bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica EM1, Isolated from a Patient with a Bloodstream Infection
Authors: Chen Shicheng , Soehnlen Marty , Walker Edward D. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica
EM1 was isolated from a whole-blood sample from a female patient. The draft genome sequence of Em1 contains 4,038,467 bp, with a G+C content of 36.37%. A preliminary genome analysis showed that Em1 contains genes conferring resistance to β-lactams. The bacterium has hemolysin genes and a set of genes involved in heme uptake and heme utilization, showing its potential to cause bloodstream infections. A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) system was identified. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis assigned the bacterium to the species
E. meningoseptica
(ANI, >95%)
.
The annotated genome sequence provides the genetic basis for revealing its role as a pathogen in humans.
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Echovirus 18 Associated with Aseptic Meningitis in Hebei Province, China, in 2015
Authors: Chen Xiang-peng , Sun Su-zhen , Guo Jia-yun , Li Jing-jie , Xie Zheng-de 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Echovirus 18 is a member of the genus
Enterovirus
, family
Picornaviridae
, which can cause meningitis in children. Here, we report the echovirus 18 complete genome sequence, which was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a child with aseptic meningitis in Hebei Province, China.
The changing UK paediatric consultant workforce: report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Authors: McColgan Martin , Winch Rachel , Clark Simon J , Ewing Carol , Modi Neena , Greenough Anne 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesTo determine if there had been changes in the size of the UK paediatric workforce and working patterns between 1999 and 2013.DesignAnalysis of prospectively collected datasets.SettingUK consultant paediatricians.InterventionsData from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's workforce census from 1999 to 2013 and the annual surveys of new paediatric Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and Certificate of Equivalence of Specialist Registration (CESR) holders between 2010 and 2013.Main outcome measuresPaediatric consultant numbers, programmed activities (PAs) and resident shift working.ResultsThe UK paediatric consultant workforce grew from 1933 in 1999 to 3718 in 2013. Over the same time period, there was a decline in the number of consultants with a primary academic contract from 210 to 143. There was an increase in the proportion of consultants who were female (40% in 1999 to 50% in 2013, p<0.01). The median number of PAs declined from 11 in 2009 to 10 in 2013 (p<0.001) as did the median number of PAs for supporting professional activities (2.5–2.3, p<0.001). In 2013, 38% of new consultants in general paediatrics or neonatology were working resident shifts. Between 2009 and 2013, the proportion of less than full-time working consultants rose from 18% to 22%, which was more common among female consultants (35% vs 9%).ConclusionThe paediatric consultant workforce has doubled since 1999, but more are working less than full time. The decline in those with a primary academic contract is of concern.
Population attributable risks and costs of diabetogenic chemical exposures in the elderly
Authors: Trasande Leonardo , Lampa Erik , Lind Lars , Lind P Monica 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundA previous analysis examined the contribution of endocrine disruptor exposures (endocrine-disrupting chemicals, EDCs) to adult diabetes, but was limited to effects of phthalates in middle-aged women and did not simultaneously examine multiple EDCs which are known to coexist in the environment. We therefore endeavoured to quantify potential reductions in diabetes and disease costs that could result from reducing synthetic chemical diabetogenic exposures in the elderly in Europe.MethodsWe leveraged the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (∼1000 participants), which has measured exposure to phthalates; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethylene; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluoroalkyl substances to examine their independent contribution to diabetes. We estimated risk reductions assuming identical 25% reductions across levels of 4 selected compounds (PCB 153, monoethylphthalate, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and perfluorononanoic acid), and diabetes costs saved in European men and women if diabetogenic exposures are limited.ResultsReduction of chemical exposures was associated with a 13% (95% CI 2% to 22%) reduction in prevalent diabetes, compared with 40% resulting from an identical (25%) reduction in body mass index (BMI) in cross-sectional analyses. Extrapolating to Europe, 152 481 cases of diabetes in Europe and €4.51 billion/year in associated costs could be prevented, compared with 469 172 cases prevented by reducing BMI.ConclusionsThese findings support regulatory and individual efforts to reduce chemical exposures to reduce the burden and costs of diabetes.
Safety and outcomes of simultaneous vasospasm and endovascular aneurysm treatment (SVAT) in subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Drazin Doniel , Fennell Vernard S , Gifford Edward , Lagman Carlito , Atchaneeyasakul Kunakorn , Edgell Randall C , Rayes Mahmoud , Xavier Andrew , Hussain Muhammad S , Gupta Rishi , Kalia Junaid S , Zaidat Osama O , Linfante Italo , Nogueira Raul G , Nguyen Thanh , Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Barros Alexandre D M , Boulos Alan , Alexander Michael J , Yavagal Dileep R 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundSimultaneous vasospasm and endovascular aneurysm treatment (SVAT) has been shown to be effective with good clinical outcomes in small series, but these studies have not examined predictive factors for clinical outcome after treatment.ObjectiveTo identify the safety and efficacy of SVAT in a large multicenter patient cohort and evaluate prognostic markers of clinical outcome following SVAT.MethodsThis study retrospectively enrolled 50 consecutive patients undergoing SVAT at 11 different centers. We analyzed Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades, aneurysm location, angiographic vasospasm grade, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge, and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores.ResultsA total of 50 patients undergoing SVAT between the years 2003 and 2009 were identified. Patients presented, on average, 6.48±4.45 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades were 1 (n=7), 2 (n=12), 3 (n=14), 4 (n=15), 5 (n=2), and 3 and 4 (n=33), respectively. Aneurysm location was distributed as follows: anterior (n=32), posterior (n=16), anterior and posterior (n=2). Patients with good clinical condition (Hunt and Hess score 1–3) had significantly higher odds of surviving (OR=17.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 161.5), favorable GOS (OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 14.8), and favorable 90-day mRS (OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 14.8).ConclusionsSVAT is safe, with the majority of patients achieving good clinical outcome. Patients with lower Hunt and Hess grades have higher odds of surviving and favorable clinical prognosis.
The challenge of unbiased application of risk analysis towards future profitable exploration
Authors: Citron Gary P. , Brown P. Jeffrey , MacKay James , Carragher Peter , Cook David 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
We illustrate how the combination of both ‘backward-looking’ and ‘forward-looking’ perspectives serves as a powerful catalyst for profitable exploration. The phrase ‘backward-looking’ refers to a company's discipline to rapidly learn from their past performance. The process utilizes tracking predictive performance to focus on patterns from exploration parameter results relative to forecasts. The learnings are implemented through technology applications and improved forecasts that can lead ultimately to a more predictive (i.e. calibrated) portfolio. This discipline may be viewed as time-consuming, but is a critical part of the role of a professional. Often we observe that a calibrated state of accurately estimating the chance of success was achieved before a company reached a calibrated state of prospect pre-drill size prediction. The phrase ‘forward-looking’ here refers to a company's ability to conduct three tasks. First, exploration from a play perspective that quantifies candidate plays in a comparative sense. Second, integrate quantitative play analysis and an understanding of their risk-tolerance levels in order to build comprehensive models of how different plays can compete to best accomplish the goals of corporate strategy. Third, to apply the same discipline of unbiased, calibrated estimation to the characterization of prospects as they are technically matured to the drill-ready state.
Remarkable preservation of brain tissues in an Early Cretaceous iguanodontian dinosaur
Authors: Brasier Martin D. , Norman David B. , Liu Alexander G. , Cotton Laura J. , Hiscocks Jamie E. H. , Garwood Russell J. , Antcliffe Jonathan B. , Wacey David 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

It has become accepted in recent years that the fossil record can preserve labile tissues. We report here the highly detailed mineralization of soft tissues associated with a naturally occurring brain endocast of an iguanodontian dinosaur found in
c.
133 Ma fluvial sediments of the Wealden at Bexhill, Sussex, UK. Moulding of the braincase wall and the mineral replacement of the adjacent brain tissues by phosphates and carbonates allowed the direct examination of petrified brain tissues. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed preservation of the tough membranes (meninges) that enveloped and supported the brain proper. Collagen strands of the meningeal layers were preserved in collophane. The blood vessels, also preserved in collophane, were either lined by, or infilled with, microcrystalline siderite. The meninges were preserved in the hindbrain region and exhibit structural similarities with those of living archosaurs. Greater definition of the forebrain (cerebrum) than the hindbrain (cerebellar and medullary regions) is consistent with the anatomical and implied behavioural complexity previously described in iguanodontian-grade ornithopods. However, we caution that the observed proximity of probable cortical layers to the braincase walls probably resulted from the settling of brain tissues against the roof of the braincase after inversion of the skull during decay and burial.

Supplementary material:
Information regarding associated fossil material, and additional images, can be found at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3519984
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and impaired insulin-stimulated blood flow: role of skeletal muscle NO synthase and endothelin-1
Authors: Reynolds Leryn J. , Credeur Daniel P. , Manrique Camila , Padilla Jaume , Fadel Paul J. , Thyfault John P. 
Published: October 2016

Increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) and reduced endothelial nitric oxide phosphorylation (peNOS) are hypothesized to reduce insulin-stimulated blood flow in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but studies examining these links in humans are limited. We sought to assess basal and insulin-stimulated endothelial signaling proteins (ET-1 and peNOS) in skeletal muscle from T2D patients. Ten obese T2D [glucose disposal rate (GDR): 6.6 ± 1.6 mg·kg lean body mass (LBM)−1·min−1] and 11 lean insulin-sensitive subjects (Lean GDR: 12.9 ± 1.2 mg·kg LBM−1·min−1) underwent a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with vastus lateralis biopsies taken before and 60 min into the clamp. Basal biopsies were also taken in 11 medication-naïve, obese, non-T2D subjects. ET-1, peNOS (Ser1177), and eNOS protein and mRNA were measured from skeletal muscle samples containing native microvessels. Femoral artery blood flow was assessed by duplex Doppler ultrasound. Insulin-stimulated blood flow was reduced in obese T2D (Lean: +50.7 ± 6.5% baseline, T2D: +20.8 ± 5.2% baseline, P < 0.05). peNOS/eNOS content was higher in Lean under basal conditions and, although not increased by insulin, remained higher in Lean during the insulin clamp than in obese T2D ( P < 0.05). ET-1 mRNA and peptide were 2.25 ± 0.50- and 1.52 ± 0.11-fold higher in obese T2D compared with Lean at baseline, and ET-1 peptide remained 2.02 ± 1.9-fold elevated in obese T2D after insulin infusion ( P < 0.05) but did not increase with insulin in either group ( P > 0.05). Obese non-T2D subjects tended to also display elevated basal ET-1 ( P = 0.06). In summary, higher basal skeletal muscle expression of ET-1 and reduced peNOS/eNOS may contribute to a reduced insulin-stimulated leg blood flow response in obese T2D patients.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although impairments in endothelial signaling are hypothesized to reduce insulin-stimulated blood flow in type 2 diabetes (T2D), human studies examining these links are limited. We provide the first measures of nitric oxide synthase and endothelin-1 expression from skeletal muscle tissue containing native microvessels in individuals with and without T2D before and during insulin stimulation. Higher basal skeletal muscle expression of endothelin-1 and reduced endothelial nitric oxide phosphorylation (peNOS)/eNOS may contribute to reduced insulin-stimulated blood flow in obese T2D patients.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation prior to presleep protein feeding stimulates the use of protein-derived amino acids for overnight muscle protein synthesis
Authors: Dirks Marlou L. , Groen Bart B. L. , Franssen Rinske , van Kranenburg Janneau , van Loon Luc J. C. 
Published: October 2016

Short periods of muscle disuse result in substantial skeletal muscle atrophy. Recently, we showed that both neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as well as presleep dietary protein ingestion represent effective strategies to stimulate muscle protein synthesis rates. In this study, we test our hypothesis that NMES can augment the use of presleep protein-derived amino acids for overnight muscle protein synthesis in older men. Twenty healthy, older [69 ± 1 (SE) yr] men were subjected to 24 h of bed rest, starting at 8:00 AM. In the evening, volunteers were subjected to 70-min 1-legged NMES, while the other leg served as nonstimulated control (CON). Immediately following NMES, 40 g of intrinsically l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine labeled protein was ingested prior to sleep. Blood samples were taken throughout the night, and muscle biopsies were obtained from both legs in the evening and the following morning (8 h after protein ingestion) to assess dietary protein-derived l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine enrichments in myofibrillar protein. Plasma phenylalanine concentrations and plasma l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine enrichments increased significantly following protein ingestion and remained elevated for up to 6 h after protein ingestion ( P < 0.05). During overnight sleep, myofibrillar protein-bound l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine enrichments (MPE) increased to a greater extent in the stimulated compared with the control leg (0.0344 ± 0.0019 vs. 0.0297 ± 0.0016 MPE, respectively; P < 0.01), representing 18 ± 6% greater incorporation of presleep protein-derived amino acids in the NMES compared with CON leg. In conclusion, application of NMES prior to presleep protein feeding stimulates the use of dietary protein-derived amino acids for overnight muscle protein synthesis in older men. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as well as presleep dietary protein ingestion represent effective strategies to stimulate muscle protein synthesis rates. Here we demonstrate that in older men after a day of bed rest, the application of NMES prior to presleep protein feeding stimulates the use of dietary protein-derived amino acids for overnight muscle protein synthesis by 18% compared with presleep protein feeding only.
Cross-Sectional Associations of Flow Reversal, Vascular Function, and Arterial Stiffness in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Bretón-Romero Rosa , Wang Na , Palmisano Joseph , Larson Martin G. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Mitchell Gary F. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Vita Joseph A. , Hamburg Naomi M. 
Published: October 2016

Objective—
Experimental studies link oscillatory flow accompanied by flow reversal to impaired endothelial cell function. The relation of flow reversal with vascular function and arterial stiffness remains incompletely defined.

Approach and Results—

We measured brachial diastolic flow patterns along with vasodilator function in addition to tonometry-based central and peripheral arterial stiffness in 5708 participants (age 47±13 years, 53% women) in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring and Third Generation cohorts. Brachial artery diastolic flow reversal was present in 35% of the participants. In multivariable regression models, the presence of flow reversal was associated with lower flow-mediated dilation (3.9±0.2 versus 5.0±0.2%;
P
<0.0001) and reactive hyperemic flow velocity (50±0.99 versus 57±0.93 cm/s;
P
<0.0001). The presence of flow reversal (compared with absence) was associated with higher central aortic stiffness (carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity 9.3±0.1 versus 8.9±0.1 m/s), lower muscular artery stiffness (carotid–radial pulse wave velocity 9.6±0.1 versus 9.8±0.1 m/s), and higher forearm vascular resistance (5.32±0.03 versus 4.66±0.02 log dyne/s/cm
5
;
P
<0.0001). The relations of diastolic flow velocity with flow-mediated dilation, aortic stiffness, and forearm vascular resistance were nonlinear, with a steeper decline in vascular function associated with increasing magnitude of flow reversal.

Conclusions—
In our large, community-based sample, brachial artery flow reversal was common and associated with impaired vasodilator function and higher aortic stiffness. Our findings are consistent with the concept that flow reversal may contribute to vascular dysfunction.
Plasma Soluble Endoglin Levels Are Inversely Associated With the Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis—Brief Report
Authors: Saita Emi , Miura Kotaro , Suzuki-Sugihara Norie , Miyata Koutaro , Ikemura Nobuhiro , Ohmori Reiko , Ikegami Yukinori , Kishimoto Yoshimi , Kondo Kazuo , Momiyama Yukihiko 
Published: October 2016

Objective—
Transforming growth factor-β inhibits migration and proliferation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Endoglin is a transmembrane receptor for transforming growth factor-β1 and transforming growth factor-β3. Endoglin is released into blood as a soluble form (soluble endoglin [sEng]), but plasma sEng levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been elucidated.

Approach and Results—

We measured plasma sEng levels in 244 patients undergoing coronary angiography. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was evaluated as the numbers of >50% stenotic vessels and segments. CAD was found in 147 patients, of whom 55 had 1-vessel, 42 had 2-vessel, and 50 had 3-vessel disease. Compared with 97 patients without CAD, 147 with CAD had lower sEng levels (median 4.04 versus 4.37 ng/mL;
P
<0.005). A stepwise decrease in sEng levels was found based on the number of stenotic vessels: 4.37 in CAD(−), 4.23 in 1-vessel, 4.13 in 2-vessel, and 3.74 ng/mL in 3-vessel disease (
P
<0.005). sEng levels inversely correlated with the number of stenotic segments (
r
=−0.25;
P
<0.001). In multivariate analysis, sEng was an independent factor for 3-vessel disease and CAD. Odds ratios for CAD and 3-vessel disease were 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.99;
P
<0.02) and 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.93–0.99;
P
<0.01) for a 0.1 ng/mL increase in sEng levels, respectively.

Conclusions—
Plasma sEng levels were low in patients with CAD, especially 3-vessel disease, and were inversely associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
Altered DNA Methylation of Long Noncoding RNA
H19
in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease Promotes Mineralization by Silencing
NOTCH1
Authors: Hadji Fayez , Boulanger Marie-Chloé , Guay Simon-Pierre , Gaudreault Nathalie , Amellah Soumiya , Mkannez Guada , Bouchareb Rihab , Marchand Joël Tremblay , Nsaibia Mohamed Jalloul , Guauque-Olarte Sandra , Pibarot Philippe , Bouchard Luigi , Bossé Yohan , Mathieu Patrick 
Published: October 2016

Background:

Calcific aortic valve disease is characterized by an abnormal mineralization of the aortic valve. Osteogenic activity in the aortic valve is under the control of
NOTCH1
, which regulates the expression of key pro-osteogenic genes such as
RUNX2
and
BMP2
. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may reprogram cells by altering the gene expression pattern.

Methods:
Multidimensional genomic profiling was performed in human aortic valves to document the expression of lncRNAs and the DNA methylation pattern in calcific aortic valve disease. In-depth functional assays were carried out to document the impact of lncRNA on the mineralization of the aortic valve.

Results:

We documented that lncRNA
H19 (H19
) was increased in calcific aortic valve disease. Hypomethylation of the promoter region was observed in mineralized aortic valves and was inversely associated with
H19
expression. Knockdown and overexpression experiments showed that
H19
induces a strong osteogenic phenotype by altering the NOTCH1 pathway. Gene promoter analyses showed that
H19
silenced
NOTCH1
by preventing the recruitment of p53 to its promoter. A knockdown of
H19
in valve interstitial cells (VICs) increased the expression of
NOTCH1
and decreased the level of
RUNX2
and
BMP2
, 2 downstream targets repressed by
NOTCH1
. In rescue experiments, the transfection of a vector encoding for the active Notch intracellular domain prevented
H19
-induced mineralization of valve interstitial cells.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that a dysregulation of DNA methylation in the promoter of
H19
during calcific aortic valve disease is associated with a higher expression of this lncRNA, which promotes an osteogenic program by interfering with the expression of
NOTCH1.
Intermodal Attention Shifts in Multimodal Working Memory
Authors: Katus Tobias , Grubert Anna , Eimer Martin 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Attention maintains task-relevant information in working memory (WM) in an active state. We investigated whether the attention-based maintenance of stimulus representations that were encoded through different modalities is flexibly controlled by top–down mechanisms that depend on behavioral goals. Distinct components of the ERP reflect the maintenance of tactile and visual information in WM. We concurrently measured tactile (tCDA) and visual contralateral delay activity (CDA) to track the attentional activation of tactile and visual information during multimodal WM. Participants simultaneously received tactile and visual sample stimuli on the left and right sides and memorized all stimuli on one task-relevant side. After 500 msec, an auditory retrocue indicated whether the sample set's tactile or visual content had to be compared with a subsequent test stimulus set. tCDA and CDA components that emerged simultaneously during the encoding phase were consistently reduced after retrocues that marked the corresponding (tactile or visual) modality as task-irrelevant. The absolute size of cue-dependent modulations was similar for the tCDA/CDA components and did not depend on the number of tactile/visual stimuli that were initially encoded into WM. Our results suggest that modality-specific maintenance processes in sensory brain regions are flexibly modulated by top–down influences that optimize multimodal WM representations for behavioral goals.