bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Validation of a General Health Quality of Life Tool for Cats Used to Compare Healthy Cats and Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Bijsmans E.S. , Jepson R.E. , Syme H.M. , Elliott J. , Niessen S.J.M. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundNumerous validated psychometric tools are available to assess impact of disease on a human's quality of life (QoL). To date, no psychometrically validated general health‐related QoL tool exists for cats.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo develop and validate a tool for assessment of owner‐perceived QoL in cats (CatQoL) and to use this tool to compare QoL between healthy cats and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Animals/SubjectsTotal of 204 owners of young healthy cats (YH, n = 99; <9 years), older healthy cats (OH, n = 35), and cats diagnosed with CKD (CKD, n = 70) completed the CatQoL.MethodsDiscussions with a focus group and 2 pilot surveys informed design of 16 QoL questions grouped into 4 domains. Each item scored according to frequency and importance, and item‐weighted‐impact‐scores were calculated. The validity of the tool was assessed using principal components analysis and Cronbach's α. The average item‐weighted‐impact‐score (AWIS) was compared among groups and domains.ResultsSixteen‐item CatQoL showed good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α, 0.77) and unidimensionality with significant loadings (0.2–0.7) and communalities (>0.3). Young healthy cats had significantly higher AWIS (median [IQR], 1.25 [0.63, 1.88]) than OH (0.56 [−0.06, 1.00]) and CKD cats (−0.06 [−0.81, 0.88]), P < .001). CKD cats had significantly lower AWIS for eating domain (YH: 2.00 [1.00, 3.00]; OH: 2.00 [0.67, 3.00]; CKD : 1.00 [0.00, 2.67]) when compared with the YH group and OH group, and all groups differed significantly in their management domain (YH: −0.50 [−1.00, 0.00]; OH: −1.00 [−1.88, −0.50]; CKD : −1.50 [−2.50, −1.00], P < .001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe CatQoL was validated for use in cats, and can be used as additional assessment parameter in clinical and research settings.
Treatment of Disseminated Aspergillosis with Posaconazole in 10 Dogs
Authors: Corrigan V.K. , Legendre A.M. , Wheat L.J. , Mullis R. , Johnson B. , Bemis D.A. , Cepero L. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundFew effective treatments for disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs are available. Posaconazole has potent and broad‐spectrum activity against Aspergillus spp., but its use has not yet been sufficiently evaluated in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of posaconazole for the treatment of naturally occurring disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs.AnimalsTen client‐owned dogs with disseminated aspergillosis.MethodsProspective, nonrandomized, noncontrolled study with posaconazole administered to dogs at dosage of 5 mg/kg PO q12h. The primary veterinarian or the veterinary specialist caring for the dogs provided patient data.ResultsThe treatment response for dogs with disseminated disease while receiving posaconazole was defined as clinical remission (n = 4) and clinical improvement (n = 6). There was a high rate of relapse during treatment or after cessation of treatment in both groups, and most dogs died or were euthanized due to progressive disease. Excluding 1 dog concurrently treated with terbinafine that remains alive 5 years after diagnosis, the mean survival time for dogs was 241 days (range 44–516 days). Three other dogs lived >1 year after starting treatment. No clinically relevant adverse events or increases in serum liver enzyme activity occurred during treatment with posaconazole.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePosaconazole appears to be safe and well‐tolerated for treatment of disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs. Long‐term survival >1 year is possible with prolonged treatment, but relapse is common.
Epiphyte assemblages of the Mediterranean seagrassPosidonia oceanica: an overview
Authors: Piazzi Luigi , Balata David , Ceccherelli Giulia 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis paper reviews the main studies dealing with epiphytes of both leaves and rhizomes ofPosidonia oceanica, the main seagrass found in the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 660 epiphyte species has been recorded, including 430 on leaves and 437 on rhizomes. Of these, 205 are Rhodophyta, 59 Ochrophyta, 43 Chlorophyta, 78 Porifera, 82 Cnidaria, 19 Annelida, 155 Bryozoa and 19 Tunicata. The epiphyte assemblages demonstrate a gradient of dissimilarity from west to east, with the eastern area being the most unlike the others. The differences can be attributed mostly to rare species that differ amongst the Mediterranean regions. Many of the dominant taxa have been found in all meadows studied. Data concerning species composition, abundance, and patterns of spatial and temporal variability are summarized, and biotic and abiotic factors controlling the structure of assemblages are discussed. Responses of epiphyte assemblages to anthropogenic stressors, such as nutrient enrichment and biological invasions, are discussed in relation to the use of epiphytes as ecological indicators.
Diversity patterns of free‐living marine nematodes in the southwest continental shelf off Bay of Bengal and their link to abiotic variables
Authors: Ansari Kapuli Gani Mohamed Thameemul , Lyla Somasundharanair , Ajmal Khan Syed , Bhadury Punyasloke 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMarine sediments in continental shelf ecosystems harbor a rich biodiversity of benthic communities. In this study, the spatial and temporal diversity and community assemblages of free‐living marine nematodes were studied by sampling at six depths and over 3 years from the southwest continental shelf off Bay of Bengal, one of the least explored tropical shelf ecosystems. The dominant marine nematode species were related with abiotic variables as part of this study. The effects of sediment granulometry generally decreased with increasing depth and the highest nematode density and species diversity were recorded on coarse sand (shallower depths). Multivariate analysis of the nematode community data showed that community structure differed significantly among depths as well as among years. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between the nematode community and abiotic variables. Sediment texture, organic matter, water pressure and depth profile were crucial factors for determining diversity, vertical profile and feeding types of the nematode community. Other environmental factors, including anthropogenic pressure, did not have an effect on nematode diversity except for the presence of some tolerant species (Metachromadora spp., Sabatieria spp. and Siplophorella sp.). This study represents a baseline of knowledge of free‐living marine nematode communities that can be used in the future to compare nematode assemblages from temperate shelf ecosystems.
Association of HLA‐DR/DQ alleles and haplotypes with nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Ramanathan Aravind Selvin Kumar , Senguttuvan Prabha , Chinniah Rathika , Vijayan Murali , Thirunavukkarasu Manikandan , Raju Kamaraj , Mani Dhivakar , Ravi Padma Malini , Rajendran Padmaraj , Krishnan Jeyaram Illiayaraja , Karuppiah Balakrishnan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundNephrotic syndrome (NS) is a debilitating renal problem in children resulting from an interaction between environmental and genetic factors including human leukocyte antigen genes (HLA). The aim of this work was to study the probable link between HLA alleles/haplotypes and NS in south India.MethodsHLA DRB1*/DQB1* alleles were genotyped in 183 NS (76 steroid sensitive‐SSNS; 107 steroid resistant‐SRNS) and paediatric healthy controls (PHCs; n = 91) using polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific primers (PCR‐SSP). HLA‐A/‐B genotyping was performed for patients (n = 70) positive for DRB1*07‐DQB1*02 haplotype to identify four locus extended haplotype.ResultsThe following alleles and haplotypes were strongly associated with NS (P < 0.05 as significant): DRB1*07 (SSNS, P < 7.98 × 10‐6; SRNS, P < 0.008), DQB1*02 (SSNS, P < 3.99 × 10‐6; SRNS, P < 0.002), DRB1*07‐DQB1*02 (SSNS, P < 1.32 × 10‐4; SRNS, P < 0.010), DRB1*07‐DQB1*0301,0304 (DQ7) (SSNS, P < 0.001) and DRB1*03‐DQB1*02 (SRNS, P < 0.048). Protective associations were observed for alleles DRB1*10 (SRNS, P < 0.013), DQB1*05 (SSNS, P < 4.34 × 10‐6; SRNS, P < 0.01), DQB1*06 (SSNS, P < 0.003), and haplotypes DRB1*10‐DQB1*06 (SSNS, P < 0.046; SRNS, P < 0.032) and DRB1*15‐DQB1*05 (SSNS, P < 0.018). HLA‐A/‐B typing of 70 NS cases with two locus haplotype DRB1*07‐DQB1*02 (70/183; 38.25%) revealed the presence of an extended haplotype ‘A*03‐B*07‐DRB1*07‐DQB1*02’ (n = 35; 50%).ConclusionOur study revealed strong susceptible association of DRB1*07 with SRNS and DQB1*02 with SSNS. A gender predominant protective association was observed for DRB1*10 with SRNS females; DQB1*05 with SSNS and SRNS males. Further, the study documented the presence of an extended haplotype and pleiotropic action of DRB1*/DQB1* alleles in immune‐mediated aetiology of NS in south India.
A quality improvement project to reduce the intraoperative use of single‐dose fentanyl vials across multiple patients in a pediatric institution
Authors: Buck David , Subramanyam Rajeev , Varughese Anna 
Published: November 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe use of a single‐dose vial across multiple patients presents a risk to sterility and is against CDC guidelines. We initiated a quality improvement (QI) project to reduce the intraoperative use of single‐dose vials of fentanyl across multiple patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).MethodsThe initial step of the improvement project was the development of a Key Driver Diagram. The diagram has the SMART aim of the project, key drivers inherent to the process we are trying to improve, and specific interventions targeting the key drivers. The number of patients each week receiving an IV dose of fentanyl, from a vial previously accessed for another patient was tracked in a high turnover operating room (OR). The improvement model used was based on the concept of building Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles. Tests of change included provider education, provision of an increased number of fentanyl vials, alternate wasting processes, and provision of single‐use fentanyl syringes by the pharmacy.ResultsPrior to initiation of this project, it was common for a single fentanyl vial to be accessed for multiple patients. Our data showed an average percentage of failures of just over 50%. During the end of the project, after 7 months, the mean percentage failures had dropped to 5%. Preparation of 20 mcg single‐use fentanyl syringes by pharmacy, combined with education of providers on appropriate use, was successful in reducing failures to below our goal of 25%.ConclusionsAppropriately sized fentanyl syringes prepared by pharmacy, education on correct use of single‐dose vials, and reminders in the OR, reduced the percentage of patients receiving a dose of fentanyl from a vial previously accessed for another patient in a high‐volume otolaryngology room.
Supplementation of Slow‐Release Melatonin Improves Recovery of Ovarian Cyclicity and Conception in Summer Anoestrous Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Kumar A , Mehrotra S , Singh G , Maurya VP , Narayanan K , Mahla AS , Chaudhari RK , Singh M , Soni YK , Kumawat BL , Dabas SK , Srivastava N 
Published: November 2015

ContentsThe role of melatonin as a protective neurohormone against restoring cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals in photoperiod species has gained wider acceptance. This study was designed to uncover the evidence the slow‐release melatonin (MLT) has on initiation of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate (CR) in summer anoestrous buffaloes. Thus, buffaloes diagnosed as summer anoestrous (absence of overt signs of oestrus, concurrent rectal examination and radioimmunoassay for serum progesterone at 10 days interval) were grouped as untreated (Group I, sterilized corn oil, n = 8) and treated (Group II, single subcutaneous injection of MLT @18 mg/50 kg bwt in sterilized corn oil, n = 20). Animals treated and detected in oestrus were artificially inseminated (AI) followed by division into Group III (second dose of MLT on 5th day post‐AI, n = 8) and Group IV (no melatonin administration, n = 10). Blood samples were collected at 4 days interval for estimation of serum MLT, progesterone and oestrogen using radioimmunoassay kit. Mean oestrous induction rate (OIR), oestrous induction interval (OII), interoestrous interval (IOI) and CR were estimated. Compared to control, concentration of melatonin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treated group ranging from 14.34 ± 1.72 to 412.31 ± 14.47 pg/ml whereas other two hormones did not show any concentration difference. Melatonin‐administered buffaloes showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher (90%) OIR with OII of 18.06 ± 1.57 days. Results showed improvement in conception rate in buffaloes administered with post‐insemination melatonin. It can be concluded from the study that slow‐release melatonin supplementation restored cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals resulting in improvement in conception rate in buffaloes.
Elastic wave induced by friction as a signature of human skin ageing and gender effect
Authors: Djaghloul M. , Morizot F. , Zahouani H. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundIn this work, we propose an innovative approach based on a rotary tribometer coupled with laser velocimetry for measuring the elastic wave propagation on the skin.MethodsThe method is based on a dynamic contact with the control of the normal force (Fn), the contact length and speed. During the test a quantification of the friction force is produced.The elastic wave generated by friction is measured at the surface of the skin 35 mm from the source of friction exciter. In order to quantify the spectral range and the energy property of the wave generated, we have used laser velocimetry whose spot laser diameter is 120 μm, which samples the elastic wave propagation at a frequency which may reach 100 kHz. In this configuration, the speaker is the friction exciter and the listener the laser velocimetry. In order to perform non‐invasive friction tests, the normal stress has been set to 0.3 N and the rotary velocity to 3 revolutions per second, which involves a sliding velocity of 63 mm/s.Results and ConclusionsThis newly developed innovative tribometer has been used for the analysis of the elastic wave propagation induced by friction on human skin during chronological ageing and gender effect. Measurements in vivo have been made on 60 healthy men and women volunteers, aged from 25 to 70. The results concerning the energy of the elastic wave signature induced by friction show a clear difference between the younger and older groups in the range of a low band of frequencies (0–200 Hz). The gender effect was marked by a 20% decrease in the energy of elastic wave propagation in the female group.
Acylated monogalactosyl diacylglycerol: prevalence in the plant kingdom and identification of an enzyme catalyzing galactolipid head group acylation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nilsson Anders K. , Johansson Oskar N. , Fahlberg Per , Kommuri Murali , Töpel Mats , Bodin Lovisa J. , Sikora Per , Modarres Masoomeh , Ekengren Sophia , Nguyen Chi T. , Farmer Edward E. , Olsson Olof , Ellerström Mats , Andersson Mats X. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe lipid phase of the thylakoid membrane is mainly composed of the galactolipids mono‐ and digalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG, respectively). It has been known since the late 1960s that MGDG can be acylated with a third fatty acid to the galactose head group (acyl‐MGDG) in plant leaf homogenates. In certain brassicaceous plants like Arabidopsis thaliana, the acyl‐MGDG frequently incorporates oxidized fatty acids in the form of the jasmonic acid precursor 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid (OPDA). In the present study we further investigated the distribution of acylated and OPDA‐containing galactolipids in the plant kingdom. While acyl‐MGDG was found to be ubiquitous in green tissue of plants ranging from non‐vascular plants to angiosperms, OPDA‐containing galactolipids were only present in plants from a few genera. A candidate protein responsible for the acyl transfer was identified in Avena sativa (oat) leaf tissue using biochemical fractionation and proteomics. Knockout of the orthologous gene in A. thaliana resulted in an almost total elimination of the ability to form both non‐oxidized and OPDA‐containing acyl‐MGDG. In addition, heterologous expression of the A. thaliana gene in E. coli demonstrated that the protein catalyzed acylation of MGDG. We thus demonstrate that a phylogenetically conserved enzyme is responsible for the accumulation of acyl‐MGDG in A. thaliana. The activity of this enzyme in vivo is strongly enhanced by freezing damage and the hypersensitive response.
Pectin and Xyloglucan Influence the Attachment of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes to Bacterial Cellulose-Derived Plant Cell Wall Models
Authors: Tan Michelle S. F. , Rahman Sadequr , Dykes Gary A. 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

Minimally processed fresh produce has been implicated as a major source of foodborne microbial pathogens globally. These pathogens must attach to the produce in order to be transmitted. Cut surfaces of produce that expose cell walls are particularly vulnerable. Little is known about the roles that different structural components (cellulose, pectin, and xyloglucan) of plant cell walls play in the attachment of foodborne bacterial pathogens. Using bacterial cellulose-derived plant cell wall models, we showed that the presence of pectin alone or xyloglucan alone affected the attachment of three
Salmonella enterica
strains (
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Enteritidis ATCC 13076,
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
indica
M4) and
Listeria monocytogenes
ATCC 7644. In addition, we showed that this effect was modulated in the presence of both polysaccharides. Assays using pairwise combinations of
S.
Typhimurium ATCC 14028 and
L. monocytogenes
ATCC 7644 showed that bacterial attachment to all plant cell wall models was dependent on the characteristics of the individual bacterial strains and was not directly proportional to the initial concentration of the bacterial inoculum. This work showed that bacterial attachment was not determined directly by the plant cell wall model or bacterial physicochemical properties. We suggest that attachment of the
Salmonella
strains may be influenced by the effects of these polysaccharides on physical and structural properties of the plant cell wall model. Our findings improve the understanding of how
Salmonella enterica
and
Listeria monocytogenes
attach to plant cell walls, which may facilitate the development of better ways to prevent the attachment of these pathogens to such surfaces.
Identification of Putative Coffee Rust Mycoparasites via Single-Molecule DNA Sequencing of Infected Pustules
Authors: James Timothy Y. , Marino John A. , Perfecto Ivette , Vandermeer John 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTThe interaction of crop pests with their natural enemies is a fundament to their control. Natural enemies of fungal pathogens of crops are poorly known relative to those of insect pests, despite the diversity of fungal pathogens and their economic importance. Currently, many regions across Latin America are experiencing unprecedented epidemics of coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix). Identification of natural enemies of coffee rust could aid in developing management strategies or in pinpointing species that could be used for biocontrol. In the present study, we characterized fungal communities associated with coffee rust lesions by single-molecule DNA sequencing of fungal rRNA gene bar codes from leaf discs (≈28 mm2) containing rust lesions and control discs with no rust lesions. The leaf disc communities were hyperdiverse in terms of fungi, with up to 69 operational taxonomic units (putative species) per control disc, and the diversity was only slightly reduced in rust-infected discs, with up to 63 putative species. However, geography had a greater influence on the fungal community than whether the disc was infected by coffee rust. Through comparisons between control and rust-infected leaf discs, as well as taxonomic criteria, we identified 15 putative mycoparasitic fungi. These fungi are concentrated in the fungal family Cordycipitaceae and the order Tremellales. These data emphasize the complexity of diverse fungi of unknown ecological function within a leaf that might influence plant disease epidemics or lead to the development of species for biocontrol of fungal disease.
Microbial Mat Communities along an Oxygen Gradient in a Perennially Ice-Covered Antarctic Lake
Authors: Jungblut Anne D. , Hawes Ian , Mackey Tyler J. , Krusor Megan , Doran Peter T. , Sumner Dawn Y. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Hillman Colin , Goroncy Alexander K. 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

Lake Fryxell is a perennially ice-covered lake in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, with a sharp oxycline in a water column that is density stabilized by a gradient in salt concentration. Dissolved oxygen falls from 20 mg liter
−1
to undetectable over one vertical meter from 8.9- to 9.9-m depth. We provide the first description of the benthic mat community that falls within this oxygen gradient on the sloping floor of the lake, using a combination of micro- and macroscopic morphological descriptions, pigment analysis, and 16S rRNA gene bacterial community analysis. Our work focused on three macroscopic mat morphologies that were associated with different parts of the oxygen gradient: (i) “cuspate pinnacles” in the upper hyperoxic zone, which displayed complex topography and were dominated by phycoerythrin-rich cyanobacteria attributable to the genus
Leptolyngbya
and a diverse but sparse assemblage of pennate diatoms; (ii) a less topographically complex “ridge-pit” mat located immediately above the oxic-anoxic transition containing
Leptolyngbya
and an increasing abundance of diatoms; and (iii) flat prostrate mats in the upper anoxic zone, dominated by a green cyanobacterium phylogenetically identified as
Phormidium pseudopriestleyi
and a single diatom,
Diadesmis contenta
. Zonation of bacteria was by lake depth and by depth into individual mats. Deeper mats had higher abundances of bacteriochlorophylls and anoxygenic phototrophs, including
Chlorobi
and
Chloroflexi
. This suggests that microbial communities form assemblages specific to niche-like locations. Mat morphologies, underpinned by cyanobacterial and diatom composition, are the result of local habitat conditions likely defined by irradiance and oxygen and sulfide concentrations.