bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel facultative Methylocella strains are active methane consumers at terrestrial natural gas seeps
Authors: Farhan Ul Haque Muhammad , Crombie Andrew T. , Murrell J. Colin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Natural gas seeps contribute to global climate change by releasing substantial amounts of the potent greenhouse gas methane and other climate-active gases including ethane and propane to the atmosphere. However, methanotrophs, bacteria capable of utilising methane as the sole source of carbon and energy, play a significant role in reducing the emissions of methane from many environments. Methylocella-like facultative methanotrophs are a unique group of bacteria that grow on other components of natural gas (i.e. ethane and propane) in addition to methane but a little is known about the distribution and activity of Methylocella in the environment. The purposes of this study were to identify bacteria involved in cycling methane emitted from natural gas seeps and, most importantly, to investigate if Methylocella-like facultative methanotrophs were active utilisers of natural gas at seep sites.

Results
The community structure of active methane-consuming bacteria in samples from natural gas seeps from Andreiasu Everlasting Fire (Romania) and Pipe Creek (NY, USA) was investigated by DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) using 13C-labelled methane. The 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from DNA-SIP experiments revealed that of various active methanotrophs, Methylocella was the only active methanotrophic genus common to both natural gas seep environments. We also isolated novel facultative methanotrophs, Methylocella sp. PC1 and PC4 from Pipe Creek, able to utilise methane, ethane, propane and various non-gaseous multicarbon compounds. Functional and comparative genomics of these new isolates revealed genomic and physiological divergence from already known methanotrophs, in particular, the absence of mxa genes encoding calcium-containing methanol dehydrogenase. Methylocella sp. PC1 and PC4 had only the soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (XoxF). These are the first Alphaproteobacteria methanotrophs discovered with this reduced functional redundancy for C-1 metabolism (i.e. sMMO only and XoxF only).

Conclusions
Here, we provide evidence, using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, that Methylocella are abundant and active at terrestrial natural gas seeps, suggesting that they play a significant role in the biogeochemical cycling of these gaseous alkanes. This might also be significant for the design of biotechnological strategies for controlling natural gas emissions, which are increasing globally due to unconventional exploitation of oil and gas.
Best practice recommendations for the use of external telemetry devices on pinnipeds
Authors: Horning Markus , Andrews Russel D. , Bishop Amanda M. , Boveng Peter L. , Costa Daniel P. , Crocker Daniel E. , Haulena Martin , Hindell Mark , Hindle Allyson G. , Holser Rachel R. , Hooker Sascha K. , Hückstädt Luis A. , Johnson Shawn , Lea Mary-Anne , McDonald Birgitte I. , McMahon Clive R. , Robinson Patrick W. , Sattler Renae L. , Shuert Courtney R. , Steingass Sheanna M. , Thompson Dave , Tuomi Pamela A. , Williams Cassondra L. , Womble Jamie N. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPinnipeds spend large portions of their lives at sea, submerged, or hauled-out on land, often on remote off-shore islands. This fundamentally limits access by researchers to critical parts of pinniped life history and has spurred the development and implementation of a variety of externally attached telemetry devices (ETDs) to collect information about movement patterns, physiology and ecology of marine animals when they cannot be directly observed. ETDs are less invasive and easier to apply than implanted internal devices, making them more widely used. However, ETDs have limited retention times and their use may result in negative short- and long-term consequences including capture myopathy, impacts to energetics, behavior, and entanglement risk. We identify 15 best practice recommendations for the use of ETDs with pinnipeds that address experimental justification, animal capture, tag design, tag attachment, effects assessments, preparation, and reporting. Continued improvement of best practices is critical within the framework of the Three Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement); these best practice recommendations provide current guidance to mitigate known potential negative outcomes for individuals and local populations. These recommendations were developed specifically for pinnipeds; however, they may also be applicable to studies of other marine taxa. We conclude with four desired future directions for the use of ETDs in technology development, validation studies, experimental designs and data sharing.
Topography and post-fire climatic conditions shape spatio-temporal patterns of conifer establishment and growth
Authors: Littlefield Caitlin E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundConcern is mounting that larger, stand-replacing forest fires may accelerate compositional shifts or conversions to non-forested states under a warming climate. Post-fire climatic conditions influence system trajectories by facilitating or hindering juvenile recruitment. But without an accurate, long-term understanding of where, when, and how climatic variability and other ecological factors affect regeneration, our ability to predict post-fire trajectories is limited. I quantified multiple, interacting facets of post-fire conifer regeneration—including annual establishment rates and growth—one decade after stand-replacing fire on the eastern slopes of the North Cascades, Washington, USA. Sites were stratified across topographic settings to specifically capture the potential for topography to moderate seasonal and interannual climatic conditions.ResultsRecruitment of juvenile conifers occurred every year since fire, with considerable species-specific variability across topographic settings and distance to seed source. Juveniles of all species, except lodgepole pine (Pinus contortavar.latifoliaEngelm. ex S. Watson), were rarely observed when live, conspecific seed source was more than 75 m away. Lodgepole pine was the only species for which greater distance to live seed source was not associated with lower densities, a pattern attributable to serotiny. Annual establishment rates were strongly correlated with post-fire conditions: rates were highest when growing seasons were relatively cool and moist. A lagged climate signal was apparent in annual growth rates, but standardized climate–growth relationships did not vary across topographic settings, suggesting that topographic setting did not decouple site conditions from broader climatic trends to a degree that affected growth patterns.ConclusionsThese results underscore the importance of favorable post-fire climatic conditions in promoting robust establishment and growth while also highlighting the importance of topography and endogenous, stand-level processes (e.g., seed availability and delivery) in shaping recovery over time. Furthermore, these results suggest that, while the growing concern of post-fire regeneration failure may indeed be warranted under some conditions, failure is not yet the rule in all places and at all times. A more detailed understanding of recovery dynamics through long-term monitoring and by examining multiple, interacting facets of regeneration across scales will improve our predictions of where and when regeneration failure or, conversely, robust recovery may occur under a changing climate.
The role of protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 and miRNA-18a expressions in breast cancer
Authors: Nomair Azhar Mohamed , Ahmed Sanaa Shawky , Nomeir Hanan Mohamed , El Mansy Hazem , Mohammed Ayman Farouk 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Breast cancer is a disease characterized by progressive genetic abnormalities including mutations in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, as well as other chromosomal abnormalities. Protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (PIAS3) is a member of the PIAS family of transcriptional modulators; its expression is altered in many cancers. Micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA)-18a acts as an oncogene by negatively regulating PIAS3 and thus modulating the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) target genes. The aim of this work is to examine the expression levels of PIAS3 gene and miRNA-18a in breast cancer tissues and nearby non-tumor tissues. The samples of breast cancer and paired samples of non-cancerous tissue from the same resected breast were obtained from 25 patients undergoing surgery. Full history taking, complete physical examination, pre-operative fine-needle aspiration cytology or ultrasonic (U/S)-guided core biopsy from the breast mass, final surgical biopsy for pathological examination, and routine laboratory investigations were done. Estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status were evaluated. Total RNA extraction followed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for quantification of PIAS3 mRNA and miRNA-18a expressions was performed.

Results
The mean value of PIAS3 mRNA fold expression was significantly lower in the tumor group (5.12 ± 9.85) compared to the normal group (8.38 ± 17.10) (p = 0.040). miRNA-18a fold expression was higher among tumor group (3.5 ± 7.4) than that of normal group (2.5 ± 3), however, it did not reach the level of statistical significance (p = 0.861). miRNA-18a fold expression had negative significant correlation with PIAS3 mRNA fold expression (p = 0.018). A significant association was observed between miRNA-18a expression in breast cancer tissues and the pathological grade of the tumor (p = 0.029).

Conclusions
The results of this study showed that PIAS3 mRNA and miRNA-18a might be of importance in breast cancer development and pathogenesis, and this may be reflected on the treatment strategies targeting STAT3 pathway. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to validate these observations.
Knowledge and Screening Practices for Cervical Cancer Among Urban Poor Communities in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: John-Akinola Yetunde O. , Oluwasanu Mojisola M. , Oladepo Oladimeji 
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE Prevalence of cervical cancer remains high in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. Literature has documented knowledge of cervical cancer as important in promoting the adoption of preventive strategies, including screening, but most research has focused on women and health organization settings. This study assessed knowledge and screening practices of cervical cancer among male and female adults in urban poor communities in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in two urban poor community settings in Ibadan. Data were collected from 250 randomly selected consenting respondents in each of the two communities (N = 500). Data were collected with an electronic device using the electronic data capture tool (Open Data Kit) database. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables, and mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables. Knowledge was scored on a scale of 0 to 39 points (0 to 18, low knowledge; 19 to 23, fair knowledge; 24 to 39, high knowledge). Associations between variables were tested using χ2. RESULTS Mean age of respondents was 35.36 years (± 12.24). The majority of respondents were female (70.6%), and more than half (52.6%) had completed secondary school education. The majority had never heard of the Papanicolaou test (93.6%) or cervical cancer screening (91.2%), and only 10% had ever heard of the human papillomavirus vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. The majority had low knowledge of cervical cancer (77.2%); knowledge included detection, symptoms, and risk factors for cervical cancer. Only 7.4% of females had ever heard of the Papanicolaou test, and few women (4%) had ever been screened for cervical cancer using the Papanicolaou test. Only one woman (0.2%) had been screened for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid, and four (0.8%) had ever taken human papillomavirus vaccine for protection against cervical cancer. There was a significant association between knowledge of cervical cancer and employment status of respondents (χ2 = 11.19; P < .05). CONCLUSION Health promotion interventions and strategies for awareness creation about cervical cancer and screening practices should be used in alleviating low knowledge and screening practices in urban poor communities.
The Vaginal Microbiome and Cervical Cancer Screening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Mehta Supriya D. 
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE Globally, cervical cancer affects more than a half-million women each year, with disproportionate incidence and mortality for women in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection through cervical cancer screening saves lives but is hampered by poor coverage, suboptimal detection accuracy, and lack of access to and delays in effective treatment. METHODS Emerging evidence that indicates how the vaginal microbiome can modify progression of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer pathogenesis is surveyed. This presentation features a discussion of how the vaginal microbiome may affect cervical cancer screening and how cervical cancer screening may incorporate vaginal microbiome health in low- and middle-income countries. RESULTS Vaginal dysbiosis as a clinical syndrome may be called bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition that represents a shift from a Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiome to one that is polymicrobial and often associated with increased mucosal inflammation. Meta-analyses and prospective studies demonstrate an association between vaginal dysbiosis and increased risk of HPV incidence and persistence and high-grade lesions and cancer. Increasing vaginal microbiome diversity is associated with progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Vaginal microbiota that are associated with greater likelihood of HPV detection in molecular studies are also commonly associated with BV. There are numerous challenges to incorporating microbiome measurement in population-level cervical cancer screening and unanswered research questions on its immediate utility. BV may serve as a measure of vaginal microbiome health, although there are no guidelines or recommendations for regular BV screening and treatment. CONCLUSION Ongoing and planned longitudinal studies should evaluate BV screening in association with high-risk HPV, results of cervical cancer screening, and progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia to assess the utility of BV screening and treatment as an adjunct to cervical cancer screening and potential intervention.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Thurtell Matthew J. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a syndrome of increased intracranial pressure of unclear etiology that most often occurs in obese women of childbearing age but can also occur in men, children, and older adults. This article reviews the diagnostic criteria, clinical features, neuroimaging findings, differential diagnosis, and management options for this condition.

RECENT FINDINGS
Recent population studies have found that the annual incidence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension is increasing in association with obesity rates, whereas recent scientific studies indicate a possible role for androgen sex hormones and adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of the disease. Prospective clinical trials have demonstrated a role for weight loss, acetazolamide, and topiramate in the management of mild disease. A recently begun randomized multicenter trial of surgical interventions will provide insight into the indications for surgical intervention, optimal timing and choice of intervention, and long-term outcomes.

SUMMARY
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder producing symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure in the absence of an alternative cause. The main goals of treatment are to preserve visual function and alleviate symptoms, which can usually be achieved with a combination of weight loss, medical therapies, and surgical interventions depending on the severity of symptoms and vision loss, response to treatment, and subsequent clinical course.
Nystagmus and Saccadic Intrusions
Authors: Rucker Janet C. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTPURPOSE OF REVIEWThis article provides an overview of nystagmus and saccadic intrusions with the goal of facilitating recognition and differentiation of abnormal eye movements to assist with accurate diagnosis of neurologic disease and evidence-based specific treatment of oscillopsia. Myriad advances have been made in the understanding of several types of nystagmus and saccadic intrusions, even in the past 5 to 10 years, especially regarding underlying pathophysiology, leading to pharmacologic advances rooted in physiologic principles.RECENT FINDINGSSpecific recent advances in the study of nystagmus and saccadic intrusions include (1) improved understanding of the underlying etiologies and mechanisms of nystagmus enhanced or unmasked by provocative maneuvers such as supine position or head shaking; (2) recognition of the differences in behavior and treatment responsivity of acquired pendular nystagmus in demyelinating disease versus oculopalatal myoclonus; (3) recognition that oculopalatal myoclonus results from a dual mechanism of abnormal inferior olivary gap junction connection formation and maladaptive cerebellar learning; and (4) well-controlled clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions, such as memantine for acquired pendular nystagmus and 4-aminopyridine for downbeat nystagmus.SUMMARYAccurate recognition of nystagmus and saccadic intrusions, including familiarity with the subtleties of examination techniques that allow such eye movements to be unmasked, is critical to proper diagnosis and ultimate alleviation of the visual impairment these patients experience.
Imaging in Neuro-ophthalmology
Authors: Costello Fiona , Scott James N. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This article discusses an approach to imaging in patients with neuro-ophthalmologic disorders, with emphasis on the clinical-anatomic localization of lesions affecting afferent and efferent visual function.

RECENT FINDINGS
Advances in MRI, CT, ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography have changed how neuro-ophthalmic disorders are diagnosed and followed in the modern clinical era.

SUMMARY
The advantages, disadvantages, and indications for various imaging techniques for neuro-ophthalmologic disorders are discussed, with a view to optimizing how these tools can be used to enhance patient care.
Securitização de Recebíveis no Setor Bancário Brasileiro: Um Estudo Empírico
Authors: Catão Gustavo Campos , Rodrigues Raimundo Nonato , Libonati Jeronymo José , Lagioia Umbelina Cravo Teixeira 
Published: October 2019

A securitização é uma modalidade de estruturação financeira em que uma empresa obtém recursos diretamente no Mercado de Capitais através da cessão de seus recebíveis. No Brasil, a securitização vem se desenvolvendo na forma dos fundos de investimento em direitos creditórios, que captam recursos através da emissão de cotas seniores, adquiridas por investidores qualificados, e de cotas subordinadas, usualmente adquiridas pelo originador dos créditos. Este artigo avalia os riscos e os retornos para os investidores, através de um modelo de simulação estocástica das variáveis taxas de juros e taxas de inadimplência, considerando também as características do fundo, tais como o percentual de cotas subordinadas, tipo de ativo securitizado e proporção de recebíveis sobre o ativo total do fundo. Os resultados obtidos indicam que, para o investidor em cotas sênior, é altamente improvável a obtenção de retorno inferior à taxa indicativa do fundo. Para o investidor em cotas subordinadas, o risco de retorno inferior à taxa de juros é baixo, em decorrência dos spreads praticados
no mercado financeiro brasileiro. As simulações realizadas
indicam também que, em níveis normais de volatilidade das
taxas de juros, as perdas de crédito são a componente principal do risco das cotas. Dentro do conjunto das análises desenvolvidas observou-se que as exigências de capital dos bancos que securitizam ativos e carregam cotas subordinadas em seu balanço é bastante conservadora, em comparação com os padrões internacionais.
Swaps de Variância na BM&F - Apreçamento e Viabilidade de Hedge
Authors: Brostowicz Junior Richard John , Laurini Márcio Poletti 
Published: October 2019

Um swap de variância pode teoricamente ser apreçado com um conjunto infinito de calls e puts de opções vanillas se considerarmos que a variância realizada segue um processo puramente difusivo com monitoramento contínuo. Neste artigo, serão analisadas as possíveis diferenças no apreçamento se considerarmos monitoramento discreto da variância realizada. Também será analisado o apreçamento de swaps de variância com payoff em dólares, visto que há um mercado de balcão offshore que funciona desta forma, e que potencialmente serviria de hedge para os swaps de variância da BM&F. Adicionalmente, será testada a viabilidade de hedge do swap de variância quando há liquidez em apenas alguns preços de exercício, como é o caso de
opções de câmbio operadas na BM&F. Desta forma, serão montadas carteiras contendo swaps de variância e a respectiva carteira replicante nos preços de exercício disponíveis como proposto em (DEMETERFI et al., 1999). De posse destas carteiras, a eficácia do hedge não foi robusta na maioria dos testes conduzidos neste trabalho.
Case Report: Bladder adenocarcinoma: primary or urachal?
Authors: Tejeda-Mariaca J. Eduardo , Ordoñez-Alcantara Marco , Bello-Sedano Aldo , Perez-Cornejo Victor , Grandez-Urbina J. Antonio 
Published: October 2019

Background: Bladder adenocarcinoma (AC) is a scarce histological variant and there are few studies on its proper management. No previous case reports present the management of a urachal tumor and the incidental finding of bladder adenocarcinoma. Clinical case: We present the case of a young woman with nonspecific symptoms, who presented with a prior history of dysuria, bladder tenesmus, suprapubic pain and urinary urgency for one year, which had been treated as recurrent urinary tract infection. A partial cystectomy plus extended lymphadenectomy was scheduled. We found a bladder tumor with characteristics of a urachal tumor and the pathological report indicated a primary bladder AC. The patient had a complete recovery at one year of follow-up. Conclusions: A patient can present with a tumor with urachal characteristics; however, the pathology report can show primary AC. The decision to perform partial cystectomy was an appropriate option for the location of this tumor, with optimal surgical results. Still, a long-term follow-up is necessary. More specific management guidelines are required for the treatment of AC.