bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Admission temperature and hospital outcomes in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Tay Victoria YJ , Bolisetty Srinivas , Bajuk Barbara , Lui Kei , Smyth John ,   on behalf of the New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory Neonatal Intensive Care Units' Data Collection
Published: September 2018

AimTo evaluate trends in admission temperature and its effect on mortality and short‐term morbidities in extremely preterm infants.MethodsA regional cohort study of infants born at 23–28 weeks’ gestation and admitted to the 10 neonatal intensive care units in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory between 1994 and 2012. Hypothermia was defined as skin temperature <36°C on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. The primary outcome was hospital mortality.ResultsIn total, 6267 infants were included. Mean admission temperatures improved significantly from 35.6°C in 1994 to 36.4°C in 2012 (R < 0.88). The incidence of hypothermia was 29.5 and 13.9% between 1994–2005 and 2006–2012, respectively. In comparison with normothermic infants, hypothermic infants had lower gestational age at birth (26 vs. 27 weeks) and lower birthweight (800 vs. 976 g). In‐hospital mortality was higher in hypothermic infants (28.5 vs. 12.9%; odds ratio (OR) 2.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.37–3.06). Severe intraventricular haemorrhage (12.1 vs. 8.5%, OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.25–1.75), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) (11.0 vs. 7.5%; OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.29–1.83) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (16.5 vs. 8.9%; OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.70–2.39) were significantly higher in hypothermic infants. Multivariate regression analysis showed hypothermia was an independent risk factor for increased mortality (AOR (adjusted odds ratio ) 1.50, 95% CI 1.29–1.74, P < 0.001) and NEC (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.55, P = 0.01).ConclusionsAdmission temperatures improved during the time period. Hypothermia at admission was associated with a significant increase in mortality and NEC.
Evaluation of point‐of‐care thoracic ultrasound and NT‐proBNP for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in cats with respiratory distress
Authors: Ward Jessica L. , Lisciandro Gregory R. , Ware Wendy A. , Viall Austin K. , Aona Brent D. , Kurtz Kari A. , Reina‐Doreste Yamir , DeFrancesco Teresa C. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundThe diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats is challenging. Point‐of‐care (POC) thoracic ultrasound and NT‐proBNP testing are emerging tools that may aid in diagnosis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of POC lung ultrasound (LUS), focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU), and NT‐proBNP in predicting a final diagnosis of CHF.AnimalsFifty‐one cats in respiratory distress.MethodsBlood NT‐proBNP, LUS, and FCU evaluating left atrial (LA) size and presence of pericardial effusion (PCEFF) were performed in all cats. Lung ultrasound findings including pleural effusion (PLEFF), number of B‐lines, and sub‐pleural abnormalities were noted. Medical records were evaluated for final diagnosis.ResultsThirty‐three of 51 (65%) cats were diagnosed with CHF. Lung ultrasound and blood NT‐proBNP were significant predictors of CHF in a multivariate model. The LUS criterion that maximized accuracy for CHF diagnosis was presence of >1 site strongly positive for B‐lines (>3 B‐lines per site), resulting in sensitivity of 78.8%, specificity of 83.3%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.833. Subjective LA enlargement was 97.0% sensitive and 100% specific for CHF (AUC 0.985). Presence of PCEFF also was 100% specific, but only 60.6% sensitive, for CHF (AUC 0.803). A positive blood NT‐proBNP test was 93.9% sensitive and 72.2% specific for the diagnosis of CHF (AUC 0.831).Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePoint‐of‐care diagnostic techniques of LUS, FCU, and NT‐proBNP are useful to diagnose CHF in cats with respiratory distress.
Variability of serum concentrations of cystatin C and urinary retinol‐binding protein, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin, immunoglobulin G, and C‐reactive protein in dogs
Authors: Liu D.J.X. , Meyer E. , Broeckx B.J.G. , Daminet S. , Delanghe J.R. , Stock E. , Bogaerts E. , Hesta M. , Vanderperren K. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundMarkers of kidney dysfunction and damage have potential to detect chronic kidney disease (CKD) in early stages. However, data on long‐term variation of these markers in healthy dogs is lacking and is crucial for the interpretation of results.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine temporal variations of serum cystatin C (sCysC) and urinary retinol‐binding protein (uRBP), neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (uNGAL), immunoglobulin G (uIgG), and C‐reactive protein (uCRP) in healthy dogs.AnimalsEight clinically healthy adult Beagles were evaluated.MethodsLongitudinal observational study. Serum cystatin C was determined by particle‐enhanced nephelometric immunoassay. Urinary retinol‐binding protein, uNGAL, uIgG and uCRP were determined by ELISA and concentrations were indexed to urinary creatinine. Within‐ and between‐dog variance components (VC) and within‐dog coefficients of variation (CV) were determined from blood and urine collected at eight time points over 1.5 years.ResultsUrinary C‐reactive protein (uCRP) concentrations were consistently below the detection limit (5.28 ng/mL). Mean ± within‐dog standard deviation for sCysC, uRBP/c, uNGAL/c and uIgG/c was 0.15 ± 0.01 mg/L, 0.09 ± 0.03 mg/g, 2.32 ± 2.03 μg/g and 12.47 ± 10.98 mg/g, respectively. Within‐dog CV for sCysC, uRBP/c, uNGAL/c and uIgG/c was 8.1%, 33.7%, 87.2% and 88.1%, respectively.Conclusions and clinical importanceSerum cystatin C, uRBP/c, uNGAL/c and uIgG/c exhibit a wide range of long‐term within‐dog variability. Researchers and veterinarians might need to take this into account when interpreting their results. To assess their diagnostic and predictive ability, future studies need to establish reference ranges for healthy dogs and dogs with CKD.
Is there a “complementary feeding cultural core” in rural Kenya? Results from ethnographic research in five counties
Authors: Thuita Faith M. , Pelto Gretel H. , Musinguzi Enock , Armar‐Klemesu Margaret 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis investigation used data from focused ethnographic studies in five rural counties in Kenya to determine whether the concept of “special foods for infants and young children” exists in the different ethnic groups in these areas as an identifiable component of cultural beliefs and knowledge, as well as in practice, and whether they can be characterized as a “complementary feeding cultural core.” The concept of “cultural core foods” refers to the set of foods that have a central role in diets of a population and, as a consequence, also have significant social and emotional components. We used the ethnographic cognitive mapping technique of “free listing” and a qualitative 24‐hr recall of infants and young children (IYC) intake, with probing, to obtain data on caregivers' beliefs and behaviours. The results show that an IYC cultural food core can be identified in all of the counties. A related finding that supports the argument for an “IYC cultural core” with respect to appropriate foods for IYC is the clear cognitive consensus within sites about its content, although in practice, food insecurity and food shortage constrain household abilities to put their beliefs into practice. We conclude that interventions to improve IYC feeding in rural Kenya that build on the concept of “IYC cultural core foods” will be congruent with basic cultural ideas about managing IYC feeding and could take advantage of this cultural feature.
Proteolysis of ToxR is controlled by cysteine‐thiol redox state and bile salts in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Lembke Mareike , Pennetzdorfer Nina , Tutz Sarah , Koller Michael , Vorkapic Dina , Zhu Jun , Schild Stefan , Reidl Joachim 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn Vibrio cholerae, virulence gene expression is regulated by a transmembrane‐localized transcription factor complex designated as ToxRS. ToxR harbours two cysteines in the periplasmic domain that can form inter‐ and intramolecular disulfide bonds. In this study, we investigated the σE‐dependent inner membrane proteolysis of ToxR, which occurs via the periplasmic‐localized proteases DegS and DegP. Both proteases respond to the redox state of the two cysteine thiol groups of ToxR. Interestingly, in the presence of sodium deoxycholate, ToxR proteolysis is blocked independently of ToxS, whereas ToxR activation by bile salts requires ToxS function. From these data, we identified at least two levels of control for ToxR activation by sodiumdeoxycholate. First, bile inhibits ToxR degradation under starvation and alkaline pH or under conditions in which DegPS responds to the reduced disulfide bonds of ToxR. The second level links bile to ToxRS complex formation and further activation of its transcription factor activity. Overall, our data suggest a comprehensive bile sensory function for the ToxRS complex during host colonization.
Effects of drought and fire on resprouting capacity of 52 temperate Australian perennial native grasses
Authors: Moore Nicholas A. , Camac James S. , Morgan John W. 
Published: September 2018

Summary

It remains uncertain how perennial grasses with different photosynthetic pathways respond to fire, and how this response varies with stress at the time of burning. Resprouting after fire was examined in relation to experimentally manipulated pre‐fire watering frequencies. We asked the following questions: are there response differences to fire between C3 and C4 grasses? And, how does post‐fire resprouting vary with pre‐fire drought stress?

Fifty‐two perennial Australian grasses (37 genera, 13 tribes) were studied. Three watering frequencies were applied to simulate increasing drought. Pre‐fire tiller number, tiller density, specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content were measured as explanatory variables to assess response.

Most species (90%) and individuals (79%) resprouted following experimental burning. C4 grasses had higher probabilities of surviving fire relative to C3 grasses. Responses were not related to phylogeny or tribe. High leaf dry matter content reduced the probability of dying, but also reduced the re‐emergence of tillers.

Post‐fire tiller number increased with increasing drought, regardless of photosynthetic type, suggesting that drought plays a role in the ability of grasses to recover after fire. This has implications for understanding the persistence of species in landscapes where fire management is practiced.
SND1 expression in breast cancer tumors is associated with poor prognosis
Authors: Gu Xi , Xue Jinqi , Ai Liping , Sun Lisha , Zhu Xudong , Wang Yulun , Liu Caigang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractStaphylococcal nuclease domain‐containing 1 (SND1) expression is crucial for breast cancer metastasis; however, the clinical implications of SND1 expression in breast cancer remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship of SND1 protein expression both with metastasis and the prognoses of 144 breast cancer patients over a 10‐year follow‐up. Chi‐square tests revealed that the percentages of positive SND1 expression in breast cancer tumors were significantly associated with larger tumor size (>2 cm, P = 0.043), higher clinical TNM stage (P = 0.003), and positive lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001). Breast cancer patients with positive SND1 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival and disease‐free survival than those with negative SND1 expression (P < 0.01). Multiple Cox regression analysis indicated that SND1 expression is an independent risk factor for shorter disease‐free survival (hazard ratio = 1.97, P = 0.014). The percentages of SND1 expression in metastatic breast cancers were significantly higher than that in primary tumors in 30 patients with advanced breast cancer (P = 0.016). Therefore, SND1 protein expression is significantly associated with breast cancer metastasis and may serve as a biomarker for prognosis of breast cancer patients.
Zinc finger nuclease‐mediated targeting of multiple transgenes to an endogenous soybean genomic locus via non‐homologous end joining
Authors: Bonawitz Nicholas D. , Ainley W. Michael , Itaya Asuka , Chennareddy Sivarama R. , Cicak Tobias , Effinger Katherine , Jiang Ke , Mall Tejinder Kumar , Marri Pradeep Reddy , Samuel J. Pon , Sardesai Nagesh , Simpson Matthew , Folkerts Otto , Sarria Rodrigo , Webb Steven R. , Gonzalez Delkin O. , Simmonds Daina H. , Pareddy Dayakar R. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryEmerging genome editing technologies hold great promise for the improvement of agricultural crops. Several related genome editing methods currently in development utilize engineered, sequence‐specific endonucleases to generate DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) at user‐specified genomic loci. These DSBs subsequently result in small insertions/deletions (indels), base substitutions or incorporation of exogenous donor sequences at the target site, depending on the application. Targeted mutagenesis in soybean (Glycine max) via non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ)‐mediated repair of such DSBs has been previously demonstrated with multiple nucleases, as has homology‐directed repair (HDR)‐mediated integration of a single transgene into target endogenous soybean loci using CRISPR/Cas9. Here we report targeted integration of multiple transgenes into a single soybean locus using a zinc finger nuclease (ZFN). First, we demonstrate targeted integration of biolistically delivered DNA via either HDR or NHEJ to the FATTY ACID DESATURASE 2‐1a (FAD2‐1a) locus of embryogenic cells in tissue culture. We then describe ZFN‐ and NHEJ‐mediated, targeted integration of two different multigene donors to the FAD2‐1a locus of immature embryos. The largest donor delivered was 16.2 kb, carried four transgenes, and was successfully transmitted to T1 progeny of mature targeted plants obtained via somatic embryogenesis. The insertions in most plants with a targeted, 7.1 kb, NHEJ‐integrated donor were perfect or near‐perfect, demonstrating that NHEJ is a viable alternative to HDR for gene targeting in soybean. Taken together, these results show that ZFNs can be used to generate fertile transgenic soybean plants with NHEJ‐mediated targeted insertions of multigene donors at an endogenous genomic locus.
Resequencing core accessions of a pedigree identifies derivation of genomic segments and key agronomic trait loci during cotton improvement
Authors: Ma Xiongfeng , Wang Zhenyu , Li Wei , Zhang Yuzhou , Zhou Xiaojian , Liu Yangai , Ren Zhongying , Pei Xiaoyu , Zhou Kehai , Zhang Wensheng , He Kunlun , Zhang Fei , Liu Junfang , Ma Wenyu , Xiao Guanghui , Yang Daigang 
Published: September 2018

SummaryUpland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is the world's largest source of natural fibre and dominates the global textile industry. Hybrid cotton varieties exhibit strong heterosis that confers high fibre yields, yet the genome‐wide effects of artificial selection that have influenced Upland cotton during its breeding history are poorly understood. Here, we resequenced Upland cotton genomes and constructed a variation map of an intact breeding pedigree comprising seven elite and 19 backbone parents. Compared to wild accessions, the 26 pedigree accessions underwent strong artificial selection during domestication that has resulted in reduced genetic diversity but stronger linkage disequilibrium and higher extents of selective sweeps. In contrast to the backbone parents, the elite parents have acquired significantly improved agronomic traits, with an especially pronounced increase in the lint percentage. Notably, identify by descent (IBD) tracking revealed that the elite parents inherited abundant beneficial trait segments and loci from the backbone parents and our combined analyses led to the identification of a core genomic segment which was inherited in the elite lines from the parents Zhong 7263 and Ejing 1 and that was strongly associated with lint percentage. Additionally, SNP correlation analysis of this core segment showed that a non‐synonymous SNP (A‐to‐G) site in a gene encoding the cell wall‐associated receptor‐like kinase 3 (GhWAKL3) protein was highly correlated with increased lint percentage. Our results substantially increase the valuable genomics resources available for future genetic and functional genomics studies of cotton and reveal insights that will facilitate yield increases in the molecular breeding of cotton.
Bad company: Microenvironmentally mediated resistance to targeted therapy in melanoma
Authors: Almeida Filipe V. , Douglass Stephen M. , Fane Mitchell E. , Weeraratna Ashani T. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis review will focus on the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the development of drug resistance in melanoma. Resistance to mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKi) in melanoma is observed months after treatment, a phenomenon that is often attributed to the incredible plasticity of melanoma cells but may also depend on the TME. The TME is unique in its cellular composition—it contains fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, and among others. In addition, the TME provides “non‐homeostatic” levels of oxygen, nutrients (hypoxia and metabolic stress), and extracellular matrix proteins, creating a pro‐tumorigenic niche that drives resistance to MAPKi treatment. In this review, we will focus on how changes in the tumor microenvironment regulate MAPKi resistance.
Effect of target spot on soybean yield and factors affecting this relationship
Authors: Edwards Molina J. P. , Paul P. A. , Amorim L. , da Silva L. H. C. P. , Siqueri F. V. , Borges E. P. , Campos H. D. , Venancio W. S. , Meyer M. C. , Martins M. C. , Balardin R. S. , Carlin V. J. , Grigolli J. F. J. , Belufi L. M. de R. , Nunes Junior J. , Godoy C. V. 
Published: September 2018

The lack of robust estimates of soybean yield losses due to target spot led to this study. The objective was to determine whether soybean yield at stage R8 (W, expressed as kg ha−1) was related to target spot severity at soybean stage R5–R6 (S, expressed as %) and to identify variables that could affect this relationship. Plot‐level estimates of mean disease severity and yield from 41 selected Uniform Fungicide Trials carried out in Brazil during 2012–2016 growing seasons were used to estimate linear regression coefficients for the relationship between yield and target spot severity through random‐coefficient mixed effects model analysis. The overall estimated mean regression intercept and slope were = 3564 kg ha−1 (disease‐free yield) and = −17.1 kg ha−1 %−1 (W decrease per percent increase in S), respectively. The model was then refitted with different covariates to determine their effects on model parameters. β0 was influenced by baseline yield (less than or greater than 3300 kg ha−1) and β1 was affected by yield response to fungicide treatments. Estimated yield loss at 50% target spot severity ranged from 8% to 42%. Cultivar also had a significant effect on the magnitude of yield reduction due to target spot, which ranged from 11% to 42%, depending on the cultivar.
Nicotine modulates human brain plasticity via calcium‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Grundey Jessica , Barlay Jerick , Batsikadze Giorgi , Kuo Min‐Fang , Paulus Walter , Nitsche Michael 
Published: September 2018

Key points
Nicotine (NIC) modulates cognition and memory function by targeting the nicotinic ACh receptor and releasing different transmitter systems postsynaptically.
With both NIC‐generated mechanisms, calcium influx and calcium permeability can be regulated, which is a key requirement for the induction of long‐term potentiation, comprising the physiological basis of learning and memory function.
We attempt to unmask the underlying mechanism of nicotinic effects on anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)‐induced long‐term potentiation‐like plasticity based on the hypothesis of calcium‐dependency.
Abolished tDCS‐induced neuroplasticity as a result of NIC administration is reversed by calcium channel blockade with flunarizine in a dose‐dependent manner.
The results of the present study suggest that there is a dose determination of NIC/NIC agonists in therapeutical settings when treating cognitive dysfunction, which partially explains the heterogeneous results on cognition observed in subjects in different experimental settings.
AbstractNicotine (NIC) modulates neuroplasticity and improves cognitive performance in animals and humans mainly by increased calcium permeability and modulation of diverse transmitter systems. NIC administration impairs calcium‐dependent plasticity induced by non‐invasive brain stimulation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in non‐smoking participants probably as a result of intracellular calcium overflow. To test this hypothesis, we analysed the effect of calcium channel blockade with flunarizine (FLU) on anodal tDCS‐induced cortical excitability changes in healthy non‐smokers under NIC. We applied anodal tDCS combined with NIC patch and FLU at three different doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg) or with placebo medication. NIC abolished anodal tDCS‐induced neuroplasticity. Under medium dosage (but not under low and high dosage) of FLU combined with NIC, plasticity was re‐established. For FLU alone, the lowest dosage weakened long‐term potentiation (LTP)‐like plasticity, whereas the highest dosage again abolished tDCS‐induced plasticity. The medium dosage turned LTP‐like plasticity in long‐term depression‐like plasticity. The results of the present study suggest a key role of calcium influx and calcium levels in nicotinic effects on LTP‐like plasticity in humans. This knowledge might be relevant for the development of new therapeutic strategies in cognitive dysfunction.
An advance care plan decision support video before major surgery: a patient- and family-centred approach
Authors: Isenberg Sarina R , Crossnohere Norah L , Patel Manali I , Conca-Cheng Alison , Bridges John F P , Swoboda Sandy M , Smith Thomas J , Pawlik Timothy M , Weiss Matthew , Volandes Angelo E , Schuster Anne , Miller Judith A , Pastorini Carolyn , Roter Debra L , Aslakson Rebecca A 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveVideo-based advanc care planning (ACP) tools have been studied in varied medical contexts; however, none have been developed for patients undergoing major surgery. Using a patient- and family-centredness approach, our objective was to implement human-centred design (HCD) to develop an ACP decision support video for patients and their family members when preparing for major surgery.Design and methodsThe study investigators partnered with surgical patients and their family members, surgeons and other health professionals to design an ACP decision support video using key HCD principles. Adapting Maguire’s HCD stages from computer science to the surgical context, while also incorporating Elwynet al’s specifications for patient-oriented decision support tool development, we used a six-stage HCD process to develop the video: (1) plan HCD process; (2) specify where video will be used; (3) specify user and organisational requirements; (4) produce and test prototypes; (5) carry out user-based assessment; (6) field test with end users.ResultsOver 450 stakeholders were engaged in the development process contributing to setting objectives, applying for funding, providing feedback on the storyboard and iterations of the decision tool video. Throughout the HCD process, stakeholders’ opinions were compiled and conflicting approaches negotiated resulting in a tool that addressed stakeholders’ concerns.ConclusionsOur patient- and family-centred approach using HCD facilitated discussion and the ability to elicit and balance sometimes competing viewpoints. The early engagement of users and stakeholders throughout the development process may help to ensure tools address the stated needs of these individuals.Trial registration numberNCT02489799.