bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An investigation into the Omp85 protein BamK in hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, and its role in outer membrane biogenesis
Authors: Torres Von Vergel L. , Heinz Eva , Stubenrauch Christopher J. , Wilksch Jonathan J. , Cao Hanwei , Yang Ji , Clements Abigail , Dunstan Rhys A. , Alcock Felicity , Webb Chaille T. , Dougan Gordon , Strugnell Richard A. , Hay Iain D. , Lithgow Trevor 
Published: June 2018

SummaryMembers of the Omp85 protein superfamily have important roles in Gram‐negative bacteria, with the archetypal protein BamA being ubiquitous given its essential function in the assembly of outer membrane proteins. In some bacterial lineages, additional members of the family exist and, in most of these cases, the function of the protein is unknown. We detected one of these Omp85 proteins in the pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055, and refer to the protein as BamK. Here, we show that bamK is a conserved element in the core genome of Klebsiella, and its expression rescues a loss‐of‐function ∆bamA mutant. We developed an E. coli model system to measure and compare the specific activity of BamA and BamK in the assembly reaction for the critical substrate LptD, and find that BamK is as efficient as BamA in assembling the native LptDE complex. Comparative structural analysis revealed that the major distinction between BamK and BamA is in the external facing surface of the protein, and we discuss how such changes may contribute to a mechanism for resistance against infection by bacteriophage.
Threshold regulation and stochasticity from the MecA/ClpCP proteolytic system in Streptococcus mutans competence
Authors: Son M. , Kaspar J. , Ahn S. J. , Burne R. A. , Hagen S. J. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryMany bacterial species use the MecA/ClpCP proteolytic system to block entry into genetic competence. In Streptococcus mutans, MecA/ClpCP degrades ComX (also called SigX), an alternative sigma factor for the comY operon and other late competence genes. Although the mechanism of MecA/ClpCP has been studied in multiple Streptococcus species, its role within noisy competence pathways is poorly understood. S. mutans competence can be triggered by two different peptides, CSP and XIP, but it is not known whether MecA/ClpCP acts similarly for both stimuli, how it affects competence heterogeneity, and how its regulation is overcome. We have studied the effect of MecA/ClpCP on the activation of comY in individual S. mutans cells. Our data show that MecA/ClpCP is active under both XIP and CSP stimulation, that it provides threshold control of comY, and that it adds noise in comY expression. Our data agree quantitatively with a model in which MecA/ClpCP prevents adventitious entry into competence by sequestering or intercepting low levels of ComX. Competence is permitted when ComX levels exceed a threshold, but cell‐to‐cell heterogeneity in MecA levels creates variability in that threshold. Therefore, MecA/ClpCP provides a stochastic switch, located downstream of the already noisy comX, that enhances phenotypic diversity.
The Scathingly Brilliant Scholarship of Lisa Blomgren Amsler (Formerly Bingham)
Authors: Hernandez‐Crespo Mariana D. , Lipsky David B. , Nabatchi Tina , O'Leary Rosemary 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis essay honors Lisa Blomgren Amsler (formerly Bingham) as an International Association for Conflict Management Jeffrey Z. Rubin Award recipient (2006). Lisa is the author or co‐author of over 125 path‐breaking publications that span the fields of dispute resolution, negotiation, conflict management, public administration, public policy, law, philosophy, and organizational studies, among many others. She the consummate example of “thinking DaVinci” —using lateral thinking, moving fluidly across contexts and perspectives, taking knowledge from one context and applying it to another, and fostering creativity and innovation in scholarship. This article focuses on Lisa's contributions in the areas of mandatory arbitration and the effects of mediation, justice, and justness in alternative dispute resolution and public participation, and collaborative public management. In addition, we highlight Lisa's impact outside the United States. We give Lisa the last word where she analyzes gaps in research and practice, as well as the future of the field.
Periodontal therapy and endothelial function in coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saffi Marco Aurélio L. , Rabelo‐Silva Eneida R. , Polanczyk Carisi A. , Furtado Mariana V. , Montenegro Marlon M. , Ribeiro Ingrid W. J. , Kampits Cassio , Rösing Cassiano K. , Haas Alex N. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effects of periodontal treatment on endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease.Materials and MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with 69 patients with stable coronary disease and severe periodontitis. The test group received nonsurgical periodontal therapy consisting of personalized oral hygiene instructions, subgingival scaling, and root planing per quadrant, whereas the control group received equal treatment after the study period. Endothelial function was assessed by measurement of brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation, concentrations of sVCAM‐1, sICAM‐1, and P‐selectin in serum before and 3 months after periodontal therapy.ResultsThe test group exhibited statistically better periodontal parameters—plaque, probing depth, periodontal attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. No significant improvements were observed in the control (1.37%) and test (1.39%) groups in flow‐mediated dilation, with no significant between‐group difference. sVCAM‐1 concentration increased in the control group (997.6 ± 384.4–1201.8 ± 412.5; p = 0.03), whereas in the test group, no significant changes were observed (915.1 ± 303.8–1050.3 ± 492.3; p = 0.17), resulting in a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.04). The same pattern was observed for concentrations of sICAM‐1.ConclusionPeriodontal treatment did not provide better vasodilation in patients with coronary disease in a short‐term follow‐up period, although it maintained blood concentrations of markers of vascular inflammation.
A technological crossroads: Exploring diversity in the pressure blade technology of Mesolithic Latvia
Authors: Damlien Hege , Berg‐Hansen Inger Marie , Zagorska Ilga , Kalniņš Mārcis , Nielsen Svein V. , Koxvold Lucia U. , Bērziņš Valdis , Schülke Almut 
Published: June 2018

SummaryA long‐standing debate in archaeology concerns the sources of technological diversification among prehistoric hunter‐gatherers. This includes the study of the emergence and spread of pressure blade technology in Northern Europe during the Early Holocene. Until now, there has been little technological study of lithic collections from the East Baltic region, and our knowledge of the development and spread of this technology in the area is inadequate. This article presents for the first time a technological analysis of lithic assemblages from seven Early and Middle Mesolithic sites in the territory of present‐day Latvia, offering new possibilities for discussing pressure blade technology and research objectives connected with it. Furthermore, variation in elements of this technology is explored in relation to raw‐material characteristics through experimental flint knapping. Finally, the factors influencing diversity in craft traditions, as well as large‐scale communication and shifting spheres of interaction within Northern Europe during the Mesolithic, are discussed.
It's Complicated: The 2014–2015 U.S. Measles Outbreak and Parents’ Vaccination Beliefs, Confidence, and Intentions
Authors: Cacciatore Michael A. , Nowak Glen J. , Evans Nathaniel J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWhile it seems intuitive that highly visible vaccine‐preventable disease outbreaks should impact perceptions of disease risk and facilitate vaccination, few empirical studies exist to confirm or dispel these beliefs. This study investigates the impact of the 2014–2015 Disneyland measles outbreak on parents’ vaccination attitudes and future vaccination intentions. The analysis relies on a pair of public opinion surveys of American parents with at least one child under the age of six (N = 1,000 across each survey). Controlling for basic demographics, we found higher levels of reported confidence in the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccinations in our follow‐up data collection. However, this confidence was also accompanied by elevated levels of concern toward childhood vaccines among American parents. We then examined how different subgroups in the population scored on these measures before and after the outbreak. We found that parents with high levels of interest in the topic of vaccines and a child who is not fully upto date with the recommended vaccination schedule reported more supportive attitudes toward vaccines. However, future intentions to follow the recommended vaccination schedule were not positively impacted by the outbreak. Possible explanations for these results and implications for vaccination outreach are discussed.
Against Thatcherite Linguistics: Rule‐following, Speech Communities, and Biolanguage
Authors: Glackin Shane N. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAccording to Chomsky and his followers, language as a biological phenomenon is a property of individual minds and brains; its status as a social phenomenon is merely epiphenomenal and not a proper object of scientific study. On a rival view, the individual's biological capacity for language cannot be properly understood in isolation from the linguistic environment, which it both depends on for its operation and—in collaboration with other speakers—builds and shapes for future generations.I argue here for the rival view by demonstrating firstly its greater consonance with several themes in current biological theory, and secondly its ability to answer two well‐known philosophical challenges to generative linguistics due to Quine and Kripke.
A novel method to measure skin mechanical properties with three‐dimensional digital image correlation
Authors: Xu Z. , Dela Cruz J. , Fthenakis C. , Saliou C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundMeasuring skin mechanical properties has been of great interest in the skincare industry. It is a high accuracy and non‐invasive optical technique which quantitatively tracks skin movement and deformation under mechanical perturbations.MethodsA study was conducted with female subjects (25‐65 years old). A refined speckle pattern applied onto the skin surface was used for DIC measurements. A unidirectional force pulled the skin at a constant velocity, while the deformation process was quantified by the DIC. Prior to the DIC measurement, Cutometer® readings were taken on the same area. The DIC protocol's reproducibility across multiple pattern applications, the measurement's repeatability, and the sensitivity in differentiating skin mechanical properties were investigated.ResultsSubjects were clustered with statistical significance according to their skin mechanical properties described by six DIC metrics (μ [major strain], σ [major strain], μ [minor strain], σ [minor strain], μ [displacement], and σ [displacement]). Most measurement random errors are below 6%. This is several folds smaller in magnitude than the difference in the mean response between the clusters. Several Cutometer® parameters also showed good agreement with μ (displacement).ConclusionsDIC was able to differentiate skins of different mechanical qualities. We also proposed the physical significance of the DIC metrics. Some of the DIC metrics potentially offer new insights into skin mechanical properties that complement those revealed by conventional instruments. Accurate measurements, large measurement areas along with ease of direct visualization are substantial advantages of DIC.
Solving the mystery: Hyalinized cyst wall containing organism‐like structures in a lung transplant donor
Authors: Bini Viotti Julia , Loebe Matthias , Brozzi Nicolas , Pinto Andre , Simkins Jacques , Cloke Christina M. , Camargo Jose F. , Salama Sam , Abbo Lilian M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA 59‐year‐old man with non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. The donor, a 31‐year‐old male declared brain dead after a gunshot wound to the head, was considered high risk due to history of incarceration, illicit drug use, and sex with a HIV‐positive partner. At organ procurement, the heart, kidneys, pancreas, and liver looked grossly normal. A small right lower lobe nodule was noticed, and lung biopsy was performed. Bronchoscopy showed purulent secretions in the right lower lobe. Images from pathology are presented. Lung biopsy confirmed the presence of hyalinized cyst wall containing organism‐like structures. A combination of culture, microscopic morphology, and gene sequencing was used to identify the causative organism. The patient and all other organ recipients received appropriate antifungal prophylaxis and remain asymptomatic 6 months post‐transplant.
A vexing case of bone pain in a renal transplant recipient: Voriconazole‐induced periostitis
Authors: Poinen Krishna , Leung Marianna , Wright Alissa Jade , Landsberg David 
Published: June 2018

AbstractImmunosuppression increases the risk of opportunistic infections including fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients. Voriconazole is used to treat invasive aspergillus infections but prolonged usage may rarely lead to periostitis. Increased plasma fluoride concentration leading to osteoblastic upregulation is thought to be the catalyst, and symptom reversal occurs with discontinuation of the offending agent. A renal transplant recipient who was on voriconazole for invasive aspergillosis developed diffuse debilitating symmetrical bone pain. Having ruled out other neurological, metabolic, and drug etiologies, voriconazole‐induced periostitis was diagnosed. Increased plasma fluoride level was documented, but bone scan was non‐specific. A therapeutic discontinuation of voriconazole and switch to posaconazole provided rapid symptom resolution. The patient accidently restarted voriconazole as an outpatient resulting in the same symptomology, and thus provided further evidence that this was drug related. Voriconazole‐induced periostitis is a described entity in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant patients who are treated with a prolonged course of voriconazole. This case study is novel in that it demonstrates drug induced periostitis in a renal transplant recipient who developed debilitating periostitis within a short time after starting voriconazole and equally rapid resolution once it was discontinued. We conclude that patients treated with voriconazole should be routinely monitored for periostitis.
Healthcare related transmission of Pneumocystis pneumonia: From key insights toward comprehensive prevention
Authors: de Boer Mark G. J. , Walzer Peter D. , Mori Shunsuke 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn at risk populations, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) may occur as a solitary event as well as in a cluster‐ or outbreak setting due to interpatient transmission of Pneumocystis jirovecii. Despite the data and insights obtained from studies of outbreaks of PCP, the development and implementation of comprehensive recommendations for the prevention of healthcare related transmission of P. jirovecii have been delayed. Both optimization of chemoprophylaxis strategies as well as combination with prudent use of isolation precautions are warranted to achieve this goal. The rationale of the available measures for the prevention of PCP should be viewed in the context of what is currently known about the complex biology and epidemiology of P. jirovecii. From there, phased but practical prevention strategies can be deducted to balance the efforts, costs and negative consequences of chemoprophylaxis and isolation precautions with the beneficial effect of preventing healthcare related transmission of P. jirovecii and development of PCP.
Single fraction stereotactic radiation therapy (stereotactic radiosurgery) is a feasible method for treating intracranial meningiomas in dogs
Authors: Kelsey Krista L. , Gieger Tracy L. , Nolan Michael W. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe aim of this retrospective, pilot study was to evaluate stereotactic radiosurgery as a method for treating intracranial meningiomas in dogs. Included dogs had an imaging diagnosis of presumed intracranial meningioma, were treated using a standardized stereotactic radiosurgery protocol, and had a follow‐up time of >6 months after stereotactic radiosurgery. A single fraction of 16 Gy stereotactic radiosurgery was delivered to the tumor, with an internal simultaneously integrated boost to a total dose of 20–24 Gy to the central portion of the tumor. Thirty‐two dogs were sampled. One dog was euthanized in the periprocedural period, and 10 of the remaining 31 dogs (31%) experienced an acute adverse event (defined as declining neurologic function due to tumor progression or treatment‐associated complication within the first 6 months after stereotactic radiosurgery), three of which were fatal. Too few subjects (n = 6) had cross‐sectional imaging after stereotactic radiosurgery to determine an objective response rate; however, 17/30 (57%) dogs assessed for response had a perceived clinical benefit from treatment. The overall median survival time was 519 days (95% confidence interval: 330–708 days); 64% and 24% of dogs were alive at 1 and 2 years after stereotactic radiosurgery, respectively. Dogs with infratentorial tumor location and high gradient indices had shorter survival. There were no factors identified which were predictive of acute adverse event. Survival times reported herein are similar to what has previously been reported for other stereotactic and traditional fractionated radiotherapy protocols. Findings therefore supported the use of stereotactic radiosurgery as an alternative method for treating dogs with presumed intracranial meningiomas.
Changing trend in the seroprevalence and risk factors of human leptospirosis in the South Andaman Island, India
Authors: Vimal Raj Ratchagadasse , Vinod Kumar Kirubakaran , Lall Chandan , Vedhagiri Kumaresan , Sugunan Attayur Purushothaman , Sunish Ittoop Pulikkottil , Sharma Sameer , Vijayachari Paluru 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSeroprevalence of leptospirosis among a healthy population of the South Andaman Island was assessed through random sampling. Previous studies have high seroprevalences of up to 55% in general population and 65% in agricultural labourers. The study subjects (1,181 in total, 781 rural and 400 urban) were interviewed and tested for antibodies against Leptospira. Multivariate models were developed to determine the risk factors in the rural and the urban population. The overall seroprevalence was 10.9%, with rural (12.9%) being higher than the urban subjects (7.0%). The commonest infecting serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae (53.5%), followed by Grippotyphosa (13.2%). Compared to the earlier observation, seroprevalence was lower and an apparent shift in the infecting serogroup was found. This shift was in concordance with the changing trend in animal population. Significant difference in risk factors, both in rural and urban areas, was also observed. Similar trends in seroprevalence are being observed around the world. Therefore, time to time prevalence studies are needed for the development of effective control measure.
Folic acid supplementation does not attenuate thermoregulatory or cardiovascular strain of older adults exposed to extreme heat and humidity
Authors: Gagnon Daniel , Romero Steven A. , Cramer Matthew N. , Kouda Ken , Poh Paula Y S. , Ngo Hai , Jay Ollie , Crandall Craig G. 
Published: June 2018

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Does folic acid supplementation alleviate thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain of older adults during exposure to extreme heat and humidity?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Folic acid supplementation for 6 weeks did not affect whole‐limb blood flow/vasodilatation, core and skin temperatures, heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output. Thus, 6 weeks of folic acid supplementation does not alleviate thermoregulatory or cardiovascular strain of healthy older adults exposed to extreme heat and humidity.

AbstractFolic acid supplementation reverses age‐related reductions in cutaneous vasodilatation during passive heating. However, it is unknown if folic acid supplementation alleviates thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain experienced by older adults during heat exposure. We evaluated the effect of folic acid supplementation on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses of nine healthy older adults (61–72 years, 3 males/6 females) exposed to extreme heat and humidity. Participants rested at 42°C while relative humidity was increased from 30% to 70% in 2% increments every 5 min. The protocol was performed before (CON) and after (FOLIC) 6 weeks of folic acid supplementation (5 mg day−1). Local cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC, laser‐Doppler flowmetry), forearm vascular conductance (FVC, Doppler ultrasound), mean skin and oesophageal temperatures, heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output were measured. Folic acid supplementation increased fasting serum folate concentrations (P < 0.01). Absolute CVC was greater throughout the protocol following supplementation (CON: 1.29 ± 0.16 units mmHg−1 vs. FOLIC: 1.65 ± 0.24 units mmHg−1, P < 0.01). However, normalized CVC (CON: 54 ± 8% vs. FOLIC: 59 ± 7%, P = 0.22), FVC (CON: 3.47 ± 0.76 ml mmHg−1 vs. FOLIC: 3.40 ± 0.56 ml mmHg−1, P = 0.93), mean skin (P = 0.81) and oesophageal (CON: 36.87 ± 0.28°C vs. folic: 36.90 ± 0.25°C, P = 0.98) temperatures, heart rate (CON: 83 ± 10 beats min−1 vs. FOLIC: 84 ± 8 beats min−1, P = 0.64), blood pressure (P = 0.71) and cardiac output (P = 0.20) were unaffected by folic acid supplementation. These results demonstrate that 6 weeks of folic acid supplementation does not alleviate thermoregulatory or cardiovascular strain of healthy older adults exposed to extreme heat and humidity.