bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple facial plaque variant of trichoblastoma
Authors: Requena Celia , Requena Luis , Kazakov Dmitry V. , Traves Victor , Nagore Eduardo , Llombart Beatriz , Serra Carlos , Guillén Carlos , Sanmartín Onofre 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundThe plaque variant of trichoblastoma has been described as a solitary tumor with diffuse infiltration of the lower dermis and hypodermis, with poorly defined borders. Herein, we report a new variant of multiple centrofacial trichoblastoma.ObjectTo describe clinical and pathological features of a new multiple kind of plaque variant of centrofacial trichoblastoma.MethodsCase series of patients with a multiple‐plaque variant of centrofacial trichoblastoma treated in our department between 2005 and 2017. We identified eight patients with the centrofacial plaque variant of trichoblastoma treated in our department from 2005 to 2017.ResultsThe final study sample comprised 13 trichoblastomas from four patients. All patients also developed at least one basal cell carcinoma. Mohs surgery was the method of treatment in the majority of the cases of trichoblastoma and in all the cases of basal cell carcinoma. We needed between 2 and 6 stages to obtain free margins in our cases of facial plaque trichoblastomas treated by Mohs surgery.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, a multiple‐plaque variant of trichoblastoma has not been described in the literature. We suggest a genetic origin of this variant of trichoblastoma and describe its remarkable infiltrative nature, with poorly defined surgical margins.
Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy
Authors: Di Febbraro Mirko , Menchetti Mattia , Russo Danilo , Ancillotto Leonardo , Aloise Gaetano , Roscioni Federica , Preatoni Damiano G. , Loy Anna , Martinoli Adriano , Bertolino Sandro , Mori Emiliano 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimThe establishment and spread of invasive alien species may be influenced by several mutually interacting factors, whose understanding is paramount to develop effective biosecurity policies. However, studies focused on modelling spatially explicit patterns of future invasion risk have so far focused on species response to climate change impacts, while land‐use change has been neglected. We investigated how the interplay between climate and land‐use change could affect the future potential distribution and dispersal corridors of four alien squirrels introduced to Europe (Sciurus carolinensis, Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus erythraeus and Eutamias sibiricus).Location and MethodsOur study was conducted in Italy. We used Species Distribution Models and circuit theory methods to test whether future scenarios based only on climate change predict a different effect on range and connectivity of alien squirrel populations, compared to scenarios that include both climate and land‐use changes.ResultsScenarios based only on climate change predicted a range increase and a high geographic stability (>50%) for most species, with different, yet limited, effects on connectivity corridors. Conversely, scenarios based on both climate and land‐use change showed a loss in range extent and a low geographic stability (<50%) of both range and dispersal corridors for most species.Main conclusionsScenarios considering both climate and land‐use change provide predictions on invasion risk that overturn those including only climate change. The effect of global warming alone would lead to a considerable range expansion of all species. Conversely, when land‐use change is added, a potential loss in suitable habitat and dispersal corridors is predicted for alien squirrels, hence limiting their range expansion. We recommend using multiple drivers in models to obtain reliable predictions for implementing biosecurity policies related to invasive alien species.
Training and evaluation of professors of dentistry in postgraduate programmes in Brazil
Authors: Baltazar Mariângela Monteiro de Melo , Bastos Carmen Célia Barradas Correia , Gabardo Marilisa Carneiro Leão , Flôres Luiz Carlos Py , Werneck Renata Iani , Moysés Simone Tetu , Moysés Samuel Jorge 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionIn Brazil, the undergraduate dental education still remains fragmented and dissociated from its social context, with emphasis on the individualistic and private aspects of dental health. This study aimed to analyze the training and development of university professors of dentistry in stricto sensu postgraduate programs in Brazil.Materials and methodsDelphi electronic methodology was used within a qualitative‐quantitative design to gather data from a panel of 58 experts. Discussions representing the analytic axis focused on: (i) the evaluative processes of higher education, in particular stricto sensu postgraduate programs, and their influence on academic activities in undergraduate dentistry courses and (ii) policies for training and developing university professors.ResultsOf the experts, 30 participated in the first round, 24 in the second, and 19 in the third. They considered the training of university professors in dentistry to be highly specialized and technologically focused and indicated the review of political‐pedagogic aspects of the educational sphere, as well as the social, economic, cultural, epidemiologic, and professional aspects of training and preparation prescribed by the National Curricular Guides for graduate courses in dentistry. An adequate process of evaluating the official organs and regulators of postgraduate stricto sensu programs, as well the programs themselves, should be implemented.ConclusionThe experts stated that changes to the university teaching system are necessary, even in the field of dentistry. Mechanisms for evaluating areas and professors were inadequate, and the training was overly specialized and not consistent with the social reality of the country.
Encoding of kinetic and kinematic movement parameters in the sensorimotor cortex: A Brain‐Computer Interface perspective
Authors: Branco Mariana P. , de Boer Lisanne M. , Ramsey Nick F. , Vansteensel Mariska J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFor severely paralyzed people, Brain‐Computer Interfaces (BCIs) can potentially replace lost motor output and provide a brain‐based control signal for augmentative and alternative communication devices or neuroprosthetics. Many BCIs focus on neuronal signals acquired from the hand area of the sensorimotor cortex, employing changes in the patterns of neuronal firing or spectral power associated with one or more types of hand movement. Hand and finger movement can be described by two groups of movement features, namely kinematics (spatial and motion aspects) and kinetics (muscles and forces). Despite extensive primate and human research, it is not fully understood how these features are represented in the SMC and how they lead to the appropriate movement. Yet, the available information may provide insight into which features are most suitable for BCI control. To that purpose, the current paper provides an in‐depth review on the movement features encoded in the SMC. Even though there is no consensus on how exactly the SMC generates movement, we conclude that some parameters are well represented in the SMC and can be accurately used for BCI control with discrete as well as continuous feedback. However, the vast evidence also suggests that movement should be interpreted as a combination of multiple parameters rather than isolated ones, pleading for further exploration of sensorimotor control models for accurate BCI control.
The ammonium transporter AmtB and the PII signal transduction protein GlnZ are required to inhibit DraG in Azospirillum brasilense
Authors: Moure Vivian R. , Siöberg Catrine L. B. , Valdameri Glaucio , Nji Emmanuel , Oliveira Marco Aurelio S. , Gerdhardt Edileusa C. M. , Pedrosa Fabio O. , Mitchell David A. , Seefeldt Lance C. , Huergo Luciano F. , Högbom Martin , Nordlund Stefan , Souza Emanuel M. 
Published: January 2019

The ammonium‐dependent posttranslational regulation of nitrogenase activity in Azospirillum brasilense requires dinitrogenase reductase ADP‐ribosyl transferase (DraT) and dinitrogenase reductase ADP‐glycohydrolase (DraG). These enzymes are reciprocally regulated by interaction with the PII proteins, GlnB and GlnZ. In this study, purified ADP‐ribosylated Fe‐protein was used as substrate to study the mechanism involved in the regulation of A. brasilense DraG in vitro. The data show that DraG is partially inhibited by GlnZ and that DraG inhibition is further enhanced by the simultaneous presence of GlnZ and AmtB. These results are the first to demonstrate experimentally that DraG inactivation requires the formation of a ternary DraG‐GlnZ‐AmtB complex in vitro. Previous structural data have revealed that when the DraG‐GlnZ complex associates with AmtB, the flexible T‐loops of the trimeric GlnZ bind to AmtB and become rigid; these molecular events stabilize the DraG‐GlnZ complex, resulting in DraG inactivation. To determine whether restraining the flexibility of the GlnZ T‐loops is a limiting factor in DraG inhibition, we used a GlnZ variant that carries a partial deletion of the T‐loop (GlnZΔ42‐54). However, although the GlnZΔ42‐54 variant was more effective in inhibiting DraG in vitro, it bound to DraG with a slightly lower affinity than does wild‐type GlnZ and was not competent to completely inhibit DraG activity either in vitro or in vivo. We, therefore, conclude that the formation of a ternary complex between DraG‐GlnZ‐AmtB is necessary for the inactivation of DraG.
Widespread alterations in the peripheral blood innate immune cell profile in cystic fibrosis reflect lung pathology
Authors: Mulcahy Emily M , Cooley Margaret A , McGuire Helen , Asad Suzanne , Fazekas de St Groth Barbara , Beggs Sean A , Roddam Louise F 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations to the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR is known to be expressed on multiple immune cell subtypes, dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes. We hypothesized that the lack of CFTR expression on peripheral blood innate immune cells would result in an altered cell profile in the periphery and that this profile would reflect lung pathology. We performed a flow cytometric phenotypic investigation of innate immune cell proportions in peripheral blood collected from 17 CF patients and 15 age‐matched healthy controls. We observed significant differences between CF patients and controls in the relative proportions of natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes and their subsets, with significant correlations observed between proportions of NK and monocyte cell subsets and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, % predicted; FEV1% predicted) in CF patients. This study demonstrates the widespread nature of immune dysregulation in CF and provides a basis for identification of potential therapeutic targets. Modulation of the distinct CF‐related immune cell phenotype identified could also be an important biomarker for evaluating CFTR‐targeted drug efficacy.
In vitro‐generated MART‐1‐specific CD8 T cells display a broader T‐cell receptor repertoire than ex vivo naïve and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes
Authors: Benveniste Patricia M , Nakatsugawa Munehide , Nguyen Linh , Ohashi Pamela S , Hirano Naoto , Zúñiga‐Pflücker Juan Carlos 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells into CD8 T cells can be achieved in vitro with the OP9‐DL4 system. We considered that in the absence of medullary thymic epithelial cells, which serve to restrict the breath of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire by expressing tissue‐restricted antigens, a distinct repertoire would be generated in vitro. To test this notion, we compared the TCR‐Vα/Vβ (TRAV/TRBV) gene usage of major histocompatibility complex‐restricted antigen (MART‐1)‐specific T cells generated in vitro to that from ex vivo naïve T cells and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) using high‐throughput DNA sequencing. In contrast to naïve T cells and TILs, which showed the expected narrow TRAV repertoire, in vitro‐generated MART‐1‐specific T cells used almost all TRAV gene families and displayed unique CDR3 lengths. Our work demonstrates that the OP9‐DL4 system supports the creation of a broad antigen‐specific TCR repertoire, suggesting that T cells generated in vitro may undergo a different set of selection events that otherwise constrains the TCR repertoire of thymus‐derived T cells.
Natural killer cell transcriptional control, subsets, receptors and effector function
Authors: Altmann Daniel M. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThere have been considerable advances in characterization of the complexities of natural killer (NK) cell ligand recognition, activation, subsets and effector functions. The nature of the transcription factors that act to define distinctive functional programmes of NK cell subsets are now starting to be clarified as a consequence of studies in knockouts. Importantly, this is being extended to improved understanding of the nature of NK cell memory. As NK cell biology offers increasing resonance with analogous pathways in CD8 biology, some have made the case that immunology may sometimes benefit from a little less conceptual ‘splitting’ and a little more conceptual ‘lumping.’
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for adults with intellectual disabilities: Process issues from an acceptability study
Authors: Unwin Gemma , Willott Sara , Hendrickson Stacey , Stenfert Kroese Biza 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundEye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is recommended for post‐traumatic stress disorder and emerging evidence indicates that it is effective for people with intellectual disabilities. However, acceptability from the perspectives of clients with intellectual disabilities, their therapists and other key people has not been formally evaluated. This study investigates process issues in the implementation of EMDR from perspectives of multiple stakeholders.MethodSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with two adults with intellectual disabilities and three clinical psychologists who had participated in EMDR as well as a key supporter (N = 6) to provide information relating to three cases. The interviews were analysed thematically either directly from the audio recording or from transcripts.ResultsFive themes were identified: EMDR feels very different; EMDR is a technical process; the need to work with the present; talking is important; cautious optimism.ConclusionsWhilst a range of client‐ and therapist‐related factors served as barriers to using EMDR in this small‐scale study, such as preferences in working with the present and inexperienced therapists, there was cautious optimism that EMDR may be useful for “the right person at the right time.”.
Evaluation of clinical frailty screening in geriatric acute care
Authors: Chua Xin Ying , Toh Sabrina , Wei Kai , Teo Nigel , Tang Terence , Wee Shiou Liang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundWhile frailty status is an attractive risk stratification tool, the evaluation of frailty in acute care can be challenging as some inpatients are unable to complete performance‐based tests as part of frailty assessment and some tools may lack discriminative ability and categorize majority of cohorts as “frail”. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of frailty screening with the simple clinical frailty scale (CFS) by different clinicians, and its association with mortality and rehospitalization in a geriatric acute care setting.MethodsThis study took place in Geriatric Medicine Department of a General Hospital in Singapore. We analysed records of 314 inpatients aged 70 years and older. At baseline, premorbid frailty was assessed using the CFS of the Canadian Study on Health and Aging. Demographic characteristics and other variables were retrieved from their medical records. Primary outcomes were mortality and rehospitalization during the 6‐month follow‐up. Survival analysis was used to compare the time to death and rehospitalization among CFS categories (1‐4: nonfrail, 5‐6: mild‐moderate frail, and 7‐8: severe frail).ResultsCFS showed a high inter‐rater reliability when used by different clinicians. In the Cox proportional hazard model controlling for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, modified severity of illness index, and discharge placements, severe frailty determined by CFS (HR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.01‐4.33, P = 0.047) and CFS scores (HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05‐1.53, P = 0.012) were significantly associated with higher mortality until 6‐month postdischarge, but not rehospitalization.ConclusionFrailty status determined by CFS adds to disease severity and comorbidity in predicting short‐term mortality but not rehospitalization in older inpatients who received geriatric acute care in our setting. CFS is reliable and has the potential to be incorporated into routine screening to better identify, communicate, and address frailty in the acute settings.
Utility and performance of bacterial artificial chromosomes‐on‐beads assays in chromosome analysis of clinical prenatal samples, products of conception and blood samples
Authors: Rose Rajiv , Venkatesh Aishwarya , Pietilä Sanna , Jabeen Gazala , Jagadeesh Sujatha M. , Seshadri Suresh 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimChromosome analysis of prenatal samples and products of conception (POC) has conventionally been done by karyotyping (KT). Shortcomings of KT like high turnaround time and culture failure led to technology innovations, such as the bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC)s‐on‐Beads (BoBs)‐based tests, Prenatal BoBs (prenatal samples) and KaryoLite BoBs (POC samples). In the present study, we validated and evaluated the utility of each test on prenatal, POC and blood samples.MethodsStudy A (n = 305; 259 prenatal + 46 blood/POC) and Study B (n = 176; 146 POC/chorionic vill + 30 blood/amniotic fluid) samples were analyzed using Prenatal and KaryoLite BoBs kits, respectively. KT, array‐based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (arrayCGH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used for comparison of results. Ability of KaryoLite BoBs to identify ring chromosomes was tested.ResultsPrenatal BoBs had zero test failure rate and results of all samples were concordant with KT results. Totally four microdeletions were identified by Prenatal BoBs but not by KT. In Study B, all but two POC samples (one triploid and one tetraploid) were concordant with KT and arrayCGH. Partial chromosomal imbalance detection rate was ~64% and KaryoLite BoBs indicated the presence of a ring chromosome in all four cases. The failure rate of KaryoLite BoBs was 3%.ConclusionWe conclude that Prenatal BoBs (common aneuploidies and nine microdeletions) together with KT constitutes more comprehensive prenatal testing compared to FISH and KT. KaryoLite BoBs for aneuploidies of all chromosomes is highly successful in POC analysis and the ability to indicate presence of ring chromosomes improves its clinical sensitivity. Both tests are robust and could also be used for different specimens.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‐Based Physical Activity Recommendations Do Not Improve Fitness in Real‐World Settings
Authors: Seibert Tasa , Allen David B. , Eickhoff Jens C. , Carrel Aaron L. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes school‐based strategies to increase physical activity (PA). Implementation feasibility and effect of these interventions on cardiovascular fitness (CVF) is unknown.METHODSForty‐nine low‐SES schools were randomly assigned to either (1) continue routine PA programs (N = 24 schools, 2399 students) or (2) implement 4 CDC‐based PA strategies (N = 25 schools, 2495 students). CVF assessed by PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) was obtained at the beginning and end of the school year. A post‐study questionnaire was administered at each school to assess adherence.RESULTSOverall, PACER z‐scores were not augmented by CDC‐based PA strategies. In boys, PACER z‐scores increased similarly in both intervention and control schools. In girls, increased mean PACER z‐score was greater in control schools (p < .01). Fifty‐two percent of intervention school's staff reported inability to implement or sustain 4 CDC‐based PA strategies.CONCLUSIONSPlanned implementation of school‐based CDC PA strategies did not increase CVF compared to routine PA programming. Lack of efficacy in girls suggests need for sex‐specific targeted strategies. These findings highlight limited efficacy of CDC‐based PA recommendations alone in low‐SES schools. Schools may require additional support to successfully implement recommendations and meaningfully affect health outcomes.
On optimal redistributive capital taxation
Authors: Reinhorn Leslie J. 
Published: January 2019

This paper addresses conflicting results regarding the optimal taxation of capital income. Judd proves that in a steady state, there should be no taxation of capital income. Lansing studies a logarithmic example of one of Judd's models and finds that the optimal steady‐state tax on capital income is not always zero—it is positive in some specifications and negative in some others. There appears to be a contradiction. However, I show that Lansing derives his result by relaxing the convergence hypotheses of Judd's theorem. With less restrictive hypotheses, a wider range of primitives (parameter values, initial condition, etc.) satisfy the hypotheses and because each specification of primitives generates its own optimal time path(s) for the model's variables, it follows that a wider range of time paths with a wider range of steady‐state properties is possible. This raises a question. What happens if the convergence hypotheses are weakened further so that they are satisfied by a wider yet range of primitives? I find that at any interior steady state for the model's optimal tax equilibrium, either the capital tax is zero or else the elasticity of marginal utility is unitary which is satisfied identically in Lansing's log example. In effect, Lansing's example illustrates the only way in which an interior steady state can violate the zero tax result.
Speciation in protists: Spatial and ecological divergence processes cause rapid species diversification in a freshwater chrysophyte
Authors: Škaloud Pavel , Škaloudová Magda , Doskočilová Pavla , Kim Jong Im , Shin Woonghi , Dvořák Petr 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAlthough eukaryotic microorganisms are extremely numerous, diverse and essential to global ecosystem functioning, they are largely understudied by evolutionary biologists compared to multicellular macroscopic organisms. In particular, very little is known about the speciation mechanisms which may give rise to the diversity of microscopic eukaryotes. It was postulated that the enormous population sizes and ubiquitous distribution of these organisms could lead to a lack of population differentiation and therefore very low speciation rates. However, such assumptions have traditionally been based on morphospecies, which may not accurately reflect the true diversity, missing cryptic taxa. In this study, we aim to articulate the major diversification mechanisms leading to the contemporary molecular diversity by using a colonial freshwater flagellate, Synura sphagnicola, as an example. Phylogenetic analysis of five sequenced loci showed that S. sphagnicola differentiated into two morphologically distinct lineages approximately 15.4 million years ago, which further diverged into several evolutionarily recent haplotypes during the late Pleistocene. The most recent haplotypes are ecologically and biogeographically much more differentiated than the old lineages, presumably because of their persistent differentiation after the allopatric speciation events. Our study shows that in microbial eukaryotes, species diversification via the colonization of new geographical regions or ecological resources occurs much more readily than was previously thought. Consequently, divergence times of microorganisms in some lineages may be equivalent to the estimated times of speciation in plants and animals.