bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY IMPAIRS SHOOT REGROWTH OF SUGARCANE VARIETIES
Authors: ZAMBROSI FERNANDO C. BACHIEGA , RIBEIRO RAFAEL VASCONCELOS , MACHADO EDUARDO CARUSO , GARCIA JÚLIO CÉSAR 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYThe shoot regrowth vigour of sugarcane varieties having contrasting phosphorus (P) efficiency was evaluated under varying soil P availability. The P-inefficient (IAC91–1099 and IACSP94–2101) and -efficient (IACSP94–2094 and IACSP95–5000) sugarcane varieties were grown under low (25 mg P kg−1 soil) or high (400 mg P kg−1 soil) P supply at planting. After 90 days (first cycle of growth), the shoots were harvested and regrowth was studied 70–75 days later by evaluating photosynthesis, leaf area formation, biomass production and P uptake. The shoot dry matter (DM) of sugarcane regrowth subjected to a low P supply was genotype-dependent, with the P-efficient varieties exhibiting greater values than the inefficient ones. This result was explained by the greater efficiency of IACSP94–2094 and IACSP95–5000 in acquiring P rather than P utilization efficiency for shoot biomass production. The root P stored during the first cycle of growth would represent only a minor fraction (< 20%) of the total P content in the shoots at the end of the regrowth period. Thus, we argue that the improved shoot P uptake of the P-efficient varieties was related to their ability to sustain P acquisition after harvesting rather than to the remobilization of root P reserves. Moreover, our data revealed that net CO2 assimilation per leaf area was not associated with differential performance among varieties under P deficiency, suggesting a more critical role of total leaf area in photosynthate supply for sugarcane regrowth. In conclusion, sugarcane regrowth is improved in P-efficient varieties under P deficiency conditions, a finding of practical relevance as such ability might benefit the productivity and the longevity of sugarcane ratoons in low P tropical soils.
Horner syndrome in glandular fever: a case report
Authors: West E V , Sheerin F , Bates J E H M 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to present and discuss the case of a patient with known glandular fever who presented with Horner syndrome.Case report:A 35-year-old patient with known glandular fever developed acute unilateral Horner syndrome, a previously undescribed complication of this common illness. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography showed that enlarged intra-carotid sheath lymphoid tissue was likely to be the underlying cause of sympathetic nerve disruption. The case is described, the anatomy of the sympathetic chain is discussed and possible alternative pathophysiological mechanisms are reviewed.Conclusion:This is the first report in the worldwide literature of Horner syndrome arising as a result of compression from enlarged lymph nodes in glandular fever.
Association of demographic, lifestyle factors and serum biomarkers with hypertension in elderly Chinese people
Authors: HONG XIUQIN , WONGTONGKAM NUALNONG , WARD PAUL RUSSELL , XIAIO SHUIYUAN , WANG SHULING , PENG QIAN , ZUO QI , ZENG DAN , WANG JIA , WANG CHENXU 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTHypertension is a major cause of premature death in China. Understanding risk factors including behavioural and predisposing factors may help to prevent development of hypertension and control the extent of premature mortality. In this case-control design conducted in Hunan province, 416 hypertensive subjects were matched with an equal number of normotensive persons from nearly 9,000 volunteers. A self-report questionnaire was employed to collect demographic and lifestyle information, and fasting serum biomarkers related to lipid profile, renal function, glucose level and uric acid were assessed. When age and sex were stratified, serum biomarkers such as blood urea nitrogen and triglycerides showed a significant difference for hypertension, while lifestyle behaviours including university degree, alcohol use, Body Mass Index and psychological stress (job and married life) were also associated with hypertension. After adjusting for covariate confounding factors, only elevated triglyceride levels were strongly linked to high blood pressure, odds ratio = 1.55, 95 per cent confidence level = 1.16–2.06. To control high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia should be included in hypertension treatment and followed up to assess the substantial risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Laser-induced diamond-like carbon film under different electric field directions
Authors: Shenjiang Wu , Dangjuan Li , Junhong Su 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTi electrodes were directly deposited at different positions on diamond-like carbon (DLC) films to form horizontal and longitudinal electric fields on their surfaces. TheID/IGratio increased with thesp3content in the membrane when the DLC film was laser-irradiated and the electric field intensity was 0 V/cm. The bias electric field intensity increased from 0 to 1000 V/cm, and the corresponding laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) increased. The three-dimensional damage morphology of the DLC film with two different electrode structures was observed when the electric field intensity was 220 V/cm. Two types of electrode structures were observed in the Raman spectra under an electric field intensity of 110 V/cm and laser energy densities of 0 and 1.56 J/cm2. Results showed that the horizontal bias field had a more obvious influence than the longitudinal electric field on the decrease of thesp3–sp2hybridization, preventing the formation ofsp2clusters, thereby slowing down the graphitization process of DLC. Applying the bias field to the DLC film could slow down the DLC film graphitization process and improve the LIDT of the DLC film.
Regression approaches in the test-negative study design for assessment of influenza vaccine effectiveness
Authors: BOND H. S. , SULLIVAN S. G. , COWLING B. J. 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYInfluenza vaccination is the most practical means available for preventing influenza virus infection and is widely used in many countries. Because vaccine components and circulating strains frequently change, it is important to continually monitor vaccine effectiveness (VE). The test-negative design is frequently used to estimate VE. In this design, patients meeting the same clinical case definition are recruited and tested for influenza; those who test positive are the cases and those who test negative form the comparison group. When determining VE in these studies, the typical approach has been to use logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Because vaccine coverage and influenza incidence change throughout the season, time is included among these confounders. While most studies use unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for time, an alternative approach is to use conditional logistic regression, matching on time. Here, we used simulation data to examine the potential for both regression approaches to permit accurate and robust estimates of VE. In situations where vaccine coverage changed during the influenza season, the conditional model and unconditional models adjusting for categorical week and using a spline function for week provided more accurate estimates. We illustrated the two approaches on data from a test-negative study of influenza VE against hospitalization in children in Hong Kong which resulted in the conditional logistic regression model providing the best fit to the data.
Mass-gathering Events: The Role of Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Reducing Referrals to Local Health Care Agencies
Authors: Kemp Anthony E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntroductionThe introduction of advanced practitioner roles has challenged the traditional boundaries of health care. While studies have been undertaken to understand the role of physicians in respect of mass-gathering medicine, the role of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) has not been investigated.ProblemDoes the presence of an ANP reduce the referral rates of patients presenting for medical care at mass-gathering events to external health care resources?MethodsA prospective observational study was undertaken to determine whether the presence of an ANP would reduce the patient referral rate to external health care services by first aiders and paramedics working within an event medical team. Patients identified as requiring referral were reviewed by an ANP as part of the on-site medical provision for four mass-gathering events in the south of England. Additionally, information was gathered identifying which patients would have been transported to hospital by ambulance compared to those actually transported following ANP review. Statistical analysis was undertaken for three key measures (referrals to all local health resources, referrals to hospital-based acute services, and transfers to hospital by ambulance).ResultsA rounded total of 842,000 people attended four mass-gathering events held over 14 days. Of these, 652 presented for medical care, many self-referring.Using a one-tailed Fisher’s Exact Test and Phi analysis, this study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in the overall referral of patients to all external health care resources (P<.001; φ=0.44), to the emergency department (ED; P<.001; φ=0.43), and a reduction in ambulance transport (P<.001; φ=0.42). Effect size analysis demonstrated a medium-sized effect evident for all of the above, which was also demonstrated in economic terms.The event medical team would have referred 105 (16.3%) of the 652 patient presentations to external health care services; 47 (7.2%) would have been transported by ambulance. In comparison, the ANP referred 23 patients (3.5%) with 11 (1.7%) being transported by ambulance. It also was noted that the first aiders and paramedics could be more selective in their referral habits that were focused primarily on the ED.ConclusionsAppropriately trained and experienced ANPs working within event medical teams have a positive impact on referral rates from mass-gathering events.KempAE. Mass-gathering events: the role of advanced nurse practitioners in reducing referrals to local health care agencies. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(1):58–63.
The “good death”: An integrative literature review
Authors: Cottrell Laura , Duggleby Wendy 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjective:The “good death” is a dynamic concept and has evolved over time to become a “revivalist” good death: a planned, peaceful, and dignified death, at home, surrounded by family members. As the “good death” continues to evolve, the key questions are: How do cultural perceptions of death and dying change? What are the forces that shape Western attitudes and beliefs around death and dying? And how does the “good death” discourse frame the dying experience in contemporary society? The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the underlying discourse in the literature on the “good death” in Western societies.Method:An integrative literature review of data from experimental and nonexperimental sources in PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and SocINDEX of 39 articles from 1992 to 2014.Results:Four main themes emerged from reviewing 39 articles on the “good death”: (1) the “good death” as control, (2) the wrong “good death,” (3) the threatened “good death,” and (4) the denial of dying.Significance of Results:Evolving in response to prominent social attitudes and values, the contemporary “good death” is a powerful, constraining discourse that limits spontaneity and encourages one way to die. Social, political, and demographic changes now threaten the stability of the “good death”; dying is framed as an increasingly negative or even unnecessary process, thus marginalizing the positive aspects of dying and rendering dying absent, invisible.
Human pancreatic beta-like cells converted from fibroblasts
Authors: Zhu Saiyong , Russ Holger A. , Wang Xiaojing , Zhang Mingliang , Ma Tianhua , Xu Tao , Tang Shibing , Hebrok Matthias , Ding Sheng 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPancreatic beta cells are of great interest for biomedical research and regenerative medicine. Here we show the conversion of human fibroblasts towards an endodermal cell fate by employing non-integrative episomal reprogramming factors in combination with specific growth factors and chemical compounds. On initial culture, converted definitive endodermal progenitor cells (cDE cells) are specified into posterior foregut-like progenitor cells (cPF cells). The cPF cells and their derivatives, pancreatic endodermal progenitor cells (cPE cells), can be greatly expanded. A screening approach identified chemical compounds that promote the differentiation and maturation of cPE cells into functional pancreatic beta-like cells (cPB cells) in vitro. Transplanted cPB cells exhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo and protect mice from chemically induced diabetes. In summary, our study has important implications for future strategies aimed at generating high numbers of functional beta cells, which may help restoring normoglycemia in patients suffering from diabetes.
A microfluidic platform enabling single-cell RNA-seq of multigenerational lineages
Authors: Kimmerling Robert J. , Lee Szeto Gregory , Li Jennifer W. , Genshaft Alex S. , Kazer Samuel W. , Payer Kristofor R. , de Riba Borrajo Jacob , Blainey Paul C. , Irvine Darrell J. , Shalek Alex K. , Manalis Scott R. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe introduce a microfluidic platform that enables off-chip single-cell RNA-seq after multi-generational lineage tracking under controlled culture conditions. We use this platform to generate whole-transcriptome profiles of primary, activated murine CD8+ T-cell and lymphocytic leukemia cell line lineages. Here we report that both cell types have greater intra- than inter-lineage transcriptional similarity. For CD8+ T-cells, genes with functional annotation relating to lymphocyte differentiation and function—including Granzyme B—are enriched among the genes that demonstrate greater intra-lineage expression level similarity. Analysis of gene expression covariance with matched measurements of time since division reveals cell type-specific transcriptional signatures that correspond with cell cycle progression. We believe that the ability to directly measure the effects of lineage and cell cycle-dependent transcriptional profiles of single cells will be broadly useful to fields where heterogeneous populations of cells display distinct clonal trajectories, including immunology, cancer, and developmental biology.
Transition state theory demonstrated at the micron scale with out-of-equilibrium transport in a confined environment
Authors: Vestergaard Christian L. , Mikkelsen Morten Bo , Reisner Walter , Kristensen Anders , Flyvbjerg Henrik 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTransition state theory (TST) provides a simple interpretation of many thermally activated processes. It applies successfully on timescales and length scales that differ several orders of magnitude: to chemical reactions, breaking of chemical bonds, unfolding of proteins and RNA structures and polymers crossing entropic barriers. Here we apply TST to out-of-equilibrium transport through confined environments: the thermally activated translocation of single DNA molecules over an entropic barrier helped by an external force field. Reaction pathways are effectively one dimensional and so long that they are observable in a microscope. Reaction rates are so slow that transitions are recorded on video. We find sharp transition states that are independent of the applied force, similar to chemical bond rupture, as well as transition states that change location on the reaction pathway with the strength of the applied force. The states of equilibrium and transition are separated by micrometres as compared with angstroms/nanometres for chemical bonds.
Tripartite degrons confer diversity and specificity on regulated protein degradation in the ubiquitin-proteasome system
Authors: Guharoy Mainak , Bhowmick Pallab , Sallam Mohamed , Tompa Peter 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSpecific signals (degrons) regulate protein turnover mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here we systematically analyse known degrons and propose a tripartite model comprising the following: (1) a primary degron (peptide motif) that specifies substrate recognition by cognate E3 ubiquitin ligases, (2) secondary site(s) comprising a single or multiple neighbouring ubiquitinated lysine(s) and (3) a structurally disordered segment that initiates substrate unfolding at the 26S proteasome. Primary degron sequences are conserved among orthologues and occur in structurally disordered regions that undergo E3-induced folding-on-binding. Posttranslational modifications can switch primary degrons into E3-binding-competent states, thereby integrating degradation with signalling pathways. Degradation-linked lysines tend to be located within disordered segments that also initiate substrate degradation by effective proteasomal engagement. Many characterized mutations and alternative isoforms with abrogated degron components are implicated in disease. These effects result from increased protein stability and interactome rewiring. The distributed nature of degrons ensures regulation, specificity and combinatorial control of degradation.
Large-scale inference of protein tissue origin in gram-positive sepsis plasma using quantitative targeted proteomics
Authors: Malmström Erik , Kilsgård Ola , Hauri Simon , Smeds Emanuel , Herwald Heiko , Malmström Lars , Malmström Johan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe plasma proteome is highly dynamic and variable, composed of proteins derived from surrounding tissues and cells. To investigate the complex processes that control the composition of the plasma proteome, we developed a mass spectrometry-based proteomics strategy to infer the origin of proteins detected in murine plasma. The strategy relies on the construction of a comprehensive protein tissue atlas from cells and highly vascularized organs using shotgun mass spectrometry. The protein tissue atlas was transformed to a spectral library for highly reproducible quantification of tissue-specific proteins directly in plasma using SWATH-like data-independent mass spectrometry analysis. We show that the method can determine drastic changes of tissue-specific protein profiles in blood plasma from mouse animal models with sepsis. The strategy can be extended to several other species advancing our understanding of the complex processes that contribute to the plasma proteome dynamics.
Reconciling diverse mammalian pigmentation patterns with a fundamental mathematical model
Authors: Mort Richard L. , Ross Robert J. H. , Hainey Kirsten J. , Harrison Olivia J. , Keighren Margaret A. , Landini Gabriel , Baker Ruth E. , Painter Kevin J. , Jackson Ian J. , Yates Christian A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBands of colour extending laterally from the dorsal to ventral trunk are a common feature of mouse chimeras. These stripes were originally taken as evidence of the directed dorsoventral migration of melanoblasts (the embryonic precursors of melanocytes) as they colonize the developing skin. Depigmented ‘belly spots’ in mice with mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase Kit are thought to represent a failure of this colonization, either due to impaired migration or proliferation. Tracing of single melanoblast clones, however, has revealed a diffuse distribution with high levels of axial mixing—hard to reconcile with directed migration. Here we construct an agent-based stochastic model calibrated by experimental measurements to investigate the formation of diffuse clones, chimeric stripes and belly spots. Our observations indicate that melanoblast colonization likely proceeds through a process of undirected migration, proliferation and tissue expansion, and that reduced proliferation is the cause of the belly spots in Kit mutants.
Coherence and resonance effects in the ultra-intense laser-induced ultrafast response of complex atoms
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Gao Cheng , Dong Wenpu , Zeng Jiaolong , Zhao Zengxiu , Yuan Jianmin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBoth coherent pumping and energy relaxation play important roles in understanding physical processes of ultra-intense coherent light-matter interactions. Here, using a large-scale quantum master equation approach, we describe dynamical processes of practical open quantum systems driven by both coherent and stochastic interactions. As examples, two typical cases of light-matter interactions are studied. First, we investigate coherent dynamics of inner-shell electrons of a neon gas irradiated by a high-intensity X-ray laser along with vast number of decaying channels. In these single-photon dominated processes, we find that, due to coherence-induced Rabi oscillations and power broadening effects, the photon absorptions of a neon gas can be suppressed resulting in differences in ionization processes and final ion-stage distributions. Second, we take helium as an example of multiphoton and multichannel interference dominated electron dynamics, by investigating the transient absorption of an isolated attosecond pulse in the presence of a femtosecond infrared laser pulse.
Local structure controls the nonaffine shear and bulk moduli of disordered solids
Authors: Schlegel M. , Brujic J. , Terentjev E. M. , Zaccone A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractParadigmatic model systems, which are used to study the mechanical response of matter, are random networks of point-atoms, random sphere packings, or simple crystal lattices; all of these models assume central-force interactions between particles/atoms. Each of these models differs in the spatial arrangement and the correlations among particles. In turn, this is reflected in the widely different behaviours of the shear (G) and compression (K) elastic moduli. The relation between the macroscopic elasticity as encoded in G, K and their ratio and the microscopic lattice structure/order, is not understood. We provide a quantitative analytical connection between the local orientational order and the elasticity in model amorphous solids with different internal microstructure, focusing on the two opposite limits of packings (strong excluded-volume) and networks (no excluded-volume). The theory predicts that, in packings, the local orientational order due to excluded-volume causes less nonaffinity (less softness or larger stiffness) under compression than under shear. This leads to lower values of G/K, a well-documented phenomenon which was lacking a microscopic explanation. The theory also provides an excellent one-parameter description of the elasticity of compressed emulsions in comparison with experimental data over a broad range of packing fractions.
Exon-centric regulation of ATM expression is population-dependent and amenable to antisense modification by pseudoexon targeting
Authors: Kralovicova Jana , Knut Marcin , Cross Nicholas C. P. , Vorechovsky Igor 
Published: January 2016

AbstractATM is an important cancer susceptibility gene that encodes a critical apical kinase of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. We show that a key nonsense-mediated RNA decay switch exon (NSE) in ATM is repressed by U2AF, PUF60 and hnRNPA1. The NSE activation was haplotype-specific and was most promoted by cytosine at rs609261 in the NSE 3′ splice-site (3′ss), which is predominant in high cancer risk populations. NSE levels were deregulated in leukemias and were influenced by the identity of U2AF35 residue 34. We also identify splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) that exploit competition of adjacent pseudoexons to modulate NSE levels. The U2AF-regulated exon usage in the ATM signalling pathway was centred on the MRN/ATM-CHEK2-CDC25-cdc2/cyclin-B axis and preferentially involved transcripts implicated in cancer-associated gene fusions and chromosomal translocations. These results reveal important links between 3′ss control and ATM-dependent responses to double-strand DNA breaks, demonstrate functional plasticity of intronic variants and illustrate versatility of intronic SSOs that target pseudo-3′ss to modify gene expression.