bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, comorbidities and mortality of toxic shock syndrome in children and adults in the USA
Authors: Strom Mark A. , Hsu Derek Y. , Silverberg Jonathan I. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTToxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a superantigen‐mediated illness, is characterized by rash, hypotension and multi‐organ dysfunction. Predictors of TSS and related morbidity and mortality are poorly defined. In this study, data on 61,959,084 hospitalizations from the 2003–2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% stratified sample of US hospitalizations, were analyzed and ICD‐9‐CM coding used to identify 4491 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of TSS. Incidence, in‐hospital mortality rate, comorbidities, length of stay and costs of care attributable to TSS were determined. In multivariate survey logistic regression models, TSS was associated with female sex (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.54 [1.48–1.60]), younger age (0–17 years, 2.17 [2.06–2.29]; 40–59: 0.53 [0.50–0.56]; 60–79: 0.28 [0.26–0.30]; 80+: 0.13 [0.11–0.14] compared with 18–39) and race/ethnicity (black, 0.63 [0.59–0.67]; Hispanic: 0.60 [0.56–0.64]; Asian, 1.11 [1.00–1.11]; and other, 0.83 [0.75–0.92] compared with white). Patients with TSS had a three‐fold greater cost of care (mean: $36,656 ± 942) and length of stay (LOS) (mean: 10.65 ± 0.23 days) than patients without TSS. Shared predictors of increased LOS and costs in patients with TSS were male sex; age 40–79 years; Black, Hispanic, Asian and other race/ethnicity; and more than one chronic condition. Predictors of in‐hospital mortality included respiratory failure (13.66 [11.37–16.43]), liver disease/failure (3.36 [2.59–4.34]), chickenpox (91.26 [27.74–300.25]), coagulopathy (2.14 [1.85–2.48]), and higher age. In conclusion, there are significant racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and comorbid disparities in the incidence and mortality of TSS in adults and children in the USA.
Transcriptional regulation of ectoine catabolism in response to multiple metabolic and environmental cues
Authors: Schulz Annina , Hermann Lucas , Freibert Sven‐Andreas , Bönig Tobias , Hoffmann Tamara , Riclea Ramona , Dickschat Jeroen S. , Heider Johann , Bremer Erhard 
Published: September 2017

SummaryEctoine and hydroxyectoine are effective microbial osmostress protectants, but can also serve as versatile nutrients for bacteria. We have studied the genetic regulation of ectoine and hydroxyectoine import and catabolism in the marine Roseobacter species Ruegeria pomeroyi and identified three transcriptional regulators involved in these processes: the GabR/MocR‐type repressor EnuR, the feast and famine‐type regulator AsnC and the two‐component system NtrYX. The corresponding genes are widely associated with ectoine and hydroxyectoine uptake and catabolic gene clusters (enuR, asnC), and with microorganisms predicted to consume ectoines (ntrYX). EnuR contains a covalently bound pyridoxal‐5'‐phosphate as a co‐factor and the chemistry underlying the functioning of MocR/GabR‐type regulators typically requires a system‐specific low molecular mass effector molecule. Through ligand binding studies with purified EnuR, we identified N‐(alpha)‐L‐acetyl‐2,4‐diaminobutyric acid and L‐2,4‐diaminobutyric acid as inducers for EnuR that are generated through ectoine catabolism. AsnC/Lrp‐type proteins can wrap DNA into nucleosome‐like structures, and we found that the asnC gene was essential for use of ectoines as nutrients. Furthermore, we discovered through transposon mutagenesis that the NtrYX two‐component system is required for their catabolism. Database searches suggest that our findings have important ramifications for an understanding of the molecular biology of most microbial consumers of ectoines.
Emerging Biorecognition and Transduction Schemes for Rapid Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria in Food
Authors: Vanegas Diana C. , Gomes Carmen L. , Cavallaro Nicholas D. , Giraldo‐Escobar Daniel , McLamore Eric S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe presence of unsafe levels of microorganisms in food constitutes a growing economic and public health problem that necessitates new technology for their rapid detection along the food continuum from production to consumption. While traditional techniques are reliable, there is a need for more sensitive, selective, rapid, and cost‐effective approaches for food safety evaluation. Methods such as microbiological counts are sufficiently accurate and inexpensive, and are capable of determining presence and viability for most pathogens. However, these techniques are time consuming, involve destructive sampling, and require trained personnel and biosafety‐certified facilities for analysis. Molecular techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction have greatly improved analytical capability over the last decade, achieving shorter analysis time with quantitative data and strain specificity, and in some cases the ability to discriminate cell viability. The emerging field of nanosensors/biosensors has demonstrated a variety of devices that hold promise to bridge the gap between traditional plate counting and molecular techniques. Many nanosensors/biosensors are rapid, portable, accurate devices that can be used as an additional screening tool for identifying unsafe levels of microorganisms in food products with no need for pre‐enrichment. In this review, we provide a brief overview of available biorecognition–transduction techniques for detecting bacteria in food. We then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, and describe some recent biosensor or nanosensor technologies that are under development. We conclude by summarizing the opportunities and challenges in the field of pathogen monitoring in food systems and we focus the discussion on the strengths/weaknesses of the most popular biorecognition agents and transducer nanomaterials for biosensing.
Developments and Challenges in Online NIR Spectroscopy for Meat Processing
Authors: Dixit Y. , Casado‐Gavalda Maria P. , Cama‐Moncunill R. , Cama‐Moncunill X. , Markiewicz‐Keszycka Maria , Cullen P. J. , Sullivan Carl 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMeat and meat products are popular foods due to their balanced nutritional nature and their availability in a variety of forms. In recent years, due to an increase in the consumer awareness regarding product quality and authenticity of food, rapid and effective quality control systems have been sought by meat industries. Near‐Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been identified as a fast and cost‐effective tool for estimating various meat quality parameters as well as detecting adulteration. This review focusses on the on/inline application of single and multiprobe NIR spectroscopy for the analysis of meat and meat products starting from the year 1996 to 2017. The article gives a brief description about the theory of NIR spectroscopy followed by its application for meat and meat products analysis. A detailed discussion is provided on the various studies regarding applications of NIR spectroscopy and specifically for on/inline monitoring along with their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, a brief description has been given about the various chemometric techniques utilized in the mentioned studies. Finally, it discusses challenges encountered and future prospects of the technology. It is concluded that, advancements in the fields of NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics have immensely increased the potential of the technology as a reliable on/inline monitoring tool for the meat industry.
Genetic diversity of marine anaerobic ammonium‐oxidizing bacteria as revealed by genomic and proteomic analyses of ‘Candidatus Scalindua japonica’
Authors: Oshiki Mamoru , Mizuto Keisuke , Kimura Zen‐ichiro , Kindaichi Tomonori , Satoh Hisashi , Okabe Satoshi 
Published: September 2017

SummaryAnaerobic ammonium‐oxidizing (anammox) bacteria affiliated with the genus ‘Candidatus Scalindua’ are responsible for significant nitrogen loss in oceans, and thus their ecophysiology is of great interest. Here, we enriched a marine anammox bacterium, ‘Ca. S. japonica’ from a Hiroshima bay sediment in Japan, and comparative genomic and proteomic analyses of ‘Ca. S. japonica’ were conducted. Sequence of the 4.81‐Mb genome containing 4019 coding regions of genes (CDSs) composed of 47 contigs was determined. In the proteome, 1762 out of 4019 CDSs in the ‘Ca. S. japonica’ genome were detected. Based on the genomic and proteomic data, the core anammox process and carbon fixation of ‘Ca. S. japonica’ were further investigated. Additionally, the present study provides the first detailed insights into the genetic background responsible for iron acquisition and menaquinone biosynthesis in anammox bacterial cells. Comparative analysis of the ‘Ca. Scalindua’ genomes revealed that the 1502 genes found in the ‘Ca. S. japonica’ genome were not present in the ‘Ca. S. profunda’ and ‘Ca. S. rubra’ genomes, showing a high genomic diversity. This result may reflect a high phylogenetic diversity of the genus ‘Ca. Scalindua’.
Redefining the sponge‐symbiont acquisition paradigm: sponge microbes exhibit chemotaxis towards host‐derived compounds
Authors: Tout Jessica , Astudillo‐García Carmen , Taylor Michael W. , Tyson Gene W. , Stocker Roman , Ralph Peter J. , Seymour Justin R. , Webster Nicole S. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryMarine sponges host stable and species‐specific microbial symbionts that are thought to be acquired and maintained by the host through a combination of vertical transmission and filtration from the surrounding seawater. To assess whether the microbial symbionts also actively contribute to the establishment of these symbioses, we performed in situ experiments on Orpheus Island, Great Barrier Reef, to quantify the chemotactic responses of natural populations of seawater microorganisms towards cellular extracts of the reef sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile. Flow cytometry analysis revealed significant levels of microbial chemotaxis towards R. odorabile extracts and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed enrichment of ‘sponge‐specific’ microbial phylotypes, including a cluster within the Gemmatimonadetes and another within the Actinobacteria. These findings infer a potential mechanism for how sponges can acquire bacterial symbionts from the surrounding environment and suggest an active role of the symbionts in finding their host.
Open to Feedback? Formal and Informal Recursivity in Creative Commons’ Transnational Standard‐Setting
Authors: Dobusch Leonhard , Lang Markus , Quack Sigrid 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this article, we examine how non‐membership organizations that claim stewardship over a transnational public or common good, such as the environmental or digital commons, develop combinations of formal and informal recursivity to develop and maintain regulatory conversations with their dispersed user communities. Based on a case study of Creative Commons, an organization that developed what have become the most widely used open licenses for digital content, we show how rhetorical openness to informal feedback from legitimacy communities in different sectors and countries can improve the feasibility and diffusion of standards. However, as long as the standard‐setter's methods of making decisions on the basis of such feedback remains opaque, its communities are likely to raise accountability demands for more extensive ex post justifications.
Supporting Exports: Challenges and Opportunities for Credit Insurance in Armenia
Authors: Abgaryan Vazgen , Rosenthal Shane 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article discusses the role of credit insurance in Armenia as an important mechanism for promoting export diversification, growth and sustainable development. The authors show that a market gap in demand for export financing, as compared with existing supply, is mainly attributed to the use of two‐factor models by commercial banks, limited product knowledge, and increased risk of cross‐border trade transactions. The authors analyse the key drivers for export financing and export insurance, showing the immediate impact the Armenian export credit agency has achieved over the past two years, and argue its defining role for the development of value chains over the medium and long term.
Innovation in Political Risk Insurance: Experience from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
Authors: Baroudi Merli Margaret 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) is the youngest of The World Bank Group's four financial institutions, but it has a long history of innovation in its mandated sphere: political risk insurance and credit enhancement. MIGA's mission is to foster cross‐border investment flows to support development, with the goal of eradicating poverty and enhancing shared prosperity in emerging market and developing economies. The path to accomplishing this mission has, however, been continually evolving. This article provides a discussion of the: (1) contextual backdrop to innovation for a multilateral financial institution providing political risk insurance; (2) the importance of political risk insurance and the traditional coverage provided; (3) the expanded capability to de‐risk private investments as seen through the lens of innovation at MIGA; and (4) a conclusion on the continuing importance of innovation in a changing global environment.
A survey of acute pain services in the UK
Authors: Rockett M. , Vanstone R. , Chand J. , Waeland D. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe organisational state of inpatient pain management in UK hospitals is difficult to determine. We sent an electronic questionnaire to 209 acute pain service leads throughout the UK. Questions were about staffing and service provision. We received 141 responses (67%); 47% of all UK hospitals. Each service was responsible for a median (IQR [range]) of 566 (400–839 [120–2800]) beds. Each acute pain specialist nurse was responsible for 299 (238–534 [70–1923]) beds. The mean (SD) number of consultant hours per week was 5.54 (4.62), delivered by a median of 1.0 (1.0–2.5 [0.2–7.0]) consultant. Overnight cover was provided by 20 (15%) acute pain services, and weekend cover by 39 (29%). Acute pain services commonly (in 50 (35%) hospitals) had roles in addition to acute pain management. Most teams (105, (77%)) reviewed medical patients and patients with chronic pain (in 131, (96%) teams). Half of the services (56, (49%)), reported that they were part of an integrated acute and chronic pain service, however, 83 (59%) did not have any members who work in chronic pain clinics. The majority (79, (70%)) were able to access a nominated chronic pain consultant for advice. Provision of acute pain services throughout the UK is highly variable. The majority do not meet core UK standards.
Visualization instructions enhance preschoolers’ spatial problem‐solving
Authors: Palmquist Carolyn M. , Keen Rachel , Jaswal Vikram K. 
Published: September 2017

This study explores whether verbal instructions to visualize an event can improve children's ability to make predictions about a difficult spatial problem. Three‐year‐olds (N = 48) were introduced to two intertwined tubes, and prior to predicting how a ball would travel through a given tube, one group of children was told to imagine the ball rolling down the tube, one group was told an explicit rule about where the ball would land, and a third group was given no instructions. Children were prevented from interacting with the apparatus to investigate the effect of the different verbal instructions alone on their problem‐solving. Children in the imagine condition made more correct predictions than both children who received no instructions and those who were told an explicit rule (but were not told to visualize). These results suggest that verbal instructions to imagine an event are enough to help children solve difficult spatial problems, likely by visualizing the outcome prior to making a prediction.
Statement of Contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Preschoolers exhibit a gravity bias when predicting how objects will travel through several intertwined tubes (Hood, 1995, Cogn. Dev., 10, 577).

Preschoolers can overcome this gravity bias when they are first told to look at (Bascandziev & Harris, , Cogn. Dev., 25, 233) or visualize (Joh et al., 2011, Child Dev., 82, 744) the tubes.

This work emphasized the role of visualization in improving children's ability to solve this difficult spatial problem.

What does this study add?

Previous work typically allowed children to interact directly with the apparatus during familiarization or while making predictions.

Previous work did not consider whether a synergy between physical interaction and visualization instructions improved predictions.

The current study shows that visualization instructions alone can improve children's ability to overcome the gravity bias.
Correlation of quantitative parameters of magnetic resonance perfusion‐weighted imaging with vascular endothelial growth factor, microvessel density and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Evaluation on radiosensitivity study
Authors: Hu Y. , E H. , Yu X. , Li F. , Zeng L. , Lu Q. , Xi X. , Shen L. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesTo investigate the correlation of parameters of magnetic resonance perfusion‐weighted imaging (MR‐PWI) with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and microvessel density (MVD) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) so as to explore the value of predicting radiosensitivity.DesignA prospective study.SettingDepartment of Head‐and‐neck radiotherapy in Hunan Cancer Hospital.ParticipantsNinety‐four patients of NPC were included between December 2013 and December 2014.Main outcome measuresThe expression of VEGF, MVD and HIF‐1α was studied by immunohistochemistry, and magnetic resonance perfusion‐weighted imaging (MR‐PWI) was performed before and after undergoing radiotherapy (20 Gy dose). Parameters of MR‐PWI, volume of primary tumour and rate of tumour remission were measured and calculated. Patients with primary local tumour were then divided into completely response group (CR group) and partially response group (non‐CR group) according to tumour regression condition. Relevant parameters were analysed by Spearman, and diagnostic efficiency of radiosensitivity was analysed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).ResultsThe expression of VEGF was positively correlated with MVD (r = .322,P < .05), but the expression of HIF‐1α was no significant correlations with VEGF and MVD. The expression VEGF was in positive correlation with fractional plasma volume (fpv) (r = .339, P = .05) before radiotherapy. There was a significant difference in the quantitative parameters of MR‐PWI between CR group and non‐CR group during the course of radiotherapy and at the end of radiotherapy treatment. The change of blood reflux constant (Δkep20) and extravascular extracellular space volume fraction (ΔVe20) before and after treatment was positively correlated with primary local tumour remission condition after 3 month treatment; Δkep and ΔVe were negatively correlated with primary local tumour remission condition after 3 months. Tumour regression rate was only positively correlated with Ve and the average volume of primary tumour after 2 week treatment (V1). ROC curve showed that R20 ≥ 65.69%, and was considered as a threshold to predict primary local tumour remission, with a sensitivity of 0.84 and specificity of 0.69, and area under the curve was 0.819 (P = .000).ConclusionsThe parameters of MR‐PWI with the expression of VEGF, HIF‐1α and MVD could be guidance for predicting radiosensitivity in NPC.
Helicobacter pylori infection and nonmalignant diseases
Authors: Sjomina Olga , Heluwaert Frederic , Moussata Driffa , Leja Marcis 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA substantial decrease in Helicobacter pylori‐associated peptic ulcer disease has been observed during the last decades. Drug‐related ulcers as well as idiopathic ulcers are becoming predominant and are more refractory to treatment; however, H. pylori infection still plays an important role in ulcer bleeding and recurrence after therapy. The effect of H. pylori eradication upon functional dyspepsia symptoms has been reviewed in this article and generally confirms the results of previous meta‐analyses. Additional evidence suggests a lack of impact upon the quality of life, in spite of improvement in symptoms. The association of H. pylori with gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus remains controversial with a majority of published studies showing a negative association. Furthermore, a strong inverse relationship between the presence of H. pylori and the esophageal eosinophilia was also reported. Several studies and a review addressed the role of H. pylori in autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia. The association of the above still remains controversial. Finally, the necessity of routine endoscopy and H. pylori eradication before bariatric surgery is discussed. Several studies suggest the rationale of preoperative upper endoscopy and H. pylori eradication prior to surgery. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection prior to surgery in these studies generally reflects the overall prevalence of the infection in the particular geographic area. In addition, results on the role of H. pylori in developing postoperative complications remain controversial.
Genomics of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Thorell Kaisa , Lehours Philippe , Vale Filipa F 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAs Helicobacter pylori infects half the world's population and displays an extensive intraspecies diversity, genomics is a powerful tool to understand evolution and disease, to identify factors that confer higher risk of severe sequelae, and to find new approaches for therapy both among bacterial and host targets. In line with these objectives, this review article summarizes the major findings in Helicobacter genomics in papers published between April 2016 and March 2017.
In the shadow of the condor: invasiveHarmonia axyridisfound at very high altitude in the Chilean Andes
Authors: Grez Audrey A. , Zaviezo Tania , Roy Helen E. , Brown Peter M. J. , Segura Bernardo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHarmonia axyridishas invaded many regions of the world, with negative effects on local biodiversity, and thus it is of global concern for biological conservation. Recently it has invaded central Chile, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, where the abundance and richness of ladybird species, particularly native species in agroecosystems, have declined following its arrival.Harmonia axyridisis particularly abundant in spring in the valleys of central Chile, but there is a dramatic decline in its abundance during the hot summer months.This study reports the occurrence of this invasive alien species in the summer at high altitudes (3578 m a.s.l.) in the Andes, which is the highest record worldwide. Individuals were observed on native cushion plants, in a unique environment rich in endemic species.Harmonia axyridiswere active, reproducing and co‐occurring with three other species of coccinellids.The dispersal ofH. axyridisand other coccinellids from the valleys to high altitudes could represent a mechanism to escape the adverse high temperatures during the summer, returning to the valleys in autumn. Our study highlights the need to study the impacts of invasive alien species across a range of habitats, including not only agricultural landscapes, but also extreme ecosystems.