bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prickly pairs: the proportion of spinescent species does not differ between islands and mainlands
Authors: Meredith Floret L , Tindall Marianne L , Hemmings Frank A , Moles Angela T 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimsOrganisms on islands are thought to escape biotic pressure and lose defensive capabilities. However, broadscale, evidence-based tests of this idea are rare. In this study, we asked: (i) whether the proportion of spinescent plant species differed between islands and mainlands and (ii) whether the proportion of spinescent species increased with increasing island area and with decreasing island distance to mainland.MethodsWe compiled species lists for 18 island–mainland pairs around Australia. We classified 1129 plant species as spinescent or non-spinescent using published species descriptions.Important FindingsThere was no significant difference between the proportion of spinescent species found on islands and on mainlands. Proportions of spinescent species were not significantly related to island area or distance to mainland. Our results suggest that spinescence is just as important to island plants as it is to mainland plants, even for plants inhabiting small or distal islands. This is unexpected, given prevailing thought and previous work on island–mainland comparisons. Our study demonstrates the importance of testing well-accepted yet untested ideas.
Postoperative pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy reduced the incidence of late gastrointestinal complications for uterine cervical cancer patients
Authors: Tsuchida Keisuke , Murakami Naoya , Kato Tomoyasu , Okuma Kae , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Kashihara Tairo , Takahashi Kana , Inaba Koji , Igaki Hiroshi , Nakayama Yuko , Nakano Takashi , Itami Jun 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare incidences of late gastrointestinal adverse events and clinical outcomes between 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer patients. Between March 2007 and May 2014, 73 cervical cancer patients with high-risk prognostic factors (pelvic lymph node metastasis and/or parametrial invasion) underwent postoperative pelvic radiation therapy (RT) after radical hysterectomy. Of these patients, 33 (45%) and 40 (55%) received 3DCRT and IMRT, respectively. Because the gastrointestinal obstruction rate after postoperative pelvic 3DCRT was high, no concurrent chemotherapy was applied until 2015. The median follow-up period for patients with 3DCRT and IMRT was 82 months (6–113) and 50 months (5–74), respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) (4-year OS: 85% vs 78%, P = 0.744) or disease-free survival (DFS) (4-year DFS: 73% vs 64%, P = 0.696) between the two groups. Eleven (33%) and 13 (33%) patients experienced recurrence after 3DCRT and IMRT, respectively. The patients who had vaginal invasion from the postoperative pathological finding more frequently had loco-regional recurrence than the patients who did not have vaginal invasion (2.3% vs 17%, P = 0.033). Gastrointestinal obstruction was observed in 9 (27%) and 3 (7.5%) patients for 3DCRT and for IMRT, respectively (P = 0.026). Severe gastrointestinal obstruction that required surgery was observed in 6 (19%) patients, all of whom received adjuvant RT by 3DCRT. IMRT could reduce the incidence of late severe gastrointestinal obstruction after postoperative pelvic RT with a non-inferior clinical efficacy compared with 3DCRT.
WALLABY early science – III. An H i study of the spiral galaxy NGC 1566
Authors: Elagali A , Staveley-Smith L , Rhee J , Wong O I , Bosma A , Westmeier T , Koribalski B S , Heald G , For B-Q , Kleiner D , Lee-Waddell K , Madrid J P , Popping A , Reynolds T N , Meyer M J , Allison J R , Lagos C D P , Voronkov M A , Serra P , Shao L , Wang J , Anderson C S , Bunton J D , Bekiaris G , Walsh W M , Kilborn V A , Kamphuis P , Oh S-H 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on the atomic hydrogen gas (H i) observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 1566 using the newly commissioned Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder radio telescope. We measure an integrated H i flux density of $180.2$ Jy km s−1 emanating from this galaxy, which translates to an H i mass of $1.94\times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$ at an assumed distance of $21.3$ Mpc. Our observations show that NGC 1566 has an asymmetric and mildly warped H i disc. The H i-to-stellar mass fraction (M$_{\rm{H\,{{\small I}}}}$/M∗) of NGC 1566 is 0.29, which is high in comparison with galaxies that have the same stellar mass ($10^{10.8}$ M⊙). We also derive the rotation curve of this galaxy to a radius of $50$ kpc and fit different mass models to it. The NFW, Burkert, and pseudo-isothermal dark matter halo profiles fit the observed rotation curve reasonably well and recover dark matter fractions of 0.62, 0.58, and 0.66, respectively. Down to the column density sensitivity of our observations ($N_{\rm{H\,{{\small I}}}}\, =\, 3.7\times 10^{19}$ cm−2), we detect no H i clouds connected to, or in the nearby vicinity of, the H i disc of NGC 1566 nor nearby interacting systems. We conclude that, based on a simple analytic model, ram pressure interactions with the IGM can affect the H i disc of NGC 1566 and is possibly the reason for the asymmetries seen in the H i morphology of NGC 1566.
Infective endocarditis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: O’Connor C T , O’Rourke S , Buckley A , Murphy R , Crean P , Foley B , Maree A , Ryan R , Tolan M , Young V , O’Connell B , Daly C 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially life-threatening infection of the heart’s endocardial surface. Despite advances in the diagnosis and management of IE, morbidity and mortality remain high.

Aim
To characterize the demographics, bacteriology and outcomes of IE cases presenting to an Irish tertiary referral centre.

Design
Retrospective cohort study.

Methods
Patients were identified using Hospital Inpatient Enquiry and Clinical Microbiology inpatient consult data, from January 2005 to January 2014. Patients were diagnosed with IE using Modified Duke Criteria. Standard Bayesian statistics were employed for analysis and cases were compared to contemporary international registries.

Results
Two hundred and two patients were diagnosed with IE during this period. Mean age 54 years. Of these, 136 (67%) were native valve endocarditis (NVE), 50 (25%) were prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and 22 (11%) were cardiovascular implantable electronic device-associated endocarditis. Culprit organism was identified in 176 (87.1%) cases and Staphylococcal species were the most common (57.5%). Fifty-nine per cent of NVE required surgery compared to 66% of PVE. Mean mortality rate was 17.3%, with NVE being the lowest (12.5%) and PVE the highest (32%). Increasing age was also associated with increased mortality. Fifty-three (26.2%) patients had embolic complications.

Conclusions
This Irish cohort exhibited first-world demographic patterns comparable to those published in contemporary international literature. PVE required surgery more often and was associated with higher rates of mortality than NVE. Embolic complications were relatively common and represent important sequelae, especially in the intravenous drug user population. It is also pertinent to aggressively treat older cohorts as they were associated with increased mortality.
Characteristics and management of giant cell arteritis in France: a study based on national health insurance claims data
Authors: Mahr Alfred , Belhassen Manon , Paccalin Marc , Devauchelle-Pensec Valérie , Nolin Maeva , Gandon Sophie , Idier Isabelle , Hachulla Eric 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Objective
Few data are available on the epidemiology and management of GCA in real life. We aimed to address this situation by using health insurance claims data for France.

Methods
This retrospective study used the Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires (EGB) database, a 1% representative sample of the French national health insurance system. The EGB contains anonymous data on long-term disease status, hospitalizations and reimbursement claims for 752 717 people. Data were collected between 2007 and 2015. The index date was defined as the date of the first occurrence of a GCA code. Demographics, comorbidities, diagnostic tests and therapies were analysed. Annual incidence rates were calculated, and incident and overall GCA cases were studied.

Results
We identified 241 patients with GCA. The annual incidence was 7–10/100 000 people ⩾50 years old. Among the 117 patients with incident GCA, 74.4% were females, with mean age 77.6 years and mean follow-up 2.2 years. After the index date, 51.3% underwent temporal artery biopsy and 29.1% high-resolution Doppler ultrasonography. Among the whole cohort, 84.3% used only glucocorticoids. The most-prescribed glucocorticoid-sparing agent was methotrexate (12.0%).

Conclusion
The incidence of GCA in France is 7–10/100 000 people ⩾ 50 years old. Adjunct agents, mainly methotrexate, are given to only a few patients. The use of temporal artery biopsy in only half of the patients might reflect a shift toward the use of imaging techniques to diagnose GCA.
Epigenome-wide association analysis of daytime sleepiness in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis reveals African-American-specific associations
Authors: Barfield Richard , Wang Heming , Liu Yongmei , Brody Jennifer A , Swenson Brenton , Li Ruitong , Bartz Traci M , Sotoodehnia Nona , Chen Yii-der I , Cade Brian E , Chen Han , Patel Sanjay R , Zhu Xiaofeng , Gharib Sina A , Johnson W Craig , Rotter Jerome I , Saxena Richa , Purcell Shaun , Lin Xihong , Redline Susan , Sofer Tamar 
Published: May 2019

AbstractStudy ObjectivesDaytime sleepiness is a consequence of inadequate sleep, sleep–wake control disorder, or other medical conditions. Population variability in prevalence of daytime sleepiness is likely due to genetic and biological factors as well as social and environmental influences. DNA methylation (DNAm) potentially influences multiple health outcomes. Here, we explored the association between DNAm and daytime sleepiness quantified by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).MethodsWe performed multi-ethnic and ethnic-specific epigenome-wide association studies for DNAm and ESS in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA; n = 619) and the Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 483), with cross-study replication and meta-analysis. Genetic variants near ESS-associated DNAm were analyzed for methylation quantitative trait loci and followed with replication of genotype-sleepiness associations in the UK Biobank.ResultsIn MESA only, we detected four DNAm-ESS associations: one across all race/ethnic groups; three in African-Americans (AA) only. Two of the MESA AA associations, in genes KCTD5 and RXRA, nominally replicated in CHS (p-value < 0.05). In the AA meta-analysis, we detected 14 DNAm-ESS associations (FDR q-value < 0.05, top association p-value = 4.26 × 10−8). Three DNAm sites mapped to genes (CPLX3, GFAP, and C7orf50) with biological relevance. We also found evidence for associations with DNAm sites in RAI1, a gene associated with sleep and circadian phenotypes. UK Biobank follow-up analyses detected SNPs in RAI1, RXRA, and CPLX3 with nominal sleepiness associations.ConclusionsWe identified methylation sites in multiple genes possibly implicated in daytime sleepiness. Most significant DNAm-ESS associations were specific to AA. Future work is needed to identify mechanisms driving ancestry-specific methylation effects.
Whitewashing Slavery: Legacy of Slavery and White Social Outcomes
Authors: Reece Robert L 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLegacy of slavery research has branched out into an important new niche in social science research by making empirical connections between the trans-Atlantic slave trade and contemporary social outcomes. However, the vast majority of this research examines black-white inequality or black disadvantage without devoting corresponding attention to the other side of inequality: white advantage. This study expands the legacy of slavery conversation by exploring whether white populations accrue long-term benefits from slave labor. Specifically, I deploy historical understandings of racial boundary formation and theories of durable inequality to argue that white populations in places that relied more heavily on slave labor should experience better social and economic outcomes than white population in places that relied less on slave labor. I test this argument using OLS regression and county-level data from the 1860 United States Census, the 2010–2014 American Community Survey (ACS), and the 2014 United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS). The results support my hypothesis. Historical reliance on slave labor predicts better white outcomes on five of six metrics. I discuss the implications of these findings for race, slavery, whiteness studies, and reparations.
Co-Registration of Optoacoustic Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data from Murine Tumour Models
Authors: Gehrung Marcel , Tomaszewski Michal , McIntyre Dominick , Disselhorst Jonathan , Bohndiek Sarah 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAs optoacoustic tomography emerges as a mainstream preclinical imaging modality, understanding the relationship between optoacoustic and other imaging biomarkers in the context of the underlying tissue biology becomes vitally important. For example, assessment of blood haemoglobin concentration and oxygenation can be achieved using OT, and also by several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based techniques. To evaluate the relationship between these metrics and the relative performance of the two modalities in assessment of haemoglobin physiology, co-registration of their output imaging data is required. Unfortunately, this poses a significant challenge due to differences in the data acquisition geometries. Here, we present an integrated framework for registration of OT and MR image data in small animals. Our framework combines a novel MR animal holder, to improve animal positioning for deformable tissues, and a landmark-based software co-registration algorithm. We demonstrate that our protocol significantly improves registration of both body and tumour contours between these modalities.
Dynamics of murine brain protein synthesisin vivoidentify the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum as highly active metabolic sites
Authors: Ng Ser Sue , Park Jung Eun , Meng Wei , Chen Christopher Li-Hsian , Kalaria Raj N. , McCarthy Neil E. , Sze Siu Kwan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIdentification of proteins that are synthesizedde novoin response to specific microenvironmental cues is critical to understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin key physiological processes and pathologies. Here we report that a brief period of pulsed SILAC diet (Stable Isotope Labelling by Amino acids in Cell culture) enables determination of biological functions corresponding to actively translating proteins in the mouse brain. Our data demonstrate that the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum are highly active sites of protein synthesis, rapidly expressing key mediators of nutrient sensing and lipid metabolism, as well as critical regulators of synaptic function, axon guidance, and circadian entrainment. Together, these findings confirm that protein metabolic activity varies significantly between brain regionsin vivoand indicate that pSILAC-based approaches can identify specific anatomical sites and biological pathways likely to be suitable for drug targeting in neurodegenerative disorders.AbbreviationsApoA1: Apolipoprotein A1, ApoA4: Apolipoprotein A4, ApoE: Apolipoprotein E, ApoJ/Clu: Apolipoprotein J/Clusterin, App: Amyloid-β precursor/A4 protein: App, HDL: high density lipoprotein, Lrp1: Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, pSILAC: pulsed SILAC, pSIVOM: pulsed-SILAC in vivo labelling in mouse, SILAC: Stable Isotope Labelling by Amino acids in Cell culture)
Bactericidal Type IV Secretion System Homeostasis in Xanthomonas citri
Authors: Cenens William , Andrade Maxuel O. , Farah Chuck S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSeveral Xanthomonas species have a type IV secretion system (T4SS) that injects a cocktail of antibacterial proteins into neighbouring Gram-negative bacteria, often leading to rapid lysis upon cell contact. This capability represents an obvious fitness benefit since it can eliminate competition while the liberated contents of the lysed bacteria could provide an increase in the local availability of nutrients. However, the production of this Mega Dalton-sized T4SS, with over a hundred subunits, also imposes a significant metabolic cost. Here we show that the chromosomal virB operon, which encodes the entirety of structural genes of the T4SS in X. citri, is regulated by the global regulator CsrA. Relieving CsrA repression from the virB operon produced a greater number of T4SSs in the cell envelope and an increased efficiency in contact dependent lysis of target cells. However, this was also accompanied by a physiological cost leading to reduced fitness when in co-culture with wild-type X. citri. We show that T4SS production is constitutive despite being downregulated by CsrA. Cells subjected to a wide range of rich and poor growth conditions maintain a constant density of T4SSs in the cell envelope and concomitant interbacterial competitiveness. These results show that CsrA provides a constant though partial repression on the virB operon, independent of the tested growth conditions, in this way controlling T4SS-related costs while at the same time maintaining X. citri’s aggressive posture when confronted by competitors.Author SummaryXanthomonas citri is a member of a family of phytopathogenic bacteria that can cause substantial losses in crops. At different stages of the infection cycle, these cells will encounter other bacterial species with whom they will have to compete for space and nutrients. One mechanism which improves a cell’s chance to survive these encounters is a type IV secretion system that transfers a cocktail of antimicrobial effector proteins into other Gram-negative bacteria in a contact-dependent manner. Here, we show that this system is constitutively produced at a low basal level, even during low nutrient conditions, despite representing a significant metabolic burden to the cell. The conserved global regulator, CsrA, provides a constant, nutrient-independent, repression on the production T4SS components, thereby holding production costs to a minimum while at the same time ensuring X. citri’s competitiveness during encounters with bacterial rivals.
Biosynthesis of an Anti-Addiction Agent from the Iboga Plant
Authors: Farrow Scott C. , Kamileen Mohamed O. , Caputi Lorenzo , Bussey Kate , Mundy Julia E. A. , McAtee Rory C. , Stephenson Corey R. J. , O’Connor Sarah E. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract(−)-Ibogaine and (−)-voacangine are plant derived psychoactives that show promise as effective treatments for opioid addiction. However, these compounds are produced by hard to source plants making these chemicals difficult for broad-scale use. Here we report the complete biosynthesis of (−)-voacangine, and de-esterified voacangine, which is converted to (−)-ibogaine by heating. This discovery will enable production of these compounds by synthetic biology methods. Notably, (−)-ibogaine and (−)-voacangine are of the opposite enantiomeric configuration compared to the other major alkaloids found in this natural product class. Discovery of these biosynthetic enzymes therefore demonstrates how nature generates both enantiomeric series of this medically important alkaloid scaffold using closely related enzymes, including those that catalyze enantioselective formal Diels-Alder reactions.One Sentence SummaryBiosynthesis of iboga alkaloids with anti-addiction promise reveals enantioselectivity of enzymatic Diels-Alder reactions.
Amoxicillin inactivation by thiol-catalyzed cyclization reduces protein haptenation and antibacterial potency
Authors: Pajares María A. , Zimmerman Tahl , Sánchez-Gómez Francisco J. , Ariza Adriana , Torres María J. , Blanca Miguel , Cañada F. Javier , Montañez María I. , Pérez-Sala Dolores 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSerum and cellular proteins are targets for the formation of adducts with the β-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin. This process could be important for the development of adverse, and in particular, allergic reactions to this antibiotic. In studies exploring protein haptenation by amoxicillin, we observed that reducing agents influenced the extent of amoxicillin-protein adducts formation. Consequently, we show that thiol-containing compounds, including dithiothreitol, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and glutathione, perform a nucleophilic attack on the amoxicillin molecule that is followed by an internal rearrangement leading to amoxicillin diketopiperazine, a known amoxicillin metabolite with residual activity. The effect of thiols is catalytic and can render complete amoxicillin conversion. Interestingly, this process is dependent on the presence of an amino group in the antibiotic lateral chain, as in amoxicillin and ampicillin. Furthermore, it does not occur for other β-lactam antibiotics, including cefaclor or benzylpenicillin. Biological consequences of thiol-mediated amoxicillin transformation are exemplified by a reduced bacteriostatic action and a lower capacity of thiol-treated amoxicillin to form protein adducts. Finally, modulation of the intracellular redox status through inhibition of glutathione synthesis influenced the extent of amoxicillin adduct formation with cellular proteins. These results open novel perspectives for the understanding of amoxicillin metabolism and actions, including the formation of adducts involved in allergic reactions.
Molecular flux control encodes distinct cytoskeletal responses by specifying SRC signaling pathway usage
Authors: Kerjouan Adèle , Boyault Cyril , Oddou Christiane , Hiriart-Bryant Edwige , Grichine Alexei , Kraut Alexandra , Pezet Mylène , Balland Martial , Faurobert Eva , Bonnet Isabelle , Coute Yohann , Fourcade Bertrand , Albiges-Rizo Corinne , Destaing Olivier 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMulti-domain signaling proteins sample numerous stimuli to coordinate distinct cellular responses. Understanding the mechanisms of their pleiotropic signaling activity requires to directly manipulate their activity of decision leading to distinct cellular responses. We developed an optogenetic probe, optoSRC, to control spatio-temporally the SRC kinase, a representative example of versatile signaling node, and challenge its ability to generate different cellular responses. Genesis of different local molecular fluxes of the same optoSRC to adhesion sites, was sufficient to trigger distinct and specific acto-adhesive responses. Collectively, this study reveals how hijacking the pleiotropy of SRC signaling by modulating in space and time subcellular molecular fluxes of active SRC kinases.