bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The last taboo: The experience of violence in first‐episode psychosis caregiving relationships
Authors: Onwumere Juliana , Parkyn Grace , Learmonth Stephanie , Kuipers Elizabeth 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesInformal caregiving relationships play an important role in facilitating recovery outcomes in psychosis. The relationship can serve as a source of positive experiences that co‐exist alongside common challenges typically associated with mental health problems. People with psychosis, when compared to the general population, are more likely to perpetrate acts of violence, a relationship that is particularly evident during the first psychosis episode. Although victims of service user violence are typically people already known to them, such as informal carers, there remains a lack of understanding about their caring experiences and needs. This study sought to address gaps in the literature by exploring the subjective accounts of informal carers supporting a relative experiencing their first episode of psychosis who has also behaved violently towards them.DesignA cross‐sectional design was employed.MethodsIndividual semi‐structured interviews, which were audio recorded and later transcribed for analyses, were undertaken with a convenience sample of eight carers drawn from a specialist early psychosis service. Interview questions focused on their experiences of patient violence, the subjective impact, and coping strategies. An interpretative phenomenological approach was used to analyse the data.ResultsParticipants were mostly living with their relative with psychosis and were typically female, parents, and from a black and minority ethnic background. Data analyses identified seven key themes from participant interviews including the lack of predictability over when the violence occurred, being scared and fearful, keeping quiet about what happens at home and in the caregiving relationship, and staying safe.ConclusionsReports by informal carers about experiencing violence and victimization from their relatives with psychosis are an important issue in some caregiving relationships during the first episode. Developing a more informed understanding of the specific needs of these carers and the caregiving relationship is indicated. The implications for service providers are discussed.Practitioner points

Carers were exposed to a broad range of patient violence, which included being kicked and having weapons used against them. The violence typically occurred within carers’ homes, when no other people were around.

Patient violence impacted negatively on carer emotional and physical functioning, which included leaving carers living in fear of their own safety and what might become of their relative.

The results highlight the importance of routinely asking first‐episode carers about their experience of patient violence.

The development of interventions (e.g., identification of early triggers, de‐escalation) that are able to take account of the ongoing nature and complexity of the caregiving relationship but are purposefully aimed at supporting carers to remain safe in their relationship should be explored for their impact.
Short‐term tolerance of equine spermatozoa to various abiotic factors
Authors: Pérez‐Marín CC , Requena FD , Arando A , Requena L , Requena F , Agüera EI 
Published: February 2018

ContentsThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of various abiotic factors, such as light, physical stress (pipetting) and thermal shock, on the quality of fresh and cooled equine sperm. In experiment I, four sperm aliquots were subjected to different light exposures: (i) protected control samples (CTRL), (ii) exposed to UV light at 10 cm (UV10), (iii) exposed to UV light at 20 cm (UV20) and (iv) exposed to laboratory lighting (LAB). In experiment II, four semen aliquots were subjected to repeated pipetting for 0, 10, 20 and 30 times (CTRL, P10, P20 and P30, respectively). In experiment III, four semen aliquots at 15°C were subjected to thermal oscillations: (i) cooled control sperm at 15°C (CTRL), (ii) oscillations of 1.9°C/min to a temperature of 30°C (T30), (iii) oscillations of 1.4°C/min, with the temperature rapidly falling until reaching 1.3°C (T0R) and (iv) oscillations of 1.1°C/min, with the temperature slowly falling until reaching 4.2°C (T0S). The results revealed that after 30 min, UV10 and UV20 sperm samples showed significantly (p < .05) lower total and progressive motility values, sperm kinematic parameters and mitochondrial potential. After 45 min of exposure, differences were highly significant (p < .001). No significant differences (p > .05) were found for pipetting or thermal oscillations. The results suggest that, even if equine sperm samples are not handled in the laboratory under optimal conditions, fresh and cooled equine spermatozoa are able to resist the impact of various abiotic stimuli without any reduction in their quality. This study analyses the effect on normospermic samples, but future research could look at the tolerance that asthenozoospermic equine samples have to these abiotic influences.
Specific fetometric formulas ofICCandBPfor calculating the parturition date in the miniature breeds of canine
Authors: Socha P , Janowski T 
Published: February 2018

ContentsThe aim of this study was to derive the growth curves of the inner chorionic cavity and the biparietal distance in miniature dog breeds by ultrasonographic fetometry and present new specific formulas for prediction of parturition date. In this study, foetal biometry parameters were obtained using serial ultrasonographic examinations in 24 pregnant bitches of six different miniature breeds (≤5 kg). The mating time was unknown. Overall, 25 inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICC) and 22 biparietal diameter (BP) measurements were taken. The relationship betweenICCorBPgrowth and days to parturition was analysed by linear regression. The results showed a significant relationship between days before delivery andICCorBP. The equations derived from the growth curves can be used in practical prediction of parturition date in miniature dog breeds.
On the Effects of Suggested Prices in Gasoline Markets
Authors: Faber Riemer P. , Janssen Maarten C. W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThere is a widespread suspicion that suggested prices act as a focal point for individual firms when setting their prices. Oil companies announce suggested prices for gasoline stations in the Dutch retail market. We show that, compared to the gasoline spot market price, suggested prices contain additional information that explains retail price changes. We conclude that suggested prices have a horizontal coordinating effect in the sense that retail prices react to information that suggested prices contain and that is unrelated to firms’ costs (i.e., the information that firms use under normal competitive conditions).
Risks of red blood cell alloimmunization in transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia in Oman: a 25‐year experience of a university tertiary care reference center and a literature review
Authors: Al‐Riyami Arwa Z. , Al‐Muqbali Ayman , Al‐Sudiri Saif , Murthi Panchatcharam Sathiya , Zacharia Mathew , Al‐Mahrooqi Sabah , Al‐Hosni Saif , Al‐Marhoobi Ali , Daar Shahina 
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUNDβ‐Thalassemia is a common hemoglobinopathy in the Arabian Peninsula. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a cornerstone for its management, but can create significant challenges including RBC alloimmunization. Herein, we examine alloimmunization risk factors in Omani patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia. Existing literature is summarized.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA retrospective review of all patients attending our center over 25 years was performed. Clinical and transfusion records were examined. Chi‐square test was used to assess the association between the categorical variables. Nonparametric Mann‐Whitney test was used to assess the association between transfusion and risk of alloimmunization.RESULTSA total of 268 patients were identified (168 adults and 100 pediatrics), of whom 226 are alive (84.3%). Males accounted for 53.4%. The cohort had a median age of 22 years (range, 2‐43 years). The most common blood group was O+ (39%). The prevalence of alloimmunization was 9.3% with anti‐E (24%) and anti‐K (24%) being the commonest antibodies identified. There was a significant association between age and alloimmunization, with 68% of alloimmunized patients in the age group of 19 to 30 years (p < 0.01). Among adults, there was a significant association between alloimmunization and number of units transfused (p = 0.001). There was no association between alloimmunization and sex or history of splenectomy.CONCLUSIONOur study shows an association between alloimmunization and the age of the patients and number of units transfused. Transfusion support of this group of patients necessitates the availability of needed expertise and blood bank facilities.
The differential expression of the blood group P1‐A4GALT and P2‐A4GALT alleles is stimulated by the transcription factor early growth response 1
Authors: Yeh Chih‐Chun , Chang Ching‐Jin , Twu Yuh‐Ching , Hung Shu‐Ting , Tsai Yi‐Jui , Liao Jia‐Ching , Huang Ji‐Ting , Kao Yu‐Hsin , Lin Sheng‐Wei , Yu Lung‐Chih 
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUNDThe P1/P2 phenotypic polymorphism is one of the earliest blood groups discovered in humans. These blood groups have been connected to different levels of expression of the A4GALT gene in P1 and P2 red blood cells; however, the detailed molecular genetic mechanism that leads to these two phenotypes has not been established.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAfter our previous identification of an association between the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2143918 and rs5751348 in A4GALT gene and the P1/P2 phenotype, we conduct a survey of transcription factors that might connect these SNPs with the differential expression of the P1‐A4GALT and P2‐A4GALT alleles. An in silico analysis of potential transcription factor binding motifs within the polymorphic SNPs rs2143918 and rs5751348 genomic regions was performed, and this was followed by reporter assays examining the candidate transcription factors, gene expression profiling, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and P1‐A4GALT and P2‐A4GALT allelic expression analysis.RESULTSThe results revealed that the differential binding of transcription factor early growth response 1 to the SNP rs5751348 genomic region with the different genotypes in the A4GALT gene leads to differential activation of P1‐A4GALT and P2‐A4GALT expression.CONCLUSIONThe present investigation, together with our previous study (Lai et al., Transfusion 2014;54:3222‐31), have elucidated the molecular genetic details associated with the P1/P2 blood groups.
Evaluation of pet owner preferences for operative sterilization techniques in female dogs within the veterinary community
Authors: Hsueh Christine , Giuffrida Michelle , Mayhew Philipp D. , Case J. Brad , Singh Ameet , Monnet Eric , Holt David E. , Cray Megan , Curcillo Chiara , Runge Jeffrey J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe pet owner preferences within the veterinary community when choosing operative techniques for canine spay.Study DesignProspective survey.Sample Population1234 respondents from 5 veterinary university teaching hospitals in North America.MethodsAn electronic survey was distributed to faculty, students, and staff that currently are or previously were dog owners. Responses were analyzed to determine what spay technique respondents would choose for their own dogs. Surgical options offered included open celiotomy, 2‐port (TP) laparoscopy, single‐port (SP) laparoscopy, and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).ResultsTP laparoscopic ovariectomy (OVE) was the most popular choice, followed by SP laparoscopic OVE; NOTES was the least popular technique when all surgical options were available. If only minimally invasive surgeries were offered, 0.3% of respondents would refuse surgery. Nearly half (48%) of respondents were willing to spend between $100 and $200 more for a minimally invasive OVE than for an open celiotomy.ConclusionMinimally invasive OVE is an acceptable operative approach to those in the veterinary community. Additional study is required to correlate these findings with the general veterinary client population.
Prosthetic mesh repair of abdominal wall hernias in horses
Authors: Tóth Ferenc , Schumacher Jim 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRepair of hernias of the abdominal wall of horses is often augmented by inserting a prosthetic mesh. In this review, we describe the various characteristics of prosthetic meshes used for hernia repair and present 2 systems that are used by surgeons in the human medical field to classify techniques of prosthetic mesh herniorrhaphy. Both of these classification systems distinguish between onlay, inlay, sublay, and underlay placements of mesh, based on the location within the abdominal wall in which the prosthetic mesh is inserted. We separate the published techniques of prosthetic mesh herniorrhaphy of horses using this classification system, ascribing names to the techniques of herniorrhaphy where none existed, and report the success rates and complications associated with each technique. By introducing a classification system widely used in the human medical field and illustrating each technique in a figure, we hope to clarify inconsistent nomenclature associated with prosthetic mesh herniorrhaphy performed by veterinary surgeons.
Ciudades traducidas: Nueva York en Victoria Ocampo
Authors: Molloy Sylvia 
Published: February 2018

Ensayo inscrito en una pesquisa más amplia sobre cómo se construye la ciudad de Nueva York en el imaginario latinoamericano. De manera particular, se reflexiona sobre la manera en que Victoria Ocampo traduce en el sentido más amplio del término— Nueva York para sí y para sus lectores cómplices, en sus autobiografías, cartas y testimonios. Así, se consignan intercambios notables con intelectuales contemporáneos: Waldo Frank y Roger Caillois, entre los considerados.
Shigella Phages Isolated during a Dysentery Outbreak Reveal Uncommon Structures and Broad Species Diversity
Authors: Doore Sarah M. , Schrad Jason R. , Dean William F. , Dover John A. , Parent Kristin N. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

In 2016, Michigan experienced the largest outbreak of shigellosis, a type of bacillary dysentery caused by
Shigella
spp., since 1988. Following this outbreak, we isolated 16 novel
Shigella
-infecting bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) from environmental water sources. Most well-known bacteriophages infect the common laboratory species
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella enterica
, and these phages have built the foundation of molecular and bacteriophage biology. Until now, comparatively few bacteriophages were known to infect
Shigella
spp., which are close relatives of
E. coli
. We present a comprehensive analysis of these phages' host ranges, genomes, and structures, revealing genome sizes and capsid properties that are shared by very few previously described phages. After sequencing, a majority of the
Shigella
phages were found to have genomes of an uncommon size, shared by only 2% of all reported phage genomes. To investigate the structural implications of this unusual genome size, we used cryo-electron microscopy to resolve their capsid structures. We determined that these bacteriophage capsids have similarly uncommon geometry. Only two other viruses with this capsid structure have been described. Since most well-known bacteriophages infect
Escherichia
or
Salmonella
, our understanding of bacteriophages has been limited to a subset of well-described systems. Continuing to isolate phages using nontraditional strains of bacteria can fill gaps that currently exist in bacteriophage biology. In addition, the prevalence of
Shigella
phages during a shigellosis outbreak may suggest a potential impact of human health epidemics on local microbial communities.

IMPORTANCE
Shigella
spp. bacteria are causative agents of dysentery and affect more than 164 million people worldwide every year. Despite the need to combat antibiotic-resistant
Shigella
strains, relatively few
Shigella
-infecting bacteriophages have been described. By specifically looking for
Shigella
-infecting phages, this work has identified new isolates that (i) may be useful to combat
Shigella
infections and (ii) fill gaps in our knowledge of bacteriophage biology. The rare qualities of these new isolates emphasize the importance of isolating phages on “nontraditional” laboratory strains of bacteria to more fully understand both the basic biology and diversity of bacteriophages.
Induction of Genotype Cross-Reactive, Hepatitis C Virus-Specific, Cell-Mediated Immunity in DNA-Vaccinated Mice
Authors: Wijesundara Danushka K. , Gummow Jason , Li Yanrui , Yu Wenbo , Quah Benjamin J. , Ranasinghe Charani , Torresi Joseph , Gowans Eric J. , Grubor-Bauk Branka 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

A universal hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine should elicit multiantigenic, multigenotypic responses, which are more likely to protect against challenge with the range of genotypes and subtypes circulating in the community. A vaccine cocktail and vaccines encoding consensus HCV sequences are attractive approaches to achieve this goal. Consequently, in a series of mouse vaccination studies, we compared the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine encoding a consensus HCV nonstructural 5B (NS5B) protein to that of a cocktail of DNA plasmids encoding the genotype 1b (Gt1b) and Gt3a NS5B proteins. To complement this study, we assessed responses to a multiantigenic cocktail regimen by comparing a DNA vaccine cocktail encoding Gt1b and Gt3a NS3, NS4, and NS5B proteins to a single-genotype NS3/4/5B DNA vaccine. To thoroughly evaluate
in vivo
cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and T helper (Th) cell responses against Gt1b and Gt3a HCV peptide-pulsed target cells, we exploited a novel fluorescent-target array (FTA). FTA and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) analyses collectively indicated that the cocktail regimens elicited higher responses to Gt1b and Gt3a NS5B proteins than those with the consensus vaccine, while the multiantigenic DNA cocktail significantly increased the responses to NS3 and NS5B compared to those elicited by the single-genotype vaccines. Thus, a DNA cocktail vaccination regimen is more effective than a consensus vaccine or a monovalent vaccine at increasing the breadth of multigenotypic T cell responses, which has implications for the development of vaccines for communities where multiple HCV genotypes circulate.

IMPORTANCE
Despite the development of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAA), infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV) continue, particularly in countries where the supply of DAA is limited. Furthermore, patients who eliminate the virus as a result of DAA therapy can still be reinfected. Thus, a vaccine for HCV is urgently required, but the heterogeneity of HCV strains makes the development of a universal vaccine difficult. To address this, we developed a novel cytolytic DNA vaccine which elicits robust cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to the nonstructural (NS) proteins in vaccinated animals. We compared the immune responses against genotypes 1 and 3 that were elicited by a consensus DNA vaccine or a DNA vaccine cocktail and showed that the cocktail induced higher levels of CMI to the NS proteins of both genotypes. This study suggests that a universal HCV vaccine can most readily be achieved by use of a DNA vaccine cocktail.
Colocalization and Disposition of Cellulosomes in
Clostridium clariflavum
as Revealed by Correlative Superresolution Imaging
Authors: Artzi Lior , Dadosh Tali , Milrot Elad , Moraïs Sarah , Levin-Zaidman Smadar , Morag Ely , Bayer Edward A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Cellulosomes are multienzyme complexes produced by anaerobic, cellulolytic bacteria for highly efficient breakdown of plant cell wall polysaccharides.
Clostridium clariflavum
is an anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium that produces the largest assembled cellulosome complex in nature to date, comprising three types of scaffoldins: a primary scaffoldin, ScaA; an adaptor scaffoldin, ScaB; and a cell surface anchoring scaffoldin, ScaC. This complex can contain 160 polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. In previous studies, we proposed potential types of cellulosome assemblies in
C. clariflavum
and demonstrated that these complexes are released into the extracellular medium. In the present study, we explored the disposition of the highly structured, four-tiered cell-anchored cellulosome complex of this bacterium. Four separate, integral cellulosome components were subjected to immunolabeling: ScaA, ScaB, ScaC, and the cellulosome’s most prominent enzyme, GH48. Imaging of the cells by correlating scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) superresolution fluorescence microscopy revealed that some of the protuberance-like structures on the cell surface represent cellulosomes and that the components are highly colocalized and organized by a defined hierarchy on the cell surface. The display of the cellulosome on the cell surface was found to differ between cells grown on soluble or insoluble substrates. Cell growth on microcrystalline cellulose and wheat straw exhibited dramatic enhancement in the amount of cellulosomes displayed on the bacterial cell surface.

IMPORTANCE
Conversion of plant biomass into soluble sugars is of high interest for production of fermentable industrial materials, such as biofuels. Biofuels are a very attractive alternative to fossil fuels, both for recycling of agricultural wastes and as a source of sustainable energy. Cellulosomes are among the most efficient enzymatic degraders of biomass known to date, due to the incorporation of a multiplicity of enzymes into a potent, multifunctional nanomachine. The intimate association with the bacterial cell surface is inherent in its efficient action on lignocellulosic substrates, although this property has not been properly addressed experimentally. The dramatic increase in cellulosome performance on recalcitrant feedstocks is critical for the design of cost-effective processes for efficient biomass degradation.