bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time‐dependent antiarrhythmic effects of flecainide on induced atrial fibrillation in horses
Authors: Carstensen Helena , Hesselkilde Eva Z. , Fenner Merle , Loft‐Andersen Ameli V. , Flethøj Mette , Kanters Jørgen K. , Sattler Stefan M. , Tfelt‐Hansen Jacob , Pehrson Steen , Jespersen Thomas , Buhl Rikke 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundPharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses can be challenging because of low efficacy and adverse effects. Flecainide has been tested with variable efficacy.ObjectiveTo test whether the efficacy of flecainide is dependent on AF duration.AnimalsNine Standardbred mares.MethodsFactorial study design. All horses were instrumented with a pacemaker and assigned to a control or an AF group. On day 0, all horses were in sinus rhythm and received 2 mg/kg flecainide IV. Atrial fibrillation subsequently was induced in the AF group by pacemaker stimulation. On days 3, 9, 27, and 55, flecainide was administered to all horses, regardless of heart rhythm.ResultsAll horses in AF cardioverted to sinus rhythm on days 3 and 9. On day 27, 5/6 horses cardioverted, whereas only 2/6 cardioverted on day 55. The time from the start of flecainide infusion to cardioversion (range, 3–185 min, log transformed) showed linear correlation with the cumulative duration of AF (r2 = .80, P < .0001). Flecainide induced abnormal QRS complexes in 4/6 AF horses and 1/3 controls. A positive correlation was found between heart rate before flecainide infusion and number of abnormal QRS complexes (0.14, P < .05). One horse suffered from cardiac arrest and died after flecainide infusion.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFlecainide is effective for cardioversion of short‐term induced AF, but the effect decreases with AF duration. Controlling heart rate may minimize adverse effects caused by flecainide, but the drug should be used with great caution.
Serum concentrations of lipid‐soluble vitamins in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency treated with pancreatic enzymes
Authors: Barko Patrick C. , Williams David A. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundIn humans, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is associated with deficiencies in lipid‐soluble vitamins. Little is reported regarding lipid‐soluble vitamin status in dogs with EPI.Hypothesis/ObjectivesCompare serum concentrations of retinol, 25‐hydrocholecalciferol (25OHD), and α‐tocopherol among dogs with EPI, those with subclinical EPI (sEPI), and healthy dogs. Detect associations between serum concentrations of lipid‐soluble vitamins and residual clinical signs in treated dogs with EPI and sEPI.AnimalsTwenty dogs with EPI and five dogs with sEPI receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Ten healthy dogs sampled before and after 10 days of pancreatic enzyme supplementation.MethodsCase‐control study. Serum retinol and α‐tocopherol concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Serum 25OHD concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay.ResultsSerum retinol concentration was significantly lower in dogs with EPI (median, 490 ng/mL; range, 322‐990 ng/mL) and serum α‐tocopherol concentration was significantly lower in dogs with EPI (median, 11.51 μg/L; range, 4.8‐27.1 μg/L) and sEPI (median, 12.66 μg/L; range, 10.21‐21.03 μg/L) compared with healthy dogs (median, 1203 ng/mL; range, 637‐1768 ng/mL and median, 43.54 μg/L; range, 34.26‐53.97 μg/L, respectively). Dogs with weight loss had significantly lower 25OHD (mean, 243.50 nmol/L; standard deviation [SD], 3.54 nmol/L) than dogs with stable weight (314.0 nmol/L; SD, 138.38 nmol/L).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAltered homeostasis of lipid‐soluble vitamins is present in dogs with EPI and sEPI, despite enzyme replacement therapy. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of these findings and the therapeutic potential of lipid‐soluble vitamin supplementation in dogs with EPI and sEPI.
Edaphic specialization in relation to termite mounds in Katanga (DR Congo): A reciprocal transplant experiment with congeneric tree species
Authors: Cuma Mushagalusa Fidèle , Bauman David , Mujinya Bazirake Basile , Mleci Yona , Kalenga Mpibwe , Ngoy Shutcha Mylor , Meerts Pierre 
Published: August 2018

AbstractQuestionDo termitophilous and non‐termitophilous trees of dry tropical woodlands show local adaptation?LocationRegion of Lubumbashi, Upper Katanga, DR Congo.MethodsThree pairs of congeneric tree species showing strict edaphic specialization with respect to termite mounds, Combretum molle (termitophilous, T)/C. collinum (non‐termitophilous, NT); Strychnos potatorum (T)/S. spinosa (NT), Ziziphus mucronata (T)/Z. abyssinica (NT), were used in a reciprocal transplant experiment in situ. Seedlings were reciprocally transplanted on termite mounds and in the surrounding matrix in a miombo woodland. Growth (height and number of leaves) and survival were monitored for 30 months. Soil physical and chemical properties, and available water, were assessed on and off mounds.ResultsGrowth was little affected by habitat; only one species showed better growth in its home habitat (S. spinosa in the matrix). Survival was strongly affected by habitat, in opposite directions consistent with species’ habitat specialization. Termitophilous species experienced a very high mortality rate in the matrix, especially during the dry season. Available water content was higher in termite mound soil than in the matrix soil.ConclusionsTermitophilous and non‐termitophilous tree species show local adaptation at the seedling stage, expressed mostly as different patterns of mortality in the dry season. The results point to water supply as a critical factor in the edaphic specialization of termitophilous species. In contrast, the higher mortality of non‐termitophilous species on termite mounds is not explained by water stress.
Examining IEPs of English Learners with Learning Disabilities for Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness
Authors: Hoover John J. , Erickson Jennifer R. , Patton James R. , Sacco Donna M. , Tran Le M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEffective education of English learners (ELs) with learning disabilities requires special educators to deliver culturally/linguistically responsive instruction within the context of special services, embracing the interaction between exceptionality and diversity. A critical concept is the notion that cultural and linguistic features are mandated by law to remain integral to teaching and learning once ELs are appropriately placed for special services. We examined a sampling of IEPs for ELs receiving special education for learning disabilities for cultural/linguistic responsive features to inform instruction. We found from our pilot study that the IEPs contain little to no reference to ELs' diverse linguistic and cultural qualities to (1) meet legislative mandates, and (2) guide delivery of appropriate special education. Practitioner implications for developing culturally and linguistically responsive IEPs are provided to support educators who teach ELs with learning disabilities.
Machine perfusion for liver transplantation in the era of marginal organs—New kids on the block
Authors: Czigany Zoltan , Lurje Isabella , Tolba Rene H. , Neumann Ulf P. , Tacke Frank , Lurje Georg 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn the face of a critical organ shortage in the Western world, various strategies are employed to expand the donor pool for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Among them is the transplantation of organs from extended criteria donors, a valuable source of liver allografts, however, characterized by potential risks for post‐OLTcomplications and inferior outcomes. In recent years, machine perfusion (MP) of the explanted donor liver as well as regional perfusion techniques has witnessed significant advancements. Here, we aim to discuss different modes of dynamic organ preservation inOLT. These include hypothermic and normothermicMP, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE), controlled oxygenated rewarming as well as regional perfusion protocols. Over recent years, multiple feasibility trials have demonstrated the clinical prospects ofMP. In the context ofOLTusing organs from extended criteria donors,MPhas numerous advantages compared to conventional cold storage, some of which include the preservation and reconditioning of borderline transplantable organs and the viability assessment of high‐risk donor allografts. This review aims to address the topic of liver allograftMP, highlighting particularly the current trends in clinical applications and future perspectives. Furthermore, different approaches of liver storage and reconditioning are reviewed in the context of ongoing research.
Efficacy and acceptability of treatment to eradicate nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage among haemodialysis patients
Authors: Ritchie Stephen R , Burrett Emma , Priest Patricia , Drown Juliet , Taylor Susan , Wei Jason , Collins John , Thomas Mark G 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTAimFor patients requiring haemodialysis, the risk of Staphylococcus aureus disease is higher in those colonized and persists while the person requires haemodialysis, necessitating frequent decolonization. However, the duration of successful decolonization is not known. This study aimed to determine the duration of efficacy of decolonization in intermittent and persistent S. aureus carriers requiring haemodialysis using two decolonization strategies.MethodsWe screened 100 outpatients requiring haemodialysis for S. aureus carriage and then decolonized 14 intermittent carriers and 18 persistent carriers. Participants were invited to undertake two decolonization attempts, using systemic or topical antibiotics 12 weeks apart. Nasal swabs were taken weekly to determine the duration of successful decolonization.ResultsDecolonization was successful in 24/32 (75%) participants and the median duration of decolonization was 35 days (95% confidence interval (CI) 11–59). The median duration of S. aureus decolonization was significantly shorter for persistent carriers (19 days, 95% CI 13–25 days) in comparison with intermittent carriers (70 days, 95% CI 61–79 days; P < 0.01). 28/52 (54%) post‐decolonization surveys indicated that they would use the treatment again, 14/52 (27%) surveys indicated that they would not use the treatment again, and 10/52 (19%) were undecided. 16/53 (30%) decolonization attempts resulted in an adverse drug reaction.Conclusion
Staphylococcus aureus decolonization using topical or systemic treatments was successful for many haemodialysis patients, and provided a month free of S. aureus colonization. Although decolonization treatment provided a shorter duration of success for persistent carriers in comparison with intermittent carriers, persistent carriers are likely to gain the most from effective decolonization strategies.
Effect of long non‐coding RNA growth arrest‐specific 5 on apoptosis in renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Geng Xuemei , Xu Xialian , Fang Yi , Zhao Shuan , Hu Jiachang , Xu Jiarui , Jia Ping , Ding Xiaoqiang , Teng Jie 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTAimLong non‐coding RNA (lncRNAs) have been shown to play a critical role in a variety of pathophysiological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration. However, there were few studies addressing the function of lncRNAs in renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Apoptosis is an important pathogenesis during I/R injury. Here, we identified the effect of hypoxia‐responsive lncRNA growth arrest‐specific 5 (GAS5) on apoptosis in renal I/R injury.MethodsIschaemia/reperfusion injury in mice or hypoxia/re‐oxygenation (H/R) in human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2) was practiced to induce apoptosis. The kidneys and blood were collected at 24 h after reperfusion. The GAS5 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and apoptosis‐related gene mRNA and protein levels, including p53, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (cIAP2) and thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1), were analysed. GAS5 small‐interfering RNA was transfected with H/R induced cells. Over‐expression of GAS5 was performed by plasmid transfection.ResultsApoptotic cells significantly increased in I/R‐injured kidneys. GAS5 could be up‐regulated in kidneys at 24 h after reperfusion and 3 h after re‐oxygenation, combined with increased expression of its downstream apoptosis‐related proteins p53 and cIAP2. GAS5 small‐interfering RNA treatment down‐regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p53 and TSP‐1, and attenuated apoptosis induced by H/R in HK‐2 cells. Conversely, over‐expression of GAS5 up‐regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p53 and TSP‐1, and promoted apoptosis in HK‐2 cells.ConclusionLong non‐coding RNA GAS5 induced by I/R injury could promote apoptosis in kidney. TSP‐1 might be one of the downstream effectors of GAS5, which will be explored in the future.
Qualitative study of women's experiences of safe childbirth in maternity care
Authors: Rönnerhag Maria , Severinsson Elisabeth , Haruna Megumi , Berggren Ingela 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFew studies have focused on women's childbirth experiences in relation to patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of safety as a process phenomenon by outlining women's positive and negative experiences of safety in childbirth. A descriptive explorative design was chosen and 16 interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was used. One main theme emerged: safe childbirth through involvement and guidance, based on four subthemes. The characteristics of women's experiences of safe childbirth included the need to be informed and involved by sharing and receiving trustworthy information. Women's experiences of unsafe childbirth included lack of meaningful and trustworthy information that resulted in feelings of being misled or lulled into a false sense of security. Not being involved evoked feelings of being ignored. In conclusion, this study highlights issues of importance for safe maternity care. The perspectives of childbearing women can contribute to an understanding of how to achieve meaningful improvements to provide safer maternity care.
Interrupted versus uninterrupted novel oral anticoagulant peri‐implantation of cardiac device: A single‐center randomized prospective pilot trial
Authors: Ricciardi Danilo , Creta Antonio , Colaiori Iginio , Scordino Domenico , Ragni Laura , Picarelli Francesco , Calabrese Vito , Providência Rui , Ioannou Adam , Di Sciascio Germano 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundMany patients requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation are on long‐term oral anticoagulant therapy. While continuation of warfarin has been shown to be safe and reduce bleeding complications compared to interruption of warfarin therapy and heparin bridging, it is not known which novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) regimen (interrupted vs uninterrupted) is better in this setting.MethodsOne‐hundred and one patients were randomized to receive CIED implantation with either interrupted or uninterrupted/continuous NOAC therapy before surgery. No heparin was used in either treatment arm. The primary end‐point was the presence of a clinically significant pocket hematoma after CIED implantation. The secondary end‐point was a composite of other major bleeding events, device‐related infection, thrombotic events, and device‐related admission length postdevice implantation.ResultsBoth treatment groups were equally balanced for baseline variables and concomitant medications. One clinically significant pocket hematoma occurred in the uninterrupted NOAC group and none in the interrupted group (P = 0.320). There was no difference in other bleeding complications. No thrombotic events were observed in either of the two groups.ConclusionsDespite the paucity of bleeding events, data from this pilot study suggest that uninterrupted NOAC therapy for CIED implantation appears to be as safe as NOAC interruption and does not increase bleeding complications.
RNAi‐suppression of barley caffeic acidO‐methyltransferase modifies lignin despite redundancy in the gene family
Authors: Daly Paul , McClellan Christopher , Maluk Marta , Oakey Helena , Lapierre Catherine , Waugh Robbie , Stephens Jennifer , Marshall David , Barakate Abdellah , Tsuji Yukiko , Goeminne Geert , Vanholme Ruben , Boerjan Wout , Ralph John , Halpin Claire 
Published: August 2018

SummaryCaffeic acid O‐methyltransferase(COMT), the lignin biosynthesis gene modified in many brown‐midrib high‐digestibility mutants of maize and sorghum, was targeted for downregulation in the small grain temperate cereal, barley (Hordeum vulgare), to improve straw properties. Phylogenetic and expression analyses identified the barleyCOMTorthologue(s) expressed in stems, defining a larger gene family than in brachypodium or rice with threeCOMTgenes expressed in lignifying tissues.RNAi significantly reduced stemCOMTprotein and enzyme activity, and modestly reduced stem lignin content while dramatically changing lignin structure. Lignin syringyl‐to‐guaiacyl ratio was reduced by ~50%, the 5‐hydroxyguaiacyl (5‐OH‐G) unit incorporated into lignin at 10‐–15‐fold higher levels than normal, and the amount ofp‐coumaric acid ester‐linked to cell walls was reduced by ~50%. No brown‐midrib phenotype was observed in anyRNAi line despite significantCOMTsuppression and altered lignin. The novelCOMTgene family structure in barley highlights the dynamic nature of grass genomes. Redundancy in barleyCOMTs may explain the absence of brown‐midrib mutants in barley and wheat. The barleyCOMT RNAi lines nevertheless have the potential to be exploited for bioenergy applications and as animal feed.
Time‐specific and pleiotropic quantitative trait loci coordinately modulate stem growth in Populus
Authors: Du Qingzhang , Yang Xiaohui , Xie Jianbo , Quan Mingyang , Xiao Liang , Lu Wenjie , Tian Jiaxing , Gong Chenrui , Chen Jinhui , Li Bailian , Zhang Deqiang 
Published: August 2018

SummaryIn perennial woody plants, the coordinated increase of stem height and diameter during juvenile growth improves competitiveness (i.e. access to light); however, the factors underlying variation in stem growth remain unknown in trees. Here, we used linkage‐linkage disequilibrium (linkage‐LD) mapping to decipher the genetic architecture underlying three growth traits during juvenile stem growth. We used two Populus populations: a linkage mapping population comprising a full‐sib family of 1,200 progeny and an association mapping panel comprising 435 unrelated individuals from nearly the entire natural range of Populus tomentosa. We mapped 311 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for three growth traits at 12 timepoints to 42 regions in 17 linkage groups. Of these, 28 regions encompassing 233 QTL were annotated as 27 segmental homology regions (SHRs). Using SNPs identified by whole‐genome re‐sequencing of the 435‐member association mapping panel, we identified significant SNPs (P ≤ 9.4 × 10−7) within 27 SHRs that affect stem growth at nine timepoints with diverse additive and dominance patterns, and these SNPs exhibited complex allelic epistasis over the juvenile growth period. Nineteen genes linked to potential causative alleles that have time‐specific or pleiotropic effects, and mostly overlapped with significant signatures of selection within SHRs between climatic regions represented by the association mapping panel. Five genes with potential time‐specific effects showed species‐specific temporal expression profiles during the juvenile stages of stem growth in five representative Populus species. Our observations revealed the importance of considering temporal genetic basis of complex traits, which will facilitate the molecular design of tree ideotypes.
An apple sucrose transporter MdSUT2.2 is a phosphorylation target for protein kinase MdCIPK22 in response to drought
Authors: Ma Qi‐Jun , Sun Mei‐Hong , Lu Jing , Kang Hui , You Chun‐Xiang , Hao Yu‐Jin 
Published: August 2018

SummarySugars increase with drought stress in plants and accumulate in the vacuole. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying this process is not clear yet. In this study, protein interaction and phosphorylation experiments were conducted for sucrose transporter and CIPK kinase in apple. The specific phosphorylation site of sucrose transporter was identified with mass spectrometry. Transgenic analyses were performed to characterize their biological function. It was found that overexpression of sucrose transporter gene MdSUT2.2 in apple plants promoted sugar accumulation and drought tolerance. MdSUT2.2 protein was phosphorylated at Ser381 site in response to drought. A DUALmembrane system using MdSUT2.2 as bait through an apple cDNA library got a protein kinase MdCIPK22. Bimolecular fluorescence complementary (BiFC), pull‐down and co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) assays further demonstrated that MdCIPK22 interacted with MdSUT2.2. A series of transgenic analysis showed that MdCIPK22 was required for the drought‐induced phosphylation at Ser381 site of MdSUT2.2 protein, and that it enhanced the stability and transport activity of MdSUT2.2 protein. Finally, it was found that MdCIPK22 overexpression promoted sugar accumulation and improved drought tolerance in an MdSUT2.2‐dependent manner in transgenic apple plants. MdCIPK22‐MdSUT2.2 regulatory module shed light on the molecular mechanism by which plant accumulates sugars and enhances tolerance in response to drought stress.
When 2 × 4 is meaningful: the N400 and P300 reveal operand format effects in multiplication verification
Authors: Dickson Danielle S. , Cerda Vanessa R. , Beavers Rosemary N. , Ruiz Andres , Castañeda Ricardo , Wicha Nicole Y.Y. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractArithmetic problems share many surface‐level features with typical sentences. They assert information about the world, and readers can evaluate this information for sensibility by consulting their memories as the statement unfolds. When people encounter the solution to the problem 3 × 4, the brain elicits a robust ERP effect as a function of answer expectancy (12 being the expected completion; 15 being unexpected). Initially, this was labeled an N400 effect, implying that semantic memory had been accessed. Subsequent work suggested instead that the effect was driven by a target P300 to the correct solutions. The current study manipulates operand format to differentially promote access to language‐based semantic representations of arithmetic. Operands were presented either as spoken number words or as sequential Arabic numerals. The critical solution was always an Arabic numeral. In Experiment 1, the correctness of solutions preceded by spoken operands modulated N400 amplitude, whereas solutions preceded by Arabic numerals elicited a P300 for correct problems. In Experiment 2, using only spoken operands, the delay between the second operand and the Arabic numeral solution was manipulated to determine if additional processing time would result in a P300. With a longer delay, an earlier N400 and no distinct P300 were observed. In brief, highly familiar digit operands promoted target detection, whereas spoken numbers promoted semantic level processing—even when solution format itself was held constant. This provides evidence that the brain can process arithmetic fact information at different levels of representational meaningfulness as a function of symbolic format.