bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Organisms in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Evans Charlesnika T. , Fitzpatrick Margaret A. , Jones Makoto M. , Burns Stephen P. , Poggensee Linda , Ramanathan Swetha , LaVela Sherri L. , Safdar Nasia , Suda Katie J. 
Published: November 2017

OBJECTIVEInfections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms (MDRGNOs) have been increasing every year. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of MDRGNOs and factors associated with MDRGNOs in patients with spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D).DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.METHODSDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record data from 142 VA facilities were evaluated for 19,642 patients with SCI/D. Multivariable cluster-adjusted models were fit to identify factors associated with MDRGNO.RESULTSGram-negative (GN) cultures occurred in 44% of patients with SCI/D receiving care at VA facilities, and 11,527 (41.3%) GN cultures had an MDRGNO. The most frequent GN organisms (GNOs) were Escherichia coli (28.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.0%). Two-thirds of GN cultures were from the outpatient setting, where MDRGNO prevalence was 37.6%. Significant geographic variation in the prevalence of MDRGNOs was identified (South, 44.7%; Northeast, 44.3%; West, 36.8%; Midwest, 34.4%). Other factors associated with an MDRGNO were older age, injury characteristics, comorbidities, specimen type, healthcare setting, and healthcare exposure. Black (odds ratio [OR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–1.78) and Hispanic race (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.28–1.95), polymicrobial culture (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.46–2.90), and antibiotic use in the previous 90 days (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.50–1.76) were also associated with having an MDRGNO.CONCLUSIONSMDRGNOs were common in community and healthcare settings among veterans with SCI/D, with significant geographic variation. Health care and antibiotic exposures were significant factors associated with MDRGNOs. Priority should be given to controlling the spread of MDRGNOs in this special population, including a focus on judicious use of antibiotics.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1464–1471
AFTER FERTILITY’S NADIR? ETHNIC DIFFERENTIALS IN PARITY-SPECIFIC BEHAVIOURS IN KYRGYZSTAN
Authors: Spoorenberg Thomas 
Published: November 2017

SummaryAfter a swift decline in the 1990s, the countries of Central Asia have experienced significant fertility increases over the last 15 years. These fertility upturns have remained off the radar of demographers. This study examines the recent fertility increase in Kyrgyzstan, focusing on fertility development by parity and among the main ethnic groups, in order to go beyond classic fertility indicators and national averages. Using a sample from the 2009 Census micro-dataset, sibling progression ratios were computed using information on the relationships and dates of birth of children under the age of 15. The results allow an analysis of the fertility increase by identifying the contribution of parity and ethnic group. It was found that the fertility increase in Kyrgyzstan has been experienced across the main ethnic groups, but their respective share in the population of the country has resulted in distinct contributions to the increase. Between 2001 and 2009, 82.4% of the fertility increase was due to an increase in the fertility of Kyrgyz women. In comparison, Uzbek and Russian women contributed 10.2% and 7.4%, respectively. By accounting for the parity component and ethnic factor, this study adds important disaggregated information, not only on family-building behaviours, but also on the social dimension, which is of prime importance for a better understanding of the demography of Central Asia. The study highlights important information on family-building behaviours, which are essential for the formulation of appropriate and more effective social policies aimed at sustaining and/or increasing fertility.
Entomopathogenic bacteriaPhotorhabdus luminescensas drug source againstLeishmania amazonensis
Authors: Antonello Ana Maria , Sartori Thaís , Folmer Correa Ana Paula , Brandelli Adriano , Heermann Ralf , Rodrigues Júnior Luiz Carlos , Peres Alessandra , Romão Pedro Roosevelt Torres , Da Silva Onilda Santos 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLeishmaniasis is a widely spread and zoonotic disease with serious problems as low effectiveness of drugs, emergence of parasite resistance and severe adverse reactions. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to secondary metabolites produced byPhotorhabdus luminescens, an entomopathogenic bacterium. Here, we assessed the leishmanicidal activity ofP. luminescensculture fluids. Initially, promastigotes ofLeishmania amazonensiswere incubated with cell free conditioned medium ofP. luminescensand parasite survival was monitored. Different pre-treatments of the conditioned medium revealed that the leishmanicidal activity is due to a secreted peptide smaller than 3 kDa. ThePhotorhabdus-derived leishmanicidal toxin (PLT) was enriched from conditioned medium and its effect on mitochondrial membrane potential of promastigotes, was determined. Moreover, the biological activity of PLT against amastigotes was evaluated. PLT inhibited the parasite growth and showed significant leishmanicidal activity against promastigote and amastigotes ofL. amazonensis. PLT also caused mitochondrial dysfunction in parasites, but low toxicity to mammalian cell and human erythrocytes. Moreover, the anti-amastigote activity was independent of nitric oxide production. In summary, our results highlight thatP. luminescenssecretesLeishmania-toxic peptide(s) that are promising novel drugs for therapy against leishmaniasis.
ON MODULES OVER COMMUTATIVE RINGS
Authors: FUCHS LÁSZLÓ , LEE SANG BUM 
Published: November 2017

Our main purpose is to extend several results of interest that have been proved for modules over integral domains to modules over arbitrary commutative rings $R$ with identity. The classical ring of quotients $Q$ of $R$ will play the role of the field of quotients when zero-divisors are present. After discussing torsion-freeness and divisibility (Sections 2–3), we study Matlis-cotorsion modules and their roles in two category equivalences (Sections 4–5). These equivalences are established via the same functors as in the domain case, but instead of injective direct sums $\oplus Q$ one has to take the full subcategory of $Q$-modules into consideration. Finally, we prove results on Matlis rings, i.e. on rings for which $Q$ has projective dimension $1$ (Theorem 6.4).
Occurrence of Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in the sandy tidal zone of the Caspian seashore
Authors: Rafinejhad J. , Asgarian F. , Nikookar S. H. , Ziapour S. P. , Fazeli-Dinan M. , Serri S. , Enayati A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphilinidae) are a group of diverse insects occurring in a range of different ecosystems, from the plains to the mountaintops. However, there are no reports in the literature of their presence in the tidal zone of the seashore. This is the first report of the presence ofPaederus fuscipesCurtis on the coastal sands of the Caspian Sea, northern Iran. In all 14 counties of Mazandaran Province on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, systematic monthly sampling of the beetles took place from May 2012 to April 2013. Samplings (30-min-person) were performed and specimens collected from the sandy seashore by gloved bare hands and identified using appropriate keys. To our surprise, all 1012 specimens collected were exclusivelyP. fuscipesCurtis, but with significant seasonal and geographical variations among the numbers of specimens collected. The distribution and activity ofP. fuscipeswere outstanding in Mahmoodabad and Fereidonkenar counties, with the highest abundance and frequency in September, posing a serious health threat to tourists and residents of these areas.
Psychometrische Eigenschaften einer deutschsprachigen Übersetzung des Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI-D)
Authors: Schmid Jürg , Steiner Silvan , Rensch Manuela , Middleton Cory , Seiler Roland 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Das Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI; Middleton, Martin & Marsh, 2011 ) ist ein Selbstbeurteilungsinstrument zur Erfassung von 12 Facetten mentaler Stärke im Sport oder anderen leistungsbezogenen Kontexten. Ins Deutsche übersetzt, wurde das MTI–D an einer deutschsprachigen Stichprobe (N = 1 122), davon n = 914 Athletinnen und Athleten und n = 208 Studierende der Sportwissenschaft aus 41 Sportarten hinsichtlich Faktorstruktur, Messinvarianz, Reliabilität, Konstrukt- und Kriteriumsvalidität untersucht. Entsprechend der theoretischen Konzeption ergaben Bifaktorenanalysen für das MTI–D eine Struktur mit einem gemeinsamen Faktor und 12 spezifischen Faktoren. Die Reliabilität (ω) der Gesamtskala und der Subskalen lag zwischen .81 und .98, während die Werte für omega hierarchical subscale tiefer lagen (.07 ≤ ωHS ≤ .77). Der globale und die spezifischen Faktoren korrelierten hypothesenkonform mit dem Engagement und Leistungsniveau im Sport sowie dem Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS-D; Schmid, Birrer, Kaiser & Seiler, 2010 ) zur Erfassung mentaler Strategien im Sport. Zwar könnten einzelne Faktoren optimiert werden, doch es liegen Hinweise darauf vor, dass mit dem MTI–D mentale Stärke reliabel und valide erfasst werden kann.
Generische und indikationsspezifische Messeigenschaften des IRES-24-Patientenfragebogen
Authors: Wirtz Markus Antonius , Farin Erik 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Der Indikatoren des Reha-Status Patientenfragebogen (IRES-24) wird in der medizinischen Rehabilitation als Instrument zur Routinediagnostik der Dimensionen Funktionsfähigkeit im Alltag, Psychisches Befinden, Somatische Gesundheit und Schmerzen eingesetzt. Die generischen und indikationsspezifischen Messeigenschaften des IRES-24 Patientenfragebogen werden in einem Vergleich von Befragten aus der orthopädischen (N = 1 869; 37 % weiblich; MAlter = 50.3 Jahre) und der neurologischen Rehabilitation (N = 881; 49 % weiblich; MAlter = 64.6 Jahre) analysiert. Um Alters- und Geschlechtsverzerrungen zu vermeiden, wurden gematchte Stichproben gezogen (342 Befragte pro Gruppe; 55 % weiblich; MAlter = 51.6 bzw. 52.6 Jahre). Die Analyse erfolgte mittels des Differential Item Functioning auf Basis des ordinalen Rasch-Modells. Während Psychisches Befinden indikationsübergreifend testfair erfasst wird, indizieren einzelne Items der Skala Funktionsfähigkeit im Alltag und Schmerzen die jeweilige latente Merkmalsdimension unterschiedlich sensitiv. Bedeutsame Verletzungen der Homogenität der Skala Somatische Gesundheit, die durch die Erfassung unterschiedlicher Symptomkomplexe bedingt sind, müssen bei indikationsübergreifenden Anwendungen des IRES-24 berücksichtigt werden.
Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen für Kinder und Jugendliche (SVF-KJ)
Authors: Hampel Petra , Amtmann Elfriede , Roch Svenja , Karpinski Norbert K. , Petermann Franz 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Der Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen für Kinder und Jugendliche (SVF-KJ) erhebt die soziale und schulische Stressverarbeitung über 9 Subtests und 36 Items. Der Gültigkeitsbereich wurde in der aktuellen Version von 2016 auf die Altersspanne von 8 bis 16 Jahre erweitert. Ferner wurden 4 Items geringfügig angepasst und aktuelle Normen wurden erhoben. Die Normwerte und psychometrischen Gütekriterien wurden bei N = 1 087 Kindern und Jugendlichen ermittelt. Befunde von konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalysen bestätigten die Zuordnung der Items zu den Subtests, die sich in früheren exploratorischen Faktorenanalysen ergeben hatten. Korrelationsanalysen sprechen für eine hinreichend divergente Validität gegenüber dem Konstrukt „Emotionsregulation“. Schließlich wurde an einer Teilstichprobe von N = 374 deutschen Kindern und Jugendlichen die interne Konstruktvalidität bekräftigt, indem erwartungskonforme Geschlechts- und Altersunterschiede nachgewiesen wurden. Insgesamt unterstützen die weiteren Analysen, dass der SVF-KJ die Stressverarbeitungsdispositionen im Kindes- und Jugendalter valide erfasst.
Clonal expansion behind a marine diatom bloom
Authors: Ruggiero Maria Valeria , D’Alelio Domenico , Ferrante Maria Immacolata , Santoro Mariano , Vitale Laura , Procaccini Gabriele , Montresor Marina 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Genetic diversity is what selection acts on, thus shaping the adaptive potential of populations. We studied micro-evolutionary patterns of the key planktonic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata at a long-term sampling site over 2 consecutive years by genotyping isolates with 22 microsatellite markers. We show that both sex and vegetative growth interplay in shaping intraspecific diversity. We document a brief but massive demographic and clonal expansion driven by strains of the same mating type. The analysis of an extended data set (6 years) indicates that the genetic fingerprint of P. multistriata changed over time with a nonlinear pattern, with intermittent periods of weak and strong diversification related to the temporary predominance of clonal expansions over sexual recombination. These dynamics, rarely documented for phytoplankton, contribute to the understanding of bloom formation and of the mechanisms that drive microevolution in diatoms.
Deep characterization of a common D4Z4 variant identifies biallelic DUX4 expression as a modifier for disease penetrance in FSHD2
Authors: Lemmers Richard JLF , van der Vliet Patrick J , Balog Judit , Goeman Jelle J , Arindrarto Wibowo , Krom Yvonne D , Straasheijm Kirsten R , Debipersad Rashmie D , Özel Gizem , Sowden Janet , Snider Lauren , Mul Karlien , Sacconi Sabrina , van Engelen Baziel , Tapscott Stephen J , Tawil Rabi , van der Maarel Silvère M 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is caused by incomplete repression of the transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle as a consequence of D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat contraction in chromosome 4q35 (FSHD1) or variants in genes encoding D4Z4 chromatin repressors (FSHD2). A clinical hallmark of FSHD is variability in onset and progression suggesting the presence of disease modifiers. A well-known cis modifier is the polymorphic DUX4 polyadenylation signal (PAS) that defines FSHD permissive alleles: D4Z4 chromatin relaxation on non-permissive alleles which lack the DUX4-PAS cannot cause disease in the absence of stable DUX4 mRNA. We have explored the nature and relevance of a common variant of the major FSHD haplotype 4A161, which is defined by 1.6 kb size difference of the most distal D4Z4 repeat unit. While the short variant (4A161S) has been extensively studied, we demonstrate that the long variant (4A161L) is relatively common in the European population, is capable of expressing DUX4, but that DUX4 mRNA processing differs from 4A161S. While we do not find evidence for a difference in disease severity between FSHD carriers of an 4A161S or 4A161L allele, our study does uncover biallelic DUX4 expression in FSHD2 patients. Compared to control individuals, we observed an increased frequency of FSHD2 patients homozygous for disease permissive alleles, and who are thus capable of biallelic DUX4 expression, while SMCHD1 variant carriers with only one permissive allele were significantly more often asymptomatic. This suggests that biallelic DUX4 expression lowers the threshold for disease presentation and is a modifier for disease severity in FSHD2.
T cell receptor β-chains display abnormal shortening and repertoire sharing in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gomez-Tourino Iria , Kamra Yogesh , Baptista Roman , Lorenc Anna , Peakman Mark 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDefects in T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire are proposed to predispose to autoimmunity. Here we show, by analyzing >2 × 108TCRB sequences of circulating naive, central memory, regulatory and stem cell-like memory CD4+ T cell subsets from patients with type 1 diabetes and healthy donors, that patients have shorter TCRB complementarity-determining region 3s (CDR3), in all cell subsets, introduced by increased deletions/reduced insertions during VDJ rearrangement. High frequency of short CDR3s is also observed in unproductive TCRB sequences, which are not subjected to thymic culling, suggesting that the shorter CDR3s arise independently of positive/negative selection. Moreover, TCRB CDR3 clonotypes expressed by autoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells are shorter compared with anti-viral T cells, and with those from healthy donors. Thus, early events in thymic T cell development and repertoire generation are abnormal in type 1 diabetes, which suggest that short CDR3s increase the potential for self-recognition, conferring heightened risk of autoimmune disease.
Food availability drives plastic self-repair response in a basal metazoan- case study on the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865
Authors: Bading Katharina Tissy , Kaehlert Sarah , Chi Xupeng , Jaspers Cornelia , Martindale Mark Q. , Javidpour Jamileh 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMany marine invertebrates including ctenophores are capable of extensive body regeneration when injured. However, as for the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, there is a constant subportion of individuals not undergoing whole body regeneration but forming functionally stable half-animals instead. Yet, the driving factors of this phenomenon have not been addressed so far. This study sheds new light on how differences in food availability affect self-repair choice and regeneration success in cydippid larvae of M. leidyi. As expected, high food availability favored whole-body regeneration. However, under low food conditions half-animals became the preferential self-repair mode. Remarkably, both regenerating and half-animals showed very similar survival chances under respective food quantities. As a consequence of impaired food uptake after injury, degeneration of the digestive system would often occur indicating limited energy storage capacities. Taken together, this indicates that half-animals may represent an alternative energy-saving trajectory which implies self-repair plasticity as an adaptive trade-off between high regeneration costs and low energy storage capacities. We conclude that self-repair plasticity could lead to higher population fitness of ctenophores under adverse conditions such as in ships’ ballast water tanks which is postulated to be the major vector source for the species’ spreading around the globe.
Virus replicon particle vaccines expressing nucleoprotein of influenza A virus mediate enhanced inflammatory responses in pigs
Authors: Ricklin Meret E. , Python Sylvie , Vielle Nathalie J. , Brechbühl Daniel , Zumkehr Beatrice , Posthaus Horst , Zimmer Gert , Ruggli Nicolas , Summerfield Artur 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStudies in the mouse model indicate that the nucleoprotein of influenza A virus represents an interesting vaccine antigen being well conserved across subtypes of influenza virus but still able to induce protective immune responses. Here we show that immunizations of pigs with vesicular stomatitis virus- and classical swine fever virus-derived replicon (VRP) particles expressing the nucleoprotein (NP) of H1N1 A/swine/Belzig/2/01 induced potent antibody and T-cell responses against influenza A virus. In contrast to a conventional whole inactivated virus vaccine, the VRP vaccines induced both NP-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells responses, including interferon-γ and tumor-necrosis-factor dual-secreting cell. Although T-cells and antibody responses were cross-reactive with the heterologous H1N2 A/swine/Bakum/R757/2010 challenge virus, they did not provide protection against infection. Surprisingly, vaccinated pigs showed enhanced virus shedding, lung inflammation and increased levels of systemic and lung interferon-α as well as elevated lung interleukin-6. In conclusion, our study shows that NP, although efficacious in the mouse model, appears not to be a promising stand-alone vaccine antigen for pigs.
Surface modification of layered perovskite Sr2TiO4 for improved CO2 photoreduction with H2O to CH4
Authors: Kwak Byeong Sub , Do Jeong Yeon , Park No-Kuk , Kang Misook 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLayered perovskite Sr2TiO4 photocatalyst was synthesized by using sol-gel method with citric acid. In order to increase the surface area of layered perovskite Sr2TiO4, and thus to improve its photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction, its surface was modified via hydrogen treatment or exfoliation. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, elemental mapping analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and electrophoretic light scattering. CO2 photoreduction was performed in a closed reactor under 6 W/cm2 UV irradiation. The gaseous products were analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization and thermal conductivity detectors. The exfoliated Sr2TiO4 catalyst (E-Sr2TiO4) exhibited a narrow band gap, a large surface area, and high dispersion. Owing to these advantageous properties, E-Sr2TiO4 photocatalyst showed an excellent catalytic performance for CO2 photoreduction reaction. The rate of CH4 production from the photoreduction of CO2 with H2O using E-Sr2TiO4 was about 3431.77 μmol/gcat after 8 h.
Modification and functional adaptation of the MBF1 gene family in the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum under environmental stress
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Wei Xinli , Huang Jenpan , Wei Jiangchun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe multiprotein-bridging factor 1 (MBF1) gene family is well known in archaea, non-lichenized fungi, plants, and animals, and contains stress tolerance-related genes. Here, we identified four unique mbf1 genes in the lichenized fungi Endocarpon spp. A phylogenetic analysis based on protein sequences showed the translated MBF1 proteins of the newly isolated mbf1 genes formed a monophyletic clade different from other lichen-forming fungi and Ascomycota groups in general, which may reflect the evolution of the biological functions of MBF1s. In contrast to the lack of function reported in yeast, we determined that lysine114 in the deduced Endocarpon pusillum MBF1 protein (EpMBF1) had a specific function that was triggered by environmental stress. Further, the Endocarpon-specific C-terminus of EpMBF1 was found to participate in stress tolerance. Epmbf1 was induced by a number of abiotic stresses in E. pusillum and transgenic yeast, and its stress-resistant ability was stronger than that of the yeast mbf1. These findings highlight the evolution and function of EpMBF1 and provide new insights into the co-evolution hypothesis of MBF1 and TATA-box-binding proteins.