bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential exposure to Australian bat lyssavirus is unlikely to prevent future bat handling among adults in South East Queensland
Authors: Young M. K. , Banu S. , McCall B. J. , Vlack S. , Carroll H. , Bennett S. , Davison R. , Francis D. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryDespite ongoing public health messages about the risks associated with bat contact, the number of potential exposures to Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) due to intentional handling by members of the general public in Queensland has remained high. We sought to better understand the reasons for intentional handling among these members of the public who reported their potential exposure to inform future public health messages. We interviewed adults who resided in a defined geographic area in South East Queensland and notified potential exposure to ABLV due to intentional handling of bats by telephone between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013. The participation rate was 54%. Adults who reported they had intentionally handled bats in South East Queensland indicated high levels of knowledge and perception of a moderately high risk associated with bats with overall low intentions to handle bats in the future. However, substantial proportions of people would attempt to handle bats again in some circumstances, particularly to protect their children or pets. Fifty‐two percent indicated that they would handle a bat if a child was about to pick up or touch a live bat, and 49% would intervene if a pet was interacting with a bat. Future public health communications should recognize the situations in which even people with highrisk perceptions of bats will attempt to handle them. Public health messages currently focus on avoidance of bats in all circumstances and recommend calling in a trained vaccinated handler, but messaging directed at adults for circumstances where children or pets may be potentially exposed should provide safe immediate management options.
Occurrence, Persistence, and Contamination Routes of Listeria monocytogenes Genotypes on Three Finnish Dairy Cattle Farms: a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Castro Hanna , Jaakkonen Anniina , Hakkinen Marjaana , Korkeala Hannu , Lindström Miia 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

The molecular epidemiology of
Listeria monocytogenes
was investigated in a longitudinal study of three Finnish dairy farms during 2013 to 2016. A total of 186 bulk tank milk (BTM), 224 milk filter sock (MFS), and 1,702 barn environment samples were analyzed, and isolates of
L. monocytogenes
were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
L. monocytogenes
occurred throughout the year in all sample types, and the prevalence in MFS increased significantly during the indoor season.
L. monocytogenes
was more prevalent in MFS (29%) than in BTM (13%) samples. However, the prevalence of
L. monocytogenes
varied more between farms in samples of MFS (13 to 48%) than in BTM (10 to 16%). For each farm, the
L. monocytogenes
genotypes detected were classified by persistence (defined as persistent if isolated from ≥3 samples during ≥6 months) and predominance (defined as predominant if >5% prevalence on at least one farm visit). The prevalence of sporadic genotypes was 4 to 5% on all three farms. In contrast, the prevalence of persistent predominant genotypes varied between farms by 4% to 16%. The highest prevalence of persistent predominant genotypes was observed on the farm with the poorest production hygiene. Persistent predominant genotypes were most prevalent on feeding surfaces, water troughs, and floors. Genotypes isolated from the milking system or from cow udders had a greater relative risk of occurring in BTM and MFS than genotypes that only occurred elsewhere in the farm, supporting the hypothesis that
L. monocytogene
s is transmitted to milk from contamination on the udder surface or in the milking equipment.

IMPORTANCE
Listeria monocytogenes
is a ubiquitous environmental bacterium and the causative agent of a serious foodborne illness, listeriosis. Dairy products are common vehicles of listeriosis, and dairy cattle farms harbor
L. monocytogenes
genotypes associated with human listeriosis outbreaks. Indeed, dairy cattle farms act as a reservoir of
L. monocytogenes
, and the organism is frequently detected in bulk tank milk (BTM) and in the feces of clinically healthy cows. The ecology of
L. monocytogenes
in the farm environment is complex and poorly understood. Isolates of the same
L. monocytogenes
genotype can occur in the farm for years, but the factors contributing to the persistence of genotypes on dairy farms are unknown. Knowledge of the persistence patterns and contamination routes of
L. monocytogenes
on dairy farms can improve management of the contamination pressure in the farm environment and aid in the development of focused control strategies to reduce BTM contamination.
A Novel Nonantibiotic,
lgt
-Based Selection System for Stable Maintenance of Expression Vectors in Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Terrinoni Manuela , Nordqvist Stefan L. , Källgård Susanne , Holmgren Jan , Lebens Michael 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic selection for the maintenance of expression plasmids is discouraged in the production of recombinant proteins for pharmaceutical or other human uses due to the risks of antibiotic residue contamination of the final products and the release of DNA encoding antibiotic resistance into the environment. We describe the construction of expression plasmids that are instead maintained by complementation of the
lgt
gene encoding a (pro)lipoprotein glyceryl transferase essential for the biosynthesis of bacterial lipoprotein. Mutations in
lgt
are lethal in
Escherichia coli
and other Gram-negative organisms. The
lgt
gene was deleted from
E. coli
and complemented by the
Vibrio cholerae
-derived gene provided in
trans
on a temperature-sensitive plasmid, allowing cells to grow at 30°C but not at 37°C. A temperature-insensitive expression vector carrying the
V. cholerae
-derived
lgt
gene was constructed, whereby transformants were selected by growth at 39°C. The vector was successfully used to express two recombinant proteins, one soluble and one forming insoluble inclusion bodies. Reciprocal construction was done by deleting the
lgt
gene from
V. cholerae
and complementing the lesion with the corresponding gene from
E. coli
. The resulting strain was used to produce the secreted recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) protein, a component of licensed as well as newly developed oral cholera vaccines. Overall, the
lgt
system described here confers extreme stability on expression plasmids, and this strategy can be easily transferred to other Gram-negative species using the
E. coli
-derived
lgt
gene for complementation.

IMPORTANCE
Many recombinant proteins are produced in bacteria from genes carried on autonomously replicating DNA elements called plasmids. These plasmids are usually inherently unstable and rapidly lost. This can be prevented by using genes encoding antibiotic resistance. Plasmids are thus maintained by allowing only plasmid-containing cells to survive when the bacteria are grown in medium supplemented with antibiotics. In the described antibiotic-free system for the production of recombinant proteins, an essential gene is deleted from the bacterial chromosome and instead provided on a plasmid. The loss of the plasmid becomes lethal for the bacteria. Such plasmids can be used for the expression of recombinant proteins. This broadly applicable system removes the need for antibiotics in recombinant protein production, thereby contributing to reducing the spread of genes encoding antibiotic resistance, reducing the release of antibiotics into the environment, and freeing the final products (often used in pharmaceuticals) from contamination with potentially harmful antibiotic residues.
Effect of Start-Up Strategies and Electrode Materials on Carbon Dioxide Reduction on Biocathodes
Authors: Saheb-Alam Soroush , Singh Abhijeet , Hermansson Malte , Persson Frank , Schnürer Anna , Wilén Britt-Marie , Modin Oskar 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

The enrichment of CO
2
-reducing microbial biocathodes is challenging. Previous research has shown that a promising approach could be to first enrich bioanodes and then lower the potential so the electrodes are converted into biocathodes. However, the effect of such a transition on the microbial community on the electrode has not been studied. The goal of this study was thus to compare the start-up of biocathodes from preenriched anodes with direct start-up from bare electrodes and to investigate changes in microbial community composition. The effect of three electrode materials on the long-term performance of the biocathodes was also investigated. In this study, preenrichment of acetate-oxidizing bioanodes did not facilitate the start-up of biocathodes. It took about 170 days for the preenriched electrodes to generate substantial cathodic current, compared to 83 days for the bare electrodes. Graphite foil and carbon felt cathodes produced higher current at the beginning of the experiment than did graphite rods. However, all electrodes produced similar current densities at the end of the over 1-year-long study (2.5 A/m
2
). Methane was the only product detected during operation of the biocathodes. Acetate was the only product detected after inhibition of the methanogens. Microbial community analysis showed that
Geobacter
sp. dominated the bioanodes. On the biocathodes, the
Geobacter
sp. was succeeded by
Methanobacterium
spp., which made up more than 80% of the population. After inhibition of the methanogens,
Acetobacterium
sp. became dominant on the electrodes (40% relative abundance). The results suggested that bioelectrochemically generated H
2
acted as an electron donor for CO
2
reduction.

IMPORTANCE
In microbial electrochemical systems, living microorganisms function as catalysts for reactions on the anode and/or the cathode. There is a variety of potential applications, ranging from wastewater treatment and biogas generation to production of chemicals. Systems with biocathodes could be used to reduce CO
2
to methane, acetate, or other high-value chemicals. The technique can be used to convert solar energy to chemicals. However, enriching biocathodes that are capable of CO
2
reduction is more difficult and less studied than enriching bioanodes. The effect of different start-up strategies and electrode materials on the microbial communities that are enriched on biocathodes has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate two different start-up strategies and three different electrode materials for start-up and long-term operation of biocathodes capable of reducing CO
2
to valuable biochemicals.
Draft Genome Sequence of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacterium Bacillus subtilis SR1, Which Has Plant Growth-Promoting Attributes
Authors: Kotoky Rhitu , Singha L. Paikhomba , Pandey Piyush 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacillus subtilis
SR1 is a heavy metal-resistant, polyaromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from rhizospheric soil of contaminated sites. It has the ability to promote plant growth and utilize benzo[
a
]pyrene as a carbon source. This study reports the characteristics of the genome of
B. subtilis
SR1, which contains one circular chromosome (4,093,698 bp).
Mutations in the PA Protein of Avian H5N1 Influenza Viruses Affect Polymerase Activity and Mouse Virulence
Authors: Zhong Gongxun , Le Mai Quynh , Lopes Tiago J. S. , Halfmann Peter , Hatta Masato , Fan Shufang , Neumann Gabriele , Kawaoka Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT
To study the influenza virus determinants of pathogenicity, we characterized two highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses isolated in Vietnam in 2012 (A/duck/Vietnam/QT1480/2012 [QT1480]) and 2013 (A/duck/Vietnam/QT1728/2013 [QT1728]) and found that the activity of their polymerase complexes differed significantly, even though both viruses were highly pathogenic in mice. Further studies revealed that the PA-S343A/E347D (PA with the S-to-A change at position 343 and the E-to-D change at position 347) mutations reduced viral polymerase activity and mouse virulence when tested in the genetic background of QT1728 virus. In contrast, the PA-343S/347E mutations increased the polymerase activity of QT1480 and the virulence of a low-pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus. The PA-343S residue (which alone increased viral polymerase activity and mouse virulence significantly relative to viral replication complexes encoding PA-343A) is frequently found in H5N1 influenza viruses of several subclades; infection with a virus possessing this amino acid may pose an increased risk to humans.

IMPORTANCE
H5N1 influenza viruses cause severe infections in humans with a case fatality rate that exceeds 50%. The factors that determine the high virulence of these viruses in humans are not fully understood. Here, we identified two amino acid changes in the viral polymerase PA protein that affect the activity of the viral polymerase complex and virulence in mice. Infection with viruses possessing these amino acid changes may pose an increased risk to humans.
Type and Frequency of Side Effects during Pc6 Acupuncture: Observations from Therapists and Patients Participating in Clinical Efficacy Trials of Acupuncture
Authors: Enblom Anna , Johnsson Anna 
Published: December 2017

Background Many therapists practise PC6 acupuncture for emesis (nausea and vomiting) during pregnancy, different cancer therapies, palliative care, after surgery, or to induce relaxing effects in general. Knowledge of side effects is central to shared decision-making. Aim To describe the type and frequency of side effects and the level of needle-induced pain during PC6 acupuncture. Methods We included 1298 PC6 acupuncture treatments, delivered to 221 participants (77% women, mean age 52.5, range 18–91 years). The subjects had received genuine PC6 acupuncture, in one of two previous randomised controlled trials, aimed at inducing antiemetic (n=100, with 100 providing data on side effects and 94 on needle-induced pain, respectively) or relaxing (n=121, with 120 providing data) effects. Side effects during and after the acupuncture treatments were registered in structured treatment protocols and study diaries. Results No serious complications occurred. Side effects during the acupuncture sessions included minor bleeding in 5.0%, tiredness in 4.9%, numbness in 4.5% and dizziness in 1.4% of the 1298 treatments. After treatment, the mean proportions of participants reporting side effects each week were: tiredness 25.8%; feeling cold 17.8%; dizziness 9.7%; sweating 9.3%; haematoma 8.8%; and soreness at the needling sites 4.3%. Participants perceived the needling to be not painful (47.4% of participants), or mildly (39.1%), moderately (11.6%) or very painful (1.4%). Conclusions Few side effects occurred and those that did were mild. Nearly 90% found PC6 acupuncture to be not painful or only mildly painful. Healthcare professionals may consider the observed levels of side effects when informing patients about side effects of PC6 acupuncture.
Impact of Ramadan fasting on glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus treated with diet alone or diet plus metformin: a continuous glucose monitoring study
Authors: Afandi Bachar O , Hassanein Mohamed M , Majd Lina M , Nagelkerke Nico J D 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveWomen with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are categorized as at high risk for adverse events during Ramadan fasting. However, this is largely based on clinical opinion. In this study, we shed some light on what happens to glucose levels during Ramadan fasting.MethodsThis is a prospective observational study. A total of 32 patients with GDM were recruited; 10 patients, treated with diet only (group 1), to observe their glucose levels before fasting and 22 patients who insisted on fasting the month of Ramadan, 13 treated with diet only (group 2) and nine treated with diet plus metformin 500 mg twice daily (group 3), to evaluate their glucose levels during fasting. Interstitial glucose was monitored in all by using the iPro2 Professional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system.ResultsMean glucose level was 116±21 mg/dL (6.16±1.16 mmol/L), 106±9 mg/dL (5.88±0.49 mmol/L) and 99±7 mg/dL (5.49±0.34 mmol/L) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Patients in group 1 had the lowest rate of hypoglycemia (50%), followed by patients in group 2 (60%), whereas patients in group 3 had the highest rate of hypoglycemia (78%).ConclusionsCGM data indicates that Ramadan fasting in women with GDM treated with diet alone or with diet plus metformin was associated with lower mean glucose levels and higher rates of hypoglycemia when compared with non-fasting glucose levels. Women with GDM should be advised against fasting during Ramadan until further data is available.
Effects of a culturally tailored parenting support programme in Somali-born parents’ mental health and sense of competence in parenting: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Osman Fatumo , Salari Raziye , Klingberg-Allvin Marie , Schön Ulla-Karin , Flacking Renée 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored parenting support programme on Somali-born parents’ mental health and sense of competence in parenting.DesignRandomised controlled trial.SettingA city in the middle of Sweden.ParticipantsSomali-born parents (n=120) with children aged 11–16 years and self-perceived stress in their parenting were randomised to an intervention group (n=60) or a waiting-list control group (n=60).InterventionParents in the intervention group received culturally tailored societal information combined with the Connect parenting programme during 12 weeks for 1–2 hours per week. The intervention consisted of a standardised training programme delivered by nine group leaders of Somali background.OutcomeThe General Health Questionnaire 12 was used to measure parents’ mental health and the Parenting Sense of Competence scale to measure parent satisfaction and efficacy in the parent role. Analysis was conducted using intention-to-treat principles.ResultsThe results indicated that parents in the intervention group showed significant improvement in mental health compared with the parents in the control group at a 2-month follow-up: B=3.62, 95% CI 2.01 to 5.18, p<0.001. Further, significant improvement was found for efficacy (B=−6.72, 95% CI −8.15 to −5.28, p<0.001) and satisfaction (B=−4.48, 95% CI −6.27 to −2.69, p<0.001) for parents in the intervention group. Parents’ satisfaction mediated the intervention effect on parental mental health (β=−0.88, 95% CI −1.84 to −0.16, p=0.047).ConclusionThe culturally tailored parenting support programme led to improved mental health of Somali-born parents and their sense of competence in parenting 2 months after the intervention. The study underlines the importance of acknowledging immigrant parents’ need for societal information in parent support programmes and the importance of delivering these programmes in a culturally sensitive manner.Clinical trial registrationNCT02114593.
Do patients who die from an alcohol-related condition ‘drift’ into areas of greater deprivation? Alcohol-related mortality and health selection theory in Scotland
Authors: Pulford Andrew , Gordon Ruth , Graham Lesley , Lewsey James , McCartney Gerry , Robinson Mark 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundHealth selection has been proposed to explain the patterning of alcohol-related mortality by area deprivation. This study investigated whether persons who die from alcohol-related conditions are more likely to experience social drift than those who die from other causes.MethodsDeaths recorded in Scotland (2013,>21 years) were coded as ‘alcohol-related’ or ‘other’ and by deprivation decile of residence at death. Acute hospital admissions data from 1996 to 2012 were used to provide premortality deprivation data. χ² tests estimated the difference between observed and expected alcohol-related deaths by first Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile and type of death. Logistic regression models were fitted using type of death as the outcome of interest and change in SIMD decile as the exposure of interest.ResultsOf 47 012 deaths, 1458 were alcohol-related. Upward and downward mobility was observed for both types of death. An estimated 31 more deaths than expected were classified ‘alcohol-related’ among cases whose deprivation score decreased, while 204 more deaths than expected were classified ‘alcohol-related’ among cases whose initial deprivation ranking was in the four most deprived deciles. Becoming more deprived and first deprivation category were both associated with increased odds of type of death being alcohol-related after adjusting for confounders.ConclusionThis study suggests that health selection appears to contribute less to the deprivation gradient in alcohol-related mortality in Scotland than an individual’s initial area deprivation category.
Student experiences and perceptions of compulsory research projects: a veterinary perspective
Authors: Cardwell Jacqueline M , Magnier Kirsty , Kinnison Tierney , Silva‐Fletcher Ayona 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundAlthough research underpins clinical work, many students training to be clinicians are not inherently interested in developing research skills.AimTo characterise and understand veterinary student experiences and perceptions of compulsory research projects.MethodsThis was an explanatory sequential mixed‐methods study, with a questionnaire survey of an entire cohort informing purposive selection for focus group discussions. Student views were triangulated with staff questionnaire data.ResultsAbout a third of the cohort felt that the project had not been worthwhile or had not fostered useful skills. Focus group data analysis identified fragility of motivation and lack of clear schemata for the research process as key themes. Students were easily demotivated by typical research challenges and lack of schemata contributed to a poor understanding of the rationale for the project, encouraging highly extrinsic forms of motivation. Triangulation with staff questionnaire data indicated that staff understood students’ challenges, but were more likely than students to consider it to be a valuable learning experience.ConclusionsFindings support ongoing curriculum development and emphasise that, to optimise motivation, engagement and learning, students training to be clinicians need a clear rationale for research, based on development of critical inquiry skills as a core clinical competency.