bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fission yeast TRP channel Pkd2p localizes to the cleavage furrow and regulates cell separation during cytokinesis
Authors: Morris Zachary , Sinha Debatrayee , Poddar Abhishek , Morris Brittni , Chen Qian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractForce plays a central role in separating daughter cells during cytokinesis, the last stage of cell division. However, the mechanism of force-sensing during cytokinesis remains unknown. Here we discovered that Pkd2p, a putative force-sensing TRP channel, localizes to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis of the fission yeast,Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Pkd2p, whose human homologues are associated with Autosomal Polycystic Kidney Disease, is an essential protein whose localization depends on the contractile ring and the secretory pathway. We identified and characterized a novelpkd2mutantpkd2-81KD. Thepkd2mutant cells show signs of osmotic stress, including temporary shrinking, paused turnover of the cytoskeletal structures and hyper-activated MAPK signaling. During cytokinesis, although the contractile ring constricts more rapidly in thepkd2mutant than the wild-type cells (50% higher), the cell separation in the mutant is slower and often incomplete. These cytokinesis defects are also consistent with mis-regulated turgor pressure. Lastly, thepkd2mutant exhibits strong genetic interactions with two mutants of the SIN pathway, a signaling cascade essential for cytokinesis. We propose that Pkd2p modulates osmotic homeostasis and is potentially a novel regulator of cytokinesis.Highlight summary for TOCFission yeast TRP channel Pkd2p is the homologue of human polycystins. Thepkd2mutant exhibits defects in the contractile ring closure and cell separation during cytokinesis. This essential protein localizes to the cleavage furrow where it likely regulates osmotic homeostasis during cytokinesis.
Thymoquinone protects rat liver after partial hepatectomy under ischaemia/reperfusion through oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress prevention
Authors: Bouhlel Ahlem , Bejaoui Mohamed , Ben Mosbah Ismail , Hadj Abdallah Najet , Ribault Catherine , Viel Roselyne , Hentati Hassen , Corlu Anne , Ben Abdennebi Hassen 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIschaemia reperfusion (I/R) is associated with liver injury and impaired regeneration during partial hepatectomy (PH). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the active compound of essential oil obtained from Nigella sativa seeds, on rat liver after PH. Male Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups (n = 6) receiving an oral administration of either vehicle solution (sham and PH groups) or TQ at 30 mg/kg (TQ and TQ + PH groups) for 10 consecutive days. Then, rats underwent PH (70%) with 60 minutes of ischaemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion (PH and TQ + PH groups). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and histopathological damage were determined. Also, antioxidant parameters, liver regeneration index, hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis were assessed. In response to PH under I/R, liver damage was significantly alleviated by TQ treatment as evidenced by the decrease in ALT activity (P < .01) and histological findings (P < .001). In parallel, TQ preconditioning increased hepatic antioxidant capacities. Moreover, TQ improved mitochondrial function (ATP, P < .05), attenuated ER stress parameters and repressed the expression of apoptotic effectors. Taken together, our results suggest that TQ preconditioning could be an effective strategy to reduce liver injury after PH under I/R. The protective effects were mediated by the increase of antioxidant capacities and the decrease of ER stress and apoptosis.
Synthesis, characterization, molecular modelling and biological evaluation of thieno‐pyrimidinone methanesulphonamide thio‐derivatives as non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agents
Authors: Graziano Adriana C E , Pannuzzo Giovanna , Salemi Ettore , Santagati Andrea , Avola Rosanna , Longo Emanuele , Cardile Venera 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThis study reports the synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation of eight (5‐8 and 5a‐8a) newly synthesized thieno‐pyrimidinone methanesulphonamide thio‐derivatives. The synthetic route used to prepare the new isomers thioaryl and thio‐cycloesyl derivatives of the heterocyclic system 6‐phenylthieno[3,2]pyrimidinone was economically and environmentally very advantageous and characterized by the simplicity of procedure, reduction in isolation steps, purification phases, time, costs and waste production. The study in silico for the evaluation of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 and COX‐2 selective inhibition was carried out by AutoDock Vina, an open‐source program for doing molecular docking which predicts the preferred orientation of one molecule to a second when bound to each other to form a stable complex. The research in vitro for the biological evaluation was performed by using human cartilage and chondrocytes cultures treated with 10 ng/mL of interleukin‐1beta as inflammation models. The anti‐inflammatory activity of each new compound at the concentration of 10 μmol/L was determined by assaying COX‐2, inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM 1) through Western blot. The examined derivatives showed interesting pharmacological activity, and the compound N‐[2‐[2,4‐difluorophenyl)thio]‐4‐oxo‐6‐phenylthieno[3,2‐d]pyridine‐34H‐yl]methanesulphonamide (7) was excellent COX‐2 inhibitor. In agreement with the biological data, compound 7 was able to fit into the active site of COX‐2 with highest interaction energy. These results can support the design of novel specific inhibitors of COX‐2 by the comparative modelling of COX‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes with the available pharmacophore.
The Case Against Participation Income—Political, Not Merely Administrative
Authors: Wispelaere Jurgen De , Stirton Lindsay 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis article develops the position we have taken in debate with Anthony Atkinson that a participation income (PI) would be problematic from an administrative and political point of view. We argue that Atkinson remains far too optimistic about the magnitude of administrative difficulties a PI would face. Negotiating these difficulties will inevitably involve the sort of political trade‐offs PI is supposedly able to avoid when compared to its more controversial cousin, the unconditional basic income. The enduring significance of ‘The case for a participation income’, we argue, lies in the often neglected point that Atkinson intends a PI as a supplement to an eroding contribution‐based welfare state. In the current political and fiscal environment, the case for a universal support scheme set below the rate of subsistence, and supplemented by other forms of welfare support, deserves careful re‐examination.
The contested space: The impact of competency‐based education and accreditation on dietetic practice in Australia
Authors: Ash Susan , Palermo Claire , Gallegos Danielle 
Published: May 2018

AimCompetency‐based Education (CBE) has underpinned the education of dietitians in Australia since the first Competency Standards (CS) were published; however, little is known about how CBE has influenced dietetic practice. The aim of this paper is to explore how a CBE framework and the CS have influenced dietetic practice in Australia since 1990.MethodsA qualitative investigation explored concepts of dietetic practice. Data analysed were original interviews previously undertaken with recent graduate dietitians during 1991 (n = 26), 1998 (n = 23) and 2007 (n = 19) and seven guided discussions with dietitians and employers (n = 28) conducted in 2014 to identify themes. The DAA Competency Standards and Accreditation Manuals/Standards since 1990 were also analysed to triangulate the interview data and to investigate how the CS were interpreted.Results and ConclusionsThemes identified from interviews included: (i) communicating for better care, (ii) scientific enquiry for effective practice, (iii) critical thinking and evidence‐based practice and (iv) professionalism, which remained core to dietetic practice over time, but leadership, advocacy, business management and entrepreneurial skills have emerged more strongly as the scope of practice has diversified. The landscape in which dietitians' practice showed increasing complexity and clear boundaries separating professional roles were disappearing. The 2015 CS and the 2017 Accreditation Standards highlighted that competency remains a shifting construct and that professional behaviours change depending on economic and political reasons in the play of power. Accreditation policy and current standards have successfully maintained a standard of dietetic practice across a diverse country but have the potential to constrain innovation.
Dyspepsia in non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug users and the effect of preventive measures
Authors: Lee Hooi Leng , Chua Siew Siang , Mahadeva Sanjiv 
Published: May 2018

OBJECTIVETo evaluate regular non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) users for dyspepsia, as well as to assess the effect of preventive measures, and the reasons for non‐adherence to gastroprotective agents (GPA) from a real‐world perspective.METHODSA prospective longitudinal study was conducted among outpatients with regular NSAID usage. The presence of dyspepsia was assessed by locally validated versions of the Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ), GPA and the participants' adherence to the drugs were assessed at recruitment and 2 weeks later. GPA was defined as the use of antisecretory medications or cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors.RESULTSInitially, 409 participants (mean age 52.3 ± 14.6 years, 60.6% females, 48.4% treated for musculoskeletal pain) were recruited. At recruitment, 50.9% of the participants had at least one upper gastrointestinal symptom. Complete data for follow‐up analysis were collected from 158 participants who were naive NSAID users, had no prior gastrointestinal medication and who could be contacted. At 2‐week follow‐up there was no significant difference in the LDQ score change between NSAID users treated with GPA and those did not. However, there was a greater reduction in abdominal pain/discomfort (8.8% vs 5.0%, P < 0.001) and burping (8.8% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001) among participants using GPA compared with those who were not. Adherence to GPA was poor, with study participants citing the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms as their main reason for non‐adherence.CONCLUSIONSThe use of GPA in patients on regular NSAIDs does not improve their overall dyspepsia, but it reduces abdominal pain and burping. Poor adherence to GPA may be a contributing factor.
Repeated disturbances affect functional but not compositional resistance and resilience in an aquatic bacterioplankton community
Authors: Sjöstedt Johanna , Langenheder Silke , Kritzberg Emma , Karlsson Christofer M. G. , Lindström Eva S. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryDisturbances are believed to be one of the main factors influencing variations in community diversity and functioning. Here we investigated if exposure to a pH press disturbance affected the composition and functional performance of a bacterial community and its resistance, recovery and resilience to a second press disturbance (salt addition). Lake bacterial assemblages were initially exposed to reduced pH in six mesocosms whereas another six mesocosms were kept as reference. Seven days after the pH disturbance, three tanks from each treatment were exposed to a salt disturbance. Both bacterial production and enzyme activity were negatively affected by the salt treatment, regardless if the communities had been subject to a previous disturbance or not. However, cell‐specific enzyme activity had a higher resistance in communities pre‐exposed to the pH disturbance compared to the reference treatment. In contrast, for cell‐specific bacterial production resistance was not affected, but recovery was faster in the communities that had previously been exposed to the pH disturbance. Over time, bacterial community composition diverged among treatments, in response to both pH and salinity. The difference in functional recovery, resilience and resistance may depend on differences in community composition caused by the pH disturbance, niche breadth or acquired stress resistance.
#Frailty: A snapshot Twitter report on frailty knowledge translation
Authors: Jha Sunita R , McDonagh Julee , Prichard Ros , Newton Phillip J , Hickman Louise D , Fung Erik , Macdonald Peter S , Ferguson Caleb 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesThe objectives of this short report are to: (i) explore #Frailty Twitter activity over a six‐month period; and (ii) provide a snapshot Twitter content analysis of #Frailty usage.MethodsA mixed‐method study was conducted to explore Twitter data related to frailty. The primary search term was #Frailty. Objective 1: data were collected using Symplur analytics, including variables for total number of tweets, unique tweeters (users) and total number of impressions. Objective 2: a retrospectively conducted snapshot content analysis of 1500 #Frailty tweets was performed using TweetReach™.ResultsOver a six‐month period (1 January 2017–31 June 2017), there was a total of 6545 #Frailty tweets, generating 14.8 million impressions across 3986 participants. Of the 1500 tweets (814 retweets; 202 replies; 484 original tweets), 56% were relevant to clinical frailty. The main contributors (‘who’) were as follows: the public (29%), researchers (25%), doctors (21%), organisations (18%) and other allied health professionals (7%). Tweet main message intention (‘what’) was public health/advocacy (41%), social communication (28%), research‐based evidence/professional education (24%), professional opinion/case studies (15%) and general news/events (7%).ConclusionsTwitter is increasingly being used to communicate about frailty. It is important that thought leaders contribute to the conversation. There is potential to leverage Twitter to promote and disseminate frailty‐related knowledge and research.
Population numbers, density and activity patterns of servals in savannah patches of Odzala‐Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo
Authors: Bohm Torsten , Hofer Heribert 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDespite its wide distribution in continental Africa, the serval (Leptailurus serval Schreber) has received relatively little scientific attention so far. We did camera‐trapping in the forest–savannah mosaic of the Odzala‐Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo. The park's savannahs represent the northernmost extension of the savannahs of the Batéké Plateaux, a large ecoregion of open habitat in Central Africa. During 8 months of camera‐trapping, we recorded 51 individuals. Almost two‐thirds of individuals recorded belonged to the servaline morph, with a pattern mutation of small “freckled” spots. Using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture methods serval density was 7.7–9.8 individuals/100 km². ML analyses favoured a model with trap placement and gender as covariates. Serval males were largely nocturnal whereas females were mainly diurnal. Differences in activity patterns were likely related to the occurrence of spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta Erxleben). Spotted hyaenas were highly nocturnal and, consequently, had a higher overlap in activity patterns with male servals. Our study provided the first robust density estimates for this medium‐sized carnivore in Central Africa. To achieve sufficient precision in density estimates, we recommend that future studies also include individual and trap placement covariates in analyses.
Collagenase clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of Peyronie's disease: a prospective Italian multicentric study
Authors: Capece M. , Cocci A. , Russo G. , Cito G. , Giubilei G. , Cacciamani G. , Garaffa G. , Falcone M. , Timpano M. , Tasso G. , Sessa F. , Campi R. , Di Maida F. , Cai T. , Morelli G. , Giammusso B. , Verze P. , Palmieri A. , Ralph D. , Mirone V. , Mondaini N. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryPeyronie's disease (PD) is a common condition which results in penile curvature making sexual intercourse difficult or impossible. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is the first licensed drug for the treatment of PD and is indicated in patients with palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30° of curvature. However, only few monocentric studies are available in the current literature and this is the first national multicentric study focusing on this new treatment. In five Italian centres, 135 patients have completed the treatment with three injections of CCH using Ralph's shortened modified protocol. The protocol consisted of three intralesional injections of CCH (0.9 mg) given at 4‐weekly intervals in addiction to a combination of home modelling, stretching and a vacuum device on a daily basis. An improvement in the angle of curvature was recorded in 128/135 patients (94.8%) by a mean (range) of 19.1 (0–40)° or 42.9 (0–67)% from baseline (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant improvement in all IIEF and PDQ questionnaires subdomains (p < 0.001 in all subdomains). This prospective multicentric study confirms that the three‐injection protocol is effective enough to achieve a good result and to minimize the cost of the treatment.
Spores and soil from six sides: interdisciplinarity and the environmental biology of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
Authors: Carlson Colin J. , Getz Wayne M. , Kausrud Kyrre L. , Cizauskas Carrie A. , Blackburn Jason K. , Bustos Carrillo Fausto A. , Colwell Rita , Easterday W. Ryan , Ganz Holly H. , Kamath Pauline L. , Økstad Ole A. , Turner Wendy C. , Kolstø Anne‐Brit , Stenseth Nils C. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTEnvironmentally transmitted diseases are comparatively poorly understood and managed, and their ecology is particularly understudied. Here we identify challenges of studying environmental transmission and persistence with a six‐sided interdisciplinary review of the biology of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). Anthrax is a zoonotic disease capable of maintaining infectious spore banks in soil for decades (or even potentially centuries), and the mechanisms of its environmental persistence have been the topic of significant research and controversy. Where anthrax is endemic, it plays an important ecological role, shaping the dynamics of entire herbivore communities. The complex eco‐epidemiology of anthrax, and the mysterious biology of Bacillus anthracis during its environmental stage, have necessitated an interdisciplinary approach to pathogen research. Here, we illustrate different disciplinary perspectives through key advances made by researchers working in Etosha National Park, a long‐term ecological research site in Namibia that has exemplified the complexities of the enzootic process of anthrax over decades of surveillance. In Etosha, the role of scavengers and alternative routes (waterborne transmission and flies) has proved unimportant relative to the long‐term persistence of anthrax spores in soil and their infection of herbivore hosts. Carcass deposition facilitates green‐ups of vegetation to attract herbivores, potentially facilitated by the role of anthrax spores in the rhizosphere. The underlying seasonal pattern of vegetation, and herbivores' immune and behavioural responses to anthrax risk, interact to produce regular ‘anthrax seasons’ that appear to be a stable feature of the Etosha ecosystem. Through the lens of microbiologists, geneticists, immunologists, ecologists, epidemiologists, and clinicians, we discuss how anthrax dynamics are shaped at the smallest scale by population genetics and interactions within the bacterial communities up to the broadest scales of ecosystem structure. We illustrate the benefits and challenges of this interdisciplinary approach to disease ecology, and suggest ways anthrax might offer insights into the biology of other important pathogens. Bacillus anthracis, and the more recently emerged Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis, share key features with other environmentally transmitted pathogens, including several zoonoses and panzootics of special interest for global health and conservation efforts. Understanding the dynamics of anthrax, and developing interdisciplinary research programs that explore environmental persistence, is a critical step forward for understanding these emerging threats.
A comparison of intraoperative haemostatic techniques during tonsillectomy: Suture vs electrocautery—A study to assess postoperative pain scores and duration to resumption of normal diet
Authors: Cassano M. , Bayar Muluk N. , Di Taranto F. , Subramaniam S. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo assess postoperative pain and pattern of recovery to normal diet in children who underwent tonsillectomy.MethodsCold steel tonsillectomy (or adenotonsillectomy) was performed in 61 children. Haemostasis was attained with sutures in Group 1 (n = 30, 8 tonsillectomy and 22 adenotonsillectomy), and electrocautery in Group 2 (n = 31, 6 tonsillectomy and 25 adenotonsillectomy). Information obtained included postoperative pain scores and the number of postoperative days taken to resume normal diet. The pain score was evaluated with the Wong‐Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale (WBFS).ResultsPain values in Group 1 (haemostasis with sutures) were significantly lower than those in Group 2 (haemostasis with cauterisation) from the 6th hour to the 7th postoperative day (P < .05). For both liquid and solid food, Group 1 returned to normal diet earlier, compared to Group 2 (P < .05). When comparing patients undergoing tonsillectomy vs adenotonsillectomy, resumption of normal diet was achieved later in the adenotonsillectomy patients (P < .05). In terms of postoperative bleeding, there were 2 significant events in Group 2 (electrocautery group), occurring on the 1st (severe) and 10th day (slight) in 2 children (6.5%). There were no postoperative bleeding events in Group 1.ConclusionOur results showed that suture haemostatis causes less pain and faster resumption of normal diet compared to electrocautery. In view of this, we recommend the use of sutures for achieving intraoperative haemostasis in paediatric patients.
Physical outcome measures for conductive and mixed hearing loss treatment: A systematic review
Authors: Johansson M.L. , Tysome J.R. , Hill‐Feltham P. , Hodgetts W.E. , Ostevik A. , McKinnon B.J. , Monksfield P. , Sockalingam R. , Wright T. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundThe number of potential options for rehabilitation of patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss is continually expanding. To be able to inform patients and other stakeholders, there is a need to identify and develop patient‐centred outcomes for treatment of hearing loss.Objective of reviewTo identify outcome measures in the physical core area used when reporting the outcome after treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss in adult patients.Type of reviewSystematic review.Search strategySystematic review of the literature related to reported physical outcome measures after treatment of mixed or conductive hearing loss without restrictions regarding type of intervention, treatment or device.Evaluation methodAny measure reporting the physical outcome after treatment or intervention of mixed or conductive hearing loss was sought and categorised. The physical outcome measures that had been extracted were then grouped into domains.ResultsThe literature search resulted in the identification of 1434 studies, of which 153 were selected for inclusion in the review. The majority (57%) of papers reported results from middle ear surgery, with the remainder reporting results from either bone conduction hearing devices or middle ear implants. Outcomes related to complications were categorised into 17 domains, whereas outcomes related to treatment success was categorised into 22 domains.ConclusionsThe importance of these domains to patients and other stakeholders needs to be further explored in order to establish which of these domains are most relevant to interventions for conductive or mixed hearing loss. This will allow us to then assess which outcome measures are most suitable for inclusion in the core set.