bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Putting the “Informed” in the informed consent process for implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators: Addressing the needs of the elderly patient
Authors: Eiser Arnold R. , Kirkpatrick James N. , Patton Kristen K. , McLain Emily , Dougherty Cynthia M. , Beattie James M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractImplantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) management complexities challenge the ethos of fully informed consent, particularly for the typically multimorbid elderly patient considering the device for primary prevention. The Heart Rhythm Society recommends providers include discussion on the potential need for later device deactivation or nonreplacement at the time of first implant, and to revisit this at appropriate intervals. The initial consent procedure could meet this standard by incorporating the future need to discuss further such issues when the recipient's clinical condition changes to such an extent that defibrillation would no longer be beneficial. At the time of obtaining consent, some patients may lack the will or capacity to make medically complex decisions when it would be necessary for healthcare surrogate decision‐makers to contribute to this process. Ensuring an appropriate level of understanding and response may be enhanced by the use of information and decision aids. With improved communication regarding the nuances of ICD therapy, device eligible patients, and those close to them, will be empowered with a better understanding of the nature, benefits, and risks of ICD implantation, allowing them to make treatment decisions consistent with their values.
International Labour Migration and Food Production in Rural Europe: A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Rye Johan Fredrik , Scott Sam 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSince Hoggart and Mendoza's article on ‘African immigrant workers in Spanish agriculture’ in Sociologia Ruralis in 1999 there has been a proliferation of interest in labour migration to/in rural Europe. It is now clear that the rural realm has been, and is being, transformed by immigration, and that low‐wage migrant workers in the food production industry are playing a particularly prominent role in this transformation. This article takes stock of the literature and identifies seven key issues associated with low‐wage labour migration, contemporary food production, and rural change. Most notably, since the 1990s, there has been growing demand for migrants in the segmented, and sometimes exploitative, labour markets of the European food production industries. This demand has been met across a variety of contexts, with states and labour market intermediaries playing a largely supportive role. However, migrants’ integration into rural communities has often been problematic, with the emphasis being on the need for, rather than needs of, low‐wage migrant workers.
Radiographic findings and clinical factors in dogs with surgically confirmed or presumed colonic torsion
Authors: Gremillion Christine L. , Savage Mason , Cohen Eli B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractColonic torsion is a life‐threatening condition in dogs and radiographic findings for this condition have not been well described. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe radiographic findings and clinical signs in a group of dogs with colonic torsion. Inclusion criteria were dogs presenting during the period of 2006 and 2016, and that had abdominal radiography and a surgically confirmed or presumed diagnosis of colonic torsion. For each dog, clinical data were recorded from medical records and imaging findings were recorded from retrieved plain radiographs and positive contrast radiographs in which barium enema was performed. Fourteen dogs met inclusion criteria. Of these, nine dogs had colonic torsion confirmed at surgery, with five dogs having surgical confirmation of colonic congestion or mesenteric torsion. Radiographic findings included segmental distention of the colon (14/14), focal narrowing of the colon (11/14), displacement of cecum (11/14), displacement of descending colon (14/14), and mild to no small intestinal distention (14/14). In cases where barium enema was performed, focal narrowing of the colon and longitudinal striations that course in a helical pattern were identified, termed the “torsion sign.” Vomiting was the most common clinical sign observed (12/14), followed by abdominal pain in a small majority of cases (8/14). Severe abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock were uncommon in the patients reported (3/14). Colonic torsion should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with radiographic segmental colonic distention with displacement of the descending colon and cecum. Barium enema is recommended for more definitive diagnosis.
Magnesium attenuates endothelin‐1‐induced vasoreactivity and enhances vasodilatation in mouse pulmonary arteries: Modulation by chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Mu Yun‐Ping , Huang Qiu‐Hong , Zhu Jie‐Ling , Zheng Si‐Yi , Yan Fu‐Rong , Zhuang Xiao‐Ling , Sham James S. K. , Lin Mo‐Jun 
Published: January 2018

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
The central goal of this study was to elucidate the role of magnesium in the regulation of pulmonary vascular reactivity in relationship to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

What is the main finding and its importance?
We found that magnesium is essential for normal vasoreactivity of the pulmonary artery. Increasing the magnesium concentration attenuates vasoconstriction and improves vasodilatation via release of nitric oxide. Pulmonary hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction resulting in the suppression of magnesium modulation of vasodilatation. These results provide evidence that magnesium is important for the modulation of pulmonary vascular function.

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by enhanced vasoreactivity and sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction, arising from aberrant Ca2+ homeostasis in pulmonary arterial (PA) smooth muscle cells. In addition to Ca2+, magnesium, the most abundant intracellular divalent cation, also plays crucial roles in many cellular processes that regulate cardiovascular function. Recent findings suggest that magnesium regulates vascular functions by altering the vascular responses to vasodilator and vasoactive agonists and affects endothelial function by modulating endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation in hypertension. Administration of magnesium also decreased pulmonary arterial pressure and improved cardiac output in animal models of PH. However, the role of magnesium in the regulation of pulmonary vascular function related to PH has not been studied. In this study, we examined the effects of magnesium on endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐induced vasoconstriction, ACh‐induced vasodilatation and the generation of NO in PAs of normoxic mice and chronic hypoxia (CH)‐treated mice. Our data showed that removal of extracellular magnesium suppressed vasoreactivity of PAs to both ET‐1 and ACh. A high concentration of magnesium (4.8 mm) inhibited ET‐1‐induced vasoconstriction in endothelium‐intact or endothelium‐disrupted PAs of normoxic and CH‐treated mice, and enhanced the ACh‐induced production of NO in PAs of normoxic mice. Moreover, magnesium enhanced ACh‐induced vasodilatation in PAs of normoxic mice, and the enhancement was completely abolished after exposure to CH. Hence, in this study we demonstrated that increasing the magnesium concentration can attenuate the ET‐1‐induced contractile response and improve vasodilatation via release of NO from the endothelium. We also demonstrated that chronic exposure to hypoxia can cause endothelial dysfunction resulting in suppression of the magnesium‐dependent modulation of vasodilatation.
Lower Leg Morphology and Stretch-Shortening Cycle Performance of Dancers
Authors: Rice Paige E. , van Werkhoven Herman , Merritt Edward K. , McBride Jeffrey M. 
Published: January 2018

Greater levels of bone ultimate fracture load, bone stress–strain index, muscle cross-sectional area, and maximal voluntary isometric plantarflexion (MVIP) strength of the lower leg may be adaptations from chronic exposure to stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) actions. Dancers, a population that habitually performs SSC movements primarily about the ankle joint, may serve as a novel population to gain broader understanding of SSC function. A total of 10 female collegiate dancers and 10 untrained controls underwent peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of both lower legs and performed MVIPs, countermovement hops, and drop hops at 20, 30, and 40 cm on a custom-made inclined sled. Dancers had greater right and left ultimate fracture load values and significantly (P ≤ .05) greater left leg stress–strain index than controls. Dancers had significantly larger right and left muscle cross-sectional area and MVIP values and hopped significantly higher during all hopping conditions in comparison with controls. Average force–time and power–time curves revealed significantly greater relative force and power measurements during the concentric phase for all hopping conditions in dancers when compared with controls. This investigation provides evidence that dance may be a stimulus for positive muscle and bone adaptations, strength levels, and enhanced SSC capabilities.
In Vitro
Susceptibility of Clinical Staphylococcus aureus Small-Colony Variants to β-Lactam and Non-β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Idelevich Evgeny A. , Kriegeskorte André , Schleimer Nina , Peters Georg , von Eiff Christof , Becker Karsten 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The
Staphylococcus aureus
small-colony variant (SCV) phenotype has been associated with relapsing and antibiotic-refractory infections. However, little is known about the activities of antibiotics on clinical SCVs. Here, we demonstrated that SCVs without detectable auxotrophies were at least as susceptible to most β-lactam and non-β-lactam antibiotics
in vitro
as their corresponding clonally identical strains with a normal phenotype. After prolonged incubation, a regrowth phenomenon has been observed in gradient diffusion inhibition zones irrespective of the strains' phenotype.
Bioavailability of Mineral-Bound Iron to a Snow Algal-Bacterial Coculture and Implications for Albedo-Altering Snow Algal Blooms
Authors: Harrold Z. R. , Hausrath E. M. , Garcia A. H. , Murray A. E. , Tschauner O. , Raymond J. A. , Huang S. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTSnow algae can form large-scale blooms across the snowpack surface and near-surface environments. These pigmented blooms can decrease snow albedo and increase local melt rates, and they may impact the global heat budget and water cycle. Yet, the underlying causes for the geospatial occurrence of these blooms remain unconstrained. One possible factor contributing to snow algal blooms is the presence of mineral dust as a micronutrient source. We investigated the bioavailability of iron (Fe)-bearing minerals, including forsterite (Fo90, Mg1.8Fe0.2SiO4), goethite, smectite, and pyrite as Fe sources for aChloromonas brevispina-bacterial coculture through laboratory-based experimentation. Fo90was capable of stimulating snow algal growth and increased the algal growth rate in otherwise Fe-depleted cocultures. Fo90-bearing systems also exhibited a decrease in the ratio of bacteria to algae compared to those of Fe-depleted conditions, suggesting a shift in microbial community structure. TheC. brevispinacoculture also increased the rate of Fo90dissolution relative to that of an abiotic control. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes in the coculture identifiedGammaproteobacteria,Betaproteobacteria, andSphingobacteria, all of which are commonly found in snow and ice environments. Archaea were not detected.CollimonasandPseudomonas, which are known to enhance mineral weathering rates, comprised two of the top eight (>1%) operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These data provide unequivocal evidence that mineral dust can support elevated snow algal growth under otherwise Fe-depleted growth conditions and that snow algal microbial communities can enhance mineral dissolution under these conditions.IMPORTANCEFe, a key micronutrient for photosynthetic growth, is necessary to support the formation of high-density snow algal blooms. The laboratory experiments described herein allow for a systematic investigation of the interactions of snow algae, bacteria, and minerals and their ability to mobilize and uptake mineral-bound Fe. Results provide unequivocal and comprehensive evidence that mineral-bound Fe in Fe-bearing Fo90was bioavailable toChloromonas brevispinasnow algae within an algal-bacterial coculture. This evidence includes (i) an observed increase in snow algal density and growth rate, (ii) decreased ratios of bacteria to algae in Fo90-containing cultures relative to those of cultures grown under similarly Fe-depleted conditions with no mineral-bound Fe present, and (iii) increased Fo90dissolution rates in the presence of algal-bacterial cocultures relative to those of abiotic mineral controls. These results have important implications for the role of mineral dust in supplying micronutrients to the snow microbiome, which may help support dense snow algal blooms capable of lowering snow albedo and increasing snow melt rates on regional, and possibly global, scales.
Whole-Genome Sequence of
Mycoplasma bovis
Strain Ningxia-1
Authors: Sun Peng , Luo Haifeng , Zhang Xin , Xu Jingyi , Guo Yanan , He Shenghu 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

A genome sequence of the
Mycoplasma bovis
Ningxia-1 strain was tested by Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing technology. The strain was isolated from a lesioned calf lung in 2013 in Pengyang, Ningxia, China. The single circular chromosome of 1,033,629 bp shows differences between complete
Mycoplasma bovis
genome in insertion-like sequences (ISs), integrative conjugative elements (ICEs), lipoproteins (LPs), variable surface lipoproteins (VSPs), pathogenicity islands (PAIs), etc.
Genome Sequence of
Verrucomicrobium
sp. Strain GAS474, a Novel Bacterium Isolated from Soil
Authors: Pold Grace , Conlon Erin M. , Huntemann Marcel , Pillay Manoj , Mikhailova Natalia , Stamatis Dimitrios , Reddy T. B. K. , Daum Chris , Shapiro Nicole , Kyrpides Nikos , Woyke Tanja , DeAngelis Kristen M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Verrucomicrobium
sp. strain GAS474 was isolated from the mineral soil of a temperate deciduous forest in central Massachusetts. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of this phylogenetically novel organism, which consists of a total of 3,763,444 bp on a single scaffold, with a 65.8% GC content and 3,273 predicted open reading frames.
Complete Genome Sequence of a
bla
CTX-M-1
-Harboring
Escherichia coli
Isolate Recovered from Cattle in Germany
Authors: Hammerl Jens A. , Irrgang Alexandra , Grobbel Mirjam , Tenhagen Bernd-Alois , Käsbohrer Annemarie 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

We describe here the whole-genome sequence and basic characteristics of
Escherichia coli
isolate 15-AB01393, recovered from German beef within a national monitoring program in 2015. This isolate was identified as an extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing
E. coli
strain of multilocus sequence type (MLST) ST58 harboring the antimicrobial resistance genes
bla
CTX-M-1
,
mph
(A),
sul2
,
dfrA5
,
strA
, and
strB
.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Endophyte
Bacillus mycoides
Strain GM5LP Isolated from
Lolium perenne
Authors: Hollensteiner Jacqueline , Poehlein Anja , Granzow Sandra , Liesegang Heiko , Daniel Rolf , Vidal Stefan , Wemheuer Franziska 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Bacillus mycoides
GM5LP is a Gram-positive endophytic bacterium isolated from aerial plant tissues of
Lolium perenne
L. The 6.0-Mb draft genome harbors 6,132 protein-coding sequences, some of which might be involved in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial substances.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Pseudomonas putida
CA-3, a Bacterium Capable of Styrene Degradation and Medium-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthesis
Authors: Almeida Eduardo L. , Margassery Lekha M. , O’Leary Niall , Dobson Alan D. W. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas putida
strain CA-3 is an industrial bioreactor isolate capable of synthesizing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers via the metabolism of styrene and other unrelated carbon sources. The pathways involved are subject to regulation by global cellular processes. The draft genome sequence is 6,177,154 bp long and contains 5,608 predicted coding sequences.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Porcine Deltacoronavirus Strains, CHN-GD16-03 and CHN-GD16-05, Isolated in Southern China, 2016
Authors: Mai Kaijie , Li Di , Wu Jiaoling , Wu Zixian , Cheng Jian , He Lili , Tang Xiaoyu , Zhou Zhihai , Sun Yuan , Ma Jingyun 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT
We report here the amplification and sequence analysis of two complete genomes of newly emerged porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) strains, isolated from diarrhea samples from piglets in Guangdong Province in southern China. These genomes provide further sequence data for evaluating the relationships among PDCoVs from different countries.
Genome Sequence of a Newly Isolated F2 Subcluster Mycobacteriophage from the Black Belt Geological Region of Western Alabama
Authors: Fast Kayla M. , Keener Tracy , Ali Rakim , Butcher Brittany M. , Millwood Joshua D. , Odom Timothy , Schellhammer P. Kiersten , Ufomadu Ezekiel , Sandel Michael W. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The bacteriophage Demsculpinboyz was discovered in a soil sample from the Black Belt region of Alabama using
Mycobacterium smegmatis
mc
2
155 as its host. The genome is 57,437 bp long and contains 116 protein-coding genes. It belongs to the F2 subcluster, which has only five other members.
Pneumococcal Phenotype and Interaction with Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae as Determinants of Otitis Media Progression
Authors: Lewnard Joseph A. , Givon-Lavi Noga , Tähtinen Paula A. , Dagan Ron 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

All-cause otitis media (OM) incidence has declined in numerous settings following introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) despite increases in carriage of nonvaccine pneumococcal serotypes escaping immune pressure. To understand the basis for the declining incidence, we assessed the intrinsic capacity of pneumococcal serotypes to cause OM independently and in polymicrobial infections involving nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi) using samples obtained from middle ear fluid and nasopharyngeal cultures before PCV7/13 rollout. Data included samples from OM episodes (11,811) submitted for cultures during a 10-year prospective study in southern Israel and nasopharyngeal samples (1,588) from unvaccinated asymptomatic children in the same population. We compared data representing pneumococcal serotype diversity across carriage and disease isolates with and without NTHi coisolation. We also measured associations between the pneumococcal phenotype and the rate of progression from colonization to OM in the presence and absence of NTHi. Whereas pneumococcal serotype diversity was lower in single-species OM than in single-species colonization, levels of serotype diversity did not differ significantly between colonization and OM in mixed-species episodes. Serotypes differed roughly 100-fold in progression rates, and those differences were attenuated in polymicrobial episodes. Vaccine serotype pneumococci had higher rates of progression than nonvaccine serotypes. While serotype invasiveness was a weak predictor of the OM progression rate, efficient capsular metabolic properties—traditionally thought to serve as an advantage in colonization—predicted an enhanced rate of progression to complex OM. The lower capacity of nonvaccine serotypes to cause OM may partially account for reductions in all-cause OM incidence despite serotype replacement in carriage following rollout of PCVs.
Molecular Prediction of the O157:H-Negative Phenotype Prevalent in Australian Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Cases Improves Concordance of
In Silico
Serotyping with Phenotypic Motility
Authors: Pintara Alexander P. , Guglielmino Christine J. D. , Rathnayake Irani U. , Huygens Flavia , Jennison Amy V. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) is a foodborne pathogen, and serotype O157:H7 is typically associated with severe disease. Australia is unique in its STEC epidemiology, as severe cases are typically associated with non-O157 serogroups, and locally acquired O157 isolates are H-negative/nonmotile. The H-negative phenotype and reduced severity of disease compared to that associated with H7/motile strains are distinct features of Australian O157 strains, but the molecular mechanism behind this phenotype has not been reported. Accurate characterization of the H-negative phenotype is important in epidemiological surveillance of STEC. Serotyping is moving away from phenotype-based methods, as next generation sequencing allows rapid extrapolation of serotype through
in silico
detection of the O-antigen processing genes,
wzx
,
wzy
,
wzm
, and
wzt
, and the H-antigen gene,
fliC
. The detection and genotyping of
fliC
alone is unable to determine the motility of the strain. Typically, most Australian O157:H-negative strains carry an H7 genotype yet phenotypically are nonmotile; thus, many are mischaracterized as H7 strains by
in silico
serotyping tools. Comparative genomic analysis of flagellar genes between Australian and international isolates was performed and an insertion at nucleotide (nt) 125 in the
flgF
gene was identified in H-negative isolates. Chi-square results showed that this insertion was significantly associated with the H-negative phenotype (
P
< 0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis was also completed and showed that the Australian H-negative isolates with the insertion in
flgF
represent a clade within the O157 serogroup, distinct from O157:H7 serotypes. This study provides a genetic target for inferring the nonmotile phenotype of Australian O157 STEC, which increases the predictive value of
in silico
serotyping.
Corneal staining patterns in vernal keratoconjunctivitis: the new VKC-CLEK scoring scale
Authors: Leonardi Andrea , Lazzarini Daniela , La Gloria Valerio Alvise , Scalora Tania , Fregona Iva 
Published: January 2018

AimTo propose a new scoring system in the assessment of ocular surface epithelial damage in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).Methods25 consecutive patients with VKC (50 eyes) were evaluated using the Quality of Life in children with VKC (QUICK) questionnaire and objective clinical measures: fluorescein and lissamine green staining and cornea confocal microscopy (Heidelberg Retina Tomography 3). Oxford, Van Bljsterweld and a new system, the VKC-Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus study (CLEK) (VKC-CLEK) scores, were used to evaluate the epithelial damage after staining.ResultsMean Oxford and VKC-CLEK scores were significantly different after fluorescein staining (P<0.001), but significantly correlated (P<0.001; r=0.649). The same data were obtained comparing Van Bljsterweld and VKC-CLEK after lissamine green staining (P<0.001; r=0.760). In patient with limbal VKC, a statistically significant difference was found comparing new VKC-CLEK scores and Oxford or Van Bljsterweld scores (P<0.001), but not in tarsal VKC. A statistically superior concordance was found between QUICK and VKC-CLEK scores compared with standard staining scores values (P<0.001).ConclusionsOxford and Van Bijsterveld scores are not adequate for the evaluation of the epithelial damage in patients with limbal VKC because the staining patterns considered for these tests do not correspond to the staining patterns in patients with VKC. We propose a new scoring system, VKC-CLEK, to better evaluate both limbal and tarsal epithelial damage in patients with VKC.