bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The functional role of xylem parenchyma cells and aquaporins during recovery from severe water stress
Authors: Secchi Francesca , Pagliarani Chiara , Zwieniecki Maciej A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractXylem parenchyma cells [vessel associated cells (VACs)] constitute a significant fraction of the xylem in woody plants. These cells are often closely connected with xylem vessels or tracheids via simple pores (remnants of plasmodesmata fields). The close contact and biological activity of VACs during times of severe water stress and recovery from stress suggest that they are involved in the maintenance of xylem transport capacity and responsible for the restoration of vessel/tracheid functionality following embolism events. As recovery from embolism requires the transport of water across xylem parenchyma cell membranes, an understanding of stem‐specific aquaporin expression patterns, localization and activity is a crucial part of any biological model dealing with embolism recovery processes in woody plants. In this review, we provide a short overview of xylem parenchyma cell biology with a special focus on aquaporins. In particular we address their distributions and activity during the development of drought stress, during the formation of embolism and the subsequent recovery from stress that may result in refilling. Complemented by the current biological model of parenchyma cell function during recovery from stress, this overview highlights recent breakthroughs on the unique ability of long‐lived perennial plants to undergo cycles of embolism‐recovery related to drought/rewetting or freeze/thaw events.
Don't startle me—Interference of startle probe presentations and intermittent ratings with fear acquisition
Authors: Sjouwerman Rachel , Niehaus Johanna , Kuhn Manuel , Lonsdorf Tina B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractReproducibility is fundamental to science and a recent matter of discussion. We report challenges for conceptual replications when employing different readout measures to target the same theoretical construct, particularly those requiring probed reactions. This was addressed in a fear conditioning paradigm, a prototype of emotional learning, in three experimental groups (Ntotal = 57). We demonstrate that the inclusion of startle probes (95 dB burst of white noise) to elicit a startle reflex delays the acquisition of fear as reflected by skin conductance responses and intermittent fear ratings. The inclusion of fear ratings in turn did not significantly affect fear acquisition. Hence, subtle differences in experimental design, such as the inclusion of a single additional outcome measure, may substantially impact on study results and interpretations. Thus, small effects, as are common in between‐group comparisons, may be particularly susceptible to this, which has strong implications for the replication of findings across studies employing slightly different experimental designs.
Masks for prevention of respiratory viruses on the BMT unit: results of a quality initiative
Authors: Sokol Kelsey A. , De la Vega‐Diaz Imelda , Edmondson‐Martin Kathleen , Kim Sara , Tindle Sharon , Wallach Fran , Steinberg Amir 
Published: September 2016

AbstractRespiratory viral infections (RVI) cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized oncology patients. These viruses are easily spread from asymptomatic and/or symptomatic healthcare workers and visitors to immunocompromised patients, and literature review of facemasks for prevention of infection revealed mixed results. The Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Quality Assurance (QA) Committee at Mount Sinai began a surgical mask initiative on the BMT unit. The purpose of our initiative was to assess the impact of surgical mask implementation for healthcare workers and visitors on nosocomial RVI in all patients hospitalized on the BMT unit. We hypothesized that implementing surgical masks would reduce the number of hospital‐acquired RVI. We performed a retrospective study involving all patients with malignancy hospitalized on the BMT unit for 4 years. During the latter 2 years, all healthcare workers and visitors were required to wear a surgical mask in every patient room on the BMT unit. Primary endpoint was incidence of RVI after implementation of surgical masks. The 2‐year incidence of RVI in the pre‐mask period was 14 out of a total of 15 001 patient days on the unit vs 2 out of 15 608 patient days after mask implementation. The difference in incidence of RVI within the two time intervals was noted to be statistically significant (P<.05, 2‐proportion z‐test). Our quality initiative demonstrated that surgical masks are an infection control modality that may provide benefit to oncology/BMT units by decreasing the risk for hospital‐acquired RVI.
Performance Relationships in Timed and Mass-Start Events for Elite Omnium Cyclists
Authors: Phillips Kathryn E. , Hopkins Will G. 
Published: September 2016

Purpose:To explore the extent to which factors that determine performance transfer within and between time-trial and mass-start events in the track-cycling Omnium.Methods:Official finish rank in the 3 time-trial events, in the 3 mass-start events, and in the competition overall were collated in 20 international Omnium competitions between 2010 and 2014 for 196 male and 140 female cyclists. Linear mixed modeling of the log-transformed finish time for the time-trial events and of log-transformed finish rank for all events and final rank provided estimates of within-athlete race-to-race changes in performance and average betweenathletes differences across a season. These estimates were converted to various correlations representing relationships within and between the various events and final rank.Results:Intraclass correlation coefficients, representing race-to-race reproducibility of performance, were similar whether derived from finish rank or finish time for the time-trial events. Log-transformed finish ranks are therefore a suitable measure to assess and compare performance in time-trial and mass-start events. Omnium cyclists were more predictable in their performances from race to race in the timed events, whereas reduced predictability was observed in mass-start events. Interevent correlations indicated stronger links in performance between the timed disciplines, whereas performance in any of the mass-start events had only a slight positive relationship with performance in the other massstart events and little or no relationship with the timed events.Conclusions:Further investigation is warranted to determine whether factors related to performance in mass-start events can be identified to improve reproducibility or whether variability in performance results from random chance.
The Neuromuscular Qualities of Higher- and Lower-Level Mixed-Martial-Arts Competitors
Authors: James Lachlan P. , Beckman Emma M. , Kelly Vincent G. , Haff G. Gregory 
Published: September 2016

Purpose:To determine whether the maximal strength, impulse, and power characteristics of competitive mixed-martial-arts (MMA) athletes differ according to competition level.Methods:Twenty-nine male semiprofessional and amateur MMA competitors were stratified into either higher-level (HL) or lower-level (LL) performers on the basis of competition grade and success. The 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) squat was used to assess lower-body dynamic strength, and a spectrum of impulse, power, force, and velocity variables were evaluated during an incremental-load jump squat. In addition, participants performed an isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and 1RM bench press to determine whole-body isometric force and upper-body dynamic strength capabilities, respectively. All force and power variables were expressed relative to body mass (BM).Results:The HL competitors produced significantly superior values across a multitude of measures. These included 1RM squat strength (1.84 ± 0.23 vs 1.56 ± 0.24 kg BM; P = .003), in addition to performance in the incremental-load jump squat that revealed greater peak power (P = .005–.002), force (P = .002–.004), and velocity (P = .002–.03) at each load. Higher measures of impulse (P = .01–.04) were noted in a number of conditions. Average power (P = .002–.02) and velocity (P = .01–.04) at all loads in addition to a series of rate-dependent measures were also superior in the HL group (P = .005–.02). The HL competitors’ 1RM bench-press values approached significantly greater levels (P = .056) than the LL group’s, but IMTP performance did not differ between groups.Conclusions:Maximal lower-body neuromuscular capabilities are key attributes distinguishing HL from LL MMA competitors. This information can be used to inform evidenced-based training and performance-monitoring practices.
New Panfungal Real-Time PCR Assay for Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Valero Clara , de la Cruz-Villar Laura , Zaragoza Óscar , Buitrago María José 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is usually based on the isolation of the fungus in culture and histopathological techniques. However, these methods have many limitations often delaying the definitive diagnosis. In recent years, molecular diagnostics methods have emerged as a suitable alternative for IFI diagnosis. When there is not a clear suspicion of the fungus involved in the IFI, panfungal real-time PCR assays have been used, allowing amplification of any fungal DNA. However, this approach requires subsequent amplicon sequencing to identify the fungal species involved, increasing response time. In this work, a new panfungal real-time PCR assay using the combination of an intercalating dye and sequence-specific probes was developed. After DNA amplification, a melting curve analysis was also performed. The technique was standardized by using 11 different fungal species and validated in 60 clinical samples from patients with proven and probable IFI. A melting curve database was constructed by collecting those melting curves obtained from fungal species included in the standardization assay. Results showed high reproducibility (coefficient of variation [CV] < 5%;
r
> 0.95) and specificity (100%). The overall sensitivity of the technique was 83.3%, with the group of fungi involved in the infection detected in 77.8% of the positive samples with IFIs covered by molecular beacon probes. Moreover, sequencing was avoided in 67.8% of these “probe-positive” results, enabling report of a positive result in 24 h. This technique is fast, sensitive, and specific and promises to be useful for improving early diagnosis of IFIs.
Monitoring Integration over Time Supports a Role for Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Ongoing Replication as Determinants of Reservoir Size
Authors: Pinzone Marilia Rita , Graf Erin , Lynch Lindsay , McLaughlin Brigit , Hecht Frederick M. , Connors Mark , Migueles Stephen A. , Hwang Wei-Ting , Nunnari Giuseppe , O'Doherty Una 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

The dynamics of HIV reservoir accumulation off antiretroviral therapy (ART) is underexplored. Levels of integrated HIV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were longitudinally monitored before and after antiviral therapy. HIV integration increased over time in both elite controllers (ECs;
n
= 8) and noncontrollers (NCs;
n
= 6) before ART, whereas integration remained stable in patients on ART (
n
= 4). The median annual fold change was higher in NCs than in ECs and negatively correlated with CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function as assessed by infected CD4 T-cell elimination (ICE) and granzyme B activity did not significantly change over time in ECs, suggesting that the gradual increase in integrated HIV DNA observed in ECs was not a result of progressive loss of immune-mediated control. Also, acutely infected (
n
= 7) but not chronically infected (
n
= 6) patients exhibited a significant drop in integrated HIV DNA 12 months after ART initiation. In conclusion, in the absence of ART, integrated HIV accumulates over time both in NCs and in ECs, at variable individual rates. Starting ART early in infection leads to a greater drop in integrated HIV DNA than does initiating treatment after years of infection. The increase in integrated HIV DNA over time suggests that early treatment may be of benefit in limiting HIV reservoirs.

IMPORTANCE
The establishment of a latent reservoir represents a barrier to cure among HIV-infected individuals. The dynamics of HIV reservoir accumulation over time in patients before antiviral therapy is underexplored, in large part because it is difficult to accurately and reproducibly measure the size of HIV reservoir in this setting. In our study, we compared the dynamics of integrated HIV DNA over time in ECs and NCs before and after ART was initiated. We found that integrated HIV DNA levels progressively increase over time in the absence of ART, but with a higher, albeit variable, rate in NCs compared to ECs. In addition, integrated HIV DNA declines more dramatically when ART is initiated in acute rather than chronic HIV infection, suggesting important differences between acute and chronic infection. Our study highlights the role of HIV replication and CTL control in reservoir accumulation in sanctuary sites and why ART appears to be more effective in acute infection.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Induces Phosphorylation and Reorganization of Lamin A/C through the γ
1
34.5 Protein That Facilitates Nuclear Egress
Authors: Wu Songfang , Pan Shuang , Zhang Liming , Baines Joel , Roller Richard , Ames Joshua , Yang Mengmeng , Wang Jiyan , Chen Da , Liu Yaohui , Zhang Cuizhu , Cao Youjia , He Bin 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) remodels nuclear membranes during virus egress. Although the UL31 and UL34 proteins control nucleocapsid transit in infected cells, the molecular interactions required for their function are unclear. Here we report that the γ
1
34.5 gene product of HSV-1 facilitates nucleocapsid release to the cytoplasm through bridging the UL31/UL34 complex, cellular p32, and protein kinase C. Unlike wild-type virus, an HSV mutant devoid of γ
1
34.5 or its amino terminus is crippled for viral growth and release. This is attributable to a defect in virus nuclear egress. In infected cells, wild-type virus recruits protein kinase C to the nuclear membrane and triggers its activation, whereas the γ
1
34.5 mutants fail to exert such an effect. Accordingly, the γ
1
34.5 mutants are unable to induce phosphorylation and reorganization of lamin A/C. When expressed in host cells γ
1
34.5 targets p32 and protein kinase C. Meanwhile, it communicates with the UL31/UL34 complex through UL31. Deletion of the amino terminus from γ
1
34.5 disrupts its activity. These results suggest that disintegration of the nuclear lamina mediated by γ
1
34.5 promotes HSV replication.

IMPORTANCE
HSV nuclear egress is a key step that determines the outcome of viral infection. While the nuclear egress complex mediates capsid transit across the nuclear membrane, the regulatory components are not clearly defined in virus-infected cells. We report that the γ
1
34.5 gene product, a virulence factor of HSV-1, facilitates nuclear egress cooperatively with cellular p32, protein kinase C, and the nuclear egress complex. This work highlights a viral mechanism that may contribute to the pathogenesis of HSV infection.
Dynamics and Correlates of CD8 T-Cell Counts in Africans with Primary Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Prentice Heather A. , Lu Hailin , Price Matthew A. , Kamali Anatoli , Karita Etienne , Lakhi Shabir , Sanders Eduard J. , Anzala Omu , Allen Susan , Goepfert Paul A. , Hunter Eric , Gilmour Jill , Tang Jianming 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

In individuals with HIV-1 infection, depletion of CD4
+
T cells is often accompanied by a malfunction of CD8
+
T cells that are persistently activated and/or exhausted. While the dynamics and correlates of CD4 counts have been well documented, the same does not apply to CD8 counts. Here, we examined the CD8 counts in a cohort of 497 Africans with primary HIV-1 infection evaluated in monthly to quarterly follow-up visits for up to 3 years in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. Statistical models revealed that (i) CD8 counts were relatively steady in the 3- to 36-month period of infection and similar between men and women; (ii) neither geography nor heterogeneity in the HIV-1 set-point viral load could account for the roughly 10-fold range of CD8 counts in the cohort (
P
> 0.25 in all tests); and (iii) factors independently associated with relatively high CD8 counts included demographics (age ≤ 40 years, adjusted
P
= 0.010) and several human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) alleles, including HLA-A*03:01 (
P
= 0.013), B*15:10 (
P
= 0.007), and B*58:02 (
P
< 0.001). Multiple sensitivity analyses provided supporting evidence for these novel relationships. Overall, these findings suggest that factors associated with the CD8 count have little overlap with those previously reported for other HIV-1-related outcome measures, including viral load, CD4 count, and CD4/CD8 ratio.

IMPORTANCE
Longitudinal data from 497 HIV-1 seroconverters allowed us to systematically evaluate the dynamics and correlates of CD8
+
T-cell counts during untreated primary HIV-1 infection in eastern and southern Africans. Our findings suggest that individuals with certain HLA-I alleles, including A*03 (exclusively A*03:01), persistently maintain relatively high CD8 counts following HIV-1 infection, a finding which may offer an intriguing explanation for the recently reported, negative association of A*03 with HIV-1-specific, broadly neutralizing antibody responses. In future studies, attention to HLA-I genotyping data may benefit in-depth understanding of both cellular and humoral immunity, as well as the intrinsic balances of these types of immunity, especially in settings where there is emerging evidence of antagonism between the two arms of adaptive immunity.
Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Abnormal Defaecation and Regulates Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor in a Rat Model of Stress
Authors: Zhao Yuxue , Cui Changxiang , Yu Xiaochun , Xin Juanjuan , Lu Fengyan , Gao Junhong , Zhu Bing 
Published: September 2016

Objective To examine the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on abnormal defaecation in a rat model of chronic heterotypic stress (CHS) and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal (n=6), CHS (n=7), and CHS+EA (n=7). Rats in the CHS group and CHS+EA groups received four different types of stressors for 7 days. For rats in the CHS+EA group, EA was applied at ST36 in the bilateral hind legs for 30 min before each stress-loading session. Rats in the normal group did not receive stressors or EA treatment. The faecal pellets of each rat were collected and weighed at a fixed time every day. Protein expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus and colorectal tissues was measured by Western blotting at the end of the experiment on the 7th day. Results After 7 consecutive days of CHS, the number of faecal pellets, faecal wet weight, and faecal water content were significantly increased in the CHS group compared with the normal group (p=0.035, p=0.008 and p=0.008, respectively). All three parameters were significantly decreased in CHS+EA versus CHS groups (p=0.030, p=0.011 and p=0.006, respectively). Stress significantly increased CRF expression in both the hypothalamus and colorectal tissues. The excessive CRF responses seen following CHS were significantly suppressed by EA treatment. Conclusions EA treatment can ameliorate stress loading induced abnormal defaecation in rats and decrease protein expression of CRF centrally (hypothalamus) and peripherally (colorectal tissues), suggesting a potentially therapeutic role for EA in stress-related responses.
Performance and carcass characteristics of cattle fed lipid sources in the diet
Authors: Lima Erico da Silva , Morais Jozivaldo Prudêncio Gomes de , Roça Roberto de Oliveira , Valente Tiago Neves Pereira , Andrade Ernani Nery de , Deminicis Bruno Borges 
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of different lipid sources [whole cottonseed (CS) and protected fat in diets containing sugarcane, corn, citrus pulp, CS meal, and urea] on animal performance, hot carcass dressing (HCD), ribeye area (RA), fat thickness (FT), and postmortem pH of the meat of Nellore cattle during finishing. The treatments evaluated were feed with 2.50% CS (control diet, T1 treatment); feed with 11.50% CS (high CS, T2 treatment); and feed with 3.13% CS added of protected lipid (PL) (T3 treatment), all on a DM basis. The forage:concentrate ratio of the diet was 50:50. Thirty-nine intact steers with average initial body weight of 494 kg and 36 months old were confined for 63 d. The addition of lipid sources tested in this study did not affect dry matter intake, crude protein intake, neutral detergent fiber intake, final live weight, average daily weight gain, HCD, RA, FT, and meat pH. It was concluded that the addition of PLs in the diet did not affect weight gain and carcass characteristics.
Menthol Smokers: Metabolomic Profiling and Smoking Behavior
Authors: Hsu Ping-Ching , Lan Renny S. , Brasky Theodore M. , Marian Catalin , Cheema Amrita K. , Ressom Habtom W. , Loffredo Christopher A. , Pickworth Wallace B. , Shields Peter G. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackground: The use of menthol in cigarettes and marketing is under consideration for regulation by the FDA. However, the effects of menthol on smoking behavior and carcinogen exposure have been inconclusive. We previously reported metabolomic profiling for cigarette smokers, and novelly identified a menthol-glucuronide (MG) as the most significant metabolite directly related to smoking. Here, MG is studied in relation to smoking behavior and metabolomic profiles.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 105 smokers who smoked two cigarettes in the laboratory one hour apart. Blood nicotine, MG, and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) boosts were determined (the difference before and after smoking). Spearman correlation, χ2, and ANCOVA adjusted for gender, race, and cotinine levels for menthol smokers assessed the relationship of MG boost, smoking behavior, and metabolic profiles. Multivariate metabolite characterization using supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was carried out for the classification of metabolomics profiles.Results: MG boost was positively correlated with CO boost, nicotine boost, average puff volume, puff duration, and total smoke exposure. Classification using PLS-DA, MG was the top metabolite discriminating metabolome of menthol versus nonmenthol smokers. Among menthol smokers, 42 metabolites were significantly correlated with MG boost, which linked to cellular functions, such as of cell death, survival, and movement.Conclusions: Plasma MG boost is a new smoking behavior biomarker that may provide novel information over self-reported use of menthol cigarettes by integrating different smoking measures for understanding smoking behavior and harm of menthol cigarettes.Impact: These results provide insight into the biological effect of menthol smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(1); 51–60. ©2016 AACR.