bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous Cardiac Monitoring around Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Insights on Clinical Classifications and End Points
Authors: DEKKER LUKAS RC , POKUSHALOV EVGENY , SANDERS PRASHANTHAN , LINDBORG KATHERINE A. , MAUS BÄRBEL , PÜRERFELLNER HELMUT 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that can be difficult to identify and classify with short‐term monitoring. However, current standard of practice requires only short‐term monitoring to determine AF classifications and identify symptom‐arrhythmia correlations prior to AF ablation procedures. Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) offer continuous arrhythmia monitoring, which could lead to a more accurate measurement of AF burden than standard of practice.MethodsThis analysis focused on 121 patients enrolled in the LINQ Usability Study indicated for an AF ablation. Patients were followed for up to 1 year after ICM insertion. Clinical AF classifications were made by physicians prior to ICM implantation based on available clinical information. Device‐detected AF burden and maximum daily burden were collected from device interrogations and remote transmissions. Device AF classifications were determined by categorizing the AF burden based on guidelines.ResultsAgreement between clinical and device AF classifications preablation was poor (48.3%, N = 58). The strongest agreement was in the paroxysmal AF group but still was only 61.8%. Furthermore, device‐detected preablation AF burden led to the decision to defer AF ablation procedures in 16 (13.2%) patients. The median AF burden in patients with ≥6 months follow‐up postablation (n = 71) was reduced from 7.8% (interquartile range [IQR]: 0–32.1%) to 0% (IQR: 0–0.7%).ConclusionsICM monitoring to determine AF burden pre‐ and post‐AF ablation may have clinical utility for management of ablation candidates through more accurate AF classification and guiding treatment decisions.
Phosphorus remobilization from rice flag leaves during grain filling: an RNA‐seq study
Authors: Jeong Kwanho , Baten Abdul , Waters Daniel L. E. , Pantoja Omar , Julia Cecile C. , Wissuwa Matthias , Heuer Sigrid , Kretzschmar Tobias , Rose Terry J. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe physiology and molecular regulation of phosphorus (P) remobilization from vegetative tissues to grains during grain filling is poorly understood, despite the pivotal role it plays in the global P cycle. To test the hypothesis that a subset of genes involved in the P starvation response are involved in remobilization of P from flag leaves to developing grains, we conducted an RNA‐seq analysis of rice flag leaves during the preremobilization phase (6 DAA) and when the leaves were acting as a P source (15 DAA). Several genes that respond to phosphate starvation, including three purple acid phosphatases (OsPAP3, OsPAP9b and OsPAP10a), were significantly up‐regulated at 15 DAA, consistent with a role in remobilization of P from flag leaves during grain filling. A number of genes that have not been implicated in the phosphate starvation response, OsPAP26, SPX‐MFS1 (a putative P transporter) and SPX‐MFS2, also showed expression profiles consistent with involvement in P remobilization from senescing flag leaves. Metabolic pathway analysis using the KEGG system suggested plastid membrane lipid synthesis is a critical process during the P remobilization phase. In particular, the up‐regulation of OsPLDz2 and OsSQD2 at 15 DAA suggested phospholipids were being degraded and replaced by other lipids to enable continued cellular function while liberating P for export to developing grains. Three genes associated with RNA degradation that have not previously been implicated in the P starvation response also showed expression profiles consistent with a role in P mobilization from senescing flag leaves.
Evaluation of tomato entries with different combinations of resistance genes to tomato yellow leaf curl disease in Tunisia
Authors: Elbaz Mounira , Hanson Peter , Fgaier Salah , Laarif Asma 
Published: May 2016

AbstractTomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is one of the most widespread begomoviruses transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci that cause tomato yellow leaf curl virus diseases (TYLCDs). TYLCD losses can be especially severe in open‐field tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. TYLCV is particularly well known and widespread in the Mediterranean (Med) countries where TYLCD control is mostly based on insecticidal control of B. tabaci populations. Unfortunately, Tunisian B. tabaci populations include Middle East‐Asia Minor I and the Med species that have developed resistance to many classes of insecticides. Therefore, TYLCD‐resistant cultivars are essential for sustainable disease management. Six TYLCD resistance genes (Ty) have been introgressed from wild species into cultivated tomato and are available for breeding. Information on the Ty genes or gene combinations is useful for breeding resistant cultivars. To this end, 14 tomato lines carrying different Ty gene combinations and two susceptible tomato entries were evaluated for TYLCD incidence and severity in two field trials during late season in Tunisia. Entries with Ty‐1/Ty‐3 + Ty‐2 offered the highest levels of resistance in Tunisia.
Foreign Direct Investment Determinants in OECD and Developing Countries
Authors: Economou Fotini , Hassapis Christis , Philippas Nikolaos , Tsionas Mike 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn this paper we examine the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow determinants in 24 Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) and 22 developing (non‐OECD) countries over 1980–2012, using the standard fixed effects as well as a dynamic panel approach. The most robust finding is that lagged FDI, market size, gross capital formation and corporate taxation significantly affect FDI inflows in OECD countries. We also examine a group of developing countries, taking into consideration the increased share of world FDI inflows that developing countries have attracted, and compare the results. In this case, lagged FDI, market size, labor cost and institutional variables provide the most robust results. The empirical results have important policy implications indicating the factors that host economies should emphasize in order to attract FDI inflows.
Effects of cover crop growth and decomposition on the distribution of aggregate size fractions and soil microbial carbon dynamics
Authors: Linsler D. , Kaiser M. , Andruschkewitsch R. , Piegholdt C. , Ludwig B. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlthough the effects of cover crops (CC) on various soil parameters have been fully investigated, less is known about the impacts at different stages in CC cultivation. The objective of this study was to quantify the influence of CC cultivation stages and residue placement on aggregates and microbial carbon (Cmic). Additionally, the influence of residue location and crop species on CO2 emissions and leached mineralized nitrogen (Nmin) during the plant degradation period was also investigated. Within an incubation experiment, four CC species were sown in soil columns, with additional columns being kept plant‐free. After plant growth, the columns were frozen (as occurs in winter under field conditions) and then incubated with the plant material either incorporated or surface‐applied. With CC, concentrations of large and medium macroaggregates were twice that of the fallow, confirming positive effects of root growth. Freezing led to a decrease in these aggregate size classes. In the subsequent incubation, the large macroaggregates decreased far more in the samples with CC than in the fallow, leading to similar aggregate size distributions. No difference in Cmic concentration was found among the CC cultivation stages. CO2 emissions were roughly equivalent to the carbon amounts added as plant residues. Comparison of columns with incorporated or surface‐applied residues indicated no consistent pattern of aggregate distribution, CO2 emission or Cmic and Nmin concentrations. Our results suggest that positive effects of CC cultivation are only short term and that a large amount of organic material in the soil could have a greater influence than CC cultivation.
The NnCenH3 protein and centromeric DNA sequence profiles of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (sacred lotus) reveal the DNA structures and dynamics of centromeres in basal eudicots
Authors: Zhu Zhixuan , Gui Songtao , Jin Jing , Yi Rong , Wu Zhihua , Qian Qian , Ding Yi 
Published: May 2016

SummaryCentromeres on eukaryotic chromosomes consist of large arrays of DNA repeats that undergo very rapid evolution. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (sacred lotus) is a phylogenetic relict and an aquatic perennial basal eudicot. Studies concerning the centromeres of this basal eudicot species could provide ancient evolutionary perspectives. In this study, we characterized the centromeric marker protein NnCenH3 (sacred lotus centromere‐specific histone H3 variant), and used a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)‐based technique to recover the NnCenH3 nucleosome‐associated sequences of sacred lotus. The properties of the centromere‐binding protein and DNA sequences revealed notable divergence between sacred lotus and other flowering plants, including the following factors: (i) an NnCenH3 alternative splicing variant comprising only a partial centromere‐targeting domain, (ii) active genes with low transcription levels in the NnCenH3 nucleosomal regions, and (iii) the prevalence of the Ty1/copia class of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons in the centromeres of sacred lotus chromosomes. In addition, the dynamic natures of the centromeric region showed that some of the centromeric repeat DNA sequences originated from telomeric repeats, and a pair of centromeres on the dicentric chromosome 1 was inactive in the metaphase cells of sacred lotus. Our characterization of the properties of centromeric DNA structure within the sacred lotus genome describes a centromeric profile in ancient basal eudicots and might provide evidence of the origins and evolution of centromeres. Furthermore, the identification of centromeric DNA sequences is of great significance for the assembly of the sacred lotus genome.
Alkaline phosphatase activity in airway fluid obtained by tracheal wash from adult horses
Authors: Viscardi Vanessa , Jorge Maria Luisa L. A. , Silva Katia M. , Sad Eliene P. , Fonseca Ana Beatriz M. , Alencar Nayro X. , Lessa Daniel Augusto B. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundCollection of fluid from the lower respiratory tract (LRT) plays an important role in both the pathophysiological investigation and diagnosis of respiratory tract disease. Enzymes such as ALP are, among others, indicators of cell damage or death, type II pneumocyte proliferation, and neutrophil invasion, and have been useful as biomarkers of respiratory disease in other species.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine and compare tracheal wash (TW) ALP activity in healthy horses and horses with LRT inflammation (LRTI) determined by TW cytology profile.MethodsTracheal washes were collected from asymptomatic adult geldings to measure ALP activity. The horses were allocated to the healthy group or the group with LRT inflammation based on differential leukocyte counts of TW preparations. Horses with > 20% neutrophils and > 1% eosinophils were allocated to the LRTI group, the horses with < 20% neutrophils and < 1% eosinophils were the controls.ResultsTracheal wash ALP activity, measured using a semiautomatic chemistry analyzer, was statistically significantly higher in 18 horses with LRTI (18.9 ± 11.2 × 103 U/L) than in healthy horses (10.3 ± 5.9 × 103 U/L) (P = .021).ConclusionsDetermining tracheal wash ALP activity is a simple, inexpensive and safe technique that can be used to facilitate the early diagnosis of equine respiratory disease, since it is higher in asymptomatic adult horses with a TW cytology profile consistent with LRT inflammation than in healthy adult horses with a normal TW cytology profile.
Induction of Unconventional T Cells by a Mutant Mycobacterium bovis BCG Strain Formulated in Cationic Liposomes Correlates with Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infections of Immunocompromised Mice
Authors: Derrick Steven C. , Yabe Idalia , Morris Sheldon , Cowley Siobhan 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Earlier studies aimed at defining protective immunity induced by
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG immunization have largely focused on the induction of antituberculosis CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cell responses. Here we describe a vaccine consisting of a BCGΔ
mmaA4
deletion mutant formulated in dimethyl dioctadecyl-ammonium bromide (DDA) with
d
-(+)-trehalose 6,6′-dibehenate (TDB) (DDA/TDB) adjuvant (A4/Adj) that protected TCRδ
−/−
mice depleted of CD4
+
, CD8
+
, and NK1.1
+
T cells against an aerosol challenge with
M. tuberculosis
. These mice were significantly protected relative to mice immunized with a nonadjuvanted BCGΔ
mmaA4
(BCG-A4) mutant and nonvaccinated controls at 2 months and 9 months postvaccination. In the absence of all T cells following treatment with anti-Thy1.2 antibody, the immunized mice lost the ability to control the infection. These results indicate that an unconventional T cell population was mediating protection in the absence of CD4
+
, CD8
+
, NK1.1
+
, and TCRγδ T cells and could exhibit memory. Focusing on CD4
−
CD8
−
double-negative (DN) T cells, we found that these cells accumulated in the lungs postchallenge significantly more in A4/Adj-immunized mice and induced significantly greater frequencies of pulmonary gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing cells than were seen in the nonvaccinated or nonadjuvanted BCG control groups. Moreover, pulmonary DN T cells from the A4/Adj group exhibited significantly higher IFN-γ integrated median fluorescence intensity (iMFI) values than were seen in the control groups. We also showed that enriched DN T cells from mice immunized with A4/Adj could control mycobacterial growth
in vitro
significantly better than naive whole-spleen cells. These results suggest that formulating BCG in DDA/TDB adjuvant confers superior protection in immunocompromised mice and likely involves the induction of long-lived memory DN T cells.
A Computationally Designed Serological Assay for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus
Authors: Song Yunfeng , Singh Pankaj , Nelson Eric , Ramamoorthy Sheela 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

The periodic emergence of new infectious agents and the genetic and antigenic evolution of existing agents necessitate the improvement of technology for the rapid development of diagnostic assays. The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) emerged in the United States in 2013, causing severe economic damage to the pork industry. The primary goal of this study was to develop methods to reduce the lead time for serological assay development. An approach involving the computational prediction of diagnostic targets, followed by a rapid synthesis of antigens, was adopted to achieve this objective. To avoid cross-reactivity with other closely related swine coronaviruses, the N protein sequences of PEDV were analyzed to identify sequences unique to PEDV. The potential antigenicity of the identified sequence was predicted computationally using the Jameson-Wolf method. A sequence with a high antigenic index was rapidly synthesized using an
in vitro
transcription and translation system to yield the diagnostic antigen. The computationally designed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was validated using 169 field sera, whose statuses were determined by a PEDV-specific immunofluorescence assay. Comparison of the computationally designed ELISA to a conventionally developed ELISA, using bacterially expressed N protein, and to the immunofluorescence assay showed a high degree of agreement among the three tests (mean kappa statistic, 0.842). The sensitivity and specificity, compared to the conventionally developed assay, were 90.62 and 95.18, respectively. Therefore, the described approach is useful in reducing the development time for serological assays in the face of an infectious disease outbreak.
Antibodies to the Novel Human Pegivirus 2 Are Associated with Active and Resolved Infections
Authors: Coller Kelly E. , Berg Michael G. , Frankel Matthew , Forberg Kenn , Surani Rita , Chiu Charles Y. , Hackett John , Dawson George J. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

A novel blood-borne human pegivirus (HPgV), HPgV-2, was recently identified in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals and individuals who had received multiple transfusions. Robust serological assays capable of detecting antibodies in HPgV-2-infected individuals are needed to establish global seroprevalence rates and potential disease associations. The two objectives of this study were to determine the utility of mammalian cell-expressed HPgV-2 E2 glycoprotein or bacterium-expressed nonstructural protein 4AB (NS4AB) in detecting past or present infections and to compare the total prevalence (antibody and RNA positive) of HPgV-2 with that of the other human pegivirus, HPgV-1 (GB virus C [GBV-C]). HPgV-2 E2 antibodies were detected in 13 (92.86%) of 14 HPgV-2-viremic cases, and NS4AB antibodies were detected in 8 (57.14%) of 14 cases. The HPgV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher (
P
< 0.0001) among HCV-infected individuals (3.31% [24 of 726 samples]) than among non-HCV-infected individuals (0.30% [4 of 1,348 samples]). Of 31 anti-E2-positive samples, 22 had supplemental supporting data; 12 samples were HPgV-2 RNA positive and 10 nonviremic samples were antibody positive for peptides or NS4AB. The total prevalence of HPgV-1 (35.00%) was significantly higher than that of HPgV-2 (1.33%) in all populations tested (
P
< 0.0001). For HPgV-1, codetection of antibodies to E2 and RNA was infrequent (5.88%). In contrast, antibodies to E2 were detected in most HPgV-2-viremic individuals (92.86%), as is observed among individuals chronically infected with HCV, most of whom are antibody positive for HCV E2. Our studies indicate that HPgV-2 circulates with HCV and displays a profile similar to the serological profile of HCV-infected persons, although the pathogenicity of this virus has yet to be established.
Use of a Rapid Test for Diagnosis of Dengue during Suspected Dengue Outbreaks in Resource-Limited Regions
Authors: Hunsperger Elizabeth A. , Sharp Tyler M. , Lalita Paul , Tikomaidraubuta Kini , Cardoso Yolanda Rebello , Naivalu Taina , Khan Aalisha Sahu , Marfel Maria , Hancock W. Thane , Tomashek Kay M. , Margolis Harold S. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT
Dengue is major public health problem, globally. Timely verification of suspected dengue outbreaks allows for public health response, leading to the initiation of appropriate clinical care. Because the clinical presentation of dengue is nonspecific, dengue diagnosis would benefit from a sensitive rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We evaluated the diagnostic performance of an RDT that detects dengue virus (DENV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) and anti-DENV IgM during suspected acute febrile illness (AFI) outbreaks in four countries. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR and anti-DENV IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to verify RDT results. Anti-DENV IgM RDT sensitivity and specificity ranged from 55.3 to 91.7% and 85.3 to 98.5%, respectively, and NS1 sensitivity and specificity ranged from 49.7 to 92.9% and 22.2 to 89.0%, respectively. Sensitivity varied by timing of specimen collection and DENV serotype. Combined test results moderately improved the sensitivity. The use of RDTs identified dengue as the cause of AFI outbreaks where reference diagnostic testing was limited or unavailable.
Comparison of Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube with Culture on RGM Selective Agar for Detection of Mycobacteria in Sputum Samples from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Eltringham Ian , Pickering Julie , Gough Helen , Preece Clair L. , Perry John D. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are an important cause of pulmonary disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). A new culture medium (RGM medium) for the isolation of rapidly growing mycobacteria from the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients has recently been reported. The aim of this study was to compare culture of sputum samples on RGM medium with culture using a standard automated liquid culture method. Sputum samples were obtained from 187 distinct patients with CF attending King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Each sample was decontaminated with 3% oxalic acid and inoculated into a mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) that was monitored for 42 days using the Bactec MGIT 960 instrument. Each sample was also cultured, without decontamination, onto RGM medium, which was incubated for 10 days at 30°C. Mycobacteria were isolated from 28 patients (prevalence, 15%). Mycobacteria were detected in 24 samples (86%) using the MGIT and in 23 samples (82%) using RGM medium (
P
= 1.00). In this setting, RGM medium showed sensitivity equivalent to that of the MGIT for isolation of NTM from the sputum of patients with CF. RGM medium offers a simple, convenient tool that can be embedded into routine culture methods, allowing the culture of all sputum samples that are submitted from patients with CF.
Serological and Molecular Detection of Senecavirus A Associated with an Outbreak of Swine Idiopathic Vesicular Disease and Neonatal Mortality
Authors: Gimenez-Lirola Luis Gabriel , Rademacher Chris , Linhares Daniel , Harmon Karen , Rotolo Marisa , Sun Yaxuan , Baum David H. , Zimmerman Jeffrey , Piñeyro Pablo 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTWe performed a longitudinal field study in a swine breeding herd that presented with an outbreak of vesicular disease (VD) that was associated with an increase in neonatal mortality. Initially, a USDA Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) investigation confirmed the presence of Senecavirus A (SVA) and ruled out the presence of exotic agents that produce vesicular lesions, e.g., foot-and-mouth disease virus and others. Subsequently, serum samples, tonsil swabs, and feces were collected from sows (n =22) and their piglets (n =33) beginning 1 week after the onset of the clinical outbreak and weekly for 6 weeks. The presence of SVA RNA was evaluated in all specimens collected by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) targeting a conserved region of the 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR). The serological response (IgG) to SVA was evaluated by the weekly testing of sow and piglet serum samples on a SVA VP1 recombinant protein (rVP1) indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The rVP1 ELISA detected seroconversion against SVA in clinically affected and non-clinically affected sows at early stages of the outbreak as well as maternal SVA antibodies in offspring. Overall, the absence of vesicles (gross lesions) in SVA-infected animals and the variability of RT-qPCR results among specimen type demonstrated that a diagnostic algorithm based on the combination of clinical observations, RT-qPCR in multiple diagnostic specimens, and serology are essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis of SVA.