bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Alters
Staphylococcus aureus
Sensitivity to Vancomycin in a Biofilm Model of Cystic Fibrosis Infection
Authors: Orazi Giulia , O’Toole George A. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

The airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have thick mucus, which fosters chronic, polymicrobial infections.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
are two of the most prevalent respiratory pathogens in CF patients. In this study, we tested whether
P. aeruginosa
influences the susceptibility of
S. aureus
to frontline antibiotics used to treat CF lung infections. Using our
in vitro
coculture model, we observed that addition of
P. aeruginosa
supernatants to
S. aureus
biofilms grown either on epithelial cells or on plastic significantly decreased the susceptibility of
S. aureus
to vancomycin. Mutant analyses showed that 2-
n
-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline
N
-oxide (HQNO), a component of the
P. aeruginosa Pseudomonas
quinolone signal (PQS) system, protects
S. aureus
from the antimicrobial activity of vancomycin. Similarly, the siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin also contribute to the ability of
P. aeruginosa
to protect
S. aureus
from vancomycin, as did growth under anoxia. Under our experimental conditions, HQNO,
P. aeruginosa
supernatant, and growth under anoxia decreased
S. aureus
growth, likely explaining why this cell wall-targeting antibiotic is less effective.
P. aeruginosa
supernatant did not confer additional protection to slow-growing
S. aureus
small colony variants. Importantly,
P. aeruginosa
supernatant protects
S. aureus
from other inhibitors of cell wall synthesis as well as protein synthesis-targeting antibiotics in an HQNO- and siderophore-dependent manner. We propose a model whereby
P. aeruginosa
causes
S. aureus
to shift to fermentative growth when these organisms are grown in coculture, leading to reduction in
S. aureus
growth and decreased susceptibility to antibiotics targeting cell wall and protein synthesis.

IMPORTANCE
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections are chronic and difficult to eradicate.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
are two of the most prevalent respiratory pathogens in CF patients and are associated with poor patient outcomes. Both organisms adopt a biofilm mode of growth, which contributes to high tolerance to antibiotic treatment and the recalcitrant nature of these infections. Here, we show that
P. aeruginosa
exoproducts decrease the sensitivity of
S. aureus
biofilm and planktonic populations to vancomycin, a frontline antibiotic used to treat methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
in CF patients.
P. aeruginosa
also protects
S. aureus
from other cell wall-active antibiotics as well as various classes of protein synthesis inhibitors. Thus, interspecies interactions can have dramatic and unexpected consequences on antibiotic sensitivity. This study underscores the potential impact of interspecies interactions on antibiotic efficacy in the context of complex, polymicrobial infections.
Effect of diet and physical activity based interventions in pregnancy on gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes: meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised trials
Authors:   The International Weight Management in Pregnancy (i-WIP) Collaborative Group
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo synthesise the evidence on the overall and differential effects of interventions based on diet and physical activity during pregnancy, primarily on gestational weight gain and maternal and offspring composite outcomes, according to women’s body mass index, age, parity, ethnicity, and pre-existing medical condition; and secondarily on individual complications.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD).Data sourcesMajor electronic databases from inception to February 2017 without language restrictions.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised trials on diet and physical activity based interventions in pregnancy.Data synthesisStatistical models accounted for clustering of participants within trials and heterogeneity across trials leading to summary mean differences or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the effects overall, and in subgroups (interactions).ResultsIPD were obtained from 36 randomised trials (12 526 women). Less weight gain occurred in the intervention group than control group (mean difference −0.70 kg, 95% confidence interval −0.92 to −0.48 kg, I2=14.1%; 33 studies, 9320 women). Although summary effect estimates favoured the intervention, the reductions in maternal (odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.79 to 1.03, I2=26.7%; 24 studies, 8852 women) and offspring (0.94, 0.83 to 1.08, I2=0%; 18 studies, 7981 women) composite outcomes were not statistically significant. No evidence was found of differential intervention effects across subgroups, for either gestational weight gain or composite outcomes. There was strong evidence that interventions reduced the odds of caesarean section (0.91, 0.83 to 0.99, I2=0%; 32 studies, 11 410 women), but not for other individual complications in IPD meta-analysis. When IPD were supplemented with study level data from studies that did not provide IPD, the overall effect was similar, with stronger evidence of benefit for gestational diabetes (0.76, 0.65 to 0.89, I2=36.8%; 59 studies, 16 885 women).ConclusionDiet and physical activity based interventions during pregnancy reduce gestational weight gain and lower the odds of caesarean section. There is no evidence that effects differ across subgroups of women.
Effect of occupational safety and health education received during schooling on the incidence of workplace injuries in the first 2 years of occupational life: a prospective study
Authors: Boini Stephanie , Colin Regis , Grzebyk Michel 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the effect of occupational safety and health (OSH) education during formal schooling on the incidence of workplace injuries (WIs) in young people starting their careers. We hypothesised that young people who had received OSH education during their schooling would have fewer WIs than those who received no OSH education. Secondary objectives focused on the effect of ‘first aid at work’ training during schooling and the conditions encountered on arrival in the company (occupational hazard information, safety training and job task training) on WI occurrence.DesignProspective cohort study.ParticipantsFrom 2009 to 2012, French apprentices and students at the end of their schooling and starting their careers were included.OutcomesOccurrence of WIs.MethodsAt the time of inclusion, information about school courses and personal characteristics were collected, and subsequent half-yearly contacts gathered information relating to work and personal data. During the 2-year follow-up, WIs were directly reported by participants and were identified by searching the French National Health Insurance Funds’ databases listing compulsory WI declarations.Results755 participants reported holding 1290 jobs. During follow-up, 158 WIs were identified, corresponding to an incident rate of 0.12 (0.10 to 0.14) WIs per full-time worker. Subjects who reported having received OSH education at school had two times less WIs than those declaring not having received OSH education (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 0.00 to 0.98). A lower WI risk was observed for participants who received the ‘first aid at work’ training (IRR=0.68, 0.00 to 0.98). The conditions on arrival in company were not associated with WIs occurrence.ConclusionIn France, the OSH education provided to apprentices and students is mostly broader than the specific risks related to future jobs. Our results highlight the advantages of reinforcing this approach.
Theoretical studies on lindqvist polyoxometalates [M6O19]n−(M = Mo, W, n=2; M = V, Nb, Ta, n=8) and derivatives: Electronic structures, stability and bonding
Authors: Su Xiao-Fang , Zhu Bo , Wu Cai-Xia , Yan Li-Kai , Su Zhong-Min 
Published: July 2017

The geometrical and electronic structures of [M6O[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] (M [Formula: see text] Mo, W, [Formula: see text]; M [Formula: see text] V, Nb, Ta, [Formula: see text]) and their derivatives were investigated by using density functional theory methods. The results indicate that the geometrical structure of [V6O[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] is not different from other Lindqvist-type anions. The energy gap between highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) (HOMO[Formula: see text]LUMO energy gap) of [V6O[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] is smaller than those of same charge anions, [Nb6O[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] and [Ta6O[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text]. In addition, the charge density [Formula: see text] of [V6O[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] is larger when compared with those of other studied clusters. The investigation on the derivatives shows that the valence of V atom (V[Formula: see text] or V[Formula: see text]) and the methoxy ligand influence the HOMO[Formula: see text]LUMO energy gap and the charge density [Formula: see text] of the studied clusters.
Lysyl Oxidase–like Protein LOXL2 Promotes Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Salvador Fernando , Martin Alberto , López-Menéndez Celia , Moreno-Bueno Gema , Santos Vanesa , Vázquez-Naharro Alberto , Santamaría Patricia G. , Morales Saleta , Dubus Pierre R. , Muinelo-Romay Laura , López-López Rafael , Tung Jason C. , Weaver Valerie M. , Portillo Francisco , Cano Amparo 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The lysyl oxidase–like protein LOXL2 has been suggested to contribute to tumor progression and metastasis, but in vivo evidence has been lacking. Here we provide functional evidence that LOXL2 is a key driver of breast cancer metastasis in two conditional transgenic mouse models of PyMT-induced breast cancer. LOXL2 ablation in mammary tumor cells dramatically decreased lung metastasis, whereas LOXL2 overexpression promoted metastatic tumor growth. LOXL2 depletion or overexpression in tumor cells does not affect extracellular matrix stiffness or organization in primary and metastatic tumors, implying a function for LOXL2 independent of its conventional role in extracellular matrix remodeling. In support of this likelihood, cellular and molecular analyses revealed an association of LOXL2 action with elevated levels of the EMT regulatory transcription factor Snail1 and expression of several cytokines that promote premetastatic niche formation. Taken together, our findings established a pathophysiologic role and new function for LOXL2 in breast cancer metastasis. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5846–59. ©2017 AACR.
EWS/FLI is a Master Regulator of Metabolic Reprogramming in Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Tanner Jason M. , Bensard Claire , Wei Peng , Krah Nathan M. , Schell John C. , Gardiner Jamie , Schiffman Joshua , Lessnick Stephen L. , Rutter Jared 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a bone malignancy driven by a translocation event resulting in the fusion protein EWS/FLI1 (EF). EF functions as an aberrant and oncogenic transcription factor that misregulates the expression of thousands of genes. Previous work has focused principally on determining important transcriptional targets of EF, as well as characterizing important regulatory partnerships in EF-dependent transcriptional programs. Less is known, however, about EF-dependent metabolic changes or their role in Ewing sarcoma biology. Therefore, the metabolic effects of silencing EF in Ewing sarcoma cells were determined. Metabolomic analyses revealed distinct separation of metabolic profiles in EF-knockdown versus control-knockdown cells. Mitochondrial stress tests demonstrated that knockdown of EF increased respiratory as well as glycolytic functions. Enzymes and metabolites in several metabolic pathways were altered, including de novo serine synthesis and elements of one-carbon metabolism. Furthermore, phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) was found to be highly expressed in Ewing sarcoma and correlated with worse patient survival. PHGDH knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition in vitro caused impaired proliferation and cell death. Interestingly, PHGDH modulation also led to elevated histone expression and methylation. These studies demonstrate that the translocation-derived fusion protein EF is a master regulator of metabolic reprogramming in Ewing sarcoma, diverting metabolites toward biosynthesis. As such, these data suggest that the metabolic aberrations induced by EF are important contributors to the oncogenic biology of these tumors.
Implications: This previously unexplored role of EWS/FLI1–driven metabolic changes expands the understanding of Ewing sarcoma biology, and has potential to significantly inform development of therapeutic strategies. Mol Cancer Res; 15(11); 1517–30. ©2017 AACR.
On the Generation and Maintenance of the 2012/13 Sudden Stratospheric Warming
Authors: Xu Fen , San Liang X. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Using a newly developed analysis tool, multiscale window transform (MWT), and the MWT-based localized multiscale energetics analysis, the 2012/13 sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is diagnosed for an understanding of the underlying dynamics. The fields are first reconstructed onto three scale windows: that is, mean window, sudden warming window or SSW window, and synoptic window. According to the reconstructions, the major warming period may be divided into three stages: namely, the stages of rapid warming, maintenance, and decay, each with different mechanisms. It is found that the explosive growth of temperature in the rapid warming stage (28 December–10 January) results from the collaboration of a strong poleward heat flux and canonical transfers through baroclinic instabilities in the polar region, which extract available potential energy (APE) from the mean-scale reservoir. In the course, a portion of the acquired APE is converted to and stored in the SSW-scale kinetic energy (KE), leading to a reversal of the polar night jet. In the stage of maintenance (11–25 January), the mechanism is completely different: First the previously converted energy stored in the SSW-scale KE is converted back, and, most importantly, in this time a strong barotropic instability happens over Alaska–Canada, which extracts the mean-scale KE to maintain the high temperature, while the mean-scale KE is mostly from the lower atmosphere, in conformity with the classical paradigm of mean flow–wave interaction with the upward-propagating planetary waves. This study provides an example that a warming may be generated in different stages through distinctly different mechanisms.
The First-Time Fathers Study: A Prospective Study of the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Men during the Transition to Parenthood
Authors: Condon John T. , Corkindale Carolyn J. , Boyce Philip 
Published: July 2017

Objective: In comparison to its female counterpart, the transition of men to parenthood has been relatively neglected in previous research. The present paper argues that men may have gender-specific risk factors for perinatal psychological distress and may manifest distress in ways different from women. The prime objective of this research was to document changes in psychological, relationship and lifestyle parameters in a cohort of first time fathers from pregnancy to the end of the first postnatal year. The present paper reports on these changes. Method: Three hundred and twelve men were assessed at 23 weeks of pregnancy and followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months postnatally, using a battery of self-report questionnaires covering psychological symptom levels, lifestyle variables and relationship/sexual functioning. Two hundred and four men completed all four assessments. Results: The men exhibited highest symptom levels in pregnancy with general, through small, improvement at 3 months and little change thereafter. Lifestyle variables showed small changes over the first postnatal year. Sexual functioning appeared to deteriorate markedly from pre-pregnancy levels with only minimal recovery by the end of the first year. The results highlight that the majority of men anticipated return of sexual activity to pre-pregnancy levels; however, this failed to eventuate. Conclusions: Pregnancy, rather than the postnatal period, would appear to be the most stressful period for men undergoing the transition to parenthood. The results suggest that the most important changes occur relatively early in pregnancy. Thereafter, lack of change (rather than change) is the most noteworthy feature. These men appeared to be ill-prepared for the impact of parenthood on their lives, especially in terms of the sexual relationship. Further research to determine the timing and trigger of stress in pregnancy is recommended.
Suicide after Discharge from Psychiatric Inpatient Care: A Case-Control Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Yim Patty H.W. , Dunn Eva L.W. , Yeung W.S. , Miao Y.K. , Yip Paul S.F. , Li Raymond H.Y. 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To identify the risk period and the risk factors for suicide in Chinese psychiatric patients after discharge from inpatient psychiatric treatment. The nature of psychiatric aftercare provided to these patients was also explored. Method: A case control study with 73 patients who were discharged from a large psychiatric unit in Hong Kong between January 1996 and December 1999 and had received coroners' verdict of suicide or undetermined death within the same period. Controls were 73 surviving patients discharged from the same unit. They were individually matched for sex, age, psychiatric diagnosis, and date of discharge. Results: Post-discharge clustering of suicides was observed among the cases. Nearly 80% of them died within 1 year of discharge. The most common principal diagnosis among the cases was schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Multivariate analysis showed that suicide was associated with: unemployment (OR = 12.2, 95% CI = 2.1 – 70.4), past suicidal attempts (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2 – 9.6), maternal mental illness (OR = 13.4, 95% CI = 1.0 – 170.0), and suicidal ideation or attempt before the last admission (OR = 5.0, 95% CI = 1.4 – 18.0). The psychiatric aftercare received by cases and controls were generally similar. However, cases were more likely to have had contact with health care services in the last week before death (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.3 – 11.9). Conclusions: Suicidal risk is high in Chinese psychiatric patients soon after discharge. They share some common risk factors for suicide identified in Western studies but several differences are evident: the predominance of schizophrenia in the suicides; the lower prevalence of substance abuse and comorbidity; the low proportion of patients living alone; and the increased clinical contact before death but the less suicidal intent expressed in Chinese patients. It is necessary to consider these socio-cultural factors in assessment of suicidal risk and implementation of suicide prevention strategies in Chinese psychiatric patients.
Iatrogenic Causes of Salivary Gland Dysfunction
Authors: Schubert M. M. , Izutsu K. T. 
Published: July 2017

Saliva is important for maintaining oral health and function. There are instances when medical therapy is intended to decrease salivary flow, such as during general anesthesia, but most instances of iatrogenic salivary gland dysfunction represent untoward or unavoidable side-effects. The clinical expression of the salivary dysfunction can range from very minor transient alteration in saliva flow to a total loss of salivary function. The most common forms of therapy that interfere with salivation are drug therapies, cancer therapies (radiation or chemotherapy), and surgical therapy. These therapies can affect salivation by a number of different mechanisms that include: Disruption of autonomic nerve function related to salivation, interference with acinar or ductal cell functions related to salivation, cytotoxicity, indirect effects (vasoconstrictiondilation, fluid and electrolyte balance, etc.), and physical trauma to salivary glands and nerves. A wide variety of drugs is capable of increasing or decreasing salivary flow by mimicking autonomic nervous system actions or by directly acting on cellular processes necessary for salivation; drugs can also indirectly affect salivation by altering fluid and electrolyte balance or by affecting blood flow to the glands. Ionizing radiation can cause permanent damage to salivary glands, damage that is manifest as acinar cell destruction with subsequent atrophy and fibrosis of the glands. Cancer chemotherapy can cause changes in salivation, but the changes are usually much less severe and only transient. Finally, surgical and traumatic injuries interfere with salivation because of either disruption of gland innervation or gross physical damage (or removal) of glandular tissue (including ducts).
Public Purchasing and Eco-labelling Schemes: Making the Connection and Reinforcing Policy Coherence
Authors: Grolleau Gilles , Mzoughi Naoufel , Nouira Chahira 
Published: July 2017

Many governments have promoted eco-labelling schemes as an accurate information-based policy to regulate environmental problems. This paper argues that governments should integrate eco-labelling into their purchasing decisions, both to benefit the environment directly and to reinforce ecolabelling programs as a means to influence private purchasers. Both effects could be quite significant given that governments are large purchasers of goods and services. After reviewing the main barriers and potentialities for greening procurement markets, we explore several ways by which green public procurement can promote the overall diffusion of eco-labelled products. JEL codes: H57; Q 28
South Africa’s Maritime Policy and Transformation of the Shipping Industry
Authors: Chasomeris Mihalis G. 
Published: July 2017

More than 95 per cent of South Africa’s trade volume is seaborne. Although South Africa is clearly an important sea-trading nation, it is not a significant shipowning or ship operating nation. Despite a decade of democracy, and the improved Ship Registration Act of 1998, the South African merchant marine has continued to decline. South Africa’s new Maritime Charter of December 2003 has the long-term vision “to develop South Africa to become one of the world’s top 35 maritime nations by the year 2014”. Currently, South Africa adopts a strongly market-driven shipping policy. In stark contrast the Charter calls for “a clear strategy/plan for the majority of South African cargo, going through South African ports to be carried on South African ships”. This article argues that although South Africa has a large volume of trade, it does not necessarily have a competitive advantage in the shipment of these goods. Thus policies to promote or protect the national shipping industry might not be in the broader economic interests of South Africa. JEL: R40