bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations in hypothalamic synaptophysin and death markers may be associated with vasopressin impairment in sepsis survivor rats
Authors: Santos‐Junior N. N. , Catalão C. H. R. , Costa L. H. A. , Rossignolli B. B. , Dos‐Santos R. C. , Malvar D. C. , Mecawi A. S. , Rocha M. J. A. 
Published: May 2018

The impairment in arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion during sepsis is described in clinical and experimental studies and has been associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis and diminished activation of hypothalamic neurones. However, few studies have assessed these abnormalities in sepsis survivors. In the present study, we performed 2 sets of experiments on Wistar rats that had been subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or nonmanipulated (naive) as a control. In the first set, tissues and blood were collected from survivor rats 10 days after CLP to quantify hypothalamic Bcl‐2, cleaved caspase‐3 and synaptophysin contents, as well as bacterial load. In the second set, survivor rats were submitted to an acute osmotic stimulus (hypertonic saline) and, after 30 minutes, water intake and AVP secretion were analysed. The sepsis‐surviving rats did not show bacterial load in tissues, although their hypothalamic synaptophysin and Bcl‐2 levels were decreased and the cleaved caspase‐3 level was increased compared to the control group. However, AVP secretion was significantly attenuated in the CLP survivor animals submitted to an acute osmotic stimulus. These results suggest that the persistent AVP impairment in sepsis survivor animals may be the result hypothalamic dysfunction associated with a synaptic deficit and decreased anti‐apoptotic protein expression.
Faster‐X evolution of gene expression is driven by recessive adaptive cis‐regulatory variation in Drosophila
Authors: Llopart Ana 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe hemizygosity of the X (Z) chromosome fully exposes the fitness effects of mutations on that chromosome and has evolutionary consequences on the relative rates of evolution of X and autosomes. Specifically, several population genetics models predict increased rates of evolution in X‐linked loci relative to autosomal loci. This prediction of faster‐X evolution has been evaluated and confirmed for both protein coding sequences and gene expression. In the case of faster‐X evolution for gene expression divergence, it is often assumed that variation in 5′ noncoding sequences is associated with variation in transcript abundance between species but a formal, genomewide test of this hypothesis is still missing. Here, I use whole genome sequence data in Drosophila yakuba and D. santomea to evaluate this hypothesis and report positive correlations between sequence divergence at 5′ noncoding sequences and gene expression divergence. I also examine polymorphism and divergence in 9,279 noncoding sequences located at the 5′ end of annotated genes and detected multiple signals of positive selection. Notably, I used the traditional synonymous sites as neutral reference to test for adaptive evolution, but I also used bases 8–30 of introns <65 bp, which have been proposed to be a better neutral choice. X‐linked genes with high degree of male‐biased expression show the most extreme adaptive pattern at 5′ noncoding regions, in agreement with faster‐X evolution for gene expression divergence and a higher incidence of positively selected recessive mutations.
Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid enhances epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Mohammed A. A. , Allen J. T. , Rogan M. T. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryCystic echinococcosis is characterized by fluid‐filled hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs. The cysts are surrounded by a host fibrous layer (the pericyst) which acts to isolate the parasite from surrounding tissues. Previous studies in liver cysts have indicated that the parasite may be a stimulating fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) could influence the potential for fibrosis to occur in lung tissue by stimulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a human lung epithelial cell line. An adenocarcinoma‐derived alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) was used as a model for human alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II). These were cultured in vitro with HCF (UK sheep origin). Assays to investigate cell proliferation, cell migration and expression of cytoskeletal markers showed that HCF could stimulate changes indicative of EMT, including enhanced cell proliferation and migration; increased expression of mesenchymal cytoskeletal markers (fibronectin and vimentin) accompanied by a down‐regulation of an epithelial marker (E‐cadherin). Molecules within hydatid cyst fluid are capable of inducing phenotypic changes in A549 cells indicating that the parasite has the potential to modify lung epithelial cells which could contribute to fibrotic reactions.
Two Rights of Free Speech
Authors: Marmor Andrei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMy main argument in this paper is that the right to freedom of expression is not a single right, complex as it may be, but spans two separate rights that I label the right to speak and the right to hear. Roughly, the right to speak stands for the right of a person to express freely whatever they wish to communicate to some other persons or to the public at large. The right to hear stands for the right to have free and unfettered access to any kind of content that has been communicated by others. The right to speak and the right to hear are two separate rights, grounded in different kinds of interests. I try to show that this division of rights and their respective rationales can be utilized to explain how we think about some of the limits of the right to freedom of expression, particularly in the context of conflicts between the right to speak and the right to hear, conflicts that are rather pervasive. I also argue, though perhaps less conclusively, that in thinking about the limits of freedom of expression, an exclusive focus on the harm principle would be misguided. There is no reason to deny that speech is often harmful, sometimes very much so, but the prevention of harm is not sufficient to justify legal prohibition, at least not in this case.
A data‐driven patient blood management strategy in liver transplantation
Authors: Metcalf R. A. , Pagano M. B. , Hess J. R. , Reyes J. , Perkins J. D. , Montenovo M. I. 
Published: May 2018

Background and ObjectivesBlood utilization during liver transplant has decreased, but remains highly variable due to many complex surgical and physiologic factors. Previous models attempted to predict utilization using preoperative variables to stratify cases into two usage groups, usually using entire blood units for measurement. We sought to develop a practical predictive model using specific transfusion volumes (in ml) to develop a data‐driven patient blood management strategy.Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective evaluation of primary liver transplants at a single institution from 2013 to 2015. Multivariable analysis of preoperative recipient and donor factors was used to develop a model predictive of intraoperative red‐blood‐cell (pRBC) use.ResultsOf 256 adult liver transplants, 207 patients had complete transfusion volume data for analysis. The median intraoperative allogeneic pRBC transfusion volume was 1250 ml, and the average was 1563 ± 1543 ml. Preoperative haemoglobin, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, preoperative haemodialysis and preoperative international normalized ratio together yielded the strongest model predicting pRBC usage. When it predicted <1250 ml of pRBCs, all cases with 0 ml transfused were captured and only 8·6% of the time >1250 ml were used. This prediction had a sensitivity of 0·91 and a specificity of 0·89. If predicted usage was >2000 ml, 75% of the time blood loss exceeded 2000 ml.ConclusionPatients likely to require low or high pRBC transfusion volumes were identified with excellent accuracy using this predictive model at our institution. This model may help predict bleeding risk for each patient and facilitate optimized blood ordering.
Practical Guidance for Clinical Microbiology Laboratories: Implementing a Quality Management System in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory
Authors: Carey Roberta B. , Bhattacharyya Sanjib , Kehl Sue C. , Matukas Larissa M. , Pentella Michael A. , Salfinger Max , Schuetz Audrey N. 
Published: May 2018

SUMMARY
This document outlines a comprehensive practical approach to a laboratory quality management system (QMS) by describing how to operationalize the management and technical requirements described in the ISO 15189 international standard. It provides a crosswalk of the ISO requirements for quality and competence for medical laboratories to the 12 quality system essentials delineated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The quality principles are organized under three main categories: quality infrastructure, laboratory operations, and quality assurance and continual improvement. The roles and responsibilities to establish and sustain a QMS are outlined for microbiology laboratory staff, laboratory management personnel, and the institution's leadership. Examples and forms are included to assist in the real-world implementation of this system and to allow the adaptation of the system for each laboratory's unique environment. Errors and nonconforming events are acknowledged and embraced as an opportunity to improve the quality of the laboratory, a culture shift from blaming individuals. An effective QMS encourages “systems thinking” by providing a process to think globally of the effects of any type of change. Ultimately, a successful QMS is achieved when its principles are adopted as part of daily practice throughout the total testing process continuum.
Draft Genome Sequence of Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 12892
Authors: Deng Shuang , Pomraning Kyle R. , Bohutskyi Pavlo , Magnuson Jon K. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

The draft genome sequence of
Aspergillus oryzae
ATCC 12892 is presented here.
A. oryzae
produces 3-nitropropionic acid, which has been investigated with regard to understanding the biosynthesis of nitroorganic compounds.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus pumilus SCAL1, an Endophytic Heat-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium
Authors: Mukhtar Tehmeena , Afridi Muhammad S. , McArthur Robyn , Van Hamme Jonathan D. , Rineau Francois , Mahmood Tariq , Amna  , Sumaira  , Zahid Muhammad , Salam Abdul , Khan Muhammad N. , Ali Fawad , Mehmood Shehzad , Bangash Naila , Chaudhary Hassan J. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Bacillus pumilus
strain SCAL1 is an endophytic, thermophilic plant that was isolated from the leaf of a plant,
Solanum lycopersicum
L., in Sindh, Pakistan.
B. pumilus
strain SCAL1 has usually exhibited high resistance to environmental stresses, with a growth temperature ranging from 30 to 60°C. An approximately 3.75-Mb draft genome was assembled into 68 contigs.
Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma monobiae MQ-1
T
(ATCC 33825), a Bacterium Isolated from the Vespid Wasp (Monobia quadridens)
Authors: Tsai Yi-Ming , Lo Wen-Sui , Wu Pei-Shan , Cho Shu-Ting , Kuo Chih-Horng 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Spiroplasma monobiae
MQ-1
T
(ATCC 33825) was isolated from the hemolymph of an adult vespid wasp (
Monobia quadridens
) collected in Maryland. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium to facilitate the investigation of its biology and the comparative genomics among
Spiroplasma
species.
Effectiveness of Dry Needling of Rectus Abdominis Trigger Points for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Parallel-Group Trial
Authors: Gaubeca-Gilarranz Alberto , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Medina-Torres José Raúl , Seoane-Ruiz José M , Company-Palonés Aurelio , Cleland Joshua A , Arias-Buría Jose L 
Published: May 2018

Objective To compare the effectiveness of trigger point dry needling (TrP-DN) versus placebo needling, relative to an untreated control group, on pain and quality of life in primary dysmenorrhoea. Methods In this randomised, single blind, parallel-group trial, 56 females with primary dysmenorrhoea were randomly allocated to TrP-DN (n=19), placebo needling (n=18) or no treatment (n=19). Patients in both groups were asked to undertake a stretching exercise of the rectus abdominis daily. The needling group received a single session of TrP-DN to trigger points (TrPs) in the rectus abdominis, and the placebo group received placebo needling. The primary outcome was pain intensity (visual analogue scale). Secondary outcomes were quality of life, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the number of days with pain, and self-perceived improvement, measured using a Global Rate of Change. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and 1 and 2 months after the treatment. Results Females receiving TrP-DN exhibited greater decreases (P<0.001) in pain than those receiving placebo (1 month: Δ−19.8 mm, 25.9 to −13.7; 2 months: Δ−26.0 mm, −33.1 to −18.9) or assigned to the untreated control group (1 month: Δ−26.0mm, −32.5 to −19.5; 2 months: Δ−20.1 mm, −26.4 to −13.8). Females in the TrP-DN group also exhibited a greater decrease in the amount of medications (P<0.001). No differences in the number of days with pain or quality of life were found (all P>0.1). Conclusions This trial suggests that a single session of TrP-DN of the rectus abdominis combined with stretching was more effective than placebo needling and stretching alone at reducing pain and the amount of medication used in primary dysmenorrhoea. Trial registration number ACTRN12616000170426.
Scientific rationale for changing lower water temperature limits for triathlon racing to 12°C with wetsuits and 16°C without wetsuits
Authors: Saycell Jane , Lomax Mitch , Massey Heather , Tipton Mike 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo provide a scientific rationale for lower water temperature and wetsuit rules for elite and subelite triathletes.Methods11 lean, competitive triathletes completed a 20 min flume swim, technical transition including bike control and psychomotor testing and a cycle across five different wetsuit and water temperature conditions: with wetsuit: 10°C, 12°C and 14°C; without wetsuit (skins): 14°C and 16°C. Deep body (rectal) temperature (Tre), psychomotor performance and the ability to complete a technical bike course after the swim were measured, as well as swimming and cycling performance.ResultsIn skins conditions, only 4 out of 11 athletes could complete the condition in 14°C water, with two becoming hypothermic (Tre<35°C) after a 20 min swim. All 11 athletes completed the condition in 16°C. Trefell further following 14°C (mean 1.12°C) than 16°C (mean 0.59°C) skins swim (p=0.01). In wetsuit conditions, cold shock prevented most athletes (4 out of 7) from completing the swim in 10°C. In 12°C and 14°C almost all athletes completed the condition (17 out of 18). There was no difference in temperature or performance variables between conditions following wetsuit swims at 12°C and 14°C.ConclusionThe minimum recommended water temperature for racing is 12°C in wetsuits and 16°C without wetsuits. International Triathlon Union rules for racing were changed accordingly (January 2017).
Inequities in exposure to occupational risk factors between Māori and non-Māori workers in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Denison Hayley J , Eng Amanda , Barnes Lucy A , Cheng Soo , ’t Mannetje Andrea , Haddock Katharine , Douwes Jeroen , Pearce Neil , Ellison-Loschmann Lis 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundHealth inequities between indigenous and non-indigenous people are well documented. However, the contribution of differential exposure to risk factors in the occupational environment remains unclear. This study assessed differences in the prevalence of self-reported exposure to disease risk factors, including dust and chemicals, physical factors and organisational factors, between Māori and non-Māori workers in New Zealand.MethodsPotential participants were sampled from the New Zealand electoral rolls and invited to take part in a telephone interview, which included questions about current workplace exposures. Logistic regression, accounting for differences in age, socioeconomic status and occupational distribution between Māori and non-Māori, was used to assess differences in exposures.ResultsIn total, 2344 Māori and 2710 non-Māori participants were included in the analyses. Māori had greater exposure to occupational risk factors than non-Māori. For dust and chemical exposures, the main differences related to Māori working in occupations where these exposures are more common. However, even within the same job, Māori were more likely to be exposed to physical factors such as heavy lifting and loud noise, and organisational factors such as carrying out repetitive tasks and working to tight deadlines compared with non-Māori.ConclusionsThis is one of the first studies internationally to compare occupational risk factors between indigenous and non-indigenous people. These findings suggest that the contribution of the occupational environment to health inequities between Māori and non-Māori has been underestimated and that work tasks may be unequally distributed according to ethnicity.
The CMS ECAL Upgrade for Precision Crystal Calorimetry at the HL-LHC
Authors: Petyt D. A. 
Published: May 2018

The electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL) of the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment (CMS) is operating at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV center-of-mass energy and at a bunch spacing of 25 ns. Upgrades are necessary for the High-Luminosity upgrade of the LHC (HL-LHC). We review the design and R&D studies for the CMS ECAL crystal calorimeter upgrade. We present test beam results of hadron irradiated PbWO4 crystals up to fluences expected at the HL-LHC. We also report on the R&D for the new readout and trigger electronics, which must be upgraded due to the increased trigger and latency requirements at the HL-LHC.
Optogenetic surface stimulation of the rat cervical spinal cord
Authors: Mondello S. E. , Sunshine M. D. , Fischedick A. E. , Dreyer S. J. , Horwitz G. D. , Anikeeva P. , Horner P. J. , Moritz C. T. 
Published: May 2018

Electrical intraspinal microstimulation (ISMS) at various sites along the cervical spinal cord permits forelimb muscle activation, elicits complex limb movements and may enhance functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Here, we explore optogenetic spinal stimulation (OSS) as a less invasive and cell type-specific alternative to ISMS. To map forelimb muscle activation by OSS in rats, adeno-associated viruses (AAV) carrying the blue-light sensitive ion channels channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and Chronos were injected into the cervical spinal cord at different depths and volumes. Following an AAV incubation period of several weeks, OSS-induced forelimb muscle activation and movements were assessed at 16 sites along the dorsal surface of the cervical spinal cord. Three distinct movement types were observed. We find that AAV injection volume and depth can be titrated to achieve OSS-based activation of several movements. Optical stimulation of the spinal cord is thus a promising method for dissecting the function of spinal circuitry and targeting therapies following injury. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Optogenetics in the spinal cord can be used both for therapeutic treatments and to uncover basic mechanisms of spinal cord physiology. For the first time, we describe the methodology and outcomes of optogenetic surface stimulation of the rat spinal cord. Specifically, we describe the evoked responses of forelimbs and address the effects of different adeno-associated virus injection paradigms. Additionally, we are the first to report on the limitations of light penetration through the rat spinal cord.
Studying the Effects of Nonindicated Medications on Cancer: Etiologic versus Action-Focused Analysis of Epidemiologic Data
Authors: Jackson John W. , García-Albéniz Xabier 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The study of nonindicated medications on cancer outcomes is challenged by potential time-related biases. The literature has strongly advocated for treating the exposure as time-varying and summarizing the outcomes through a dose–response model (an etiologic-focused analysis). An alternative is to refashion the data to resemble a hypothetical randomized trial of drug use (an action-focused analysis). To our knowledge, their relative treatment of time-related bias and aspects of interpretation have not been compared. In this commentary, using the study of metformin use on colorectal cancer risk by Bradley and colleagues (2018) as motivation, we compare the etiologic versus action-focused analysis of epidemiologic data. We examine their treatment of immortal person-time, time-varying confounding, selection bias, and the biological and clinical relevance of their results. In doing so, we aim to establish areas of common ground and points of departure that can guide future observational studies of medications on cancer risk, recurrence, and survival. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(5); 520–4. ©2018 AACR.
See related article by Bradley et al., p. 525
Abemaciclib, a Selective CDK4/6 Inhibitor, Enhances the Radiosensitivity of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Naz Sarwat , Sowers Anastasia , Choudhuri Rajani , Wissler Maria , Gamson Janet , Mathias Askale , Cook John A. , Mitchell James B. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Purpose: To characterize the ionizing radiation (IR) enhancing effects and underlying mechanisms of the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in vitro and in vivo.
Experimental Design: IR enhancement by abemaciclib in a variety of NSCLC cell lines was assessed by in vitro clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, and target inhibition verified by immunoblotting. IR-induced DNA damage repair was evaluated by γH2AX analysis. Global metabolic alterations by abemaciclib and IR combination were evaluated by LC/MS mass spectrometry and YSI bioanalyzer. Effects of abemaciclib and IR combination in vivo were studied by xenograft tumor regrowth delay, xenograft lysate immunoblotting, and tissue section immunohistochemistry.
Results: Abemaciclib enhanced the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells independent of RAS or EGFR status. Enhancement of radiosensitivity was lost in cell lines deficient for functional p53 and RB protein. After IR, abemaciclib treatment inhibited DNA damage repair as measured by γH2AX. Mechanistically, abemaciclib inhibited RB phosphorylation, leading to cell-cycle arrest. It also inhibited mTOR signaling and reduced intracellular amino acid pools, causing nutrient stress. In vivo, abemaciclib, when administered in an adjuvant setting for the second week after fractionated IR, further inhibited vasculogenesis and tumor regrowth, with sustained inhibition of RB/E2F activity, mTOR pathway, and HIF-1 expression. In summary, our study signifies inhibiting the CDK4/6 pathway by abemaciclib in combination with IR as a promising therapeutic strategy to treat NSCLC.
Conclusions: Abemaciclib in combination with IR enhances NSCLC radiosensitivity in preclinical models, potentially providing a novel biomarker-driven combination therapeutic strategy for patients with NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 24(16); 3994–4005. ©2018 AACR.