bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Accredited Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Laboratories in the United States
Authors: Farrell Mary Beth , Choi John Y. , Ziu Endrit , Cockroft Kevin M. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTPURPOSEThe aim of this study was to describe in detail the characteristics and accreditation compliance of laboratories in the United States applying for Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) transcranial Doppler (TCD) accreditation.METHODSThis was a retrospective study of all applicant laboratories from 2012 to 2015. We used the IAC database to extract laboratory characteristics and guideline compliance metrics.RESULTSEvaluation of 97 laboratories demonstrated that 67% were hospital‐based and located in the South (43.3%), corresponding to the location of “Stroke Belt” states. Cases from 186 interpreting physicians, of which 110 (59%) were neurologists, were evaluated during the accreditation process. Established practice was the most common training pathway (54.8%), and a majority had not obtained an additional vascular interpretation credential (72.6%). From 318 case studies, the most frequent indications were subarachnoid hemorrhage (31.0%), stroke (17.0%), and carotid stenosis (14.3%).Although most laboratories had been previously accredited, accreditation was delayed for 77.3% due to incomplete studies (33.0%), discrepant findings between the report and the laboratory's diagnostic criteria (23.7%), and discrepant findings between the report and the waveforms/images (17.5%).CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that there are significant differences between IAC applicant laboratories and laboratories represented by Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) claims data. In addition, accurate study reporting, physician training, and ongoing quality improvement activities may not be optimized in laboratories applying for accreditation. With the information learned from this study, educational strategies by professional organizations, including the IAC, can be tailored to help improve TCD practice.
Time to viral suppression is not related to achievement of SVR12 in HCV GT1‐infected patients treated with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin
Authors: Alqahtani S. , Ozaras R. , Isakov V. , Wyles D. , Ferenci P. , Feld J. J. , Calinas F. , Gschwantler M. , Gane E. , Crawford D. , Jacobson I. M. , Dumas E. O. , King M. , Sulkowski M. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryHigh rates of sustained virologic response at post‐treatment week 12 (SVR12) were achieved in six phase 3 trials of ombitasvir (OBV, an NS5A inhibitor), paritaprevir (an NS3/4A protease inhibitor) co‐dosed with ritonavir (PTV/r) + dasabuvir (DSV, an NS5B RNA polymerase inhibitor) (ie, 3D regimen) with or without ribavirin (RBV) in adults with chronic genotype (GT) 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We assessed whether time to first HCV RNA value below the lower limit of quantification in patients with and without cirrhosis was associated with achievement of SVR12. Data were analysed from GT1‐infected patients enrolled in six phase 3 studies of 3D ± RBV. Patients who experienced non‐virologic failure were excluded from analysis. HCV RNA was determined using the Roche COBAS TaqMan RT‐PCR assay (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ =25 IU/mL). SVR12 was analysed by week of first HCV RNA suppression, defined as HCV RNA <LLOQ. The analysis included a total of 2027 patients. Cumulative proportions of subjects with initial HCV RNA suppression <LLOQ at weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6 were 31%, 81%, 99% and 100%, respectively. SVR12 was achieved by 98%, 97%, 98% and 92% of patients with initial suppression at Weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6, respectively (P=.42, trend test). Across six phase 3 trials of 3D ± RBV, most patients achieved viral suppression by week 2. Time to viral suppression was not associated with subsequent achievement of SVR12, suggesting that on‐treatment virologic monitoring may not be necessary with this regimen.
Heterozygosity but not inbreeding coefficient predicts parasite burdens in the banded mongoose
Authors: Mitchell J. , Vitikainen E. I. K. , Wells D. A. , Cant M. A. , Nichols H. J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractInbreeding, reproduction between relatives, often impinges on the health and survival of resulting offspring. Such inbreeding depression may manifest itself through immunological costs as inbred individuals suffer increased propensity to disease, infection and parasites compared to outbred conspecifics. Here, we assess how the intestinal parasite loads of wild banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) vary with pedigree inbreeding coefficient (ƒ) and standardized multi‐locus heterozygosity. We find a significant association between increased heterozygosity and lower parasite loads; however, this correlation does not stand when considering ƒ. Such findings may be explained by local genetic effects, linkage between genetic markers and genes influencing parasite burdens. Indeed, we find heterozygosity at certain loci to correlate with parasite load. Although these tentative local effects are lost following multiple test correction, they warrant future investigation to determine their strength and impact. We also suggest frequent inbreeding within banded mongooses may mean heterozygosity is a better predictor of inbreeding than pedigree ƒ. This is because inbreeding facilitates linkage disequilibrium, increasing the chances of neutral markers representing genome‐wide heterozygosity. Finally, neither ƒ nor heterozygosity had a significant influence on the loads of two specific gastrointestinal parasites. Nevertheless, more heterozygous individuals benefited from reduced overall parasitic infection and genetic diversity appears to explain some variation in parasite burdens in the banded mongoose.
Diversity of the initial rocky planetary building materials at the edge of the solar system
Authors: Brownlee D. E. , Joswiak D. J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAsteroids and comets are surviving members of the vast planetesimal population that was distributed across the early solar system. They appear to be a diverse set of bodies but we present evidence from comet samples that the body‐to‐body diversity of the initial rocky component mix in planetesimals may have declined with distance from the Sun. Laboratory measurements of the minor element Mn in olivine collected from Comet Wild 2 suggests that the micron‐sized rocky crystalline contents of this comet formed in numerous inner solar system environments. The results are consistent with a scenario where silicates such as olivine form at incandescent temperatures in multiple environments and then mix as they are transported to distant cold regions where silicates could accrete with ice and organics to form comets. Accreting far from silicate formation regions, many ice‐rich planetesimals are likely to have started with similar complex mixtures of diverse rocky components formed in various high‐temperature environments. This contrasts with asteroidal meteorite parent bodies whose silicates retain regional properties that give different chondrite classes their distinctive properties.
Evolution of a multi‐step phosphorelay signal transduction system in Ensifer: recruitment of the sigma factor RpoN and a novel enhancer‐binding protein triggers acid‐activated gene expression
Authors: Tian Rui , Heiden Stephan , Osman Wan A. M. , Ardley Julie K. , James Euan K. , Gollagher Margaret M. , Tiwari Ravi , Seshadri Rekha , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Reeve Wayne G. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryMost Ensifer strains are comparatively acid sensitive, compromising their persistence in low pH soils. In the acid‐tolerant strain Ensifer medicae WSM419, the acid‐activated expression of lpiA is essential for enhancing survival in lethal acidic conditions. Here we characterise a multi‐step phosphorelay signal transduction pathway consisting of TcsA, TcrA, FsrR, RpoN and its cognate enhancer‐binding protein EbpA, which is required for the induction of lpiA and the downstream acvB gene. The fsrR, tcrA, tcsA and rpoN genes were constitutively expressed, whereas lpiA and acvB were strongly acid‐induced. RACE mapping revealed that lpiA/acvB were co‐transcribed as an operon from an RpoN promoter. In most Ensifer species, lpiA/acvB is located on the chromosome and the sequence upstream of lpiA lacks an RpoN‐binding site. Nearly all Ensifer meliloti strains completely lack ebpA, tcrA, tcsA and fsrR regulatory loci. In contrast, E. medicae strains have lpiA/acvB and ebpA/tcrA/tcsA/fsrR co‐located on the pSymA megaplasmid, with lpiA/acvB expression coupled to an RpoN promoter. Here we provide a model for the expression of lpiA/acvB in E. medicae. This unique acid‐activated regulatory system provides insights into an evolutionary process which may assist the adaptation of E. medicae to acidic environmental niches.
MoCDC14 is important for septation during conidiation and appressorium formation in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Li Chaohui , Cao Shulin , Zhang Chengkang , Zhang Yonghui , Zhang Qiang , Xu Jin‐Rong , Wang Chenfang 
Published: December 2016

SummaryAs a typical foliar pathogen, appressorium formation and penetration are critical steps in the infection cycle of Magnaporthe oryzae. Because appressorium formation and penetration are closely co‐regulated with the cell cycle, and Cdc14 phosphatases have an antagonistic relationship with cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) on proteins related to mitotic exit and cytokinesis, in this study, we functionally characterized the MoCDC14 gene in M. oryzae. The Mocdc14 deletion mutant showed significantly reduced growth rate and conidiation. It was also defective in septum formation and nuclear distribution. Septation was irregular in Mocdc14 hyphae and hyphal compartments became multi‐nucleate. Mutant conidia often showed incomplete septa or lacked any septum. During appressorium formation, the septum delimiting appressoria from the rest of the germ tubes was often formed far away from the neck of the appressoria or not formed at all. Unlike the wild‐type, some mutant appressoria had more than one nucleus at 24 h. In addition to appressoria, melanization occurred on parts of the germ tubes and conidia, depending on the irregular position of the appressorium‐delimiting septum. The Mocdc14 mutant was also defective in glycogen degradation during appressorium formation and appressorial penetration of intact plant cells. Similar defects in septum formation, melanization and penetration were observed with appressorium‐like structures formed at hyphal tips in the Mocdc14 mutant. Often a long fragment of mutant hyphae was melanized, together with the apical appressorium‐like structures. These results indicate that MoCDC14 plays a critical role in septation, nuclear distribution and pathogenesis in M. oryzae, and correct septum formation during conidiogenesis and appressorium formation requires the MoCdc14 phosphatase.
Filling In: Syncopation, Pleasure and Distributed Embodiment in Groove
Authors: Witek Maria A. G. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTWhat is it about groove in music that makes people move? And what explains the physical pleasure listeners and dancers experience as they synchronise their bodies to the beat? In this article, groove is analysed phenomenologically as a triangulation of rhythmic structure, embodiment and pleasure. Following a brief review of groove research, theories of extended mind and affective practice are added to demonstrate how groove is distributed amongst mind, body and music. In this distributed process, pleasure is not caused by some cognitive‐physical stimulation, but rather emerges dynamically in the active participation in a cyclical mind‐body‐music system. The syncopated nature of the music provides the structural premise for the embodied extension. By opening up empty spaces in the rhythm – as illustrated in the house track ‘Drum Track’, by Helix (2012) – syncopations invite the body to fill in through entrainment and synchronised movement. When filling in the gaps, listeners and dancers enact aspects of the musical structure and thus become part of the groove itself. Rejecting drive‐oriented models, this article argues that it is the process in action, rather than the achievement, that makes groove pleasurable, and it makes suggestions for how this process might be socially distributed.
Extensive translational regulation during seed germination revealed by polysomal profiling
Authors: Bai Bing , Peviani Alessia , van der Horst Sjors , Gamm Magdalena , Snel ‎Berend , Bentsink Leónie , Hanson Johannes 
Published: December 2016

Summary

This work investigates the extent of translational regulation during seed germination.

The polysome occupancy of each gene is determined by genome‐wide profiling of total mRNA and polysome‐associated mRNA. This reveals extensive translational regulation during Arabidopsis thaliana seed germination.

The polysome occupancy of thousands of individual mRNAs changes to a large extent during the germination process. Intriguingly, these changes are restricted to two temporal phases (shifts) during germination, seed hydration and germination. Sequence features, such as upstream open reading frame number, transcript length, mRNA stability, secondary structures, and the presence and location of specific motifs correlated with this translational regulation. These features differed significantly between the two shifts, indicating that independent mechanisms regulate translation during seed germination.

This study reveals substantial translational dynamics during seed germination and identifies development‐dependent sequence features and cis elements that correlate with the translation control, uncovering a novel and important layer of gene regulation during seed germination.
Safety of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) in Patients with Implanted Pacemakers
Authors: SCHMITT JOERN , ABACI GUEZINE , JOHNSON VICTORIA , ERKAPIC DAMIR , GEMEIN CHRISTOPHER , CHASAN RITVAN , WEIPERT KAY , HAMM CHRISTIAN W. , KLEIN HELMUT U. 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundThe wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is an important approach for better risk stratification, applied to patients considered to be at high risk of sudden arrhythmic death. Patients with implanted pacemakers may also become candidates for use of the WCD. However, there is a potential risk that pacemaker signals may mislead the WCD detection algorithm and cause inappropriate WCD shock delivery. The aim of the study was to test the impact of different types of pacing, various right ventricular (RV) lead positions, and pacing modes for potential misleading of the WCD detection algorithm.MethodsSixty patients with implanted pacemakers received the WCD for a short time and each pacing mode (AAI, VVI, and DDD) was tested for at least 30 seconds in unipolar and bipolar pacing configuration. In case of triggering the WCD detection algorithm and starting the sequence of arrhythmia alarms, shock delivery was prevented by pushing of the response buttons.ResultsIn six of 60 patients (10%), continuous unipolar pacing in DDD mode triggered the WCD detection algorithm. In no patient, triggering occurred with bipolar DDD pacing, unipolar and bipolar AAI, and VVI pacing. Triggering was independent of pacing amplitude, RV pacing lead position, and pulse generator implantation site.ConclusionUnipolar DDD pacing bears a high risk of false triggering of the WCD detection algorithm. Other types of unipolar pacing and all bipolar pacing modes do not seem to mislead the WCD detection algorithm. Therefore, patients with no reprogrammable unipolar DDD pacing should not become candidates for the WCD.
Intermuscular Two‐Incision Technique for Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation: Results from a Multicenter Registry
Authors: MIGLIORE FEDERICO , ALLOCCA GIUSEPPE , CALZOLARI VITTORIO , CROSATO MARTINO , FACCHIN DOMENICO , DALEFFE ELISABETTA , ZECCHIN MASSIMO , FANTINEL MAURO , CANNAS SERGIO , ARANCIO ROCCO , MARCHESE PROCOLO , ZANON FRANCESCO , ZORZI ALESSANDRO , ILICETO SABINO , BERTAGLIA EMANUELE 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundThe traditional technique for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S‐ICD) implantation, which involves three incisions and a subcutaneous pocket, is associated with possible complications, including inappropriate interventions. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an alternative intermuscular two‐incision technique for S‐ICD implantation.MethodsThe study population included 36 consecutive patients (75% male, mean age 44 ± 12 years [range 20–69]) who underwent S‐ICD implantation using the intermuscular two‐incision technique. This technique avoids the superior parasternal incision for the lead placement and consists of creating an intermuscular pocket between the anterior surface of the serratus anterior and the posterior surface of the latissimus dorsi muscles instead of a subcutaneous pocket.ResultsAll patients were successfully implanted in the absence of any procedure‐related complications with a successful 65‐J standard polarity defibrillation threshold testing, except in one, who received a second successful shock after pocket revision. During a mean follow‐up of 10 months (range 3–30), no complications requiring surgical revision were observed. At device interrogation, stable sensing without interferences was observed in all patients. Two patients (5.5%) experienced appropriate and successful shock on ventricular fibrillation and in four patients (11%), a total of seven nonsustained self‐terminated ventricular tachycardias were correctly detected. No inappropriate interventions were observed.ConclusionsOur experience suggests that the two‐incision intermuscular technique is a safe and efficacious alternative to the current technique for S‐ICD implantation that may help reducing complications including inappropriate interventions and offer a better cosmetic outcome, especially in thin individuals.
The Design of the Understanding Outcomes with the S‐ICD in Primary Prevention Patients with Low EF Study (UNTOUCHED)
Authors: GOLD MICHAEL R. , KNOPS REINOUD , BURKE MARTIN C. , LAMBIASE PIER D. , RUSSO ANDREA M. , BONGIORNI MARIA GRAZIA , DEHARO JEAN‐CLAUDE , AASBO JOHAN , EL CHAMI MIKHAEL F. , HUSBY MICHAEL , CARTER NATHAN , BOERSMA LUCAS 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundThe UNTOUCHED study will assess the safety and efficacy of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S‐ICD) in the most common cohort of patients receiving ICDs. The primary goal is to evaluate the inappropriate shock (IAS)‐free rate in primary prevention patients with a reduced ejection fraction (EF) and compare with a historical control of transvenous ICD patients with similar programming.Methods and ResultsThe UNTOUCHED study is a global, multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized study of patients undergoing de novo S‐ICD implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death with a left ventricular EF ≤35%. The primary end point of this trial is freedom from IAS at 18 months. The lower 95% confidence bound of the observed incidence will be compared to a performance goal of 91.6%, which was derived from the IAS rate in MADIT‐RIT. The secondary end points are all‐cause shock‐free rate at 18 months, and system‐ and procedure‐related complication‐free rate at 1 month and 6 months. Enrollment of a minimum of 1,100 subjects from up to 200 centers worldwide is planned based on power calculations of the primary and principal secondary end points.ConclusionsThis trial will provide important data regarding the rates of inappropriate and appropriate shock therapy in real‐world use of the S‐ICD in the most common group of patients receiving ICDs.
General combining ability and heterosis regarding the phytochemical properties in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) hybrids
Authors: Kaczmarska Elżbieta , Gawroński Jacek , Jabłońska‐Ryś Ewa , Zalewska‐Korona Marta , Radzki Wojciech , Sławińska Aneta 
Published: December 2016

AbstractStrawberries are a common and important fruit in human diet because of their high content of essential nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals, which have relevant biological activity in human health. In this study, six cultivars and 15 selected F1 hybrids between S4 inbred lines and tester (cv. ‘Dukat’) were evaluated in a field trial over a period of two consecutive years. The amounts of total anthocyanin, phenolics and vitamin C in fruits and antiradical activity were analysed. General combining ability (GCA) and mid‐parent heterosis were also determined for those characteristics. Among all the genotypes tested, the inbred lines of ‘Senga Sengana’ 17 showed the highest breeding value based on GCA for all studied traits. Estimated heterosis varied among genotypes tested. The highest heterosis in terms of vitamin C occurred in the offspring of clone 1387 18‐15 × ‘Dukat’, but with regard to phenols and antiradical activity in hybrid ‘Teresa’ 18‐15 with cv. ‘Dukat’. This study revealed that the differentiation in chemical composition of strawberry fruits between genotypes is clearly dependent on individual genotype combinations and demonstrated the presence of heterosis in phytochemical contents in some specific genotypic combinations.
Prolonged tacrolimus for pediatric gastrointestinal disorder: Double‐edged sword?
Authors: Hosoi Kenji , Arai Katsuhiro , Matsuoka Kentaro , Shimizu Hirotaka , Kamei Koichi , Nakazawa Atsuko , Shimizu Toshiaki , Tang Julian , Ito Shuichi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundAlthough tacrolimus (TAC) can induce remission in children with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or autoimmune gastroenteropathy (AGE), its use in maintenance therapy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential nephrotoxic nature of prolonged TAC use.MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed children with gastrointestinal disorder who underwent kidney biopsy for the evaluation of renal damage during TAC therapy for >1 year. The clinical and histological features of renal damage were evaluated in this single‐institution cohort.ResultsEighteen of 121 children with IBD and two children with AGE followed at a national children hospital in Tokyo, Japan, received TAC between August 2006 and April 2013. Among them, five (Crohn's disease, n = 3; autoimmune gastropathy, n = 1; autoimmune enteropathy, n = 1) received TAC for >1 year, and underwent kidney biopsy. All five had achieved remission on TAC, but had histological evidence of chronic nephrotoxicity. Renal damage in one patient with relatively low TAC trough level remained mild. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time of kidney biopsy was lower than at the initiation of TAC in all four available patients. Among them, eGFR improved in one patient after the decrease or discontinuation of TAC.ConclusionsTAC appeared to be effective in children with refractory gastrointestinal disorder, but long‐term use seems to cause irreversible renal damage. Rigorous monitoring of eGFR and kidney biopsy in selected cases should be considered for the proper adjustment of TAC.