. However, their use in open woodlands and shrublands, characterized by multistemmed species with substantial crown development, generates a high level of uncertainty in biomass estimates. This limitation led us to (a) develop global models of shrub individual aboveground biomass based on simple allometric variables, (b) to compare the fit of these models with existing global biomass models, and (c) to assess whether models fit change when bioclimatic variables are considered.LocationGlobal.Time periodPresent.Major taxa studied118 species of shrubs.MethodsWe compile a database of 3,243 individuals across 49 sites distributed worldwide. Including stem basal diameter, height and crown diameter as predictor variables, we built potential models and compared their fit using generalized least squares. We used mixed effects models to determine if bioclimatic variables improved the accuracy of biomass models.ResultsAlthough the most important variable in terms of predictive capacity was stem basal diameter, crown diameter significantly improved the models’ fit, followed by height. Four models were finally chosen, with the best model combining all these variables in the same equation [R2 = 0.930, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.476]. Selected models performed as well as established global biomass models. Including the individual bioform significantly improved the models’ fit.Main conclusionsStem basal diameter, crown diameter and height measures could be combined to provide robust aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates of individual shrub species. Our study supplements well‐established models developed for trees, allowing more accurate biomass estimation of multistemmed woody individuals. We further provide tools for a methodological standardization of individual biomass quantification in these species. We expect these results contribute to improve the quality of biomass estimates across ecosystems, but also to generate methodological consensus on field biomass assessments in shrubs.
Family and friends: Supporting oral care in care homes
Authors: Jones Rhiannon J. , Johnson Ilona G. , Morgan Maria Z. 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo consider the role of family and friends in supporting oral care.BackgroundPeople who live in care homes are susceptible to oral health problems, which can be detrimental to their health and personal and social well‐being. External support from family members and friends has been indicated as being important for maintaining oral health for this vulnerable group of care home residents.Materials and methodsQualitative one‐to‐one interviews were undertaken with care home residents, in Cardiff, UK. Further interviews were undertaken with care home personnel with responsibility for oral health care in order to contextualise residents’ interview data. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsA total of 26 interviews were conducted with care home residents and four interviews with care home personnel, across five care homes. Three main themes emanated from the data relating to co‐supporting oral care: supplying oral care products; accessing dental care and enabling self‐management of oral care problems. There were no spouse caregivers; family and friends acted as co‐supporters of oral care providing a link to residents’ pre‐care home lives by informing the care home personnel of their relatives’ normal routines. An overarching theme “balancing roles – maintaining the equilibrium” emerged from the data reflecting the roles that both care home personnel and family and friends had in balancing the needs, care and well‐being of the resident.ConclusionThis study suggests that there are opportunities to improve oral health by providing support for family and friends of those people who are living in care, especially in relation to supplying oral care products, enabling self‐management of oral care problems and accessing dental care.