bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The post-transplant course of patients undergoing liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis versus cryptogenic cirrhosis: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Unger Lukas W. , Herac Merima , Staufer Katharina , Salat Andreas , Silberhumer Gerd , Hofmann Michael , Trauner Michael , Rasoul-Rockenschaub Susanne , Soliman Thomas , Reiberger Thomas , Berlakovich Gabriela A. 
Published: December 2016

Background
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as its progressive form. With increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, NASH cirrhosis is becoming a leading cause for liver transplantation. Some cases of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) due to cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) might show typical features of NASH cirrhosis. Therefore, our aim was to assess recurrence of liver fibrosis in patients transplanted for NASH versus CC after OLT.

Patients and methods
Patients transplanted for CC or NASH between 1 January 2004 and 30 September 2015 were included. The histological NAFLD activity score and the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) were assessed.

Results
In total, 15 and 12 patients underwent OLT because of NASH and CC, respectively. The case load for OLT because of NASH was constantly increasing (n=2 in 2004–2007 vs. n=9 in 2012–2015) whereas decreasing for CC (n=6 in 2004–2007 vs. n=2 in 2012–2015). Patient characteristics at OLT were similar, except for an older age and a higher BMI in NASH patients (59.1±2.2 vs. 51.8±2.9 years, P=0.05; 27.7±1.2 vs. 24.3±0.8 kg/m2, P=0.035). Although post-OLT plasma lipid levels and incidence of de-novo hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were similar between groups, the post-transplant NFS re-increased in the NASH group (but not in the CC: −0.1317 vs. −1.3645 at 12 months post-OLT, P=0.0400). Post-transplant survival was similar in NASH and CC patients.

Conclusion
According to the NFS, some NASH patients show recurrence of fibrosis as early as 6–12 months after OLT.
The Placebo Analgesic Effect in Healthy Individuals and Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Forsberg June Thorvaldsen , Martinussen Monica , Flaten Magne Arve 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT

Objective
The present meta-analysis investigates whether the magnitude of placebo analgesia is different in patients compared with healthy individuals and whether placebo analgesia is different in experimentally induced pain compared with clinical pain in patients.

Methods
A literature search in Web of Science (ISI) on the terms “placebo analgesia” and “placebo analgesic” was conducted. The search resulted in 71 studies, including 4239 participants. Fifty-five studies included healthy individuals and 16 studies included patients. Of the 16 studies with patients, five studies investigated clinical pain and 11 studies investigated experimentally induced pain.

Results
The average effect size was 1.24 for healthy individuals and 1.49 for patients. In the studies with patients, the average effect sizes of placebo treatment were 1.73 for experimentally induced pain and 1.05 for clinical pain. A χ2 test revealed that there were relatively more studies with patients compared with healthy volunteers in which there was a clinically significant reduction in pain (p = .040).

Conclusions
The findings suggest that patients benefited from placebo treatment to a greater degree than healthy individuals did and that studies on healthy individuals may underestimate the magnitude of the placebo analgesic effect in patients. Patients' clinical pain and experimentally induced pain respond to placebo to the same degree.
Validity of the European Society of Cardiology's Psychosocial Screening Interview in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease—The THORESCI Study
Authors: van Montfort Eveline , Denollet Johan , Widdershoven Jos , Kupper Nina 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe aim of the study was to examine the validity of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) psychosocial screening instrument.MethodsA total of 508 acute (67%) or elective (33%) percutaneous coronary intervention patients (mean [standard deviation]age = 63 [10] years, 81% male) completed the ESC screening interview and established questionnaires for psychosocial risk markers, that is, depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire 7), type D personality (Type D Scale 14), hostility (Cook-Medley Hostility Scale 7), and marital/work stress (Maudsley Marital Quality Questionnaire 6, Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale) during or close after hospital admission. At 1-year follow-up, angina and cardiopulmonary symptoms were assessed.ResultsPrevalence estimates of psychosocial factors based on the ESC screener were as follows: depression (18%), anxiety (33%), negative affectivity (11%), social inhibition (41%), work stress (17%), marital stress (2%), and hostility (38%). Analysis of correspondence with validated questionnaires revealed fair to moderate agreement (depression [κ = .39], anxiety [κ = .23], type D personality [κ = .21]), regardless of percutaneous coronary intervention indication. For work and marital stress, there was poor to fair performance (κ range = .04–.24); agreement for hostility was poor (κ = −.27). A positive ESC screen for depression, anxious tension, and type D personality was associated with more angina and cardiopulmonary symptoms at follow-up (odds ratios ranging between 1.85 (95% confidence interval = 0.84–4.08) and 8.01 (95% confidence interval = 2.35–27.35).ConclusionsThe ESC screener contributes to the search for a multidimensional and easy-to-use psychosocial screening instrument for cardiac patients. Although the screener, in its current form, may not be sufficiently valid to reliably detect all predefined psychosocial factors, screening scores for depression and anxiety might be useful in clinical practice. Our findings can be used for further refinement and validation of the screener.
Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Actigraphic Assessments of Sleep and Rest-Activity Rhythms in a Population-Based Sample
Authors: White Kaitlin Hanley , Rumble Meredith E. , Benca Ruth M. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT

Objective
Depression is often associated with disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms. We aimed to confirm these relationships via actigraphic assessment in a large, population-based sample and test whether sex moderates these relationships.

Methods
A total of 418 participants (age = 35–85 years, mean [standard deviation] = 57.04 [11.47]) completed questionnaires and 1 week of actigraphy, used to calculate sleep and rest-activity statistics including mesor (mean activity level), amplitude (height of rhythm), and acrophase (time of day that rhythm peaks).

Results
Depressive symptoms, assessed via Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, were associated with disrupted sleep and rest-activity rhythms. Furthermore, men demonstrated longer sleep onset latency (SOL, B = −13.28, p < .001), longer wake time after sleep onset (B = −6.26, p < .01), lower sleep efficiency (B = 5.91, p < .001), and lower total sleep time (TST, B = 33.16, p < .001) than women. Sex moderated the relationship between depression and SOL, TST, mesor, and amplitude; sex-stratified models revealed that higher depression scores were associated with greater SOL (B = 1.05, p < .001) and less TST (B = −0.87, p < .10) for women with higher depressive symptoms, but lower mesor (B = −1.75, p < .01) and amplitude (B = −1.94, p < .01) for men with higher depressive symptoms.

Conclusions
Depressive symptoms were related to disrupted sleep continuity and rest-activity rhythms in this population-based sample; however, these relationships differed by sex. Women with greater depressive symptoms exhibited difficulty with sleep continuity, whereas men with greater depressive symptoms demonstrated disruption throughout the 24-hour rhythm.
Future prospects for new vaccines against sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Gottlieb Sami L. , Johnston Christine 
Published: December 2016

Purpose of review
This review provides an update on the need, development status, and important next steps for advancing development of vaccines against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including herpes simplex virus (HSV), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea), Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia), and Treponema pallidum (syphilis).

Recent findings
Global estimates suggest that more than a million STIs are acquired every day, and many new and emerging challenges to STI control highlight the critical need for development of new STI vaccines. Several therapeutic HSV-2 vaccine candidates are in Phase I/II clinical trials, and one subunit vaccine has shown sustained reductions in genital lesions and viral shedding, providing hope that an effective HSV vaccine is on the horizon. The first vaccine candidate for genital chlamydia infection has entered Phase I trials, and several more are in the pipeline. Use of novel technological approaches will likely see viable vaccine candidates for gonorrhea and syphilis in the future. The global STI vaccine roadmap outlines key activities to further advance STI vaccine development.

Summary
Major progress is being made in addressing the large global unmet need for STI vaccines. With continued collaboration and support, these critically important vaccines for global sexual and reproductive health can become a reality.
Mode of Information Delivery Does Not Effect Anesthesia Trainee Performance During Simulated Perioperative Pediatric Critical Events
Authors: Watkins Scott C. , Anders Shilo , Clebone Anna , Hughes Elisabeth , Patel Vikram , Zeigler Laura , Shi Yaping , Shotwell Matthew S. , McEvoy Matthew D. , Weinger Matthew B. 
Published: December 2016

Introduction
Cognitive aids (CAs), including emergency manuals and checklists, have been recommended as a means to address the failure of healthcare providers to adhere to evidence-based standards of treatment during crisis situations. Unfortunately, users of CAs still commit errors, omit critical steps, fail to achieve perfect adherence to guidelines, and frequently choose to not use CA during both simulated and real crisis events. We sought to evaluate whether the mode in which a CA presents information (ie, paper vs. electronic) affects clinician performance during simulated critical events.

Methods
In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, anesthesia trainees managed simulated events under 1 of the following 3 conditions: (1) from memory alone (control), (2) with a paper CA, or (3) with an electronic version of the same CA. Management of the events was assessed using scenario-specific checklists. Mixed-effect regression models were used for analysis of overall checklist score and for elapsed time.

Results
One hundred thirty-nine simulated events were observed and rated. Approximately, 1 of 3 trainees assigned to use a CA (electronic 29%, paper 36%) chose not to use it during the scenario. Compared with the control group (52%), the overall score was 6% higher in the paper CA group and 8% higher (95% confidence interval, 0.914.5; P = 0.03) in the electronic CA group. The difference between paper and electronic CA was not significant. There was a wide range in time to first use of the CA, but the time to task completion was not affected by CA use, nor did the time to CA use impact CA effectiveness as measured by performance.

Conclusions
The format (paper or electronic) of the CA did not affect the impact of the CA on clinician performance in this study. Clinician compliance with the use of the CA was unaffected by format, suggesting that other factors may determine whether clinicians choose to use a CA or not. Time to use of the CA did not affect clinical performance, suggesting that it may not be when CAs are used but how they are used that determines their impact. The current study highlights the importance of not just familiarizing clinicians with the content of CA but also training clinicians in when and how to use an emergency CA.
Electroconvulsive Therapy Practice in New Zealand
Authors: Fisher Mark Wilkinson , Morrison John , Jones Paul Anthony 
Published: December 2016

Objectives
The aim of this study was to describe the contemporary practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in New Zealand.

Methods
A 53-item questionnaire was sent to all services providing ECT as of December 2015.

Results
Electroconvulsive therapy was provided by 16 services covering 15 district health boards funded by the New Zealand government. No private facilities provided ECT. All services providing ECT responded to an online survey questionnaire. Rates of ECT utilization were low relative to similar countries. Survey results indicated ECT was practiced to an overall good standard. Several resource and logistical issues potentially contributing to low ECT utilization were identified.

Conclusions
Electroconvulsive therapy in New Zealand is provided using modern equipment and practices. However, overall rates of utilization remain low, perhaps as a result of controversy surrounding ECT and some resourcing issues.
The Tell-Tale Genome
Authors: Bortolini Eugenio , Pagani Luca , Crema Enrico R. , Sarno Stefania , Barbieri Chiara , Boattini Alessio , Sazzini Marco , Graça da Silva Sara , Martini Gessica , Metspalu Mait , Pettener Davide , Luiselli Donata , Tehrani Jamshid J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObservable patterns of cultural variation are consistently intertwined with demic movements, cultural diffusion, and adaptation to different ecological contexts (Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman 1981; Boyd and Richerson 1985). The quantitative study of gene-culture co-evolution has focused in particular on the mechanisms responsible for change in frequency and attributes of cultural traits, on the spread of cultural information through demic and cultural diffusion, and on detecting relationships between genetic and cultural lineages. Here, for the first time, we make use of worldwide whole-genome sequences (Pagani et al. 2016) to assess the impact of demic diffusion on cultural diversity, focusing on the variability observed in folktale traditions (N=596) (Uther 2004) in Eurasia and Africa. We show that at small geographic scales (<=5000 km) there is a strong correlation between folktale and genomic distance when the effect of geography is corrected, while geographic distance has no independent effect on the distribution of folkloric narratives at the same spatial scale. This points to demic processes (i.e. population movement and replacement) as the main driver of folktale transmission at limited geographic ranges. The role of population movements becomes more apparent when regions characterized by episodes of directional expansions, such as the Neolithization of West Eurasia, are examined. Furthermore, we identify 89 individual tales which are likely to be predominantly transmitted through demic diffusion, and locate putative focal areas for a subset of them.
Gene expression models based on a reference laboratory strain are bad predictors ofMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex transcriptional diversity
Authors: Chiner-Oms Alvaro , González-Candelas Fernando , Comas Iñaki 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTSpecies of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) kill more people every year than any other infectious disease. As a consequence of its global distribution and parallel evolution with the human host the bacteria is not genetically homogeneous. The observed genetic heterogeneity has relevance at different phenotypic levels, from gene expression to epidemiological dynamics. However current systems biology datasets have focused in the laboratory reference strain H37Rv. By using large expression datasets testing the role of almost two hundred transcription factors, we have constructed computational models to grab the expression dynamics ofMycobacterium tuberculosisH37Rv genes. However, we have found that many of those transcription factors are deleted or likely dysfunctional across strains of the MTBC. In accordance, we failed to predict expression changes in strains with a different genetic background when compared with experimental data. The results highlight the importance of designing systems biology approaches that take into account the tubercle bacilli, or any other pathogen, genetic diversity if we want to identify universal targets for vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.
Identification of regulatory targets for the bacterial Nus factor complex
Authors: Baniulyte Gabriele , Singh Navjot , Benoit Courtney , Johnson Richard , Ferguson Robert , Paramo Mauricio , Stringer Anne M. , Scott Ashley , Lapierre Pascal , Wade Joseph T. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTNus factors are broadly conserved across bacterial species, and are often essential for viability. A complex of five Nus factors (NusB, NusE, NusA, NusG and SuhB) is considered to be a dedicated regulator of ribosomal RNA folding, and has been shown to prevent Rho-dependent transcription termination. We have established the first cellular function for the Nus factor complex beyond regulation of ribosomal assembly: repression of the Nus factor-encoding gene,suhB. This repression occurs by translation inhibition followed by Rho-dependent transcription termination. Thus, the Nus factor complex can prevent or promote Rho activity depending on the gene context. Extensive conservation of NusB/E binding sites upstream ofnusfactor genes suggests that Nus factor autoregulation occurs in many species. Putative NusB/E binding sites are also found upstream of many other genes in diverse species, and we demonstrate Nus factor regulation of one such gene inCitrobacter koseri. We conclude that Nus factors have an evolutionarily widespread regulatory function beyond ribosomal RNA, and that they are often autoregulatory.
Genome-wide survey ofPseudomonas aeruginosaPA14 reveals a role for the glyoxylate pathway and extracellular proteases in the limited utilization of mucin
Authors: Flynn Jeffrey M. , Phan Chi , Hunter Ryan C. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTChronic airway infections by the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosaare major cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. While this bacterium has been extensively studied for its virulence mechanisms, biofilm growth and immune evasion within the CF airways, comparatively little is known about the nutrient sources that sustain its growthin vivo. Respiratory mucins represent a potentially abundant bioavailable nutrient source, though we have recently shown that canonical pathogens inefficiently use these host glycoproteins as a growth substrate. Yet, given thatP. aeruginosa, particularly in its biofilm mode of growth is thought to grow slowlyin vivo, the inefficient use of mucin glycoproteins may have relevance to its persistence within the CF airways. To this end, here we use whole genome fitness analysis combining transposon mutagenesis with high throughput sequencing (TnSeq) to identify genetic determinants required forP. aeruginosagrowth using intact purified mucins as a sole carbon source. Our analysis reveals a biphasic growth phenotype, during which the glyoxylate pathway and amino acid biosynthetic machinery are required for mucin utilization. Secondary analyses confirmed the simultaneous liberation and consumption of acetate during mucin degradation and revealed a central role for the extracellular proteases LasB and AprA. Together, these studies identified theP. aeruginosagenes required for mucin-based nutrient acquisition and reveal a host-pathogen dynamic that may contribute to its persistence within the CF airways.
Precise Quantification of Translation Inhibition by mRNA Structures that Overlap with the Ribosomal Footprint in N-terminal Coding Sequences
Authors: Espah Borujeni Amin , Cetnar Daniel , Farasat Iman , Smith Ashlee , Lundgren Natasha , Salis Howard M 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTA mRNA’s translation rate is controlled by several sequence determinants, including the presence of RNA structures within the N-terminal regions of its coding sequences. However, the physical rules that govern when such mRNA structures will inhibit translation remain unclear. Here, we introduced systematically designed RNA hairpins into the N-terminal coding region of a reporter protein with steadily increasing distances from the start codon, followed by characterization of their mRNA and expression levels inE. coli. We found that the mRNAs’; translation rates were repressed, by up to 1410-fold, when mRNA structures overlapped with the ribosome’s footprint. In contrast, when the mRNA structure was located outside the ribosome’s footprint, translation was repressed by less than 2-fold. By combining our measurements with biophysical modeling, we determined that the ribosomal footprint extends 13 nucleotides into the N-terminal coding region and, when a mRNA structure overlaps or partially overlaps with the ribosomal footprint, the free energy to unfold only the overlapping structure controlled the extent of translation repression. Overall, our results provide precise quantification of the rules governing translation initiation at N-terminal coding regions, improving the predictive design of post-transcriptional regulatory elements that regulate translation rate.
Nutrient dynamics and stream order influence microbial community patterns along a 2914 km transect of the Mississippi River
Authors: Henson Michael W. , Hanssen Jordan , Spooner Greg , Fleming Patrick , Pukonen Markus , Stahr Frederick , Cameron Thrash J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDraining 31 states and roughly 3 million km2, the Mississippi River (MSR) and its tributaries constitute an essential resource to millions of people for clean drinking water, transportation, agriculture, and industry. Since the turn of the 20thcentury, MSR water quality has continually rated poorly due to human activity. Acting as first responders, microorganisms can mitigate, exacerbate, and/or serve as predictors for water quality, yet we know little about their community structure or ecology at the whole river scale for large rivers. We collected both biological (16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicons) and physicochemical data from 38 MSR sites over nearly 3000 km from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Our results revealed a microbial community composed of similar taxa to other rivers but with unique trends in the relative abundance patterns among phyla, OTUs, and the core microbiome. Furthermore, we observed a separation in microbial communities that mirrored the transition from an 8thto 10thStrahler order river at the Missouri River confluence, marking a different start to the lower MSR than the historical distinction at the Ohio River confluence in Cairo, IL. Within MSR microbial assemblages we identified subgroups of OTUs from the phyla Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Oomycetes, and Heterokonts that were associated with, and predictive of, the important eutrophication nutrients nitrate and phosphate. This study offers the most comprehensive view of MSR microbiota to date, provides important groundwork for higher resolution microbial studies of river perturbation, and identifies potential microbial indicators of river health related to eutrophication.