bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root-endophytes improve the ecophysiological performance and production of an agricultural species under drought condition
Authors: Molina-Montenegro Marco A. , Oses Rómulo , Torres-Díaz Cristian , Atala Cristian , Zurita-Silva Andrés , Ruiz-Lara Simón 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Throughout many regions of the world, climate change has limited the availability of water for irrigating crops. Indeed, current models of climate change predict that arid and semi-arid zones will be places where precipitation will drastically decrease. In this context, plant root-associated fungi appear as a new strategy to improve ecophysiological performance and yield of crops under abiotic stress. Thus, use of fungal endophytes from ecosystems currently subjected to severe drought conditions could improve the ecophysiological performance and quantum yield of crops exposed to drought. In this study, we evaluated how the inoculation of fungal endophytes isolated from Antarctic plants can improve the net photosynthesis, water use efficiency and production of fresh biomass in a lettuce cultivar, grown under different water availability regimes. In addition, we assessed if the presence of biochemical mechanisms and gene expression related with environmental tolerance are improved in presence of fungal endophytes. Overall, those individuals with presence of endophytes showed higher net photosynthesis and maintained higher water use efficiency in drought conditions, which was correlated with greater fresh and dry biomass production as well as greater root system development. In addition, presence of fungal endophytes was correlated with a higher proline concentration, lower peroxidation of lipids and up-/down-regulation of ion homeostasis. Our results suggest that presence of fungal endophytes could minimize the negative effect of drought by improving drought tolerance through biochemical mechanisms and improving nutritional status. Thus, root-endophytes might be a successful biotechnological tool to maintain high levels of ecophysiological performance and productivity in zones under drought.
Neutron relative biological effectiveness in Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors: a critical review
Authors: Sasaki Masao S. , Endo Satoru , Hoshi Masaharu , Nomura Taisei 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The calculated risk of cancer in humans due to radiation exposure is based primarily on long-term follow-up studies, e.g. the life-span study (LSS) on atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since A-bomb radiation consists of a mixture of γ-rays and neutrons, it is essential that the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutrons is adequately evaluated if a study is to serve as a reference for cancer risk. However, the relatively small neutron component hampered the direct estimation of RBE in LSS data. To circumvent this problem, several strategies have been attempted, including dose-independent constant RBE, dose-dependent variable RBE, and dependence on the degrees of dominance of intermingled γ-rays. By surveying the available literature, we tested the chromosomal RBE of neutrons as the biological endpoint for its equivalence to the microdosimetric quantities obtained using a tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) in various neutron fields. The radiation weighting factor, or quality factor, Qn, of neutrons as expressed in terms of the energy dependence of the maximum RBE, RBEm, was consistent with that predicted by the TEPC data, indicating that the chromosomally measured RBE was independent of the magnitude of coexisting γ-rays. The obtained neutron RBE, which varied with neutron dose, was confirmed to be the most adequate RBE system in terms of agreement with the cancer incidence in A-bomb survivors, using chromosome aberrations as surrogate markers. With this RBE system, the cancer risk in A-bomb survivors as expressed in unit dose of reference radiation is equally compatible with Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities, and may be potentially applicable in other cases of human radiation exposure.
Epistatic and Independent Effects on Schizophrenia-Related Phenotypes Following Co-disruption of the Risk Factors Neuregulin-1 × DISC1
Authors: O’Tuathaigh Colm M. P. , Fumagalli Fabio , Desbonnet Lieve , Perez-Branguli Francesc , Moloney Gerard , Loftus Samim , O’Leary Claire , Petit Emilie , Cox Rachel , Tighe Orna , Clarke Gerard , Lai Donna , Harvey Richard P. , Cryan John F. , Mitchell Kevin J. , Dinan Timothy G. , Riva Marco A. , Waddington John L. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Few studies have addressed likely gene × gene (ie, epistatic) interactions in mediating risk for schizophrenia. Using a preclinical genetic approach, we investigated whether simultaneous disruption of the risk factors Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) would produce a disease-relevant phenotypic profile different from that observed following disruption to either gene alone. NRG1 heterozygotes exhibited hyperactivity and disruption to prepulse inhibition, both reversed by antipsychotic treatment, and accompanied by reduced striatal dopamine D2 receptor protein expression, impaired social cognition, and altered glutamatergic synaptic protein expression in selected brain areas. Single gene DISC1 mutants demonstrated a disruption in social cognition and nest-building, altered brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels and hippocampal ErbB4 expression, and decreased cortical expression of the schizophrenia-associated microRNA miR-29b. Co-disruption of DISC1 and NRG1, indicative of epistasis, evoked an impairment in sociability and enhanced self-grooming, accompanied by changes in hypothalamic oxytocin/vasopressin gene expression. The findings indicate specific behavioral correlates and underlying cellular pathways downstream of main effects of DNA variation in the schizophrenia-associated genes NRG1 and DISC1.
Pain in Extrapyramidal Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Yust-Katz Shlomit , Hershkovitz Ronly , Gurevich Tanya , Djaldetti Ruth 
Published: September 2016

Objective:
Pain is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) and other Parkinson plus syndromes, with a major effect on quality of life. The aims of the study were to examine the prevalence and characteristics of pain in PD and other Parkinson plus syndromes and patient use and response to pain medications.

Methods:
The cohort consisted of 371 patients: 300 (81%) with PD and 71 (19%) with Parkinson plus syndromes. Data on clinical parameters and pain were collected by questionnaire. Disease severity was measured with the Unified PD Rating Scale for patients with PD.

Results:
Pain was reported by 277 patients (74%): 241 with PD and 36 with Parkinson plus syndromes. The prevalence of pain was significantly higher in the patients with PD than in the patients with Parkinson plus syndromes (80% vs. 50%, P<0.001) and higher in patients with synucleinopathies than in patients with tauopathies (70% vs. 40%, P<0.001). In the synucleinopathies, the most common pain was central pain (32%), whereas in the tauopathies only 4% of patients had central pain. Anti-Parkinson treatment relieved the pain in 21% of the patients with PD. Only 114 patients (48%) who experienced pain were treated with pain medications. The most beneficial analgesics were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medical cannabis.

Conclusion:
Pain is prevalent among patients with PD and Parkinsonian plus syndromes. Pain relief can be achieved by more intensive anti-Parkinson medications or pain medications.
Neural Correlates of Sevoflurane-induced Unconsciousness Identified by Simultaneous Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electroencephalography
Authors: Ranft Andreas , Golkowski Daniel , Kiel Tobias , Riedl Valentin , Kohl Philipp , Rohrer Guido , Pientka Joachim , Berger Sebastian , Thul Alexander , Maurer Max , Preibisch Christine , Zimmer Claus , Mashour George A. , Kochs Eberhard F. , Jordan Denis , Ilg Rüdiger 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background
The neural correlates of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness have yet to be fully elucidated. Sedative and anesthetic states induced by propofol have been studied extensively, consistently revealing a decrease of frontoparietal and thalamocortical connectivity. There is, however, less understanding of the effects of halogenated ethers on functional brain networks.

Methods
The authors recorded simultaneous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography in 16 artificially ventilated volunteers during sevoflurane anesthesia at burst suppression and 3 and 2 vol% steady-state concentrations for 700 s each to assess functional connectivity changes compared to wakefulness. Electroencephalographic data were analyzed using symbolic transfer entropy (surrogate of information transfer) and permutation entropy (surrogate of cortical information processing). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed by an independent component analysis and a region-of-interest–based analysis.

Results
Electroencephalographic analysis showed a significant reduction of anterior-to-posterior symbolic transfer entropy and global permutation entropy. At 2 vol% sevoflurane concentrations, frontal and thalamic networks identified by independent component analysis showed significantly reduced within-network connectivity. Primary sensory networks did not show a significant change. At burst suppression, all cortical networks showed significantly reduced functional connectivity. Region-of-interest–based thalamic connectivity at 2 vol% was significantly reduced to frontoparietal and posterior cingulate cortices but not to sensory areas.

Conclusions
Sevoflurane decreased frontal and thalamocortical connectivity. The changes in blood oxygenation level dependent connectivity were consistent with reduced anterior-to-posterior directed connectivity and reduced cortical information processing. These data advance the understanding of sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness and contribute to a neural basis of electroencephalographic measures that hold promise for intraoperative anesthesia monitoring.
Unplanned, Postoperative Intubation in Pediatric Surgical Patients
Authors: Cheon Eric C. , Palac Hannah L. , Paik Kristine H. , Hajduk John , De Oliveira Gildasio S. , Jagannathan Narasimhan , Suresh Santhanam 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo date, the independent predictors and outcomes of unplanned postoperative intubation (UPI) in pediatric patients after noncardiac surgery are yet to be characterized. The authors aimed to identify the incidence and predictors of this event and evaluated the effect of this event on postoperative mortality.MethodsData of 87,920 patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database were analyzed and assigned to derivation (n = 58,614; 66.7%) or validation (n = 29,306; 33.3%) cohorts. The derivation cohort was analyzed for the incidence and independent predictors of early UPI. The final multivariable logistic regression model was validated using the validation cohort.ResultsEarly UPI occurred with an incidence of 0.2% in both cohorts. Among the 540 patients who experienced a UPI, 178 (33.0%) were intubated within the first 72 h after surgery. The final logistic regression model indicated operation time, severe cardiac risk factors, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification more than or equal to 2, tumor involving the central nervous system, developmental delay/impaired cognitive function, past or current malignancy, and neonate status as independent predictors of early UPI. Having an early UPI was associated with an increased risk of unadjusted, all-cause 30-day mortality, demonstrating an odds ratio of 11.4 (95% CI, 5.8 to 22.4).ConclusionsPediatric patients who experienced an early UPI after noncardiac surgery had an increased likelihood of unadjusted 30-day mortality by more than 11-fold. Identification of high-risk patients can allow for targeted intervention and potential prevention of such outcomes.
Effects of Myofascial Release in Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Arguisuelas María D. , Lisón Juan Francisco , Sánchez-Zuriaga Daniel , Martínez-Hurtado Isabel , Doménech-Fernández Julio 
Published: September 2016

Study Design.
Double-blind, randomized parallel sham-controlled trial with concealed allocation and intention-to treat analysis.

Objective.
To investigate the effects of an isolate myofascial release (MFR) protocol on pain, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Summary of Background Data.
MFR is a form of manual medicine widely used by physiotherapists in the management of different musculoskeletal pathologies. Up to this moment, no previous studies have reported the effects of an isolated MFR treatment in patients with CLBP.

Methods.
Fifty-four participants, with nonspecific CLBP, were randomized to MFR group (n = 27) receiving four sessions of myofascial treatment, each lasting 40 minutes, and to control group (n = 27) receiving a sham MFR. Variables studied were pain measured by means Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and visual analog scale (VAS), disability measured with Roland Morris Questionnaire, and fear-avoidance beliefs measured with Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire.

Results.
Subjects receiving MFR displayed significant improvements in pain (SF-MPQ) (mean difference −7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −14.5 to −1.1, P = 0.023) and sensory SF-MPQ subscale (mean difference −6.1; 95% CI: −10.8 to −1.5, P = 0.011) compared to the sham group, but no differences were found in VAS between groups. Disability and the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire score also displayed a significant decrease in the MFR group (P < 0.05) as compared to sham MFR.

Conclusion.
MFR therapy produced a significant improvement in both pain and disability. Because the minimal clinically important differences in pain and disability are, however, included in the 95% CI, we cannot know whether this improvement is clinically relevant.

Level of Evidence: 2
Storytelling in the Early Bereavement Period to Reduce Emotional Distress Among Surrogates Involved in a Decision to Limit Life Support in the ICU: A Pilot Feasibility Trial*
Authors: Barnato Amber E. , Schenker Yael , Tiver Greer , Dew Mary Amanda , Arnold Robert M. , Nunez Eduardo R. , Reynolds Charles F. 
Published: September 2016

Objectives:
Surrogate decision makers involved in decisions to limit life support for an incapacitated patient in the ICU have high rates of adverse emotional health outcomes distinct from normal processes of grief and bereavement. Narrative self-disclosure (storytelling) reduces emotional distress after other traumatic experiences. We sought to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of storytelling among bereaved surrogates involved in a decision to limit life support in the ICU.

Design:
Pilot single-blind trial.

Setting:
Five ICUs across three hospitals within a single health system between June 2013 and November 2014.

Subjects:
Bereaved surrogates of ICU patients.

Interventions:
Storytelling and control conditions involved printed bereavement materials and follow-up assessments. Storytelling involved a single 1- to 2-hour home or telephone visit by a trained interventionist who elicited the surrogate’s story.

Measurements and Main Results:
The primary outcomes were feasibility (rates of enrollment, intervention receipt, 3- and 6-mo follow-up), acceptability (closed and open-ended end-of-study feedback at 6 mo), and tolerability (acute mental health services referral). Of 53 eligible surrogates, 32 (60%) consented to treatment allocation. Surrogates’ mean age was 55.5 (sd, 11.8), and they were making decisions for their parent (47%), spouse (28%), sibling (13%), child (3%), or other relation (8%). We allocated 14 to control and 18 to storytelling, 17 of 18 (94%) received storytelling, 14 of 14 (100%) and 13 of 14 (94%) control subjects and 16 of 18 (89%) and 17 of 18 (94%) storytelling subjects completed their 3- and 6-month telephone assessments. At 6 months, nine of 13 control participants (69%) and 16 of 17 storytelling subjects (94%) reported feeling “better” or “much better,” and none felt “much worse.” One control subject (8%) and one storytelling subject (6%) said that the study was burdensome, and one control subject (8%) wished they had not participated. No subjects required acute mental health services referral.

Conclusion:
A clinical trial of storytelling in this study population is feasible, acceptable, and tolerable.
Suppression of T Cell Autophagy Results in Decreased Viability and Function of T Cells Through Accelerated Apoptosis in a Murine Sepsis Model*
Authors: Oami Takehiko , Watanabe Eizo , Hatano Masahiko , Sunahara Satoshi , Fujimura Lisa , Sakamoto Akemi , Ito Chizuru , Toshimori Kiyotaka , Oda Shigeto 
Published: September 2016

Objective:
While type 1 programmed cell death (apoptosis) of T cells leads to immunosuppression in sepsis, a crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy (type 2 programmed cell death) has not been shown. The aim of this study is to elucidate the details of the interaction between autophagy and immunosuppression.

Design:
Laboratory investigation in the murine sepsis model.

Setting:
University laboratory.

Subjects:
Six- to 8-week-old male mice.

Interventions:
We investigated the kinetics of autophagy in T cells from spleen in a cecal ligation and puncture model with green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 transgenic mice. We analyzed apoptosis, mitochondrial homeostasis and cytokine production in T cells, and survival rate after cecal ligation and puncture using T cell–specific autophagy-deficient mice.

Measurements and Main Results:
We observed an increase of autophagosomes, which was assessed by flow cytometry. However, an autophagy process in CD4+ T cells during sepsis was insufficient including the accumulation of p62. On the other hand, a blockade of autophagy accelerated T cell apoptosis compared with the control mice, augmenting the gene expression of Bcl-2-like 11 and programmed cell death 1. Furthermore, mitochondrial accumulation in T cells occurred via a blockade of autophagy during sepsis. In addition, interleukin-10 production in CD4+ T cells from the cecal ligation and puncture–operated knockout mice was markedly increased. Consequently, deficiency of autophagy in T cells significantly decreased the survival rate in the murine sepsis model.

Conclusions:
We demonstrated that blocking autophagy accelerated apoptosis and increased mortality in concordance with the insufficient autophagy process in CD4+ T cells in the murine sepsis model, suggesting that T cell autophagy plays a protective role against apoptosis and immunosuppression in sepsis.
Prognostic Factors for Long-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients Treated With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dettmer Matthew R. , Damuth Emily , Zarbiv Samson , Mitchell Jessica A. , Bartock Jason L. , Trzeciak Stephen 
Published: September 2016

Objectives:
Long-term survival for patients treated with prolonged mechanical ventilation is generally poor; however, patient-level factors associated with long-term mortality are unclear. Our objective was to systematically review the biomedical literature and synthesize data for prognostic factors that predict long-term mortality in prolonged mechanical ventilation patients.

Data sources:
We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from 1988 to 2015 for studies on prolonged mechanical ventilation utilizing a comprehensive strategy without language restriction.

Study Selection:
We included studies of adults 1) receiving mechanical ventilation for more than or equal to 14 days, 2) admitted to a ventilator weaning unit, or 3) received a tracheostomy for acute respiratory failure. We analyzed articles that used a multivariate analysis to identify patient-level factors associated with long-term mortality (≥ 6 mo from when the patient met criteria for receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation).

Data Extraction:
We used a standardized data collection tool and assessed study quality with a customized Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We abstracted the strength of association between each prognostic factor and long-term mortality. Individual prognostic factors were then designated as strong, moderate, weak, or inconclusive based on an a priori previously published schema.

Data Synthesis:
A total of 7,411 articles underwent relevance screening; 419 underwent full article review. We identified 14 articles that contained a multivariate analysis. We abstracted 19 patient-level factors that showed association with long-term mortality. Six factors demonstrated strong strength of evidence for association with the primary outcome: age, vasopressor requirement, thrombocytopenia, preexisting kidney disease, failed ventilator liberation, and acute kidney injury ± hemodialysis requirement. All factors, except preexisting kidney disease and failed ventilator liberation, were measured at the time the patients met criteria for prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Conclusions:
Despite the magnitude of the public health challenge posed by the prolonged mechanical ventilation population, only 14 articles in the biomedical literature have tested patient-level factors associated with long-term mortality. Further research is needed to inform optimal patient selection for prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Relative Bradycardia in Patients With Septic Shock Requiring Vasopressor Therapy
Authors: Beesley Sarah J. , Wilson Emily L. , Lanspa Michael J. , Grissom Colin K. , Shahul Sajid , Talmor Daniel , Brown Samuel M. 
Published: September 2016

Objectives:Tachycardia is common in septic shock, but many patients with septic shock are relatively bradycardic. The prevalence, determinants, and implications of relative bradycardia (heart rate, < 80 beats/min) in septic shock are unknown. To determine mortality associated with patients who are relatively bradycardic while in septic shock.Design:Retrospective study of patients admitted for septic shock to study ICUs during 2005–2013.Setting:One large academic referral hospital and two community hospitals.Patients:Adult patients with septic shock requiring vasopressors.Intervention:None.Measurements:Primary outcome was 28-day mortality. We used multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between relative bradycardia and mortality, controlling for confounding with inverse probability treatment weighting using a propensity score.Results:We identified 1,554 patients with septic shock, of whom 686 (44%) met criteria for relative bradycardia at some time. Twenty-eight-day mortality in this group was 21% compared to 34% in the never-bradycardic group (p< 0.001). Relatively bradycardic patients were older (65 vs 60 yr;p< 0.001) and had slightly lower illness severity (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, 10 vs 11;p= 0.004; and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, 27 vs 28;p= 0.008). After inverse probability treatment weighting, covariates were balanced, and the association between relative bradycardia and survival persisted (p< 0.001).Conclusions:Relative bradycardia in patients with septic shock is associated with lower mortality, even after adjustment for confounding. Our data support expanded investigation into whether inducing relative bradycardia will benefit patients with septic shock.