bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A simple dyspnoea scale as part of the assessment to predict outcome across chronic interstitial lung disease
Authors: Khadawardi Hadeel , Mura Marco 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveThe Medical Research Council dyspnoea score (MRCDS) is a simple, objective scale to assess dyspnoea, the main complaint in patients with chronic interstitial lung disease (ILD). We sought to investigate whether MRCDS is a predictor of outcome in patients with chronic ILD.MethodsOne hundred and fifteen patients (50 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 65 non‐IPF ILD) were retrospectively studied. Baseline (time of diagnosis) MRCDS and 3–6‐month changes were considered. Endpoints were (i) 18‐month clinical progression, defined as either: ≥10% absolute reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC) percent predicted; ≥50‐m decline in 6‐min walk distance; hospitalization for respiratory causes; lung transplantation (LTx) assessment or death and (ii) 18‐month survival.ResultsAt the end of the observation period, 54 subjects (47%) experienced clinical progression (including 22 deaths and 3 LTx). In patients with IPF, a longitudinal increase in MRCDS predicted clinical progression significantly (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.76, sensitivity = 62%, specificity = 91%); baseline MRCDS was a strong predictor of mortality (AUC = 0.80, sensitivity = 87%, specificity = 57%). In patients with non‐IPF ILD, longitudinal increases in MRCDS, but not baseline values, were predictive of both clinical progression (AUC = 0.81, sensitivity = 85%, specificity = 77%) and mortality (AUC = 0.76, sensitivity = 91%, specificity = 61%). Considering the whole population, MRCDS increase and FVC decline were independent predictors of mortality.ConclusionLongitudinal increases of MRCDS predict poor outcome in chronic ILD, with good accuracy. Baseline MRCDS remains a strong predictor of mortality in IPF. MRCDS should be included in the global assessment of the clinical course of chronic ILD.
Bilateral Tax Treaties and GDP Comovement
Authors: Sly Nicholas , Weber Caroline 
Published: November 2016

AbstractUsing a 30‐year panel of quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) fluctuations from of a broad set of countries, we demonstrate that the signing of a bilateral tax treaty increases the comovement of treaty partners' business cycles by half a standard deviation. This effect of fiscal policy is as large as the effect of trade linkages on comovement and stronger than the effects of several other common financial and investment linkages. We also show that bilateral tax treaties increase comovement in shocks to nations' GDP trends, demonstrating the permanent effects of coordination on fiscal policy rules. We estimate trend and business cycle components of nations' output series using an unobserved‐components model in order to measure comovement between countries and then estimate the impact of tax treaties using generalized estimating equations.
Topics and structure in preoperative nursing consultations with patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Pettersson Monica E. , Öhlén Joakim , Friberg Febe , Hydén Lars‐Christer , Carlsson Eva 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundThe preoperative education, which occurs in preoperative patient consultations, is an important part of the surgical nurse's profession. These consultations may be the building blocks of a partnership that facilitates communication between patient and nurse.AimThe aim of the study was to describe topics and structure and documentation in preoperative nursing consultations with patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.MethodThe study was based on analysis of consultations between seven patients and nurses at a Swedish university hospital. The preplanned preoperative consultations were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. The structure of the consultations was described in terms of phases and the text was analysed according to a manifest content analysisResultsThe consultations were structured on an agenda that was used variously and communicating different topics in an equally varied manner. Seven main topics were found: Health status, Preparation before surgery, Discovery, Tumour, Operation, Symptoms and Recovery after surgery. The topic structure disclosed a high number of subtopics. The main topics ‘Discovery’, ‘Tumour’ and ‘Symptoms’ were only raised by patients and occupied only 11% of the discursive space. Documentation was sparse and included mainly task‐oriented procedures rather than patients’ worries and concerns.ConclusionThere was no clear structure regarding preoperative consultation purpose and content. Using closed questions instead of open is a hindrance of developing a dialogue and thus patient participation. Preoperative consultation practice needs to be strengthened to include explicit communication of the consultations’ purpose and agenda, with nurses actively discussing and responding to patients’ concerns and sensitive issues. The results of the study facilitate the development of methods and structure to support person‐centred communication where the patient is given space to get help with the difficult issues he/she may have when undergoing surgery.
The meaning of caring in prenatal care from Swedish women's perspectives
Authors: Larsson Åsa , Wärnå‐Furu Carola , Näsman Yvonne 
Published: November 2016

AimTo deepen understanding of the meaning of caring in prenatal care from Swedish women's perspectives.MethodTen women, who had given birth between 1 and 2 months previously, were interviewed. The women have taken part in the routine programme that constitutes maternity care Sweden. A hermeneutic approach inspired by Gadamer was used to analyse the data and gain a deeper understanding of the women's experiences.FindingsThree themes were identified in the hermeneutical analysis. The themes highlight an existential and ontological aspect for caring as experienced of the women in the study: invitation and caring promise, witnessing and confirmation, and caring emerges in vulnerability.ConclusionThe life‐changing gravidity and vulnerability motivates caritative care during pregnancy. Reception of caring is not just a superficial feeling, but gives a new understanding of life on an ontological level. In a genuine caring relationship, the pregnant woman not only receives something but also a power and an opportunity to go further and find her own inner strength.
Approach to the Management of Autoimmunity in Primary Immunodeficiency
Authors: Azizi G. , Ziaee V. , Tavakol M. , Alinia T. , Yazdai R. , Mohammadi H. , Abolhassani H. , Aghamohammadi A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPrimary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) consist of a genetically heterogeneous group of immune disorders that affect distinct elements of the immune system. PID patients are more prone to infections and non‐infectious complications, particularly autoimmunity. The concomitance of immunodeficiency and autoimmunity appears to be paradoxical and leads to difficulty in the management of autoimmune complications in PID patients. Therefore, management of autoimmunity in patients with PID requires special considerations because dysregulations and dysfunctions of the immune system along with persistent inflammation impair the process of diagnosis and treatment.
Visualization for Large‐scale Gaussian Updates
Authors: Rougier Jonathan , Zammit‐Mangion Andrew 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn geostatistics and also in other applications in science and engineering, it is now common to perform updates on Gaussian process models with many thousands or even millions of components. These large‐scale inferences involve modelling, representational and computational challenges. We describe a visualization tool for large‐scale Gaussian updates, the ‘medal plot’. The medal plot shows the updated uncertainty at each observation location and also summarizes the sharing of information across observations, as a proxy for the sharing of information across the state vector (or latent process). As such, it reflects characteristics of both the observations and the statistical model. We illustrate with an application to assess mass trends in the Antarctic Ice Sheet, for which there are strong constraints from the observations and the physics.
Preparation of layered double hydroxides using boron mud and red mud industrial wastes and adsorption mechanism to phosphate
Authors: Hu Pan , Zhang Yihe , Lv Fengzhu , Tong Wangshu , Xin Hao , Meng Zilin , Wang Xinke , Chu Paul K. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPhosphate removal was important for wastewater treatment, and adsorption was an efficient treatment process. In this study, the layered double hydroxide adsorbent (BR‐LDH), which was prepared under alkali conditions using industrial residues boron mud and red mud, was used to adsorb the phosphate. The prepared BR‐LDH was characterised by X‐ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and Thermo‐gravimetric‐differential thermal analysis. Adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of dosage, contact time, temperature and initial pH of phosphate solution. The removal ratio of phosphate onto OBR‐LDH reached 93%. The adsorption data showed a good compliance with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. In addition, the mineral composition, the functional groups, the valence of elements and zeta potentials of OBR‐LDH before and after adsorption were used to analyse the adsorption mechanism. The result of real wastewater suggested that OBR‐LDH was excellent adsorbent for phosphorus removal from actual wastewater.
PARAMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF FIXED-TRAY, SEMI-CONTINUOUS DISTILLATION COLUMN FOR ETHANOL SEPARATION FROM WATER
Authors: Ibrahim Nur Atirah , Ahmad Zaini Muhammad Abbas 
Published: November 2016

This work was aimed to evaluate the parameters affecting the separation of model fermentation broth (7 mole% ethanol) using 10-tray, semi-continuous distillation column. Ethanol compositions in distillate and bottoms were determined at different reflux ratios and feed locations. Results show that the distillation of lower ethanol concentration is better carried out at higher reflux ratio with feed charged at the middle or bottom tray for good overall tray efficiency. The distillation unit is able to purify the feed to 78 mole% ethanol in distillate. Through trial-and-error stepping off, about 81 mole% was predicted as optimum ethanol purity at reflux ratio of 2.33, while a lower reflux ratio of 1.44 was estimated for 78 mole%. Fixed-tray, semi-continuous distillation is a suitable option to concentrate fermentation broth with sufficient ethanol purity.
RELATIVE RISK ESTIMATION OF DENGUE DISEASE IN BANDUNG, INDONESIA, USING POISSON-GAMMA AND BYM MODELS CONSIDERING THE SEVERITY LEVEL
Authors: Kristiani Farah , Yong Benny , Irawan Robyn 
Published: November 2016

Recently, dengue as one of the most dangerous diseases in the world has attracted more attention due to its soaring infection cases. One method to estimate the relative risks of dengue transmission commonly used is through the statistics approach. Dengue cases of all severity levels spread rapidly in every district in Bandung, Indonesia every month. There are two different severity levels of dengue disease: the early-stage known as Dengue Fever (DF) and the severe-stage manifested as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). This research investigates the early stage, the severe stage, and the combination of both stages. The non-spatial Poisson-gamma model and spatial Besag, York, and Mollie (BYM) model are applied to estimate the relative risks in each district in Bandung every month. These two models are chosen to analyze whether there is a spatial effect in dengue transmission in particular critical area. This research will use 2013’s data from St. Borromeus hospital, one of the reputable hospitals in Bandung. The results show that the implementation of non-spatial Poisson-gamma and spatial BYM models does not depict a significant difference in the result of the relative risk estimation of dengue transmission in Bandung. The Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) diagnostic indicates that non-spatial model is better than the spatial model. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no spatial effect in dengue transmission in Bandung. It means that dengue transmission in Bandung is not affected by neighboring areas. This analysis is also applicable to every stage estimated, both for the early-stage as well as the severe-stage.
Membrane‐associated guanylate kinase dynamics reveal regional and developmental specificity of synapse stability
Authors: Levy Jonathan M. , Nicoll Roger A. 
Published: November 2016

Key points
The membrane‐associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of synaptic scaffolding proteins anchor glutamate receptors at CNS synapses.
MAGUK removal via RNAi‐mediated knockdown in the CA1 hippocampal region in immature animals causes rapid and lasting reductions in glutamatergic transmission. In mature animals, the same manipulation has little acute effect.
The hippocampal dentate gyrus, a region with ongoing adult neurogenesis, is sensitive to MAGUK loss in mature animals, behaving like an immature CA1.
Over long time courses, removal of MAGUKs in CA1 causes reductions in glutamatergic transmission, indicating that synapses in mature animals require MAGUKs for anchoring glutamate receptors, but are much more stable.
These results demonstrate regional and developmental control of synapse stability and suggest the existence of a sensitive period of heightened hippocampal plasticity in CA1 of pre‐adolescent rodents, and in dentate gyrus throughout maturity.
AbstractFast excitatory transmission in the brain requires localization of glutamate receptors to synapses. The membrane‐associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of synaptic scaffolding proteins is critical for localization of glutamate receptors to synapses. Although the MAGUKs are well‐studied in reduced preparations and young animals, few data exist on their role in adult animals. Here, we present a detailed developmental study of the role of the MAGUKs during rat development. We first confirmed by knockdown experiments that MAGUKs are essential for glutamatergic transmission in young animals and cultured slices, and an increase in postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD‐95) by overexpression caused correlated increases in glutamatergic transmission. We found that CA1 synapses in adults, in contrast, were largely unaffected by overexpression of MAGUKs, and although adult CA1 synapses required MAGUKs to the same degree as synapses in young animals, this was only apparent over long time scales of knockdown. We additionally showed that overexpression of MAGUKs is likely to function to accelerate the developmental strengthening of excitatory transmission. Finally, we showed that adult dentate gyrus appears similar to immature CA1, demonstrating regional and developmental control of MAGUK dynamics. Together, these results demonstrate a period of juvenile instability at CA1 synapses, followed by a period of adult stability in which synapses are acutely unaffected by changes in MAGUK abundance.
Effects of postural change from supine to head‐up tilt on the skin sympathetic nerve activity component synchronised with the cardiac cycle in warmed men
Authors: Ogawa Yu , Kamijo Yoshi‐ichiro , Ikegawa Shigeki , Masuki Shizue , Nose Hiroshi 
Published: November 2016

Key points
Humans are unique in controlling body temperature in a hot environment by a large amount of skin blood flow; however, the decrease in total peripheral resistance due to systemic cutaneous vasodilatation and the reduction of venous return to the heart due to blood pooling in the cutaneous vein threatens blood pressure maintenance in the upright position, and occasionally causes heat syncope.
Against this condition, cutaneous vasodilatation is reportedly suppressed to maintain arterial pressure; however, the nerve activity responsible for this phenomenon has not been identified.
In the present study, we found that the skin sympathetic nerve activity component that was synchronised with the cardiac cycle increased in hyperthermia, but the increase was suppressed when the posture was changed from supine to head‐up tilt.
The profile of the component agreed with that of cutaneous vasodilatation.
Thus, the component might contribute to the prevention of heat syncope in humans.
AbstractIn humans, the cutaneous vasodilatation response to hyperthermia has been suggested to be suppressed by baroreflexes to maintain arterial pressure when the posture is changed from supine to upright, and if the reflexes do not function sufficiently, it can cause heat syncope. However, the efferent signals of the reflexes have not been identified. To identify the signals, we continuously measured skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA; microneurography), right atrial volume (RAV; echocardiography, the baroreceptors for the reflexes are reportedly located in the right atrium), cutaneous vascular conductance on the chest (CVCchest; laser Doppler flowmetry), and oesophageal temperature (Toes; thermocouple) in young men before and after passive warming with a perfusion suit, during which periods the posture was changed from supine to 30 deg head‐up tilt positions. During these periods, we also simultaneously measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) to distinguish the SSNA from MSNA. We found that an increase in Toes by ∼0.7°C (P < 0.0001) increased the total SSNA (P < 0.005); however, the head‐up tilt in hyperthermia did not change the total SSNA (P > 0.26) although an increase in CVCchest (P < 0.019) was suppressed and RAV was reduced (P < 0.008). In contrast, the SSNA component synchronised with the cardiac cycle increased in hyperthermia (P < 0.015), but decreased with the postural change (P < 0.017). The SSNA component during the postural change before and after warming was highly correlated with the CVCchest (r = 0.817, P < 0.0001), but the MSNA component was not (r = 0.359, P = 0.085). Thus, the SSNA component synchronised with the cardiac cycle appeared to be involved in suppressing cutaneous vasodilatation during postural changes.
CTX-M-190, a Novel β-Lactamase Resistant to Tazobactam and Sulbactam, Identified in an Escherichia coli Clinical Isolate
Authors: Shen Zhen , Ding Baixing , Bi Yingmin , Wu Shi , Xu Su , Xu Xiaogang , Guo Qinglan , Wang Minggui 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

A novel β-lactamase, CTX-M-190, derived from CTX-M-55 by a single substitution of Ser for Thr at position 133 (Ser133Thr), was identified in a natural
Escherichia coli
clinical isolate. CTX-M-190 exhibited potent hydrolytic activity against cefotaxime, with a
k
cat
/

K
m

ratio of 14.5 μM
−1
s
−1
, and was highly resistant to inhibition by the β-lactamase inhibitors tazobactam and sulbactam, whose 50% inhibitory concentrations were 77- and 55-fold higher, respectively, for CTX-M-190 than for CTX-M-55.
bla
CTX-M-190
was located within the genetic platform IS
Ecp1-bla
CTX-M
-
orf477
, which was harbored by a 70-kb IncI1 plasmid.
IncFII Conjugative Plasmid-Mediated Transmission of
bla
NDM-1
Elements among Animal-Borne Escherichia coli Strains
Authors: Lin Dachuan , Xie Miaomiao , Li Ruichao , Chen Kaichao , Chan Edward Wai-Chi , Chen Sheng 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the prevalence and transmission dynamics of the
bla
NDM-1
gene in animal
Escherichia coli
strains. Two IncFII
bla
NDM-1
-encoding plasmids with only minor structural variation in the MDR region, pHNEC46-NDM and pHNEC55-NDM, were found to be responsible for the transmission of
bla
NDM-1
in these strains. The
bla
NDM-1
gene can be incorporated into plasmids and stably inherited in animal-borne
E. coli
strains that can be maintained in animal gut microflora even without carbapenem selection pressure.
Novel RpoS-Dependent Mechanisms Strengthen the Envelope Permeability Barrier during Stationary Phase
Authors: Mitchell Angela M. , Wang Wei , Silhavy Thomas J. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Gram-negative bacteria have effective methods of excluding toxic compounds, including a largely impermeable outer membrane (OM) and a range of efflux pumps. Furthermore, when cells become nutrient limited, RpoS enacts a global expression change providing cross-protection against many stresses. Here, we utilized sensitivity to an anionic detergent (sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS]) to probe changes occurring to the cell's permeability barrier during nutrient limitation.
Escherichia coli
is resistant to SDS whether cells are actively growing, carbon limited, or nitrogen limited. In actively growing cells, this resistance depends on the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump; however, this pump is not necessary for protection under either carbon-limiting or nitrogen-limiting conditions, suggesting an alternative mechanism(s) of SDS resistance. In carbon-limited cells, RpoS-dependent pathways lessen the permeability of the OM, preventing the necessity for efflux. In nitrogen-limited but not carbon-limited cells, the loss of
rpoS
can be completely compensated for by the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump. We suggest that this difference simply reflects the fact that nitrogen-limited cells have access to a metabolizable energy (carbon) source that can efficiently power the efflux pump. Using a transposon mutant pool sequencing (Tn-Seq) approach, we identified three genes,
sanA
,
dacA
, and
yhdP
, that are necessary for RpoS-dependent SDS resistance in carbon-limited stationary phase. Using genetic analysis, we determined that these genes are involved in two different envelope-strengthening pathways. These genes have not previously been implicated in stationary-phase stress responses. A third novel RpoS-dependent pathway appears to strengthen the cell's permeability barrier in nitrogen-limited cells. Thus, though cells remain phenotypically SDS resistant, SDS resistance mechanisms differ significantly between growth states.

IMPORTANCE
Gram-negative bacteria are intrinsically resistant to detergents and many antibiotics due to synergistic activities of a strong outer membrane (OM) permeability barrier and efflux pumps that capture and expel toxic molecules eluding the barrier. When the bacteria are depleted of an essential nutrient, a program of gene expression providing cross-protection against many stresses is induced. Whether this program alters the OM to further strengthen the barrier is unknown. Here, we identify novel pathways dependent on the master regulator of stationary phase that further strengthen the OM permeability barrier during nutrient limitation, circumventing the need for efflux pumps. Decreased permeability of nutrient-limited cells to toxic compounds has important implications for designing new antibiotics capable of targeting Gram-negative bacteria that may be in a growth-limited state.