bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Target of rapamycin, a master regulator of multiple signalling pathways and a potential candidate gene for crop improvement
Authors: Bakshi A. , Moin M. , Madhav M. S. , Kirti P. B. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe target of rapamycin (TOR) protein regulates growth and development in photosynthetic and non‐photosynthetic eukaryotes. Although the TOR regulatory networks are involved in nutrient and energy signalling, and transcriptional and translational control of multiple signalling pathways, the molecular mechanism of TOR regulation of plant abiotic stress responses is still unclear. The TOR‐mediated transcriptional regulation of genes encoding ribosomal proteins (RP) is a necessity under stress conditions for balanced growth and productivity in plants. The activation of SnRKs (sucrose non‐fermenting‐related kinases) and the inactivation of TOR signalling in abiotic stresses is in line with the accumulation of ABA and transcriptional activation of stress responsive genes. Autophagy is induced under abiotic stress conditions, which results in degradation of proteins and the release of amino acids, which might possibly induce phosphorylation of TOR and, hence, its activation. TOR signalling also has a role in regulating ABA biosynthesis for transcriptional regulation of stress‐related genes. The switch between activation and inactivation of TOR by its phosphorylation and de‐phosphorylation maintains balanced growth in response to stresses. In the present review, we discuss the important signalling pathways that are regulated by TOR and try to assess the relationship between TOR signalling and tolerance to abiotic stresses in plants. The review also discusses possible cross‐talk between TOR and RP genes in response to abiotic stresses.
Cryopreservation of spermatozoa on grouper species: a review
Authors: Che‐Zulkifli Che Ismail , Koh Ivan Chong Chu , Shahreza Md Sheriff , Ikhwanuddin Mhd 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCryopreservation of spermatozoa of grouper species supporting artificial insemination in production of fry has contributed to the grouper aquaculture industry. Grouper is a high‐value species in marine cage finfish culture and a major business for the aquaculture industry in South East Asia. The species contributes a significant value to the income of South East Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. Hybrid grouper is a new candidate for marine finfish culture, and cryopreservation of grouper and giant grouper spermatozoa is important to support development of its production. This review article discusses the cryopreservation of the spermatozoa of grouper species specifically. Emphasis is placed on the protocols for implementation and implications of the cryopreservation of grouper spermatozoa in the marine finfish aquaculture industry.
The role of shrimp microRNAs in immune response and beyond
Authors: González‐Duarte Ramiro J. , García‐Carreño Fernando L. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMicroRNAs are a class of small non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at post‐transcriptional level. Regulatory RNAs were discovered in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, since then, their biological functions have been studied on different animals, including marine organisms. Several species of penaeid shrimp are important in ecology and fishing, including aquaculture. Overcrowding in aquaculture calls for infectious diseases, which threaten the development of shrimp aquaculture worldwide. Given that microRNAs play crucial regulatory roles in a wide variety of biological processes, there is a scientific interest to understand their contribution on shrimp physiology and pathology, specifically during immune and stress response. Increasing evidence has shown that the expression of microRNAs is affected during virus or bacterial infection and upon stress in shrimp. This information provides valuable insights for a better understanding of shrimp biology by means of microRNA regulation to bacterial and viral diseases.
Discharge from hospital – a national survey of transition to out‐patient care
Authors: Åhsberg Elizabeth 
Published: November 2018

IntroductionDespite a generally decreased length of stay in Swedish hospitals, an increasing delay of discharge has been observed among patients with long‐term care need.AimIdentify challenges and opportunities in the transition of patients between hospitals and out‐patient care.MethodData were obtained from national registers on patients discharged from hospitals in 2014, interviews with public care authorities, and a systematic literature review.ResultsA total of 1 121 823 persons were discharged from Swedish hospitals in 2014. Of all discharged patients, 334 420 (30%) was in need of further out‐patient medical care while 221 221 (20%) needed social services. Among these discharged patients, 53 763 (5%) needed both medical care and social services. In this group of frail persons (primarily females 80 years or older), 25 760 (48%) were readmitted to hospital within 30 days from the discharge. Main reported challenges in the transition were as follows: a decreasing number of beds in hospitals and nursing homes, lack of staff with proper education, and problems in transfer of information between caregivers. To solve these problems, respondents reported some new approaches: extensive initial home services after discharge, out‐patient care organised by both municipalities and county councils, local follow‐up of patient data as well as an emphasis on collaboration between caregivers. The literature reported ambiguous results about effects of single interventions at discharge. However, evidence suggests that the number of readmissions to hospital may be reduced by combining several interventions before discharge (individual planning, geriatric assessment, and patient education) with follow‐up after discharge.ConclusionSince many frail patients are readmitted to hospital within 30 days after discharge, Swedish out‐patient care may need new working methods in order to promote a coherent care. Further, multi‐component interventions at discharge, including follow‐up after discharge, may prevent unintended readmissions.
Exendin‐4 overcomes cytokine‐induced decreases in gap junction coupling via protein kinase A and Epac2 in mouse and human islets
Authors: Farnsworth Nikki L. , Walter Rachelle , Piscopio Robert A. , Schleicher Wolfgang E. , Benninger Richard K. P. 
Published: November 2018

Key points
The pancreatic islets of Langerhans maintain glucose homeostasis through insulin secretion, where insulin secretion dynamics are regulated by intracellular Ca2+ signalling and electrical coupling of the insulin producing β‐cells in the islet.
We have previously shown that cytokines decrease β‐cell coupling and that compounds which increase cAMP can increase coupling.
In both mouse and human islets exendin‐4, which increases cAMP, protected against cytokine‐induced decreases in coupling and in mouse islets preserved glucose‐stimulated calcium signalling by increasing connexin36 gap junction levels on the plasma membrane.
Our data indicate that protein kinase A regulates β‐cell coupling through a fast mechanism, such as channel gating or membrane organization, while Epac2 regulates slower mechanisms of regulation, such as gap junction turnover.
Increases in β‐cell coupling with exendin‐4 may protect against cytokine‐mediated β‐cell death as well as preserve insulin secretion dynamics during the development of diabetes.
AbstractThe pancreatic islets of Langerhans maintain glucose homeostasis. Insulin secretion from islet β‐cells is driven by glucose metabolism, depolarization of the cell membrane and an influx of calcium, which initiates the release of insulin. Gap junctions composed of connexin36 (Cx36) electrically couple β‐cells, regulating calcium signalling and insulin secretion dynamics. Cx36 coupling is decreased in pre‐diabetic mice, suggesting a role for altered coupling in diabetes. Our previous work has shown that pro‐inflammatory cytokines decrease Cx36 coupling and that compounds which increase cAMP can increase Cx36 coupling. The goal of this study was to determine if exendin‐4, which increases cAMP, can protect against cytokine‐induced decreases in Cx36 coupling and altered islet function. In both mouse and human islets, exendin‐4 protected against cytokine‐induced decreases in coupling and preserved glucose‐stimulated calcium signalling. Exendin‐4 also protected against protein kinase Cδ‐mediated decreases in Cx36 coupling. Exendin‐4 preserved coupling in mouse islets by preserving Cx36 levels on the plasma membrane. Exendin‐4 regulated Cx36 coupling via both protein kinase A (PKA)‐ and Epac2‐mediated mechanisms in cytokine‐treated islets. In mouse islets, modulating Epac2 had a greater impact in mediating Cx36 coupling, while in human islets modulating PKA had a greater impact on Cx36 coupling. Our data indicate that PKA regulates Cx36 coupling through a fast mechanism, such as channel gating, while Epac2 regulates slower mechanisms of regulation, such as Cx36 turnover in the membrane. Increases in Cx36 coupling with exendin‐4 may protect against cytokine‐mediated β‐cell dysfunction to insulin secretion dynamics during the development of diabetes.
Prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment: magnitude, temporal trends and projections in South and Central Asia
Authors: Nangia Vinay , Jonas Jost B , George Ronnie , Lingam Vijaya , Ellwein Leon , Cicinelli Maria Vittoria , Das Aditi , Flaxman Seth R , Keeffe Jill E , Kempen John H , Leasher Janet , Limburg Hans , Naidoo Kovin , Pesudovs Konrad , Resnikoff Serge , Silvester Alexander J , Tahhan Nina , Taylor Hugh R , Wong Tien Y , Bourne Rupert R A 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundTo assess prevalence and causes of vision loss in Central and South Asia.MethodsA systematic review of medical literature assessed the prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity<3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; presenting visual acuity <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (MVI; presenting visual acuity <6/12 and ≥6/18) in Central and South Asia for 1990, 2010, 2015 and 2020.ResultsIn Central and South Asia combined, age-standardised prevalences of blindness, MSVI and MVI in 2015 were for men and women aged 50+years, 3.72% (80% uncertainty interval (UI): 1.39–6.75) and 4.00% (80% UI: 1.41–7.39), 16.33% (80% UI: 8.55–25.47) and 17.65% (80% UI: 9.00–27.62), 11.70% (80% UI: 4.70–20.32) and 12.25% (80% UI:4.86–21.30), respectively, with a significant decrease in the study period for both gender. In South Asia in 2015, 11.76 million individuals (32.65% of the global blindness figure) were blind and 61.19 million individuals (28.3% of the global total) had MSVI. From 1990 to 2015, cataract (accounting for 36.58% of all cases with blindness in 2015) was the most common cause of blindness, followed by undercorrected refractive error (36.43%), glaucoma (5.81%), age-related macular degeneration (2.44%), corneal diseases (2.43%), diabetic retinopathy (0.16%) and trachoma (0.04%). For MSVI in South Asia 2015, most common causes were undercorrected refractive error (accounting for 66.39% of all cases with MSVI), followed by cataract (23.62%), age-related macular degeneration (1.31%) and glaucoma (1.09%).ConclusionsOne-third of the global blind resided in South Asia in 2015, although the age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015.
Prerace medical screening and education reduce medical encounters in distance road races: SAFER VIII study in 153 208 race starters
Authors: Schwellnus Martin , Swanevelder Sonja , Derman Wayne , Borjesson Mats , Schwabe Karen , Jordaan Esme 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesTo examine the efficacy and feasibility of an online prerace medical screening and educational intervention programme for reducing medical complications in long-distance races.MethodsThis was an 8-year observational study of medical encounter rates among 153 208 Two Oceans race starters (21.1 and 56 km) in South Africa. After the first 4-year control (CON) period, we introduced an online prerace medical screening (based on European pre-exercise screening guidelines) and an automated educational intervention programme. We compared the incidence of medical encounters (per 1000 starters; all and serious life threatening) in the CON versus the 4-year intervention (INT) period.ResultsIn comparison to the CON period (2008–2011: 65 865 starters), the INT period (2012–2015: 87 343 starters) had a significantly lower incidence (adjusted for age group, sex, race distance) of all medical encounters by 29% (CON=8.6 (7.9–9.4); INT=6.1 (5.6–6.7), p<0.0001), in the 21.1 km race by 19% (CON=5.1 (4.4–5.9); INT=4.1 (3.6–4.8), p=0.0356) and in the 56 km race by 39% (CON=14.6 (13.1–16.3); INT=9.0 (7.9–10.1), p<0.0001). Serious life-threatening encounters were significantly reduced by 64% (CON=0.6 (0.5–0.9); INT=0.2 (0.1–0.4); p=0.0003) (adjusted for age group and sex). Registration numbers increased in the INT period (CON=81 345; INT=106 743) and overall % race starters were similar in the CON versus INT period. Wet-bulb globe temperature was similar in the CON and INT periods.ConclusionAll medical encounters and serious life-threatening encounters were significantly lower after the introduction of a prescreening and educational intervention programme, and the programme was feasible.
Healthy Foundations Study: a randomised controlled trial to evaluate biological embedding of early-life experiences
Authors: Gonzalez Andrea , Catherine Nicole , Boyle Michael , Jack Susan M , Atkinson Leslie , Kobor Michael , Sheehan Debbie , Tonmyr Lil , Waddell Charlotte , MacMillan Harriet L 
Published: November 2018

IntroductionAdverse early experiences are associated with long-lasting disruptions in physiology, development and health. These experiences may be ‘biologically embedded’ into molecular and genomic systems that determine later expressions of vulnerability. Most studies to date have not examined whether preventive interventions can potentially reverse biological embedding. The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based intervention with demonstrated efficacy in improving prenatal health, parenting and child functioning. The Healthy Foundations Study is an innovative birth cohort which will evaluate the impact of the NFP on biological outcomes of mothers and their infants.Methods and analysisStarting in 2013, up to 400 pregnant mothers and their newborns were recruited from the British Columbia Healthy Connections Project—a randomised controlled trial of the NFP, and will be followed to child aged 2 years. Women were recruited prior to 28 weeks’ gestation and then individually randomised to receive existing services (comparison group) or NFP plus existing services (intervention group). Hair samples are collected from mothers at baseline and 2 months post partum to measure physiological stress. Saliva samples are collected from infants during all visits for analyses of stress and immune function. Buccal swabs are collected from infants at 2 and 24 months to assess DNA methylation. Biological samples will be related to child outcome measures at age 2 years.Ethics and disseminationThe study received ethical approval from seven research ethics boards. Findings from this study will be shared broadly with the research community through peer-reviewed publications, and conference presentations, as well as seminars with our policy partners and relevant healthcare providers. The outcomes of this study will provide all stakeholders with important information regarding how early adversity may lead to health and behavioural disparities and how these may be altered through early interventions.Trial registration numberNCT01672060; Pre-results.
Perceived barriers to maternal and newborn health services delivery: a qualitative study of health workers and community members in low and middle-income settings
Authors: Sumankuuro Joshua , Crockett Judith , Wang Shaoyu 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesIn considering explanations for poor maternal and newborn health outcomes, many investigations have focused on the decision-making patterns and actions of expectant mothers and families, as opposed to exploring the ‘supply side’ (health service provider) barriers. Thus, we examined the health system factors impacting on access to and delivery of quality maternal and newborn healthcare in rural settings.DesignA semistructured qualitative study using face-to-face in-depth interviews with health professionals, and focus group sessions with community members, in eight project sites in two districts of Upper West Region, Ghana, was employed. Participants were purposively selected to generate relevant data to help address the study objective. The survey was guided by WHO standard procedures and Ghana Health Ministry’s operational work plan for maternal and newborn care.SettingNadowli–Kaleo and Daffiama–Bussie–Issa districts in Upper West Region, Ghana.ParticipantsTwo hundred and fifty-three participants were engaged in the study through convenient and purposive sampling: healthcare professionals (pharmacist, medical doctor, two district directors of health services, midwives, community health and enrolled nurses) (n=13) and community members comprising opinion leaders, youth leaders and adult non-pregnant women (n=240 in 24 units of focus groups).ResultsResults show significant barriers affecting the quality and appropriateness of maternal and neonatal health services in the rural communities and the Nadowli District Hospital. The obstacles were inadequate medical equipment and essential medicines, infrastructural challenges, shortage of skilled staff, high informal costs of essential medicines and general limited capacities to provide care.ConclusionImplementation of the birth preparedness and complication readiness strategy is in its infancy at the health facility level in the study areas. Increasing the resources at the health provider level is essential to achieving international targets for maternal and neonatal health outcomes and for bridging inequities in access to essential maternal and newborn healthcare.
Sex differences in the prevalence of neural tube defects and preventive effects of folic acid (FA) supplementation among five counties in northern China: results from a population-based birth defect surveillance programme
Authors: Liu Jufen , Xie Jing , Li Zhiwen , Greene Nicholas D E , Ren Aiguo 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesSex differences in prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) have previously been recognised; however, the different susceptibility of men and women have not been examined in relation to the effects of folic acid (FA) supplementation. We hypothesised that FA may have a disproportionate effect that alters the sex-specific prevalence of NTDs.SettingData from two time points, before (2003–2004) and after (2011–2016) the start of the supplementation programme, were obtained from a population-based birth defect surveillance programme among five counties in northern China. All live births (28 or more complete gestational weeks), all stillbirths of at least 20 weeks’ gestational age and pregnancy terminations at any gestational age following the prenatal diagnosis of NTDs were included.ParticipantsA total of 25 249 and 83 996 births before and after the programme were included respectively.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe prevalence of NTDs by sex and subtype, Male:female rate ratios and their 95% CI were calculated.ResultsOverall, NTDs were less prevalent among men than among women (rate ratio (RR) 0.92; 95% CI 0.90 to 0.94), so was anencephaly (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.81) and encephalocele (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.92), while spina bifida showed a male predominance (RR 1.10; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15). The overall prevalence of NTDs decreased by 78/10 000 in men and 108.7/10 000 in women from 2003 to 2004 to 2011 to 2016. There was a significant sex difference in the magnitude of reduction, being greater in women than men, particularly for anencephaly.ConclusionsThe prevalence of NTDs decreased in both sexes after the implementation of a massive FA supplementation programme. While female predominance was observed in open NTDs and total NTDs, they also had a greater rate of decrease in NTDs after the supplementation programme.
Conflict of interest disclosure slides at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2016 in Rome: are they displayed long enough to assess their content? A cross-sectional study
Authors: van Lieshout Christianne T , Tijdink Joeri K , Smulders Yvo M 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the duration of display of conflict of interest (COI) disclosure slides of presentations at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2016, and to identify factors associated with the duration of display of the disclosure slide.DesignCross-sectional observational study.Outcome measuresDisplay duration of the COI disclosure slide and display duration per disclosure.ResultsAnalysis of official video recordings of all oral presentations, viewed on the ESC website. 1673 oral presentations were analysed. In 706 presentations (42.2%), COIs were present on the disclosure slide. The median display duration of the disclosure slide was 2.49 s (minimum value: 0.16 s; IQR 1.47–4.08). In multivariable analysis, time spent on COI disclosures was positively related to the number of COIs (+0.11 s per extra COI), older estimated age of the speaker (+3.92 s for 75–85 years compared with <25 years), verbally commenting on disclosures (up to +8.25 s) and disclosures being of a non-commercial nature (+2.83 s). In addition, speakers from Eastern, Southern and Western Europe, Africa+East Asia and Asia showed their disclosures significantly shorter than the reference group (Northern Europe).ConclusionCOI disclosure slides are often displayed too briefly to reasonably assess their content. Several factors appear to influence the duration of display of the COI disclosure slides, but none do so to the degree that the display duration becomes sufficiently long.
Tumour heterogeneity in triplet-paired metastatic tumour tissues in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: concordance analysis of target gene sequencing data
Authors: Kim Sung Han , Park Weon Seo , Chung Jinsoo 
Published: November 2018

AimsThe aim of the present study was to determine the concordant correlation in the expression of 88 target genes from triple-paired metastatic tissues in individual patients with metastatic renal carcinoma (mRCC) using a target gene sequencing (TGS) approach.MethodsBetween 2002 and 2017, a total of 350 triple-paired metastatic tissue samples from 262 patients with mRCC obtained from either nephrectomy or metastasectomy were used for TGS of 88 candidate genes. After quality check, 243 tissue samples from 81 patients were finally applied to TGS. The concordance of triple-paired tissues was analysed with the 88 TGS panels using bioinformatics tools.ResultsAmong 81 patients, alterations were observed in 42 (51.9%) for any of the 88 mRCC panel genes; however, no pathogenic gene was detected in 38 (39.5%) . Concordance >95% for altered gene expression among the three tissues was reported in 12 (28.6%) patients, while concordance >95% within two tissues was reported in 30 (71.4%); concordance <50% was reported in the remaining eight patients. Considering several types of genetic alterations, including deletions, insertions, missense and nonsense mutations, and splice variants, genes most frequently detected with genetic alterations in the patients with mRCC werePTENloss, followed byFLCN,BCR,SMARCA2,AKAP9,MLH1,MYH11,APCandTP53.ConclusionsThe study provides reference information on the genetic alterations at various organ sites and the multi-heterogeneity of mRCC tissues. The concordance of pathogenic gene alterations within tissues was not high, and approximately half of the patients showed no pathogenic gene alterations at all.