bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sleep condition and cognitive decline in Japanese community‐dwelling older people: Data from a 4‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Nakakubo Sho , Doi Takehiko , Makizako Hyuma , Tsutsumimoto Kota , Hotta Ryo , Kurita Satoshi , Kim Minji , Suzuki Takao , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis study examined whether sleep duration and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are related to cognitive decline among community‐dwelling older adults with intact cognition at baseline, using 4‐year longitudinal data. A total of 3,151 community‐dwelling older individuals aged ≥65 years were studied. They were assessed for cognitive function, including memory, attention, executive function and processing speed. Cognitive impairment was defined based on a score >1.5 standard deviations below the age‐ and education‐specific mean. Cognitive decline was defined in one or more cognitive tests at follow‐up. Self‐reported sleep duration (short, ≤6.0 hr; medium, 6.1–8.9 hr; long, ≥9.0 hr) and EDS at first‐wave examination were assessed and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of sleep duration and EDS with cognitive status at second‐wave examination. The incidence of cognitive decline differed significantly among the sleep‐duration groups (short, 15.9%; medium, 11.9%; long, 20.1%; p = 0.001). The prevalence of having EDS was 13.1%, which was associated with a higher rate of cognitive decline than having no EDS (18.9% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.004). Long sleep duration compared with medium sleep duration (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.05–2.13) and EDS (1.43; 1.01–2.03) independently impacted the incidence of cognitive decline. The results were similar after multiple imputations (long, 1.68, 1.12–2.52; EDS, 1.55, 1.05–2.29). In conclusion, our study revealed that both long sleep duration and EDS were independent risk factors associated with cognitive decline after 4 years among older adults.
Characterization of the Citrobacter rodentium Cpx regulon and its role in host infection
Authors: Vogt Stefanie L. , Scholz Roland , Peng Yun , Guest Randi L. , Scott Nichollas E. , Woodward Sarah E. , Foster Leonard J. , Raivio Tracy L. , Finlay B. Brett 
Published: December 2018

SummaryEnvelope‐localized proteins, such as adhesins and secretion systems, play critical roles in host infection by Gram‐negative pathogens. As such, their folding is monitored by envelope stress response systems. Previous studies demonstrated that the Cpx envelope stress response is required for virulence of Citrobacter rodentium, a murine pathogen used to model infections by the human pathogens enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli; however, the mechanisms by which the Cpx response promotes host infection were previously unknown. Here, we characterized the C. rodentium Cpx regulon in order to identify genes required for host infection. Using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we found that the Cpx response upregulates envelope‐localized protein folding and degrading factors but downregulates pilus genes and type III secretion effectors. Mouse infections with C. rodentium strains lacking individual Cpx‐regulated genes showed that the chaperone/protease DegP and the disulfide bond oxidoreductase DsbA were essential for infection, but Cpx regulation of these genes did not fully account for attenuation of C. rodentium ΔcpxRA. Both deletion of dsbA and treatment with the reducing agent dithiothreitol activated the C. rodentium Cpx response, suggesting that it may sense disruption of disulfide bonding. Our results highlight the importance of envelope protein folding in host infection by Gram‐negative pathogens.
Pseudozyma aphidis activates reactive oxygen species production, programmed cell death and morphological alterations in the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Calderón Claudia E. , Rotem Neta , Harris Raviv , Vela‐Corcía David , Levy Maggie 
Published: December 2018

SummaryMany types of yeast have been studied in the last few years as potential biocontrol agents against different phytopathogenic fungi. Their ability to control plant diseases is mainly through combined modes of action. Among them, antibiosis, competition for nutrients and niches, induction of systemic resistance in plants and mycoparasitism have been the most studied. In previous work, we have established that the epiphytic yeast Pseudozyma aphidis inhibits Botrytis cinerea through induced resistance and antibiosis. Here, we demonstrate that P. aphidis adheres to B. cinerea hyphae and competes with them for nutrients. We further show that the secreted antifungal compounds activate the production of reactive oxygen species and programmed cell death in B. cinerea mycelium. Finally, P. aphidis and its secreted compounds negatively affect B. cinerea hyphae, leading to morphological alterations, including hyphal curliness, vacuolization and branching, which presumably affects the colonization ability and infectivity of B. cinerea. This study demonstrates additional modes of action for P. aphidis and its antifungal compounds against the plant pathogen B. cinerea.
Is continuous better than intermittent control of tracheal cuff pressure? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wen Zunjia , Wei Li , Chen Junyu , Xie Ailing , Li Mei , Bian Lanzheng 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTAimTo compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous and intermittent control of cuff pressure.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive and systematic meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the continuous and intermittent control of Pcuff by searching PUBMED, EMBASE and other such databases (from inception to 31 March 2018). Summary odds ratios or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a fixed‐ or random‐effects model.Measurements and Main ResultsSeven randomised controlled trials with 970 mechanically ventilated patients were included in this study. The continuous control of cuff pressure significantly reduced the incidence of cuff pressure < 20 cm H2O (0.03 (OR) (95% CI: 0.01–0.07)), Pcuff > 30 cm H2O (0.06 (95% CI: 0.03–0.15)) and VAP (0.39 (95% CI: 0.28–0.55)) when compared with intermittent control of cuff pressure. No significant differences in duration of MV (‐1.94 (95% CI: ‐4.06 to ‐0.17)), length of ICU stay (‐3.88 (95% CI: ‐9.00 to ‐1.23)) and mortality (0.99 (95% CI: 0.73–1.35)) were found between the two groups.ConclusionsContinuous control of cuff pressure offers more benefits in stabilizing the cuff pressure and reducing the incidence of VAP, and more studies are warranted to further evaluate the role of continuous control of cuff pressure.Relevance to practiceThe continuous control of cuff pressure should be conducted whenever possible as it is the most ideal for the prognosis of MV patients.
High‐energy nutrition in paediatric cardiac critical care patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Huiwen , Gu Ying , Mi YaPing , Jin Yun , Fu Weijia , Latour Jos M 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that feeding a high‐energy formula (HF) to infants after cardiac surgery increases energy intake, with fewer side effects on cardiopulmonary function. However, impacts on weight gain and gastrointestinal function remain unclear.Aims and objectivesTo determine the impact of HF compared with standard formula on weight gain and gastrointestinal tolerance in postoperative infants with congenital heart disease.DesignThis was a randomized controlled trial.MethodsThe setting of the study was at a 20‐bed cardiac intensive care unit at a tertiary children's hospital in China. Study population included infants <1 year of age who underwent cardiac surgery and were allocated to the intervention group (n = 32) or control group (n = 32). The intervention group received HF (100 kcal/100 mL), and the control group received standard formula (67 kcal/100 mL) for 7 days during the stabilized postoperative period at the cardiac intensive care unit. Primary outcomes were weight gain and gastrointestinal intolerance. Secondary outcomes were energy intake and standard intensive care characteristics.ResultsInfants who received HF (n = 30) showed less weight loss than those who received standard formula (n = 29); −16 g [95% confidence interval (CI): −74 to 42] versus −181 g (95% CI: −264 to −99), P = 0·001. The evaluation of gastrointestinal intolerance showed that the intervention group had several side effects, such as abdominal distension (n = 1), gastric retention (n = 2) and diarrhoea (n = 1), while the control group had no problems. Enteral energy intake in the intervention group was higher than the control group from day three.ConclusionInfants after cardiac surgery fed with HF gained more weight but had increased feeding intolerance. However, the feeding intolerance symptoms could be relieved by medication and did not affect feeding advancement.Relevance to clinical practicePaediatric intensive care clinicians should consider gradually increasing the energy density of the formula during feeding and assess feeding intolerance signs in some children with malnutrition after cardiac surgery.
Phytophthora infestans effector SFI3 targets potato UBK to suppress early immune transcriptional responses
Authors: He Qin , McLellan Hazel , Hughes Richard K. , Boevink Petra C. , Armstrong Miles , Lu Yuan , Banfield Mark J. , Tian Zhendong , Birch Paul R. J. 
Published: December 2018

Summary

The potato blight agent Phytophthora infestans secretes a range of RXLR effectors to promote disease. Recent evidence indicates that some effectors suppress early pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) following perception of microbe‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Phytophthora infestans effector PiSFI3/Pi06087/PexRD16 has been previously shown to suppress MAMP‐triggered pFRK1‐Luciferase reporter gene activity. How PiSFI3 suppresses immunity is unknown.

We employed yeast‐two‐hybrid (Y2H) assays, co‐immunoprecipitation, transcriptional silencing by RNA interference and virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS), and X‐ray crystallography for structure‐guided mutagenesis, to investigate the function of PiSFI3 in targeting a plant U‐box‐kinase protein (StUBK) to suppress immunity.

We discovered that PiSFI3 is active in the host nucleus and interacts in yeast and in planta with StUBK. UBK is a positive regulator of specific PTI pathways in both potato and Nicotiana benthamiana. Importantly, it contributes to early transcriptional responses that are suppressed by PiSFI3. PiSFI3 forms an unusual trans‐homodimer. Mutation to disrupt dimerization prevents nucleolar localisation of PiSFI3 and attenuates both its interaction with StUBK and its ability to enhance P. infestans leaf colonisation.

PiSFI3 is a ‘WY‐domain’ RXLR effector that forms a novel trans‐homodimer which is required for its ability to suppress PTI via interaction with the U‐box‐kinase protein StUBK.
Comparison of phase mapping and electrogram‐based driver mapping for catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lin Chin‐Yu , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Baykaner Tina , Lo Men‐Tzung , Chung Fa‐Po , Chen Yun‐Yu , Chang Shih‐Lin , Lo Li‐Wei , Hu Yu‐Feng , Liao Jo‐Nan , Tuan Ta‐Chuan , Chao Tze‐Fan , Te Abigail Louise D. , Kuo Ling , Vicera Jennifer Jeanne B. , Chang Ting‐Yung , Salim Simon , Chien Kuo‐Liong , Chen Shih‐Ann 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIntroductionAdjunctive driver‐guided ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation has been proposed as a strategy to improve procedural success and outcomes for various populations with atrial fibrillation (AF). First, this study aimed to evaluate the different mapping techniques for driver/rotor identification and second to evaluate the benefits of driver/rotor‐guided ablation in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF (PerAF).MethodsWe searched the electronic database in PubMed using the keywords “atrial fibrillation,” “rotor,” “rotational driver,” “atrial fibrillation source,” and “drivers” for both randomized controlled trials and observational controlled trials. Clinical studies reporting efficacy or safety outcomes of driver‐guided ablation for paroxysmal AF or (PerAF) were identified. We performed subgroup analyses comparing different driver mapping methods in patients with PerAF. The odds ratios (ORs) with random effects were analyzed.ResultsOut of 175 published articles, seven met the inclusion criteria, of which two were randomized controlled trials, one was quasiexperimental study, and four observational studies (three case‐controlled studies and one cross‐sectional study). Overall, adjunctive driver‐guided ablation was associated with higher rates of acute AF termination (OR: 4.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12‐10.08; P < 0.001), lower recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30‐0.065; P < 0.001), and comparable complication incidence.ConclusionsAdjunctive driver‐guided catheter ablation suggested an increased freedom from AF/AT relative to conventional strategies, irrespective of the mapping techniques. Furthermore, phase mapping appears to be superior to electrogram‐based driver mapping in PerAF ablation.
A genetic linkage map in southern‐by‐spring oat identifies multiple quantitative trait loci for adaptation and rust resistance
Authors: Sunstrum Frédérick G. , Bekele Wubishet A. , Wight Charlene P. , Yan Weikai , Chen Yuanhong , Tinker Nicholas A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe developed 178 recombinant inbred lines from a southern‐by‐spring oat population designated as “TxH.” These lines were genotyped to generate a high‐quality linkage map that resolved 6,902 markers into 21 linkage groups that matched closely with the latest hexaploid oat consensus map. Three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date were found in locations that are consistent with known QTLs and candidate genes, and two other QTLs affecting heading date were found in novel locations. Five QTLs affecting plant height were found. Both sets of QTLs are responsible for transgressive segregation observed for these two traits. Four QTLs affecting resistance to crown rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, were identified. Two of these QTLs are consistent with known clusters of rust resistance genes, while two may represent new locations of novel rust resistance genes. A complete set of SNP sequences suitable for generating markers for molecular selection is provided.
Effects of the strict control of blood pressure in pediatric renal transplant recipients—ESCORT trial
Authors: Seeman Tomáš , Vondrák Karel , Dušek Jiří 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesStrict BP control can retard progression of CKD in children. This prospective 3‐year randomized controlled trial is aimed to investigate whether strict BP control can retard progression of chronic allograft dysfunction.MethodsTwenty‐three pediatric patients were randomly selected to the standard BP group (STAND, target 24‐hour MAP 50‐95th percentile, n = 11) or the intensified BP group (INTENS, target 24‐hour MAP <50th percentile, n = 12). The primary endpoint was an annual reduction in eGFR (Schwartz formula, mL/min/1.73 m2/y), secondary graft survival, BP, proteinuria, and safety.ResultsA total of 21 children (age at entry 11.2 (range 6.2‐16.8) years) completed the study, with 73% of children in INTENS and 70% of children in STAND group reached their goal BP. Ambulatory indexed 24‐hour MAP decreased significantly in INTENS group (from 0.94 (range 0.86‐1.17) to 0.85 (range 0.79‐1.01, P < 0.01)) but not in STAND group (from 0.93 (range 0.85‐1.07) to 0.90 (range 0.84‐1.01)). Proteinuria did not change significantly in either group (22.1 mg/mmol creatinine to 15.3 in STAND group vs 25.7 to 11.8 in INTENS group). The annual reduction in eGFR did not differ between the INTENS and STAND groups (−1.9 mL/min/1.73 m2/y (range +6.4 to −14.3) vs −0.9 (range +4.0 to −8.5)).ConclusionThis first randomized controlled trial on strict BP control has demonstrated that strict BP control is feasible in 73% of children but the strict BP control does not lead to retardation of graft function decline in comparison with standard BP control. However, the results need to be interpreted with caution keeping the major limitation of the study, that is, small sample size in mind.
A nurse plant benefits from facilitative interactions through mycorrhizae
Authors: Sortibrán L. , Verdú M. , Valiente‐Banuet A. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Plant facilitation promotes coexistence by maintaining differences in the regeneration niche because some nurse species recruit under arid conditions, whereas facilitated species recruit under more mesic conditions. In one Mexican community, 95% of species recruit through facilitation; Mimosa luisana being a keystone nurse for many of them. M. luisana individuals manifest greater fitness when growing in association with their facilitated plants than when growing in isolation. This observation suggests that nurses also benefit from their facilitated plants, a benefit thought to be mediated by mycorrhizal fungi.

Under field conditions, we experimentally tested whether mycorrhizal fungi mediate the increased fitness that M. luisana experiences when growing in association with its facilitated plants. We applied fungicide to the soil for nurse plants growing alone and growing in association with their facilitated plants in order to reduce the mycorrhizal colonisation of roots. We then assessed the quantity and quality of seed production of M. luisana in four treatments (isolated‐control, isolated‐fungicide, associated‐control and associated‐fungicide).

Fungicide application reduced the percentage root length colonised by mycorrhizae and reduced fitness of M. luisana when growing in association with their facilitated plants but not when growing in isolation. This reduction was reflected in the total number of seeds, number of seeds per pod, seed mass and seed viability.

These results suggest that nurses benefit from the presence of their facilitated plants through links established by mycorrhizae, indicating that both plants and belowground mutualistic communities are all part of one system, coexisting by means of intrinsically linked interactions.
Rethinking the Porter Hypothesis: The Underappreciated Importance of Value Appropriation and Pollution Intensity
Authors: Petroni Giorgio , Bigliardi Barbara , Galati Francesco 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe impact of environmental regulation on the competitiveness of firms and industries remains a hot topic. Since the formulation of the Porter hypothesis, scholars from different research areas have tried to confirm or deny it. However, despite a vast literature engaging this debate, it remains unclear whether and under what conditions the hypothesis could be considered valid. We believe that this is due to the need to consider some additional factors. The aim of this review is to propose additional and significant themes, namely value appropriation and pollution intensity, to be considered when examining the impact of environmental regulation on the innovation and profitability of firms. Results show that the validity of the Porter hypothesis cannot be proved in any condition, but at the same time, there are additional factors that have a relevant influence on that construct, which can lead to a validation or rejection of the hypothesis.
RNASeqDesign: A Framework for Ribonucleic Acid Sequencing Genomewide Power Calculation and Study Design Issues
Authors: Lin Chien-Wei , Liao Serena G. , Liu Peng , Lee Mei-Ling Ting , Park Yong Seok , Tseng George C. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryMassively parallel sequencing (also known as next generation sequencing (NGS)) technology has emerged as a powerful tool in characterizing genomic profiles. Among many NGS applications, ribonucleic acid sequencing (‘RNA-Seq’) has gradually become a standard tool for global transcriptomic monitoring. Although the cost of NGS experiments has dropped constantly, the high sequencing cost and bioinformatic complexity are still obstacles for many biomedical projects. Unlike earlier fluorescence-based technologies such as microarrays, modelling of NGS data should consider discrete count data. In addition to sample size, sequencing depth also directly relates to the experimental cost. Consequently, given a total budget and prespecified unit experimental cost, the study design issue in RNA-Seq is conceptually a more complex multi-dimensional constrained optimization problem rather than a one-dimensional sample size calculation in a traditional hypothesis setting. We propose a statistical framework, namely ‘RNASeqDesign’, to utilize pilot data for power calculation and study design of RNA-Seq experiments. The approach is based on mixture model fitting of the p-value distribution from pilot data and a parametric bootstrap procedure based on approximated Wald test statistics to infer the genomewide power for optimal sample size and sequencing depth. We further illustrate five practical study design tasks for practitioners. We perform simulations and three real applications to evaluate the performance and to compare with existing methods.
The epidemiology of HCV infection in patients with advanced CKD/ESRD: A global perspective
Authors: Fabrizi Fabrizio , Messa Piergiorgio 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLiver disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most commonly due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and contributes to increased rates of mortality. Among the pre‐dialysis population, the estimated prevalence of anti‐HCV positivity is based on few, limited‐size studies. In hemodialysis patients however, HCV remains very prevalent despite large declines in seropositivity rates in dialysis facilities in developed countries after preventive measures were adopted in the 1990s. Recent surveys indicate that the HCV seropositivity prevalence ranges from 1.4%‐28.3%, and 4.7%‐41.9%, among maintenance dialysis patients in developed and developing countries respectively. Although the full extent of dialysis unit‐associated HCV transmission is unknown, outbreaks continue to occur, regardless of health system infrastucture. According to US Centers for Disease Control data, over 50% of health care‐associated HCVoutbreaks reported from 2008 to 2015 occurred within dialysis facilities. Strict adherence to infection control procedures and routine serologic screening plays a pivotal role in preventing transmission of HCV within hemodialysis units, even in the setting of low HCV prevalence. With the advent of directly acting antivirals, cure of HCV‐infected patients on maintenance hemodialysis will help reduce transmission within units and further lower the frequency of HCV infection.