bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factorial structure and construct validity of an Italian version of the Fears of Compassion Scales: A study on non‐clinical subjects
Authors: Dentale Francesco , Petrocchi Nicola , Vecchione Michele , Biagioli Claudia , Gennaro Accursio , Violani Cristiano 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesThis study was aimed at investigating the factorial structure and the construct validity of the Italian translation of the Fears of Compassion (FC) Scales in a non‐clinical sample (i.e., Fear of Compassion From Others [FCFO], Fear of Compassion Towards Others [FCTO] and Fear of Self‐Compassion [FSC]). An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on all the items to investigate the dimensionality of the FC scales. To assess construct validity, correlations between the FC scales and a series of construct‐related measures were analysed.Design/MethodsAfter being translated into Italian using a back‐translation procedure, the questionnaire was administered to a community sample of 298 participants (82 males) with a mean age of 24.31 (SD = 8.75), along with self‐report measures of psychopathological symptoms, attachment style, self‐esteem, satisfaction with life and altruistic behaviour. A behavioural test of altruism was also administered in a subsample of 40 subjects.ResultsThirteen of 38 items did not show adequate psychometric characteristics and thus were removed. The remaining 25 items showed a clear 3‐factor solution which explained 48% of the variance. FC Scales were significantly correlated with all the construct‐related scales administered in the expected direction, with higher effect sizes for FCFO and FSC than FCTO.ConclusionsAlthough 13 items were removed, results confirmed the expected three factor solution for the Italian translation of FC scales, and provided new evidence for their construct validity. In this vein, an interesting pattern of correlations emerged with psychiatric symptoms and prosocial behaviour, indicating that FCFO and FSC are more powerful correlates of psychopathology and altruism with respect to FCTO.Practitioner points

Fears of Compassion Scales have been increasingly used in clinical and research settings.

The reduced Italian version of the FCS developed in this study is a valid and parsimonious instrument.

Fears of receiving compassion from others and from ourselves are more powerful predictors of psychopathological symptoms than fear of giving compassion to others.

Fears of Compassion Scales were correlated with both a self‐report and a behavioural measure of altruism.
Substrate specificity and safener inducibility of the plant UDP‐glucose‐dependent family 1 glycosyltransferase super‐family
Authors: Brazier‐Hicks Melissa , Gershater Markus , Dixon David , Edwards Robert 
Published: June 2017

SummaryPlants contain large numbers of family 1 UDP‐glucose‐dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs), including members that conjugate xenobiotics. Arabidopsis contains 107 UGT genes with 99 family members successfully expressed as glutathione transferase (GST)‐fusion proteins in E. coli. A high‐throughput catalytic screen was developed based on quantification of the fusion by measuring GST activity. UGT activity using UDP‐glucose as donor was then determined using 11 synthetic acceptors bearing hydroxyl, amino and thiol groups that had been shown to undergo conjugation in plant extracts. In total, 44 UGTs, largely members of the D and E groups, were active towards xenobiotics, glucosylating phenol and thiol acceptors. In contrast, N‐glucosyltransferase (NGT) activity was almost exclusively restricted to a single enzyme, UGT72B1. Using DNA microarrays, the induction of UGT transcripts following treatment with the herbicide safener fenclorim was compared in Arabidopsis and rice. D and L group members were the most safener‐inducible UGTs in both species. The respective Arabidopsis enzymes showed low conjugating activity towards xenobiotics. Using Genevestigator, a small group of safened D and L UGTs were consistently induced in response to biotic and abiotic stress suggestive of protective activities beyond xenobiotic detoxification in both species. The induction of other detoxifying gene families following treatment with fenclorim, namely cytochromes P450 and glutathione transferases, further confirmed the selective enhancement of related subfamily members in the two species giving new insight into the safening response in cereals, where herbicide tolerance is enhanced compared with dicots, which are unresponsive to these treatments.
Production of red‐flowered oilseed rape via the ectopic expression of Orychophragmus violaceus OvPAP2
Authors: Fu Wenqin , Chen Daozong , Pan Qi , Li Fengfeng , Zhao Zhigang , Ge Xianhong , Li Zaiyun 
Published: June 2017

SummaryOilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), which has yellow flowers, is both an important oil crop and a traditional tourism resource in China, whereas the Orychophragmus violaceus, which has purple flowers, likely possesses a candidate gene or genes to alter the flower colour of oilseed rape. A previously established B. napus line has a particular pair of O. violaceus chromosomes (M4) and exhibits slightly red petals. In this study, the transcriptomic analysis of M4, B. napus (H3), and O. violaceus with purple petals (OvP) and with white petals (OvW) revealed that most anthocyanin biosynthesis genes were up‐regulated in both M4 and OvP. Read assembly and sequence alignment identified a homolog of AtPAP2 in M4, which produced the O. violaceus transcript (OvPAP2). The overexpression of OvPAP2 via the CaMV35S promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana led to different levels of anthocyanin accumulation in most organs, including the petals. However, the B. napus overexpression plants showed anthocyanin accumulation primarily in the anthers, but not the petals. However, when OvPAP2 was driven by the petal‐specific promoter XY355, the transgenic B. napus plants produced red anthers and red petals. The results of metabolomic experiments showed that specific anthocyanins accumulated to high levels in the red petals. This study illustrates the feasibility of producing red‐flowered oilseed rape, thereby enhancing its ornamental value, via the ectopic expression of the OvPAP2 gene. Moreover, the practical application of this study for insect pest management in the crop is discussed.
Evaluation of thoracic radiographs as a screening test for dogs and cats admitted to a tertiary‐care veterinary hospital for noncardiopulmonary disease
Authors: Keyserling Christine L. , Buriko Yekaterina , Lyons Bridget M. , Drobatz Kenneth J. , Fischetti Anthony J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThoracic radiographs are used as a screening tool for dogs and cats with a variety of disorders that have no clinical signs associated with thoracic structures. However, this practice has never been supported by an evidence‐based study. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to determine if certain canine and feline populations have a higher proportion of radiographic abnormalities, and whether any of these abnormalities are associated with patient hospitalization and outcome. Patients were excluded if current or previous examinations revealed evidence of primary respiratory or cardiac disease, malignant neoplasia, or an abnormal breathing pattern consistent with pulmonary pathology. Any notable thoracic change in the radiology report was considered important and evaluated in this study. One hundred and sixty‐six of these included patients were dogs and 65 were cats. Of the 166 dog radiographs evaluated, 120 (72.3%) had normal thoracic radiographs, while 46 (27.7%) had radiographic abnormalities. Of the sixty‐five cats included, 36 (55.4%) had normal radiographs, while 29 (44.6%) had abnormal radiographs. Canine patients with abnormal radiographs had a significantly higher lactate level (P‐value 0.0348) and feline patients with abnormal radiographs had a significantly lower packed cell volume (P‐value 0.012). A large proportion of patients that had screening thoracic radiographs (32.5%) had documented abnormalities, but a relatively low percentage (6.5%) of our total population had their clinical plan changed as a consequence of detection of these abnormalities. Findings indicated that abnormal screening thoracic radiographs are more likely in dogs with an elevated lactate and cats with anemia, or a low normal hematocrit.
Discovery of Specific Antigens That Can Predict Microfilarial Intensity in
Loa loa
Infection
Authors: Drame Papa M. , Bennuru Sasisekhar , Nutman Thomas B. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Antigen-based immunoassays are currently needed for point-of-care quantification of
Loa loa
microfilariae (mf). Coupling transcriptomic approaches with bioinformatic analysis, we have identified 11 specific putative proteins (coding mRNAs) with potential utility as biomarkers of patent (mf

+

)
L. loa
infection. We successfully developed antigen capture immunoassays to quantify 2 (LOAG_14221 and LOAG_15846) of these proteins in individual plasma/serum samples. Of the 2 quantifiable circulating biomarkers, LOAG_14221 showed the highest degree of specificity, particularly with a monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay. Moreover, the levels of LOAG_14221 in
L. loa
mf

+

patients were positively correlated to the mf densities in the corresponding blood samples (
r
= 0.53 and
P
= 0.008 for polyclonal assay;
r
= 0.54 and
P
= 0.004 for monoclonal assay). Thus, LOAG_14221 is a very promising biomarker that will be exploited in a quantitative point-of-care immunoassay for determination of
L. loa
mf densities.
Rapid Filter-Based Detection and Culture of Burkholderia pseudomallei from Small Volumes of Urine
Authors: Michel Pierre A. , Lascols Christine , Gee Jay E. , Weigel Linda M. , Sue David 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Clinical outcomes of melioidosis patients improve when the infecting agent,
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, is rapidly detected and identified by laboratory testing. Detection of
B. pseudomallei
DNA or recovery of the pathogen by culture from urine can support a diagnosis of melioidosis and guide patient care. Two new methods, designated filter-capture DNA isolation (FCDI) and filter cellular recovery (FCR), were developed to increase the sensitivity of detection and recovery of viable
B. pseudomallei
cells from small volumes (0.45 ml) of urine. DNA from eight strains of
B. pseudomallei
that were spiked into synthetic urine at low concentrations (1 × 10
2
CFU/ml) was detected in FCDI cell lysates using real-time PCR with greater consistency than with preparations from a QIAamp DNA Blood minikit. The FCR method showed greater
B. pseudomallei
detection sensitivity than conventional urine culture methods and resulted in typical colony growth at 24 h from as few as 1 × 10
2
CFU/ml. In addition, the FCR method does not rely on precipitation of a urine pellet by centrifugation and requires a smaller volume of urine. The FCDI and FCR methods described here could improve time-to-results and decrease the number of negative
B. pseudomallei
reports that are currently observed from urine culture as a consequence of samples containing low or variable bacterial cell concentrations.
Ifit2 Is a Restriction Factor in Rabies Virus Pathogenicity
Authors: Davis Benjamin M. , Fensterl Volker , Lawrence Tessa M. , Hudacek Andrew W. , Sen Ganes C. , Schnell Matthias J. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Understanding the interactions between rabies virus (RABV) and individual host cell proteins is critical for the development of targeted therapies. Here we report that interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (Ifit2), an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) with possible RNA-binding capacity, is an important restriction factor for rabies virus. When Ifit2 was depleted, RABV grew more quickly in mouse neuroblastoma cells
in vitro
. This effect was replicated
in vivo
, where Ifit2 knockout mice displayed a dramatically more severe disease phenotype than wild-type mice after intranasal inoculation of RABV. This increase in pathogenicity correlated to an increase in RABV mRNA and live viral load in the brain, as well as to an accelerated spread to brain regions normally affected by this RABV model. These results suggest that Ifit2 exerts its antiviral effect mainly at the level of viral replication, as opposed to functioning as a mechanism that restricts viral entry/egress or transports RABV particles through axons.

IMPORTANCE
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease with a nearly 100% case fatality rate. Although there are effective vaccines for rabies, this disease still takes the lives of about 50,000 people each year. Victims tend to be children living in regions without comprehensive medical infrastructure who present to health care workers too late for postexposure prophylaxis. The protein discussed in our report, Ifit2, is found to be an important restriction factor for rabies virus, acting directly or indirectly against viral replication. A more nuanced understanding of this interaction may reveal a step of a pathway or site at which the system could be exploited for the development of a targeted therapy.
Integration of sexually transmitted infection (STI) services into HIV care and treatment services for women living with HIV: a systematic review
Authors: Kennedy Caitlin E , Haberlen Sabina A , Narasimhan Manjulaa 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveTo review and critically appraise the existing evidence on integration of sexually transmitted infection (STI) services into HIV care and treatment services for women living with HIV.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesFour electronic databases were searched through 16February 2017 using keywords for HIV, STIs and integration. Reference lists of included articles and other reviews were also screened.Review methodsWe included studies that compared women living with HIV who received STI services integrated into HIV care and treatment services with those who received HIV care and treatment services without integrated STI services or standard of care.ResultsOf 170 articles identified, 3 studies reported in 4 articles were included. Two studies evaluated comprehensive care for people living with HIV in the UK; in both cases, quality and uptake of STI services seemed to improve following integration. The third study conducted a comparative case study across different models of care in Swaziland: two clinics integrated with sexual and reproductive health services (including STI services), and two stand-alone HIV clinics (without STI services). Coverage for Pap smears among women living with HIV was higher at the fully integrated site, but there was no significant difference in the prevalence of sexual health screening or advice on sexual health. Reported client satisfaction was generally higher at the stand-alone HIV clinic, and a diverse range of factors related to implementation of different care models challenged the notion that integrated services are always superior or desired.ConclusionWhile there is a limited evidence base for integrating STI services into HIV care and treatment services, existing studies indicate that integration is feasible and has the potential for positive outcomes. However, diverse population needs and health system factors must be considered when designing models of care to provide STI services to women living with HIV.
Pregnancy-specific stress, fetoplacental haemodynamics, and neonatal outcomes in women with small for gestational age pregnancies: a secondary analysis of the multicentre Prospective Observational Trial to Optimise Paediatric Health in Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Authors: Levine Terri A , Grunau Ruth E , Segurado Ricardo , Daly Sean , Geary Michael P , Kennelly Mairead M , O’Donoghue Keelin , Hunter Alyson , Morrison John J , Burke Gerard , Dicker Patrick , Tully Elizabeth C , Malone Fergal D , Alderdice Fiona A , McAuliffe Fionnuala M 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo examine associations between maternal pregnancy-specific stress and umbilical (UA PI) and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices (MCA PI), cerebroplacental ratio, absent end diastolic flow (AEDF), birthweight, prematurity, neonatal intensive care unit admission and adverse obstetric outcomes in women with small for gestational age pregnancies. It was hypothesised that maternal pregnancy-specific stress would be associated with fetoplacental haemodynamics and neonatal outcomes.DesignThis is a secondary analysis of data collected for a large-scale prospective observational study.SettingThis study was conducted in the seven major obstetric hospitals in Ireland and Northern Ireland.ParticipantsParticipants included 331 women who participated in the Prospective Observational Trial to Optimise Paediatric Health in Intrauterine Growth Restriction. Women with singleton pregnancies between 24 and 36 weeks gestation, estimated fetal weight <10th percentile and no major structural or chromosomal abnormalities were included.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSerial Doppler ultrasound examinations of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries between 20 and 42 weeks gestation, Pregnancy Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) scores between 23 and 40 weeks gestation and neonatal outcomes.ResultsConcerns about physical symptoms and body image at 35–40 weeks were associated with lower odds of abnormal UAPI (OR 0.826, 95% CI 0.696 to 0.979, p=0.028). PDQ score (OR 1.073, 95% CI 1.012 to 1.137, p=0.017), concerns about birth and the baby (OR 1.143, 95% CI 1.037 to 1.260, p=0.007) and concerns about physical symptoms and body image (OR 1.283, 95% CI 1.070 to 1.538, p=0.007) at 29–34 weeks were associated with higher odds of abnormal MCA PI. Concerns about birth and the baby at 29–34 weeks (OR 1.202, 95% CI 1.018 to 1.421, p=0.030) were associated with higher odds of AEDF. Concerns about physical symptoms and body image at 35–40 weeks were associated with decreased odds of neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR 0.635, 95% CI 0.435 to 0.927, p=0.019).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that fetoplacental haemodynamics may be a mechanistic link between maternal prenatal stress and fetal and neonatal well-being, but additional research is required.
U–Pb zircon geochronology of Cretaceous arc magmatism in eastern Chukotka, NE Russia, with implications for Pacific plate subduction and the opening of the Amerasia Basin
Authors: Pease Victoria , Miller Elizabeth , Wyld Sandra J. , Sokolov Sergey , Akinin Viacheslav , Wright James E. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

The tectonomagmatic evolution of eastern Chukotka, NE Russia, is important for refining the onset of Pacific plate subduction, understanding the development of the Amerasia Basin, and constraining Arctic tectonic reconstructions. Field mapping and strategic sample collection provide relative age constraints on subduction-related continental arc magmatism in eastern Chukotka. Ion microprobe U–Pb zircon ages provide absolute constraints and identify five magmatic episodes (
c.
134, 122, 105, 94 and 85 Ma) separated by three periods of uplift and erosion (
c.
122–105, 94–85 and post-85 Ma). Volcanic rocks in the region are less contaminated than their plutonic equivalents which record greater crustal assimilation. These data, combined with xenocrystic zircons, reflect the self-assimilation of a continental arc during its evolution. Proto-Pacific subduction initiated by
c.
121 Ma and arc development occurred over
c.
35–50 myr. Crustal growth was simultaneous with regional exhumation and crustal thinning across the Bering Strait region. Ocean–continent subduction in eastern Chukotka ended at
c.
85 Ma. The timing of events in the region is roughly synchronous with the inferred opening of the Amerasia Basin. Simultaneous arc magmatism, extension and development of the Amerasia Basin within a back-arc basin setting best explain these coeval tectonic events.
Effects of direct oral anticoagulants on lupus anticoagulant assays in a real-life setting
Authors: Antovic Aleksandra , Norberg Eva-Marie , Berndtsson Maria , Rasmuson Agnes , Malmström Rickard E. , Skeppholm Mika , Antovic Jovan 
Published: June 2017

SummaryLaboratory diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant (LA) is based on prolongation in at least one coagulation assay (diluted Russell’s viper venom time – dRVVT or activated partial thromboplastin time – aPTT), which normalises after addition of phospholipids. Both assays may be influenced by anticoagulants and therefore LA should not be tested during warfarin or heparin treatment. It has been shown (primarily in vitro) that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs – dabigatran [DAB], rivaroxaban [RIV] and apixaban [API]) may also influence LA testing. We tested the effects of DOACs on assays routinely used for the diagnosis of LA in patients treated with these drugs in a real-life setting. Plasma from patients with atrial fibrillation treated with DAB (n=30), RIV (n=20) and API (n=17) and not known to have LA were tested using dRVVT (LA-screen and LA-confirm, Life Diagnostics) and aPTT (PTT-LA, Diagnostica Stago and aPTT Actin FS, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) assays. According to the diagnostics algorithm, dRVVT and aPTT ratios of <1.2 were considered negative, ratios of >1.4 positive, while if the ratios were 1.2–1.4 LA could not be ruled out. Plasma concentrations varied between 8–172 µg/l for DAB, 8–437 µg/l for RIV and 36–178 µg/l for API. LA diagnosis was negative in only eight (27 %) plasma samples from patients treated with DAB, and in five (25 %) and four samples (24 %) from patients treated with RIV and API, respectively. LA Positivity (dRVVT and aPTT ratios >1.4) was found in 5 cases (17 %) among patients treated with DAB, in 10 cases (50 %) treated with RIV and in 7 cases (41 %) treated with API. A concentration-dependent effect of DOACs on dRVVT-based parameters was observed, particularly as regards DAB. At lower concentrations, RIV and API had only minor effects on the confirmatory tests (below 100 µg/l and 70 µg/l, respectively). Our results suggest that a risk of overestimation of LA detection is present in samples from patients treated with DOACs. Therefore, LA testing should not be performed during treatment with DOACs. Prolongation in confirmatory assays may be helpful for the recognition of false positivity, especially as regards DAB.