bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minimizing injury to the donor area in follicular unit extraction (FUE) harvesting
Authors: Zontos Georgios , Williams Ken L. , Nikiforidis George 
Published: August 2016

SummaryBackgroundFollicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure, and the injury to the donor area caused by a sharp punch may result in dermal fibrosis and clinically observed hypopigmentation.ObjectiveTo evaluate with advanced image processing the efficacy of using 0.9% normal saline in minimizing the injury to the donor area in FUE donor harvesting.Patients and methodsThe term acute extraction (AE) is used to describe the donor harvesting technique, whereby a follicular unit (FU) is removed with a punch that is aligned parallel with the exit angle of the hair follicle. The term vertical extraction (VE) describes the technique where a FU is removed in like manner, but normal saline is injected intradermally prior to harvesting so the punch being perpendicular to the skin. Thirty‐five patients were selected for this study to apply both harvesting techniques and then to compare the differences in wound surface size and skin mass removed by the punch.ResultsA significant reduction in the mean values of wound surface and skin mass was recorded in vertical extraction compared to those in acute extraction.ConclusionThe injection of normal saline prior to harvesting proved to be very efficient in minimizing skin injury in FUE harvesting.
Immunologic characteristics of human gingival fibroblasts in response to oral bacteria
Authors: Jang J. Y. , Song I.‐S. , Baek K. J. , Choi Y. , Ji S. 
Published: August 2016

Background and ObjectiveThere is ample evidence that gingival fibroblasts (GFs) participate in the immune response to oral bacteria and serve as immune‐regulatory cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the innate immune response of GFs to oral bacteria.Material and MethodsHuman GFs were cocultured with relatively less‐pathogenic (Leptotrichia wadei, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Campylobacter gracilis) and pathogenic red‐complex bacteria. The expression of mRNA for antimicrobial peptides [AMPs; namely human beta defensins (HBDs)], chemokines with antimicrobial activity [chemokine C‐X‐C motif (CXCL)10, CXCL11 and chemokine C‐C motif ligand 20 (CCL20)] and proinflammatory mediators [interleukin (IL)6 and IL8] and the levels of CXCL11, CCL20, IL‐6 and IL‐8 accumulated in supernatants were analyzed using real‐time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The proteolytic activities of CXCL11, CCL20, IL‐6 and IL‐8 produced by six species of bacteria were also determined.ResultsThe relatively less‐pathogenic bacteria strongly up‐regulated the expression of antimicrobial chemokines and proinflammatory mediators, whereas the red‐complex bacteria stimulated low levels, or often suppressed, expression of these factors. Regarding the regulation of AMPs, the inhibition of HBD3, HBD106 and HBD107 mRNAs by Porphyromonas gingivalis was noticeable; however, differences between the two bacterial groups were not conspicuous. Differential degradation of proteins by the six bacterial species was observed: P. gingivalis and Treponema denticola degraded proteins well, whereas the other species degraded proteins to a relatively lower degree.ConclusionThe invasion of red‐complex bacteria into gingival connective tissue can suppress the immune response of GFs and can be a source of persistent infection in connective tissue.
Veteran Use of Health Care Systems in Rural States: Comparing VA and Non‐VA Health Care Use Among Privately Insured Veterans Under Age 65
Authors: Charlton Mary E. , Mengeling Michelle A. , Schlichting Jennifer A. , Jiang Lan , Turvey Carolyn , Trivedi Amal N. , Kizer Kenneth W. , West Alan N. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify use of VA and non‐VA care among working‐age veterans with private insurance by linking VA data to private health insurance plan (PHIP) data.MethodsDemographics and utilization were compared between dual users of VA and non‐VA systems versus single‐system users for veterans < 65 living in 2 rural Midwestern states concurrently enrolled in VA health care and a PHIP for ≥ 1 complete federal fiscal year from 2000 to 2010. Chi‐square and t‐tests were used for univariate analyses. VA reliance was computed as the percentage of visits, admissions and prescriptions in VA. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare characteristics by dual use versus non‐VA only or VA only use.ResultsOf 16,330 eligible veterans, 54% used both VA and non‐VA services, 39% used non‐VA only, and 5% used VA only. Compared with single‐system use, dual use was associated with older age, priority levels 1‐4, service‐connected conditions, rural residence, greater years of study eligibility, and enrollment in the PHIP before VA. VA reliance was 33% for outpatient care, 14% for inpatient, and 40% for pharmacy. PHIP data substantially underestimated VA use compared to VA data; 26% who used VA health care had no VA claims in the PHIP dataset.ConclusionsOver half of working‐age veterans enrolled in VA and private insurance used services in both systems. Care coordination efforts across systems should include veterans of all ages, particularly rural veterans more likely to be dual users, and better methods are needed to identify veterans with private insurance and their private providers.
Proteomic Analysis of Proteins Related to Homozygotic Sterility Derived from Gynogenesis in the Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Jiang Hong B. , Bao Jie , Zhang Xiao Y. , Wang, Gui X. , Liu Hai J. , Jiang Li , Han Ying 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDouble haploid (DH) fishes produced by gynogenesis are ideal research subjects. However, the fertility of DH female fishes is often compromised because of irregularities in their reproductive development, which frequently restricts them from producing progeny and, consequently, limits their use in research. This study compared differentially expressed proteins between fertile and infertile DH Japanese flounders, Paralichthys olivaceus. We identified 42 proteins from 1600 validated, reproducible protein spots using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Among the candidate proteins, vitellogenin 1, scaffold attachment factor B2, and nucleobindin 1 were downregulated in the gonads of infertile fishes, compared with those of fertile controls. In addition, several calcium‐binding proteins such as EF‐hand calcium‐binding domain‐containing protein 3, EF‐hand calcium‐binding domain‐containing protein 4B, and basonuclin 2 were also downregulated in infertile fishes. These candidate proteins provide important information for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying homozygotic infertility.
Transcription factor PRO1 targets genes encoding conserved components of fungal developmental signaling pathways
Authors: Steffens Eva Katharina , Becker Kordula , Krevet Sabine , Teichert Ines , Kück Ulrich 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThe filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora is a model system to study multicellular development during fruiting body formation. Previously, we demonstrated that this major process in the sexual life cycle is controlled by the Zn(II)2Cys6 zinc cluster transcription factor PRO1. Here, we further investigated the genome‐wide regulatory network controlled by PRO1 by employing chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with next‐generation sequencing (ChIP‐seq) to identify binding sites for PRO1. We identified several target regions that occur in the promoter regions of genes encoding components of diverse signaling pathways. Furthermore, we identified a conserved DNA‐binding motif that is bound specifically by PRO1 in vitro. In addition, PRO1 controls in vivo the expression of a DsRed reporter gene under the control of the esdC target gene promoter. Our ChIP‐seq data suggest that PRO1 also controls target genes previously shown to be involved in regulating the pathways controlling cell wall integrity, NADPH oxidase and pheromone signaling. Our data point to PRO1 acting as a master regulator of genes for signaling components that comprise a developmental cascade controlling fruiting body formation.
Oral iron supplementation with sodium ferrous citrate reduces the serum intact and c‐terminal fibroblast growth factor 23 levels of maintenance haemodialysis patients
Authors: Yamashita Kazuomi , Mizuiri Sonoo , Nishizawa Yoshiko , Kenichiro Shigemoto , Doi Shigehiro , Masaki Takao 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTAimIron deficiency stimulates fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) transcription. This study aimed to determine whether oral ferrous iron (Fe2+) reduces the serum FGF23 levels of iron‐deficient maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients in the same way as oral ferric iron (Fe3+)MethodsThirty‐one MHD patients with iron deficiency were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients who had taken iron supplements during the 8 weeks before the study were excluded. The patients’ iron stores and their serum FGF23, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), albumin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and albumin‐adjusted calcium (Ca) levels were examined at the baseline and after 3 months’ treatment with sodium ferrous citrate (Fe2+).ResultsThe patients’ transferrin saturation values and serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly increased after 3 months’ treatment (P < 0.01), as were their serum albumin levels (P < 0.05). Conversely, their serum intact FGF23 (iFGF23) [1820 (342–4370) vs 1240 (214–2940) pg/mL, P < 0.05], C‐terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) [309 (120–1211) vs 259 (99–600) pg/mL, P < 0.05)], and CRP levels (P < 0.01) were significantly reduced after 3 months’ treatment. No changes were detected in the patients’ serum iFGF23:cFGF23 ratios or their serum phosphate, Ca, or iPTH levels. The changes in the patients’ serum iFGF23 and cFGF23 levels induced by sodium ferrous citrate supplementation were shown to be attributable to changes in their serum ferritin levels (P < 0.05).ConclusionShort‐term oral iron supplementation with sodium ferrous citrate replenished the iron stores and reduced the serum iFGF23 and cFGF23 levels of MHD patients with iron deficiency without affecting their serum phosphate, Ca, or iPTH levels.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities from tropical Africa reveal strong ecological structure
Authors: Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana , Teixeira Helena , Correia Marta , Timóteo Sérgio , Heleno Ruben , Öpik Maarja , Moora Mari 
Published: August 2016

SummaryUnderstanding the distribution and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the rules that governAMFassemblages has been hampered by a lack of data from natural ecosystems. In addition, the current knowledge onAMFdiversity is biased towards temperate ecosystems, whereas little is known about other habitats such as dry tropical ecosystems.We explored the diversity and structure ofAMFcommunities in grasslands, savannas, dry forests and miombo in a protected area under dry tropical climate (Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique) using 454 pyrosequencing.In total, 147AMFvirtual taxa (VT) were detected, including 22VTnew to science. We found a high turnover ofAMFwith ˂ 12% ofVTpresent in all vegetation types. Forested areas supported more diverseAMFcommunities than savannas and grassland. Miombo woodlands had the highestAMFrichness, number of novelVT, and number of exclusive and indicator taxa.Our data reveal a sharp differentiation ofAMFcommunities between forested areas and periodically flooded savannas and grasslands. This marked ecological structure ofAMFcommunities provides the first comprehensive landscape‐scale evidence that, at the background of globally low endemism ofAMF, local communities are shaped by regional processes including environmental filtering by edaphic properties and natural disturbance.
Free Trade versus Autarky under Asymmetric Cournot Oligopoly
Authors: Amir Rabah , Jin Jim Y. , Tröge Michael 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe paper compares free trade with autarky in an asymmetric multi‐country world under Cournot competition with constant returns to scale and linear demand. We derive respective conditions under which free trade will hurt a country's consumers, benefit its firms, induce it to export, increase its output and raise its welfare. We show that these conditions are linked in a clear order, with one implying the next. We further demonstrate that free trade can reduce world total output and total consumer surplus as well as world welfare. Along the way, we correct several oversights in the literature.
Incremental Hemodialysis: How I Do It
Authors: Golper Thomas A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIncremental hemodialysis (incrHD) is not widely used nor is it well understood. In addition, and perhaps with more impact, governmental regulations in the United States and their consequential influences on dialysis provider organizations have made the practice of incrHD more difficult than traditional thrice weekly in‐center HD. IncrHD is critically dependent on the amount of residual kidney function (RKF) as well as the individualized goals of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) management. RKF has to be assessed frequently and dialysis adjusted accordingly. Home HD lends itself to an incremental approach more so than in‐center HD. This may be due to more experience of the provider, more knowledge of the therapy by the patient and family, the availability of dialysis platforms conducive to incrHD, and/or that its less onerous regulation by the government. I have had a long and successful experience performing incremental dialysis (both peritoneal and hemodialysis) and share here my practice strategies and approaches for incrHD.
Pooled Nucleic Acid Amplification Test for Screening of Stool Specimens for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
Authors: Jassem Agatha N. , Chou Frank Y. , Yang Cathevine , Croxen Matthew A. , Pintar Katarina D. M. , Paccagnella Ana , Hoang Linda , Prystajecky Natalie 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC)-associated enteric illness is attributed to O157 and non-O157 serotypes; however, traditional culture-based methods underdetect non-O157 STEC. Labor and cost of consumables are major barriers to implementation of the CDC recommendation to test all stools for both O157 and non-O157 serotypes. We evaluated the feasibility of a pooled nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) as an approach for screening stool specimens for STEC. For retrospective evaluation, 300 stool specimens were used to create pools of 10 samples each. The sensitivity was 83% for the preenrichment pooling strategy and 100% for the postenrichment pooling strategy compared with those for individual NAAT results. The difference in cycle threshold (

C
T

) between individual and pooled NAAT results for specimens was significantly lower and more consistent for postenrichment pooling (
stx
1
mean = 3.90,
stx
2
mean = 4.28) than those for preenrichment pooling (excluding undetected specimens;
stx
1
mean = 9.34,
stx
2
mean = 8.96) (
P
≤ 0.0013). Cost of consumables and labor time savings of 48 to 81% and 6 to 66%, respectively, were estimated for the testing of 90 specimens by the postenrichment pooled NAAT strategy on the basis of an expected 1 to 2% positivity rate. A 30-day prospective head-to-head clinical trial involving 512 specimens confirmed the sensitivity and labor savings associated with the postenrichment pooled NAAT strategy. The postenrichment pooled NAAT strategy described here is suitable for efficient large-scale surveillance of all STEC serotypes. Comprehensive detection of STEC will result in accurate estimation of STEC burden and, consequently, appropriate public health interventions.
CD95 Signaling Inhibits B Cell Receptor-Mediated Gammaherpesvirus Replication in Apoptosis-Resistant B Lymphoma Cells
Authors: Tan Lingbing , Zhang Chaocan , Dematos Julien , Kuang Linlin , Jung Jae U. , Liang Xiaozhen 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTWhile CD95 is an apoptosis-inducing receptor and has emerged as a potential anticancer therapy target, mounting evidence shows that CD95 is also emerging as a tumor promoter by activating nonapoptotic signaling pathways. Gammaherpesviral infection is closely associated with lymphoproliferative diseases, including B cell lymphomas. The nonapoptotic function of CD95 in gammaherpesvirus-associated lymphomas is largely unknown. Here, we show that stimulation of CD95 agonist antibody drives the majority of sensitive gammaherpesvirus-transformed B cells to undergo caspase-dependent apoptosis and promotes the survival and proliferation of a subpopulation of apoptosis-resistant B cells. Surprisingly, CD95-mediated nonapoptotic signaling induced beta interferon (IFN-β) expression and correlatively inhibited B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated gammaherpesviral replication in the apoptosis-resistant lymphoma cells without influencing BCR signaling. Further analysis showed that IFN-β alone or synergizing with CD95 blocked the activation of lytic switch proteins and the gene expression of gammaherpesviruses. Our findings indicate that, independent of its apoptotic activity, CD95 signaling activity plays an important role in blocking viral replication in apoptosis-resistant, gammaherpesvirus-associated B lymphoma cells, suggesting a novel mechanism that indicates how host CD95 prototype death receptor controls the life cycle of gammaherpesviruses independent of its apoptotic activity.IMPORTANCEGammaherpesviruses are closely associated with lymphoid malignancies and other cancers. Viral replication and persistence strategies leading to cancer involve the activation of antiapoptotic and proliferation programs, as well as evasion of the host immune response. Here, we provide evidence that the stimulation of CD95 agonist antibody, mimicking one of the major mechanisms of cytotoxic T cell killing, inhibits B cell receptor-mediated gammaherpesviral replication in CD95 apoptosis-resistant lymphoma cells. CD95-induced type I interferon (IFN-β) contributes to the inhibition of gammaherpesviral replication. This finding sheds new light on the CD95 nonapoptotic function and provides a novel mechanism for gammaherpesviruses that helps them to escape host immune surveillance.
Monocytes but Not Lymphocytes Carrying HIV-1 on Their Surface Transmit Infection to Human TissueEx Vivo
Authors: Barreto-de-Souza Victor , Arakelyan Anush , Zicari Sonia , Margolis Leonid , Vanpouille Christophe 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTUnprotected sexual intercourse with HIV-infected men is the major cause of new infections. HIV virions are released into semen by various cells of the male genital tract, as well as by infected monocytes and lymphocytes present in semen. Some of these virions may attach to the surfaces of cells, infected or uninfected. We investigated whether cells carrying attached HIV on their surfaces can transmit infection. We addressed this question in a model system of human tissue exposedex vivoto monocytes and lymphocytes carrying HIV on their surfaces. We gamma irradiated the cells to prevent their productive infection. In spite of comparable amounts of HIV attached to monocytes and lymphocytes, only monocytes were capable of transmitting infection and triggering productive infection in tissue. This HIV-1 transmission was mediated by cell-cell contacts. Our experiments suggest thatin vivo, HIV attached to infected or uninfected monocytes, which far outnumber lymphocytes in HIV-infected semen, may contribute to sexual transmission of HIV from men to their partners.IMPORTANCEThe vast majority of new HIV infections occur through sexual transmission, in which HIV is transferred from the semen of an infected male to an uninfected partner. In semen, HIV-1 particles may exist as free-floating virions; inside infected cells; or attached to the surfaces of cells, whether they are infected or not. Here, we investigated whether HIV attached to the surfaces of monocytes or lymphocytes could transmit infection to human tissue. Incubation of human tissue with monocyte-attached HIV resulted in productive tissue infection. In contrast, there was no infection of tissues when they were incubated with lymphocyte-attached HIV-1. Our results highlight the important role that seminal monocytes may play in HIV transmissionin vivo, especially since monocytes far outnumber lymphocytes in the semen of HIV-infected individuals.
Pathogenicity and Transmission of H5 and H7 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in Mallards
Authors: Pantin-Jackwood Mary J. , Costa-Hurtado Mar , Shepherd Eric , DeJesus Eric , Smith Diane , Spackman Erica , Kapczynski Darrell R. , Suarez David L. , Stallknecht David E. , Swayne David E. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Wild aquatic birds have been associated with the intercontinental spread of H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 (Gs/GD) lineage during 2005, 2010, and 2014, but dispersion by wild waterfowl has not been implicated with spread of other HPAI viruses. To better understand why Gs/GD H5 HPAI viruses infect and transmit more efficiently in waterfowl than other HPAI viruses, groups of mallard ducks were challenged with one of 14 different H5 and H7 HPAI viruses, including a Gs/GD lineage H5N1 (clade 2.2) virus from Mongolia, part of the 2005 dispersion, and the H5N8 and H5N2 index HPAI viruses (clade 2.3.4.4) from the United States, part of the 2014 dispersion. All virus-inoculated ducks and contact exposed ducks became infected and shed moderate to high titers of the viruses, with the exception that mallards were resistant to Ck/Pennsylvania/83 and Ck/Queretaro/95 H5N2 HPAI virus infection. Clinical signs were only observed in ducks challenged with the H5N1 2005 virus, which all died, and with the H5N8 and H5N2 2014 viruses, which had decreased weight gain and fever. These three viruses were also shed in higher titers by the ducks, which could facilitate virus transmission and spread. This study highlights the possible role of wild waterfowl in the spread of HPAI viruses.

IMPORTANCE
The spread of H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the Gs/GD lineage by migratory waterfowl is a serious concern for animal and public health. H5 and H7 HPAI viruses are considered to be adapted to gallinaceous species (chickens, turkeys, quail, etc.) and less likely to infect and transmit in wild ducks. In order to understand why this is different with certain Gs/GD lineage H5 HPAI viruses, we compared the pathogenicity and transmission of several H5 and H7 HPAI viruses from previous poultry outbreaks to Gs/GD lineage H5 viruses, including H5N1 (clade 2.2), H5N8 and H5N2 (clade 2.3.4.4) viruses, in mallards as a representative wild duck species. Surprisingly, most HPAI viruses examined in this study replicated well and transmitted among mallards; however, the three Gs/GD lineage H5 HPAI viruses replicated to higher titers, which could explain the transmission of these viruses in susceptible wild duck populations.
Investigating asthma comorbidities: a systematic scoping review protocol
Authors: El Ferkh Karim , Nwaru Bright , Griffiths Chris , Sheikh Aziz 
Published: August 2016

IntroductionAsthma is a common long-term disorder with a number of related comorbid conditions, which may affect asthma outcomes. There is a need for greater appreciation for understanding how these comorbidities interact with asthma in order to improve asthma outcomes.ObjectivesTo systematically identify and map out key asthma comorbidities.MethodsWe will systematically search the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Additional literature will be identified by searching the reference list of identified eligible studies and by searching the repositories of international conference proceedings, including ISI Conference Proceeding Citation Index, and ZETOC (British Library).DisseminationThe findings from this systematic scoping review will be reported at scientific meetings and published in a peer-reviewed journal.