bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A NodD‐like protein activates transcription of genes involved with naringenin degradation in a flavonoid‐dependent manner in Herbaspirillum seropedicae
Authors: Wassem R. , Marin A. M. , Daddaoua A. , Monteiro R. A. , Chubatsu L. S. , Ramos J.L. , Deakin W. J. , Broughton W. J. , Pedrosa F. O. , Souza E. M. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryHerbaspirillum seropedicae is an associative, endophytic non‐nodulating diazotrophic bacterium that colonises several grasses. An ORF encoding a LysR‐type transcriptional regulator, very similar to NodD proteins of rhizobia, was identified in its genome. This nodD‐like gene, named fdeR, is divergently transcribed from an operon encoding enzymes involved in flavonoid degradation (fde operon). Apigenin, chrysin, luteolin and naringenin strongly induce transcription of the fde operon, but not that of the fdeR, in an FdeR‐dependent manner. The intergenic region between fdeR and fdeA contains several generic LysR consensus sequences (T‐N11‐A) and we propose a binding site for FdeR, which is conserved in other bacteria. DNase I foot‐printing revealed that the interaction with the FdeR binding site is modified by the four flavonoids that stimulate transcription of the fde operon. Moreover, FdeR binds naringenin and chrysin as shown by isothermal titration calorimetry. Interestingly, FdeR also binds in vitro to the nod‐box from the nodABC operon of Rhizobium sp. NGR234 and is able to activate its transcription in vivo. These results show that FdeR exhibits two features of rhizobial NodD proteins: nod‐box recognition and flavonoid‐dependent transcription activation, but its role in H. seropedicae and related organisms seems to have evolved to control flavonoid metabolism.
Interventions to reduce cognitive impairments following critical illness: a topical systematic review
Authors: Nedergaard H. K. , Jensen H. I. , Toft P. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundCritical illness is associated with cognitive impairments. Effective treatment or prevention has not been established. The aim of this review was to create a systematic summary of the current evidence concerning clinical interventions during intensive care admission to reduce cognitive impairments after discharge.MethodsMedline, Embase, Cochrane Central, PsycInfo and Cinahl were searched. Inclusion criteria were studies assessing the effect of interventions during intensive care admission on cognitive function in adult patients. Studies were excluded if they were reviews or reported solely on survivors of cardiac arrest, stroke or traumatic brain injury.ResultsOf 4877 records were identified. Seven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The interventions described covered strategies for enteral nutrition, fluids, sedation, weaning, mobilization, cognitive activities, statins and sleep quality improvement. Data were synthesized to provide an overview of interventions, quality, follow‐up assessments and neuropsychological outcomes.ConclusionNone of the interventions had significant positive effects on cognitive impairments following critical illness. Quality was negatively affected by study limitations, imprecision and indirectness in evidence. Clinical research on cognition is feasible, but large, well designed trials with a specific aim at reducing cognitive impairments are needed.
No cases of perioperative allergy to local anaesthetics in the Danish Anaesthesia Allergy Centre
Authors: Kvisselgaard A. D. , Krøigaard M. , Mosbech H. F. , Garvey L. H. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundLocal anaesthetics (LA) are often suspected as possible causes of allergic reactions. The Danish Anaesthesia Allergy Centre (DAAC) is the national reference centre for investigation of perioperative allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of IgE‐mediated immediate type perioperative allergic reactions to LA.MethodsIn the period 2004–2013, a total of 409 patients (244 women/165 men; median age 49 years, range 1–86 years) were investigated in DAAC on suspicion of allergy associated with anaesthesia and surgery. A total of 162 (40%) patients were exposed to one or more LA. Suspected allergy to LA was investigated by prick test, intradermal test and subcutaneous provocation with the suspected drug. Patients with positive skin tests still underwent subcutaneous provocation, as false positive skin tests can occur.ResultsA total of 203 test series with LA were carried out on 162 patients (89 women/73 men; mean age 49 years, range 2–85 years) with the following drugs: Lidocaine n = 80 (49%), bupivacaine n = 82 (51%), ropivacaine n = 31 (19%) and mepivacaine n = 10 (6%). All 162 patients had negative subcutaneous provocation for all tested LA (95% CI: 0–1.8%). Investigations revealed another allergen in 52 of 162 patients.ConclusionNone of the 162 patients with suspected perioperative allergic reactions and exposure to LA reacted on subcutaneous provocation with the relevant LA. Thus, no patients have been diagnosed with allergy to LA in DAAC in the period 2004–2013 and allergy to LA must be considered very rare in this population.
Characterization of miRNAs involved in response to poly(I:C) in porcine airway epithelial cells
Authors: Wang L. , Wang J. K. , Han L. X. , Zhuo J. S. , Du X. , Liu D. , Yang X. Q. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNA) have been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including infectious diseases. Knowledge of the miRNAs affected by poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of viral double‐stranded RNA, in porcine airway epithelial cells (PAECs) contributes to understanding the mechanisms of swine viral respiratory diseases, which bring enormous economic loss worldwide every year. In this study, we used high throughput sequencing to profile miRNA expression in PAECs treated with poly(I:C) as compared to the untreated control. This approach revealed 23 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), five of which have not been implicated in viral infection before. Nineteen of the 23 miRNAs were down‐regulated including members of the miR‐17‐92 cluster, a well‐known polycistronic oncomir and extensively involved in viral infection in humans. Target genes of DEMs, predicted using bioinformatic methods and validated by luciferase reporter analysis on two representative DEMs, were significantly enriched in several pathways including transforming growth factor‐β signaling. A large quantity of sequence variations (isomiRs) were found including a substitution at position 5, which was verified to redirect miRNAs to a new spectrum of targets by luciferase reporter assay together with bioinformatics analysis. Twelve novel porcine miRNAs conserved in other species were identified by homology analysis together with cloning verification. Furthermore, the expression analysis revealed the potential importance of three novel miRNAs in porcine immune response to viruses. Overall, our data contribute to clarifying the mechanisms underlying the host immune response against respiratory viruses in pigs, and enriches the repertoire of porcine miRNAs.
Assessing surgical research at the teaching hospital level
Authors: McBride Kate E. , Young Jane M. , Bannon Paul G. , Solomon Michael J. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundTo undertake a comprehensive needs assessment to determine the baseline of surgical research activity at a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia.MethodThe comprehensive needs assessment comprised three components: a retrospective audit of the hospital ethics committee records to identify surgical research activity; a survey of all 17 surgical departments about the availability of 10 potential research resources and a survey of surgical staff to ascertain perceptions of research culture at the organizational, team and individual levels.ResultsOf all research studies submitted to the hospital ethics committee in a 2‐year period, only 9% were identified as surgical studies. Among the 17 surgical departments, there was wide variation in activity with only four defined as being ‘research active’. On average, 52% of potential resources for surgical research were found to be in place within surgical departments. Only five departments were considered to be adequately research resourced (≥75% potential resources in place). Surgical research culture was rated ‘moderate’ at the organizational and team level, and ‘low’ at the individual level. Medical staff rated research capacity significantly higher at the team and individual levels compared to nursing staff.ConclusionCollectively, the baseline results indicate there is considerable opportunity to enhance surgical research at the hospital level and to use this information to guide new and innovative approaches in the future.
Clinical Assessment of Histidine‐Tryptophan‐Ketoglutarate Solution and Modified St. Thomas' Solution in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Wang Zhao‐Hui , An Yong , Du Ming‐Cheng , Qin Ting‐Jiang , Liu Yin‐Bei , Xu Hong‐Zhen , Yang Li‐Qun 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study is to compare the myocardium protective effect of Bretschneider's histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate (HTK) solution versus Modified St. Thomas' (STH) solution in pediatric cardiac surgery of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Seventy‐seven pediatric patients of TOF who received the total surgical repair were reviewed, from January 2014 to October 2015. A horizontal comparison between HTK solution and modified STH solution has been made since the HTK solutions were started to be used in our hospital. The patients were divided into the HTK group (n = 35) and the STH group (n = 33). The perioperative values of the groups were assessed in this study. The primary endpoints including spontaneous cardiac re‐beating time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, overall stay, mechanical ventilation postoperation, postoperation stay, overall stay, and perioperative echocardiographic results were analyzed in this study. We found that spontaneous cardiac re‐beating time of the HTK group was significantly shorter than that of the STH group (0.26 min ± 0.56 vs. 1.33 ± 1.02, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in ICU stay (P = 0.29), postoperative mechanical ventilation time (P = 0.84), overall stay (0.73); and the mortalities of the two groups were similar (2.9 vs. 3.0%). Aimed at pediatric cardiac surgery of TOF, this study suggests that with similar aorta cross‐clamping time, modified STH solution is as safe as HTK solution.
Questionnaire‐based survey in a developing country showing noncompliance with paediatric gastro‐oesophageal reflux practice guidelines
Authors: Manasfi Hayat , Hanna‐Wakim Rima , Akel Imad , Yazbeck Nadine 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimThis 2015 study investigated whether Lebanese paediatricians diagnosed and managed gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants and children in accordance with the 2009 guidelines from the North American and European Societies for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.MethodsPaediatricians members of the Lebanese Order of Physicians with updated email addresses were invited to complete a web‐based survey between September and November 2015, to assess their knowledge and management of GERD.ResultsResponses were received from 114 of the 543 paediatricians, and 96 were analysed. Only two respondents complied fully with the international guidelines. The majority diagnosed GERD in infants based solely on their medical history and examination. Moreover, nearly two‐thirds of the respondents would start an empiric trial with acid suppression. Around half of the respondents considered proton pump inhibitors to be the mainstay of GERD treatment.ConclusionThis was the first Lebanese study that surveyed the management of paediatric GERD. Only 2.1% of the paediatricians followed the guidelines on the evidence‐based management of GERD. This highlights the need for studies to assess barriers to guideline implementation and the development of new guidelines accounting for regional factors, mainly the cost of investigations and prevalence of medical insurance.
Presence of intraepithelial food antigen in patients with active eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: Marietta E. V. , Geno D. M. , Smyrk T. C. , Becker A. , Alexander J. A. , Camilleri M. , Murray J. A. , Katzka D. A. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryBackgroundAlthough eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is putatively mediated by an abnormal response to food antigen, the oesophagus is considered relatively impermeable to large molecules.AimTo assess whether food antigens penetrate the oesophageal mucosa in patients with EoE.MethodsAnti‐gliadin staining was performed in three groups: active EoE, inactive EoE and EoE patients on a low or gluten free diet. To appraise the specificity of our results, we also performed gliadin staining on six patients without oesophageal disease who were consuming gluten. The groups with EoE on gluten also underwent endoscopic infusion with gluten containing soy sauce and repeat biopsies during the endoscopy. We measured eosinophil density, dilated intercellular spaces (on a 0–4+ scale) and gliadin in oesophageal mucosa by immunofluorescence.ResultsPatients with active EoE had significantly greater epithelial density of anti‐gliadin staining when compared to inactive EoE (P < 0.0065) and gluten‐free patients (P < 0.0008) at baseline and after soy infusion. Gliadin was not detected in non‐EoE control patients. The distribution of gliadin was both cytoplasmic and nuclear. There was good correlation of dilated intercellular spaces grade and total gliadin staining intensity (r = 0.577, P = 0.0077). Acute oesophageal perfusion of a commercial gliadin‐rich soy sauce did not lead to an increase in gliadin staining in active or inactive EoE.ConclusionThese findings suggest, although do not prove, that antigen penetration in active eosinophilic oesophagitis might be facilitated by impairment of epithelial integrity.
Differences in rumen fermentation characteristics between low‐yield and high‐yield dairy cows in early lactation
Authors: Sofyan Ahmad , Mitsumori Makoto , Ohmori Hideyuki , Uyeno Yutaka , Hasunuma Toshiya , Akiyama Kiyoshi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Yokokawa Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Tsuneko , Shinkai Takumi , Hirako Makoto , Kushibiki Shiro 
Published: November 2016

AbstractRelationship between rumen fermentation parameters, blood biochemical profiles and milk production traits in different yielding dairy cows during early lactation was investigated. Twelve dairy cows were divided into two groups based on their milk yield, that is low‐yield (LY) and high‐yield (HY) groups. Rumen fluid and blood were collected at 3 weeks prepartum and 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum. Results showed that proportions of acetate, propionate to total short chain fatty acids and acetate : propionate ratio were changed (P < 0.05) in both groups during the peripartum period, whereas butyrate and acetate : butyrate ratio were only altered in the HY group. Blood cholesterol, beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in the HY group were higher (P < 0.01) than those in the LY group. Principal component analysis revealed that milk yield and milk compositions were differently clustered between groups. These parameters showed similar direction with dry matter intake in the HY group and adverse direction in the LY group. Linear regression analysis indicated that butyrate was positively correlated with BHBA (P < 0.05) in the HY group. This study suggests that cows in the HY group seem to accommodate appropriately to negative energy balance in early lactation through rumen fermentation.
Radioactive cesium and potassium in cattle living in the ‘zone in preparation for the lifting of the evacuation order’ of the Fukushima nuclear accident
Authors: Sato Itaru , Sasaki Jun , Satoh Hiroshi , Murata Takahisa , Otani Kumiko , Okada Keiji 
Published: November 2016

AbstractTo contribute to the reconstruction of livestock industry in Fukushima, radioactive cesium (134Cs, 137Cs) and potassium (4°K) were measured in various tissues of beef cattle living in an area where the evacuation order will be lifted in the near future. Radioactive cesium concentration was less than 100 Bq/kg in most of the samples. Skeletal muscles and kidney had the highest concentrations of radioactive cesium, whereas the liver was lowest among samples, excepting blood. Radioactive cesium concentration in the sirloin, tenderloin and top round was significantly higher than that in the neck muscle. Radioactive cesium concentration in the urine was not correlated with that in the blood, but the relationship became proportional when corrected with urinary 4°K. Distribution of 4°K was similar but not identical to that of radioactive cesium. These results suggest that it will be possible to resume livestock production in this area after the decontamination measures are completed and the evacuation order is lifted. Contamination level of living cattle can be estimated not only by blood samples but also by urine samples. If 50–100 Bq/kg of cesium is detected in the neck muscle at a slaughterhouse, the cattle should be reinspected using a sample from different muscles.
Challenging behaviours in adults with an intellectual disability: A total population study and exploration of risk indices
Authors: Bowring Darren L. , Totsika Vasiliki , Hastings Richard P. , Toogood Sandy , Griffith Gemma M. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectivesConsiderable variation has been reported in the prevalence and correlates of challenging behaviour (CB) in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). To provide a robust estimate of prevalence, we identified the entire administrative population of adults with ID in a defined geographical area and used a behaviour assessment tool with good psychometric properties.MethodsData from 265 adults who were known to services were collected using a demographic survey tool and the Behavior Problems Inventory – Short Form. The prevalence of self‐injurious, aggressive/destructive, stereotyped, and overall CB was evaluated. We explored the potential of developing cumulative risk indices (CRI) to inform longitudinal research and clinical practice.ResultsThe prevalence of overall CB was 18.1% (95% CI: 13.94–23.19%). The prevalence of self‐injurious behaviour was 7.5% (95% CI: 4.94–11.37%), aggressive–destructive behaviour 8.3% (95% CI: 5.54–12.25%), and stereotyped behaviour 10.9% (95% CI: 7.73–15.27%). Communication problems and severity of ID were consistently associated with higher risk of CBs. CRIs were significantly associated with CBs, and the five methods of CRI development produced similar results.ConclusionsFindings suggest a multi‐element response to CB is likely to be required that includes interventions for communication and daytime activity. Exploratory analyses of CRIs suggested these show promise as simple ways to capture cumulative risk in this population. Subject to longitudinal replication, such a tool may be especially useful in clinical practice to identify adults who are priority for interventions and predict future demand on services.Practitioner points

The prevalence of challenging behaviour (CB) was 18.1% in this total population study. Stereotypy was the most frequent type of CB.

Communication difficulties and severe‐profound intellectual disabilities were most systematically related to the presence of CB.

Establishing the effect of multiple risk factors is likely to identify people who are priority for interventions. Addressing multiple, rather than singular risks, is likely to be more efficacious.

We tested five different methods of putting together a multiple risk index.

All methods provided a reasonable association with CB. The most user‐friendly method was the additive cumulative risk index (CRI).

Limitations

This is a cross‐sectional design which enabled factors currently associated with CB to be identified for the whole cohort, but these variables may not be those conferring risk for the development or maintenance of CB over time.

Future longitudinal research is required to replicate these CRI analyses before concluding about the CRI method with the highest predictive validity.
Victimisation in urban primary schools of high‐poverty areas: associations with health‐related quality of life, depression and social support
Authors: Hyland John M. , Hyland Pauline K. , Comiskey Catherine M. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundAlthough a widespread issue, research on victimisation among primary school children in high‐poverty regions is limited. The aim of this research was to explore victimisation incidence and associated mental health correlates from first‐wave data of the ‘Healthy Schools’ programme in a high‐poverty urban region.MethodThe study explored victimisation incidences among 458 Irish primary school children and associations with depression, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and social support.ResultsVictimisation (33.8%) was consistent with recent literature. On the stand‐alone victimisation question, victims scored lower on all HRQoL subscales compared with nonvictims. Further categorisation revealed that frequent victims scored lower on four of these subscales, compared with nonvictims. Furthermore, over half of children felt that their school was not doing enough to combat school aggression.ConclusionsAlthough from a high‐poverty area, rates were consistent with data from more affluent areas. Results stress an importance on specific school aggression behaviours when measuring victimisation rates, along with corresponding health consequences. Future research should continue to adopt the behaviour‐based assessment of victimisation to provide an overall picture of the problem.
Social worker or social administrator? Findings from a qualitative case study of a child protection social work team
Authors: Gibson Matthew 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper reports on data from a qualitative case study of child protection social work in one local authority. Ethnographic methods were used and constructionist grounded theory employed to collect and analyse 329 pages of historical documents about the local authority child protection service, 246.5 hours of observations of social work practice and 19 interviews of social workers and their team managers. By interpreting the experiences of the social workers through the conceptual debates about the changes in the field of social administration, the social workers could be seen to want to perform a traditional form of social work but were required to perform a contemporary form of social administration. The aims and purposes of this form of practice could be considered to be distinct from those of social work as understood by the social workers, and as such, the social workers experienced the practice environment as constraining and often felt disillusioned. This paper conceptualizes these forms of practice, contributing to the debates about what practice is and how we are to analyse and categorize it for the purposes of influencing the institutions that create and maintain contemporary practice.