bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Substrate and spatial variables are major determinants of fungal community in karst caves in Southwest China
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Feng , Cai Lei 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimPrevious studies primarily based on the culture method have revealed that caves host a high fungal diversity and that exogenous carbon sources influence fungal communities. Here, we assess the fungal diversity and distribution patterns in karst caves in Southwest China and reveal the major factors that shape the fungal communities.LocationSouthwest China.MethodsSamples of air, rock, sediment and water were collected from eight caves in Southwest China. Using high‐throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of fungal rDNA, we examined the cave fungal communities in Southwest China and studied their correlations with potentially influential factors, such as substrate, cave, location and environmental variables.ResultsApproximately 10,000 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) spanning 15 phyla were obtained. The highest diversity genus was Penicillium, while Mortierella had the highest relative abundance. Compared with air and rock samples, sediment and water samples harboured higher diversity and distinct communities. Substrate and cave were revealed to be the key determinants of the fungal communities in caves. Sample location and sampling distance from the entrance had more significant impacts on rock and sediment communities than on air and water assemblages. The fungal assemblages in air and water samples from the cave and outside cave environments were similar, while those of rock and sediment samples were significantly different.Main conclusionsOur results indicate that sediment and water harboured higher fungal diversity than air and rock, and substrate and spatial variables are key determinants of fungal communities in caves.
Effectiveness of dual external direct current cardioversion for initial cardioversion in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Gardner Michael W. , Yadava Mrinal , Raitt Merritt H. , Elman Miriam R. , Zarraga Ignatius G. , MacMurdy Karen S. , Dalouk Khidir A. , Jessel Peter M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionDual external direct current cardioversion (dual‐DCCV) is a rhythm control strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), involving simultaneous delivery of two shocks from two defibrillators. The long‐term effectiveness of this approach has not been studied in the biphasic cardioversion era.MethodsSeventy‐seven consecutive patients at a single center were identified to receive dual‐DCCV at the time of their initial cardioversion for AF, when maximum output standard external direct current cardioversion failed in two vectors. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for dual‐DCCV in a historical control group of 77 patients undergoing standard cardioversion and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare time to AF recurrence.ResultsThe dual‐DCCV group had a significantly larger body mass index (BMI), but similar AF duration and left atrial size as controls. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that BMI and absence of prior paroxysmal AF were risk factors for dual‐DCCV (P < 0.05). There was no difference observed between dual‐DCCV and control groups (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.57; P = .12) after adjusting for number of shocks and age. Transient hypoxia was the only acute complication in either group (P > .999).ConclusionDual‐DCCV appears to be a safe and effective cardioversion strategy for patients with AF. The need for dual‐DCCV in the treatment of AF appears to be influenced more by body habitus than atrial substrate.
Characterisation of endogenous players in fibroblast growth factor‐regulated functions of hypothalamic tanycytes and energy‐balance nuclei
Authors: Kaminskas Benediktas , Goodman Timothy , Hagan Andrew , Bellusci Saverio , Ornitz David M. , Hajihosseini Mohammad K. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe mammalian hypothalamus regulates key homeostatic and neuroendocrine functions ranging from circadian rhythm and energy balance to growth and reproductive cycles via the hypothalamic‐pituitary and hypothalamic‐thyroid axes. In addition to its neurones, tanycytes are taking centre stage in the short‐ and long‐term augmentation and integration of diverse hypothalamic functions, although the genetic regulators and mediators of their involvement are poorly understood. Exogenous interventions have implicated fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling, although the focal point of the action of FGF and any role for putative endogenous players also remains elusive. We carried out a comprehensive high‐resolution screen of FGF signalling pathway mediators and modifiers using a combination of in situ hybridisation, immunolabelling and transgenic reporter mice, aiming to map their spatial distribution in the adult hypothalamus. Our findings suggest that β‐tanycytes are the likely focal point of exogenous and endogenous action of FGF in the third ventricular wall, utilising FGF receptor (FGFR)1 and FGFR2 IIIc isoforms, but not FGFR3. Key IIIc‐activating endogenous ligands include FGF1, 2, 9 and 18, which are expressed by a subset of ependymal and parenchymal cells. In the parenchymal compartment, FGFR1‐3 show divergent patterns, with FGFR1 being predominant in neuronal nuclei and expression of FGFR3 being associated with glial cell function. Intracrine FGFs are also present, suggestive of multiple modes of FGF function. Our findings provide a testable framework for understanding the complex role of FGFs with respect to regulating the metabolic endocrine and neurogenic functions of hypothalamus in vivo.
Are carbohydrate drinks more effective than preoperative fasting: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Noba Lyrics , Wakefield Ann 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo evaluate current evidence to determine whether oral preoperative carbohydrate drinks shorten hospital stays, reduce insulin resistance and/or improve postoperative discomfort for patients undergoing abdominal or cardiac surgery.BackgroundCriticisms of standard preoperative fasting have forced practitioners to explore new ways of preparing patients for theatre. Consequently, the use of preoperative carbohydrate drinks prior to elective surgery has gained momentum. Current evidence regarding the efficacy of this treatment has been inconsistent and contradictory which prompted a review of the current literature.DesignA systematic review of randomised clinical trials (RCTs).MethodsIn accordance with Prisma guidelines, the review incorporated a systematic, comprehensive search of English‐language‐only texts published between 2001–2018. The search focused on five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, British Nursing Index and ASSIA). Reference lists of relevant systematic reviews and studies located were also hand‐searched for eligibility and further references. All RCTs investigating the effect of preoperative carbohydrate drinks on adult patients undergoing cardiac or abdominal surgery were included. The review excluded RCTs conducted on patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus and patients under the age of 18.ResultThe review included 22 RCTs with a total sample of 2,065 patients across thirteen countries. Nine different types of surgery were identified. No significant reductions in hospital stay were noted in 8 of the ten trials. Preoperative carbohydrate drinks significantly reduced insulin resistance and improved postoperative discomfort especially in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. No definite conclusion regarding the impact of preoperative carbohydrate drinks on gastric volume and gastric pH was noted. Similarly, no adverse events such as pulmonary aspiration were reported.ConclusionPreoperative carbohydrate drinks were found to be safe and can be administered up to 2 hr before surgery. Such drinks were also found to reduce insulin resistance and improve postoperative discomfort especially in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, there is insufficient evidence to definitively conclude what impact they have on length of hospital stay.Relevance to clinical practicePatients undergoing surgery are often required to fast from midnight, while in some extreme cases patients are fasted for up to 24 hr prior to surgery. The main purpose of asking patients to undergo this prolonged fasting is to reduce the risk of aspiration. However, there is a general consensus that this traditional practice is out of date, and it is often associated with postoperative complications. On the other hand, current evidence suggests oral intake of fluids up to 90–180 min prior to surgery is safe and consumption of a preoperative carbohydrate drinks does not delay gastric emptying or affect gastric acidity.
Shedding light on a Group IV (ECF11) alternative σ factor
Authors: Donohue Timothy J. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThis year marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of σ70 as a protein factor that was needed for bacterial RNA polymerase to accurately transcribe a promoter in vitro. It was 25 years later that the Group IV alternative σs were described as a distinct family of proteins related to σ70. In the intervening time, there has been an ever‐growing list of Group IV σs, numbers of genes they transcribe, insight into the diverse suite of processes they control, and appreciation for their impact on bacterial lifestyles. This work summarizes knowledge of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides σE‐ChrR pair, a member of the ECF11 subfamily of Group IV alternative σs, in protecting cells from the reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen. It describes lessons learned from analyzing ChrR, a zinc‐dependent anti‐σ factor, that are generally applicable to Group IV σs and relevant to the response to single oxygen. This MicroReview also illustrates insights into stress responses in this and other bacteria that have been acquired by analyzing or modeling the activity of the σE‐ChrR across the bacterial phylogeny.
Mechanical thrombectomy in a patient with giant cell arteritis
Authors: Adachi Kenichi , Oomura Masahiro , Madokoro Yuta , Hattori Hideo , Nishikawa Yusuke , Kitamura Takumi , Matsukawa Noriyuki 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA 49‐year‐old man developed the left middle artery occlusion. The patient was treated with mechanical thrombectomy following intravenous thrombolysis. The occluded artery was recanalized by stent retriever; however, reocclusion was noted. A marked tenderness of the left temporal artery and an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate were suggestive of giant cell arteritis (GCA). The biopsied temporal artery showed findings of vasculitis, and a diagnosis of GCA was established.
Independent effect of haemodialysis session frequency and duration on survival in non‐indigenous Australians on haemodialysis
Authors: Emmett Christopher J , Macintyre Kate , Kitsos Alex , McKercher Charlotte M , Jose Matthew , Bettiol Silvana 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundEnd‐stage kidney disease patients have increased mortality compared to the general population. Haemodialysis (HD) of more frequent and of longer duration has been proposed to improve survival but it remains unclear if this is attributed to increased frequency, duration, or both. We aimed to examine the independent effects of session frequency and duration on mortality in incident HD patients.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed using data from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry examining non‐Indigenous patients aged ≥18 years who initiated HD of ≥3 sessions/week in Australia from 2001 to 2015. Initial dialysis prescription was categorized as session duration >5 h/session compared to ≤5 h/session and session frequency as >3 sessions/week compared to 3 sessions/week. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis, with multivariable analysis controlling for available covariates.ResultsWe examined 16 944 patients of whom 757 (4.5%) received >3 sessions/week and 518 (3.1%) received >5 h/session. After controlling for frequency, patients initiated on HD sessions >5 h had a significantly reduced risk of mortality compared with patients with HD session ≤5 h (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.44–0.74). In contrast, patients initiated on >3 sessions/week of HD had a similar risk of death when compared with patients on 3 sessions/week of HD (adjusted HR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.84–1.13), after controlling for duration. Limitations include potential residual confounding and changes in exposure over time.ConclusionLonger duration rather than increased frequency of treatment appears to reduce mortality in HD patients. This has implications for management and requires further study.
Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Brassica oxyrrhina and comparative analysis of the region containing orf108, a male sterility gene for mustard (Brassica juncea), among B. oxyrrhina, Diplotaxis erucoides and Sinapis species
Authors: Mukai Akihito , Jikuya Megumi , Tsujimura Mai , Terachi Toru , Yamagishi Hiroshi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTo date, several cytoplasms of wild species have been introduced to Brassica juncea, for inducing cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). One of the causal genes of CMS is orf108, which is widely distributed in Brassicaceae including Brassica oxyrrhina. To further understand the origin of orf108, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of B. oxyrrhina. We also determined the DNA sequences upstream of atp1 including orf108 for D. erucoides and five Sinapis species. The orf108 was definitively placed in the mitochondrial genome of B. oxyrrhina consisting of 247,936 bp. In S. alba, previously reported to possess orf108, the gene was not present, whereas Sinapis arvensis and Sinapis turgida contained orf108. The orf108 sequence in the two Sinapis species showed a novel nucleotide substitution compared to D. erucoides. Northern hybridization suggested, furthermore, that orf108 mRNA was processed in the two species similarly to that in B. oxyrrhina. The results clarified the interspecific differentiation of orf108‐apt1 region in Sinapis.
Melatonin Receptor Mel1b‐ and Mel1c‐mediated Green Light Induced the Secretion of Growth Hormone in Anterior Pituitary of Chicks
Authors: Yue Liang , Qin Xiaojing , Liu Xinfeng , Wang Zixu , Dong Yulan , Chen Yaoxing , Cao Jing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPrevious studies have found that melatonin was related to the growth and development in avian. Therefore, the newly hatched broilers were exposed to colors of light to establish a model of pinealectomy and explored the mechanism of pineal melatonin promoting growth hormone (GH) secretion. The results showed that green light (GL) promoted the levels of GH, pituitary‐specific transcription factor‐1 (Pit‐1) genes and proteins in pituitary. Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of melatonin receptor subtypes Mel1b and Mel1c in the pituitary in GL were higher than other monochromatic light groups. After pinealectomy, the expression of Pit‐1, GH, Mel1b and Mel1c in pituitary decreased. In vitro, exogenous melatonin promoted the level of Pit‐1 mRNA and the secretion of GH in anterior pituitary cells. However, when melatonin was added with exogenous selective Mel1b antagonist (4‐phenyl‐2‐propionamideotetralin) and selective Mel1c antagonist (prazosin), the level of Pit‐1 mRNA and the GH secretion decreased. When selective Mel1b and Mel1c antagonists were added simultaneously, the decrease in Pit‐1 mRNA and GH secretion was more significant. These results indicated that pineal melatonin promotes the expression of Pit‐1 under GL by binding to melatonin receptor subtypes Mel1b and Mel1c in the pituitary, thereby increasing GH secretion and promoting the growth.
Dignity as a guiding principle for family care partners in the care of an old relative with dementia
Authors: Söderberg Maria , Ståhl Agneta , Melin Emilsson Ulla 
Published: May 2019

AimThere is a growing number of older people (65+) with dementia, and many family care partners are involved in making help‐seeking choices. The aim of this study was to reveal how family care partners with an old relative with dementia proceed in the name of dignity in their desire to secure the best care possible while still maintaining their own dignity.MethodsData were collected in 2009–2010 in open semi‐structured interviews and follow‐up contacts with seven family care partners with an old relative with dementia on 14 occasions. From this collected data and for this study, a design based on patterns labelled archetypes was chosen to permit an in‐depth data analysis.ResultsIn the analysis, three archetypes emerged, emanating from three specific family care partners. A prominent feature in the findings was that the dignity of an old relative with dementia was hard to separate from the dignity as a family care partner, which gave rise to their need to express accounts in terms of excuses and justifications.ConclusionThis study provides an important insight into the connection between different elements of dignity and it contributes to explain the complexity behind family care partners’ decisions in the care of an old relative with dementia. This multifaceted meaning of dignity needs more attention for a better understanding and thereby implementation in practice and in the follow‐up of policy for older people.
Mapping empirical experiences of Tom Kitwood's framework of person‐centred care for persons with dementia in institutional settings. A scoping review
Authors: Terkelsen Anne Seneca , Petersen Jacob Vorup , Kristensen Hanne Kaae 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionTom Kitwood's theoretical framework of person‐centred care is extensively and internationally referred to in healthcare services. However, despite the broad use of Kitwood's approach in clinical practice, the research examining experiences with the approach has not been mapped.AimTo map the available literature on current empirical experiences in clinical practice of Kitwood's approach to person‐centred care for people with dementia, living in institutional settings in primary health care.MethodsA total of 154 studies concerning the experiences of people with dementia and their formal caregivers’ use of Kitwood's framework of person‐centred care for residents living in institutional settings in primary health care were compiled from scientific databases. All three authors engaged in a systematic selection process, leading to nineteen articles being included in the review.ResultsThe results showed an overall tendency towards positive experiences gained from applying person‐centred approaches in clinical practice influenced by Kitwood's theoretical framework. Through the synthesis of data from the selected studies, six categories related to our research aim were identified ‘Theoretical evaluation of Tom Kitwood's model of care’, ‘Models and frameworks’, ‘Interventions’, ‘Communication’, ‘Dementia Care Mapping’ and ‘Environment’.ConclusionThe present review included nineteen studies published from 1998 to 2016 and consisted mainly of peer‐reviewed scientific articles, followed by dissertations, conference posters and nonpeer‐reviewed articles. All studies were undertaken in Western countries. The vast majority of the studies considered Kitwood's theoretical framework to be beneficial and useful in practice.
Constructing likelihood functions for interval‐valued random variables
Authors: Zhang X. , Beranger B. , Sisson S. A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThere is a growing need for flexible methods to analyze interval‐valued data, which can provide efficient data representations for very large data sets. However, the existing descriptive frameworks to achieve this ignore the process by which interval‐valued data are typically constructed, namely, by the aggregation of real‐valued data generated from some underlying process. In this paper, we develop the foundations of likelihood‐based statistical inference for intervals that directly incorporates the underlying data generating procedure into the analysis. That is, it permits the direct fitting of models for the underlying real‐valued data given only the interval‐valued summaries. This generative approach overcomes several problems associated with existing methods, including the rarely satisfied assumption of within‐interval uniformity. The new methods are illustrated by simulated and real data analyses.
Peri‐graft porcine‐specific CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells by CD40‐CD154 blockade prevented the rejection of porcine islet graft in diabetic mice
Authors: Yoon Il‐Hee , Chung Hyunwoo , Kim Hyun‐Je , Nam Hye‐Young , Shin Jun‐Seop , Kim Yong‐Hee , Park Chung‐Gyu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundAnti‐CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment has been known to have potential to induce immune tolerance in organ transplantation. Several studies have suggested the involvement of CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in xeno‐immune tolerance. However, the characteristics of Tregs and the mechanisms of their regulatory functions in islet xenotransplantation have not been clearly defined.MethodAdult porcine islet cells were isolated and purified, and were transplanted under the kidney capsule of diabetic C57BL/6J mice with the administration of 0.5 mg/mouse of anti‐CD154 mAb on 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post‐transplantation (DPT). The graft survival was monitored by blood glucose level. The islet graft and recipients’ cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay, and mixed‐lymphocyte reaction.ResultsShort‐term anti‐CD154 mAb monotherapy enabled the porcine islet graft to survive indefinitely in diabetic mice (n = 18). Immunohistochemical staining showed significantly higher ratio of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in the peri‐graft site, but not in the spleen and kidney‐draining lymph node of the recipient mice. Depletion of Tregs evoked graft rejection, and adoptive transfer of Tregs from anti‐CD154 mAb‐treated recipients provided protection to the graft from rejection. These Tregs showed more potent suppressive capacity than those from the untreated control and were found to be porcine antigen‐specific.ConclusionsIn this study, we showed that anti‐CD154 mAb monotherapy resulted in indefinite porcine islet graft survival in mice. The porcine‐specific CD4+Foxp3+Tregs in the peri‐graft site played the critical role in the protection of islet graft from rejection, which suggests a prospective immunosuppressive strategy for islet xenotransplantation.