bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Equine meniscal degeneration is associated with medial femorotibial osteoarthritis
Authors: Dubuc J. , Girard C. , Richard H. , De Lasalle J. , Laverty S. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryBackgroundThere is limited information available concerning normal equine meniscal morphology, its degeneration and role in osteoarthritis (OA).ObjectivesTo characterise normal equine meniscal morphology and lesions and to explore the relationship between equine meniscal degeneration and femorotibial OA.Study designEx vivo cadaveric study.MethodsMenisci were harvested from 7 normal joints (n = 14 menisci) and 15 joints with OA (n = 30 menisci). A macroscopic femorotibial OA score (cartilage degeneration and osteophytosis) was employed to measure disease severity in each compartment. The femoral and tibial meniscal surfaces were scored for macroscopic fibrillation and tears (1–4). Histological sections (regions: cranial and caudal horn; body) were also scored for microscopic fibrillation and tears (0–3) and inner border degeneration (0–3).ResultsPartial meniscal tears were present on both femoral and tibial surfaces in all 3 regions and most frequently identified on the femoral surface of the cranial horn of the medial meniscus and body of the lateral meniscus. There was a significantly positive correlation between the global medial meniscal macroscopic scores and osteophyte (r = 0.7, P = 0.002) or cartilage degeneration (r = 0.5, P = 0.03) scores within the medial femorotibial joint. The global medial meniscal macroscopic score was greater (P = 0.004) in the advanced OA joints compared with control joints.Main limitationsThe menisci were principally from abattoir specimens without a known clinical history because of the challenge in obtaining a large number of specimens with a clinical diagnosis of femorotibial OA.ConclusionsThis study is the first to describe normal equine meniscal morphology and lesions. Meniscal lesions were identified in all segments and on both articular surfaces. Meniscal degeneration significantly correlated with OA severity in the equine medial femorotibial joint. The relationship between OA and meniscal pathology remains to be elucidated.
Déterminants de l'accès à l'emploi et du salaire à la première embauche chez les diplômés du supérieur en Chine
Authors: KONG Jun 
Published: June 2017

RésuméL'auteur cherche à déterminer si le prestige de l'établissement de formation, le domaine d'études et le sexe influent sur l'accès à l'emploi et sur le salaire initial au moyen d'un modèle paramétrique de survie, associé à une procédure de Heckman, qui sont appliqués sur un échantillon de jeunes diplômés de Beijing. Il montre que le prestige de l'institution accélère l'insertion professionnelle (par un effet de signal), de měme que les études d'ingénieur ou de commerce, et qu'il élève le salaire, tout comme les formations en lettres et sciences humaines ou sociales. En outre, le sexe féminin accélère l'insertion mais diminue le salaire à l'embauche.
Phylogenetic convergence and multiple shell shape optima for gliding scallops (Bivalvia: Pectinidae)
Authors: Serb J. M. , Sherratt E. , Alejandrino A. , Adams D. C. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAn important question in evolutionary biology is how often, and to what extent, do similar ecologies elicit distantly related taxa to evolve towards the same phenotype? In some scenarios, the repeated evolution of particular phenotypes may be expected, for instance when species are exposed to common selective forces that result from strong functional demands. In bivalved scallops (Pectinidae), some species exhibit a distinct swimming behaviour (gliding), which requires specific biomechanical attributes to generate lift and reduce drag during locomotive events. Further, a phylogenetic analysis revealed that gliding behaviour has independently evolved at least four times, which raises the question as to whether these independent lineages have also converged on a similar phenotype. Here, we test the hypothesis that gliding scallops display shell shape convergence using a combination of geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods that evaluate patterns of multivariate trait evolution. Our findings reveal that the gliding species display less morphological disparity and significant evolutionary convergence in morphospace, relative to expectations under a neutral model of Brownian motion for evolutionary phenotypic change. Intriguingly, the phylomorphospace patterns indicate that gliding lineages follow similar evolutionary trajectories to not one, but two regions of morphological space, and subsequent analyses identified significant differences in their biomechanical parameters, suggesting that these two groups of scallops accomplish gliding in different ways. Thus, whereas there is a clear gliding morphotype that has evolved convergently across the phylogeny, functionally distinct morphological subforms are apparent, suggesting that there may be two optima for the gliding phenotype in the Pectinidae.
Comparison of two species‐specific oscillometric blood pressure monitors with direct blood pressure measurement in anesthetized cats
Authors: Cerejo Sofia A. , Teixeira‐Neto Francisco J. , Garofalo Natache A. , Rodrigues Jéssica C. , Celeita‐Rodríguez Nathalia , Lagos‐Carvajal Angie P. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the performance of 2 species‐specific oscillometric blood pressure (OBP) monitors (petMAPclassic and petMAPgraphic) with direct blood pressure measurement in anesthetized cats.DesignProspective, experimental study.SettingVeterinary teaching hospital.AnimalsEight adult cats (3.2–5.5 kg).InterventionsDuring isoflurane anesthesia, OBP cuffs were placed on the thoracic limb and on the base of the tail while invasive blood pressure (IBP) was recorded from a dorsal pedal artery. End‐tidal isoflurane concentrations, with or without intravenous dopamine (n = 8), norepinephrine (n = 1), or phenylephrine (n = 1) were adjusted to change invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 40 to 100 mm Hg. Data were analyzed by the Bland‐Altman method and 4‐quadrant plots.Measurements and Main ResultsMean biases and limits of agreement (LOA: ± 1.96 SD) (mm Hg) recorded between the petMAPclassic (thoracic limb) and IBP for systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and MAP were 4.2 ± 28.5, −6.1 ± 13.2, and −1.9 ± 14.6, respectively; mean biases and LOA (mm Hg) recorded with the tail cuff were 7.2 ± 31.3 (SAP), −6.1 ± 11.6 (DAP), and −1.1 ± 11.7 (MAP). Mean biases and LOA (mm Hg) between petMAPgraphic (thoracic limb) and IBP were 7.7 ± 27.0 (SAP), −4.3 ± 11.5 (DAP), 0.2 ± 13.0 (MAP); values recorded with the tail cuff were 10.9 ± 29.6 (SAP), −4.4 ± 11.7 (DAP), and −0.1 ± 12.1 (MAP). Concordance rates after excluding arterial pressure changes ≤ 5 mm Hg was ≥ 93% for both devices.ConclusionsAlthough both OBP monitors provide unacceptable SAP estimations, MAP values derived from both monitors and DAP measured by the petMAPgraphic result in acceptable agreement with the reference method according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (mean bias ≤ 5 mm Hg with LOA ≤ ± 16 mm Hg). Both monitors provide acceptable trending ability for SAP, DAP, and MAP.
Distribution, Community Composition, and Potential Metabolic Activity of Bacterioplankton in an Urbanized Mediterranean Sea Coastal Zone
Authors: Richa Kumari , Balestra Cecilia , Piredda Roberta , Benes Vladimir , Borra Marco , Passarelli Augusto , Margiotta Francesca , Saggiomo Maria , Biffali Elio , Sanges Remo , Scanlan David J. , Casotti Raffaella 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTBacterioplankton are fundamental components of marine ecosystems and influence the entire biosphere by contributing to the global biogeochemical cycles of key elements. Yet, there is a significant gap in knowledge about their diversity and specific activities, as well as environmental factors that shape their community composition and function. Here, the distribution and diversity of surface bacterioplankton along the coastline of the Gulf of Naples (GON; Italy) were investigated using flow cytometry coupled with high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Heterotrophic bacteria numerically dominated the bacterioplankton and comprised mainlyAlphaproteobacteria,Gammaproteobacteria, andBacteroidetes. Distinct communities occupied river-influenced, coastal, and offshore sites, as indicated by Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, distance metric (UniFrac), linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), and multivariate analyses. The heterogeneity in diversity and community composition was mainly due to salinity and changes in environmental conditions across sites, as defined by nutrient and chlorophyllaconcentrations. Bacterioplankton communities were composed of a few dominant taxa and a large proportion (92%) of rare taxa (here defined as operational taxonomic units [OTUs] accounting for <0.1% of the total sequence abundance), the majority of which were unique to each site. The relationship between 16S rRNA and the 16S rRNA gene, i.e., between potential metabolic activity and abundance, was positive for the whole community. However, analysis of individual OTUs revealed high rRNA-to-rRNA gene ratios for most (71.6% ± 16.7%) of the rare taxa, suggesting that these low-abundance organisms were potentially active and hence might be playing an important role in ecosystem diversity and functioning in the GON.IMPORTANCEThe study of bacterioplankton in coastal zones is of critical importance, considering that these areas are highly productive and anthropogenically impacted. Their richness and evenness, as well as their potential activity, are very important to assess ecosystem health and functioning. Here, we investigated bacterial distribution, community composition, and potential metabolic activity in the GON, which is an ideal test site due to its heterogeneous environment characterized by a complex hydrodynamics and terrestrial inputs of varied quantities and quality. Our study demonstrates that bacterioplankton communities in this region are highly diverse and strongly regulated by a combination of different environmental factors leading to their heterogeneous distribution, with the rare taxa contributing to a major proportion of diversity and shifts in community composition and potentially holding a key role in ecosystem functioning.
Discovery of Lysine Hydroxylases in the Clavaminic Acid Synthase-Like Superfamily for Efficient Hydroxylysine Bioproduction
Authors: Hara Ryotaro , Yamagata Kai , Miyake Ryoma , Kawabata Hiroshi , Uehara Hisatoshi , Kino Kuniki 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Hydroxylation via C—H bond activation in the absence of any harmful oxidizing reagents is technically difficult in modern chemistry. In this work, we attempted to generate pharmaceutically important hydroxylysine from readily available
l
-lysine with
l
-lysine hydroxylases from diverse microorganisms. Clavaminic acid synthase-like superfamily gene mining and phylogenetic analysis led to the discovery of six biocatalysts, namely two
l
-lysine 3
S
-hydroxylases and four
l
-lysine 4
R
-hydroxylases, the latter of which partially matched known hydroxylases. Subsequent characterization of these hydroxylases revealed their capacity for regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation into either C-3 or C-4 positions of
l
-lysine, yielding (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine and (2
S
,4
R
)-4-hydroxylysine, respectively. To determine if these factors had industrial application, we performed a preparative production of both hydroxylysines under optimized conditions. For this, recombinant
l
-lysine hydroxylase-expressing
Escherichia coli
cells were used as a biocatalyst for
l
-lysine bioconversion. In batch-scale reactions, 531 mM (86.1 g/liter) (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine was produced from 600 mM
l
-lysine with an 89% molar conversion after a 52-h reaction, and 265 mM (43.0 g/liter) (2
S
,4
R
)-4-hydroxylysine was produced from 300 mM
l
-lysine with a molar conversion of 88% after 24 h. This report demonstrates the highly efficient production of hydroxylysines using lysine hydroxylases, which may contribute to future industrial bioprocess technologies.

IMPORTANCE
The present study identified six
l
-lysine hydroxylases belonging to the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily, although some of them overlapped with known hydroxylases. While the substrate specificity of
l
-lysine hydroxylases was relatively narrow, we found that (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine was hydroxylated by 4
R
-hydroxylase and (2
S
,5
R
)-5-hydroxylysine was hydroxylated by both 3
S
- and 4
R
-hydroxylases. Moreover, the
l
-arginine hydroxylase VioC also hydroxylated
l
-lysine, albeit to a lesser extent. Further, we also demonstrated the bioconversion of
l
-lysine into (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine and (2
S
,4
R
)-4-hydroxylysine on a gram scale under optimized conditions. These findings provide new insights into biocatalytic
l
-lysine hydroxylation and thus have a great potential for use in manufacturing bioprocesses.
Response of Microbial Community Function to Fluctuating Geochemical Conditions within a Legacy Radioactive Waste Trench Environment
Authors: Vázquez-Campos Xabier , Kinsela Andrew S. , Bligh Mark W. , Harrison Jennifer J. , Payne Timothy E. , Waite T. David 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTDuring the 1960s, small quantities of radioactive materials were codisposed with chemical waste at the Little Forest Legacy Site (Sydney, Australia) in 3-meter-deep, unlined trenches. Chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a 6-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess the impact of changing water levels upon the microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Collectively, results demonstrated that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the potentially important role that the taxonomically diverse microbial community played in this transition. In particular, aerobes dominated in the first day, followed by an increase of facultative anaerobes/denitrifiers at day 4. Toward the mid-end of the sampling period, the functional and taxonomic profiles depicted an anaerobic community distinguished by a higher representation of dissimilatory sulfate reduction and methanogenesis pathways. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.IMPORTANCEThe role of chemical and microbiological factors in mediating the biogeochemistry of groundwaters from trenches used to dispose of radioactive materials during the 1960s is examined in this study. Specifically, chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a 6-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels influence microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Results demonstrate that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the important role that the taxonomically diverse microbial community played in this transition. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.
Association of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T with mortality and cardiovascular events in a community-based prospective study in Beijing
Authors: Xiao Wenkai , Cao Ruihua , Liu Yuan , Wang Fan , Bai Yongyi , Wu Hongmei , Ye Ping 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveThe prognostic value of cardiac troponins in apparently healthy populations is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic properties of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) for long-term adverse outcomes.SettingA community-dwelling prospective survey of residents from two communities in Beijing.ParticipantsFrom September 2007 to January 2009, 1680 participants were initially enrolled. Of these, 1499 (870 females, mean age: 61.4 years) participants completed the survey and were followed up for a median of 4.8 years (IQR: 4.5–5.2).Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the occurrence of all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events.ResultsOverall, 820 individuals (54.7%) had detectable hs-cTnT levels. During the follow-up, 52 participants (3.5%) died, 154 (10.3%) had major cardiovascular events and 99 (6.6%) experienced new-onset coronary events. Compared with those with undetectable hs-cTnT levels, participants with hs-cTnT levels in the highest category (≥14 ng/L) had a significantly increased risk for all-cause mortality (adjusted HR (aHR): 2.07, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.01), major cardiovascular events (aHR: 3.27, 95% CI 1.88 to 5.70) and coronary events (aHR: 4.50, 95% CI 2.26 to 9.02) in covariate-adjusted analyses. No differences in stroke incidence were found (aHR: 1.27, 95% CI 0.69 to 2.62). Also, significant associations were presented when hs-cTnT levels were modelled as a continuous variable and when analysing changes in hs-cTnT levels over time with adverse outcomes. The addition of troponin T levels to clinical variables led to significant increases in risk prediction with a marked improvement in the C-statistics (p=0.003 or lower).ConclusionsIn this cohort of individuals from a community-based population, cTnT levels measured with a highly sensitive assay were associated with increases in the subsequent risk for all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events. These results might support screening for at-risk individuals.
Development of tools to facilitate palliative and supportive care referral for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Sharp Charles , Lamb Heather , Jordan Nikki , Edwards Adrienne , Gunary Rachel , Meek Patricia , Millar Ann B , Kendall Clare , Adamali Huzaifa 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesPalliative care is underused in non-malignant respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We investigated current practices around palliative and supportive care and explored the impact of a supportive care decision aid tool.MethodsThis was a single centre study in a UK ILD centre. Retrospective analysis of hospice referrals and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) under the Bristol ILD (BILD) service were used to identify unmet palliative and supportive care needs. Using quality improvement methodology, we explored the impact of a supportive care decision aid on clinician behaviours for patients with ILD.Results108 patients with ILD were referred for hospice care between 2010 and 2015, representing 0.15% of all referrals, compared with a population prevalence of IPF of 0.9%. The median interval between referral and death was 124 days.Records were reviewed for 64 deceased and 89 living patients with IPF seen on July–December 2014. The decision aid was prospectively assessed with 73 patients. The deceased patients had greater markers of severity. There were no other differences between the groups.After introduction, the decision aid tool was completed for 49.3% of patients and resulted in significant increases in documented discussion of referral to palliative care (11.2%vs53.6%, p<0.01) and end-of-life discussions (15.7%vs91.8%, p<0.01). Tool completion led to an increase in referral for palliative care (2.7%vs16.7%, p<0.01).ConclusionPalliative care services are underused in ILD and a supportive care decision aid can prompt consideration of palliative and supportive care needs.
A comparative study of different imaging modalities for successful percutaneous left atrial appendage closure
Authors: Chow Danny HF , Bieliauskas Gintautas , Sawaya Fadi J , Millan-Iturbe Oscar , Kofoed Klaus F , Søndergaard Lars , Backer Ole De 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesAccurate sizing of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is essential when performing percutaneous LAA closure. This study aimed to compare different LAA imaging modalities and sizing methods in order to obtain successful LAA closure.BackgroundPercutaneous LAA closure is an increasingly used treatment strategy to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. LAA sizing has typically been done by 2D-transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE).MethodsPatients who had a preprocedural TEE and preprocedural and postprocedural multislice CT (MSCT) were identified. Preprocedural measurements of LAA ostia and landing zones by 2D-TEE, MSCT and angiography were collected and analysed for those patients with successful LAA closure - i.e. with no contrast leakage at 3-month follow-up MSCT.ResultsThe study population (n=67) had a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.0 and HAS-BLED score of 2.7. Fifty-eight patients (87%) were identified to have successful LAA closure. Based on MSCT, 48 LAA sizings (83%) resulted in a correct LAA closure device size selection, whereas with 2D-TEE sizing, only 33 measurements (57%) would have resulted in a correct device size selection (p<0.01). Using adapted Bland-Altman method, MSCT-based perimeter-derived mean diameter was shown to be the best parameter to guide LAA device size selection for â€˜closed-endâ€™ devices (Amulet, WatchmanFLX), whereas the maximal diameter was the best parameter for the â€˜open-endâ€™ Watchman device.ConclusionsPreprocedural MSCT-based LAA closure device size selection proves to be a more accurate method than conventional 2D-TEE-based sizing. Depending on the LAA closure device design, perimeter-derived mean diameter or maximal diameter could be the better sizing method.
Association between the autophagy-related geneULK1and ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility in the Chinese Han population: a case–control study
Authors: Zhang Xu , Han Renfang , Wang Mengmeng , Li Xiaona , Yang Xiao , Xia Qing , Liu Rui , Yuan Yaping , Hu Xingxing , Chen Mengya , Jiang Guangming , Ma Yubo , Yang Jiajia , Xu Shengqian , Xu Jianhua , Shuai Zongwen , Pan Faming 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTPurposeAnkylosing spondylitis (AS), inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease (CD) often coexist in the same patient and these diseases have remarkably strong overlaps in genetic association. The association between Unc51like kinase 1 (ULK1) gene polymorphisms and CD has been reported, and the aim of the current study was to investigate whether ULK1 polymorphisms are also associated with susceptibility to AS in the Chinese Han population.MethodsFive tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ULK1 gene (rs9652059, rs11616018, rs12303764, rs4964879 and rs7300908) were genotyped by the improved multiplex ligase detection reaction method in a cohort of patients with AS (n=649) and controls (n=628). Various genetic models were performed and haplotypes were constructed after linkage disequilibrium analysis.ResultsA statistically significant difference was found in the dominant model of the rs9652059 polymorphism (OR (95% CI) = 0.796 (0.638 to 0.994), χ2 = 4.064, p= 0.044). Haplotypes were conducted between rs9652059 and rs11616018, rs11616018 and rs4964879, rs9652059 and rs4964879 based on D’ ≥0.9 and r2 ≥ 0.6. Ht5 (rs9652059C-rs4964879G) haplotype was associated with AS (OR (95% CI) = 0.834 (0.706 to 0.985), χ2=4.555, p= 0.0328) and other two haplotypes were marginally correlated with AS (ht2 (rs9652059C-rs11616018T): OR (95% CI) = 0.846 (0.717 to 1.000), χ2= 3.864, p= 0.0493); ht3 (rs9652059T-rs11616018T): OR (95% CI) = 1.440 (0.999 to 2.076), χ2 = 3.849, p = 0.0498).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that rs9652059 variation (C→T) could increase AS susceptibility and haplotypes of rs9652059C-rs4964879G, rs9652059C-rs11616018T and rs9652059T-rs11616018T may be associatd with AS.