bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA methylation of retrotransposons, DNA transposons and genes in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Zakrzewski Falk , Schmidt Martin , Van Lijsebettens Mieke , Schmidt Thomas 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThe methylation of cytosines shapes the epigenetic landscape of plant genomes, coordinates transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, represses the activity of transposable elements (TEs), affects gene expression and, hence, can influence the phenotype. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris), an important crop that accounts for 30% of worldwide sugar needs, has a relatively small genome size (758 Mbp) consisting of approximately 485 Mbp repetitive DNA (64%), in particular satellite DNA, retrotransposons and DNA transposons. Genome‐wide cytosine methylation in the sugar beet genome was studied in leaves and leaf‐derived callus with a focus on repetitive sequences, including retrotransposons and DNA transposons, the major groups of repetitive DNA sequences, and compared with gene methylation. Genes showed a specific methylation pattern for CG, CHG (H = A, C, and T) and CHH sites, whereas the TE pattern differed, depending on the TE class (class 1, retrotransposons and class 2, DNA transposons). Along genes and TEs, CG and CHG methylation was higher than that of adjacent genomic regions. In contrast to the relatively low CHH methylation in retrotransposons and genes, the level of CHH methylation in DNA transposons was strongly increased, pointing to a functional role of asymmetric methylation in DNA transposon silencing. Comparison of genome‐wide DNA methylation between sugar beet leaves and callus revealed a differential methylation upon tissue culture. Potential epialleles were hypomethylated (lower methylation) at CG and CHG sites in retrotransposons and genes and hypermethylated (higher methylation) at CHH sites in DNA transposons of callus when compared with leaves.
Influence of intravenous regional limb perfusion with amikacin sulfate onStaphylococcus aureusbioburden in distal limb wounds in horses
Authors: Freeland Russell B. , Morello Samantha L. , DeLombaert Melissa , Rajamanickam Victora 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify the influence of intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) with amikacin on bacterial bioburden in limb wounds.Study designIn vivo, experimental.AnimalsFour adult horses.MethodsFull thickness wounds created on each dorsal metacarpus were inoculated withStaphylococcus aureus. One forelimb was randomly assigned to cephalic vein IVRLP with amikacin on days 2, 3, and 4 post‐wounding. Biopsies on day 2 prior to IVRLP, and on days 5 and 8 were cultured to quantify wound bioburden (CFU/g). Two horses repeated the study in a crossover design, receiving IVRLP on the opposite limb (n = 6 experiments). IVRLP was performed on both forelimbs simultaneously in 3 horses at the end of the study: limbs were perfused with a volume of new methylene blue equal to that of the amikacin, through the cephalic vein or palmar digital vein. After euthanasia, wounds were photographed to subjectively assess dye diffusion.ResultsThe bioburden did not differ between control and IVRLP limbs overall or at any individual time point. No difference was detected between groups in terms of frequency of positive bacterial growth at any time. Methylene blue was visible in all excised tissues after IVRLP through the palmar digital vein, but was not visible in limbs perfused through the cephalic vein.ConclusionIVRLP may not effectively concentrate amikacin within a wound bed and did not influenceS. aureusbioburden in an experimentally created wound infection.
Can fetal adrenal artery Doppler velocimetry predict delivery date in pregnant women with spontaneous preterm birth?
Authors: Carvalho Francisco Herlânio Costa , Lemos Aline Pinto , Feitosa Francisco Edson De Lucena , Feitosa Helvécio Neves , Augusto Lucas Costa Carvalho , Mota Rosa Maria Salani , Araujo Júnior Edward 
Published: March 2017

Aim: To assess the accuracy of delivery date predictions made using fetal adrenal artery Doppler velocimetry in pregnant women with spontaneous preterm birth (PB) and to compare these predictions with cervical length (CL) measurements.Material and methods: A prospective study was performed with 51 pregnant women whose gestational lengths were between 24 and 36 weeks. The main outcome was the time between the Doppler velocimetry examination and delivery, categorized as delivery within 7 days or 7 days later after the examination. A receiver operating characteristics curve was performed to define the cutoffs among deliveries within 7 days for fetal adrenal artery Doppler velocimetry parameters and CL measurements.Results: The incidence of delivery within 7 days was 37.3%, with a statistically significant difference for the pulsatility index (PI; p=0.045) and resistance index (RI; p=0.030) of the fetal adrenal artery. The best cutoff values of PI and RI for predicting deliveries within 7 days were 1.65 and 0.78, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of PI, RI, and CL (20 mm) were 73.7% (95% CI: 51.9–95.5) and 56.3% (95% CI: 38.1–74.4); 68.4% (95% CI: 45.4–91.4) and 62.5% (95% CI: 44.8–80.2); and 76.5% (95% CI: 54.0–99.0) and 78.1% (95%: CI 71.1–97.7), respectively.Conclusion: Fetal adrenal artery Doppler velocimetry can predict delivery within 7 days among pregnant women in cases of spontaneous PB and this prediction is similar to the predictions made using CL measurements.
Diagnostic utility of endoscopic ultrasonography-elastography in the evaluation of solid pancreatic masses: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Lu Yi , Chen Lu , Li Chujun , Chen Honglei , Chen Jinhua 
Published: March 2017

Aim: The accuracy for endoscopic ultrasonography-elastography (EUS-EG) in the evaluation of solid pancreatic masses varies greatly and the pooled results have not been updated since 2013. Also, there still lack a comprehensive comparison among EUS-EG, contrast-enhanced EUS (CE-EUS), and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).Material and methods: A thorough search was made for diagnostic trials investigating the role of EUS-EG in solid pancreatic masses. Meta-Disc was used to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio and summary receiver operator characteristics. Results: Finally, 17 studies (1537 patients, 1544 lesions) were selected. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for qualitative methods were 0.97 (95%CI, 0.95-0.99) and 0.67 (95%CI, 0.59-0.74), respectively; the pooled sensitivity and specificity for strain histograms were 0.97 (95%CI, 0.95-0.98) and 0.67(95%CI, 0.61-0.73), respectively; the pooled sensitivity and specificity for strain ratio were 0.98 (95%CI, 0.96-0.99) and 0.62 (95%CI, 0.56-0.68), respectively; the pooled sensitivity and specificity for CE-EUS were 0.90 (95%CI, 0.83-0.95) and 0.76 (95%CI, 0.67-0.84), respectively; the pooled sensitivity and specificity for EUS-FNA were 0.84 (95%CI, 0.77-0.90) and 0.96(95%CI, 0.88-1.00), respectively. Conclusion: EUS-EG is reliable for distinguishing solid pancreatic masses; the sensitivity and specificity for different diagnostic methods were very close. Both EUS-EG and CE-EUS can be valuable complementary supplements for EUS-FNA.
First Draft Genome Sequences of Malaysian Clinical Isolates of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Authors: Ahmad Norazah , Hii Shirley Yi Fen , Mohd Khalid Mohd Khairul Nizam , Abd Wahab Muhammad Adib , Hashim Rohaidah , Tang Soo Nee , Liow Yii Ling , Hamzah Hazwani , Dahalan Nurul Ain , Seradja Valentinus 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Corynebacterium diphtheriae
has caused multiple isolated diphtheria cases in Malaysia over the years. Here, we report the first draft genome sequences of 15 Malaysia
C. diphtheriae
clinical isolates collected from the years 1981 to 2016.
Draft Genome Sequence of Thalassospira xiamenensis Strain MCCC 1A03042
T
Authors: Li Meiqing , Yang Shuo , Lai Qiliang , Shao Zongze 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Thalassospira xiamenensis
strain MCCC 1A03042
T
was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Indian Ocean, and it was characterized with heavy-metal arsenic tolerance. Here, we present the draft genome of strain MCCC 1A03042
T
, which contains 4,786,207 bp with a G+C content of 52.6% and 4,359 protein-coding genes.
Microsporidia: Obligate Intracellular Pathogens Within the Fungal Kingdom
Authors: Han Bing , Weiss Louis M. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTMicrosporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens related to Fungi. These organisms have a unique invasion organelle, the polar tube, which upon appropriate environmental stimulation rapidly discharges out of the spore, pierces a host cell’s membrane, and serves as a conduit for sporoplasm passage into the host cell. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that microsporidia are related to the Fungi, being either a basal branch or sister group. Despite the description of microsporidia over 150 years ago, we still lack an understanding of the mechanism of invasion, including the role of various polar tube proteins, spore wall proteins, and host cell proteins in the formation and function of the invasion synapse. Recent advances in ultrastructural techniques are helping to better define the formation and functioning of the invasion synapse. Over the past 2 decades, proteomic approaches have helped define polar tube proteins and spore wall proteins as well as the importance of posttranslational modifications such as glycosylation in the functioning of these proteins, but the absence of genetic techniques for the manipulation of microsporidia has hampered research on the function of these various proteins. The study of the mechanism of invasion should provide fundamental insights into the biology of these ubiquitous intracellular pathogens that can be integrated into studies aimed at treating or controlling microsporidiosis.
Thigmo Responses: The Fungal Sense of Touch
Authors: Almeida Mariana Cruz , Brand Alexandra C. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT
The growth and development of most fungi take place on a two-dimensional surface or within a three-dimensional matrix. The fungal sense of touch is therefore critical for fungi in the interpretation of their environment and often signals the switch to a new developmental state. Contact sensing, or thigmo-based responses, include thigmo differentiation, such as the induction of invasion structures by plant pathogens in response to topography; thigmonasty, where contact with a motile prey rapidly triggers its capture; and thigmotropism, where the direction of hyphal growth is guided by physical features in the environment. Like plants and some bacteria, fungi grow as walled cells. Despite the well-demonstrated importance of thigmo responses in numerous stages of fungal growth and development, it is not known how fungal cells sense contact through the relatively rigid structure of the cell wall. However, while sensing mechanisms at the molecular level are not entirely understood, the downstream signaling pathways that are activated by contact sensing are being elucidated. In the majority of cases, the response to contact is complemented by chemical cues and both are required, either sequentially or simultaneously, to elicit normal developmental responses. The importance of a sense of touch in the lifestyles and development of diverse fungi is highlighted in this review, and the candidate molecular mechanisms that may be involved in fungal contact sensing are discussed.
Role of the Health Department in Tuberculosis Prevention and Control—Legal and Public Health Considerations
Authors: Jeffries Carla , Lobue Phil , Chorba Terence , Metchock Beverly , Kashef Ijaz 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Because tuberculosis is caused by an infectious organism that is spread from person to person through the air, public health measures are essential to control the disease. There are three priority strategies for tuberculosis prevention and control in the United States: (i) identifying and treating persons who have tuberculosis disease; (ii) finding persons exposed to infectious tuberculosis patients, evaluating them for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection and disease, and providing subsequent treatment, if appropriate; and (iii) testing populations at high risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and treating those persons who are infected to prevent progression to disease. These strategies for prevention and control of tuberculosis are discussed in a framework containing the following important topics: historical and epidemiological context of tuberculosis control, organization of public health tuberculosis control programs, legal basis for public health authority, conducting overall planning and development of policy, identifying persons who have clinically active tuberculosis, evaluation of immigrants, managing persons who have or who are suspected of having disease, medical consultation, interjurisdictional referrals, identifying and managing persons infected with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, providing laboratory and diagnostic services, collecting and analyzing data, and providing training and education. This chapter describes the role of the health department in the context of these components. This discussion is primarily applicable to tuberculosis prevention and control programs in the United States.
A retrospective cohort study of the association between smoking and mortality after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Steele Lloyd , Lloyd Amelia , Fotheringham James , Sultan Ayyaz , Iqbal Javaid , Grech Ever D 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundSeveral studies have shown a ‘smoker’s paradox’, where following an acute myocardial infarction, smokers have a paradoxically lower mortality than non-smokers. To date, no large study has investigated this paradox in unselected patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) managed by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) alone.ObjectivesWe aimed to examine the association of smoking status and 1-year mortality in patients who had STEMI managed by primary PCI.MethodsThis retrospective study included all patients admitted with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI in a single UK centre from January 2009 to April 2012. The survival status for all patients post-STEMI was obtained. Differences in survival by smoking status were assessed using a Kaplan-Meier curve, and after adjustment for age, gender and additional cardiovascular risk factors using a Cox regression analysis.ResultsThe 1-year mortality for patients with STEMI was 149/1796 (8.3%). There were 846/1796 (47.1%) current smokers, 476/1796 (26.5%) ex-smokers and 417/1796 (23.2%) never smokers. Current smokers were approximately 10 years younger than ex-smokers and never smokers (p=0.001). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model found no evidence of an association between mortality and smoking status after adjustment; p=0.23. Compared with never smokers, the HR (95% CI) for 1-year mortality for current smokers was 1.47 (0.90 to 2.39) and 1.08 (0.66 to 1.77) for ex-smokers.ConclusionsIn this retrospective cohort study, we found no evidence of an association between mortality and smoking status in patients with acute STEMI treated with PCI, and thus no evidence of a ‘smoker’s paradox’.
Social Media for Identifying Lead Users? Insights into Lead Users’ Social Media Habits
Authors: Ernst Markus , Brem Alexander 
Published: March 2017

An important and frequently researched concept in the field of open innovation is the integration of lead users into the process for developing innovative product concepts. Social media has offered promising new possibilities for companies in terms of supporting lead user integration. This paper provides an overview of relevant aspects of lead user research, as well as the identification of lead users. Furthermore, we connect lead user theory with social media and discuss possible ways to identify lead users. Based on the conclusion that existing research does not yet sufficiently provide a detailed understanding on identifying lead users in social media, we conducted an empirical study to gain deeper insights in the social media habits of lead users; this involved a case study comprising 20 interviews.This study’s findings present a rather ambivalent picture, concluding that identifying lead users via social media may work with some limitations. Social media can contribute complementary with established approaches like pyramiding to the identification of lead users, but it is not a standalone solution. It strongly depends on the content of the project and on the group of individuals where lead users should be originated. Based on these findings, we derive theoretical and managerial implications and show how companies can utilize social media in addition to established methods for identifying lead users. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of study limitations and recommendations for areas of further research.
Mechanism of salutary effects of melatonin-mediated liver protection after trauma-hemorrhage: p38 MAPK-dependent iNOS/HIF-1α pathway
Authors: Hsu Jun-Te , Le Puo-Hsien , Lin Chun-Jung , Chen Tsung-Hsing , Kuo Chia-Jung , Chiang Kun-Chun , Yeh Ta-Sen 
Published: March 2017

Although melatonin attenuates the increases in inflammatory mediators and reduces organ injury during trauma-hemorrhage, the mechanisms remain unclear. This study explored whether melatonin prevents liver injury after trauma-hemorrhage through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent, inducible nitrite oxide (iNOS)/hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α pathway. After a 5-cm midline laparotomy, male rats underwent hemorrhagic shock (mean blood pressure ~40 mmHg for 90 min) followed by fluid resuscitation. At the onset of resuscitation, rats were treated with vehicle, melatonin (2 mg/kg), melatonin plus p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (2 mg/kg), or melatonin plus the melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole (2.5 mg/kg). At 2 h after trauma-hemorrhage, histopathology score of liver injury, liver tissue myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde, adenosine triphosphate, serum alanine aminotransferase, and asparate aminotransferase levels were significantly increased compared with sham-operated control. Trauma-hemorrhage resulted in a significant decrease in the p38 MAPK activation compared with that in the sham-treated animals. Administration of melatonin after trauma-hemorrhage normalized liver p38 MAPK phosphorylation and iNOS and HIF-1α expression and attenuated cleaved caspase 3 and receptor interacting protein kinase-1 levels. Coadministration of SB203580 or luzindole abolished the melatonin-mediated attenuation of the trauma-hemorrhage-induced increase of iNOS/HIF-1α protein expression and liver injury markers. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin prevents trauma-hemorrhage-induced liver injury in rats, at least in part, through melatonin receptor-related, p38 MAPK-dependent iNOS/HIF-1α pathway.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Trauma-hemorrhage resulted in a significant decrease in liver p38 MAPK activation and increase in nitrite oxide synthase (iNOS) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression. Administration of melatonin after trauma-hemorrhage normalized liver p38 MAPK phosphorylation and iNOS and HIF-1α expression, which was abolished by coadministration of SB203580 or luzindole. Melatonin prevents trauma-hemorrhage-induced liver injury in rats via the melatonin receptor-related, p38 MAPK-dependent iNOS/HIF-1α pathway.
Impact of mild orthostatic stress on aortic-cerebral hemodynamic transmission: insight from the frequency domain
Authors: Sugawara Jun , Tomoto Tsubasa , Imai Tomoko , Maeda Seiji , Ogoh Shigehiko 
Published: March 2017

High cerebral pressure and flow fluctuations could be a risk for future cerebrovascular disease. This study aims to determine whether acute systemic vasoconstriction affects the dynamic pulsatile hemodynamic transmission from the aorta to the brain. We applied a stepwise lower body negative pressure (LBNP) (−10, −20, and −30 mmHg) in 15 young men to induce systemic vasoconstriction. To elucidate the dynamic relationship between the changes in aortic pressure (AoP; estimated from the radial arterial pressure waveforms) and the cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) at the middle cerebral artery (via a transcranial Doppler), frequency-domain analysis characterized the beat-to-beat slow oscillation (0.02–0.30 Hz) and the intra-beat rapid change (0.78–9.69 Hz). The systemic vascular resistance gradually and significantly increased throughout the LBNP protocol. In the low-frequency range (LF: 0.07–0.20 Hz) of a slow oscillation, the normalized transfer function gain of the steady-state component (between mean AoP and mean CBFV) remained unchanged, whereas that of the pulsatile component (between pulsatile AoP and pulsatile CBFV) was significantly augmented during −20 and −30 mmHg of LBNP (+28.8% and +32.4% vs. baseline). Furthermore, the relative change in the normalized transfer function gain of the pulsatile component at the LF range correlated with the corresponding change in systemic vascular resistance ( r = 0.41, P = 0.005). Regarding the intra-beat analysis, the normalized transfer function gain from AoP to CBFV was not significantly affected by the LBNP stimulation ( P = 0.77). Our findings suggest that systemic vasoconstriction deteriorates the dampening effect on the pulsatile hemodynamics toward the brain, particularly in slow oscillations (e.g., 0.07–0.20 Hz). NEW & NOTEWORTHY We characterized the pulsatile hemodynamic transmission from the heart to the brain by frequency-domain analysis. The low-frequency transmission was augmented with a mild LBNP stimulation partly due to the elevated systemic vascular resistance. A systemic vasoconstriction deteriorates the dampening effect on slow oscillations of pulsatile hemodynamics toward the brain.
Sun Exposure and Protection Behaviors among Long-term Melanoma Survivors and Population Controls
Authors: Vogel Rachel Isaksson , Strayer Lori G. , Engelman Leah , Nelson Heather H. , Blaes Anne H. , Anderson Kristin E. , Lazovich DeAnn 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroduction: Melanoma is considered a generally preventable cancer, with excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure being a strong causal factor. UVR exposure following a melanoma diagnosis can be modified to reduce risk of second primary melanomas. The goal of this study was to compare measures of UVR exposure and protection behaviors between long-term melanoma survivors and controls.Methods: Participants from a previously conducted case–control study were recruited for a cross-sectional survey. Melanoma cases were 25 to 59 years old at diagnosis; controls were age and sex matched. Participants were asked about UVR exposure and protection measures used in the past year, and comparisons between melanoma survivors and controls were conducted using logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders.Results: A total of 724 (62.0%) long-term melanoma survivors and 660 (59.9%) controls completed the follow-up survey. Melanoma survivors were significantly less likely to report high sun exposure on a typical weekday [OR, 0.72 (0.55–0.94)], sunburns [OR, 0.40 (0.30–0.53)], or indoor tanning [OR, 0.20 (0.09–0.44)] than controls; however, high sun exposure on a typical weekend day was similar. Report of optimal sun protection behaviors was higher in melanoma survivors compared with controls. However, a few melanoma survivors reported indoor tanning, 10% reported intentionally seeking sun to tan, and 20% reported sunburns.Conclusions: Although long-term melanoma survivors reported healthier UVR exposure and protection behaviors compared with controls, a sizeable proportion still reported elevated sun exposure, sunburns, and suboptimal UVR protection behaviors.Impact: Opportunities remain for improving sun protection to reduce future melanoma risk among melanoma survivors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(4); 607–13. ©2017 AACR.