bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Telomere mean length in patients with diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Sharma Rupali , Gupta Amod , Thungapathra M. , Bansal Reema 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTelomere regression has been shown to be associated with several complex disorders like diabetes mellitus, cancer, cataract etc. Diabetic retinopathy develops as a complication of chronic hyperglycemia leading to increased oxidative stress that may potentially lead to shortening of telomeres. We sought to determine whether there is any association between telomere mean length (TML) of peripheral blood monocytes with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy. The study involved 120 subjects, comprising 27 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) without any diabetic retinopathy (NDR), 45 NIDDM subjects with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 12 NIDDM subjects with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 36 healthy controls. Determination of TML of the study subjects was performed by Southern hybridization using telomere probe. Among the biochemical parameters, HBA1c showed a negative correlation with shortened telomeres in the PDR subjects. However, telomere length was positively correlated with high density lipo protein (HDL) in the control subjects. The control group had significantly greater TML as compared to the rest of the groups and the NDR subjects with NPDR and PDR had substantially decreased TML than the NIDDM subjects without retinopathy.
Are Immune Modulating Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
Authors: Franklin Ashanti L. , Said Mariam , Cappiello Clint D. , Gordish-Dressman Heather , Tatari-Calderone Zohreh , Vukmanovic Stanislav , Rais-Bahrami Khodayar , Luban Naomi L. C. , Devaney Joseph M. , Sandler Anthony D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal emergency. The purpose of this study is to determine if functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-modulating genes pre-dispose infants to NEC. After Institutional Review Board approval and parental consent, buccal swabs were collected for DNA extraction. TaqMan allelic discrimination assays and BglII endonuclease digestion were used to genotype specific inflammatory cytokines and TRIM21. Statistical analysis was completed using logistic regression. 184 neonates were analyzed in the study. Caucasian neonates with IL-6 (rs1800795) were over 6 times more likely to have NEC (p = 0.013; OR = 6.61, 95% CI 1.48–29.39) and over 7 times more likely to have Stage III disease (p = 0.011; OR = 7.13, (95% CI 1.56–32.52). Neonates with TGFβ-1 (rs2241712) had a decreased incidence of NEC-related perforation (p = 0.044; OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08–0.97) and an increased incidence of mortality (p = 0.049; OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.01 – 8.86). TRIM21 (rs660) was associated with NEC-related intestinal perforation (p = 0.038; OR = 4.65, 95% CI 1.09–19.78). In premature Caucasian neonates, the functional SNP IL-6 (rs1800795) is associated with both the development and increased severity of NEC. TRIM21 (rs660) and TGFβ-1 (rs2241712) were associated with NEC- related perforation in all neonates in the cohort. These findings suggest a possible genetic role in the development of NEC.
Are variations in heterotrophic soil respiration related to changes in substrate availability and microbial biomass carbon in the subtropical forests?
Authors: Wei Hui , Chen Xiaomei , Xiao Guoliang , Guenet Bertrand , Vicca Sara , Shen Weijun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSoil temperature and moisture are widely-recognized controlling factors on heterotrophic soil respiration (Rh), although they often explain only a portion of Rh variability. How other soil physicochemical and microbial properties may contribute to Rh variability has been less studied. We conducted field measurements on Rh half-monthly and associated soil properties monthly for two years in four subtropical forests of southern China to assess influences of carbon availability and microbial properties on Rh. Rh in coniferous forest was significantly lower than that in the other three broadleaf species-dominated forests and exhibited obvious seasonal variations in the four forests (P < 0.05). Temperature was the primary factor influencing the seasonal variability of Rh while moisture was not in these humid subtropical forests. The quantity and decomposability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were significantly important to Rh variations, but the effect of DOC content on Rh was confounded with temperature, as revealed by partial mantel test. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was significantly related to Rh variations across forests during the warm season (P = 0.043). Our results suggest that DOC and MBC may be important when predicting Rh under some conditions and highlight the complexity by mutual effects of them with environmental factors on Rh variations.
Twinning of cubic diamond explains reported nanodiamond polymorphs
Authors: Németh Péter , Garvie Laurence A. J. , Buseck Peter R. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe unusual physical properties and formation conditions attributed to h-, i-, m- and n-nanodiamond polymorphs has resulted in their receiving much attention in the materials and planetary science literature. Their identification is based on diffraction features that are absent in ordinary cubic (c-) diamond (space group: Fd-3m). We show, using ultra-high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images of natural and synthetic nanodiamonds, that the diffraction features attributed to the reported polymorphs are consistent with c-diamond containing abundant defects. Combinations of {113} reflection and <011> rotation twins produce HRTEM images and d-spacings that match those attributed to h-, i- and m-diamond. The diagnostic features of n-diamond in TEM images can arise from thickness effects of c-diamonds. Our data and interpretations strongly suggest that the reported nanodiamond polymorphs are in fact twinned c-diamond. We also report a new type of twin (<1"Equation missing"1> rotational), which can give rise to grains with dodecagonal symmetry. Our results show that twins are widespread in diamond nanocrystals. A high density of twins could strongly influence their applications.
Magnetoelectricity coupled exchange bias in BaMnF4
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Wang Ji , Chang Xiaofeng , Wang Shuangbao , Qian Bin , Han Zhida , Xu Qingyu , Du Jun , Wang Peng , Dong Shuai 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMultiferroic BaMnF4 powder was prepared by hydrothermal method. Hysteretic field dependent magnetization curve at 5 K confirms the weak ferromagnetism aroused from the canted antiferromagnetic spins by magnetoelectric coupling. The blocking temperature of 65 K for exchange bias coincides well with the peak at 65 K in the zero-field cooled temperature-dependent magnetization curve, which has been assigned to the onset temperature of two-dimensional antiferromagnetism. An upturn kink of exchange field and coercivity with decreasing temperature was observed from 40 K to 20 K, which is consistent with the two-dimensional to three-dimensional antiferromagnetic transition at Néel temperature (~26 K). In contrast to the conventional mechanism of magnetization pinned by interfacial exchange coupling in multiphases, the exchange bias in BaMnF4 is argued to be a bulk effect in single phase, due to the magnetization pinned by the polarization through magnetoelectric coupling.
Unveiling Bacterial Interactions through Multidimensional Scaling and Dynamics Modeling
Authors: Dorado-Morales Pedro , Vilanova Cristina , P. Garay Carlos , Martí Jose Manuel , Porcar Manuel 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe propose a new strategy to identify and visualize bacterial consortia by conducting replicated culturing of environmental samples coupled with high-throughput sequencing and multidimensional scaling analysis, followed by identification of bacteria-bacteria correlations and interactions. We conducted a proof of concept assay with pine-tree resin-based media in ten replicates, which allowed detecting and visualizing dynamical bacterial associations in the form of statistically significant and yet biologically relevant bacterial consortia.
MBA – der Arzt von morgen?
Authors: Bork U. , Welsch T. , Weitz J. 
Published: December 2015

In den letzten zehn Jahren hat sich das deutsche Gesundheitssystem zunehmend gewandelt. Kliniken stehen unter deutlichem ökonomischen Druck und betriebswirtschaftliches Wissen wird auch für Mediziner immer wichtiger, auch um mit der Klinikverwaltung optimal im Sinne der Patienten zusammenarbeiten zu können. Medizin und Ökonomie stehen hierbei nicht im Widerspruch zueinander. Durch effizientere Leitung einer Abteilung lassen sich häufig Ressourcen einsparen, Prozessabläufe besser gestalten und auch für den Patienten vorteilhafte Ergebnisse bezüglich Service und medizinischer Qualität erzielen.In den letzten Jahren hat das Angebot an ökonomischen und betriebswirtschaftlichen Zusatzstudiengängen und Weiterbildungsangeboten für Mediziner stetig zugenommen und wird im Folgenden beleuchtet.
cAMP-induced phosphorylation of 26S proteasomes on Rpn6/PSMD11 enhances their activity and the degradation of misfolded proteins
Authors: Lokireddy Sudarsanareddy , Kukushkin Nikolay Vadimovich , Goldberg Alfred Lewis 
Published: December 2015

Significance
This report describes an important new mechanism regulating protein degradation in mammalian cells through phosphorylation of the 26S proteasome. Treatments that raise cAMP and activate PKA cause phosphorylation of Rpn6/PSMD11, a subunit of the 19S regulatory complex. This modification enhances the proteasome’s capacity to hydrolyze ubiquitinated proteins, ATP, and small peptides, and in cells stimulates the degradation of aggregation-prone proteins, including ones that cause neurodegenerative diseases (tau, SOD1, TDP43, and FUS). Our related collaborative study demonstrated that raising cAMP in brain promotes the clearance of aggregated tau in a mouse tauopathy model. This enhancement of proteasome activity and breakdown of misfolded proteins represents a new function of the cAMP/PKA pathway that offers a promising approach to treat proteotoxic diseases.
The real puzzle of the self-torturer: uncovering a new dimension of instrumental rationality
Authors: Andreou Chrisoula 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe puzzle of the self-torturer raises intriguing questions concerning rationality, cyclic preferences, and resoluteness. Interestingly, what makes the case puzzling has not been clearly pinpointed. The puzzle, it seems, is that a series of rational choices foreseeably leads the self-torturer to an option that serves his preferences worse than the one with which he started. But this is a very misleading way of casting the puzzle. I pinpoint the real puzzle of the self-torturer and, in the process, reveal a neglected but crucial dimension of instrumental rationality.
Comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K8 of high dose-rate Ir-192 brachytherapy standards for reference air kerma rate of the NMIJ and the BIPM
Authors: Kessler C , Kurosawa T , Mikamoto T 
Published: December 2015

An indirect comparison of the standards for reference air kerma rate for 192Ir high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy sources of the National Metrology Institute of Japan (AIST-NMIJ), Japan, and of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) was carried out at the Japan Radioisotope Association (JRIA) in April 2015. The comparison result, based on the calibration coefficients for a transfer standard and expressed as a ratio of the NMIJ and the BIPM standards for reference air kerma rate, is 1.0036 with a combined standard uncertainty of 0.0054.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K3 of the air-kerma standards of the NMIJ, Japan and the BIPM in medium-energy x-rays
Authors: Burns D T , Kessler C , Tanaka T , Kurosawa T , Saito N 
Published: December 2015

A key comparison has been made between the air-kerma standards of the NMIJ, Japan and the BIPM in the medium-energy x-ray range. The results show the standards to be in agreement at the level of the standard uncertainty of the comparison of 3.1 parts in 103. A trend is evident in the results for the different radiation qualities. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Final report of supplementary comparison AFRIMETS.AUV.A-S1: primary pressure calibration of LS2aP microphones according to IEC 61094-2, over the frequency range 1 Hz to 31.5 kHz.
Authors: Nel R , Barrera-Figueroa S , Dobrowolska D , Soares Z M Defilippo , Maina A K , Hof C 
Published: December 2015

This is the final report of the AFRIMETS.AUV-S1 comparison of the pressure sensitivity, modulus and phase, of LS2aP microphones in the frequency range 1 Hz to 31.5 kHz in accordance with IEC 61094-2. Six national metrology institutes from three different regional metrology organisations participated in the comparison for which two LS2aP microphones were circulated simultaneously to all the participants in a hybrid-star configuration. The comparison reference values were calculated as the weighted mean for modulus and phase for each individual microphone.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCAUV, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and molecular hydrogen in oxygen-rich planetary nebulae: the case of NGC 6720
Authors: Cox N. L. J. , Pilleri P. , Berné O. , Cernicharo J. , Joblin C. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Evolved stars are primary sources for the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dust grains. Their circumstellar chemistry is usually designated as either oxygen rich or carbon rich, although dual-dust chemistry objects, whose infrared spectra reveal both silicate- and carbon-dust features, are also known. The exact origin and nature of this dual-dust chemistry is not yet understood. Spitzer–Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging of the nearby, oxygen-rich planetary nebula NGC 6720 reveals the presence of the 11.3 μm aromatic (PAH) emission band. It is attributed to emission from neutral PAHs, since no band is observed in the 7–8 μm range. The spatial distribution of PAHs is found to closely follow that of the warm clumpy molecular hydrogen emission. Emission from both neutral PAHs and warm H2 is likely to arise from photodissociation regions associated with dense knots that are located within the main ring. The presence of PAHs together with the previously derived high abundance of free carbon (relative to CO) suggest that the local conditions in an oxygen-rich environment can also become conducive to in situ formation of large carbonaceous molecules, such as PAHs, through a bottom-up chemical pathway. In this scenario, the same stellar source can enrich the interstellar medium with both oxygen-rich dust and large carbonaceous molecules.
Advancing Competency-Based Medical Education: A Charter for Clinician–Educators
Authors: Carraccio Carol , Englander Robert , Van Melle Elaine , ten Cate Olle , Lockyer Jocelyn , Chan Ming-Ka , Frank Jason R. , Snell Linda S. 
Published: December 2015

The International Competency-Based Medical Education (ICBME) Collaborators have been working since 2009 to promote understanding of competency-based medical education (CBME) and accelerate its uptake worldwide. This article presents a charter, supported by a literature-based rationale, which is meant to provide a shared mental model of CBME that will serve as a path forward in its widespread implementation.
At a 2013 summit, the ICBME Collaborators laid the groundwork for this charter. Here, the fundamental principles of CBME and professional responsibilities of medical educators in its implementation process are described. The authors outline three fundamental principles: (1) Medical education must be based on the health needs of the populations served; (2) the primary focus of education and training should be the desired outcomes for learners rather than the structure and process of the educational system; and (3) the formation of a physician should be seamless across the continuum of education, training, and practice.
Building on these principles, medical educators must demonstrate commitment to teaching, assessing, and role modeling the range of identified competencies. In the clinical setting, they must provide supervision that balances patient safety with the professional development of learners, being transparent with stakeholders about level of supervision needed. They must use effective and efficient assessment strategies and tools for basing transition decisions on competence rather than time in training, empowering learners to be active participants in their learning and assessment. Finally, advancing CBME requires program evaluation and research, faculty development, and a collaborative approach to realize its full potential.
Transforming Medical Education: Is Competency-Based Medical Education the Right Approach?
Authors: Whitcomb Michael E. 
Published: December 2015

There is growing recognition within the medical education community that medical education in this country needs to be changed to better prepare doctors for the challenges they will face in providing their patients high-quality medical care. A competency-based medical education (CBME) approach was endorsed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties approximately 15 years ago, and a self-designated group—the International Competency-Based Medical Education (ICBME) Collaborators—is now calling on members of the medical education community to join them in their effort to establish CBME as the approach to be used in transforming medical education, not only in the United States but also around the world.
In response to an article in this issue by a group of ICBME Collaborators, the author argues that more evidence about the effectiveness of CBME is needed before a global shift to this approach is undertaken. It is time for major organizations and foundations that are committed to improving medical education to step forward and take the lead in partnering with the medical education community to conduct a critical evaluation of CBME. In addition, maintenance of certification, relicensure, and continuing medical education programs should be evaluated for their effectiveness in ensuring that physicians are clinically competent not only at the beginning of their career but also until the end.
SURGICAL EMBOLECTOMY FOR FOVEA-THREATENING ACUTE RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION
Authors: Almeida David R.P. , Mammo Zaid , Chin Eric K. , Mahajan Vinit B. 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
To describe a technique of surgical intraocular embolectomy in patients with acute fovea-threatening branch retinal artery occlusion.

Methods:
Pars plana vitrectomy with embolectomy involving embolus isolation, dissection, and removal in patients with an acute fovea-threatening arterial occlusion without a patent cilioretinal artery.

Results:
The surgical technique involves a core vitrectomy. The blocked artery is incised using a microvitreoretinal blade, and microsurgical forceps are used to retrieve the embolus. No significant complications were noted. The study technique offers an excellent safety profile and minimizes the risk of vitreous hemorrhage by carefully dissecting the vascular adventitial sheath and isolating the embolus.

Conclusion:
Surgical embolectomy is a viable technique for patients with acute fovea-threatening arterial occlusions without patent cilioretinal artery. Careful dissection and retrieval of the embolus minimizes the risk of vitreous hemorrhage, which is an important improvement in previous techniques for management of acute retinal arterial occlusions.
MYCOBACTERIUM MANITOBENSE MASQUERADING AS CORYNEBACTERIUM PSEUDODIPHTHERITICUM IN A CASE OF POSTCATARACT SURGERY ENDOPHTHALMITIS
Authors: Dave Vivek P. , Ambiya Vikas , Nirmalkar Khemlal , Reddy Gundlapally S. , Sharma Savitri 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
To describe a case of postoperative Mycobacterium manitobense endophthalmitis with good visual outcome that is the first report of endophthalmitis by this organism.

Methods:
Clinical and microbiological description of a patient with postoperative endophthalmitis.

Results:
A 50-year-old chronic alcoholic man was referred to us with decreased vision in his right eye for 4 days. He had undergone cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in his right eye a month ago. The presenting vision in his right eye was counting fingers close to face. He was diagnosed as a case of postoperative endophthalmitis. Subsequently, the patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy and vitreous biopsy. The microbiologic investigation of the vitreous biopsy showed poorly stained gram-positive beaded bacilli that were acid fast, and growth in culture was identified as Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum by Vitek 2 bacterial identification system. However, DNA analysis confirmed the organism to be M. manitobense. The patient responded well to repeat interventions with intravitreal antibiotics with a final reported visual acuity of 20/30 at 4 months after first intervention.

Conclusion:
Although known to be an organism causing soft-tissue infections, M. manitobense can also cause postsurgical endophthalmitis. The diagnosis can be confused with Corynebacterium sp. on smear and culture. Subsequent DNA sequencing of the culture provides definite identification of the organism.