bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of motion of colonic contents in the human colon using MRI tagging
Authors: Pritchard S. E. , Paul J. , Major G. , Marciani L. , Gowland P. A. , Spiller R. C. , Hoad C. L. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe have previously reported a non‐invasive, semi‐automated technique to assess motility of the wall of the ascending colon (AC) using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This study investigated the feasibility of using a tagged MRI technique to visualize and assess the degree of flow within the human ascending colon in healthy subjects and those suffering from constipation.MethodsAn open‐labeled study of 11 subjects with constipation and 11 subjects without bowel disorders was performed. MRI scans were acquired fasted, then 60 and 120 minutes after ingestion of a 500 mL macrogol preparation. The amount of free fluid in the small and large bowel was assessed using a heavily T2‐weighted MRI sequence. The internal movement of the contents of the AC was visualized using a cine tagged MRI sequence and assessed by a novel analysis technique. Comparisons were made between fasting and postprandial scans within individuals, and between the constipation and control groups.Key ResultsMacrogol significantly increased the mobile, MR visible water content of the ascending colon at 60 minutes postingestion compared to fasted data (controls P=.001, constipated group P=.0039). The contents of the AC showed increased motion in healthy subjects but not in the constipated group with significant differences between groups at 60 minutes (P<.002) and 120 minutes (P<.003).Conclusions and inferencesThis study successfully demonstrated the use of a novel MRI tagging technique to visualize and assess the motion of ascending colon contents following a 500 mL macrogol challenge. Significant differences were demonstrated between healthy and constipated subjects.
PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS mediate metabolic control of the circadian system in Arabidopsis
Authors: Shor Ekaterina , Paik Inyup , Kangisser Shlomit , Green Rachel , Huq Enamul 
Published: April 2017

Summary

The circadian (c. 24 h) system has a central role in regulating the timing and coordination of photosynthesis, and in turn photosynthesis and photosynthetic products which are controlled by the circadian clock feedback to affect the circadian oscillator that generates rhythms. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) by which this feedback occurs. One group of likely candidates for signal transduction to the circadian clock are the PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR (PIF) family of transcription factors which have been shown to be involved in numerous signaling pathways in Arabidopsis. Yet despite evidence that some PIF genes are under circadian control and bind promoter motifs present in circadian genes, until now PIFs have not been shown to affect the circadian system.

Using a range of techniques, we have examined how circadian rhythms are affected in higher order pif mutants and the mechanisms by which PIFs regulate signaling to the circadian clock.

We show that PIFs mediate metabolic signals to the circadian oscillator and that sucrose directly affects PIF binding to the promoters of key circadian oscillator genes in vivo that may entrain the oscillator.

Our results provide a basis for understanding the mechanism for metabolic signaling to the circadian system in Arabidopsis.
Method of locating the visual axis objectively
Authors: Molebny Vasyl 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurposeTo locate the visual axis of the eye objectively.MethodBased on three‐beam scanning laser radar microprofilometry, a technique is proposed to objectively locate the visual axis of the eye. The laser beam consists of three components, two of them being shifted relatively to the central one by differing frequencies, filtered in spatially orthogonal directions. The centre of the foveola is defined as the crossing of steepest inclinations determined in the specific beam positions on the trajectory of scanning. The position of the cornea crossing by the visual axis is designated by the optical axis of the measuring instrument.ResultsNanometer sensitivity was confirmed in a preliminary test.ConclusionsThe proposed technique can be incorporated into any clinical wavefront sensing instrument and can be used for centration‐sensitive vision correction, as well as for other instances when knowing the exact position of the fovea is important.
Using perimetric data to estimate ganglion cell loss for detecting progression of glaucoma: a comparison of models
Authors: Price Derek A. , Swanson William H. , Horner Douglas G. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurposeModels relating perimetric sensitivities to ganglion cell numbers have been proposed for combining structural and functional measures from patients with glaucoma. Here we compared seven models for ability to differentiate progressing and stable patients, testing the hypothesis that the model incorporating local spatial scale would have the best performance.MethodsThe models were compared for the United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study (UKGTS) data for the right eyes of 489 patients recently diagnosed with glaucoma. The SITA 24‐2 program was utilised for perimetry and Stratus OCT fast scanning protocol for thickness of circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). The first analysis defined progression in terms of decline in RNFL thickness. The highest and lowest quintiles (22 subjects per group) were identified for change in thickness of inferior temporal (IT), superior temporal (ST), and global RNFL (μm year−1); a two‐way anova was used to look for differences between the models in ability to discriminate the two quintiles. The second analysis defined a ‘progression group’ as those who were flagged by the UKGTS criteria as having progressive loss in perimetric sensitivity, and a ‘no progression’ group as those with rate of change in Mean Deviation (MD) closest to 0 dB year−1 (87 subjects per group). The third analysis characterised variability of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) models for the two groups in the second analysis, using the standard deviation of residuals from linear regression of ganglion cell number over time to compute Coefficient of Variation (CoV).ResultsThe first analysis produced a negative result because the three anovas found no effect of model or interaction of model and group (F6,294 < 3.1, p > 0.08). There was an effect of group only for the anova with the ST sector (F6,294 = 12.2, p < 0.001). The second analysis also produced a negative result, because ROC areas were in the range 0.69–0.72 for all models. The third analysis found that even when variability in MD was low, the CoV was so large that test‐retest variation could include 100% loss of ganglion cells.ConclusionsTwo very different approaches for testing the hypothesis both gave a negative result. For all seven ganglion cell models, rates of ganglion cell loss were highly affected by fluctuations in height of the hill of vision. Methods for reducing effects of between‐visit variability are needed in order to assess progression by relating perimetric sensitivities and ganglion cell numbers.
The small ubiquitin‐like modifier E3 ligase MdSIZ1 promotes anthocyanin accumulation by sumoylating MdMYB1 under low‐temperature conditions in apple
Authors: Zhou Li‐Jie , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Rui‐Fen , Zhang Chun‐Ling , Xie Xing‐Bin , Zhao Cheng , Hao Yu‐Jin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMdMYB1 acts as a crucial component of the MYB‐bHLH‐WD40 complex to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in red‐skinned apples (Malus domestica), but little is known about its post‐translational regulation. Here, a small ubiquitin‐like modifier E3 ligase MdSIZ1 was screened out as an MdMYB1‐interacting protein with a yeast two‐hybridization approach. The interaction between MdSIZ1 and MdMYB1 was further verified with pull‐down and CoIP assays. Furthermore, it was found that MdSIZ1 directly sumoylated MdMYB1 proteins in vivo and in vitro, especially under moderately low temperature (17 °C) conditions, and that this sumoylation was required for MdMYB1 protein stability. Moreover, the transcription level of MdSIZ1 gene was remarkably induced by low temperature and phosphorus deficiency, and MdSIZ1 overexpression exerted a large positive influence on anthocyanin accumulation and red fruit coloration, suggesting its important role in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis under stress conditions. Our findings reveal an important role for a small ubiquitin‐like modifier modification of MYB transcription factors in regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for rapid detection of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot of brassicas)
Authors: King K. M. , Krivova V. , Canning G. G. M. , Hawkins N. J. , Kaczmarek A. M. , Perryman S. A. M. , Dyer P. S. , Fraaije B. A. , West J. S. 
Published: April 2017

Pyrenopeziza brassicae (anamorph Cylindrosporium concentricum) is an ascomycete fungus that causes light leaf spot (LLS) disease of brassicas. It has recently become the most important pathogen of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) crops in the UK. The pathogen is spread by both asexual splash‐dispersed conidia and sexual wind‐dispersed ascospores. Such inoculum can be detected with existing qualitative and quantitative PCR diagnostics, but these require time‐consuming laboratory‐based processing. This study describes two loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays, targeting internal transcribed spacer (ITS) or β‐tubulin DNA sequences, for fast and specific detection of P. brassicae isolates from a broad geographical range (throughout Europe and Oceania) and multiple brassica host species (B. napus, B. oleracea and B. rapa). Neither assay detected closely related Oculimacula or Rhynchosporium isolates, or other commonly occurring oilseed rape fungal pathogens. Both LAMP assays could consistently detect DNA amounts equivalent to 100 P. brassicae conidia per sample within 30 minutes, although the β‐tubulin assay was more rapid. Reproducible standard curves were obtained using a P. brassicae DNA dilution series (100 ng–10 pg), enabling quantitative estimation of amounts of pathogen DNA in environmental samples. In planta application of the β‐tubulin sequence‐based LAMP assay to individual oilseed rape leaves collected from the field found no statistically significant difference in the amount of pathogen DNA present in parts of leaves either with or without visible LLS symptoms. The P. brassicae LAMP assays described here could have multiple applications, including detection of symptomless host infection and automated real‐time monitoring of pathogen inoculum.
Naturalist Political Realism and the First Political Question
Authors: Cross Ben 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMany political realists reject the idea that the first task for political philosophy is to justify the existence of coercive political institutions (CPIs). Instead, they say, we should begin with the factual existence of CPIs, and ask how they ought to be structured. In holding this view, they adopt a form of political naturalism that is broadly Aristotelian in character. In this article, I distinguish between two forms that this political naturalism might take ‐ what I call a ‘strong’ form, and a ‘weak’ form ‐ and argue that both ought to be rejected.
Constructing separatism in South Africa's racially charged religiosity: 20th century Afrikaner discourses on African Initiated Christianity
Authors: Müller Retief 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAfrican Initiated Churches (AICs) in South Africa developed and grew during the 20th century to eventually become representative of the majority of Christians in the country. Much of this growth occurred during Apartheid. The fact that AICs emphasized their independence from White control is significant for various reasons. However, this article mainly concentrates on the irony of the fact that AICs were for the most part regarded as heretical sects by White Apartheid ideologues, despite the fact that the “Separatists,” as AICs were often described, would seem in retrospect ideally placed for potential appropriation within the context of Apartheid. Indeed, in the mid‐1980s, a serious attempt at appropriation from the side of government did occur. The Afrikaner, primarily Dutch Reformed Church discourse, is considered focusing on the 1930s, the late 1960s to early 80s, and then the article gives close attention to the year 1985 when the State President P. W. Botha visited Zion City Moria, headquarters of the Zion Christian Church.
Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B‐immobilized fibre treatment for acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Furusawa Haruhiko , Sugiura Makiko , Mitaka Chieko , Inase Naohiko 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveAcute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE‐IPF) is recognized as an important cause of mortality. AE has also been reported in patients with other interstitial lung diseases such as idiopathic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular disease (CVD). Current therapies such as high‐dose corticosteroid with immunosuppressive agents have provided little benefit for AE. Direct hemoperfusion (DHP) with a polymyxin B‐immobilized fibre column (PMX) was originally developed for the treatment of endotoxaemia. Recent clinical reports have suggested beneficial effects of PMX‐DHP treatment on patients with AE. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of PMX‐DHP treatment for patients with AE.MethodsThe clinical records of patients with AE admitted to our intensive care unit between 2006 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOf 54 patients with AE identified from clinical records, 24 were treated with PMX‐DHP and 30 were treated without PMX‐DHP. The peripheral white blood cell count was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) and the PaO2
/FiO2
(P/F) ratio was significantly improved after PMX‐DHP (P = 0.032). While no significant difference was found in the survival proportion between patients treated with and without PMX‐DHP, the prognosis of patients with dermatomyositis was significantly improved with the treatment (P = 0.045). Among the PMX‐DHP‐treated patients, those who received the treatment within 3 days of AE onset tended to have a better prognosis (P = 0.026).ConclusionThe early induction of PMX‐DHP treatment may improve the prognosis of patients with AE, especially those with dermatomyositis.
Unravelling the impact of lignin on cell wall mechanics: a comprehensive study on young poplar trees downregulated for CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE (CAD)
Authors: Özparpucu Merve , Rüggeberg Markus , Gierlinger Notburga , Cesarino Igor , Vanholme Ruben , Boerjan Wout , Burgert Ingo 
Published: April 2017

SummaryLignin engineering is a promising tool to reduce the energy input and the need of chemical pre‐treatments for the efficient conversion of plant biomass into fermentable sugars for downstream applications. At the same time, lignin engineering can offer new insight into the structure–function relationships of plant cell walls by combined mechanical, structural and chemical analyses. Here, this comprehensive approach was applied to poplar trees (Populus tremula × Populus alba) downregulated for CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE (CAD) in order to gain insight into the impact of lignin reduction on mechanical properties. The downregulation of CAD resulted in a significant decrease in both elastic modulus and yield stress. As wood density and cellulose microfibril angle (MFA) did not show any significant differences between the wild type and the transgenic lines, these structural features could be excluded as influencing factors. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman imaging were performed to elucidate changes in the chemical composition directly on the mechanically tested tissue sections. Lignin content was identified as a mechanically relevant factor, as a correlation with a coefficient of determination (r²) of 0.65 between lignin absorbance (as an indicator of lignin content) and tensile stiffness was found. A comparison of the present results with those of previous investigations shows that the mechanical impact of lignin alteration under tensile stress depends on certain structural conditions, such as a high cellulose MFA, which emphasizes the complex relationship between the chemistry and mechanical properties in plant cell walls.
Presence of VIM-Positive Pseudomonas Species in Chickens and Their Surrounding Environment
Authors: Zhang Rongmin , Liu Zhihai , Li Jiyun , Lei Lei , Yin Wenjuan , Li Mei , Wu Congming , Walsh Timothy R. , Wang Yang , Wang Shaolin , Wu Yongning 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Metallo-β-lactamase gene
bla
VIM
was identified on the chromosome of four
Pseudomonas
sp. isolates from a chicken farm, including one
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolate from a swallow (
Yanornis martini
), one
Pseudomonas putida
isolate from a fly, and two
P. putida
isolates from chickens. The four isolates shared two variants of
bla
VIM
-carrying genomic contexts that resemble the corresponding regions of clinical metallo-β-lactamase-producing
Pseudomonas
spp. Our study suggests that the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in livestock and their surrounding environment is urgently needed.
Molecular Profile of Malaria Drug Resistance Markers of Plasmodium falciparum in Suriname
Authors: Chenet Stella M. , Okoth Sheila Akinyi , Kelley Julia , Lucchi Naomi , Huber Curtis S. , Vreden Stephen , Macedo de Oliveira Alexandre , Barnwell John W. , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Adhin Malti R. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

In Suriname, an artesunate monotherapy therapeutic efficacy trial was recently conducted to evaluate partial artemisinin resistance emerging in
Plasmodium falciparum
. We genotyped the PfK13 propeller domain of
P. falciparum
in 40 samples as well as other mutations proposed to be associated with artemisinin-resistant mutants. We did not find any mutations previously associated with artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia, but we found fixed resistance mutations for chloroquine (CQ) and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Additionally, the PfCRT C350R mutation, associated with reversal of CQ resistance and piperaquine-selective pressure, was present in 62% of the samples. Our results from neutral microsatellite data also confirmed a high parasite gene flow in the Guiana Shield. Although recruiting participants for therapeutic efficacy studies is challenging in areas where malaria endemicity is very low due to the low number of malaria cases reported, conducting these studies along with molecular surveillance remains essential for the monitoring of artemisinin-resistant alleles and for the characterization of the population structure of
P. falciparum
in areas targeted for malaria elimination.
Static stretching does not enhance recovery in elite youth soccer players
Authors: Pooley Sam , Spendiff Owen , Allen Matt , Moir Hannah J 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundStatic stretching (SS) is a recovery intervention used for the reduction of muscle soreness postexercise. The effects of SS on elite young footballers have received little attention, and therefore the aim of this study was to assess the effects of SS on muscle recovery following competitive soccer matches in elite young footballers.MethodsTen male participants (16±1 years) were recruited from an English Premier League professional soccer academy. Using a controlled crossover design, participants followed one of two recovery interventions (SS or passive recovery (PR)) immediately following completion of competitive soccer matches. Muscle oedema, creatine kinase (CK), countermovement jump with arms (CMJA) performance and perceived muscle soreness were assessed before, immediately after and 48 hours postmatch.ResultsCompetitive soccer matches significantly induced muscle damage, with time intervals of perceived soreness and CK showing significant increases (p<0.05), and CMJA showing significant decreases between prematch, postmatch and 48 hours postmatch for both SS and PR (p<0.05). Comparisons of the absolute effects of SS with PR only revealed significant decreases for CK 48 hours postmatch (p<0.05) as a result of SS intervention.ConclusionThe current study demonstrated competitive soccer matches induced muscle damage, which may have detrimental effects on future performance within 24–48 hours postmatch. Furthermore, there was limited evidence to suggest SS would assist in the reduction of muscle soreness postexercise. Therefore, it can be argued that SS is not a beneficial recovery option for elite youth soccer players.
Concussion guideline implementation perceptions and experiences among parents of community-level Australian Football junior players
Authors: White Peta E , Register-Mihalik Johna , Donaldson Alex , Sullivan S John , Finch Caroline F 
Published: April 2017

Background/aimConcussion guidelines exist for multiple community sports. Parents are key stakeholders in guideline implementation and in appropriate responses following concussive injury. The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to understand how parents of community-level Australian Football (AF) players experience and perceive concussion guidelines in order to inform the design and implementation of concussion guidelines in community sport.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative approach was adopted to allow for an open and detailed exploration of the views of parents of junior community AF players (ie, those aged <16 years) regarding concussion guidelines of the AF League (AFL)—the national governing body for AF. Participants were 15 parents of junior community AF players from two clubs affiliated with a large regional community AF League.ResultsThe key experiences and perceptions of the parents included appreciation that the guidelines outlined the postconcussion process that should be followed, desires for better understanding of the guidelines by general practitioners (ie, medical doctors) who care for children with concussion, having more readily available information for parents and receiving more formal policy guiding timing of return-to-participation following concussion. Difficulties with the guidelines not addressing delayed presentations of concussion were also frequently mentioned.ConclusionsParents are key stakeholders in concussion prevention and care in community sport. As such, their input should be considered when developing guidelines and resources for community sport. Furthermore, concussion information should be made available to parents in an easily accessible and community-friendly form.
Effect of aging heat time and annealing temperature on the properties of nanocrystalline tin dioxide thin films
Authors: Kadhim Imad H. , Abu Hassan H. 
Published: April 2017

Nanocrystalline tin dioxide (SnO2) thin films have been successfully prepared by sol–gel spin-coating technique on p-type Si (100) substrates. A stable solution was prepared by mixing tin(II) chloride dihydrate, pure ethanol, and glycerin. Temperature affects the properties of SnO2 thin films, particularly the crystallite size where the crystallization of SnO2 with tetragonal rutile structure is achieved when thin films that prepared under different aging heat times are annealed at 400[Formula: see text]C. By increasing aging heat time in the presence of annealing temperatures the FESEM images indicated that the thickness of the fabricated film was directly proportional to solution viscosity, increasing from approximately 380 nm to 744 nm, as well as the crystallization of the thin films improved and reduced defects.