bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoproteasome Subunits Are Required for CD8
+
T Cell Function and Host Resistance to Brucella abortus Infection in Mice
Authors: Guimarães Gabriela , Gomes Marco Túlio R. , Campos Priscila C. , Marinho Fabio V. , de Assis Natan R. G. , Silveira Tatiana N. , Oliveira Sergio C. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

The immunoproteasome is a specific proteasome isoform composed of three subunits, termed β1i, β2i, and β5i. Its proteolytic activity enhances the quantity and quality of peptides to be presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules to CD8
+
T cells. However, the role of the combined deficiency of the three immunoproteasome subunits in protective immunity against bacterial pathogens has not been investigated. In this study, we addressed the role of the immunoproteasome during infection by
Brucella abortus
, an intracellular bacterium that requires CD8
+
T cell responses for the control of infection. Here, we demonstrate that immunoproteasome triple-knockout (TKO) mice were more susceptible to
Brucella
infection. This observed susceptibility was accompanied by reduced interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production by mouse CD4
+
and CD8
+
T lymphocytes. Moreover, the absence of the immunoproteasome had an impact on MHC-I surface expression and antigen presentation by dendritic cells. CD8
+
T cell function, which plays a pivotal role in
B. abortus
immunity, also presented a partial impairment of granzyme B expression and, consequently, reduced cytotoxic activity. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that immunoproteasome subunits are important components in host resistance to
B. abortus
infection by impacting both the magnitude and quality of CD8
+
T cell responses.
Baerveldt shunt surgery versus combined Baerveldt shunt and phacoemulsification: a prospective comparative study
Authors: El Wardani Mohamad , Bergin Ciara , Bradly Kenza , Sharkawi Eamon 
Published: December 2017

AimTo examine the efficacy and safety of Baerveldt tube (BT) implantation compared with combined phacoemulsification and Baerveldt tube (PBT) implantation in patients with refractory glaucoma.MethodsSeventy-six eyes of 76 patients were enrolled, 38 pseudophakic eyes underwent BT implantation alone and 38 phakic eyes underwent the BT implantation combined with phacoemulsification. Groups were matched for preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications. Preoperative and postoperative measures recorded included patient demographics, visual acuity (VA), IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications and all complications. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 36 months. Failure was defined as: inadequate IOP control (IOP≤5 mm Hg/>21 mm Hg/<20% reduction from baseline, reoperation for glaucoma, loss of light perception vision, or removal of the implant).ResultsThere was a significant difference in failure rates between groups at 36 months (PBT 37% vs BT 15%, P=0.02). There was no significant difference for PBT versus BT in preoperative baseline ocular characteristics. At 36 months: median IOP=14 mm Hg vs 12 mm Hg, P=0.04; mean number of antiglaucomatous medications=1.7 vs 1.3, P=0.61; median VA=0.8 vs 0.7, P=0.44. Postoperative complication rates were similar in both groups (n=5 vs 5; 13% vs 13%).ConclusionsFailure rates were significantly greater in the PBT group at 3 years. Median IOP was also significantly higher in the PBT group. These results suggest that combining phacoemulsification with aqueous shunt surgery may have a negative effect on long-term shunt bleb survival.
Evidence assessing the diagnostic performance of medical smartphone apps: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis
Authors: Buechi Rahel , Faes Livia , Bachmann Lucas M , Thiel Michael A , Bodmer Nicolas S , Schmid Martin K , Job Oliver , Lienhard Kenny R 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveThe number of mobile applications addressing health topics is increasing. Whether these apps underwent scientific evaluation is unclear. We comprehensively assessed papers investigating the diagnostic value of available diagnostic health applications using inbuilt smartphone sensors.MethodsSystematic Review—MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science inclusive Medical Informatics and Business Source Premier (by citation of reference) were searched from inception until 15 December 2016. Checking of reference lists of review articles and of included articles complemented electronic searches. We included all studies investigating a health application that used inbuilt sensors of a smartphone for diagnosis of disease. The methodological quality of 11 studies used in an exploratory meta-analysis was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool and the reporting quality with the ’STAndards for the Reporting of Diagnostic accuracy studies' (STARD) statement. Sensitivity and specificity of studies reporting two-by-two tables were calculated and summarised.ResultsWe screened 3296 references for eligibility. Eleven studies, most of them assessing melanoma screening apps, reported 17 two-by-two tables. Quality assessment revealed high risk of bias in all studies. Included papers studied 1048 subjects (758 with the target conditions and 290 healthy volunteers). Overall, the summary estimate for sensitivity was 0.82 (95 % CI 0.56 to 0.94) and 0.89 (95 %CI 0.70 to 0.97) for specificity.ConclusionsThe diagnostic evidence of available health apps on Apple’s and Google’s app stores is scarce. Consumers and healthcare professionals should be aware of this when using or recommending them.PROSPERO registration number42016033049.
Effects of perioperative briefing and debriefing on patient safety: a prospective intervention study
Authors: Leong Katharina Brigitte Margarethe Siew , Hanskamp-Sebregts Mirelle , van der Wal Raymond A , Wolff Andre P 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesThis study was carried out to improve patient safety in the operating theatre by the introduction of perioperative briefing and debriefing, which focused on an optimal collaboration between surgical team members.DesignA prospective intervention study with one pretest and two post-test measurements: 1 month before and 4 months and 2.5 years after the implementation of perioperative briefing and debriefing, respectively.SettingOperating theatres of a tertiary care hospital with 875 beds in the Netherlands.ParticipantsAll members of five surgical teams participated in the perioperative briefing and debriefing.InterventionThe implementation of perioperative briefing and debriefing from July 2012 to January 2014.Primary and secondary outcomesThe primary outcome was changes in the team climate, measured by the Team Climate Inventory. Secondary outcomes were the experiences of surgical teams with perioperative briefing and debriefing, measured with a structured questionnaire, and the duration of the briefings, measured by an independent observer.ResultsTwo and a half years after the introduction of perioperative briefing and debriefing, the team climate increased statistically significant (p≤0.05). Members of the five surgical teams strongly agreed with the positive influence of perioperative briefing and debriefing on clear agreements and reminding one another of the agreements of the day. They perceived a higher efficiency of the surgical programme with more operations starting on time and less unexpectedly long operation time. The perioperative briefing took less than 4 min to conduct.ConclusionsPerioperative briefing and debriefing improved the team climate of surgical teams and the efficiency of their work within the operating theatre with acceptable duration per briefing. Surgical teams with alternating team compositions have the most benefit of briefing and debriefing.
Informatics competencies for nurse leaders: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Kassam Iman , Nagle Lynn , Strudwick Gillian 
Published: December 2017

IntroductionGlobally, health information technologies are now being used by nurses in a variety of settings. However, nurse leaders often do not have the necessary strategic and tactical informatics competencies to adequately ensure their effective adoption and use. Although informatics competencies and competency frameworks have been identified and developed, to date there has not been review or consolidation of the work completed in this area. In order to address this gap, a scoping review is being conducted. The objectives of this scoping review are to: (1) identify informatics competencies of relevance to nurse leaders, (2) identify frameworks or theories that have been used to develop informatics competencies for nurse leaders, (3) identify instruments used to assess the informatics competencies of nurse leaders and (4) examine the psychometric properties of identified instruments.MethodsUsing the Arksey and O’Malley five-step framework, a literature review will be conducted using a scoping review methodology. The search will encompass academic and grey literature and include two primary databases and five secondary databases. Identified studies and documents will be independently screened for eligibility by two reviewers. Data from the studies and documents will be extracted and compiled into a chart. Qualitative data will be subject to a thematic analysis and descriptive statistics applied to the quantitative data.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was not required for this study. Results will be used to inform a future study designed to validate an instrument used to evaluate informatics competencies for nurse leaders within a Canadian context.
Whole-genome sequencing reveals transmission of gonococcal antibiotic resistance among men who have sex with men: an observational study
Authors: Kwong Jason C , Chow Eric P F , Stevens Kerrie , Stinear Timothy P , Seemann Torsten , Fairley Christopher K , Chen Marcus Y , Howden Benjamin P 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesDrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are now a global public health threat. Direct transmission of antibiotic-resistant gonococci between individuals has been proposed as a driver for the increased transmission of resistance, but direct evidence of such transmission is limited. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has superior resolution to investigate outbreaks and disease transmission compared with traditional molecular typing methods such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence (NG-MAST). We therefore aimed to systematically investigate the transmission of N. gonorrhoeae between men in sexual partnerships using WGS to compare isolates and their resistance to antibiotics at a genome level.Methods458 couples from a large prospective cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) tested for gonorrhoea together between 2005 and 2014 were included, and WGS was conducted on all isolates from couples where both men were culture-positive for N. gonorrhoeae. Resistance-determining sequences were identified from genome assemblies, and comparison of isolates between and within individuals was performed by pairwise single nucleotide polymorphism and pangenome comparisons, and in silico predictions of NG-MAST and MLST.ResultsFor 33 of 34 (97%; 95% CI 85% to 100%) couples where both partners were positive for gonorrhoea, the resistance-determining genes and mutations were identical in isolates from each partner (94 isolates in total). Resistance determinants in isolates from 23 of 23 (100%; 95% CI 86% to 100%) men with multisite infections were also identical within an individual. These partner and within-host isolates were indistinguishable by NG-MAST, MLST and whole genomic comparisons.ConclusionsThese data support the transmission of antibiotic-resistant strains between sexual partners as a key driver of resistance rates in gonorrhoea among MSM. This improved understanding of the transmission dynamics of N. gonorrhoeae between sexual partners will inform treatment and prevention guidelines.
On a Conjecture by Christian Choffrut
Authors: Belovs Aleksandrs , Montoya J. Andres , Yakaryılmaz Abuzer 
Published: December 2017

It is one of the most famous open problems to determine the minimum amount of states required by a deterministic finite automaton to distinguish a pair of strings, which was stated by Christian Choffrut more than thirty years ago. We investigate the same question for different automata models and we obtain new upper and lower bounds for some of them including alternating, ultrametric, quantum, and affine finite automata.
Vanadium isotope composition of crude oil: effects of source, maturation and biodegradation
Authors: Gao Yongjun , Casey John F. , Bernardo Luis M. , Yang Weihang , Bissada K. K. Adry 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

We present a study of vanadium (V) isotope compositions for 17 crude oils spanning a wide range of concentrations and formation ages. Bulk organic geochemical and biomarker compositions are investigated for 11 co-genetic crude oils from the Barbados oil field. About 2‰ V isotope fractionation was observed and they are primarily correlated with V/Ni ratios and most likely reflect the depositional environment of the petroleum source rocks. Factors such as the lithology of the source rocks, Eh and pH of the depositional environment, and possibly the V isotope composition of seawater could all play a role in the V isotope composition. The Eh and pH conditions determine the speciation and coordination of V ions in fluids, whereas the lithology of the source rock defines the competing phases for available V ions in solution. The V isotopes are significantly modified by maturation and biodegradation. The V isotope fractionation during biodegradation has most probably resulted from the microbial activity-induced changes in the species and coordination geometries of V ions in fluids. The progressive decrease of
δ
51
V with the increase of maturation might suggest a preferential loss of
51
V during de-metalation and/or a preferential incorporation of
50
V in the newly formed V-organometallic compounds.
The utility of methane clumped isotopes to constrain the origins of methane in natural gas accumulations
Authors: Stolper Daniel A. , Lawson Michael , Formolo Michael J. , Davis Cara L. , Douglas Peter M. J. , Eiler John M. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Methane clumped-isotope compositions provide a new approach to understanding the formational conditions of methane from both biogenic and thermogenic sources. Under some conditions, these compositions can be used to reconstruct the formational temperatures of the gas, and this capability can be applied to common subsets of both biogenic and thermogenic systems. Additionally, there are examples in which clumped-isotope compositions do not reflect gas-formation temperatures but instead mixing effects and kinetic phenomena; such kinetic effects also occur in common and recognizable subtypes of biogenic and thermogenic gases. Here we review the use of methane clumped-isotope measurements for understanding the origin of methane in the subsurface. We review methane clumped-isotope measurements from numerous biogenic and thermogenic natural gas reservoirs. We then place these measurements in the context of common frameworks for identifying the formational conditions of methane including the use of methane δ
13
C and δD values and C
1
/C
2–3
ratios. Finally, we propose a framework for how methane clumped isotopes can be used to identify the origin of methane accumulations.
An Infrared Dye–Conjugated Virus-like Particle for the Treatment of Primary Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Kines Rhonda C. , Varsavsky Isabella , Choudhary Sanghamitra , Bhattacharya Debaditya , Spring Sean , McLaughlin Roger , Kang Shin J. , Grossniklaus Hans E. , Vavvas Demetrios , Monks Stephen , MacDougall John R. , de los Pinos Elisabet , Schiller John T. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The work outlined herein describes AU-011, a novel recombinant papillomavirus-like particle (VLP) drug conjugate and its initial evaluation as a potential treatment for primary uveal melanoma. The VLP is conjugated with a phthalocyanine photosensitizer, IRDye 700DX, that exerts its cytotoxic effect through photoactivation with a near-infrared laser. We assessed the anticancer properties of AU-011 in vitro utilizing a panel of human cancer cell lines and in vivo using murine subcutaneous and rabbit orthotopic xenograft models of uveal melanoma. The specificity of VLP binding (tumor targeting), mediated through cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), was assessed using HSPG-deficient cells and by inclusion of heparin in in vitro studies. Our results provide evidence of potent and selective anticancer activity, both in vitro and in vivo. AU-011 activity was blocked by inhibiting its association with HSPG using heparin and using cells lacking surface HSPG, indicating that the tumor tropism of the VLP was not affected by dye conjugation and cell association is critical for AU-011–mediated cytotoxicity. Using the uveal melanoma xenograft models, we observed tumor uptake following intravenous (murine) and intravitreal (rabbit) administration and, after photoactivation, potent dose-dependent tumor responses. Furthermore, in the rabbit orthotopic model, which closely models uveal melanoma as it presents in the clinic, tumor treatment spared the retina and adjacent ocular structures. Our results support further clinical development of this novel therapeutic modality that might transform visual outcomes and provide a targeted therapy for the early-stage treatment of patients with this rare and life-threatening disease. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 565–74. ©2017 AACR.
Endocardial Activation Drives Activation Patterns During Long-Duration Ventricular Fibrillation and Defibrillation
Authors: Panitchob Nuttanont , Li Li , Huang Jian , Ranjan Ravi , Ideker Raymond E. , Dosdall Derek J. 
Published: December 2017

Background
Understanding the mechanisms that drive ventricular fibrillation is essential for developing improved defibrillation techniques to terminate ventricular fibrillation (VF). Distinct organization patterns of chaotic, regular, and synchronized activity were previously demonstrated in VF that persisted over 1 to 2 minutes (long-duration VF [LDVF]). We hypothesized that activity on the endocardium may be driving these activation patterns in LDVF and that unsuccessful defibrillation shocks may alter activation patterns.

Methods and Results
The study was performed using a 64-electrode basket catheter on the left ventricle endocardium and 54 6-electrode plunge needles inserted into the left ventricles of 6 dogs. VF was induced electrically, and after short-duration VF (10 seconds) and LDVF (7 minutes), shocks of increasing strengths were delivered every 10 seconds until VF was terminated. Endocardial activation patterns were classified as chaotic (varying cycle lengths and nonsynchronous activations), regular (highly repeatable cycle lengths), and synchronized (activation that spreads rapidly over the endocardium with diastolic periods between activations).

Conclusions
The results showed that the chaotic pattern was predominant in early VF, but the regular pattern emerges as VF progressed. The synchronized pattern only emerged occasionally during late VF. Failed defibrillation shocks changed chaotic and regular activation patterns to synchronized patterns in LDVF but not in short-duration VF. The regular and synchronized patterns of activation were driven by rapid activations on the endocardial surface that blocked and broke up transmurally, leading to an endocardial to epicardial activation rate gradient as LDVF progressed.
Colonial Modernity, Rituals and Feasting in Odùduwà Grove, Ilé-Ifẹ̀ (Nigeria)
Authors: Ogundiran Akinwumi , Ogunfolakan Adisa 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSacred groves are ubiquitous on the cultural landscape of Ilé-Ifẹ̀ and they have been the site of most archaeological research in the ancient Yoruba city. But these studies have been driven by the view that sacred groves were places of static ritual traditions. Recovering the paraphernalia of those rituals, especially the exquisite sculptures, therefore preoccupied the pioneering archaeological research in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. In contrast, the historical trajectories that defined the evolution and transformation of these groves as dynamic cultural sites have not been undertaken. We make the case in this article that sacred groves are dynamic and meaningful sites for historical negotiation. With this perspective, we conducted archaeological study of Odùduwà Grove in Ile-Ife with the goal to understand the broad sociocultural processes that have shaped the cultural landscape of the grove across different registers of time. The archaeological evidence in Odùduwà Grove dates back to at least the fourteenth century. We focus this article on the evolution of the grove during the twentieth century with emphasis on the materiality of colonial and postcolonial modernity and its implications for rituals of royal coronation, sacrificial rites, and feasting.
A Scale-Adaptive Turbulent Kinetic Energy Closure for the Dry Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Kurowski Marcin J. , Teixeira João 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
A pragmatic scale-adaptive turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure is proposed to simulate the dry convective boundary layer for a variety of horizontal grid resolutions: from 50 m, typical of large-eddy simulation models that use three-dimensional turbulence parameterizations/closures, up to 100 km, typical of climate models that use one-dimensional turbulence and convection parameterizations/closures. Since parameterizations/closures using the TKE approach have been frequently used in these two asymptotic limits, a simple method is proposed to merge them with a mixing-length-scale formulation for intermediate resolutions. This new scale-adaptive mixing length naturally increases with increasing grid length until it saturates as the grid length reaches mesoscale-model resolution. The results obtained using this new approach for dry convective boundary layers are promising. The mean vertical profiles of potential temperature and heat flux remain in good agreement for different resolutions. A continuous transition (in terms of resolution) across the gray zone is illustrated through the partitioning between the model-resolved and the subgrid-scale transports as well as by documenting the transition of the subgrid-scale TKE source/sink terms. In summary, a natural and continuous transition across resolutions (from 50 m to 100 km) is obtained, for dry convection, using exactly the same atmospheric model for all resolutions with a simple scale-adaptive mixing-length formulation.
Role of Latent Heating over the Tropical Western Pacific in Surface Temperature Change over North America during Boreal Spring
Authors: He Bian , Yang Song 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBased on observational data, a linear baroclinic model, and an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM), the major modes of spring precipitation over the tropical Asian and Pacific regions are identified. and the influence of latent heating over the tropical western Pacific (TWP) on global climate is investigated. Results show that the first mode of empirical orthogonal function analysis explains 20% of the total variance in March, the largest in spring, with the maximum center located over the TWP. The precipitation is highly positively correlated with local sea surface temperature (SST) in March, which suggests that the warming SST is the trigger for the precipitation over the TWP. Further analysis suggests that an increase in latent heating over the TWP, especially in March, can produce Rossby waves along the westerly jet, which causes an increase in surface temperature over North America. The propagation intensity decreases from March to May. The changes in location and strength of the westerly jet stream in the Northern Hemisphere are responsible for this decrease. Experiments with both a linear baroclinic model and an AGCM verify the above hypothesis. The study highlights that the spatial distributions of latent heating and westerly jet stream are the two key factors for the formation of teleconnection patterns from eastern Asia to North America.