bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electroencephalographic study showing that tactile stimulation by fabrics of different qualities elicit graded event‐related potentials
Authors: Hoefer D. , Handel M. , Müller K.‐M. , Hammer T. R. 
Published: March 2016

Background/purposeNeurophysiologic data on reactions of the human brain towards tactile stimuli evoked by fabrics moved on the skin are scarce. Furthermore, evaluation of fabrics' pleasantness using questionnaires suffers subjective biases. That is why we used a 64‐channel electroencephalography (EEG) to objectively evaluate real‐time brain reactions to fabric–skin interactions.MethodsTactile stimuli were triggered by selected fabrics of different qualities, i.e. modal/polyamide single jersey, cotton double rib and a jute fabric, applied hidden to either the palm or forearm of 24 subjects via a custom‐made fabric‐to‐skin applicator called SOFIA. One‐way anova analysis was carried out to verify the EEG data.ResultsThe modal/polyamide fabric applied to the forearm and palm led to slightly stronger emotional valence scores in the brain than the conventional or baseline fabric. Furthermore, the single jersey elicits significant higher event‐related potential (ERP) signals in all subjects when applied to the forearm, suggesting less distraction and better cognitive resources during the fabric/skin interaction. The brain thus reacts with instantaneous ERP to tactile stimulation of fabrics and is able to discriminate different qualities via implicit preferences.ConclusionThe test procedure described here may be a tool to evaluate the fabric feel with the exclusion of subjective biases.
Early non‐invasive selection of patients at high risk of severe hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation
Authors: Crespo G. , Gambato M. , Millán O. , Casals G. , Ruiz P. , Londoño M.C. , Mira A. , Forns X. , Brunet M. , Jiménez W. , Navasa M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe early identification of patients at high risk of severe post liver transplant hepatitis C recurrence is relevant, as these patients may be treated using interferon (IFN)‐free regimens.MethodsIn a retrospective study with prospectively collected data, we investigated whether the use of several non‐invasive methods (fibrosis 4 index [FIB‐4], AST‐to‐platelets ratio index [APRI], enhanced liver fibrosis test [ELF], IFN‐γ‐inducible protein 10 [IP‐10], and transient elastography by Fibroscan) and their combinations 6 months after transplantation could identify those recipients at higher risk of severe recurrence, defined by the presence of significant fibrosis (F ≥2) and/or portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥6 mmHg) 12 months after transplant. Seventy‐two hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected liver transplant patients and 10 recipients in whom HCV was eradicated before transplantation were included in the study.ResultsThe levels of all biomarkers were significantly higher in HCV‐infected recipients than in controls. Among HCV recipients, levels of biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with severe recurrence. Although there were no statistically significant differences between biomarkers, APRI, ELF, and FIB‐4 obtained the highest area under the ROC curve values. The combination of serum biomarkers with Fibroscan increased the negative and positive predictive values, although diagnostic accuracy of individual tests was not significantly improved.ConclusionsPatients at higher risk of severe HCV recurrence can be identified early, 6 months after transplantation, using readily available non‐invasive methods.
Identification of multiple lipid genes with modifications in expression and sequence associated with the evolution of hydroxy fatty acid accumulation in Physaria fendleri
Authors: Horn Patrick J. , Liu Jinjie , Cocuron Jean‐Christophe , McGlew Kathleen , Thrower Nicholas A. , Larson Matt , Lu Chaofu , Alonso Ana P. , Ohlrogge John 
Published: March 2016

SummaryTwo Brassicaceae species, Physaria fendleri and Camelina sativa, are genetically very closely related to each other and to Arabidopsis thaliana. Physaria fendleri seeds contain over 50% hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs), while Camelina sativa and Arabidopsis do not accumulate HFAs. To better understand how plants evolved new biochemical pathways with the capacity to accumulate high levels of unusual fatty acids, transcript expression and protein sequences of developing seeds of Physaria fendleri, wild‐type Camelina sativa, and Camelina sativa expressing a castor bean (Ricinus communis) hydroxylase were analyzed. A number of potential evolutionary adaptations within lipid metabolism that probably enhance HFA production and accumulation in Physaria fendleri, and, in their absence, limit accumulation in transgenic tissues were revealed. These adaptations occurred in at least 20 genes within several lipid pathways from the onset of fatty acid synthesis and its regulation to the assembly of triacylglycerols. Lipid genes of Physaria fendleri appear to have co‐evolved through modulation of transcriptional abundances and alterations within protein sequences. Only a handful of genes showed evidence for sequence adaptation through gene duplication. Collectively, these evolutionary changes probably occurred to minimize deleterious effects of high HFA amounts and/or to enhance accumulation for physiological advantage. These results shed light on the evolution of pathways for novel fatty acid production in seeds, help explain some of the current limitations to accumulation of HFAs in transgenic plants, and may provide improved strategies for future engineering of their production.
The broadly effective recessive resistance gene xa5 of rice is a virulence effector‐dependent quantitative trait for bacterial blight
Authors: Huang Sheng , Antony Ginny , Li Ting , Liu Bo , Obasa Ken , Yang Bing , White Frank F. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMutations in disease susceptibility (S) genes, here referred to as recessive resistance genes, have promise for providing broad durable resistance in crop species. However, few recessive disease resistance genes have been characterized. Here, we show that the broadly effective resistance gene xa5,for resistance to bacterial blight of rice (Oryza sativa), is dependent on the effector genes present in the pathogen. Specifically, the effectiveness of xa5 in preventing disease by strains of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is dependent on major transcription activation‐like (TAL) effector genes, and correlates with reduced expression of the cognate S genes. xa5 is ineffective in preventing disease by strains containing the TAL effector gene pthXo1, which directs robust expression of the S gene OsSWEET11, a member of sucrose transporter gene family. Incompatibility is associated with major TAL effectors that target the known alternative S genes OsSWEET14 and OsSWEET13. Incompatibility is defeated by transfer of pthXo1 to otherwise xa5‐incompatible strains or by engineering a synthetic designer TAL effector to boost SWEET gene expression. In either case, compatible or incompatible, target gene expression and lesion formation are reduced in the presence of xa5. The results indicate that xa5 functions as a quantitative trait locus, dampening effector function, and, regardless of compatibility, target gene expression. Resistance is hypothesized to occur when S gene expression, and, by inference, sucrose leakage, falls below a threshold level.
Resting arterial hypoxaemia in subjects with chronic heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and patent foramen ovale
Authors: Lovering Andrew T. , Lozo Mislav , Barak Otto , Davis James T. , Lojpur Mihajlo , Lozo Petar , Čaljkušić Krešimir , Dujić Željko 
Published: March 2016

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Does a patent foramen ovale contribute to resting arterial hypoxaemia, defined as arterial oxygen saturation <95%, in subjects with chronic heart failure with or without pulmonary arterial hypertension?
What is the main finding and its importance?
The presence of a patent foramen ovale contributed to resting arterial hypoxaemia only in subjects with chronic heart failure with pulmonary arterial hypertension. These data suggest that the presence of a patent foramen ovale should be considered in chronic heart failure patients with arterial hypoxaemia and pulmonary hypertension.
The roles of intrapulmonary and intracardiac shunt in contributing to arterial hypoxaemia at rest in subjects with chronic heart failure (CHF) have not been well investigated. We hypothesized that blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses () and/or patent foramen ovale () could potentially contribute to arterial hypoxaemia and, with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to CHF, this contribution may be exacerbated. Fifty‐six subjects with CHF (New York Heart Association Classes I–III), with (+) or without (−) PH [defined as peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity ≥2.9 m s−1 (CHF PH+, n = 32) and peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity ≤2.8 m s−1 (CHF PH−, n = 24)], underwent arterial blood gas analysis and transthoracic saline contrast echocardiography concomitant with transcranial Doppler to detect and . Seventeen of 56 subjects with CHF (30%) had , but only four of 56 subjects with CHF had (7%), both similar to age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Mean arterial oxygen saturation () was lower in subjects with . Only CHF PH+ subjects with had arterial hypoxaemia (mean <95%). Bubble scores assessed using transthoracic saline contrast echocardiography were correlated with microembolic signals detected with transcranial Doppler in subjects with . Significant was not present in either CHF PH+ or PH− subjects, suggesting that is not dependent on increased pulmonary pressure and does not contribute significantly to arterial hypoxaemia in older subjects with CHF. Given that was lower in all subjects with CHF who had compared with those without , a patent foramen ovale should be considered when determining potential causes of arterial hypoxaemia, because was present in 30% of these subjects.
Carotid body modulation in systolic heart failure from the clinical perspective
Authors: Niewinski Piotr 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAugmented sensitivity of peripheral chemoreceptors (PChS) is a common finding in systolic heart failure (HF). It is related to lower left ventricle systolic function, higher plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides, worse exercise tolerance and greater prevalence of atrial fibrillation compared to patients with normal PChS. The magnitude of ventilatory response to the activation of peripheral chemoreceptors is proportional to the level of heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure (hypertension) responses. All these responses can be measured non‐invasively in a safe and reproducible fashion using different methods employing either hypoxia or hypercapnia. Current interventions aimed at modulation of peripheral chemoreceptors in HF are focused on carotid bodies (CBs). There is a clear link between afferent signalling from CBs and sympathetic overactivity, which remains the priority target of modern HF treatment. However, CB modulation therapies may face several potential obstacles: (1) As evidenced by HF trials, an excessive inhibition of sympathetic system may be harmful. (2) Proximity of critical anatomical structures (important vessels and nerves) makes surgical and transcutaneous interventions on CB technically demanding. (3) Co‐existence of atherosclerosis in the area of carotid artery bifurcation increases the risk of central embolic events related to CB modulation. (4) The relative contribution of CBs vs. aortic bodies to sympathetic activation in HF patients is unclear. (5) Choosing optimal candidates for CB modulation from the population of HF patients may be problematic. (6) There is a risk of nocturnal hypoxia following CB ablation – mostly after bilateral procedures and in patients with concomitant obstructive sleep apnoea.
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A Nonautochthonous U.S. Strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolated from Chesapeake Bay Oysters Caused the Outbreak in Maryland in 2010
Authors: Haendiges Julie , Jones Jessica , Myers Robert A. , Mitchell Clifford S. , Butler Erin , Toro Magaly , Gonzalez-Escalona Narjol 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

In the summer of 2010,
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
caused an outbreak in Maryland linked to the consumption of oysters. Strains isolated from both stool and oyster samples were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). However, the oysters contained other potentially pathogenic
V. parahaemolyticus
strains exhibiting different PFGE patterns. In order to assess the identity, genetic makeup, relatedness, and potential pathogenicity of the
V. parahaemolyticus
strains, we sequenced 11 such strains (2 clinical strains and 9 oyster strains). We analyzed these genomes by
in silico
multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and determined their phylogeny using a whole-genome MLST (wgMLST) analysis. Our
in silico
MLST analysis identified six different sequence types (STs) (ST8, ST676, ST810, ST811, ST34, and ST768), with both of the clinical and four of the oyster strains being identified as belonging to ST8. Using wgMLST, we showed that the ST8 strains from clinical and oyster samples were nearly indistinguishable and belonged to the same outbreak, confirming that local oysters were the source of the infections. The remaining oyster strains were genetically diverse, differing in >3,000 loci from the Maryland ST8 strains. eBURST analysis comparing these strains with strains of other STs available at the
V. parahaemolyticus
MLST website showed that the Maryland ST8 strains belonged to a clonal complex endemic to Asia. This indicates that the ST8 isolates from clinical and oyster sources were likely not endemic to Maryland. Finally, this study demonstrates the utility of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and associated analyses for source-tracking investigations.

IMPORTANCE
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
is an important foodborne pathogen and the leading cause of bacterial infections in the United States associated with the consumption of seafood. In the summer of 2010,
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
caused an outbreak in Maryland linked to oyster consumption. Strains isolated from stool and oyster samples were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The oysters also contained other potentially pathogenic
V. parahaemolyticus
strains with different PFGE patterns. Since their identity, genetic makeup, relatedness, and potential pathogenicity were unknown, their genomes were determined by using next-generation sequencing. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis by whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) allowed (i) identification of clinical and oyster strains with matching PFGE profiles as belonging to ST8, (ii) determination of oyster strain diversity, and (iii) identification of the clinical strains as belonging to a clonal complex (CC) described only in Asia. Finally, WGS and associated analyses demonstrated their utility for trace-back investigations.
Construction of Nontoxigenic Mutants of Nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum NCTC 11219 by Insertional Mutagenesis and Gene Replacement
Authors: Clauwers Charlien , Vanoirbeek Kristof , Delbrassinne Laurence , Michiels Chris W. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

Group II nonproteolytic
Clostridium botulinum
(gIICb) strains are an important concern for the safety of minimally processed ready-to-eat foods, because they can grow and produce botulinum neurotoxin during refrigerated storage. The principles of control of gIICb by conventional food processing and preservation methods have been well investigated and translated into guidelines for the food industry; in contrast, the effectiveness of emerging processing and preservation techniques has been poorly documented. The reason is that experimental studies with
C. botulinum
are cumbersome because of biosafety and biosecurity concerns. In the present work, we report the construction of two nontoxigenic derivatives of the type E gIICb strain NCTC 11219. In the first strain, the botulinum toxin gene (
bont
/
E
) was insertionally inactivated with a retargeted intron using the ClosTron system. In the second strain,
bont
/
E
was exchanged for an erythromycin resistance gene using a new gene replacement strategy that makes use of
pyrE
as a bidirectional selection marker. Growth under optimal and stressed conditions, sporulation efficiency, and spore heat resistance of the mutants were unaltered, except for small differences in spore heat resistance at 70°C and in growth at 2.3% NaCl. The mutants described in this work provide a safe alternative for basic research as well as for food challenge and process validation studies with gIICb. In addition, this work expands the clostridial genetic toolbox with a new gene replacement method that can be applied to replace any gene in gIICb and other clostridia.

IMPORTANCE
The nontoxigenic mutants described in this work provide a safe alternative for basic research as well as for food challenge and process validation studies with psychrotrophic
Clostridium botulinum
. In addition, this work expands the clostridial genetic toolbox with a new gene replacement method that can be applied to replace any gene in clostridia.
Weekend effect in endovascular stroke treatment: do treatment decisions, procedural times, and outcome depend on time of admission?
Authors: Nikoubashman Omid , Probst Thomas , Schürmann Kolja , Othman Ahmed E , Matz Oliver , Brockmann Marc-Alexander , Müller Marguerite , Wiesmann Martin , Reich Arno 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundEpidemiologic studies identified a ‘weekend effect’ or ‘out-of-hours effect’, which implies that procedural and clinical outcomes of patients with stroke, who are admitted out-of-hours, are less favorable than for patients admitted during working-hours.ObjectiveTo determine (1) whether our procedural times and clinical outcome were affected by an out-of-hours effect and (2) whether the decision in favor of, or against, endovascular stroke treatment (EST) depends on the time of admission.MethodsBetween February 2010 and January 2015, 6412 consecutive patients presenting with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were evaluated for EST eligibility according to established local protocols and generally accepted consensus criteria, and dichotomized into working-hours and out-of-hours cohorts according to admission times. Within both groups, patients given EST were identified and the rate of treatment decision, procedural times, and clinical outcome were compared and analyzed.ResultsClinical and radiological features of patients admitted in working-hours and out-of-hours did not differ significantly. Procedural times and clinical outcome were not affected by an out-of-hours effect (p≥0.054). 221/240 (92.1%) out-of-hours patients and 154/166 (92.8%) working-hours patients who were eligible for EST were transferred to the angiography suite for EST (p=0.798). The rationale not to treat patients who were eligible for EST did not differ between working-hours and out-of-hours admission (p=0.756).ConclusionsIt is possible to produce competitive procedural times regardless of the time of admission and to prevent a treatment decision bias when standard operating procedures are applied consistently.
Mentoring perception and academic performance: an Academic Health Science Centre survey
Authors: Athanasiou Thanos , Patel Vanash , Garas George , Ashrafian Hutan , Shetty Kunal , Sevdalis Nick , Panzarasa Pietro , Darzi Ara , Paroutis Sotirios 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPurposeTo determine the association between professors' self-perception of mentoring skills and their academic performance.DesignTwo hundred and fifteen professors from Imperial College London, the first Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) in the UK, were surveyed. The instrument adopted was the Mentorship Skills Self-Assessment Survey. Statement scores were aggregated to provide a score for each shared core, mentor-specific and mentee-specific skill. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate their relationship with quantitative measures of academic performance (publications, citations and h-index).ResultsThere were 104 professors that responded (response rate 48%). There were no statistically significant negative correlations between any mentoring statement and any performance measure. In contrast, several mentoring survey items were positively correlated with academic performance. The total survey score for frequency of application of mentoring skills had a statistically significant positive association with number of publications (B=0.012, SE=0.004, p=0.006), as did the frequency of acquiring mentors with number of citations (B=1.572, SE=0.702, p=0.030). Building trust and managing risks had a statistically significant positive association with h-index (B=0.941, SE=0.460, p=0.047 and B=0.613, SE=0.287, p=0.038, respectively).ConclusionsThis study supports the view that mentoring is associated with high academic performance. Importantly, it suggests that frequent use of mentoring skills and quality of mentoring have positive effects on academic performance. Formal mentoring programmes should be considered a fundamental part of all AHSCs’ configuration.
Hypothermia/rewarming disrupts excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Schaible Niccole , Han Young Soo , Hoang Thuy , Arteaga Grace , Tveita Torkjel , Sieck Gary 
Published: March 2016

Hypothermia/rewarming (H/R) is poorly tolerated by the myocardium; however, the underlying intracellular basis of H/R-induced cardiac dysfunction remains elusive. We hypothesized that in cardiomyocytes, H/R disrupts excitation-contraction coupling by reducing myofilament Ca2+sensitivity due to an increase in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) phosphorylation. To test this hypothesis, isolated rat cardiomyocytes (13–15 cells from 6 rats per group) were electrically stimulated to evoke both cytosolic Ca2+([Ca2+]cyto) and contractile (sarcomere shortening) responses that were simultaneously measured using an IonOptix system. Cardiomyocytes were divided into two groups: 1) those exposed to hypothermia (15°C for 2 h) followed by rewarming (35°C; H/R); or 2) time-matched normothermic (35°C) controls (CTL). Contractile dysfunction after H/R was indicated by reduced velocity and extent of sarcomere length (SL) shortening compared with time-matched controls. Throughout hypothermia, basal [Ca2+]cytoincreased and the duration of evoked [Ca2+]cytotransients was prolonged. Phase-loop plots of [Ca2+]cytovs. contraction were shifted rightward in cardiomyocytes during hypothermia compared with CTL, indicating a decrease in Ca2+sensitivity. Using Western blot, we found that H/R increases cTnI phosphorylation. These results support our overall hypothesis and suggest that H/R disrupts excitation-contraction coupling of cardiomyocytes due to increased cTnI phosphorylation and reduced Ca2+sensitivity.Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/hypothermiarewarming-disrupts-e-c-coupling/ .