bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Travel Time to a Radiation Facility Impact Patient Decision‐Making Regarding Treatment for Prostate Cancer? A Study of the New Hampshire State Cancer Registry
Authors: Ghali Fady , Celaya Maria , Laviolette Michael , Ingimarsson Johann , Carlos Heather , Rees Judy , Hyams Elias 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPurposeWe sought to determine whether further distance from a radiation center is associated with lower utilization of external beam radiation therapy (XRT).MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients with a new diagnosis of localized prostate cancer (CaP) within the New Hampshire State Cancer Registry from 2004 to 2011. Patients were categorized by age, D'Amico risk category, year of treatment, marital status, season of diagnosis, urban/rural residence, and driving time to the nearest radiation facility. Treatment decisions were stratified into those requiring multiple trips (XRT) or a single trip (surgery or brachytherapy). Multivariable regression analysis was performed.ResultsA total of 4,731 patients underwent treatment for newly diagnosed CaP during the study period, including 1,575 multitrip (XRT) and 3,156 single‐trip treatments. Of these, 87.6% lived within a 30‐minute drive to a radiation facility. In multivariable analysis, time to the nearest radiation facility was not associated with treatment decisions (P = .26). However, higher risk category, older age, married status, and winter diagnosis were associated with XRT (P < .05). More recent year of diagnosis and urban residence were associated with single‐trip therapy (primarily surgery) (P < .05). There was a significant interaction between travel time and season of diagnosis (P = .03), as well as a marginally significant interaction with urban/rural status (P = .07).ConclusionOverall, further travel time to a radiation facility was not associated with lower utilization of XRT. These data are encouraging regarding access to care for CaP in New Hampshire.
Factors affecting the diagnostic utility of canine and feline cytological samples
Authors: Sapierzyński R. , Czopowicz M. , Ostrzeszewicz M. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectivesCytology is a quick, inexpensive, minimally invasive and widely available diagnostic method, but rigorous cooperation between clinical cytopathologist and physician is necessary to obtain clinically useful results. The aim of this study was to identify factors that affect clinical usefulness of a cytological result when the cellular material was collected by a general veterinary practitioner and examined by a clinical cytopathologist.Materials and MethodsAnalysis of 100 fine‐needle aspirates performed by private veterinarians and examined by the clinical cytopathologist. Factors dependent on a general veterinary practitioner who performed the biopsy such as comprehensiveness of a cover letter, number of smears sent and macroscopic appearance of smears, were included in the analysis. Patient species and location of the lesion were also included.ResultsOnly two factors turned out to favour a cytological diagnosis: good macroscopic appearance of smears and superficial location of the lesion. Nevertheless, inclusion of the medical history of a patient in a cover letter proved to help a clinical cytopathologist make clinically useful suggestions.Clinical SignificancePreparation of good quality smears and provision of a comprehensive cover letter will increase the likelihood of obtaining clinically useful cytological reports.
Effects of dexmedetomidine administered at acupuncture point GV20 compared to intramuscular route in dogs
Authors: Pons A. , Canfrán S. , Benito J. , Cediel‐Algovia R. , Gómez de Segura I. A. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the sedative effects produced by dexmedetomidine in dogs, administered either intramuscularly or into the Governing Vessel 20 acupuncture point.Materials and MethodsSix dogs were sedated with 125 µg/m2 dexmedetomidine injected either intramuscularly in the gluteal muscles or subcutaneously into the acupuncture point and in random order. Sedation and analgesia were assessed blindly before and after treatments at regular intervals for 90 minutes or until the dogs fully recovered. Duration and quality of sedation were assessed with a numerical sedation rating scale and a dynamic and interactive visual analogue scale. Analgesia was also assessed with a numerical rating scale. Heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperatures were recorded.ResultsSedative and analgesic scores were significantly increased when dexmedetomidine was administered at the Governing Vessel 20 acupuncture point compared with the routine intramuscular route. Duration of sedation was longer in the acupuncture site injection group compared to the intramuscular group (93 ±38 and 41 ±16 minutes). Bradycardia was significantly more pronounced in the acupuncture site group than the intramuscular group, whereas respiratory rates and rectal temperatures did not differ between administration routes.Clinical SignificanceAdministration at the Governing Vessel 20 acupuncture point increased the duration and degree of sedation and analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine compared with the intramuscular route.
Tensile strength of warm and cool season forage grasses in Florida
Authors: Weinberg Zwi G. , Fethiere Richard , Adesogan Adegbola , Sollenberger Lynn 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe tensile strength (TS) of four warm‐season and three cool‐season forage grasses was measured with an Instron Universal machine, along with cell‐wall analysis and determination of in vitro organic matter digestibility. The mean TS of the warm‐season grasses was significantly higher than that of the cool season grasses (22 vs. 9 kg, respectively, p < .05). The concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were significantly greater in the warm‐ than in the cool‐season grasses (p < .05), whereas ash concentration was greater in the cool‐season grasses. Among the warm‐season grasses that were studied, elephant grass had the highest and bermuda grass had the lowest TS (34.4 and 14.9 kg, respectively, p < .05); Among the cool‐season grasses triticale had greater TS than wheat and oats (12.6 vs. 6.8 and 7.5 kg, respectively, p < .05). TS was significantly correlated with NDF, ADF, and ADL, and negatively correlated with in vitro organic matter digestibility (correlation coefficients were 0.64, 0.73. 0.41, and −0.64, respectively).Practical applicationsGrass tensile strength may have implications on animal preference and on the energy that animals must spend during grazing, and consequently on animal performance (feed intake, daily weight gain and milk, and meat production). Information on grass TS would help to select and screen improved forage cultivars and enable to improve grassland management with better animal performance.
Use of Serum MicroRNAs as Biomarker for Hepatobiliary Diseases in Dogs
Authors: Dirksen K. , Verzijl T. , Grinwis G.C. , Favier R.P. , Penning L.C. , Burgener I.A. , van der Laan L.J. , Fieten H. , Spee B. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundCurrent biochemical indicators cannot discriminate between parenchymal, biliary, vascular, and neoplastic hepatobiliary diseases. MicroRNAs are promising new biomarkers for hepatobiliary disease in humans and dogs.ObjectiveTo measure serum concentrations of an established group of microRNAs in dogs and to investigate their concentrations in various types of hepatobiliary diseases.AnimalsForty‐six client‐owned dogs with an established diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease and stored serum samples and eleven client‐owned healthy control Labrador Retrievers.MethodsRetrospective study. Medical records of dogs with parenchymal, biliary, vascular, or neoplastic hepatobiliary diseases and control dogs were reviewed. Concentrations of miR‐21, miR‐122, miR‐126, miR‐148a, miR‐200c, and miR‐222 were quantified in serum by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsNo different microRNAconcentrations were found in the adenoma and congenital portosystemic shunt groups. In all other diseases, miR‐122 concentrations were elevated with the highest concentration in the mucocele group (267‐fold,CI: 40–1,768,P< .001). In dogs with biliary diseases, miR‐21 and miR‐222 were only increased in dogs with mucoceles (26‐fold,CI: 5–141,P= .005 and 13‐fold,CI: 2–70,P= .025, respectively). Uniquely increased microRNAs were found in the hepatocellular carcinoma group (miR‐200c, 35‐fold increase,CI: 3–382,P= .035) and the chronic hepatitis group (miR‐126, 22‐fold increase,CI: 5–91,P= .002).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA microRNApanel consisting of miR‐21, miR‐122, miR‐126, miR‐200c, and miR‐222 can distinguish between parenchymal, biliary, and neoplastic hepatobiliary diseases. Serum microRNAprofiling is a promising new tool that might be a valuable addition to conventional diagnostics to help diagnose various hepatobiliary diseases in dogs.
Hemostatic Findings in Ascitic Fluid: A Cross‐Sectional Study in 70 Dogs
Authors: Zoia A. , Drigo M. , Piek C.J. , Simioni P. , Caldin M. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundAscitic fluids of horses and humans have fibrinolytic activity, independent of the underlying mechanism of fluid formation.ObjectiveTo determine whether coagulation and fibrinogenolytic/fibrinolytic activity (ie, low fibrinogen and increased fibrin–fibrinogen degradation products [FDPs], D‐dimer, or both) occur in all types of ascitic fluid in dogs.AnimalsA total of 70 client‐owned dogs with ascites.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, dogs were categorized based on the pathophysiology of fluid formation into 4 groups: transudates due to decreased osmotic pressure, transudates due to increased hydrostatic pressure, exudates, and hemorrhagic ascites. Fibrinogen, FDPs, and D‐dimer concentrations were measured and then compared in both ascitic fluid and plasma.ResultsTen dogs had transudates due to decreased colloid osmotic pressure, 18 had transudates due to increased hydrostatic pressure, 13 had exudates, and 29 had hemorrhagic ascites. Ascitic fibrinogen concentrations (n = 70) were significantly lower (median = 59 mg/dL; range: 59–122 mg/dL) than those in the plasma (median = 168 mg/dL, range: 59–879 mg/dL; P < .0001). Ascitic FDPs concentrations (n = 70) were significantly higher (<5 μg/mL: 3/70 dogs, ≥5 to <20 μg/mL: 11/70 dogs, ≥20 μg/mL: 56/70 dogs) than those in the plasma (<5 μg/mL: 17/70 dogs, ≥5 to <20 μg/mL: 28/70 dogs, ≥20 μg/mL: 25/70 dogs; P < .0001). Ascitic D‐dimer concentrations (n = 70) were significantly higher (median = 3.98 μg/mL, range: 0.02–9.19) than those in the plasma (median = 0.11 μg/mL, range: 0.01–4.08; P < .0001). Analysis of the data for each of the 4 different types of ascites showed similar results to those of all the data analyzed together.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAscitic fluid of dogs has evidence of coagulation activation and fibrinogenolytic/fibrinolytic activity and that this phenomenon occurs independent of the underlying mechanism that leads to the formation of ascites.
Dental microwear texture analysis of extant koalas: clarifying causal agents of microwear
Authors: Hedberg C. , DeSantis L. R. G. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMicroscopic wear patterns on teeth, that is, dental microwear, are capable of recording observed dietary behaviour in a diversity of extant and extinct animals. However, recent work has questioned the utility of dental microwear at clarifying dietary behaviour, instead suggesting that dental microwear textures are reflective of grit consumed and not the dietary properties of ingested food. Some suggest that dental microwear cannot reflect the textural properties of vegetation consumed because phytoliths are too soft to form microwear. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are model organisms for examining dental microwear formation because they consume a specialized diet consisting almost exclusively of eucalyptus leaves, which notably lack phytoliths. Here, we assess if koala dental microwear records a diet consistent with the consumption of tough leaves – despite the absence of phytoliths in their primary food source. Dental microwear texture data of koalas are consistent with tough folivorous diets, with high anisotropy values indistinguishable from folivorous primates and grazing bovids. However, koalas have significantly higher complexity (indicative of hard object feeding) than the folivorous primate Alouatta palliata, and are indistinguishable in this variable from mixed feeding and browsing bovids. While higher complexity values in koalas may result from increased dust and/or grit on the landscape in comparison to folivores that occur in wetter environments, it may also result from the mastication of woody browse. We also determined that complexity and textural fill volume are not significantly greater in drier environments – as one would predict if grit was the major contributor to dental microwear formation. Koalas may instead be selecting softer younger leaves in drier regions where water is more limited. Collectively, microwear associated with tough object feeding can be formed in the absence of phytoliths and grit may interact with food to form microwear reflective of diet, as opposed to overprinting dietary signals.
Impact‐related thermal effects on the redox state of Ca‐pyroxene
Authors: McCanta M. C. , Dyar M. D. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractOxidation is observed in Ca‐pyroxene subjected to a range of shock pressures (21–59 GPa). Changes in the pyroxene redox ratio as measured by the changes in %Fe3+ ranged from 2–6 times the starting composition. Mössbauer and reflectance spectroscopy record the changing Fe3+ concentration as a preferential oxidation of Fe2+ in the M2 crystallographic site. The oxidation is also accompanied by mechanical changes in the pyroxene crystals including fracturing, linear defects, and twinning. As oxygen fugacity is often calculated using mineral redox ratios and thought to represent the prevailing fO2 during crystallization, it is imperative to recognize that the fO2 values measured in impact‐derived materials may represent that of the impact and not the magma source region.
Population structure and local selection yield high genomic variation in Mimulus guttatus
Authors: Puzey Joshua R. , Willis John H. , Kelly John K. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAcross western North America, Mimulus guttatus exists as many local populations adapted to site‐specific environmental challenges. Gene flow between locally adapted populations will affect genetic diversity both within demes and across the larger metapopulation. Here, we analyse 34 whole‐genome sequences from the intensively studied Iron Mountain population (IM) in conjunction with sequences from 22 Mimulus individuals sampled from across western North America. Three striking features of these data address hypotheses about migration and selection in a locally adapted population. First, we find very high levels of intrapopulation polymorphism (synonymous π = 0.033). Variation outside of genes is likely even higher but difficult to estimate because excessive divergence reduces the efficiency of read mapping. Second, IM exhibits a significantly positive genomewide average for Tajima's D. This indicates allele frequencies are typically more intermediate than expected from neutrality, opposite the pattern observed in many other species. Third, IM exhibits a distinctive haplotype structure with a genomewide excess of positive associations between rarer alleles at linked loci. This suggests an important effect of gene flow from other Mimulus populations, although a residual effect of population founding might also contribute. The combination of multiple analyses, including a novel tree‐based analytic method, illustrates how the balance of local selection, limited dispersal and metapopulation dynamics manifests across the genome. The overall genomic pattern of sequence diversity suggests successful gene flow of divergent immigrant genotypes into IM. However, many loci show patterns indicative of local adaptation, particularly at SNPs associated with chromosomal inversions.
The essential cell division protein FtsN contains a critical disulfide bond in a non‐essential domain
Authors: Meehan Brian M. , Landeta Cristina , Boyd Dana , Beckwith Jon 
Published: November 2016

SummaryDisulfide bonds are found in many proteins associated with the cell wall of Escherichia coli, and for some of these proteins the disulfide bond is critical to their stability and function. One protein found to contain a disulfide bond is the essential cell division protein FtsN, but the importance of this bond to the protein's structural integrity is unclear. While it evidently plays a role in the proper folding of the SPOR domain of FtsN, this domain is non‐essential, suggesting that the disulfide bond might also be dispensable. However, we find that FtsN mutants lacking cysteines give rise to filamentous growth. Furthermore, FtsN protein levels in strains expressing these mutants were significantly lower than in a strain expressing the wild‐type allele, as were FtsN levels in strains incapable of making disulfide bonds (dsb‐) exposed to anaerobic conditions. These results strongly suggest that FtsN lacking a disulfide bond is unstable, thereby making this disulfide critical for function. We have previously found that dsb‐ strains fail to grow anaerobically, and the results presented here suggest that this growth defect may be due in part to misfolded FtsN. Thus, proper cell division in E. coli is dependent upon disulfide bond formation.
Maf1 is a negative regulator of transcription in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Romero‐Meza Gabriela , Vélez‐Ramírez Daniel E. , Florencio‐Martínez Luis E. , Román‐Carraro Fiordaliso C. , Manning‐Cela Rebeca , Hernández‐Rivas Rosaura , Martínez‐Calvillo Santiago 
Published: November 2016

SummaryRNA polymerase III (Pol III) produces small RNA molecules that play essential roles in mRNA processing and translation. Maf1, originally described as a negative regulator of Pol III transcription, has been studied from yeast to human. Here we characterized Maf1 in the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei (TbMaf1), representing the first report to analyse Maf1 in an early‐diverged eukaryote. While Maf1 is generally encoded by a single‐copy gene, the T. brucei genome contains two almost identical TbMaf1 genes. The TbMaf1 protein has the three conserved sequences and is predicted to fold into a globular structure. Unlike in yeast, TbMaf1 localizes to the nucleus in procyclic forms of T. brucei under normal growth conditions. Cell lines that either downregulate or overexpress TbMaf1 were generated, and growth curve analysis with them suggested that TbMaf1 participates in the regulation of cell growth of T. brucei. Nuclear run‐on and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that TbMaf1 represses Pol III transcription of tRNA and U2 snRNA genes by associating with their promoters. Interestingly, 5S rRNA levels do not change after TbMaf1 ablation or overexpression. Notably, our data also revealed that TbMaf1 regulates Pol I transcription of procyclin gene and Pol II transcription of SL RNA genes.
Caught between two proteins: a mycobacterial inhibitor challenges the mold
Authors: Boshoff Helena I. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryElucidating the target or mechanism of action of potential drugs in the discovery pipeline is an integral component of most programs. For antibacterial compounds, generation of resistant mutants followed by whole genome sequencing has often been successful in uncovering the proteins involved in regulating compound activation, uptake, efflux and importantly, target processes. When this process succeeds, we are quick to declare a target. In a study reported by Sing and Dhar et al. (in press), the combination of resistant mutant generation, whole genome sequencing and recombineering to identify the target of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth inhibitor, pointed to a mechanism involving a scaffolding protein, Wag31, involved in polar elongation of mycobacterial cells. Time‐lapse microscopy and electron microscopy confirmed the view that this inhibitor resulted in interruption of nascent cell wall biosynthesis. However, co‐expression as well as regulated titration of the putative Wag31 target demonstrated that the wild‐type allele was dominant and showed no synergy with the inhibitor. The most plausible explanation from their results was that this inhibitor interfered with the interaction of Wag31 with one of its interacting partners in the elongation complex.
Combinatorial control of adhesion of Brucella abortus 2308 to host cells by transcriptional rewiring of the trimeric autotransporter btaE gene
Authors: Sieira Rodrigo , Bialer Magalí G. , Roset Mara S. , Ruiz‐Ranwez Verónica , Langer Tomás , Arocena Gastón M. , Mancini Estefanía , Zorreguieta Angeles 
Published: November 2016

SummaryRegulatory network plasticity is a key attribute underlying changes in bacterial gene expression and a source of phenotypic diversity to interact with the surrounding environment. Here, we sought to study the transcriptional circuit of HutC, a regulator of both metabolic and virulence genes of the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella. Using in silico and biochemical approaches, we identified a novel functional HutC‐binding site upstream of btaE, a trimeric‐autotransporter adhesin involved in the attachment of Brucella to host extracellular matrix components. Moreover, we identified two additional regulators, one of which, MdrA, acts in concert with HutC to exert a combinatorial control of both btaE promoter activity and attachment of Brucella to HeLa cells. Analysis of btaE promoter sequences of different species indicated that this HutC‐binding site was generated de novo by a single point mutation in a virulent Brucella strain, indicative of a transcriptional rewiring event. In addition to major domain organization differences existing between BtaE proteins within the genus Brucella, our analyses revealed that sequences upstream of btaE display high variability probably associated to intrinsic promoter structural features, which may serve as a substrate for reciprocal selection during co‐evolution between this pathogen and its mammalian host.
The Food Teacher Professional Portfolio – a personal and professional development programme for secondary food teachers
Authors: Meek F. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis article provides a summary of the new Food Teacher Professional Portfolio, a 3‐year personal and professional development programme for secondary food teachers developed by the British Nutrition Foundation in partnership with the Food Teachers Centre. Included is the rationale for developing the programme; an overview of the training, support and resources provided; feedback from participants who have just completed the programme's first year; and information on forthcoming activities in 2016/2017.