bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of (CAG)n expansion in ATXN1, ATXN2 and ATXN3 in Chinese patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Zhou X. , Wang C. , Ding D. , Chen Z. , Peng Y. , Peng H. , Hou X. , Wang P. , Hou X. , Ye W. , Li T. , Yang H. , Qiu R. , Xia K. , Sequeiros J. , Tang B. , Jiang H. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMultiple system atrophy (MSA) is a complex and multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, and its pathogenesis remains uncertain. Patients with MSA or spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) show overlapping clinical phenotypes. Previous studies have reported that intermediate or long CAG expansions in SCA genes have been associated with other neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we screened for the number of CAG repeats in ATXN1, 2 and 3 in 200 patients with MSA and 314 healthy controls to evaluate possible associations between (CAG)n in these three polyQ-related genes and MSA. Our findings indicated that longer repeat lengths in ATXN2 were associated with increased risk for MSA in Chinese individuals. No relationship was observed between CAG repeat length in the three examined genes and age at onset (AO) of MSA.
Anisogamy evolved with a reduced sex-determining region in volvocine green algae
Authors: Hamaji Takashi , Kawai-Toyooka Hiroko , Uchimura Haruka , Suzuki Masahiro , Noguchi Hideki , Minakuchi Yohei , Toyoda Atsushi , Fujiyama Asao , Miyagishima Shin-ya , Umen James G. , Nozaki Hisayoshi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMale and female gametes differing in size—anisogamy—emerged independently from isogamous ancestors in various eukaryotic lineages, although genetic bases of this emergence are still unknown. Volvocine green algae are a model lineage for investigating the transition from isogamy to anisogamy. Here we focus on two closely related volvocine genera that bracket this transition—isogamous Yamagishiella and anisogamous Eudorina. We generated de novo nuclear genome assemblies of both sexes of Yamagishiella and Eudorina to identify the dimorphic sex-determining chromosomal region or mating-type locus (MT) from each. In contrast to the large (>1 Mb) and complex MT of oogamous Volvox, Yamagishiella and Eudorina MT are smaller (7–268 kb) and simpler with only two sex-limited genes—the minus/male-limited MID and the plus/female-limited FUS1. No prominently dimorphic gametologs were identified in either species. Thus, the first step to anisogamy in volvocine algae presumably occurred without an increase in MT size and complexity.
C/O vs. Mg/Si ratios in solar type stars: The HARPS sample
Authors: Suárez-Andrés L. , Israelian G. , González Hernández J. I. , Adibekyan V. Zh. , Delgado Mena E. , Santos N. C. , Sousa S. G. 
Published: February 2018

Context. Aims. We aim to present a detailed study of the magnesium-to-silicon and carbon-to-oxygen ratios (Mg/Si and C/O) and their importance in determining the mineralogy of planetary companions.
Methods. Using 499 solar-like stars from the HARPS sample, we determined C/O and Mg/Si elemental abundance ratios to study the nature of the possible planets formed. We separated the planetary population in low-mass planets (<30 M⊙) and high-mass planets (>30 M⊙) to test for a possible relation with the mass.
Results. We find a diversity of mineralogical ratios that reveal the different kinds of planetary systems that can be formed, most of them dissimilar to our solar system. The different values of the Mg/Si and C/O can determine different composition of planets formed. We found that 100% of our planetary sample present C/O < 0.8. 86% of stars with high-mass companions present 0.8 > C/O > 0.4, while 14% present C/O values lower than 0.4. Regarding Mg/Si, all stars with low-mass planetary companion showed values between one and two, while 85% of the high-mass companion sample does. The other 15% showed Mg/Si values below one. No stars with planets were found with Mg/Si > 2. Planet hosts with low-mass companions present C/O and Mg/Si similar to those found in the Sun, whereas stars with high-mass companions have lower C/O.
More about solar g modes
Authors: Fossat E. , Schmider F. X. 
Published: February 2018

Context. The detection of asymptotic solar g-mode parameters was the main goal of the GOLF instrument onboard the SOHO space observatory. This detection has recently been reported and has identified a rapid mean rotation of the solar core, with a one-week period, nearly four times faster than all the rest of the solar body, from the surface to the bottom of the radiative zone.
Aim. We present here the detection of more g modes of higher degree, and a more precise estimation of all their parameters, which will have to be exploited as additional constraints in modeling the solar core.
Methods. Having identified the period equidistance and the splitting of a large number of asymptotic g modes of degrees 1 and 2, we test a model of frequencies of these modes by a cross-correlation with the power spectrum from which they have been detected. It shows a high correlation peak at lag zero, showing that the model is hidden but present in the real spectrum. The model parameters can then be adjusted to optimize the position (at exactly zero lag) and the height of this correlation peak. The same method is then extended to the search for modes of degrees 3 and 4, which were not detected in the previous analysis.Results. g-mode parameters are optimally measured in similar-frequency bandwidths, ranging from 7 to 8 μHz at one end and all close to 30 μHz at the other end, for the degrees 1 to 4. They include the four asymptotic period equidistances, the slight departure from equidistance of the detected periods for l = 1 and l = 2, the measured amplitudes, functions of the degree and the tesseral order, and the splittings that will possibly constrain the estimated sharpness of the transition between the one-week mean rotation of the core and the almost four-week rotation of the radiative envelope. The g-mode periods themselves are crucial inputs in the solar core structure helioseismic investigation.
Dural Invasion Predicts the Laterality and Development of Neck Metastases in Esthesioneuroblastoma
Authors: Marinelli John , Van Gompel Jamie , Link Michael , Moore Eric , Van Abel Kathryn , Peck Brandon , Lohse Christine , Price Daniel , Janus Jeffrey 
Published: February 2018

Objectives Neck metastases in patients with esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) constitute the most significant predictor of poor long-term survival. Recently, researchers discovered the existence of dural lymphatic channels that drain to the cervical lymph nodes. From this physiologic basis, we hypothesized that patients with ENB who develop dural invasion (DI) would exhibit a proclivity for neck metastases.
Design Retrospective review.
Setting Tertiary referral center.
Participants All patients treated for ENB from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2015.
Main Outcome Measures Incidence, laterality, and recurrence rate of neck metastases by DI status.
Results Sixty-one patients were identified (38% female; median age 49, range, 10–80), 34 (56%) of whom had DI and 27 (44%) did not. Of patients with DI, 50% presented with or developed neck disease following treatment compared with just 22% of those without DI (p = 0.026). Bilateral neck disease was more common in patients with DI (11/34, 32%) compared with those without (2/27, 7%) (p = 0.018). Five-year regional recurrence-free survival rates were 88% for those without and 64% for those with DI (p = 0.022). Kadish C patients with DI were more likely to develop regional recurrence when compared with Kadish C without DI and Kadish A/B (p = 0.083). Further, Kadish C patients with DI displayed worse overall survival than Kadish C without DI and Kadish A/B. Kadish D patients displayed the worst overall survival. The difference in overall survival among these four groups was significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion DI by ENB is associated with increased incidence of cervical nodal metastases, bilateral neck disease, worse regional recurrence-free survival, and poorer overall survival. These data support the division of Kadish C by DI status.
Froschlöffel und Tränensammler für den scharfen Blick
Authors: Bögel Martina 
Published: February 2018

SummaryMit Arzneimitteltherapie, Akupunktur, Tuina, Diätetik und Qigong verfügt die chinesische Medizin über wirkungsvolle Instrumente zur Begleitbehandlung und Prävention von Augenerkrankungen. Meist sind nach dem Modell der TCM die Funktionskreise der Leber, Milz und Niere sowie Qi (Lebensenergie) und Xue (Blut) beeinträchtigt, die sich therapeutisch regulieren lassen. In chinesischen Schulen finden spezielle Tuina- und Qigong-Techniken zur Vorbeugung der Kurzsichtigkeit Anwendung, die hier vorgestellt werden.
Highly multiplexed and quantitative cell-surface protein profiling using genetically barcoded antibodies
Authors: Pollock Samuel B. , Hu Amy , Mou Yun , Martinko Alexander J. , Julien Olivier , Hornsby Michael , Ploder Lynda , Adams Jarrett J. , Geng Huimin , Müschen Markus , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Moffat Jason , Wells James A. 
Published: February 2018

Significance
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has allowed the comprehensive study of the genome and transcriptome. However, a similarly broad, highly multiplexed, and inexpensive method for proteomics using NGS remains elusive. Here, we describe a phage display-based method using preselected antibodies that are genetically encoded and capable of simultaneous profiling of hundreds of cell-surface targets on cells in culture or singly at low cost and without the need for chemical conjugation to purified antibodies. We use the method to identify cell-surface proteins that change in cancer cells, some of which are coordinately regulated and could lead to new biomarkers and cancer targets.
An altruistic behavioural change approach to sustainable tourism when funds are scarce: a narrative of a small business model.
Authors: Adams S. A. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Small tourism businesses require new strategies to gain competitive advantage in a global business such as tourism, and in that regard business certification is seen as an important tool. Access to these programmes comes with a substantial cost to businesses and therefore this chapter addresses a new approach in obtaining the 'labels' that are seen as an important operating practice for a tourism business. This chapter explores an approach taken by a tourism enterprise in the Caribbean island of Grenada. This enterprise's decision to initiate steps towards sustainability certification leans towards altruistic reasons as opposed to anticipated competitive advantage.
A comparative analysis of tourism policy networks.
Authors: McLeod M. , Chambers D. , Airey D. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

This chapter examines the formal network relationships that influence the tourism policy making process. It commences with a brief review of the literature on social network analysis, which provides the foundation for exploration of policy networks. In order to illustrate the complexities of the tourism policy making process and the importance of networks within this context, an empirical analysis is presented of the actors involved in the tourism policy making process in two Caribbean countries (Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago).
System-Wide Analysis Unravels the Differential Regulation and In Vivo Essentiality of Virulence-Associated Proteins B and C Toxin-Antitoxin Systems of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Agarwal Sakshi , Tiwari Prabhakar , Deep Amar , Kidwai Saqib , Gupta Shamba , Thakur Krishan Gopal , Singh Ramandeep 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are bicistronic genetic modules that are ubiquitously present in bacterial genomes. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome encodes 90 putative TA systems, and these are considered to be associated with maintenance of bacterial genomic stability or bacterial survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. The majority of these in M. tuberculosis have been annotated as belonging to the virulence-associated protein B and C (VapBC) family. However, their precise role in bacterial physiology has not been elucidated. Here, we functionally characterized VapC toxins from M. tuberculosis and show that overexpression of some homologs inhibits growth of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin in a bacteriostatic manner. Expression profiling of messenger RNA revealed that these VapC toxins were differentially induced upon exposure of M. tuberculosis to stress conditions. We also unraveled that transcriptional cross-activation exists between TA systems in M. tuberculosis. This study provides the first evidence for the essentiality of VapBC3 and VapBC4 systems in M. tuberculosis virulence.
The critical role of Bach2 in regulating type 2 chronic airway inflammation
Authors: Yamashita Masakatsu , Kuwahara Makoto 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Although Bach2 (broad complex-tramtrack-bric a brac and Cap’n’collar homology 2) plays an important role in regulating Th2 cell differentiation and type 2 immune responses, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Our current studies demonstrate that Bach2 associates with Batf (basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like) family transcription factors and binds to the regulatory regions of the Th2 cytokine gene loci. The Bach2–Batf complex antagonizes the recruitment of the interferon regulatory factor 4 (Irf4)-containing Batf complex to activator protein 1 (AP-1) motifs in the Th2 cytokine gene locus and suppresses Th2 cytokine production and/or Th2 cell differentiation. The deletion of Batf ameliorated the spontaneous development of type 2 airway inflammation that is found in mice with Bach2 deficiency specifically in T cells. Interestingly, Bach2 regulates Batf and Batf3 expression via two distinct pathways. First, the Bach2–Batf complex directly binds to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci and reduces transcription by interfering with the Batf–Irf4 complex. Second, Bach2 suppresses interleukin 4 (IL-4)-induced augmentation of Batf and Batf3 expression through the regulation of IL-4 production. These findings suggest that IL-4 and Batf family transcription factors form a positive feedback amplification loop to induce Th2 cell differentiation and that Bach2–Batf interactions block the formation of this amplification loop. Furthermore, we found that reductions in Bach2 confer an innate immunological function on CD4 T cells to induce antigen-independent cytokine production. Some Bach2-deficient lung CD4 T cells showed characteristic features similar to pathogenic Th2 cells, including IL-33 receptor expression and IL-33-dependent Th2 cytokine production. These results suggest a critical role for Bach2 in regulating Th2 cell differentiation and the subsequent onset of chronic type 2 inflammation.
Automatic population of eMeasurements from EHR systems for inpatient falls
Authors: Cho Insook , Boo Eun-Hee , Lee Soo-Youn , Dykes Patricia C 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveRepresenting nursing data sets in a standard way will help to facilitate sharing relevant information across settings. We aimed to populate nursing process and outcome metrics with electronic health record (EHR) data and then compare the results with event reporting systems.MethodsWe used the “eMeasure” development process of the National Quality Forum adopted by the American Nurses Association. We used operational definitions of quality measures from the American Nurses Association and the US Institute for Healthcare Improvement and employed concept mapping of local data elements to 2 controlled vocabularies to define a standard data dictionary: (1) Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes and (2) International Classification for Nursing Practice. We assessed feasibility using the nursing data set of 7829 and 8199 patients from 2 general hospitals with different EHR systems. Using inpatient falls as a use case, we compared the populated measures with results from the event reporting systems.ResultsWe identified 17 care components and 118 unique concepts and matched them with data elements in the EHRs. Including suboptimal mapping, 98% of the assessment concepts mapped to Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes and 52.9% of intervention concepts mapped to International Classification for Nursing Practice. While not all process indicators were available from event reporting systems, we successfully populated 9 fall prevention process indicators and the fall rate outcome indicator from the 2 EHRs. We were unable to populate the falls with an injury rate indicator.ConclusionsEHR data can populate fall prevention process measure metrics and at least one inpatient fall prevention outcome metric.
Is a Single Fecal Microbiota Transplant a Promising Treatment for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection?
Authors: Hota Susy S , Poutanen Susan M 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection, a common hospital-associated infection, is a gastrointestinal illness that becomes recurrent in about 25% of infected patients. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is increasingly supported by clinical trials as an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, but a number of questions remain about how it can be optimally performed. In this Perspective, we discuss controversies in FMT methodologies and reporting within randomized controlled trials, all of which may influence clinical outcomes in treated patients. Finally, we focus on the question of whether single vs multiple FMTs are necessary to achieve favorable outcomes for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, postulating on why there may be an association between number of FMTs and clinical effectiveness.
Autonomous Trajectory Planning for External Ventricular Drain Placement
Authors: Beckett Joel S , Gaonkar Bilwaj , Babayan Diana , Mathew Justin , McArthur David , Salamon Noriko , Martin Neil , Yang Isaac , Macyszyn Luke 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDExternal ventricular drain (EVD) placement is the most frequently performed neurosurgical procedure for management of various conditions including hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. State-of-the-art computational pattern recognition techniques could improve the safety and accuracy of EVD placement. Placement of the Kocher's point EVD is the most common neurosurgical procedure which is often performed in urgent conditions.OBJECTIVETo present the development of a novel computer algorithm identifying appropriate anatomy and autonomously plan EVD placement on clinical computed tomography (CT) scans.METHODSThe algorithm was tested on 2 data sets containing 5-mm slice noncontrast CT scans. The first contained images of 300 patients without significant intracranial pathology (normal), the second of 43 patients with significant acute intracranial hemorrhage. Automated planning was performed by custom 2-tiered heuristic with run-time template selection in combination with refinement using nonlinear image registration.RESULTSAutomated EVD planning was accurate in 297 of 300 normal and 41 of 43 patient cases. In the normal data set, mean distance between Kocher's point and the ipsilateral foramen of Monro was 63 ± 3.1 mm in women and 65 ± 6.5 mm in men (P = .0008). Trajectory angle with respect to the sagittal plane was 91 ± 6° in women and 90 ± 6° in men (obtuse posterior) (P = .15); to the coronal plane, 85 ± 6° and 86 ± 5° in women and men (P = .12), respectively (acute lateral).CONCLUSIONA combination of linear and nonlinear image registration techniques accurately planned EVD trajectory in 99% of normal scans and 95% of scans with significant intracranial hemorrhage.
Impact of health challenges on pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and net returns under commercial conditions
Authors: Cornelison A S , Karriker L A , Williams N H , Haberl B J , Stalder K J , Schulz L L , Patience J F 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Understanding how disease affects commercial production is imperative for pig producers to quantify its full impact on pig performance, carcass quality, and net returns. The objective of this experiment was to assess the productivity and economic importance of naturally occurring health challenges (HC) under commercial conditions. Three 1,000 pig grow-finish facilities received 936 pigs each. The experimental period started approximately 34 d post placement at an average start BW of 13.1 ± 0.2 kg. Barns were characterized based on the relative HC, determined by diagnostic assessments as the main characterization tool, along with other health indicators. Barns were characterized as low challenge health (LCh), moderate challenge health (MCh), and high challenge health (HCh). All barns tested positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection prior to the start of the experiment. Additionally, the MCh and HCh barns experienced influenza type A virus of swine. Similar to commercial production conditions, the disease challenge was not imposed but rather occurred naturally. Reduced ADG, ADFI, and G:F were observed with an increased HC (P &lt; 0.001). Similarly, mortality was increased when the HC increased (P &lt; 0.001). Decreased ADG increased days to achieve harvest BW, by 10 and 15 d in the MCh and HCh treatments compared with LCh, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). No differences were observed for percent lean, loin depth, or fat depth (P &gt; 0.10). The economic impact of the HC was assessed by applying these growth performance data to two economic models encompassing the two main marketing methods used by U.S. pig producers: fixed-weight and fixed-time. Financial losses attributed to the variation in disease severity that occurred in the present study ranged from $8.49 and $26.10 U.S. dollars (USD)/pig marketed using a fixed-market weight model, or between $11.02 and $29.82 USD/pig using a fixed-time model, depending on feed costs and market hog prices. In conclusion, increasing severity of HC under commercial conditions reduced ADG by 8% and 14% and resulted in mortality as high as 19.9%. Losses of $8.49 to $29.82/pig marketed underscore the potential magnitude of the economic impact of mixed etiology concurrent diseases in pork production.
Improving veterans' access to gastroenterology clinical care
Authors: Hansen Thomas H. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT
At a VA hospital, wait times for gastroenterology care have been in the order of 60 to 90 days for new clinic consults. Through a quality improvement process, these times were reduced to less than 30 days. With a revised triage process, the number of consults needing to be scheduled into the clinic was reduced 34%. In addition to achieving rapid clinical access, the weekly half-day clinic became less congested and more efficient. We describe this process of achieving improved access.