bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A proxy for estimating the cell volume of Ceratium furcoides (Dinophyceae): basis for monitoring Brazilian reservoirs
Authors: Cavalcante Kaoli P. , Becker Vanessa , Cardoso Luciana de S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCeratium furcoides, a large bloom‐forming dinoflagellate, is considered an invasive species in South American freshwater systems. As it can cause ecological and economic problems, particularly in reservoirs, this issue has been discussed among researchers and companies responsible for monitoring Brazilian aquatic systems. To this end, although biovolume estimates are an important tool for ecological studies, calculating biovolumes is a cumbersome procedure, requiring a large number of samples and measurements. This study was undertaken to provide a simple measured morphological trait as a proxy for the cell volume of C. furcoides in Brazilian water systems that have been invaded by these organisms, exhibiting dense, recurrent blooms. Morphometric data were obtained monthly from two subtropical reservoirs in southern Brazil with public supply purposes. Cell volumes exhibited seasonal variations, with significant differences by months and seasons, although not between reservoirs or morphotypes with two or three antapical horns, meaning biovolume estimates must consider seasonal variations in dinoflagellate size. Body width was significantly correlated with 11 other measured dimensions of the cell and was highly correlated with cell volume, thereby being the most representative measure of cell volume. Linear regressions for estimating cell volumes from cell body width revealed a strong positive trend when both full sampling and seasonally grouped samples were considered. Morphometric data of C. furcoides invasions in other Brazilian subtropical and tropical waterbodies also were used, exhibiting significant correlation with the formula proposed in this study.
Perturbing the acetylation status of the Type IV pilus retraction motor, PilT, reduces Neisseria gonorrhoeae viability
Authors: Hockenberry Alyson M. , Post Deborah M. B. , Rhodes Katherine A. , Apicella Michael , So Magdalene 
Published: May 2018

SummaryPost‐translational acetylation is a common protein modification in bacteria. It was recently reported that Neisseria gonorrhoeae acetylates the Type IV pilus retraction motor, PilT. Here, we show recombinant PilT can be acetylated in vitro and acetylation does not affect PilT ultrastructure. To investigate the function of PilT acetylation, we mutated an acetylated lysine, K117, to mimic its acetylated or unacetylated forms. These mutations were not tolerated by wild‐type N. gonorrhoeae, but they were tolerated by N. gonorrhoeae carrying an inducible pilE when grown without inducer. We identified additional mutations in pilT and pilU that suppress the lethality of K117 mutations. To investigate the link between PilE and PilT acetylation, we found the lack of PilE decreases PilT acetylation levels and increases the amount of PilT associated with the inner membrane. Finally, we found no difference between wild‐type and mutant cells in transformation efficiency, suggesting neither mutation inhibits Type IV pilus retraction. Mutant cells, however, form microcolonies morphologically distinct from wt cells. We conclude that interfering with the acetylation status of PilTK117 greatly reduces N. gonorrhoeae viability, and mutations in pilT, pilU and pilE can overcome this lethality. We discuss the implications of these findings in the context of Type IV pilus retraction regulation.
Community/public health nursing faculty's knowledge, skills and attitudes of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses
Authors: Joyce Barbara L. , Harmon Monica , Johnson Regina (Gina) H. , Hicks Vicki , Brown‐Schott Nancy , Pilling Lucille , Brownrigg Vicki 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA multisite collaborative team of community/public health nursing (C/PHN) faculty surveyed baccalaureate nursing faculty to explore their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses (QCC‐PHN).Objectives(1) Evaluate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the 2011 QCC‐PHN by academic C/PHN faculty; (2) Evaluate the application of 2011 QCC‐PHN by C/PHN faculty in the clinical practicum for undergraduate baccalaureate C/PHN students; and (3) Determine if a significant difference existed in the knowledge for each domain.DesignA mixed methods descriptive research design was used to answer three specific hypotheses related to the study objectives. A convenience sample of 143 faculty teaching C/PHN in baccalaureate schools of nursing completed an online survey.MeasurementsANOVA was used to determine the difference between knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of nursing faculty regarding the QCC‐PHN based on years of nursing experience, C/PHN experience, and nursing specialty preparation. Participants’ qualitative comments for each domain were analyzed for themes.ResultsC/PHN nursing faculty are described and differences in knowledge, skills, and attitudes delineated. A statistically significant difference was found in skills based on years of experience in C/PHN and in the application of the competencies based on nursing specialty preparation. Variations in knowledge of the QCC‐PHN are identified.ConclusionsTen recommendations are proposed for key skill sets and necessary preparation for faculty to effectively teach C/PHN in baccalaureate schools of nursing.
Can native grass species outcompete invasive goldenrods? Results of a replacement series experiment
Authors: Szymura M , Szymura T H , Wolski K , Świerszcz S 
Published: May 2018

SummaryInvasion by alien species is a serious threat to the biodiversity and function of semi‐natural grasslands and may impede restoration efforts in degraded meadows due to high competitiveness. Goldenrods (Solidago and Euthamia species) are considered among the most injurious invaders of grasslands in Central Europe. We tested the hypothesis that native grass species are able to outcompete the invasive goldenrods. A replacement series experiment was established to determine levels of interference between native grass taxa and goldenrods. In the experiment, four alien goldenrod species (Solidago altissima, Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea and Euthamia graminifolia) and one native species (Solidago virgaurea) were studied. The native grasses were represented by Lolium perenne (forage and turf varieties) and Festuca pratensis (forage variety). Total biomass was higher in the mixture of species compared with that in monoculture. The higher total biomass was due to higher productivity of the goldenrod species, whereas that of the grasses was reduced. These results demonstrated the high competitiveness of alien goldenrods compared with native grass species.
Effects of ipsilateral and contralateral fatigue and muscle blood flow occlusion on the complexity of knee‐extensor torque output in humans
Authors: Pethick Jamie , Winter Samantha L. , Burnley Mark 
Published: May 2018

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
We addressed the question “what role do central and peripheral fatigue mechanisms play in the fatigue‐induced loss of isometric torque complexity?”

What is the main finding and its importance?
When the contralateral limb is fatigued, the complexity of isometric torque output is unaffected even if the blood flow to the contralateral limb is occluded, which suggests that neither central fatigue nor afferent feedback from ischaemic muscle influences the complexity of torque output in an otherwise fresh muscle.

AbstractNeuromuscular fatigue reduces the temporal structure, or complexity, of torque output during muscular contractions. To determine whether the fatigue‐induced loss of torque complexity could be accounted for by central or peripheral factors, nine healthy participants performed four experimental trials involving intermittent isometric contractions of the knee extensors at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction torque. These trials involved: (i) two bouts of contractions to failure using the right leg separated by 3 min recovery (IPS); (ii) the same protocol but with cuff occlusion during the 3 min recovery (IPS‐OCC); (iii) contractions of the left leg to failure, followed 1 min later by contractions of the right leg to failure (CONT); and (iv) the same protocol but with cuff occlusion applied to the left leg throughout both the recovery period and right leg contractions (CONT‐OCC). Supramaximal electrical stimulation during maximal voluntary contractions was used to determine the degree of central and peripheral fatigue, whilst complexity was determined using approximate entropy (ApEn) and detrended fluctuation analysis α exponent (DFA α). Neuromuscular fatigue was consistently associated with a loss of torque complexity in all conditions [e.g. IPS bout 1, ApEn from (mean ± SD) 0.46 ± 0.14 to 0.12 ± 0.06 (P < 0.001)]. In IPS‐OCC, occlusion abolished the recovery from fatigue, and torque complexity remained at the values observed at task failure in the preceding bout (IPS‐OCC bout 2, first minute 0.14 ± 0.03, P < 0.001). Prior contralateral contractions, with or without blood flow occlusion, had no effect on torque complexity.
Nerve ultrasound in emergency room: a case of traumatic ischiatic nerve neurotmesis
Authors: Romano Nicola , Zawaideh Jeries Paolo , Fischetti Aldo , Lapucci Caterina , Gennaro Sergio , Muda Alessandro 
Published: May 2018

A 22 years-old-man was admitted to emergency after trauma. He suffered multiple deep cuts on his left leg. A lesion of the ischiatic nerve was suspected, and an ultrasound (US) evaluation was requested to confirm it. The study was conducted in the emergency room using a linear ultrasound transducer of 6-15 MHz and demonstrated the completely truncation of the ischiatic nerve (neurotmesis - Sunderland Grade V) with the proximal end retracted up to about 3cm from the edge of the wound. It was a very useful information for the neurosurgeon who after performed an end-to-end neurorrhaphy with suturation of perineurium. This short report underlines the importance of US, that thanks to its high spatial resolution and its time- and cost-effectiveness, can be considered a very important tool for the physician in emergency room to characterize peripheral nerve lesions.
Genome Sequences of Two Novel Papillomaviruses Isolated from Healthy Skin of
Pudu puda
and
Cervus elaphus
Deer
Authors: Mengual-Chuliá Beatriz , Wittstatt Ulrich , Olias Philipp , Bravo Ignacio G. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

We report the complete genome sequences of
Pudu puda papillomavirus
1
(PpudPV1) and
Cervus elaphus papillomavirus
2
(CelaPV2), isolated from healthy skin hair follicles of a Southern pudu and a red deer, respectively. PpudPV1 is basal to the DyokappaPVs, whereas CelaPV2 is basal to the XiPVs (Beta-XiPV crown group).
Draft Genome Sequence of Loktanella maritima Strain YPC211, a Commensal Bacterium of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus)
Authors: Ranson Hilary J. , LaPorte Jason , Spinard Edward , Gomez-Chiarri Marta , Nelson David R. , Rowley David C. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Loktanella maritima
strain YPC211 was isolated from the American lobster (
Homarus americanus
). We report here the draft genome sequence for
L. maritima
YPC211 and identify genes of potential importance to its role within the microbial community.
First Complete Genome Sequence of Pepper mild mottle virus from Chili Pepper in the United States
Authors: Secrist Kathryn , Ali Akhtar 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Pepper mild mottle virus
(PMMoV) was first reported as a latent strain in the United States and then later reported in other countries around the world. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of a PMMoV isolate (BL14) that was collected from chili pepper during the 2014 growing season in Oklahoma.
Genome Sequences of Two Cyanobacterial Strains, Toxic Green
Microcystis aeruginosa
KW (KCTC 18162P) and Nontoxic Brown
Microcystis
sp. Strain MC19, under Xenic Culture Conditions
Authors: Jeong Haeyoung , Chun Seong-Jun , Srivastava Ankita , Cui Yingshun , Ko So-Ra , Oh Hee-Mock , Ahn Chi-Yong 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Bloom-forming cyanobacteria pose concerns for the environment and the health of humans and animals by producing toxins and thus lowering water quality. Here, we report near-complete genome sequences of two
Microcystis
strains under xenic culture conditions, which were originally isolated from two separate freshwater reservoirs from the Republic of Korea.
Draft Genome Sequence of the First Documented Clinical Siccibacter turicensis Isolate in Austria
Authors: Lepuschitz Sarah , Pekard-Amenitsch Shiva , Haunold Renée , Schill Simone , Schriebl Agnes , Mach Robert , Allerberger Franz , Ruppitsch Werner , Forsythe Stephen J. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

The nonpathogenic species
Siccibacter turicensis
is closely related to members of the food-associated pathogenic genus
Cronobacter
and has been detected in fruit powders, formula, spices, and herbs. Here, we report on the first clinical isolate of
S. turicensis
, recovered from the labial angle of a patient with angular cheilitis.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Streptococcus pyogenes Serotype M12 Scarlet Fever Outbreak Isolate from China, Compiled Using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina Sequencing
Authors: You Yuanhai , Kou Yongjun , Niu Longfei , Jia Qiong , Liu Yahui , Davies Mark R. , Walker Mark J. , Zhu Jiaqiang , Zhang Jianzhong 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

The incidence of scarlet fever cases remains high in China. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a
Streptococcus pyogenes
isolate of serotype M12, which has been confirmed as the predominant serotype in recent outbreaks. Genome sequencing was achieved by a combination of Oxford Nanopore MinION and Illumina methodologies.
Analgesic Effects of Electroacupuncture at St25 and Cv12 in a Rat Model of Postinflammatory Irritable Bowel Syndrome Visceral Pain
Authors: Zhu Xianwei , Liu Zhibin , Qin Yifei , Niu Wenmin , Wang Qiang , Li Lu , Zhou Jing 
Published: May 2018

Background Treatment with electroacupuncture (EA) at ST25 and CV12 has a significant analgesic effect on postinflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) visceral pain. Enterochromaffin (EC) cells and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) are important in the development of visceral hyperalgesia. Objective To investigate the analgesic effect and underlying mechanisms of EA at ST25 and CV12 on the treatment of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced PI-IBS visceral hyperalgesia in rats. Methods After EA at ST25 and CV12, changes in abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), electromyography (EMG) recordings, colonic EC cell numbers, and expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) of TNBS-induced PI-IBS visceral hyperalgesia in rats were examined. Results The results of AWR tests and EMG recordings indicated a significant analgesic effect of EA stimulation at ST25 and CV12on PI-IBS visceral hyperalgesia (p<0.05). In addition, the increased EC cell numbers and colonic expression of TPH and 5-HT in rats with TNBS-induced PI-IBS visceral hyperalgesia were significantly reduced by EA (p<0.05). Conclusions EA stimulation at ST25 and CV12 can attenuate visceral hyperalgesia. This analgesic effect may be mediated via reduction of both colonic EC cell number and 5-HT concentration.
Immediate Effects of Acupuncture on the Mechanosensitivity of the Median Nerve: An Exploratory Randomised Trial
Authors: Morais Nuno , Greten Henry Johannes , Santos Maria João , Machado Jorge Pereira 
Published: May 2018

Background Acupuncture appears to reduce the mechanosensitivity of peripheral nerves in animal models; yet, this possibility has not been demonstrated in humans. Objectives The main objective of this exploratory trial was to evaluate the immediate effects of acupuncture on the mechanosensitivity of the median nerve, measured by the elbow extension range-of-motion (EE–ROM) at pain onset and maximum tolerance during the upper limb neurodynamic test 1 (ULNT1). Additional objectives were to test the effects of two different points in ULNT1 responses and critically appraise pre-/post-intervention changes for conducting future research. Methods Thirty-one asymptomatic individuals, randomly assigned to the PC group (n=14) or the LU group (n=17) by the coin flip procedure, underwent acupuncture (leopard spot needling) at PC5 or LU5”, respectively. Two-way mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA) with time (pre-intervention vs post-intervention) as the within-subject factor and group (PC vs LU) as the between-subject factor, plus time×group interaction, were used to determine the effects of acupuncture therapy on EE–ROM at pain onset and maximum tolerance during ULNT1. Results At baseline there were no differences between groups (p>0.05). After acupuncture, mean EE–ROM increased 3.1° at pain onset (p=0.029, η2p=0.154) and 5.6° at maximum tolerance (p=0.002, η2p=0.277) with no differences between groups (p>0.05, η2p<0.01). Conclusion Immediately after acupuncture, the mechanosensitivity of the median nerve appears to be reduced as observed by an increase in EE–ROM during the ULNT1. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. Trial Registration Number NCT02150915; Post-results.
Comparison of qSOFA with current emergency department tools for screening of patients with sepsis for critical illness
Authors: Rodriguez Robert M , Greenwood John C , Nuckton Thomas J , Darger Bryan , Shofer Frances S , Troeger Dawn , Jung Soo Y , Speich Kelly G , Valencia Joel , Kilgannon J Hope , Fernandez Danny , Baumann Brigitte M 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveWe sought to compare the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe sepsis criteria and lactate levels for their ability to identify ED patients with sepsis with critical illness.MethodsWe conducted this multicenter retrospective cohort study at five US hospitals, enrolling all adult patients admitted to these hospitals from their EDs with infectious disease-related illnesses from 1 January 2016 to 30 April 2016. We abstracted clinical variables for SIRS, severe sepsis and qSOFA scores, using values in the first 6 hours of ED stay. Our primary outcome was critical illness, defined as one or more of the composite outcomes of death, vasopressor use or intensive care unit (ICU) admission within 72 hours of presentation. We determined diagnostic test characteristics for qSOFA scores, SIRS, severe sepsis criteria and lactate level thresholds.Main resultsOf 3743 enrolled patients, 512 (13.7%) had the primary composite outcome. The qSOFA scores were ≥1, >2 and 3 in 1839 (49.1%), 626 (16.7%) and 146 (3.9%) patients, respectively; 2202 (58.8%) met SIRS criteria and 1085 (29.0%) met severe sepsis criteria. qSOFA≥1 and SIRS had similarly high sensitivity [86.1% (95% CI 82.8% to 89.0%) vs 86.7% (95% CI 83.5% to 89.5%)], but qSOFA ≥1 had higher specificity [56.7% (95% CI 55.0% to 58.5%) vs 45.6% (43.9% to 47.3%); mean difference 11.1% (95% CI 8.7% to 13.6%)]. qSOFA≥2 had higher specificity than severe sepsis criteria [89.1% (88.0% to 90.2%) vs 77.5% (76.0% to 78.9%); mean difference 11.6% (9.8% to 13.4%)]. qSOFA≥1 had greater sensitivity than a lactate level ≥2 (mean difference 24.6% (19.2% to 29.9%)).ConclusionFor patients admitted from the ED with infectious disease diagnoses, qSOFA criteria performed as well or better than SIRS criteria, severe sepsis criteria and lactate levels in predicting critical illness.
Real-time visuomotor behavior and electrophysiology recording setup for use with humans and monkeys
Authors: de Haan Marcel Jan , Brochier Thomas , Grün Sonja , Riehle Alexa , Barthélemy Frédéric V. 
Published: May 2018

Large-scale network dynamics in multiple visuomotor areas is of great interest in the study of eye-hand coordination in both human and monkey. To explore this, it is essential to develop a setup that allows for precise tracking of eye and hand movements. It is desirable that it is able to generate mechanical or visual perturbations of hand trajectories so that eye-hand coordination can be studied in a variety of conditions. There are simple solutions that satisfy these requirements for hand movements performed in the horizontal plane while visual stimuli and hand feedback are presented in the vertical plane. However, this spatial dissociation requires cognitive rules for eye-hand coordination different from eye-hand movements performed in the same space, as is the case in most natural conditions. Here we present an innovative solution for the precise tracking of eye and hand movements in a single reference frame. Importantly, our solution allows behavioral explorations under normal and perturbed conditions in both humans and monkeys. It is based on the integration of two noninvasive commercially available systems to achieve online control and synchronous recording of eye (EyeLink) and hand (KINARM) positions during interactive visuomotor tasks. We also present an eye calibration method compatible with different eye trackers that compensates for nonlinearities caused by the system's geometry. Our setup monitors the two effectors in real time with high spatial and temporal resolution and simultaneously outputs behavioral and neuronal data to an external data acquisition system using a common data format. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a new setup for studying eye-hand coordination in humans and monkeys that monitors the two effectors in real time in a common reference frame. Our eye calibration method allows us to track gaze positions relative to visual stimuli presented in the horizontal workspace of the hand movements. This method compensates for nonlinearities caused by the system’s geometry and transforms kinematics signals from the eye tracker into the same coordinate system as hand and targets.
Describing complex cells in primary visual cortex: a comparison of context and multifilter LN models
Authors: Westö Johan , May Patrick J. C. 
Published: May 2018

Receptive field (RF) models are an important tool for deciphering neural responses to sensory stimuli. The two currently popular RF models are multifilter linear-nonlinear (LN) models and context models. Models are, however, never correct, and they rely on assumptions to keep them simple enough to be interpretable. As a consequence, different models describe different stimulus-response mappings, which may or may not be good approximations of real neural behavior. In the current study, we take up two tasks: 1) we introduce new ways to estimate context models with realistic nonlinearities, that is, with logistic and exponential functions, and 2) we evaluate context models and multifilter LN models in terms of how well they describe recorded data from complex cells in cat primary visual cortex. Our results, based on single-spike information and correlation coefficients, indicate that context models outperform corresponding multifilter LN models of equal complexity (measured in terms of number of parameters), with the best increase in performance being achieved by the novel context models. Consequently, our results suggest that the multifilter LN-model framework is suboptimal for describing the behavior of complex cells: the context-model framework is clearly superior while still providing interpretable quantizations of neural behavior. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used data from complex cells in primary visual cortex to estimate a wide variety of receptive field models from two frameworks that have previously not been compared with each other. The models included traditionally used multifilter linear-nonlinear models and novel variants of context models. Using mutual information and correlation coefficients as performance measures, we showed that context models are superior for describing complex cells and that the novel context models performed the best.