bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysing Tuberculosis Cases Among Healthcare Workers to Inform Infection Control Policy and Practices
Authors: de Vries Gerard , van Hunen Rianne , Meerstadt-Rombach Fleur S. , van der Valk Paul D. L. P. M. , Vermue Marinus , Keizer Sytze T. 
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVETo determine the number and proportion of healthcare worker (HCW) tuberculosis (TB) cases infected while working in healthcare institutions in the Netherlands and to learn from circumstances that led to these infections.DESIGNCohort analysis.METHODSWe included all HCW TB patients reported to the Netherlands TB Register from 2000 to 2015. Using data from this register, including DNA fingerprints of the bacteria profile and additional information from public health clinics, HCW TB cases were classified into 4 categories: (1) infected during work in the Netherlands, (2) infected in the community, (3) infected outside the Netherlands, or (4) outside these 3 categories. An in-depth analysis of category 1 cases was performed to identify factors contributing to patient-to-HCW transmission.RESULTSIn total, 131 HCW TB cases were identified: 32 cases (24%) in category 1; 13 cases (10%) in category 2; 42 cases (32%) in category 3; and 44 cases (34%) in category 4. The annual number of HCW TB cases (P<.05), the proportion among reported cases (P<.01), and the number of category 1 HCW TB cases (P=.12) all declined over the study period. Delayed diagnosis in a TB patient was the predominant underlying factor of nosocomial transmission in 47% of category 1 HCW TB patients, most of whom were subsequently identified in a contact investigation. Performing high-risk procedures was the main contributing factor in the other 53% of cases.CONCLUSIONIn low-incidence countries, every HCW TB case should warrant timely and thorough investigation to help further define and fine-tune the HCW screening policy and to monitor its proper implementation.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:976–982
External Validation of Three Prediction Tools for Patients at Risk of a Complicated Course of Clostridium difficile Infection: Disappointing in an Outbreak Setting
Authors: van Beurden Yvette H. , Hensgens Marjolein P. M. , Dekkers Olaf M. , Le Cessie Saskia , Mulder Chris J. J. , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina M. J. E. 
Published: June 2017

OBJECTIVEEstimating the risk of a complicated course of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) might help doctors guide treatment. We aimed to validate 3 published prediction models: Hensgens (2014), Na (2015), and Welfare (2011).METHODSThe validation cohort comprised 148 patients diagnosed with CDI between May 2013 and March 2014. During this period, 70 endemic cases of CDI occurred as well as 78 cases of CDI related to an outbreak of C. difficile ribotype 027. Model calibration and discrimination were assessed for the 3 prediction rules.RESULTSA complicated course (ie, death, colectomy, or ICU admission due to CDI) was observed in 31 patients (21%), and 23 patients (16%) died within 30 days of CDI diagnosis. The performance of all 3 prediction models was poor when applied to the total validation cohort with an estimated area under the curve (AUC) of 0.68 for the Hensgens model, 0.54 for the Na model, and 0.61 for the Welfare model. For those patients diagnosed with CDI due to non-outbreak strains, the prediction model developed by Hensgens performed the best, with an AUC of 0.78.CONCLUSIONAll 3 prediction models performed poorly when using our total cohort, which included CDI cases from an outbreak as well as endemic cases. The prediction model of Hensgens performed relatively well for patients diagnosed with CDI due to non-outbreak strains, and this model may be useful in endemic settings.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:897–905
Les députés et les partis politiques sortants profitent-ils d'un avantage électoral ? Une analyse des résultats électoraux au Québec
Authors: Blais-Lacombe Ariane , Bodet Marc André 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUsing official electoral results from provincial elections since 1973, we evaluate the incumbency effect in Quebec by measuring the impact of a combination of characteristics related to candidates and political parties. We verify whether the presence of an incumbent candidate is necessary to ensure that the incumbent party benefits from an electoral advantage. We also compare the magnitude of the incumbency effect between governing and opposition parties. Making use of parametric multivariate statistical tools, we conclude that political parties benefit from an electoral advantage in Quebec. Except for ministers who make a small difference, simple Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) do not improve their electoral performance, while in some cases new candidates with incumbent parties perform better.
Explaining gender differences in self-regulated driving: what roles do health limitations and driving alternatives play?
Authors: BARRETT ANNE E. , GUMBER CLAYTON , DOUGLAS RACHEL 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTOne of the strongest and most consistent predictors of self-regulated driving is gender, with women more likely than men to limit their driving in situations like bad weather or at night. However, studies have focused more on documenting these gender patterns than on explaining the processes underlying them, which may vary in their implications for transportation, health and ageing policy. Our study addresses this issue by examining two potential explanations for women's greater likelihood of self-regulated driving: their greater health limitations and use of driving alternatives. Using a nationally representative sample of older Americans (2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study, N = 4,842), we conducted logistic regressions predicting driving under four limitations: alone, at night, in rain or other bad weather and on highways. Our results provide stronger support for the driving alternatives explanation, especially women's greater reliance on rides from family and friends. Health limitations do contribute to explaining one of the self-regulated driving behaviours – avoiding driving alone. Our findings suggest that willingness to use driving alternatives is part of transitioning from driving. However, the relatively low use of all the alternatives we examined points to the importance of better understanding older adults’ transportation needs and preferences, including their gendered dimensions.
Managing Muslims: imperial Japan, Islamic policy, and Axis connections during the Second World War
Authors: Hammond Kelly A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractProbing into Japan’s quest to legitimize itself within the Islamic sphere, this article examines some of the lessons that imperial Japan hoped to learn from the Germans and the Italians regarding their respective handling of Muslim populations in the Middle East and North Africa. For their part, Muslims living under Japanese occupation on the mainland often benefited from Axis cooperation and were able to create relationships with Muslims beyond China. In the article, I posit that Japanese militarists used their Axis connections as a powerful rhetorical tool to position themselves as liberators from Western imperialism and communism throughout Asia. I also argue that, by examining intellectual currents circulating Eurasia through Axis-facilitated connections, we glean a more nuanced understanding of global anti-colonial movements among Muslim populations from the Maghreb to Manila in the post-war era.
Long noncoding RNA CRNDE stabilized by hnRNPUL2 accelerates cell proliferation and migration in colorectal carcinoma via activating Ras/MAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Jiang Huijuan , Wang Yiqing , Ai Meiling , Wang Haowei , Duan Zhijiao , Wang Huanan , Zhao Li , Yu Jiang , Ding Yanqing , Wang Shuang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecent studies have furthered our understanding of the function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in numerous biological processes, including cancer. This study investigated the expression of a novel lncRNA, colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE), in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) tissues and cells by real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization, and its biological function using a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments to determine its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target. CRNDE was found to be upregulated in primary CRC tissues and cells (P<0.05), and the upregulation of CRNDE expression is a powerful predictor of advanced TNM stage (P<0.05) and poor prognosis for CRC patients (P=0.002). The promoting effects of CRNDE on the cell proliferation, cell cycling and metastasis of CRC cells were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo by gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that CRNDE could form a functional complex with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U-like 2 protein (hnRNPUL2) and direct the transport of hnRNPUL2 between the nucleus and cytoplasm. hnRNPUL2 that was accumulated in the cytoplasm could interact with CRNDE both physically and functionally, increasing the stability of CRNDE RNA. Moreover, gene expression profile data showed that CRNDE depletion in cells downregulated a series of genes involved in the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the function and mechanism of lncRNA CRNDE in the pathogenesis of CRC and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for CRC intervention.
Magnetic forces enable controlled drug delivery by disrupting endothelial cell-cell junctions
Authors: Qiu Yongzhi , Tong Sheng , Zhang Linlin , Sakurai Yumiko , Myers David R. , Hong Lin , Lam Wilbur A. , Bao Gang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe vascular endothelium presents a major transport barrier to drug delivery by only allowing selective extravasation of solutes and small molecules. Therefore, enhancing drug transport across the endothelial barrier has to rely on leaky vessels arising from disease states such as pathological angiogenesis and inflammatory response. Here we show that the permeability of vascular endothelium can be increased using an external magnetic field to temporarily disrupt endothelial adherens junctions through internalized iron oxide nanoparticles, activating the paracellular transport pathway and facilitating the local extravasation of circulating substances. This approach provides a physically controlled drug delivery method harnessing the biology of endothelial adherens junction and opens a new avenue for drug delivery in a broad range of biomedical research and therapeutic applications.
Human LACC1 increases innate receptor-induced responses and a LACC1 disease-risk variant modulates these outcomes
Authors: Lahiri Amit , Hedl Matija , Yan Jie , Abraham Clara 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFunctional consequences for most inflammatory disease-associated loci are incompletely defined, including in the LACC1 (C13orf31) region. Here we show that human peripheral and intestinal myeloid-derived cells express laccase domain-containing 1 (LACC1); LACC1 is expressed in both the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Upon NOD2 stimulation of human macrophages, LACC1 associates with the NOD2-signalling complex, and is critical for optimal NOD2-induced signalling, mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production, cytokine secretion and bacterial clearance. LACC1 constitutively associates with succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunit A, and amplifies pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-induced SDH activity, an important contributor to mtROS production. Relative to LACC1 Ile254, cells transfected with Crohn’s disease-risk LACC1 Val254 or LACC1 with mutations of the nearby histidines (249,250) have reduced PRR-induced outcomes. Relative to LACC1 Ile254 carriers, Val254 disease-risk carrier macrophages demonstrate decreased PRR-induced mtROS, signalling, cytokine secretion and bacterial clearance. Therefore, LACC1 is critical for amplifying PRR-induced outcomes, an effect that is attenuated by the LACC1 disease-risk variant.
Origin of the crossover from polarons to Fermi liquids in transition metal oxides
Authors: Verdi Carla , Caruso Fabio , Giustino Feliciano 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTransition metal oxides host a wealth of exotic phenomena ranging from charge, orbital and magnetic order to nontrivial topological phases and superconductivity. In order to translate these unique materials properties into device functionalities these materials must be doped; however, the nature of carriers and their conduction mechanism at the atomic scale remain unclear. Recent angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy investigations provided insight into these questions, revealing that the carriers of prototypical metal oxides undergo a transition from a polaronic liquid to a Fermi liquid regime with increasing doping. Here, by performing ab initio many-body calculations of angle-resolved photoemission spectra of titanium dioxide, we show that this transition originates from non-adiabatic polar electron–phonon coupling, and occurs when the frequency of plasma oscillations exceeds that of longitudinal-optical phonons. This finding suggests that a universal mechanism may underlie polaron formation in transition metal oxides, and provides a pathway for engineering emergent properties in quantum matter.
DNA Backbone Sulfur-Modification Expands Microbial Growth Range under Multiple Stresses by its anti-oxidation function
Authors: Yang Yan , Xu Guanpeng , Liang Jingdan , He Ying , Xiong Lei , Li Hui , Bartlett Douglas , Deng Zixin , Wang Zhijun , Xiao Xiang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification is a sulfur modification on the backbone of DNA introduced by the proteins DndA-E. It has been detected within many bacteria isolates and metagenomic datasets, including human pathogens, and is considered to be widely distributed in nature. However, little is known about the physiological function of this modification, and thus its evolutionary significance and application potential remains largely a mystery. In this study, we focused on the advantages of DNA PT modification to bacterial cells coping with environmental stresses. We show that the mesophile Escherichia coli and the extremophile Shewanella piezotolerans both expanded their growth ranges following exposure to extreme temperature, salinity, pH, pressure, UV, X-ray and heavy metals as a result of DNA phophorothioation. The phophorothioated DNA reacted to both H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals in vivo, and protected genomic DNA as well as sensitive enzymes from intracellular oxidative damage. We further demonstrate that this process has evolved separate from its associated role in DNA restriction and modification. These findings provide a physiological role for a covalent modification widespread in nature and suggest possible applications in biotechnology and biomedicine.
Comparative genomics and transcriptomics of Escherichia coli isolates carrying virulence factors of both enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic E. coli
Authors: Hazen Tracy H. , Michalski Jane , Luo Qingwei , Shetty Amol C. , Daugherty Sean C. , Fleckenstein James M. , Rasko David A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEscherichia colithat are capable of causing human disease are often classified into pathogenic variants (pathovars) based on their virulence gene content. However, disease-associated hybridE. coli, containing unique combinations of multiple canonical virulence factors have also been described. Such was the case of theE. coliO104:H4 outbreak in 2011, which caused significant morbidity and mortality. Among the pathovars of diarrheagenicE. colithat cause significant human disease﻿ are the enteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC) and enterotoxigenicE. coli(ETEC). In the current study we use comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and functional studies to characterize isolates that contain virulence factors of both EPEC and ETEC. Based on phylogenomic analysis, these hybrid isolates are more genomically-related to EPEC, but appear to have acquired ETEC virulence genes. Global transcriptional analysis using RNA sequencing, demonstrated that the EPEC and ETEC virulence genes of these hybrid isolates were differentially-expressed under virulence-inducing laboratory conditions, similar to reference isolates. Immunoblot assays further verified that the virulence gene products were produced and that the T3SS effector EspB of EPEC, and heat-labile toxin of ETEC were secreted. These findings document the existence and virulence potential of anE. colipathovar hybrid that blurs the distinction betweenE. colipathovars.
ARC6-mediated Z ring-like structure formation of prokaryote-descended chloroplast FtsZ in Escherichia coli
Authors: Irieda Hiroki , Shiomi Daisuke 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPlant chloroplasts proliferate through binary fission, and the stromal-side molecules that are involved in chloroplast division are bacterial derivatives. As in bacteria, the prokaryotic tubulin homolog FtsZ assembles into a ring-like structure (Z ring) at mid-chloroplast, and this process is followed by constriction. However, the properties of chloroplast FtsZs remain unclarified. Here, we employed Escherichia coli as a novel heterologous system for expressing chloroplast FtsZs and their regulatory components. Fluorescently labelled Arabidopsis FtsZ2 efficiently assembled into long filaments in E. coli cells, and artificial membrane tethering conferred FtsZ2 filaments with the ability to form Z ring-like structures resembling the bacterial Z ring. A negative regulator of chloroplast FtsZ assembly, ARC3, retained its inhibitory effects on FtsZ2 filamentation and Z ring-like structure formation in E. coli cells. Thus, we provide a novel heterologous system by using bacterial cells to study the regulation of the chloroplast divisome. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the FtsZ2-interacting protein ARC6, which is a potential candidate for Z ring tethering to the chloroplast inner envelope membrane, genuinely targeted FtsZ2 to the membrane components and supported its morphological shift from linear filaments to Z ring-like structures in a manner dependent on the C-terminal ARC6-interacting domain of FtsZ2.
Hydrostatic pressure effects on the static magnetism in Eu(Fe0.925Co0.075)2As2
Authors: Jin W. T. , Sun J.-P. , Ye G. Z. , Xiao Y. , Su Y. , Schmalzl K. , Nandi S. , Bukowski Z. , Guguchia Z. , Feng E. , Fu Z. , Cheng J.-G. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEuFe2As2-based iron pnictides are quite interesting compounds, due to the two magnetic sublattices in them and the tunability to superconductors by chemical doping or application of external pressure. The effects of hydrostatic pressure on the static magnetism in Eu(Fe0.925Co0.075)2As2 are investigated by complementary electrical resistivity, ac magnetic susceptibility and single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements. A specific pressure-temperature (P-T) phase diagram of Eu(Fe0.925Co0.075)2As2 is established. The structural phase transition, as well as the spin-density-wave order of Fe sublattice, is suppressed gradually with increasing pressure and disappears completely above 2.0 GPa. In contrast, the magnetic order of Eu sublattice persists over the whole investigated pressure range up to 14 GPa, yet displaying a non-monotonic variation with pressure. With the increase of the hydrostatic pressure, the magnetic state of Eu evolves from the canted antiferromagnetic structure in the ground state, via a pure ferromagnetic structure under the intermediate pressure, finally to an “unconfirmed” antiferromagnetic structure under the high pressure. The strong ferromagnetism of Eu coexists with the pressure-induced superconductivity around 2 GPa. Comparisons between the P-T phase diagrams of Eu(Fe0.925Co0.075)2As2 and the parent compound EuFe2As2 were also made.
Investigation of material removal in inner-jet electrochemical grinding of GH4169 alloy
Authors: Li Hansong , Niu Shen , Zhang Qingliang , Fu Shuxing , Qu Ningsong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractElectrochemical grinding (ECG) is a low-cost and highly efficient process for application to difficult-to-machine materials. In this process, the electrolyte supply mode directly affects machining stability and efficiency. This paper proposes a flow channel structure for an abrasive tool to be used for inner-jet ECG of GH4169 alloy. The tool is based on a dead-end tube with electrolyte outlet holes located in the sidewall. The diameter and number of outlet holes are determined through numerical simulation with the aim of achieving uniform electrolyte flow in the inter-electrode gap. Experiments show that the maximum feed rate and material removal rate are both improved by increasing the diamond grain size, applied voltage, electrolyte temperature and pressure. For a machining depth of 3 mm in a single pass, a feed rate of 2.4 mm min−1 is achieved experimentally. At this feed rate and machining depth, a sample is produced along a feed path under computer numerical control, with the feed direction changing four times. Inner-jet ECG with the proposed abrasive tool shows good efficiency and flexibility for processing hard-to-cut metals with a large removal depth.
Platelet distribution width correlates with prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Cui Ming-ming , Li Na , Liu Xing , Yun Zhi-yuan , Niu Ye , Zhang Yong , Gao Boning , Liu Tiemin , Wang Rui-tao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPlatelets play a multifaceted role in cancer progression and metastasis. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) are commonly used platelet parameters from routine blood test. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between platelet indices and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 270 patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC between January 2009 and December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ characteristics and hematologic tests data at initial diagnosis were collected. The overall survival rate was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic analysis was carried out with univariate and multivariate Cox regressions model. Reduced PDW was significantly correlated with T stage, N stage, TNM stage, and histological type of the disease. Moreover, survival analysis showed that the overall survival of patients with PDW ≥ 16.3% was significantly longer than that of those with PDW < 16.3% (P < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression model, age, sex, TNM stage, and PDW were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (for PDW, P < 0.001). In conclusion, reduced PDW is an unfavorable predictive factor of NSCLC patient survival. Further studies are warranted.
A sex-specific reconstitution bias in the competitive CD45.1/CD45.2 congenic bone marrow transplant model
Authors: Jafri Salema , Moore Stephen D. , Morrell Nicholas W. , Ormiston Mark L. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAllelic variants of the pan-haematopoietic cell marker CD45, identified as CD45.1 and CD45.2, have been established as a marker system to track haematopoietic cells following congenic mouse bone marrow transplants. Despite the frequent use of this model for studying the impact of genetic modifications on relative differentiation potential, it is now evident that a bias exists in CD45.1 versus CD45.2 cell reconstitution. While this bias has been demonstrated by reduced reconstitution potential in B cells of CD45.1 origin, differences in the development of other lymphocytes, as well as the impact of sex on this bias, remain uncertain. We performed bone marrow transplants with wild-type CD45.1 and CD45.2 donor cells, and characterised haematopoietic cell reconstitution in dual-expressing CD45.1/2 host mice. We report an increase in CD45.2 reconstitution in the bone marrow that persists in the spleen, thymus and blood. Through the use of CD45.1/2 hosts, we demonstrate the intrinsic bias towards CD45.2 reconstitution is independent of an immunogenic response to the CD45.1 epitope. Furthermore, we identify a sex-specific difference in reconstitution efficiencies, with female mice exhibiting a greater bias towards CD45.2 reconstitution than males. This work sheds new light on the limitations of the CD45.1/CD45.2 congenic system for tracking lymphocyte development.