bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ordinary Icons: Public Discourses and Everyday Lives in an Anxious Europe
Authors: de Koning Anouk , Vollebergh Anick 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTAcross Europe, ethnically diverse neighborhoods figure as key sites in racialized public debates that imagine the nation as white and nonwhite citizens as foreign to the body politic. Drawing on research in Antwerp and Amsterdam, we examine how public discourses come to shape the lives of residents in such iconic sites. We propose the notion ofordinary iconic figuresas a way to understand these connections. Ordinary iconic figures represent generic types that populate national narratives and connect the local and the national as well as the individual and larger categories. These figures come into being in public discourses but are taken up beyond the sphere of politics and media. Such ordinary iconic figures offer commonsense frames for understanding urban landscapes, carve out speaking positions, and come to haunt residents’ sense of self as iconic shadows. They thereby help transport the inequalities laid out in public discourses into people's everyday lives. [urban anthropology, political anthropology, racialization, iconic figures, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Europe]
Systemic inflammation score is a prognostic marker after curative resection in gastric cancer
Authors: Ma Mingzhe , Weng Mingzhe , Chen Fei , Hu Yiren , Lai Jianguo , Wang Yanong , Zhou Ye 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundThe systemic inflammation score (SIS), as calculated from preoperative serum albumin level and lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio, has been demonstrated to be a prognostic marker in cancer. The present study intended to investigate the prognostic role of SIS in gastric cancer patients after curative gastrectomy in comparison with other prognostic markers.MethodsPreoperative SIS was retrospectively calculated in patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between 2007 and 2011 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. The prognostic accuracy of each score was compared utilizing time‐dependent receiver operating characteristics analysis.ResultsThe higher SIS score was associated with older age, larger tumour size, a more advanced tumour‐nodes‐metastasis stage and lymph node status, deeper tumour invasion, the presence of lymphovascular invasion and a poorer overall survival and disease‐free survival. In time‐dependent receiver operating characteristics analysis, the SIS had a higher area under the curve for the prediction of 5‐year overall survival than the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio. The SIS maintained the predictive accuracy superiority throughout the observation period.ConclusionThe SIS is a useful prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients after curative gastrectomy.
Contesting Digital Futures: Urban Politics, Alternative Economies, and the Movement for Technological Sovereignty in Barcelona
Authors: Lynch Casey R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractScholars have offered important critiques of the socio‐spatial processes of contemporary technological development, including the rise of “smart city” urban development models. While these critiques have been essential for understanding contemporary forms of techno‐capitalism and their reach into new areas, this paper calls for a consideration of alternative modes of digital development in urban life beyond the logics of securitisation and capital accumulation. In particular, I examine the critical discourses and experimental practices of a grassroots movement focused on claiming “technological sovereignty” (TS) in Barcelona. The TS movement is a broad, de‐centralised network of cooperatives, associations, and community initiatives experimenting with alternative practices of locally rooted, open‐source digital development. These groups explore democratic and cooperative practices of work, property, production, and consumption in relation to digital technology, based around an ethics of care and a commitment to working through and within local communities. In examining the values, beliefs, and practices of the TS movement, I bring ongoing discussions around digitalisation and the “smart city” into critical conversation with the extensive literature on prefigurative urban politics and postcapitalist economies.
Adhesion G protein–coupled receptors—Candidate metabotropic mechanosensors and novel drug targets
Authors: Langenhan Tobias 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWhile a wide range of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCR) have emerged as prime targets for pharmacological intervention long ago, a distinct group of GPCR has only recently been identified and become a research subject to fundamental and clinical scientists. Adhesion‐type GPCR (aGPCR) are exceptional members of the GPCR superfamily in many aspects: structurally, they appear as chimeric surface molecules that possess signature domains of heptahelical (7TM) and adhesion proteins, many aGPCR are autoproteolytically processed, and several homologues have lately been shown to operate as mechanosensors. Bound together by the recent discovery of tethered agonism in aGPCR, these molecular and functional features have entered first models on how aGPCR are activated. Here, I briefly review recent discoveries pertaining to the role of aGPCR as metabotropic mechanosensors that control a large variety of processes in all major tissue types.
Risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in children with sickle cell disease in the era of conjugate vaccines: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Oligbu Godwin , Fallaha Mohammad , Pay Leon , Ladhani Shamez 
Published: March 2019

SummaryPneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are highly effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in children, including those with sickle cell disease (SCD). A systematic review of the English literature published between 2000 and 2017 was undertaken to evaluate the serotype distribution, clinical presentation and outcomes of IPD in children with SCD in PCV programmes. We identified 475 potential studies and included 16 publications, involving 9438 children up to 22 years of age with SCD and 182 IPD episodes (prevalence, 1·9%. 95% confidence interval [CI], 1·7–2·2%). Septicaemia was the most prevalent clinical presentation (84/137; 61%) followed by lower respiratory tract infection (39/137; 29%) and meningitis (12/137, 9%). More than half the serotypes associated with IPD (88/148; 59·5%) were not included in the 13‐valent PCV; of these, 54% (44/82) were due to serogroup 15. The crude case fatality rate was 11·5% (21/182 cases; 95% CI, 7·3–17·1%). Most cases of IPD in children with SCD were due to serotypes that are not included in any of the licensed PCVs. IPD in children with SCD remains associated with high morbidity and mortality, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to daily penicillin prophylaxis. Until a serotype‐independent pneumococcal vaccine becomes available, higher‐valent PCVs should include serogroup 15 to protect this highly vulnerable group of children.
Immune infiltration in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Shichao , Zhang Erdong , Long Jinhua , Hu Zuquan , Peng Jian , Liu Lina , Tang Fuzhou , Li Long , Ouyang Yan , Zeng Zhu 
Published: March 2019

Immune infiltration of tumors is closely associated with clinical outcome in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Tumor‐infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) regulate cancer progression and are appealing therapeutic targets. The purpose of this study was to determine the composition of TIICs in RCC and further reveal the independent prognostic values of TIICs. CIBERSORT, an established algorithm, was applied to estimate the proportions of 22 immune cell types based on gene expression profiles of 891 tumors. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association of TIICs and immune checkpoint modulators with overall survival (OS). We found that CD8+ T cells were associated with prolonged OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI].01‐.53; P = 0.03) in chromophobe carcinoma (KICH). A higher proportion of regulatory T cells was associated with a worse outcome (HR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.23‐.06; P < 0.01) in renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). In renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), M1 macrophages were associated with a favorable outcome (HR = .43, 95% CI .25‐.72; P < 0.01), while M2 macrophages indicated a worse outcome (HR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.45‐4.47; P < 0.01). Moreover, the immunomodulator molecules CTLA4 and LAG3 were associated with a poor prognosis in KIRC, and IDO1 and PD‐L2 were associated with a poor prognosis in KIRP. This study indicates TIICs are important determinants of prognosis in RCC meanwhile reveals potential targets and biomarkers for immunotherapy development.
New fluoroquinolone compounds with endo‐nortropine derivatives at C‐7 position show antibacterial activity against fluoroquinolone‐resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Salunke Ramkrushna Ashok , Shukla Manjulika , Kaul Grace , Bansal Baldev Raj , Chopra Sidharth , Chhibber Manmohan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA series of new fluoroquinolone analogs (3–18) were prepared, in three steps, by substituting chloro esters and esters with cyclic amines on the C‐7 endo‐nortropine derivatives of difluoroquinolone acid. All the synthesized compounds displayed good MIC against the Staphylococcus aureus when initially screened for Escherichia coli, S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The molecules were further evaluated for their antibacterial activity against fluoroquinolone‐resistant strains of S. aureus and for cytotoxic assay. Based on the results, five of the sixteen compounds displayed the potential to be developed further for treatment against fluoroquinolone‐resistant strains of S. aureus.
How patients choose kidney transplant centers: A qualitative study of patient experiences
Authors: Schaffhausen Cory R. , Bruin Marilyn J. , McKinney Warren T. , Snyder Jon J. , Matas Arthur J. , Kasiske Bertram L. , Israni Ajay K. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLittle is known about how patients make the critical decision of choosing a transplant center. In the United States, acceptance criteria, waiting times, and mortality vary significantly by geography and center. We sought to understand patients' experiences and perspectives when selecting transplant centers. We included 82 kidney transplant patients in 20 semi‐structured interviews, nine focus groups with local candidates, and three focus groups with national recipients. Sites included two local transplant centers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and national recipients from across the United States. Transcripts were analyzed by two researchers using a thematic analysis. Several themes emerged related to priorities and barriers when choosing a center. Patients were often unfamiliar with options, even with multiple local centers. Patients described being referred to a specific center by a trusted provider. Patients prioritized perceived reputation, comfort, and convenience. Insurance coverage was both a source of information and a barrier to options. Patients underestimated differences across centers and the effects on being waitlisted and receiving a transplant. Barriers in decision making included an overwhelming scope of information and difficulty locating information relevant to patients with unique medical needs. Informed decisions could be improved by the dissemination of understandable information better tailored to individual patient needs.
Skin cancer knowledge and photoprotective practices of organ transplant recipients
Authors: Traboulsi Danya , Potok Olivia V. , Ruzycki Shannon M. , Surmanowicz Philip , Hardin Jori , Khokhar Bushra , Rabi Doreen M. , Hazlewood Glen , Mydlarski Paule Régine 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term use of immunosuppressive medications by organ transplant recipients (OTRs) leads to an increased risk of non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The objective of this study was to assess photoprotective knowledge and practices among OTRs and to identify predictors of poor sunscreen adherence and barriers to photoprotection.MethodsA written survey was administered to 300 solid OTRs attending the Southern Alberta Transplant Program. Demographics, transplant and NMSC history, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, photoprotective knowledge and practices, and barriers to implementing photoprotection were collected. Relevant statistical analyses and univariate and multivariable regression models on sunscreen use were performed.ResultsOne hundred and seventy‐nine of the 300 respondents reported not using sunscreen most days despite 79.3% recalling have received photoprotection education. Of the surveyed OTRs, 45.7% reported no barriers to implementing photoprotective practices. On average, respondents scored 74.5% on a commonly used tool to assess photoprotective knowledge (SD 30.6%). In multivariable analyses, older age, male gender, and lack of post‐secondary education were associated with lower rates of self‐reported sunscreen use. The most commonly patient‐reported barriers to photoprotection were “hassle/time consuming” (16.7%) and “sunscreen is uncomfortable or unpleasant” (10.0%).ConclusionsDespite OTRs self‐reporting having received sufficient sun‐protective knowledge and demonstrating reasonable recollection of photoprotective education on assessment, implementation of sun protection in the studied OTRs remains suboptimal.
Molecular characterization and functional analysis of daf‐16‐2b gene in the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Wang Buyong , Wen Rongrong , Ma Ling , Ma Yan , Zhou T. Hua 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Forkhead box O transcription factor DAF‐16 is an important downstream transcription factor in the well‐conserved insulin signalling (IIS) pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. The nuclear localization of DAF‐16 can activate a series of genes that mediate oxidative stress, heat shock, xenobiotic responses, innate immunity, metabolism and autophagy. In this study, a Bxdaf‐16‐2b gene encoding 510 amino acids was cloned from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Sequence analysis showed that the BxDAF‐16‐2b protein shared the highest similarity value (92%) with the DAF16‐2 (accession no. ADD84716.1) of B. xylophilus. Using in situ hybridization, Bxdaf‐16‐2b was shown to be constitutively expressed in the circum‐pharyngeal nerve rings and intestines of males, and in the head neurons and the ovaries of females. Quantitative RT‐PCR showed that the highest gene expression was found in females, followed by juveniles, males and eggs. Bxdaf‐16‐2b expression was up‐regulated after treatment with the botanical pesticides rotenone and matrine. RNA interference showed that the expression of Bxdaf‐16‐2b gene was reduced by dsRNA, and the silencing of Bxdaf‐16‐2b suppressed the expression of several IIS pathway genes. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus showed increased mortality at sublethal doses of rotenone and matrine when subjected to Bxdaf‐16‐2b gene silencing. Thus, Bxdaf‐16‐2b may participate in the stress response of B. xylophilus and play important roles in the immune system. This study paves the way towards design of new drug targets for non‐polluting control of nematodes.
Size, sex and social experience: Experimental tests of multiple factors mediating contest behaviour in a rockpool fish
Authors: Colella Daniel J. , Paijmans Kai C. , Wong Marian Y. L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAggressive contests amongst conspecifics are important to understand from an ecological and evolutionary perspective as contest dynamics can directly influence individual fitness. For some species, individual attributes such as relative body size closely predict the outcome, intensity and duration of contests, whereas for others, prior social experiences play a key role. However, disentangling the relative effects of individual attributes and social experiences is challenging from an experimental perspective, and because of this, few studies have investigated relative effects of multiple factors. Rockpool fishes have been well studied in terms of factors governing abundance, distribution and community structure, but much less so in terms of contest behaviour. This is surprising because contest dynamics are likely to directly affect the distribution of fishes along the rocky shore, and hence indirectly govern population and community composition. Here, we explored multiple factors potentially influencing contest behaviour in a numerically dominant, resident intertidal fish species,Bathygobius cocosensis(Gobiidae). Using a series of staged pairwise contest trials, we investigated the effect of size, sex and social experiences (namely prior residency and winner–loser experiences) on contest dynamics. We found no evidence that prior residency influenced contest outcome, suggesting social experiences play a minor role in contest dynamics. Previous winner/loser experience also did not influence contest outcome, although this is likely a product of low sample size. In addition, the likelihood of winning was unrelated to contestant sex, and the combination of sexes in paired contests did not influence contest intensity or duration. Instead, body size was related to contest outcome, intensity and duration in the majority of experimental trials. These results suggest that body size rather than sex or social experiences is the key determinant of contest dynamics in this species. We suggest that the dynamic biotic and abiotic environment inhabited by intertidal fish may reduce the influence of prior social experiences in modulating contest dynamics.
Deciphering how plant pathogenic bacteria disperse and meet: Molecular epidemiology of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri at microgeographic scales in a tropical area of Asiatic citrus canker endemicity
Authors: Pruvost Olivier , Boyer Karine , Ravigné Virginie , Richard Damien , Vernière Christian 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAlthough some plant pathogenic bacteria represent a significant threat to agriculture, the determinants of their ecological success and evolutionary potential are still poorly understood. Refining our understanding of bacterial strain circulation at small spatial scales and the biological significance and evolutionary consequences of co‐infections are key questions. The study of bacterial population biology can be challenging, because it requires high‐resolution markers that can be genotyped with a high throughput. Here, we overcame this difficulty for Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, a genetically monomorphic bacterium causing Asiatic citrus canker (ACC). Using a genotyping method that did not require cultivating the bacterium or purifying DNA, we deciphered the pathogen's spatial genetic structure at several microgeographic scales, down to single lesion, in a situation of ACC endemicity. In a grove where copper was recurrently applied for ACC management, copper‐susceptible and copper‐resistant X. citri pv. citri coexisted and the bacterial population structured as three genetic clusters, suggesting a polyclonal contamination. The range of spatial dependency, estimated for the two largest clusters, was four times greater for the cluster predominantly composed of copper‐resistant bacteria. Consistently, the evenness value calculated for this cluster was indicative of increased transmission. Linkage disequilibrium was high even at a tree scale, probably due to a combination of clonality and admixture. Approximately 1% of samples exhibited within‐lesion multilocus polymorphism, explained at least in part by polyclonal infections. Canker lesions, which are of major biological significance as an inoculum source, may also represent a preferred niche for horizontal gene transfer. This study points out the potential of genotyping data for estimating the range of spatial dependency of plant bacterial pathogens, an important parameter for guiding disease management strategies.
Classification of congestive heart failure with different New York Heart Association functional classes based on heart rate variability indices and machine learning
Authors: Qu Zhaohui , Liu Qianwen , Liu Chengyu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the effect of heart rate variability (HRV) indices on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification of patients with congestive heart failure and to test the effectiveness of different machine learning algorithms. Twenty‐nine long‐term RR interval recordings from subjects (aged 34 to 79) with congestive heart failure (NYHA classes I, II, and III) in MIT‐BIH Database were studied. We firstly removed the unreasonable RR intervals and segment the RR recordings with a 300‐RR interval length window. Then the multiple HRV indexes were calculated for each RR segment. Support vector machine (SVM) and classification and regression tree (CART) methods were then separately used to distinguish patients with different NYHA classes based on the selected HRV indices. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was finally employed as the evaluation indicator to compare the performance of the two classifiers. The SVM classifier achieved accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 84.0%, 71.2%, and 83.4%, respectively, whereas the CART classifier achieved 81.4%, 66.5%, and 81.6%, respectively. The area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic for the two classifiers was 86.4% and 84.7%, respectively. It is possible for accurately classifying the NYHA functional classes I, II, and III when using the combination of HRV indices and machine learning algorithms. The SVM classifier performed better in classification than the CART classifier using the same HRV indices.