bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of race and gender on clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Bukari Abdallah , Nayak Hemal , Aziz Zaid , Deshmukh Amrish , Tung Roderick , Ozcan Cevher 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundRadiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) is an effective treatment of drug‐refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the efficacy of CA by race and gender has not been well characterized. We sought to determine the impact of ethnicity and gender on clinical outcome following CA in patients with AF.MethodsPatients who underwent CA for AF from September 2013 to April 2016 were included in this study. Patients were identified retrospectively and followed prospectively.ResultsA total of 118 patients (15.3% black and 78.8% white, 33% female) comprised the cohort, with mean age at ablation 63.4 ± 10.4 years. Black patients were older at time of the procedure (65.4 vs 63.4 years old) and had more prevalent comorbidities, including hypertension (77.8% vs 63.4%), diabetes (33.3% vs 15.0%), chronic kidney disease (22.2% vs 7.5%), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (51.8% vs 56.2%). Blacks also had significantly larger left atrial size (P = 0.03). Late recurrence of AF was similar between blacks and whites (33.3% vs 34.4%, P = 1) as well as between women and men (28.2% vs 36.7%, P = 0.41). Early recurrence was predictive of late recurrence in men (P < 0.001) but not in women (P = 0.48). Enlarged left atrium and early recurrence of AF were significant predictors for late recurrence of AF in the cohort.ConclusionsCA for AF is equally effective in black patients despite more prevalent comorbidity and increased left atrial size. Early recurrence of AF after CA was not predictive of late recurrence of AF in women but was in men.
Environmental Determinants of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Davis Benjamin J. K. , Jacobs John M. , Davis Meghan F. , Schwab Kellogg J. , DePaola Angelo , Curriero Frank C. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTVibrio parahaemolyticusnaturally occurs in brackish and marine waters and is one of the leading causes of seafood-borne illness. Previous work studying the ecology ofV. parahaemolyticushas often been limited in geographic extent and lacked a full range of environmental measures. This study used a unique large data set of surface water samples in the Chesapeake Bay (n= 1,385) collected from 148 monitoring stations from 2007 to 2010. Water was analyzed for more than 20 environmental parameters, with additional meteorological and surrounding land use data. TheV. parahaemolyticus-specific genetic markers thermolabile hemolysin (tlh), thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh), andtdh-related hemolysin (trh) were assayed using quantitative PCR (qPCR), and interval-censored regression models with nonlinear effects were estimated to account for limits of detection and quantitation.tlhwas detected in 19.6% of water samples;tdhortrhmarkers were not detected. The results confirmed previously reported positive associations forV. parahaemolyticusabundance with temperature and turbidity and negative associations with high salinity (>10 to 23‰). Furthermore, the salinity relationship was determined to be a function of both low temperature and turbidity, with an increase of either nullifying the high salinity effect. Associations with dissolved oxygen and phosphate also appeared stronger when samples were taken near human developments. A renewed focus on theV. parahaemolyticusecological paradigm is warranted to protect public health.IMPORTANCEVibrio parahaemolyticusis one of the leading causes of seafood-borne illness in the United States and across the globe. Exposure is often through consuming raw or undercooked shellfish. Given the natural presence of the bacterium in the marine environment, an improved understanding of its environmental determinants is necessary for future preventative measures. This analysis of environmentalVibrio parahaemolyticusis one of only a few that utilize a large data set measured over a wide geographic and temporal range. The analysis also includes a large number of environmental parameters forVibriomodeling, many of which have previously only been tested sporadically, and some of which have not been considered before. The results of the analysis revealed previously unknown relationships between salinity, turbidity, and temperature that provide significant insight into the abundance and persistence ofV. parahaemolyticusbacterium in the environment. This information will be essential for developing environmental forecast models for the bacterium.
Mechanism for Restoration of Fertility in Hybrid Zygosaccharomyces rouxii Generated by Interspecies Hybridization
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Uehara Kenji , Mogi Yoshinobu , Tsukioka Yuichiro 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

The mechanism of whole-genome duplication (WGD) in yeast has been intensively studied because it has a large impact on yeast evolution. WGD has shaped the genomic architecture of modern
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
; however, the mechanism for restoring fertility after interspecies hybridization, which would be involved in the process of WGD, has not been thoroughly elucidated. In this study, we obtained a draft genome sequence of the salt-tolerant yeast
Zygosaccharomyces rouxii
NBRC110957 and revealed that it is a hybrid lineage of
Z. rouxii
(allodiploid) with two subgenomes equivalent to NBRC1876. Because this allodiploid yeast can mate with other allodiploid strains and form spores, it can be a good model of restoring fertility after interspecies hybridization. We observed that NBRC110957 and NBRC1876 contain six mating-type-like (
MTL
) loci. There are no large deletions or deleterious mutations in
MTL
loci, except for several-base-pair deletions in the X region in certain
MTL
loci. We also assigned only one mating-type (MAT) locus that exclusively determines mating types from six
MTL
loci. These results suggest that it is possible to recover mating competence regardless of whether cells lose one
MAT
locus through random gene loss by mitotically dividing after interspecies hybridization. Moreover, we propose that perturbation of gene expression and substantial breakdown of
MAT
heterozygosity caused by chromosomal rearrangement at
MTL
loci play roles in restoring the mating competence of allodiploids. This scenario can provide a mechanism for restoring fertility after interspecies hybridization that is compatible with random gene loss models and suggests genomic plasticity during WGD in yeast.

IMPORTANCE
A whole-genome duplication occurred in an ancestor of the baker's yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. The origins of this complex and multifaceted process, which requires intra- or interspecies hybridization followed by dysfunction of one mating-type (
MAT
) locus to regain mating competence, has not been thoroughly elucidated. In this study, we provide a mechanism for regaining fertility in an interspecies hybrid,
Zygosaccharomyces rouxii
. The draft genome sequence analysis and mating test showed that the
Z. rouxii
strain used in this study is an intact interspecies hybrid, suggesting that it is possible to recover fertility regardless of whether cells lose one
MAT
locus.
Dietary Fibers and Protective Lactobacilli Drive Burrata Cheese Microbiome
Authors: Minervini Fabio , Conte Amalia , Del Nobile Matteo Alessandro , Gobbetti Marco , De Angelis Maria 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at improving the functional attributes and shelf life of burrata cheese by using protective lactobacilli (
Lactobacillus plantarum
LPAL and
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
LRB), fructooligosaccharides, and inulin. Six burrata cheeses were made using (i) the traditional protocol (control), (ii) the addition of 0.5% fructooligosaccharides and inulin (DF cheese), (iii) protective lactobacilli in milk alone (PL cheese), (iv) protective lactobacilli in milk and governing liquid (2PL cheese), (v) protective lactobacilli in milk and dietary fibers (DF_PL cheese), and (vi) protective lactobacilli in milk and governing liquid and dietary fibers (DF_2PL cheese). As expected, DF, DF_PL, and DF_2PL cheeses showed 1.5% of total fibers. Burrata cheeses produced by adding protective lactobacilli only in milk (PL and DF_PL cheeses) showed the lowest acidification during cheese making and storage. Lactic and acetic acids and ethanol were found at the lowest concentrations in these samples. Analyses of cultivable microbiota and the microbiome showed that protective lactobacilli reduced the house microbiota components (e.g.,
Streptococcus thermophilus
,
Lactococcus lactis
, and
Leuconostoc lactis
) during cheese making and storage. Protective lactobacilli slowed the growth of staphylococci, coliforms, and
Pseudomonas
spp., especially in early storage. According to the different microbiome assemblies, burrata samples differed in peptide profiles and the levels of free amino acids. As shown by a sensory analysis, the addition of protective lactobacilli in milk improved the flavor and increased the shelf life of burrata cheese. In comparison to cheeses made using protective cultures only in milk, the shelf lives of those containing cultures also in the governing liquid were not further prolonged and they received lower acceptability scores by the panelists.

IMPORTANCE
This study provides more in-depth knowledge of the microbiome of burrata cheese and the set-up for a novel biotechnology using prebiotic dietary fibers and protective probiotic
Lactobacillus plantarum
LPAL and
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
LRB in milk. The biotechnology proposed in this study should be considered a useful tool to improve the functional value of burrata cheese. The use of protective lactobacilli in milk enhanced the flavor formation and shelf life of burrata cheese.
Lactolisterin BU, a Novel Class II Broad-Spectrum Bacteriocin from Lactococcus lactis subsp.
lactis
bv. diacetylactis BGBU1-4
Authors: Lozo Jelena , Mirkovic Nemanja , O'Connor Paula M. , Malesevic Milka , Miljkovic Marija , Polovic Natalija , Jovcic Branko , Cotter Paul D. , Kojic Milan 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Lactococcus lactis
subsp.
lactis
bv. diacetylactis BGBU1-4 produces a novel bacteriocin, lactolisterin BU, with strong antimicrobial activity against many species of Gram-positive bacteria, including important food spoilage and foodborne pathogens, such as
Listeria monocytogenes
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Bacillus
spp., and streptococci. Lactolisterin BU was extracted from the cell surface of BGBU1-4 by 2-propanol and purified to homogeneity by C
18
solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified lactolisterin BU was 5,160.94 Da, and an internal fragment, AVSWAWQH, as determined by N-terminal sequencing, showed low-level similarity to existing antimicrobial peptides. Curing and transformation experiments revealed the presence of a corresponding bacteriocin operon on the smallest plasmid, pBU6 (6.2 kb), of strain BGBU1-4. Analysis of the bacteriocin operon revealed a leaderless bacteriocin of 43 amino acids that exhibited similarity to bacteriocin BHT-B (63%) from
Streptococcus ratti
, a bacteriocin with analogy to aureocin A.

IMPORTANCE
Lactolisterin BU, a broad-spectrum leaderless bacteriocin produced by
L. lactis
subsp.
lactis
bv. diacetylactis BGBU1-4, expresses strong antimicrobial activity against food spoilage and foodborne pathogens, such as
Listeria monocytogenes
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Bacillus
spp., and streptococci. Lactolisterin BU showed the highest similarity to aureocin-like bacteriocins produced by different bacteria. The operon for synthesis is located on the smallest plasmid, pBU6 (6.2 kb), of strain BGBU1-4, indicating possible horizontal transfer among producers.
In Bacillus subtilis, the SatA (Formerly YyaR) Acetyltransferase Detoxifies Streptothricin via Lysine Acetylation
Authors: Burckhardt Rachel M. , Escalante-Semerena Jorge C. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Soil is a complex niche, where survival of microorganisms is at risk due to the presence of antimicrobial agents. Many microbes chemically modify cytotoxic compounds to block their deleterious effects. Streptothricin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by streptomycetes that affects Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria alike. Here we identify the SatA (for
s
treptothricin
a
ce
t
yltransferase
A
, formerly YyaR) enzyme of
Bacillus subtilis
as the mechanism used by this soil bacterium to detoxify streptothricin.
B. subtilis
strains lacking
satA
were susceptible to streptothricin. Ectopic expression of
satA
+
restored streptothricin resistance to
B. subtilis
satA
(
Bs
SatA) strains. Purified
Bs
SatA acetylated streptothricin
in vitro
at the expense of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). A single acetyl moiety transferred onto streptothricin by SatA blocked the toxic effects of the antibiotic. SatA bound streptothricin with high affinity (

K
d

[dissociation constant] = 1 μM), and did not bind acetyl-CoA in the absence of streptothricin. Expression of
B. subtilis
satA
+
in
Salmonella enterica
conferred streptothricin resistance, indicating that SatA was necessary and sufficient to detoxify streptothricin. Using this heterologous system, we showed that the SatA homologue from
Bacillus anthracis
also had streptothricin acetyltransferase activity. Our data highlight the physiological relevance of lysine acetylation for the survival of
B. subtilis
in the soil.

IMPORTANCE
Experimental support is provided for the functional assignment of gene products of the soil-dwelling bacilli
Bacillus subtilis
and
Bacillus anthracis
. This study focuses on one enzyme that is necessary and sufficient to block the cytotoxic effects of a common soil antibiotic. The enzyme alluded to is a member of a family of proteins that are broadly distributed in all domains of life but poorly studied in
B. subtilis
and
B. anthracis
. The initial characterization of the enzyme provides insights into its mechanism of catalysis.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation in cardiac troponin T (R95H) attenuates length-dependent activation in guinea pig cardiac muscle fibers
Authors: Mickelson Alexis V. , Chandra Murali 
Published: August 2017

The central region of cardiac troponin T (TnT) is important for modulating the dynamics of muscle length-mediated cross-bridge recruitment. Therefore, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutations in the central region may affect cross-bridge recruitment dynamics to alter myofilament Ca2+sensitivity and length-dependent activation of cardiac myofilaments. Given the importance of the central region of TnT for cardiac contractile dynamics, we studied if hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-linked mutation (TnTR94H)-induced effects on contractile function would be differently modulated by sarcomere length (SL). Recombinant wild-type TnT (TnTWT) and the guinea pig analog of the human R94H mutation (TnTR95H) were reconstituted into detergent-skinned cardiac muscle fibers from guinea pigs. Steady-state and dynamic contractile measurements were made at short and long SLs (1.9 and 2.3 µm, respectively). Our results demonstrated that TnTR95Hincreased pCa50(−log of free Ca2+concentration) to a greater extent at short SL; TnTR95Hincreased pCa50by 0.11 pCa units at short SL and 0.07 pCa units at long SL. The increase in pCa50associated with an increase in SL from 1.9 to 2.3 µm (ΔpCa50) was attenuated nearly twofold in TnTR95Hfibers; ΔpCa50was 0.09 pCa units for TnTWTfibers but only 0.05 pCa units for TnTR95Hfibers. The SL dependency of rate constants of cross-bridge distortion dynamics and tension redevelopment was also blunted by TnTR95H. Collectively, our observations on the SL dependency of pCa50and rate constants of cross-bridge distortion dynamics and tension redevelopment suggest that mechanisms underlying the length-dependent activation cardiac myofilaments are attenuated by TnTR95H.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mutant cardiac troponin T (TnTR95H) differently affects myofilament Ca2+sensitivity at short and long sarcomere length, indicating that mechanisms underlying length-dependent activation are altered by TnTR95H. TnTR95Henhances myofilament Ca2+sensitivity to a greater extent at short sarcomere length, thus attenuating the length-dependent increase in myofilament Ca2+sensitivity.
<b>A checklist of butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from Taleigao Plateau, Goa, India</b>
Authors: Bowalkar Dipak , Michael Nadar Anal Gracy , Gaude Kiran , Pai I. K. 
Published: August 2017

In a recent survey at the Taleigao plateau in Goa, a total of 98 species of butterflies belonging to 72 genera under five families were recorded. This amounts to around 39% of the total reported butterfly fauna of the state. Nymphalidae with 34 species was the most dominant family followed by Lycaenidae (25 spp.), Hesperiidae (16 spp.), Pieridae (13 spp.), and Papilionidae (11 spp.). Findings of the present study underline the importance of Taleigao plateau as a preferred habitat for butterflies.
<b>A reassessment of the avian species diversity in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, after the Vernay Survey</b>
Authors: David J. Patrick , Daniels R.J. Ranjit , Balasubramanian Vinoth 
Published: August 2017

The Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu have been poorly surveyed for birds. The best known bird survey in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu (EGTN) was by V.S. LaPersonne who carried out the the Surveys in Tamilnadu Eastern Ghats between 08th April, 1929 and 25th July 1929. This was reported by WHistler & Kinnear. Thereafter information about birds in EGTN has come only from checklists published from time to time, by researchers, whose primary focus was not birds. Hence, to fill this lacuna, a comprehensive survey of birds was undertaken in the EGTN from March 2012-–--February 2015. The objectives of the study were to document the avian richness and abundance in EGTN, put them in perspective to the Vernay Survey conducted more than 80 years back, and identify priority sites for bird conservation. The study covered the hills and forests of Tamil Nadu spanning nine districts. In total, 262 species of birds were recorded during the survey. Eight species of birds fall under the threatened category. Species such as Square-tailed Bulbul Hypsipetes (lecocephalus) ganeesa, Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus, Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella, and Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii still persist in the same old sites reported in the Vernay Survey. The top five abundant species were the Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer, White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus, Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus, Common Iora Aegithina tiphia, and Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica. The Vaniyar riparian tract in the Shevroys, from its origins in the hills to the Vaniyar dam downstream, is a potential bird conservation site in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.
<b>A rare sighting of the Long-tailed Duck <I>Clangula hyemalis</I> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Anseriformes: Anatidae) over a four-week period in northwestern India: first detailed scientific documentation in 73 years</b>
Authors: Jamwal Pushpinder S. , Chandan Pankaj , Rattan Rohit 
Published: August 2017

The Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis is a circumpolar species, breeding in North America, Europe and Asia, however, it is currently among the rarest ducks in Asia, and assessed as globally Vulnerable. Conservation actions explicitly include improved monitoring efforts in Asia. We report the second sighting of this species at the Gharana Wetland Reserve the third in northwestern India, in over 73 years, and have carefully documented our findings over four weeks.
<b>First records of <I>Zinaspa todara distorta</I> de Nicéville, 1887 and <I>Arhopala rama ramosa</I> Evans, 1925 (Lycaenidae: Theclinae) butterflies in Bangladesh</b>
Authors: Khan Tania , Babu Mohammad Quamruzzaman , Hasan Mohammad Ashraf Ul , Shihan Tahsinur Rahman , Debbarma Prosenjit 
Published: August 2017

Zinaspa todara distorta de Nicéville, 1887 and Arhopala rama ramosa Evans, 1925 were recorded during the field survey from March 2016 to August 2016. A total of four individuals were recorded in the Adampur Forest and Satchari National Park of Sylhet Division in northeastern Bangladesh. These are the first records of these subspecies from Bangladesh.
<b>Additional record and conservation measures of <I>Ceropegia odorata</I> Nimmo ex J. Graham from Gujarat State, India</b>
Authors: Patel S. K. , Punjani B. L. , Desai P. R. , Pandey V. B. , Chaudhary Y. S. , Joshi P. N. 
Published: August 2017

Ceropegia odorata Nimmo ex J. Graham (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) a Critically Endangered plant species from India was recorded in Gujarat after about 45 years in Vijaynagar forest of Sabarkantha District (northern Gujarat). It was first collected from Pavagadh in central Gujarat. Long-term conservation and participatory approaches, details on macro- and micro-habitats, associated species, landscape level monitoring programs are suggested for the new recorded locality and hill ranges.
Costal and Auricular Cartilage Grafts for Nasal Reconstruction: An Anatomic Analysis
Authors: Ho Thuy-Van Tina , Cochran Thomas , Sykes Kevin J. , Humphrey Clinton D. , Kriet J. David 
Published: August 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the length, width, and surface area of costal and auricular cartilage harvested for grafting in rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction. We also compared the sizes of ear cartilage grafts harvested from the anterior and posterior approaches. Methods: Fifty-eight nasal reconstructive surgeries requiring rib or ear cartilage were performed by 2 facial plastic surgeons from February 2015 through January 2016. Among the 57 cases that met inclusion criteria, they comprised of 33 costal cartilage grafts and 24 auricular cartilage grafts (17 via anterior approach and 7 via posterior approach). Results: The mean length, width, and surface area for the auricular cartilage grafts were 3.39 cm, 1.22 cm, and 4.38 cm2, respectively. The mean length, width, and surface area of the costal cartilage grafts were 4.21 cm, 1.46 cm, and 17.87 cm2, respectively. The differences in length, width, and surface area between the anterior versus posterior approach groups were all statistically significant. Conclusions: In our study, ear cartilage grafts harvested from the posterior approach had significantly greater length, width, and surface area. While this analysis has several limitations, it sets quantitative norms for costal and auricular cartilage harvest that can aid in surgical planning.
Asbestos-related diseases in mineworkers: a clinicopathological study
Authors: Ndlovu Ntombizodwa , Rees David , Murray Jill , Vorajee Naseema , Richards Guy , teWaterNaude Jim 
Published: August 2017

The accurate diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases is important because of past and current asbestos exposures. This study evaluated the reliability of clinical diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases in former mineworkers using autopsies as the reference standard.Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated.The 149 cases identified had clinical examinations 0.3–7.4 years before death. More asbestos-related diseases were diagnosed at autopsy rather than clinically: 77versus52 for asbestosis, 27versus14 for mesothelioma and 22versus3 for lung cancer. Sensitivity and specificity values for clinical diagnoses were 50.6% and 81.9% for asbestosis, 40.7% and 97.5% for mesothelioma, and 13.6% and 100.0% for lung cancer. False-negative diagnoses of asbestosis were more likely using radiographs of acceptable (versusgood) quality and in cases with pulmonary tuberculosis at autopsy.The low sensitivity values are indicative of the high proportion of false-negative diagnoses. It is unlikely that these were the result of disease manifestation between the last clinical assessment and autopsy. Where clinical features suggest asbestos-related diseases but the chest radiograph is negative, more sophisticated imaging techniques or immunohistochemistry for asbestos-related cancers should be used. Autopsies are useful for the detection of previously undiagnosed and misdiagnosed asbestos-related diseases, and for monitoring clinical practice and delivery of compensation.