bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary study searching for the right dose of tacrolimus in very young (≤4 years) renal transplant patients
Authors: Martial Lisa C , Verstegen Ruud H J , Cornelissen Elisabeth A M , Aarnoutse Rob E , Schreuder Michiel F , Brüggemann Roger J M 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Objectives
The Radboudumc Amalia Children's hospital in the Netherlands has a programme for renal transplantation in children aged ≤4 years. Children receive chronic corticosteroid sparing immunosuppressive therapy that consists of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. This work aimed to describe the PK of tacrolimus in children ≤4 years with renal transplants.

Methods
Paediatric renal transplant patients aged ≤4 years were included in this analysis. A PK curve of tacrolimus recorded ≤3 weeks after transplantation has been standard of care in our institution and aided in adjusting the dose in each patient to attain a target AUC0–12h of 210 μg h/l early after transplantation.

Key findings
Eight patients were included. The first two patients received an initial twice-daily regimen and the subsequent six patients a three-times daily regimen. Median dose-corrected AUCtau was 63 μg h/l. AUC target attainment was 37.5%. Of the remaining patients, two had an AUC very close to (around 10% below) the target.

Conclusions
Large interindividual variability of tacrolimus was observed and showed suboptimal AUC target attainment. In this population, an even more aggressive approach of higher doses (e.g. 0.4 mg/kg per day) and more early AUC determination should be considered. This should be evaluated prospectively in a larger group of patients.
Zofenopril exerts a cardiovascular protective effect on rats infused with angiotensin II beyond angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition
Authors: Gómez-Roso Miriam , Montero María J , Carrón Rosalía , Sevilla María A 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Objectives
Elevated levels of angiotensin II are implicated in the hypertensive pathophysiological process. Zofenopril has a sulphydryl group which gives it antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate its beneficial effects beyond angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition using angiotensin II-infused rats as hypertension model.

Methods
Zofenopril was added in drinking water. Systolic blood pressure was assessed by the tail-cuff method. Left ventricular weight/body weight ratio was calculated as cardiac hypertrophy index. An estimate of the cardiac collagen was performed by measuring the content of hydroxyproline. Vascular reactivity was evaluated on aortic rings and isolated perfused kidney, and vascular structure in thoracic aorta was studied. Superoxide anion generation was quantified in aorta by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence.

Key findings
Zofenopril partially prevented the increase in systolic blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II and avoided the increase in collagen deposition. The treatment improved vasorelaxing responses, reversed the vascular remodelling and abolished the effects of angiotensin II on the production of O2−. It is worth to mention that all these results are observed even with high levels of plasma angiotensin.

Conclusion
Zofenopril could exert additional beneficial effects beyond ACE inhibition that would justify the improvement of pathophysiological processes triggered by angiotensin II.
Preliminary analysis of the concurrent validity of the Spanish translation of the BEARS sleep screening tool for children
Authors: Bastida‐Pozuelo M. F. , Sánchez‐Ortuño M. M. 
Published: September 2016

Accessible summaryWhat is known on the subject?

Paediatric sleep problems are clinical conditions that often coexist with other mental health problems and meet criteria that warrant the implementation of screening procedures, including high prevalence, and significant clinical impact.

Researchers have designed the BEARS, a user‐friendly paediatric sleep screening tool that seems to increase the amount of sleep information recorded, as well as the likelihood of identifying sleep problems during routine health encounters. Nonetheless, there are no studies using the BEARS in Spanish‐speaking samples.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

Using a sample of children with mental health problems, this study provides support for the use of the Spanish version of the BEARS to identify the most common sleep problems seen in paediatric populations.

What are the implications for practice?

Considering how frequent sleep problems are, it is especially important for health professionals working with children in general, and with children with mental health problems in particular, to be aware of and be encouraged to use simple brief screening tools for paediatric sleep problems.

AbstractObjectiveResearch studies describe a high prevalence of sleep problems in children with mental health problems, up to 50%, and its role as a risk factor in the development of psychopathology. These often go unnoticed and are not evaluated in the clinical field. Our objective was to assess the concurrent validity of the BEARS, a brief paediatric sleep screening instrument, using the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) as the comparison instrument.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional descriptive study, the BEARS was applied by a registered nurse to a sample of parents of children aged 2–16 years (n = 60, 71.7% male) who attended a mental healthcare facility (located in Murcia, Spain) for the first time to receive a group psychoeducational intervention. The association between the information collected with the BEARS and scores on the related subscales of the CSHQ was assessed by Mann–Whitney U tests.ResultsChildren who, according to the BEARS, had a sleep problem obtained scores on the CSHQ‐related subscales significantly higher than children who did not have a sleep problem (all Ps < 0.05).ConclusionOur results support the concurrent validity of the Spanish translation of the BEARS to detect sleep problems in paediatric nursing assessments. Further studies, with bigger and more heterogeneous samples, are warranted.
Hiding in the howardites: Unequilibrated eucrite clasts as a guide to the formation of Vesta's crust
Authors: Mayne Rhiannon G. , Smith Samantha E. , Corrigan C. M. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract204 howardites in the National Meteorite Collection at the Smithsonian were examined for the presence of fine‐grained eucrite clasts, with the goal of better understanding the formation of the uppermost crust of asteroid 4Vesta. Eight clasts were identified and characterized in terms of their textures and mineral chemistry, and their degree of thermal metamorphism was assessed. The paucity of fine‐grained eucrites, both within the unbrecciated eucrites and as clasts within the howardites, suggests that they originate from small‐scale units on the surface of Vesta, most likely derived from partial melting. Six of the eight clasts described were found to be unequilibrated, meaning that they preserve their original crystallization trends. The vast majority of eucrites are at least partially equilibrated, making these samples quite rare and important for deciphering the petrogenesis of the vestan crust. Biomodal grain populations suggest that eucrite melts often began crystallizing pyroxene and plagioclase during their ascent to the surface, where they were subject to more rapid cooling, crystallization, and later metasomatism. Pyroxene compositions from this study and prior work indicate that the products of both primitive and evolved melts were present at the vestan surface after its formation. Two howardite thin sections contained multiple eucrite composition clasts with different crystallization and thermal histories; this mm‐scale diversity reflects the complexity of the current day vestan surface that has been observed by Dawn.
How old are you? Genet age estimates in a clonal animal
Authors: Devlin‐Durante M. K. , Miller M. W. ,   Caribbean Acropora Research Group, Precht W. F. , Baums I. B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractFoundation species such as redwoods, seagrasses and corals are often long‐lived and clonal. Genets may consist of hundreds of members (ramets) and originated hundreds to thousands of years ago. As climate change and other stressors exert selection pressure on species, the demography of populations changes. Yet, because size does not indicate age in clonal organisms, demographic models are missing data necessary to predict the resilience of many foundation species. Here, we correlate somatic mutations with genet age of corals and provide the first, preliminary estimates of genet age in a colonial animal. We observed somatic mutations at five microsatellite loci in rangewide samples of the endangered coral, Acropora palmata (n = 3352). Colonies harboured 342 unique mutations in 147 genets. Genet age ranged from 30 to 838 years assuming a mutation rate of 1.195−04 per locus per year based on colony growth rates and 236 to 6500 years assuming a mutation rate of 1.542−05 per locus per year based on sea level changes to habitat availability. Long‐lived A. palmata genets imply a large capacity to tolerate past environmental change, and yet recent mass mortality events in A. palmata suggest that capacity is now being frequently exceeded.
Global genetic diversity ofAedes aegypti
Authors: Gloria‐Soria Andrea , Ayala Diego , Bheecarry Ambicadutt , Calderon‐Arguedas Olger , Chadee Dave D. , Chiappero Marina , Coetzee Maureen , Elahee Khouaildi Bin , Fernandez‐Salas Ildefonso , Kamal Hany A. , Kamgang Basile , Khater Emad I. M. , Kramer Laura D. , Kramer Vicki , Lopez‐Solis Alma , Lutomiah Joel , Martins Ademir , Micieli Maria Victoria , Paupy Christophe , Ponlawat Alongkot , Rahola Nil , Rasheed Syed Basit , Richardson Joshua B. , Saleh Amag A. , Sanchez‐Casas Rosa Maria , Seixas Gonçalo , Sousa Carla A. , Tabachnick Walter J. , Troyo Adriana , Powell Jeffrey R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMosquitoes, especiallyAedes aegypti, are becoming important models for studying invasion biology. We characterized genetic variation at 12 microsatellite loci in 79 populations ofAe. aegyptifrom 30 countries in six continents, and used them to infer historical and modern patterns of invasion. Our results support the two subspeciesAe. aegypti formosusandAe. aegypti aegyptias genetically distinct units.Ae. aegypti aegyptipopulations outside Africa are derived from ancestral African populations and are monophyletic. The two subspecies co‐occur in both East Africa (Kenya) and West Africa (Senegal). In rural/forest settings (Rabai District of Kenya), the two subspecies remain genetically distinct, whereas in urban settings, they introgress freely. Populations outside Africa are highly genetically structured likely due to a combination of recent founder effects, discrete discontinuous habitats and low migration rates. Ancestral populations in sub‐Saharan Africa are less genetically structured, as are the populations in Asia. Introduction ofAe. aegyptito the New World coinciding with trans‐Atlantic shipping in the 16th to 18th centuries was followed by its introduction to Asia in the late 19th century from the New World or from now extinct populations in the Mediterranean Basin.Aedes mascarensisis a genetically distinct sister species toAe. aegyptis.l. This study provides a reference database of genetic diversity that can be used to determine the likely origin of new introductions that occur regularly for this invasive species. The genetic uniqueness of many populations and regions has important implications for attempts to controlAe. aegypti, especially for the methods using genetic modification of populations.
Developmental change in translation initiation alters the localization of a common microbial protein necessary for Toxoplasma chronic infection
Authors: Milligan‐Myhre Kathryn , Wilson Sarah K. , Knoll Laura J. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThe Toxoplasma gondii cyst stage is resistant to drug therapy. To identify potential targets for new therapeutics, we screened insertional mutants of T. gondii for a reduced ability to form cysts in the brains of mice. In one of these mutants, named 38C3, the mutagenesis plasmid inserted into the mRNA of a protein that is highly conserved in microbes but is not present in humans. The mutation in 38C3 causes reduced brain cyst production during chronic infection, but does not affect acute virulence, so the disrupted gene and protein are called T. gondii Brain Colonization Protein 1 (TgBCP1). TgBCP1 has three potential in frame start codons that produce 51, 33 or 25 kDa proteins. In rapidly replicating tachyzoites, translation initiates at the third methionine, producing the 25 kDa form that is conserved in many bacteria and protozoans. Brain cysts exclusively express the 51 kDa form of TgBCP1, which is secreted from the parasites and localizes to the cyst wall. Only expression of the long form of TgBCP1 restored cyst formation in the 38C3 mutant. TgBCP1 is essential for cyst formation and is the first example of a developmental regulation in translation initiation site preference for a T. gondii protein.
Characterization of Pectobacterium carotovorum proteins differentially expressed during infection of Zantedeschia elliotiana in vivo and in vitro which are essential for virulence
Authors: Wang Huan , Yang Zhongling , Du Shuo , Ma Lin , Liao Yao , Wang Yujie , Toth Ian , Fan Jiaqin 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThe identification of phytopathogen proteins that are differentially expressed during the course of the establishment of an infection is important to better understand the infection process. In vitro approaches, using plant extracts added to culture medium, have been used to identify such proteins, but the biological relevance of these findings for in planta infection are often uncertain until confirmed by in vivo studies. Here, we compared the proteins of Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. carotovorum strain PccS1 differentially expressed in Luria–Bertani medium supplemented with extracts of the ornamental plant Zantedeschia elliotiana cultivar ‘Black Magic’ (in vitro) and in plant tissues (in vivo) by two‐dimensional electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. A total of 53 differentially expressed proteins (>1.5‐fold) were identified (up‐regulated or down‐regulated in vitro, in vivo or both). Proteins that exhibited increased expression in vivo but not in vitro, or in both conditions, were identified, and deletions were made in a number of genes encoding these proteins, four of which (clpP, mreB, flgK and eda) led to a loss of virulence on Z. elliotiana, although clpP and mreB were later also shown to be reduced in growth in rich and minimal media. Although clpP, flgK and mreB have previously been reported as playing a role in virulence in plants, this is the first report of such a role for eda, which encodes 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐6‐phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase, a key enzyme in Entner–Doudoroff metabolism. The results highlight the value of undertaking in vivo as well as in vitro approaches for the identification of new bacterial virulence factors.
The Arabidopsis heat‐intolerant 5 (hit5)/enhanced response to aba 1 (era1) mutant reveals the crucial role of protein farnesylation in plant responses to heat stress
Authors: Wu Jia‐Rong , Wang Lian‐Chin , Lin Yu‐Ru , Weng Chi‐Pei , Yeh Ching‐Hui , Wu Shaw‐Jye 
Published: September 2016

Summary

Protein farnesylation is a post‐translational modification known to regulate abscisic acid (ABA)‐mediated drought tolerance in plants. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent protein farnesylation affects plant tolerance to high‐temperature conditions.

The Arabidopsis heat‐intolerant 5 (hit5) mutant was isolated because it was thermosensitive to prolonged heat incubation at 37°C for 4 d but thermotolerant to sudden heat shock at 44°C for 40 min. Map‐based cloning revealed that HIT5 encodes the β‐subunit of the protein farnesyltransferase. hit5 was crossed with the aba‐insensitive 3 (abi3) mutant, the aba‐deficient 3 (aba3) mutant, and the heat shock protein 101 (hsp101) mutant, to characterize the HIT5‐mediated heat stress response.

hit5/abi3 and hit5/aba3 double mutants had the same temperature‐dependent phenotypes as hit5. Additionally, exogenous supplementation of neither ABA nor the ABA synthesis inhibitor fluridone altered the temperature‐dependent phenotypes of hit5. The hit5/hsp101 double mutant was still sensitive to prolonged heat incubation, yet its ability to tolerate sudden heat shock was lost.

The results suggest that protein farnesylation either positively or negatively affects the ability of plants to survive heat stress, depending on the intensity and duration of high‐temperature exposure, in an ABA‐independent manner. HSP101 is involved in the hit5‐derived heat shock tolerance phenotype.
Against compassion: in defence of a “hybrid” concept of empathy
Authors: Morgan Alastair 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn this article, I argue that the recent emphasis on compassion in healthcare practice lacks conceptual richness and clarity. In particular, I argue that it would be helpful to focus on a larger concept of empathy rather than compassion alone and that compassion should be thought of as a component of this larger concept of empathy. The first part of the article outlines a critique of the current discourse of compassion on three grounds. This discourse naturalizes, individualizes, and reifies compassion leading to a decontextualized and simplified understanding of failures in healthcare practice. The second part uses resources from phenomenology and contemporary moral philosophy to construct a “hybrid” concept of empathy that includes both pre‐reflective/intuitive and cognitive/imaginative components. This “hybrid” concept of empathy leads to a more complex understanding of the multiple responses to others' distress. I conclude that there are no straightforward normative naturalistic responses to others' distress. Rather than conceptualizing compassion as a naturalistic impulse or a character‐based trait, we need to consider the complexity of our empathic recognition of vulnerable others.
Translation and Validation of the Thai Version of a Modified Brief Pain Inventory: A Concise Instrument for Pain Assessment in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Keawnantawat Pakamas , Thanasilp Sureeporn , Preechawong Sunida 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundAcute pain after cardiac surgery can be assessed using validated instruments such as the modified interference subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory (mod‐BPI). Despite the available knowledge, the Thai version of a mod‐BPI has not yet been presented.ObjectivesTo translate a mod‐BPI into the Thai language (BPI‐T) and to validate it in acute pain after cardiac surgery.MethodsThis multisetting, cross‐sectional study was done from 4 cardiac centers. With a convenience sampling technique, 132 cardiac surgery patients were enrolled during the first 72 postoperative hours. A BPI‐T composed of 4 items on the intensity subscale and 6 items on the interference subscale was translated following Brislin's model. Convergent validity against the numeric rating scale (NRS), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency reliability were examined.ResultsOf the total sample, 70% experienced moderate to severe pain (cutoff points of worst pain ≥ 4/10), and 65% had moderate to severe interference with deep breathing and coughing, 53% with general activity, and 49% with walking. The CFA confirmed the 2‐factor structure of intensity and interference subscales consistent with the original version (root‐mean‐square error of approximation = 0.08, comparative fit index = 0.95, χ2 = 39.00, df = 27, χ2/df = 1.44, P = 0.06). The physical and mental subdimensions under the interference subscale were determined (standardized factor loading = 0.70 and 0.42, respectively). The BPI‐T also has good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.76 and 0.85). Pearson's correlation coefficients at 0.35 to 0.70 supported the convergent validity to the NRS.ConclusionsThe BPI‐T is a concise instrument for pain assessment in postoperative cardiac surgery.
Overexpression of PP2A‐C5 that encodes the catalytic subunit 5 of protein phosphatase 2A in Arabidopsis confers better root and shoot development under salt conditions
Authors: Hu Rongbin , Zhu Yinfeng , Wei Jia , Chen Jian , Shi Huazhong , Shen Guoxin , Zhang Hong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractProtein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an enzyme consisting of three subunits: a scaffolding A subunit, a regulatory B subunit and a catalytic C subunit. PP2As were shown to play diverse roles in eukaryotes. In this study, the function of the Arabidopsis PP2A‐C5 gene that encodes the catalytic subunit 5 of PP2A was studied using both loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function analyses. Loss‐of‐function mutant pp2a‐c5‐1 displayed more impaired growth during root and shoot development, whereas overexpression of PP2A‐C5 conferred better root and shoot growth under different salt treatments, indicating that PP2A‐C5 plays an important role in plant growth under salt conditions. Double knockout mutants of pp2a‐c5‐1 and salt overly sensitive (sos) mutants sos1‐1, sos2‐2 or sos3‐1 showed additive sensitivity to NaCl, indicating that PP2A‐C5 functions in a pathway different from the SOS signalling pathway. Using yeast two‐hybrid analysis, four vacuolar membrane chloride channel (CLC) proteins, AtCLCa, AtCLCb, AtCLCc and AtCLCg, were found to interact with PP2A‐C5. Moreover, overexpression of AtCLCc leads to increased salt tolerance and Cl− accumulation in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. These data indicate that PP2A‐C5‐mediated better growth under salt conditions might involve up‐regulation of CLC activities on vacuolar membranes and that PP2A‐C5 could be used for improving salt tolerance in crops.
Improvement in the prognosis and development of patients with methylmalonic acidemia after living donor liver transplant
Authors: Sakamoto Rieko , Nakamura Kimitoshi , Kido Jun , Matsumoto Shiro , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Inomata Yukihiro , Endo Fumio 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLiver transplant is a treatment option for patients with MMA‐emia. While this therapy does not bring about a complete cure, it is expected to prolong survival and improve the QOL of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of LDLT for patients with MMA‐emia in Japan. Clinical information on 13 patients with MMA‐emia who underwent LDLT was acquired using a self‐developed questionnaire sent to the doctors who provided medical care to patients with MMA‐emia after LDLT. Almost all of the patients continued on a protein‐restricted diet, and the number of acidosis attacks had significantly decreased. Physical growth had recovered to within the normal range by 2.5 years after LDLT, especially in patients who underwent LDLT before the age of 1 year. The average propionyl carnitine (C3) level had significantly decreased after LDLT, and the DQs had not worsened. Liver transplant should be performed for MMA‐emia in early life. This can be expected to maintain neurological development and improve the growth and QOL of patients. However, LDLT is not a curative treatment for MMA‐emia. A protein‐restricted diet should be continued, and renal function should be monitored closely, with consideration of a renal transplant.