bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enterococcal bacteraemia ‘silent but deadly’: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Cabiltes Ivana , Coghill Sarah , Bowe Steven J. , Athan Eugene 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe high mortality rate of patients with enterococcal infections has been shown to be associated with the severity of underlying comorbidities.AimsTo characterise the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, outcomes and predictors of mortality in patients with enterococcal bacteraemia.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of all enterococcal bacteraemia episodes in the Barwon region between January 2010 and March 2017. We assessed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, outcomes and predictors of mortality using descriptive statistics and simple and multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe incidence of enterococcal bacteraemia was 19.9/100 000 person‐years. Males comprised 68.4%, and the median age was 71 years. Common comorbidities were gastrointestinal tract disease, urological disease, malignancies and cardiovascular disease. Infective endocarditis was observed in 15% of patients, and 1 of 27 also had colorectal cancer. Twelve patients referred for colonoscopy demonstrated previously undiagnosed colorectal neoplasia in 75% of these cases. The 30‐day and 1‐year mortality rates were 11.7 and 40.2% respectively. Sixty‐nine cases with vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus were observed. Multiple logistic regression suggested that the presence of underlying urological malignancy (adjusted odds ratio = 3.57, 95% confidence intervals = 1.10–11.65, P = 0.035) and colorectal cancer (adjusted odds ratio = 4.47, 95% confidence intervals = 1.36–14.66, P = 0.014) were significant predictors of 1‐year mortality.ConclusionsMicrobiological cure was inversely associated with 30‐day mortality. The presence of underlying urological and colorectal malignancy was a predictor of 1‐year mortality. We identified the importance of evaluating patients with Enterococcus faecalis bacteraemia for underlying colorectal neoplasia. Routine colonoscopy is recommended in patients with E. faecalis bacteraemia or infective endocarditis with an unclear source of infection.
Charlson comorbidity index scores and in‐hospital prognosis of patients with severe acute respiratory infections
Authors: Setter Nicholas W. , Peres Marcos L. , de Almeida Bernardo M. M. , Petterle Ricardo R. , Raboni Sonia M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory infections are one of the leading causes of mortality, and comorbid conditions play a significant role in the severity and fatality of these infections.AimsWe evaluated the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and possible predictors of mortality in hospitalised patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), aiming to test if the CCI is a valid in‐hospital prognostic indicator.MethodsPatients older than 14 years, hospitalised from 2010 to 2016 due to SARI by viral infection and who were submitted to respiratory virus testing were included. We assessed comorbidity retrospectively through chart review and calculated four variants of the CCI.ResultsOf the 291 patients assessed, 72.8% (n = 212) presented comorbidities, and 24% died (n = 70). The most recurrent comorbidities were chronic pulmonary disease (n = 76/212, 36%) and HIV (n = 50/212, 23.6%). The 1994 age‐adjusted CCI predicted in‐hospital mortality in SARI patients (P = 0.04), and HIV was associated with in‐hospital mortality (P = 0.032).ConclusionsThe comorbidity scores used to assess mortality risk in hospitalised patients with SARI displayed poor results, but HIV infection was considered a marker of severity. However, other factors should be considered in order to compose a score system that allows us to specifically assess the risk of mortality in patients with SARI.
Ideologies implicated in IT innovation in government: A critical discourse analysis of Mexico's international trade administration
Authors: Avgerou Chrisanthi , Bonina Carla 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe develop a perspective of IT innovation in the public sector as a process that involves three complementary areas of ideology and concomitant dispute: first, the widespread view of e‐government as a transformative force that leads to major improvements of public sector functions for the benefit of society at large; second, ideologies concerning the substantive policies enacted by public sector organizations; and third, ideology regarding public sector modernization. Our research examines how the objectives of IT projects and their actual effects in government are influenced by such ideologies and contestations that surround them. We develop our theoretical contribution with a critical discourse analysis that traces the ideological underpinnings of two consecutive IT projects for the administration of international trade in Mexico. This analysis associates the objectives of the IT projects with the emergence and ensuing contestation in Mexican politics of two ideologies: the first ideology concerns free international trade as imperative for economic development; the second ideology concerns public sector modernization that sought to overcome historically formed dysfunctionalities of public administration bureaucracies by adopting management practices from the private sector. The analysis then identifies the effects of the ideologically shaped IT projects on two key values of public administration: efficiency and legality. The insights of this research on the role of ideology in IT innovation complement organizational perspectives of e‐government; socio‐cognitive perspectives that focus on ideas and meaning, such as technology frames and organizing visions; and perspectives that focus on politics in IT innovation.
Theoretical and experimental investigations of mechanical properties for polymorphous YTaO4ceramics
Authors: Wu Peng , Zhou Yunxuan , Wu Fushuo , Hu Mingyu , Chong Xiaoyu , Feng Jing 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn this work, the dense bulk polymorphous YTaO4ceramics with M or M' phase are synthesized by spark plasma sintering method accompanying with different tempering procedures. Combined with the nano‐indentation and theoretical calculation, their mechanical properties are systematically investigated. The identification of crystal structure reveals that the YTaO4crystallizes into M phase (space group:I2/a) with higher tempering temperature, otherwise it crystallizes into M' phase (space group:P2/a). The results of mechanical properties indicate M‐phase YTaO4possesses larger Young's modulus and hardness than that of M' phase. It is stemmed from the chemical bonding strength of M phase is stronger than that of M' phase, and the stronger bonding strength of M phase also results in its elastic resilience is superior to M' phase. Besides, on account of the low symmetry of monoclinic crystal system, the Young's modulus of polymorphous YTaO4ceramics exhibit strong anisotropy.
Sintering of metakaolin‐based Na/Ca‐geopolymers and their immobilization of Cs
Authors: Chen Song , Ren Ding , Liu Li‐Ke , Luo Jie , Yang Guang‐Li 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMetakaolin‐based Na/Ca‐geopolymers with a designed composition close to feldspar were used as precursors of Cs immobilization form materials. The sintering behaviors of geopolymers and their sintered materials' immobilization of Cs ions were investigated; the results indicated that the major phases of sintered geopolymers are plagioclase feldspars and feldspathoid. With the addition of Cs to the geopolymers, Cs‐leucite phase and caesium silicates were formed at 1150°C and 1170°C, respectively. It was found that Cs addition can slightly decrease the sintering temperature of geopolymers and make the grains finer. In addition, in order to reduce the volatilization of Cs ions during sintering, sintering temperatures of Cs‐geopolymer were further decreased to 850°C by introducing B2O3. After the geopolymer and Cs‐geopolymer were sintered using a low‐temperature liquid‐phase process, they remained structurally plagioclase feldspars and feldspathoid. Leaching on Product Consistency Test indicates that the leaching concentrations of Cs‐geopolymer samples sintered at higher temperatures are lower than those of samples sintered at lower temperatures. Thus, the increased volatilization of Cs ions at the higher temperatures and the formation of Cs‐leucite phase and caesium silicates can lead to the decrease of leaching concentrations in leachates. Therefore, low sintering temperatures and the fabrication of Cs crystalline ceramics are the key factors toward improving the immobilization of Cs ions.
Gender bias in caregiving professions: The role of perceived warmth
Authors: Halper Leah R. , Cowgill Colleen M. , Rios Kimberly 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOne hypothesized reason for why a disproportionately low number of men enter caregiving fields is how such men are perceived. In two studies, drawing upon the Stereotype Content Model and the lack‐of‐fit model, we tested whether men would encounter more social (e.g., likeability bias) and economic (e.g., hiring or job opportunity bias) penalties than women in caregiving professions due to perceptions that men are less warm than women. In all three studies, we created job or employment materials in which the gender of the candidate or employee was manipulated. In Study 1, a female preschool teacher received higher warmth ratings than a male preschool teacher, which in turn predicted preference for the female teacher over the male teacher. In Study 2, a female social worker was rated more highly in warmth and job hireability than a male social worker; warmth also mediated the relationships between gender and both likeability and job hireability. In Study 3, a male preschool teacher was rated lower in warmth, likeability, job hireability, and job suitability than both a female preschool teacher and a preschool teacher with an unspecified gender. There were no differences between perceived competence of men and women in caregiving positions when competence was assessed. Implications for the factors that predict adverse reactions to and penalties against men in caregiving occupations, as well as interventions to combat the potential negative effects of such penalties on men's interest in caregiving careers, are discussed.
Breeding objectives of Brangus cattle in Brazil
Authors: Simões Michele R. S. , Leal Joal J. B. , Minho Alessandro P. , Gomes Cláudia C. , MacNeil Michael D. , Costa Rodrigo F. , Junqueira Vinícius S. , Schmidt Patrícia I. , Cardoso Fernando F. , Boligon Arione A. , Yokoo Marcos J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOur goal was to define a breeding objective for Brangus beef cattle in Brazil. Bioeconomic models were produced and used to estimate economic values (EVs). The scenarios simulated were typical full‐cycle beef production systems that are used in tropical and subtropical regions. The breeding objective contained pregnancy rate (PR), warm carcass weight (WCW), mature cow weight (MCW), number of nematode eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and tick count (TICK). Two models were used in series to estimate the EV. A deterministic model was used to simulate effects of PR, WCW and MCW on profitability with a constant parasite load. Subsequently, stochastic models were used to estimate economic values for TICK and EPG as consequences of their environmental effects on weight gains, mortality and health costs. The EV of PR, WCW, MCW, EPG and TICK, was US$1.59, US$2.11, −US$0.24, −US$5.35 and −US$20.88, respectively. Results indicate positive emphasis should be placed on PR (12.49%) and WCW (65.07%) with negative emphasis on MCW (13.92%), EPG (2.77%) and TICK (5.75%). In comparison with the indexes usually used, these results suggest a reformulation in the selection indexes of the beef production system in tropical and subtropical regions in order to obtain greater profitability.
GIFT – A Global Inventory of Floras and Traits for macroecology and biogeography
Authors: Weigelt Patrick , König Christian , Kreft Holger 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimTo understand how functional traits and evolutionary history shape the geographic distribution of plant life on Earth, we need to integrate high‐quality and global‐scale distribution data with functional and phylogenetic information. Large‐scale distribution data for plants are, however, often restricted to either certain taxonomic groups or geographic regions. Range maps only exist for a small subset of all plant species and digitally available point‐occurrence information is biased both geographically and taxonomically. Floras and checklists represent an alternative, yet rarely used potential source of information. They contain highly curated information about the species composition of a clearly defined area, and together virtually cover the entire global land surface. Here, we report on our recent efforts to mobilize this information for macroecological and biogeographical analyses in the GIFT database, the Global Inventory of Floras and Traits.LocationGlobal.TaxonLand plants (Embryophyta).MethodsGIFT integrates plant distributions from regional Floras and checklists with functional traits, phylogenetic information, and region‐level geographic, environmental and socio‐economic data. It contains information about the floristic status (native, endemic, alien and naturalized) and takes advantage of the wealth of trait information in the regional Floras, complemented by data from global trait databases.ResultsGIFT 1.0 holds species lists for 2,893 regions across the whole globe including ~315,000 taxonomically standardized species names (i.e. c. 80% of all known land plant species) and ~3 million species‐by‐region occurrences. Based on a hierarchical and taxonomical derivation scheme, GIFT contains information for 83 functional traits and more than 2.3 million trait‐by‐species combinations and achieves unprecedented coverage in categorical traits such as woodiness (~233,000 spp.) or growth form (~213,000 spp.).Main conclusionsHere, we present the structure, content and automated workflows of GIFT and a corresponding web‐interface (http://gift.uni-goettingen.de) as proof of concept for the feasibility and potential of mobilizing aggregated biodiversity data for global macroecological and biogeographical research.
International Courts and Public Opinion: Explaining the CJEU's Role in Protecting Terror Suspects' Rights
Authors: Harsch Michael F. , Maksimov Vladislav 
Published: June 2019

AbstractUnder what conditions can regional and international courts (ICs) make decisions against their governments' preferences? To answer this much debated question, we develop a new, majoritarian model of state‐IC relations. It posits that in cases where well‐established ICs' positions are congruent with policy‐specific public opinion in leading member states, ICs can rule against their governments' position. We apply our approach to a series of landmark decisions by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding United Nations sanctions against terror suspects. We find that the CJEU was able to harness growing public support to strengthen terror suspects' rights, punish states for superficial compliance with its rulings and ultimately broaden the Court's judicial review powers. Our analysis suggests that ICs can be agents of legal change and advance human rights against governments' resistance, but this role is conditional on the presence of public support.
Detection of Betanodavirus in experimentally infected European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax, Linnaeus 1758) using non‐lethal sampling methods
Authors: Ferreira Inês Almeida , Costa Janina Z. , Macchia Valeria , Dawn Thompson Kimberly , Baptista Teresa 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOne of the major disease threats affecting the Mediterranean aquaculture industry is viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER). The target organs for Betanodavirus detection are the brain and eyes, obtained through lethal sampling. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and suitability of non‐lethal samples for detecting Betanodavirus in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). European seabass juveniles were infected with Betanodavirus, by either an intramuscular injection or immersion (107 TCID50/ml and 106 TCID50/ml, respectively), and samples collected 7, 15 and 30 days post‐infection (dpi). The brain was collected as a lethal sample, and gills, caudal fin and blood as non‐lethal tissues for detecting Betanodavirus by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT‐qPCR). The presence of virus in non‐lethal tissues was inconsistent, with lower viral loads than in the brain. For blood, higher viral loads were detected in intramuscular‐infected fish at 15 dpi until the end of the challenge. Serum antibodies against Betanodavirus were assessed using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies were detected as early as 7 dpi, with higher mean antibody titres at 15 and 30 dpi. The presence of Betanodavirus‐specific antibodies indicates that this is a suitable evaluation method for detecting early stages of the infection.
Gene expression analyses in malformed skeletal structures of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Riera‐Heredia Natàlia , Vélez Emilio J. , Gutiérrez Joaquim , Navarro Isabel , Capilla Encarnación 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe incidence of skeletal anomalies in reared fish has been translated for years in important economic losses for the aquaculture industry. In the present study, we have analysed the gene expression of extracellular matrix components and transcription factors involved in bone development in gilthead sea bream presenting different skeletal anomalies: lordosis (LD), lordosis–scoliosis–kyphosis (LSK) or opercular, dental or jaw malformations in comparison with control (CT) specimens. Results showed a possible link between the presence of LD and LSK and the significant downregulation of genes involved in osteoblasts' maturation and matrix mineralization (collagen type 1‐alpha, osteopontin, osteocalcin, matrix Gla protein and tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase), as well as in bone resorption (cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase 9) compared to CT animals. Contrarily, the key osteogenic transcription factor runx2 was upregulated in the malformed vertebra suggesting impaired determination of mesenchymal stem cells towards the osteoblastic lineage. Despite the gene expression patterns of the other malformed structures were not affected in comparison with CT fish, the results of the present study may contribute in the long term to identify potential candidate gene profiles associated with column deformities that may help reducing the incidence of appearance of skeletal anomalies in this important aquaculture species.
Detection of hepatitis E virus antibodies among Cercopithecidae and Hominidae monkeys in Cameroon
Authors: Modiyinji Abdou Fatawou , Amougou Atsama Marie , Monamele Chavely Gwladys , Nola Moise , Njouom Richard 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe screened hepatitis E from 15 species of non‐human primates. Anti‐HEV IgG was detected in 11.1% (1/9) Mandrillus sphinx, 14.3% (2/14) Gorilla gorilla, 5.9% (4/67) pan troglodytes and 8.7% (2/23) Mandrillus leucophaeus, whereas anti‐HEV IgM was detected in 1.5% (1/18) papio Anubis, 28.6% (2/7) Cercocebus agilis and 1.5% (1/67) pan troglodyte.
Calorie restriction activates new adult born olfactory‐bulb neurones in a ghrelin‐dependent manner but acyl‐ghrelin does not enhance subventricular zone neurogenesis
Authors: Ratcliff Michael , Rees Daniel , McGrady Scott , Buntwal Luke , Hornsby Amanda K. E. , Bayliss Jaqueline , Kent Brianne A. , Bussey Timothy , Saksida Lisa , Beynon Amy L. , Howell Owain W. , Morgan Alwena H. , Sun Yuxiang , Andrews Zane B. , Wells Timothy , Davies Jeffrey S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe ageing and degenerating brain show deficits in neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) plasticity that are accompanied by impairments in olfactory discrimination. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut hormone ghrelin plays an important role in protecting neurones, promoting synaptic plasticity and increasing hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult brain. In the present study, we investigated the role of ghrelin with respect to modulating adult subventricular zone (SVZ) NSPCs that give rise to new olfactory bulb (OB) neurones. We characterised the expression of the ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), using an immunohistochemical approach in GHSR‐eGFP reporter mice to show that GHSR is expressed in several regions, including the OB but not in the SVZ of the lateral ventricle. These data suggest that acyl‐ghrelin does not mediate a direct effect on NSPC in the SVZ. Consistent with these findings, treatment with acyl‐ghrelin or genetic silencing of GHSR did not alter NSPC proliferation within the SVZ. Similarly, using a bromodeoxyuridine pulse‐chase approach, we show that peripheral treatment of adult rats with acyl‐ghrelin did not increase the number of new adult‐born neurones in the granule cell layer of the OB. These data demonstrate that acyl‐ghrelin does not increase adult OB neurogenesis. Finally, we investigated whether elevating ghrelin indirectly, via calorie restriction (CR), regulated the activity of new adult‐born cells in the OB. Overnight CR induced c‐Fos expression in new adult‐born OB cells but not in developmentally born cells, whereas neuronal activity was absent following re‐feeding. These effects were not present in ghrelin−/− mice, suggesting that adult‐born cells are uniquely sensitive to changes in ghrelin mediated by fasting and re‐feeding. In summary, ghrelin does not promote neurogenesis in the SVZ and OB; however, new adult‐born OB cells are activated by CR in a ghrelin‐dependent manner.
Elevated bradykinin receptor type 1 expression in postpartum acute myometritis: Possible involvement in augmented interstitial edema of the atonic gravid uterus
Authors: Shen Yi , Oda Tomoaki , Tamura Naoaki , Kohmura‐Kobayashi Yukiko , Furuta‐Isomura Naomi , Yaguchi Chizuko , Uchida Toshiyuki , Suzuki Kazunao , Itoh Hiroaki , Kanayama Naohiro 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimUterine atony is a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage. We recently proposed a new concept for the histopathophysiology of refractory uterine atony, postpartum acute myometritis (PAM), characterized by acute inflammatory changes with massive stromal edema, increased numbers of complement C5a receptors and diffuse mast cell activation in the myometrium. We herein focused on the possible involvement of the kinin‐kallikrein system in the rapid development of interstitial edema in PAM, particularly bradykinin receptor type 1 (B1R), which is up‐regulated under inflammatory conditions. The present study investigated B1R expression with uterine interstitial edema in PAM.MethodsOur institution plays an important role in a Japanese amniotic fluid embolism registry project. We selected PAM cases from uterine samples delivered to us for further analyses between 2012 and 2017. Control tissues were collected during cesarean section and planned hysterectomy. B1R expression was semi‐quantitatively measured by immunohistochemistry, while uterine interstitial edema was estimated by semi‐quantitative measurements of the alpha smooth muscle actin‐negative area using immunohistochemistry.ResultsThere were 36 and 8 cases in the PAM and control groups, respectively. The alpha smooth muscle actin‐negative area was increased in the PAM group, concomitant with the significant up‐regulation of B1R expression in uterine smooth muscle cells, vascular endothelial cells, and neutrophils. A positive correlation was observed between these two factors.ConclusionWe demonstrated the up‐regulated expression of B1R in the myometrium and its positive correlation with histologically estimated interstitial edema, suggesting the contribution of the kinin‐kallikrein‐B1R system to the development of interstitial edema in PAM cases.