bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in vascular stiffness and relationship to the risk of renal functional decline in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Earle Kenneth A , Ng Lauren , White Sarah , Zitouni Karima 
Published: March 2017

Background: Recent data suggest that the higher risk of end-stage renal disease in women compared with men is associated with waist circumference. We investigated whether vascular stiffness which is linked to visceral fat accumulation is gender specific and associated with a loss in renal function. Methods: We studied 166 patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of progressive renal disease. A vascular stiffness index was derived from measurement of the peripheral arterial pulse waveform using infrared finger photoplethysmography. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between vascular stiffness and traditional clinical and biochemical renal disease risk factors. Results: Women were of similar mean (standard deviation) age [61.6 (6.8) vs 60.0 (8.3) years; p = 0.444] and duration of diabetes [9.8 (7.2) vs 10.9 (8.1) years; p = 0.885] compared to men. Waist circumference was significantly associated with vascular stiffness [regression coefficient B = 0.15 (95% confidence interval: 0.06–2.24); p = 0.001]. There was a negative slope parameter for the relationship between glomerular filtration rate and vascular stiffness [ B = −0.15 (95% confidence interval: −0.22 to −0.09); p < 0.001] in women only. Conclusion: In this cohort, early renal functional decline in women is linked to increased vascular stiffness which may be associated with visceral fat accumulation as determined by waist circumference.
Microphysiologic systems in female reproductive biology
Authors: Young Alexandria N , Moyle-Heyrman Georgette , Kim J Julie , Burdette Joanna E 
Published: March 2017

Microphysiologic systems (MPS), including new organ-on-a-chip technologies, recapitulate tissue microenvironments by employing specially designed tissue or cell culturing techniques and microfluidic flow. Such systems are designed to incorporate physiologic factors that conventional 2D or even 3D systems cannot, such as the multicellular dynamics of a tissue–tissue interface or physical forces like fluid sheer stress. The female reproductive system is a series of interconnected organs that are necessary to produce eggs, support embryo development and female health, and impact the functioning of non-reproductive tissues throughout the body. Despite its importance, the human reproductive tract has received less attention than other organ systems, such as the liver and kidney, in terms of modeling with MPS. In this review, we discuss current gaps in the field and areas for technological advancement through the application of MPS. We explore current MPS research in female reproductive biology, including fertilization, pregnancy, and female reproductive tract diseases, with a focus on their clinical applications. Impact statement This review discusses existing microphysiologic systems technology that may be applied to study of the female reproductive tract, and those currently in development to specifically investigate gametes, fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and diseases of the female reproductive tract. We focus on the clinical applicability of these new technologies in fields such as assisted reproductive technologies, drug testing, disease diagnostics, and personalized medicine.
Needs and Possibilities for Changing the Legal Regulation of Collective Agreements in the Context of Labour Law Reform
Authors: Pärnits Kadi 
Published: March 2017

The implementation of the flexicurity policy and the wish to come out of the crisis have led to changes in the role of collective agreement in the EU States within a short period of time-mainly in the content of collective agreements as well as in relations between labour laws and contracts at different level. The question is to which extent the legal regulation of collective agreement corresponds to such changes and makes them possible. Based on the above, the article aimed to study as to which extent the current Estonian legal regulation of CAs needs to be improved in order to secure the new role of CAs. Under the elements of the renewed role of CAs, the author views furnishing of the generally phrased norms of the labor law, agreeing on derogations from the imperative law to the detriment of the employees, as well as regulating the working conditions of atypical employees, and the new issues mainly regarding promotion of economy and employment.
Natural history ofMycobacterium aviumcomplex lung disease in untreated patients with stable course
Authors: Hwang Ji An , Kim Sunyoung , Jo Kyung-Wook , Shim Tae Sun 
Published: March 2017

Little is known about the long-term natural history ofMycobacterium aviumcomplex lung disease (MAC-LD) in untreated patients with stable course.The aim of this study was to investigate the natural course of untreated stable MAC-LD, with a focus on factors associated with clinical deterioration, spontaneous sputum conversion and prognosis.Of 488 patients diagnosed with MAC-LD between 1998 and 2011, 305 patients (62.5%) showed progressive MAC-LD resulting in treatment initiation within 3 years of diagnosis and 115 patients (23.6%) exhibited stable MAC-LD for at least 3 years with a median follow-up duration of 5.6 years. Patients with stable MAC-LD were more likely to have higher body mass index and less systemic symptoms at initial diagnosis compared with patients with progressive MAC-LD, while positive sputum acid-fast bacilli smear, fibrocavitary type and more extensive disease in radiological findings were more associated with progressive MAC-LD. Of the untreated patients with stable MAC-LD, 51.6% underwent spontaneous sputum conversion, with younger age, higher body mass index and negative sputum acid-fast bacilli smear at initial diagnosis found to be predictors of this occurrence.Advanced age, fibrocavitary type and abnormal pulmonary function were negative prognostic factors for survival in patients with stable MAC-LD.
Macrophage-derived apoptotic bodies promote the proliferation of the recipient cells via shuttling microRNA-221/222
Authors: Zhu Ziwen , Zhang Duo , Lee Heedoo , Menon Aravind Ajakumar , Wu Jingxuan , Hu Kebin , Jin Yang 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Bacterial pneumonia is a common and serious clinical entity. Alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages are the first line of defense in the innate immunity against bacterial pathogens. Epithelial cells are known to release chemokines/cytokines that recruit and activate phagocytic cells. However, the signals sent from alveolar macrophages back to the lung epithelial cells remain largely unexplored. We found that LPS, a well-recognized stimulator derived from gram-negative (G−) bacteria, rapidly and robustly induces the secretion of macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). The main type of EVs found in the early stages after LPS stimulation are apoptotic bodies (ABs) and not microvesicles (MVs) or exosomes (Exos). Furthermore, LPS markedly up-regulate the levels of a repertoire of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the macrophage-derived ABs, including miR-221 and miR-222. Functionally, the LPS-induced, macrophage-derived ABs promote the proliferation of malignant and/or normal lung epithelial cells. We next directly transfected miR-221 and/or miR-222 inhibitors into the LPS-induced ABs. Deletion of miR-221/222 in ABs significantly reduces the AB-mediated proliferation of lung epithelial cells. Mechanistically, AB-shuttling miR-221/222 promote cell growth by modulating cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) pathways. Collectively, LPS-induced, macrophage-derived ABs promote the proliferation of their recipient epithelial cells, partially via AB-shuttling miRNAs.
Lyssaviruses and rabies: current conundrums, concerns, contradictions and controversies
Authors: Rupprecht Charles , Kuzmin Ivan , Meslin Francois 
Published: March 2017

Lyssaviruses are bullet-shaped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses and the causative agents of the ancient zoonosis rabies. Africa is the likely home to the ancestors of taxa residing within the GenusLyssavirus, FamilyRhabdoviridae. Diverse lyssaviruses are envisioned as co-evolving with bats, as the ultimate reservoirs, over seemingly millions of years. In terms of relative distribution, overt abundance, and resulting progeny, rabies virus is the most successful lyssavirus species today, but for unknown reasons. All mammals are believed to be susceptible to rabies virus infection. Besides reservoirs among the Chiroptera, meso-carnivores also serve as major historical hosts and are represented among the canids, raccoons, skunks, mongooses, and ferret badgers. Perpetuating as a disease of nature with the mammalian central nervous system as niche, host breadth alone precludes any candidacy for true eradication. Despite having the highest case fatality of any infectious disease and a burden in excess of or comparative to other major zoonoses, rabies remains neglected. Once illness appears, no treatment is proven to prevent death. Paradoxically, vaccines were developed more than a century ago, but the clear majority of human cases are unvaccinated. Tens of millions of people are exposed to suspect rabid animals and tens of thousands succumb annually, primarily children in developing countries, where canine rabies is enzootic. Rather than culling animal populations, one of the most cost-effective strategies to curbing human fatalities is the mass vaccination of dogs. Building on considerable progress to date, several complementary actions are needed in the near future, including a more harmonized approach to viral taxonomy, enhanced de-centralized laboratory-based surveillance, focal pathogen discovery and characterization, applied pathobiological research for therapeutics, improved estimates of canine populations at risk, actual production of required vaccines and related biologics, strategies to maximize prevention but minimize unnecessary human prophylaxis, and a long-term, realistic plan for sustained global program support to achieve success in disease control, prevention, and elimination.
Identifying ELIXIR Core Data Resources
Authors: Durinx Christine , McEntyre Jo , Appel Ron , Apweiler Rolf , Barlow Mary , Blomberg Niklas , Cook Chuck , Gasteiger Elisabeth , Kim Jee-Hyub , Lopez Rodrigo , Redaschi Nicole , Stockinger Heinz , Teixeira Daniel , Valencia Alfonso 
Published: March 2017

The core mission of ELIXIR is to build a stable and sustainable infrastructure for biological information across Europe. At the heart of this are the data resources, tools and services that ELIXIR offers to the life-sciences community, providing stable and sustainable access to biological data. ELIXIR aims to ensure that these resources are available long-term and that the life-cycles of these resources are managed such that they support the scientific needs of the life-sciences, including biological research. ELIXIR Core Data Resources are defined as a set of European data resources that are of fundamental importance to the wider life-science community and the long-term preservation of biological data. They are complete collections of generic value to life-science, are considered an authority in their field with respect to one or more characteristics, and show high levels of scientific quality and service. Thus, ELIXIR Core Data Resources are of wide applicability and usage. This paper describes the structures, governance and processes that support the identification and evaluation of ELIXIR Core Data Resources. It identifies key indicators which reflect the essence of the definition of an ELIXIR Core Data Resource and support the promotion of excellence in resource development and operation. It describes the specific indicators in more detail and explains their application within ELIXIR’s sustainability strategy and science policy actions, and in capacity building, life-cycle management and technical actions. The identification process is currently being implemented and tested for the first time. The findings and outcome will be evaluated by the ELIXIR Scientific Advisory Board in March 2017. Establishing the portfolio of ELIXIR Core Data Resources and ELIXIR Services is a key priority for ELIXIR and publicly marks the transition towards a cohesive infrastructure.
Mapping the distribution of Anopheles funestus across Benin highlights a sharp contrast of susceptibility to insecticides and infection rate to Plasmodium between southern and northern populations
Authors: Djouaka Rousseau , Akoton Romaric , Tchigossou Genevieve M. , Atoyebi Seun M. , Irving Helen , Kusimo Michael O. , Djegbe Innocent , Riveron Jacob M. , Tossou Eric , Yessoufou Akadiri , Wondji Charles S. 
Published: March 2017

Background. Malaria remains an important public health issue in Benin, with Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus s.s being the predominant vectors. This study was designed to generate information on An. funestus distribution, molecular speciation, Plasmodium infection rate and insecticide susceptibility status across Benin. Methods. Mosquito samples were collected from December 2014 to January 2016 in 46 localities in Benin. These samples were mapped and An. funestus collected were speciated to the molecular level. Plasmodium infection rate was determined using a Taqman assay and susceptibility to insecticides was assessed using the WHO guidelines. The genotyping of the L119F- Gste2 mutation was also carried out. Results. An. funestus was found in 8 out of the 46 localities surveyed with a high presence in Tanongou (wet Sudanese ecological zone), Kpome, Doukonta and Pahou (sub-equatorial ecological zone). Molecular identifications revealed that only An. funestus s.s was present in southern Benin, whereas in Tanongou (northern Benin) An. funestus s.s. and An. leesoni were found in sympatry at proportions of 77.7% and 22.3% respectively. Plasmodium infection rate of An. funestus was higher in southern Benin at a range of 13 to 18% compared to 5.6% recorded in Tanongou. High DDT (8±0.5%) and permethrin (11±0.5%) resistance were observed in Doukonta, Kpome and Pahou, contrasting with relatively low resistance profiles: mortality-DDT=90±3.18% and mortality-permethrin=100% in Tanongou. Genotyping analysis revealed high frequency of the resistant 119F allele in the South (Kpome and Doukonta) compared to the North (Tanongou). Discussion and Conclusion. The high presence of An. funestus in the South compared to the North could be due to favorable environmental and climatic conditions found in both regions. A significant Plasmodium infection rate was recorded across the country. A high resistance profile was recorded in the southern Benin; this raises the need for further investigations on resistance selection factors.
Cdc14 phosphatase directs centrosome re-duplication at the meiosis I to meiosis II transition in budding yeast
Authors: Fox Colette , Zou Juan , Rappsilber Juri , Marston Adele L. 
Published: March 2017

Background: Gametes are generated through a specialized cell division called meiosis, in which ploidy is reduced by half because two consecutive rounds of chromosome segregation, meiosis I and meiosis II, occur without intervening DNA replication. This contrasts with the mitotic cell cycle where DNA replication and chromosome segregation alternate to maintain the same ploidy. At the end of mitosis, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are inactivated. This low CDK state in late mitosis/G1 allows for critical preparatory events for DNA replication and centrosome/spindle pole body (SPB) duplication. However, their execution is inhibited until S phase, where further preparatory events are also prevented. This “licensing” ensures that both the chromosomes and the centrosomes/SPBs replicate exactly once per cell cycle, thereby maintaining constant ploidy. Crucially, between meiosis I and meiosis II, centrosomes/SPBs must be re-licensed, but DNA re-replication must be avoided. In budding yeast, the Cdc14 protein phosphatase triggers CDK down regulation to promote exit from mitosis. Cdc14 also regulates the meiosis I to meiosis II transition, though its mode of action has remained unclear.Methods: Fluorescence and electron microscopy was combined with proteomics to probe SPB duplication in cells with inactive or hyperactive Cdc14.Results: We demonstrate that Cdc14 ensures two successive nuclear divisions by re-licensing SPBs at the meiosis I to meiosis II transition. We show that Cdc14 is asymmetrically enriched on a single SPB during anaphase I and provide evidence that this enrichment promotes SPB re-duplication. Cells with impaired Cdc14 activity fail to promote extension of the SPB half-bridge, the initial step in morphogenesis of a new SPB. Conversely, cells with hyper-active Cdc14 duplicate SPBs, but fail to induce their separation.Conclusion: Our findings implicate reversal of key CDK-dependent phosphorylations in the differential licensing of cyclical events at the meiosis I to meiosis II transition.
On the Developmetn of State-Public Education Management
Authors: Будаева  , Budaeva T. , Намсараев  , Namsaraev S. 
Published: March 2017

The article considers the questions of moving from the monopoly of the state to development of civil society, that in Russia have some features. By
the expansion of the public participating in education management there are contradictions between the necessity of realization of state-public
management education and absence of sufficient experience on the decline of level of alienation of education from society and effective mechanisms
of decision of this task.
The authors of the article consider the principal reasons and factors, hampering becoming and development of state-public management universal
education. The article exposes the new approaches to the realization of joint activity of organs of state-public education management. In the article
the ground of project-activity in education management approach is given, that allows to organize the activity in the mode of development, and
innovations are explored, educational potential of organization is grown, the quality of its work is improved.
DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCES MODEL OF THE HR MANAGER
Authors: Конькова  , Konkova E. , Ливак  , Livak N. 
Published: March 2017

In article the most urgent requirements to employees in modern economic conditions of crisis are stated. The concepts “competence”, “human resources manager” are specified. A main objective of article is development of model of competences of the human resources manager on the main clusters of competences, levels and indicators of behavior. On the example of LLC Machine Works the analysis of labor functions of HR specialists according to requirements of the professional standard is carried out. During the analysis and comparison of the professional standard of the HR manager and the job description of the human resources manager discrepancy of the name of a position was revealed. Upgrade of personnel department for elimination of the revealed shortcomings is offered, “human resources manager” is developed For a position model of competences. The system of assessment of competences is provided. Content of model of competences, accurately
and specifically stated in behavioural indicators, allows to impose single requirements to the staff of various structural divisions.
Robust Dynamic Estimation
Authors: Rubel Olivier , Naik Prasad A. 
Published: March 2017

Managing marketing resources over time requires dynamic model estimation, which necessitates specifying some parametric or nonparametric probability distribution. When the data generating process differs from the assumed distribution, the resulting model is misspecified. To hedge against such a misspecification risk, the extant theory recommends using the sandwich estimator. This approach, however, only corrects the variance of estimated parameters, but not their values. Consequently, the sandwich estimator does not affect any managerial outcomes such as marketing budgeting and allocation decisions. To overcome this drawback, we present the minimax framework that does not necessitate distributional assumptions to estimate dynamic models. Applying minimax control theory, we derive an optimal robust filter, illustrate its application to a unique advertising data set from the Canadian Blood Services, and contribute several novel findings. We discover the compensatory effect: Advertising effectiveness increases and the carryover effect decreases as robustness increases. We also find that the robust filter uniformly outperforms the Kalman filter on the out-of-sample predictions. Furthermore, we uncover the existence of a profit-volatility trade-off, similar to the returns-risk trade-off in finance, whereby the volatility of profit stream decreases at the expense of reduced total profit as robustness increases. Finally, we prove that, unlike for-profit companies, managers of nonprofit organizations should optimally allocate budgets opposite the advertising-to-sales ratio heuristic; that is, advertise more (less) when sales are low (high). Data and the web appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2016.1010 .
Tests, scans and investigations, 8: CT scan
Authors: Peate Ian 
Published: March 2017

There are a number of medical imaging procedures that are undertaken with the aim of making a diagnosis or to assess a patient's response to treatment or their disease progression. Computerised tomography (CT) scanning is one commonly performed imaging technique. This article provides the reader with a fundamental understanding of CT scanning, the reason why such a scan may be requested and how the scan is performed. The potential risks associated with this procedure are discussed. The role of the healthcare assistant and the assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) is outlined before, during and after the procedure has been performed.
Dialkylcarbamoyl chloride (DACC)-coated dressings in the management and prevention of wound infection: a systematic review
Authors: Totty J.P. , Bua N. , Smith G.E. , Harwood A.E. , Carradice D. , Wallace T. , Chetter I.C. 
Published: March 2017

Objective: Dialkylcarbomoyl chloride (DACC)-coated dressings (Leukomed Sorbact and Cutimed Sorbact) irreversibly bind bacteria at the wound surface that are then removed when the dressing is changed. They are a recent addition to the wound care professional's armamentarium and have been used in a variety of acute and chronic wounds. This systematic review aims to assess the evidence supporting the use of DACC-coated dressings in the clinical environment. Method: We included all reports of the clinical use of DACC-coated dressings in relation to wound infection. Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and CINAHL databases were searched to September 2016 for studies evaluating the role of DACC-coated dressings in preventing or managing wound infections. Results: We identified 17 studies with a total of 3408 patients which were included in this review. The DACC-coating was suggested to reduce postoperative surgical site infection rates and result in chronic wounds that subjectively looked cleaner and had less bacterial load on microbiological assessments. Conclusion: Existing evidence for DACC-coated dressings in managing chronic wounds or as a surgical site infection (SSI) prophylaxis is limited but encouraging with evidence in support of DACC-coated dressings preventing and treating infection without adverse effects.