bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among blood donors in Qatar (2013‐2016)
Authors: Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Al Absi Enas S. , Ghandour Rula , Ali Nadima H. , Taleb Sara , Hedaya Laila , Ali Fatima , Huwaidy Mariam , Husseini Abdullatif 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUNDHepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus transmitted mainly through zoonotic transmission or fecal–oral route. More than 80% of Qatar's population are expatriates, including many coming from hyperendemic countries; thus, it is important to estimate the seroprevalence and to compare between different nationalities. The results can be useful in alerting blood banks to the importance of HEV screening.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSSamples from 5854 blood donations provided by Hamad Medical Corporation were tested in the period between June 2013 to June 2016. Samples were tested for the presence of anti‐HEV immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies and viral RNA using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were used.RESULTSAnti‐HEV seroprevalence was 20.7%. A total of 1198 and 38 donations tested positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Of the IgM‐positive donations four tested positive by PCR. A significant association was detected between HEV seroprevalence with age and nationality.CONCLUSIONThe seroprevalence of anti‐HEV was high in Qatar. Since HEV IgM and RNA were detected, this suggests the possibility of HEV transmission by transfusion. Blood banks in Qatar and the region should consider screening for HEV, especially when transfusion is intended to pregnant women or immunocompromised patients.
Temporary impact of blood donation on physical performance and hematologic variables in women
Authors: Stangerup Ida , Kramp Nana L. , Ziegler Andreas K. , Dela Flemming , Magnussen Karin , Helge Jørn Wulff 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUNDNo former studies have examined how blood donation influences physical performance in women, who due to menstruation may have a slower recovery of performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify how VO2peak, time trial (TT) performance, and hematologic variables are affected in 18 iron‐sufficient (plasma ferritin [P‐ferritin] > 30 µg/L) women after a standard 450‐mL blood donation.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSVO2peak, TT performance, and blood variables were measured at baseline and 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after blood donation in 18 iron‐sufficient women. Anthropometrics were measured at baseline and Day 28.RESULTSVO2peak was reduced by 7.5 ± 1.1% from 2973 ± 87 mL/min at baseline to 2765 ± 73 mL/min 3 days after blood donation and remained below baseline until 28 days. The TT performance was reduced by 5.2 ± 1.0% from baseline (868 ± 31 sec) to Day 3 (915 ± 29 sec), but was not different from baseline 14 days after blood donation. Blood hemoglobin (B‐Hb) concentration declined by 7.6 ± 2.1% from 8.4 ± 0.1 to 7.8 ± 0.1 mmol/L at baseline and on Day 3, respectively. P‐ferritin at baseline was 58 ± 7 µg/L and it decreased (55 ± 3%) to a nadir of 24 ± 3 µg/L 28 days after blood donation and remained lower at 36 ± 4 µg/L after 90 days.CONCLUSIONVO2peak and B‐Hb were only recovered 28 days after a blood donation whereas TT performance was back to baseline 14 days after blood donation.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-Producing Strain Streptococcus thermophilus APC151
Authors: Linares Daniel M. , Arboleya Silvia , Ross R. Paul , Stanton Catherine 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Here is presented the whole-genome sequence of
Streptococcus thermophilus
APC151, isolated from a marine fish. This bacterium produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in high yields and is biotechnologically suitable to produce naturally GABA-enriched biofunctional yogurt. Its complete genome comprises 2,097 genes and 1,839,134 nucleotides, with an average G+C content of 39.1%.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Uropathogenic Herbaspirillum frisingense Strain
ureolyticus
VT-16-41
Authors: Tetz Victor , Tetz George 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Herbaspirillum frisingense
strain
ureolyticus
VT-16-41 is a clinical cystitis isolate. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the uropathogenic
H. frisingense
strain
ureolyticus
VT-16-41, which contains various antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors that enable it to colonize and persist in the urinary tract.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhizobium pusense Strain NRCPB10
T
(LMG 25623
T
) Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil of Chickpeas (
Cicer arietinum
L.) Grown in India
Authors: Badhai Jhasketan , Whitman William B. , Das Subrata K. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Rhizobium pusense
strain NRCPB10
T
was isolated from rhizosphere soil of chickpeas (
Cicer arietinum
L.). Based upon the draft genome sequence, the genome is 5.28 Mb and encodes 5,064 proteins.
Impact of circle of Willis anatomy in traumatic blunt cerebrovascular injury-related stroke
Authors: Shahan Charles P , Gray Richard I , Croce Martin A , Fabian Timothy C 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundCerebral vascular anatomy, specifically the circle of Willis (COW), plays an unstudied role in the development of stroke after blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI; carotid and vertebral). Variant anatomy is very common, and certain variants such as persistent fetal circulation (enlarged posterior communicating artery) may improve collateralization between the anterior (carotid) and posterior (vertebral) circulations. Identifying patients at increased stroke risk may allow tailored anticoagulation, the mainstay of therapy. This study constitutes the first attempt to identify vascular anatomy patterns associated with stroke, with the hypothesis that normal anatomy would protect against stroke.Study designRadiographic images from patients with BCVI-related stroke from 2005 to 2014 were identified. Patients with stroke were compared with injury-matched, non-stroke controls. Normal COW anatomy is defined as the presence of all vessels without hypoplasia.ResultsOf 457 patients BCVI, 22 (4.8%) BCVI-related patients with stroke and matched controls were reviewed. 9 (41%) patients with stroke and 2 (9%) controls had normal COW anatomy (OR=7.1, 95% CI 1.28 to 33.3). Persistent fetal-type circulation was found in 6 controls and 1 patient with stroke, resulting in a 7.9-fold decreased risk of stroke with this variant (OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.003 to 1.26).ConclusionsCerebral vascular anatomy has a role in BCVI-related stroke. Normal anatomy is not protective; however, the increased collateral flow provided by a persistent fetal-type enlarged posterior communicating artery is likely protective. The identification of high-risk patients may eventually allow for more tailored treatment. Prospective, multi-institutional trials are needed to further reduce the incidence BCVI-related stroke.Level of evidencePrognostic and epidemiological, level III.
Quantum gravity without vacuum dispersion
Authors: Coumbe D. N. 
Published: April 2017

A generic prediction of quantum gravity is the vacuum dispersion of light, and hence that a photon’s speed depends on its energy. We present further numerical evidence for a scale-dependent speed of light in the causal dynamical triangulation (CDT) approach to quantum gravity. We show that the observed scale-dependent speed of light in CDT can be accounted for by a scale-dependent transformation of geodesic distance, whose specific functional form implies a discrete equidistant area spectrum. We make two nontrivial tests of the proposed scale transformation: a comparison with the leading-order quantum correction to the gravitational potential and a comparison with the generalized uncertainty principle. In both cases, we obtain the same functional form. However, contrary to the widespread prediction of vacuum dispersion in quantum gravity, numerous experiments have now definitively ruled out linear vacuum dispersion beyond Planckian energy scales [Formula: see text], and have even constrained quadratic dispersion at the level [Formula: see text]. Motivated by these experimental constraints, we seek to reconcile quantum gravity with the absence of vacuum dispersion. We point out that given a scale-dependent geodesic distance, a scale-dependent time interval becomes essential to maintaining an invariant speed of light. We show how a particular scale-dependent time interval allows a photon’s speed to remain independent of its energy.
Organic geochemistry and oil-generating potential of the Oligocene–Early Miocene Dingqinghu Formation sediments in the Lunpola Basin, Tibet
Authors: Zeng Yuhong , Fu Xiugen , Zeng Shengqiang 
Published: April 2017

The hydrocarbon source rock potential of shales from the Oligocene–Early Miocene Dingqinghu Formation was evaluated using organic geochemistry (Rock-Eval pyrolysis, total organic carbon (TOC) and bitumen extraction) and organic petrology. Forty-one outcrop samples from Lunbori and Jiangria Co shales in the Lunpola Basin were analysed.

At Lunbori, in the central part of the basin, the shales have very good source rock potential, and show TOC contents ranging from 3.72 to 11.2 wt%, with an average TOC value of 7.36 wt%, S
2
values of 33.4 – 99.5 mg HC/g rock (average 61.8 mg HC/g rock), and extractable organic matter contents varying from 513 to 4525 ppm (average 2105 ppm). The shales have very good source rock potential. Rock-Eval
T
max
values of 433 – 437°C (average 435°C) and high carbon preference index (CPI) values (4.76 – 6.70) indicate that the organic matter is immature to early mature for oil generation. The yellow fluorescence of kerogen under UV light is in good agreement with
T
max
and CPI data. High hydrogen indices (HI) (635 – 1057 mg HC/g TOC) and H/C ratios (1.60 – 1.72) indicate that the Lunbori shales contain oil-prone organic matter and are characterized by high yellow fluorescing amorphous sapropelite content. The Lunbori shales contain a high content of hydrogen-rich Type II and minor Type I oil-prone kerogen, and have dominant medium to long molecular weight
n
-alkanes (maximizing at C
25
or C
27
) with marked odd carbon number preference in the
n
-C
23
–
n
-C
31
range, pristine/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios of 0.06 – 0.14, high phytane/
n
-C
18
ratios (10.95 – 30.63), abundant gammacerane (gammacerane/C
31
hopane: 0.44 – 1.80), and predominant regular sterane C
27
. These data indicate deposition in stratified, anoxic and saline depositional conditions with a kerogen predominatly formed from a lacustrine biota.

The Jiangria Co shales in the western part of the Lunpola Basin contain some hydrogen-rich Type I and II oil-prone kerogens at a marginally mature level. They have TOC contents of up to 2.62 wt%, S
2
values of up to 17.2 mg HC/g rock and extractable organic matter contents of up to 1731 ppm, indicating good source rock potential for oil generation. This is supported by their high HI values (420 – 720 mg HC/g TOC) and H/C ratios (1.05 – 1.50). The biomarker distributions of the extracts are characterized by odd carbon number predominance (C
23
–C
31
), low Pr/Ph ratios (0.05 – 0.09), high concentrations of phytane and high gammacerane content, indicating lacustrine reducing and saline conditions.
Refining palaeoenvironmental analysis using integrated quantitative granulometry and palynology
Authors: Stukins Stephen , McIlroy Duncan , Jolley David W. 
Published: April 2017

Accurate palaeoenvironmental analysis is at the heart of producing reliable interpretations and depositional models. This study demonstrates a multivariate statistical approach to facies analysis based on relationships between grain size and quantitative palynology. Our methodology has the advantage that it can be used on small amounts of sample, such as core or well cuttings, as the basis for facies analysis.
Proof of concept studies involving the collection of grain-size and palynological datasets from well-exposed outcrops of the Middle Jurassic, Lajas Formation of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina, demonstrate that canonical correspondence analysis can be used to consistently recognize facies and aid in the determination of depositional environments. This study demonstrates the link between depositional facies, grain-size distribution, palynomorph hydrodynamics and assemblage taphonomy of palynomorphs. This knowledge can be transferred into a semi-automated statistical facies prediction technique for the subsurface in complex depositional settings, particularly when calibrated against conventional sedimentary facies analysis.

Supplementary material:
The full set of grain-size data and statistical scores are available at:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3745481.v1
Structural and petrophysical effects of overthrusting on highly porous sandstones: the Aztec Sandstone in the Buffington window, SE Nevada, USA
Authors: Zuluaga Luisa F. , Fossen Haakon , Ballas Gregory , Rotevatn Atle 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Little is known about the effect of thrusting on lithological and petrophysical properties of reservoir sandstone. Here we use field observations, probe permeability measurements and thin-section analysis along ten transects from the Muddy Mountain thrust contact downwards into the underlying Jurassic Aztec Sandstone to evaluate the nature and extent of petrophysical and microstructural changes caused by the thrusting. The results reveal a decimetre- to metre-thick low-permeable (≤50 mD) and indurated (0–3% porosity) zone immediately beneath the thrust contact in which dominant microscale processes, in decreasing order of importance, are (1) cataclasis with local fault gouge formation; (2) pressure solution; and (3) very limited cementation. From this narrow zone the petrophysical and microstructural effect of the thrusting decreases gradually downwards into a friable, highly porous (
c.
25%) and permeable (≤2 D) sandstone some 50–150 m below the thrust, in which strain is localized into deformation band populations. In general, the petrophysical properties of the sandstone as a result of overthrusting reveal little impact in overall primary reservoir quality below some tens of metres into the footwall, except for the relatively minor baffling effect of deformation bands.
Absence of the NOD2 protein renders epithelia more susceptible to barrier dysfunction due to mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Saxena Alpana , Lopes Fernando , Poon Karen K. H. , McKay Derek M. 
Published: April 2017

Irregular mitochondria structure and reduced ATP in some patients with IBD suggest that metabolic stress contributes to disease. Loss-of-function mutation in the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-2 gene is a major susceptibility trait for IBD. Hence, we assessed if loss of NOD2 further impairs the epithelial barrier function instigated by disruption of mitochondrial ATP synthesis via the hydrogen ionophore dinitrophenol (DNP). NOD2 protein (virtually undetectable in epithelia under basal conditions) was increased in T84 (human colon cell line) cells treated with noninvasive Escherichia coli + DNP (16 h). Increased intracellular bacteria in wild-type (WT) and NOD2 knockdown (KD) cells and colonoids from NOD2−/−mice were mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the MAPK ERK1/2 pathways as determined by cotreatment with the antioxidant mitoTEMPO and the ERK inhibitor U0126: ROS was upstream of ERK1/2 activation. Despite increased E. coli in DNP-treated NOD2 KD compared with WT cells, there were no differences in the internalization of fluorescent inert beads or dead E. coli particles. This suggests that lack of killing in the NOD2 KD cells was responsible for the increased numbers of viable intracellular bacteria; a conclusion supported by evidence of reduced autophagy in NOD2 KD T84 epithelia. Thus, in a two-hit hypothesis, decreased barrier function due to dysfunctional mitochondrial is amplified by lack of NOD2 in transporting enterocytes: subsequently, greater numbers of bacteria entering the mucosa would be a significant inflammatory threat especially since individuals with NOD2 mutations have compromised macrophage and Paneth cell responses to bacteria.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Increased internalization of bacteria by epithelia with dysfunctional mitochondria (reduced ATP) is potentiated if the cells lack nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2), mutations in which are inflammatory bowel disease-susceptibility traits. Uptake of bacteria was dependent on reactive oxygen species and MAP-kinase activity, and the increased viable intracellular bacteria in NOD2−/−cells likely reflect a reduced ability to recognize and kill bacteria. Thus a significant barrier defect occurs with NOD2 deficiency in conjunction with metabolic stress that could contribute to inflammation.
Desmin loss and mitochondrial damage precede left ventricular systolic failure in volume overload heart failure
Authors: Guichard Jason L. , Rogowski Michael , Agnetti Giulio , Fu Lianwu , Powell Pamela , Wei Chih-Chang , Collawn James , Dell’Italia Louis J. 
Published: April 2017

Heart failure due to chronic volume overload (VO) in rats and humans is characterized by disorganization of the cardiomyocyte desmin/mitochondrial network. Here, we tested the hypothesis that desmin breakdown is an early and continuous process throughout VO. Male Sprague-Dawley rats had aortocaval fistula (ACF) or sham surgery and were examined 24 h and 4 and 12 wk later. Desmin/mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Protein and kinome analysis were performed in isolated cardiomyocytes, and desmin cleavage was assessed by mass spectrometry in left ventricular (LV) tissue. Echocardiography demonstrated a 40% decrease in the LV mass-to-volume ratio with spherical remodeling at 4 wk with ACF and LV systolic dysfunction at 12 wk. Starting at 24 h and continuing to 4 and 12 wk, with ACF there is TEM evidence of extensive mitochondrial clustering, IHC evidence of disorganization associated with desmin breakdown, and desmin protein cleavage verified by Western blot analysis and mass spectrometry. IHC results revealed that ACF cardiomyocytes at 4 and 12 wk had perinuclear translocation of αB-crystallin from the Z disk with increased α, β-unsaturated aldehyde 4-hydroxynonelal. Use of protein markers with verification by TUNEL staining and kinome analysis revealed an absence of cardiomyocyte apoptosis at 4 and 12 wk of ACF. Significant increases in protein indicators of mitophagy were countered by a sixfold increase in p62/sequestosome-1, which is indicative of an inability to complete autophagy. An early and continuous disruption of the desmin/mitochondrial architecture, accompanied by oxidative stress and inhibition of apoptosis and mitophagy, suggests its causal role in LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction in VO. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides new evidence of early onset (24 h) and continuous (4−12 wk) desmin misarrangement and disruption of the normal sarcomeric and mitochondrial architecture throughout the progression of volume overload heart failure, suggesting a causal link between desmin cleavage and mitochondrial disorganization and damage.
Cardiac myofibrillar contractile properties during the progression from hypertension to decompensated heart failure
Authors: Hanft Laurin M. , Emter Craig A. , McDonald Kerry S. 
Published: April 2017

Heart failure arises, in part, from a constellation of changes in cardiac myocytes including remodeling, energetics, Ca2+ handling, and myofibrillar function. However, little is known about the changes in myofibrillar contractile properties during the progression from hypertension to decompensated heart failure. The aim of the present study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of myofibrillar functional properties from health to heart disease. A rodent model of uncontrolled hypertension was used to test the hypothesis that myocytes in compensated hearts exhibit increased force, higher rates of force development, faster loaded shortening, and greater power output; however, with progression to overt heart failure, we predicted marked depression in these contractile properties. We assessed contractile properties in skinned cardiac myocyte preparations from left ventricles of Wistar-Kyoto control rats and spontaneous hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats at ~3, ~12, and >20 mo of age to evaluate the time course of myofilament properties associated with normal aging processes compared with myofilaments from rats with a predisposition to heart failure. In control rats, the myofilament contractile properties were virtually unchanged throughout the aging process. Conversely, in SHHF rats, the rate of force development, loaded shortening velocity, and power all increased at ~12 mo and then significantly fell at the >20-mo time point, which coincided with a decrease in left ventricular fractional shortening. Furthermore, these changes occurred independent of changes in β-myosin heavy chain but were associated with depressed phosphorylation of myofibrillar proteins, and the fall in loaded shortening and peak power output corresponded with the onset of clinical signs of heart failure. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This novel study systematically examined the power-generating capacity of cardiac myofilaments during the progression from hypertension to heart disease. Previously undiscovered changes in myofibrillar power output were found and were associated with alterations in myofilament proteins, providing potential new targets to exploit for improved ventricular pump function in heart failure.
Diminished responsiveness to dobutamine as an inotrope in mice with cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis: attribution to phosphodiesterase 4 upregulation
Authors: Sakai Mari , Suzuki Tokiko , Tomita Kengo , Yamashita Shigeyuki , Palikhe Sailesh , Hattori Kohshi , Yoshimura Naoki , Matsuda Naoyuki , Hattori Yuichi 
Published: April 2017

Dobutamine has been used in septic shock for many years as an only inotrope, but its benefit has been questioned. We weighed the effects of dobutamine and milrinone as inotropes in mice with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced polymicrobial sepsis. CLP-induced septic mice exhibited significant cardiac inflammation, as indicated by greatly increased mRNAs of proinflammatory cytokines and robust infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ventricular myocardium. Elevations of plasma cardiac troponin-I showed cardiac injury in CLP mice. Noninvasive echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function revealed that despite preserved left ventricular function in the presence of fluid replacement, the dobutamine inotropic response was significantly impaired in CLP mice compared with sham-operated controls. By contrast, milrinone exerted inotropic effects in sham-operated and CLP mice in an equally effective manner. Surface expression levels of β1-adrenoceptors and α-subunits of three main G protein families in the myocardium were unaffected by CLP-induced sepsis. Plasma cAMP levels were significantly elevated in both sham-operated and CLP mice in response to milrinone but only in sham-operated controls in response to dobutamine. Of phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms, PDE4D, but not PDE3A, both of which are responsible for cardiac cAMP hydrolysis, was significantly upregulated in CLP mouse myocardium. We define a novel mechanism for the impaired responsiveness to dobutamine as an inotrope in sepsis, and understanding the role of PDE4D in modulating cardiac functional responsiveness in sepsis may open the potential of a PDE4D-targeted therapeutic option in septic patients with low cardiac output who have a need for inotropic support. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Advisability of the usefulness of dobutamine in septic shock management is limited. Here, we reveal that the effect of dobutamine as a positive inotrope is impaired in mice with cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis without changes in cardiac β1-adrenoceptor signaling as a result of cAMP breakdown achieved by upregulated phosphodiesterase 4D.