bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Horizontally acquired oligopeptide transporters favour adaptation ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaewine yeast to oenological environment
Authors: Marsit Souhir , Sanchez Isabelle , Galeote Virginie , Dequin Sylvie 
Published: November 2015

SummaryIn the past decade, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has emerged as a major evolutionary process that has shaped the genome ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaewine yeasts. We recently showed that a largeTorulaspora microellipsoidesgenomic island carrying two oligopeptide transporters encoded byFOTgenes increases the fitness of wine yeast during fermentation of grape must. However, the impact of these genes on the metabolic network ofS. cerevisiaeremained uncharacterized. Here we show that Fot‐mediated peptide uptake substantially affects the glutamate node and theNADPH/NADP+balance, resulting in the delayed uptake of free amino acids and altered profiles of metabolites and volatile compounds. Transcriptome analysis revealed that cells using a higher amount of oligopeptides from grape must are less stressed and display substantial variation in the expression of genes in the central pathways of carbon and nitrogen metabolism, amino acid and protein biosynthesis, and the oxidative stress response. These regulations shed light on the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in the higher performance and fitness conferred by theHGT‐acquiredFOTgenes, pinpointing metabolic effects that can positively affect the organoleptic balance of wines.
Regulation of nitrogen metabolism in the nitrate‐ammonifying soil bacterium Bacillus vireti and evidence for its ability to grow using N2O as electron acceptor
Authors: Mania Daniel , Heylen Kim , van Spanning Rob J. M. , Frostegård Åsa 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBacillus vireti is a nitrate‐ammonifying bacterium and a partial denitrifier, reducing NO3−, NO2−, NO and N2O with NarG, NrfA, CbaA and NosZ respectively. Growth is optimized through successive use of the electron acceptors O2 and NO3−, followed by NO2−, NO and N2O. Fermentation takes place simultaneously with anaerobic respiration. When grown in batch culture with 5 mM initial NO3−, transcription of nrfA was high and most NO3− was reduced to NH4+. With 20 mM initial NO3−, nrfA transcription was lower and more than 50% of the nitrate was recovered as NO, N2O and N2. Analysis of gene transcription patterns and corresponding gas kinetics indicated that O2 and NO2− or NO are main controllers of nrfA, nirB, cbaA and nosZ transcription. This was corroborated by analyses of putative binding regions for specific transcriptional regulators. Furthermore, we demonstrate that N2O reduction in B. vireti supports growth. The high nosZ transcription but low N2O production seen at 5 mM NO3− implies that this organism can use N2O reductase to scavenge N2O from other organisms in the soil, thus possibly acting as a net sink for N2O.
Higher Incentive Payments in Medicare Advantage's Pay‐for‐Performance Program Did Not Improve Quality But Did Increase Plan Offerings
Authors: Layton Timothy J. , Ryan Andrew M. 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of the size of financial bonuses on quality of care and the number of plan offerings in the Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Payment Demonstration.Data SourcesPublicly available data from CMS from 2009 to 2014 on Medicare Advantage plan quality ratings, the counties in the service area of each plan, and the benchmarks used to construct plan payments.Study DesignThe Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Payment Demonstration began in 2012. Under the Demonstration, all Medicare Advantage plans were eligible to receive bonus payments based on plan‐level quality scores (star ratings). In some counties, plans were eligible to receive bonus payments that were twice as large as in other counties. We used this variation in incentives to evaluate the effects of bonus size on star ratings and the number of plan offerings in the Demonstration using a differences‐in‐differences identification strategy. We used matching to create a comparison group of counties that did not receive double bonuses but had similar levels of the preintervention outcomes.Principal FindingsResults from the difference‐in‐differences analysis suggest that the receipt of double bonuses was not associated with an increase in star ratings. In the matched sample, the receipt of double bonuses was associated with a statistically insignificant increase of +0.034 (approximately 1 percent) in the average star rating (p > .10, 95 percent CI: −0.015, 0.083). In contrast, the receipt of double bonuses was associated with an increase in the number of plans offered. In the matched sample, the receipt of double bonuses was associated with an overall increase of +0.814 plans (approximately 5.8 percent) (p < .05, 95 percent CI: 0.078, 1.549). We estimate that the double bonuses increased payments by $3.43 billion over the first 3 years of the Demonstration.ConclusionsAt great expense to Medicare, double bonuses in the Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Payment Demonstration were not associated with improved quality but were associated with more plan offerings.
Effect of Medicaid Expansions on Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care among Low‐Income Adults with Behavioral Health Conditions
Authors: Wen Hefei , Druss Benjamin G. , Cummings Janet R. 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of Medicaid expansions on health insurance coverage and access to care among low‐income adults with behavioral health conditions.Data Sources/Study SettingNine years (2004–2012) of individual‐level cross‐sectional data from a restricted‐access version of National Survey on Drug Use and Health.Study DesignA quasi‐experimental difference‐in‐differences design comparing outcomes among residents in 14 states that implemented Medicaid expansions for low‐income adults under the Section §1115 waiver with those residing in the rest of the country.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsThe analytic sample includes low‐income adult respondents with household incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level who have a behavioral health condition: approximately 28,400 low‐income adults have past‐year serious psychological distress and 24,900 low‐income adults have a past‐year substance use disorder (SUD).Principal FindingsAmong low‐income adults with behavioral health conditions, Medicaid expansions were associated with a reduction in the rate of uninsurance (p < .05), a reduction in the probability of perceiving an unmet need for mental health (MH) treatment (p < .05) and for SUD treatment (p < .05), as well as an increase in the probability of receiving MH treatment (p < .01).ConclusionsThe ongoing implementation of Medicaid expansions has the potential to improve health insurance coverage and access to care for low‐income adults with behavioral health conditions.
Do Stop, Question, and Frisk Practices Deter Crime?
Authors: Weisburd David , Wooditch Alese , Weisburd Sarit , Yang Sue‐Ming 
Published: November 2015

Research SummaryExisting studies examining the crime impacts of stop, question, and frisks (SQFs) have focused on large geographic areas. Weisburd, Telep, and Lawton (2014) suggested that SQFs in New York City (NYC) were highly concentrated at crime hot spots, implying that a microlevel unit of analysis may be more appropriate. The current study aims to address the limitations of prior studies by exploring the impact of SQFs on daily and weekly crime incidents in NYC at a microgeographic level. The findings suggest that SQFs produce a significant yet modest deterrent effect on crime.Policy ImplicationsThese findings support those who argue that SQFs deter crime. Nonetheless, it is not clear whether other policing strategies may have similar or even stronger crime‐control outcomes. In turn, the level of SQFs needed to produce meaningful crime reductions are costly in terms of police time and are potentially harmful to police legitimacy.
Yield and Textural Characteristics of Panela Cheeses Produced with Dairy‐Vegetable Protein (Soybean or Peanut) Blends Supplemented with Transglutaminase
Authors: Salinas‐Valdés Alicia , De la Rosa Millán Julián , Serna‐Saldívar Sergio O. , Chuck‐Hernández Cristina 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe study evaluated panela cheeses made from dairy‐plant protein blends, using soybean or peanut protein isolates, supplemented with transglutaminase (TG). Plant proteins were isolated using an alkaline extraction method followed by acid precipitation, and added to the dairy system in order to increase 50% or 100% the protein concentration. The total protein extraction for peanut and soybean isolates was 30.3% and 54.6%, respectively (based on initial protein content of sources), and no impairment of their essential amino acid profile was detected. Cheeses supplemented with TG and soybean showed the highest moisture and crude yield (>67.8% and 20.7%, respectively), whereas protein content was higher in the peanut isolate—added samples without TG (>67.4%). Cheese solids yield (ratio between final and initial solids) was higher for treatments with TG and 100% of plant protein addition (>50.7%). Regarding texture, 4 parameters were measured: hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and springiness. All cheeses containing soybean isolates and TG presented the highest chewiness and cohesiveness values, similar to those of the control treatment. Springiness was similar for all treatments, but hardness was higher in cheeses prepared with the peanut protein isolate added with TG. From these results it can be concluded that panela cheeses can be elaborated following a traditional procedure, but with the addition of soybean or peanut protein to the dairy ingredients. Cheeses containing these protein isolates showed higher protein than the milk control cheese and similar textural characteristics.
Effects of Flavor and Texture on the Sensory Perception of Gouda‐Type Cheese Varieties during Ripening Using Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Shiota Makoto , Iwasawa Ai , Suzuki‐Iwashima Ai , Iida Fumiko 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe impact of flavor composition, texture, and other factors on desirability of different commercial sources of Gouda‐type cheese using multivariate analyses on the basis of sensory and instrumental analyses were investigated. Volatile aroma compounds were measured using headspace solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and steam distillation extraction (SDE)‐GC/MS, and fatty acid composition, low‐molecular‐weight compounds, including amino acids, and organic acids, as well pH, texture, and color were measured to determine their relationship with sensory perception. Orthogonal partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) was performed to discriminate between 2 different ripening periods in 7 sample sets, revealing that ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexanoic acid, and octanoic acid increased with increasing sensory attribute scores for sweetness, fruity, and sulfurous. A partial least squares (PLS) regression model was constructed to predict the desirability of cheese using these parameters. We showed that texture and buttery flavors are important factors affecting the desirability of Gouda‐type cheeses for Japanese consumers using these multivariate analyses.
Biofilm Formation Characteristics of Pseudomonas lundensis Isolated from Meat
Authors: Liu Yong‐Ji , Xie Jing , Zhao Li‐Jun , Qian Yun‐Fang , Zhao Yong , Liu Xiao 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBiofilms formations of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria on food or food contact surfaces have attracted increasing attention. These events may lead to a higher risk of food spoilage and foodborne disease transmission. While Pseudomonas lundensis is one of the most important bacteria that cause spoilage in chilled meat, its capability for biofilm formation has been seldom reported. Here, we investigated biofilm formation characteristics of P. lundensis mainly by using crystal violet staining, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The swarming and swimming motility, biofilm formation in different temperatures (30, 10, and 4 °C) and the protease activity of the target strain were also assessed. The results showed that P. lundensis showed a typical surface‐associated motility and was quite capable of forming biofilms in different temperatures (30, 10, and 4 °C). The strain began to adhere to the contact surfaces and form biofilms early in the 4 to 6 h. The biofilms began to be formed in massive amounts after 12 h at 30 °C, and the extracellular polysaccharides increased as the biofilm structure developed. Compared with at 30 °C, more biofilms were formed at 4 and 10 °C even by a low bacterial density. The protease activity in the biofilm was significantly correlated with the biofilm formation. Moreover, the protease activity in biofilm was significantly higher than that of the corresponding planktonic cultures after cultured 12 h at 30 °C.
Imaging manifestations of acquired elastopathy resembling pseudoxanthoma elasticum in patients with beta thalassaemia major and sickle cell disease
Authors: Narayanan Harish , Cheng Ken , Lau Ken , Harish Radhika , Bowden Donald K 
Published: November 2015

SummaryDevelopment of an acquired systemic elastopathy resembling pseudoxanthoma elasticum in patients with chronic haemoglobinopathies such as beta thalassaemia major and sickle cell disease is well documented. There is paucity of any comprehensive literature on the radiological manifestations of this entity. This pictorial review aims to describe and illustrate the multi system and multi modality imaging findings of this condition.
Stage IB cervix cancer with nodal involvement treated with primary surgery or primary radiotherapy: Patterns of failure and outcomes in a contemporary population
Authors: Lapuz Carminia , Kondalsamy‐Chennakesavan Srinivas , Bernshaw David , Khaw Pearly , Narayan Kailash 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study is to evaluate patterns of failure, overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), prognostic factors and late toxicities in node positive International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB cervix cancer treated with curative intent.MethodsPatients with FIGO stage IB cervix cancer and positive nodes were identified from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre prospective gynaecology database. Patients were treated with primary surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (S + RT) or primary radiotherapy (primary RT). Prognostic factors examined were tumour size, histology, grade, lymphovascular invasion or corpus uterine invasion, MRI tumour volume, number of nodes involved, highest site of nodal involvement, treatment modality, age and smoking.ResultsOf the 103 eligible patients, 43 patients had S + RT and 60 patients had primary RT. Tumours were significantly smaller in the S + RT group (mean 3.0 cm vs. 4.5 cm, P < 0.001). Five‐year OS (95% confidence interval) and DFS (95% confidence interval) for the whole cohort was 67.6% (56.5–76.4%) and 66.1% (55.7–74.6%), respectively. Tumour diameter and number of positive nodes were significant prognostic factors for OS and DFS and smoking was related to DFS. Treatment modality was not a significant prognostic factor in OS and DFS. Of 33 patients that relapsed, 32 patients relapsed outside the pelvis. One patient failed in the pelvis only.ConclusionsEarly stage cervix cancer with nodal involvement is associated with excellent pelvic disease control following curative intent treatment. Almost all relapses occurred beyond the pelvis and therefore more aggressive local treatment is unlikely to improve survival in these patients.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa AmrZ C‐terminal domain mediates tetramerization and is required for its activator and repressor functions
Authors: Xu Binjie , Ju Yue , Soukup Randal J. , Ramsey Deborah M. , Fishel Richard , Wysocki Vicki H. , Wozniak Daniel J. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryPseudomonas aeruginosa is an important bacterial opportunistic pathogen, presenting a significant threat towards individuals with underlying diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The transcription factor AmrZ regulates expression of multiple P. aeruginosa virulence factors. AmrZ belongs to the ribbon–helix–helix protein superfamily, in which many members function as dimers, yet others form higher order oligomers. In this study, four independent approaches were undertaken and demonstrated that the primary AmrZ form in solution is tetrameric. Deletion of the AmrZ C‐terminal domain leads to loss of tetramerization and reduced DNA binding to both activated and repressed target promoters. Additionally, the C‐terminal domain is essential for efficient AmrZ‐mediated activation and repression of its targets.
Suicide attempts in bipolar disorders: comprehensive review of 101 reports
Authors: Tondo L. , Pompili M. , Forte A. , Baldessarini R. J. 
Published: November 2015

ObjectiveAssess reported risk of suicide attempts by patients with bipolar disorder (BD).MethodSystematic searching yielded 101 reports from 22 countries (79 937 subjects). We analyzed for risk (%) and incidence rates (%/year) of attempts, comparing sex and diagnostic types, including by meta‐analysis.ResultsAttempt risk averaged 31.1% [CI: 27.9–34.3] of subjects, or 4.24 [3.78–4.70]%/year. In BD‐I (43 studies) and BD‐II subjects (30 studies), risks (29.9%, 31.4%) and incidence rates (4.01, 4.11%/year) were similar and not different by meta‐analysis. Among women vs. men, risks (33.7% vs. 25.5%) and incidence (4.50 vs. 3.21%/year) were greater (also supported by meta‐analysis: RR = 1.35 [CI: 1.25–1.45], P < 0.0001). Neither measure was related to reporting year, % women/study, or to onset or current age. Risks were greater with longer exposure, whereas incidence rates decreased with longer time at risk, possibly through ‘dilution’ by longer exposure.ConclusionThis systematic update of international experience underscores high risks of suicide attempts among patients with BD (BD‐I = BD‐II; women > men). Future studies should routinely include exposure times and incidence rates by diagnostic type and sex for those who attempt suicide or not.
Spleen preservation versus splenectomy in laparoscopic total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer: A comparison of short‐term outcomes
Authors: Usui Shinsuke , Tashiro Masaki , Haruki Shigeo , Arita Kaida , Ito Koji , Matsumoto Akiyo , Takiguchi Noriaki 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionSplenic hilar lymph node dissection via a splenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer remains controversial. Recently, a laparoscopic spleen‐preserving hilar lymph node dissection procedure was described in several publications. To assess the feasibility and safety of spleen‐preserving laparoscopic total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy (LTG‐D2), the present retrospective study compared the short‐term surgical outcomes between spleen preservation and splenectomy during laparoscopic D2 total gastrectomy (LTG‐D2S).MethodThis study included 59 patients who underwent LTG‐D2 and 19 patients who underwent LTG‐D2S.ResultsThe mean operation time did not significantly differ between the LTG‐D2 and LTG‐D2S groups (339.4 ± 56.8 vs 356.8 ± 46.0 min). The mean blood loss tended to be smaller in the LTG‐D2 group than in the LTG‐D2S group (105.9 ± 89.7 vs 210.0 ± 149.5 mL). The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes did not significantly differ between the LTG‐D2 and LTG‐D2S groups (39.9 ± 17.0 vs 40.6 ± 14.9), and the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes at the splenic hilum also did not significantly differ between the LTG‐D2 and LTG‐D2S groups (1.3 ± 1.7 vs 2.4 ± 2.6). Mild pancreatic fistula occurred in three cases (5%) in the LTG‐D2 group and in three cases (15.8%) in the LTG‐D2S group.ConclusionA LTG‐D2 is feasible in terms of the short‐term outcomes. However, the indications for this complicated procedure should be considered carefully.
Evaluation of an oral uracil loading test to identify DPD‐deficient patients using a limited sampling strategy
Authors: van Staveren Maurice C. , van Kuilenburg Andre B. P. , Guchelaar Henk‐Jan , Meijer Judith , Punt Cornelis J. A. , de Jong Robert S. , Gelderblom Hans , Maring Jan Gerard 
Published: November 2015

AIMDihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency can lead to severe toxicity following 5‐fluorouracil (5FU) or capecitabine (CAP) treatment. Uracil (U) can be used as a probe to determine systemic DPD activity. The present study was performed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of a U loading dose for detecting DPD deficiency.MethodsCancer patients with Common Toxicity Score (CTC) grade III or IV toxicity after the first or second cycle of 5‐FU or CAP treatment were asked to participate. Based on DPD activity in PBMCs, patients were divided into two groups: DPD activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) <5 nmol mg−1*h−1 (deficient group) and ≥ 5 nmol mg−1*h−1. U 500 mg m–2 was administered orally and plasma concentrations of U and dihydrouracil (DHU) were determined. In the deficient group, polymerase chain reaction amplification of all 23 coding exons and flanking intronic regions of DPYD was performed. A U pharmacokinetic model was developed and used to determine the maximum enzymatic conversion capacity (Vmax) of the DPD enzyme for each patient. The sensitivity and specificity of Vmax, U concentration and the U/DHU concentration ratio were determined.ResultsA total of 47 patients were included (19 DPD deficient, 28 DPD normal). Of the pharmacokinetic parameters investigated, a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 98%, respectively, was obtained for the U/DHU ratio at t = 120 min.ConclusionsThe high sensitivity of the U/DHU ratio at t = 120 min for detecting DPD deficiency, as defined by DPD activity in PBMCs, showed that the oral U loading dose can effectively identify patients with reduced DPD activity.
The Role of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 Genotypes in Losartan‐Dependent Inhibition of Paclitaxel Metabolism in Human Liver Microsomes
Authors: Mukai Yuji , Senda Asuna , Toda Takaki , Eliasson Erik , Rane Anders , Inotsume Nobuo 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to further investigate a previously identified metabolic interaction between losartan and paclitaxel, which is one of the marker substrates of CYP2C8, by using human liver microsomes (HLMs) from donors with different CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 genotypes. Although CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 exhibit genetic linkage, previous studies have yet to determine whether losartan or its active metabolite, EXP‐3174 which is specifically generated by CYP2C9, is responsible for CYP2C8 inhibition. Concentrations of 6α‐hydroxypaclitaxel and EXP‐3174 were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography after incubations with paclitaxel, losartan or EXP‐3174 in HLMs from seven donors with different CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 genotypes. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were not fully dependent on CYP2C8 genotypes. Although the degree of inhibition was small, losartan significantly inhibited the production of 6α‐hydroxypaclitaxel at a concentration of 1 μmol/L in only HL20 with the CYP2C8*3/*3 genotype. HLMs with either CYP2C9*2/*2 or CYP2C9*1/*3 exhibited a lower losartan intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) than other HLMs including those with CYP2C9*1/*1 and CYP2C9*1/*2. Significant inhibition of 6α‐hydroxypaclitaxel formation by EXP‐3174 could only be found at levels that were 50 times higher (100 μmol/L) than the maximum concentration generated in the inhibition study using losartan. These results suggest that the metabolic interaction between losartan and paclitaxel is dependent on losartan itself rather than its metabolite and that the CYP2C8 inhibition by losartan is not affected by the CYP2C9 genotype. Further study is needed to define the effect of CYP2C8 genotypes on losartan–paclitaxel interaction.