bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosing acute appendicitis: surgery or imaging?
Authors: van Rossem C. C. , Bolmers M. D. M. , Schreinemacher M. H. F. , Bemelman W. A. , van Geloven A. A. W. , Pinkney T. D. , Bhangu A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimInvestigation of suspected appendicitis varies widely across different countries, which creates variation in outcome for patients. Use of imaging drives much of this variation, with concerns over delay of imaging and radiation exposure of computed tomography being balanced against the risks of unnecessary surgery.MethodTwo national, prospective snapshot audits (UK n = 3326 and Netherlands n = 1934) reported investigation, management and outcome of appendicectomy and can be compared to generate treatment recommendations.ResultsPreoperative imaging was conducted in 32.8% of UK patients in contrast to 99.5% of patients in the Netherlands. A large difference in the normal appendicectomy rate was observed (20.6% in the UK vs 3.2% in the Netherlands) and the connection between these two outcome differences cannot be neglected.ConclusionThis article discusses the role of imaging in the diagnostic work‐up of patients who are suspected of acute appendicitis, comparing national snapshot studies as a model to do so.
Risk of colorectal adenomas, advanced adenomas and cancer in patients with colonic diverticular disease: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jaruvongvanich Veeravich , Sanguankeo Anawin , Wijarnpreecha Karn , Upala Sikarin 
Published: July 2016

Background and AimDiverticular disease and colorectal neoplasia are common digestive disorders worldwide. Both diseases share epidemiological trends and certain risk factors including advancing age, physical inactivity, and Western diet and lifestyle. Studies assessing the association between these diseases reported inconsistent results. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the association between diverticular disease and colorectal adenomas, advanced adenomas and cancer.MethodsA comprehensive search of the databases MEDLINE and EMBASE was done from inception through March 2016. Inclusion criterion was the observational studies’ assessment of the association between diverticular disease and colorectal neoplasia in adult participants. Pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effect.ResultsData were extracted from 14 observational studies (11 cross‐sectional studies, one case–control study and two cohort studies). Diverticular disease was associated with increased odds of adenomas (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.27–2.21, 10 studies), but not associated with advanced adenomas (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 0.88–1.62, I2 = 52%, four studies) or colorectal cancer (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 0.47–3.92, I2 = 98%, seven studies).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis demonstrated that diverticular disease was associated with colorectal adenomas. Colonoscopists should be aware of this association and carefully examine the entire large bowel in individuals with diverticulosis.
IGF‐1 and NT‐proBNP in a black and white population: The SABPA study
Authors: Koegelenberg Anna S. E. , Smith Wayne , Schutte Rudolph , Schutte Aletta E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundBlack populations exhibit lower concentrations of the cardioprotective peptide, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), and are more prone to develop hypertensive heart disease than whites. We therefore determined whether lower IGF‐1 in black individuals relates to a marker of cardiac overload and systolic dysfunction, namely N‐terminal prohormone B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP).Materials and methodsWe included 160 black and 195 white nondiabetic South African men and women (aged 44·4 ± 9·81 years) and measured ambulatory blood pressure, NT‐proBNP, IGF‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3).ResultsAlthough the black group presented elevated ambulatory blood pressure accompanied by lower IGF‐1 compared to the white group (all P < 0·001), we found similar NT‐proBNP concentrations (P = 0·72). Furthermore, in blacks we found a link between NT‐proBNP and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (R2 = 0·37; β = 0·28; P < 0·001), but not with IGF‐1. In the white group, NT‐proBNP was inversely associated with IGF‐1 (R2 = 0·39; β = −0·22; P < 0·001) after adjusting for covariates and potential confounders. As IGF‐1 is attenuated in diabetes, we added the initially excluded patients with diabetes (n = 38), and the aforementioned associations remained robust.ConclusionContrary to the white group, we found no association between NT‐proBNP and IGF‐1 in black adults. Our findings suggest that SBP and other factors may play a greater contributory role in cardiac pathology in blacks.
Spatially resolved time‐frequency analysis of odour coding in the insect antennal lobe
Authors: Paoli Marco , Weisz Nathan , Antolini Renzo , Haase Albrecht 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAntennal lobes constitute the first neurophils in the insect brain involved in coding and processing of olfactory information. With their stereotyped functional and anatomical organization, they provide an accessible model with which to investigate information processing of an external stimulus in a neural network in vivo. Here, by combining functional calcium imaging with time‐frequency analysis, we have been able to monitor the oscillatory components of neural activity upon olfactory stimulation. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of stimulus‐induced oscillatory patterns in the honeybee antennal lobe, and to analyse the distribution of those patterns across the antennal lobe glomeruli. Fast two‐photon calcium imaging reveals the presence of low‐frequency oscillations, the intensity of which is perturbed by an incoming stimulus. Moreover, analysis of the spatial arrangement of this activity indicates that it is not homogeneous throughout the antennal lobe. On the contrary, each glomerulus displays an odorant‐specific time‐frequency profile, and acts as a functional unit of the oscillatory activity. The presented approach allows simultaneous recording of complex activity patterns across several nodes of the antennal lobe, providing the means to better understand the network dynamics regulating olfactory coding and leading to perception.
Cocaine abstinence induces emotional impairment and brain region‐specific upregulation of the oxytocin receptor binding
Authors: Georgiou Polymnia , Zanos Panos , Hourani Susanna , Kitchen Ian , Bailey Alexis 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe key problem in treating cocaine addiction is the maintenance of a drug‐free state as negative emotional symptoms during abstinence often trigger relapse. The mechanisms underpinning the emotional dysregulation during abstinence are currently not well‐understood. There is evidence suggesting a role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in the modulation of drug addiction processes. However, its involvement during long‐term abstinence from cocaine use remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to behaviourally characterize a mouse model of long‐term cocaine withdrawal and assess the effect of chronic cocaine administration and long‐term cocaine abstinence on the central oxytocinergic system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Fourteen‐day escalating‐dose cocaine administration (3 × 15–30 mg/kg/day) and 14‐day withdrawal increased plasma corticosterone levels and oxytocin receptor (OTR) binding in piriform cortex, lateral septum and amygdala. A specific cocaine withdrawal‐induced increase in OTR binding was observed in the medial septum. These biochemical alterations occurred concomitantly with the emergence of memory impairment, contextual psychomotor sensitization and an anhedonic and anxiogenic phenotype during withdrawal. Our study established a clear relationship between cocaine abstinence and emotional impairment in a novel translationally relevant model of cocaine withdrawal and demonstrated for the first time brain region‐specific neuroadaptations of the oxytocin system, which may contribute to abstinence‐induced negative emotional state.
Quartz Reference Materials for Oxygen Isotope Analysis by SIMS
Authors: Seitz Susanne , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Bouvier Anne‐Sophie , Putlitz Benita , Vennemann Torsten 
Published: July 2016

Two quartz samples of igneous origin, UNIL‐Q1 (Torres del Paine Intrusion, Chile) and BGI‐Q1 (Shandong province, China), were calibrated for their oxygen isotope composition for SIMS measurements. UNIL‐Q1 and BGI‐Q1 were evaluated for homogeneity using SIMS. Their reference δ18O values were determined by CO2 laser fluorination. The average δ18O value found for UNIL‐Q1 is 9.8 ± 0.06‰ and that for BGI‐Q1 is 7.7 ± 0.11‰ (1s). The intermediate measurement precision of SIMS oxygen isotope measurements was 0.32–0.41‰ (2s; UNIL‐Q1) and 0.40–0.48‰ (2s; BGI‐Q1), respectively. While less homogeneous in its oxygen isotope composition, BGI‐Q1 is also suitable for SIMS trace element measurements.
Chromosomal location of the DnaA‐reactivating sequence DARS2 is important to regulate timely initiation of DNA replication in Escherichia coli
Authors: Inoue Yukie , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Kasho Kazutoshi , Fujimitsu Kazuyuki , Oshima Taku , Katayama Tsutomu 
Published: July 2016

In Escherichia coli, the initiator protein ATP‐DnaA promotes initiation of chromosome replication in a timely manner. After initiation, DnaA‐bound ATP is hydrolyzed to yield ADP‐DnaA, which is inactive in initiation. DnaA‐reactivating sequences (DARS1 and DARS2) on the chromosome have predominant roles in catalysis of nucleotide exchange, producing ATP‐DnaA from ADP‐DnaA, which is prerequisite for timely initiation. Both DARS sequences have a core region containing a cluster of three DnaA‐binding sites. DARS2 is more effective in vivo than DARS1, and timely activation of DARS2 depends on binding of two nucleoid‐associated proteins, IHF and Fis. DARS2 is located centrally between the chromosomal replication origin oriC and the terminus region terC. We constructed mutants in which DARS2 was translocated to several chromosomal loci, including sites proximal to oriC and to terC. Replication initiation was inhibited in cells in which DARS2 was translocated to terC‐proximal sites when the cells were grown at 42 °C, although overall binding efficiency of IHF and Fis to the translocated DARS2 was not affected. Inhibition was largely sustained even in cells lacking MatP, a DNA‐binding protein responsible for terC‐specific subchromosomal structure. These results suggest that functional regulation of DARS2 is correlated with its chromosomal location under certain conditions.
Fusion gene profile of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma: an analysis of 44 cases
Authors: Fritchie Karen J , Jin Long , Wang Xiaoke , Graham Rondell P , Torbenson Michael S , Lewis Jean E , Rivera Michael , Garcia Joaquin J , Schembri‐Wismayer David J , Westendorf Jennifer J , Chou Margaret M , Dong Jie , Oliveira Andre M 
Published: July 2016

AimsBiphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (SNS) is a locally aggressive tumour that occurs in the sinonasal region. PAX3–MAML3 has recently been identified as a recurrent fusion gene event in this entity; however, a subset of tumours harbour alternative PAX3 rearrangement without the involvement of MAML3. In this study we sought to characterize the molecular profile of a large series of cases, with a special emphasis on tumours with alternative fusions.Methods and resultsForty‐four examples of SNS were screened by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to better characterize its molecular profile and identify potential novel fusion genes. Twenty‐four were positive for PAX3–MAML3 (55%), 15 showed rearrangements of PAX3 without MAML3 involvement (34%), one showed rearrangement of MAML3 without PAX3 involvement, and four were negative for the involvement of either gene (9%). Among 15 cases with PAX3 involvement only, three were found to harbour PAX3–FOXO1. Two of these cases arose in the nasal cavities of female patients (aged 31 and 47 years), and one showed bilateral involvement of the nasal cavities of a 35‐year‐old male. A fourth case involved the skull base of a 47‐year‐old male, and was positive for PAX3–NCOA1. Patients with fusion‐negative tumours were slightly older.ConclusionMore than half of the SNSs in this series were positive for PAX3–MAML3. However, a subset of tumours may harbour alternative PAX3 fusion genes or show no involvement of PAX3. Except for a possible weak association between age and molecular profile, the overall morphological and immunophenotypic features of all cases seem to be similar. Because of the rarity of these tumours, the impact of the molecular profile on the clinical course of these tumours remains to be determined.
Preliminary performance data of the RHE/IL‐18 assay performed on SkinEthic™RHE for the identification of contact sensitizers
Authors: Andres E. , Barry M. , Hundt A. , Dini C. , Corsini E. , Gibbs S. , Roggen E. L. , Ferret P.‐J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the performances of the RHE/IL‐18 assay using the SkinEthic™ RHE model for the identification of contact sensitizers.MethodsA set of 18 substances and mixtures was tested on this epidermal model, following the RHE/IL‐18 protocol. The final results of the assay were obtained following 5 interpretation schemes, to determine the optimal prediction model for this assay with this specific test system. The data were analysed with a special focus on the basal level of IL‐18 release and on the performance obtained with respect to three different gold standards: LLNA, HRIPT and an integrated reference, constructed from all available results.ResultsNo important differences were found in the performance levels depending on the three gold standards. The performances obtained with the SkinEthic™ RHE model support that this model may be considered as an alternative to different reconstructed epidermis models (EpiDERM™, EpiCS™ and VUMC‐EE) for the performance of RHE/IL‐18 assays.ConclusionThe prediction model to be used was refined, and more substances have to be tested in order to gather enough data for this evaluation and to determine the right criteria applicable for this assay using the SkinEthic™ RHE test system.
Deoxyribonucleic acid telomere length shortening can predict the incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ping Fan , Li Zeng‐yi , Lv Ke , Zhou Mei‐cen , Dong Ya‐xiu , Sun Qi , Li Yu‐xiu 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo investigate the effect of telomere shortening and other predictive factors of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a 6‐year prospective cohort study.Materials and MethodsA total of 70 type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 57.8 ± 6.7 years) patients without NAFLD were included in the study, and 64 of them were successfully followed up 6 years later, excluding four cases with significant alcohol consumption. NAFLD was diagnosed by the hepatorenal ratio obtained by a quantitative ultrasound method using NIH image analysis software. The 39 individuals that developed NAFLD were allocated to group A, and the 21 individuals that did not develop NAFLD were allocated to group B. Fluorescent real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure telomere length.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline telomere length; however, at the end of the 6th year, telomere length had become shorter in group A compared with group B. There were significant differences between these two groups in baseline body mass index, waistline, systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin and fasting C‐peptide level. In addition, the estimated indices of baseline insulin resistance increased in group A. Fasting insulin level, body mass index, systolic blood pressure at baseline and the shortening of telomere length were independent risk factors of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.ConclusionsTelomere length became shorter in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who developed NAFLD over the course of 6 years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who developed NAFLD had more serious insulin resistance compared with those who did not develop NAFLD a long time ago.
Molecular Structures and Coding Genes of the Water‐Borne Protein Pheromones of Euplotes petzi, an Early Diverging Polar Species of Euplotes
Authors: Pedrini Bill , Suter‐Stahel Thea , Vallesi Adriana , Alimenti Claudio , Luporini Pierangelo 
Published: July 2016

AbstractEuplotes is diversified into dozens of widely distributed species that produce structurally homologous families of water‐borne protein pheromones governing self‐/nonself‐recognition phenomena. Structures of pheromones and pheromone coding genes have so far been studied from species lying in different positions of the Euplotes phylogenetic tree. We have now cloned the coding genes and determined the NMR molecular structure of four pheromones isolated from Euplotes petzi, a polar species which is phylogenetically distant from previously studied species and forms the deepest branching clade in the tree. The E. petzi pheromone genes have significantly shorter sequences than in other congeners, lack introns, and encode products of only 32 amino acids. Likewise, the three‐dimensional structure of the E. petzi pheromones is markedly simpler than the three‐helix up‐down‐up architecture previously determined in another polar species, Euplotes nobilii, and in a temperate‐water species, Euplotes raikovi. Although sharing the same up‐down‐up architecture, it includes only two short α‐helices that find their topological counterparts with the second and third helices of the E. raikovi and E. nobilii pheromones. The overall picture that emerges is that the evolution of Euplotes pheromones involves progressive increases in the gene sequence length and in the complexity of the three‐dimensional molecular structure.
Carp edema virus in Polish aquaculture – evidence of significant sequence divergence and a new lineage in common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.)
Authors: Matras M , Borzym E , Stone D , Way K , Stachnik M , Maj‐Paluch J , Palusińska M , Reichert M 
Published: July 2016

AbstractFish samples initially collected by local veterinarians on the common and koi carp farms in Poland between 2013 and 2015 as part of a KHV surveillance programme, when the water temperature was between 16 and 26 °C, and were also tested for CEV by qPCR. A partial 478 nucleotide fragment of the 4a gene was subsequently generated from 17 qPCR‐positive common carp Cyprinus carpio samples from 36 farm sites tested during the period. Sequence alignments and analysis revealed the presence of CEV in Poland both in common carp as well as in koi carp farms, and phylogenetic analysis assigned the Polish CEV sequences into three distinct genogroups. A lineage which includes the original sequences obtained from koi carp in Japan (genogroup II) included sequences from both koi carp and common carp, and the second lineage (genogroup I) contained sequences from common carp only. A third lineage (genogroup III) which was more closely related to the genogroup II also consisted of sequences from common carp only. The latter represents a lineage of CEV not previously described in the literature.
WSSV envelope protein VP51B links structural protein complexes and may mediate virus infection
Authors: Lee Y J , Chen L L 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWhite spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an enveloped double‐stranded DNA virus, is the causative agent of a disease that has led to severe mortalities of cultured shrimps in Taiwan and many other countries. In the previous study, Penaeus monodon chitin‐binding protein (CBP) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), two cell membrane proteins, were found to at least interact with other 10 WSSV envelope proteins including VP51B. These envelope proteins might form a protein complex. According to the known information, VP51B was used to identify its role in the protein complex. Western blotting of the intact viral particles and fractionation of the viral components confirmed that VP51B is one of WSSV envelope proteins. In this study, the protein–protein interaction between VP51B and other WSSV envelope proteins was identified by far‐western blot experiment and VP51B was found to interact with VP24, VP31, VP32, VP39B and VP41A. Furthermore, the in vivo neutralization experiment using recombinant VP51B plus with VP39B showed the best inhibition. These data indicate that VP51B participates in the WSSV protein complex and plays an important role in WSSV infection.
Location Optimization of Urban Mining Facilities with Maximal Covering Model in GIS: A Case of China
Authors: Xue Yanyan , Wen Zongguo , Ji Xiaoli , Bressers Hans Th. A. , Zhang Chenkai 
Published: July 2016

SummaryUrban mining offers an efficient supply of resources because of rich mines and low environmental impacts. Location selection and optimization for urban mining facilities is more complicated than for natural mines, given that it may vary according to the urban population, consumption habits, and economic development. China initiated the National Urban Mining Pilot Bases program in 2010 that targeted 50 national urban mining pilot bases, but unfortunately neglected the location planning issue. Twenty‐eight bases have already been selected, which are concentrated in the central and eastern areas of China. This article combines the use of analytic hierarchy process, maximal covering location model, and geographical information systems (GIS) software to optimize locations for China's urban mining pilot bases. Primary findings show that, theoretically, 40 urban mining pilot bases can sufficiently provide maximum gross domestic product (GDP) and population coverage service for China. Taking the current 28 bases as a precondition and 50 bases as the remaining policy target, our second optimization results in a list of 22 cities for the location selection of future urban mining pilot bases. In total, the optimized 22 cities, together with the selected 28 bases, can provide a maximum 97.5% of GDP and 95.1% of population coverage in China. This study illustrates the optimization process for urban mining recycling facilities in general and provides policy advice for China in a specific case.
Southern Chile's Archipelago of Chiloé: Shifting Identities in a New Economy
Authors: Daughters Anton 
Published: July 2016

ResumenEste artículo examina la historia del Archipiélago de Chiloé del sur de Chile. Se enfatizan los cambios económicos de los últimos cuarenta años, en particular el cambio del trabajo rural de subsistencia al trabajo asalariado, y el impacto que éste ha tenido en cómo los isleños hablan de sí mismos y de su cultura. El argumento de este artículo está enmarcado en la literatura de identidad, sugiriendo una aproximación conceptual de identidad que incorpora los elementos del esencialismo y del constructivismo. [Chile, globalización, historia, identidad]
Productive Work as Political Action: Daily Practices of Struggle and Work in a Recovered Factory
Authors: Álvarez María Inés Fernández 
Published: July 2016

ResumenConocidas como empresas recuperadas, durante los últimos 10 años se desarrollaron en Argentina experiencias de gestión colectiva del trabajo a partir de la ocupación de fábricas por sus trabajadores. Este artículo revisa una investigación etnográfica que desarrollé en Buenos Aires entre 2002 y 2005, cuando se registró el mayor número de casos. El estudio de las prácticas cotidianas de los trabajadores evidenció cambios en los ritmos y actividades del día de trabajo. Como resultado el “lugar de trabajo” se convirtió en un “espacio de lucha” y al mismo tiempo las acciones de lucha se organización y significaron como “lugar de trabajo”. A partir de un caso particular, analizo como las actividades productivas se articularon en acciones de protesta sugiriendo que la recuperación tomó la forma de una acción política anclada en el trabajo productivo. Discuto las implicancias de esta articulación en la redefinición de las relaciones entre los trabajadores. [Argentina, movimientos sociales, trabajo]