bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis Pol II-Dependent in Vitro Transcription System Reveals Role of Chromatin for Light-InduciblerbcSGene Transcription
Authors: Ido Ayaka , Iwata Shinya , Iwata Yuka , Igarashi Hisako , Hamada Takahiro , Sonobe Seiji , Sugiura Masahiro , Yukawa Yasushi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn vitro transcription is an essential tool to study the molecular mechanisms of transcription. For over a decade, we have developed an in vitro transcription system from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)-cultured cells (BY-2), and this system supported the basic activities of the three RNA polymerases (Pol I, Pol II, and Pol III). However, it was not suitable to study photosynthetic genes, because BY-2 cells have lost their photosynthetic activity. Therefore, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in vitro transcription systems were developed from green and etiolated suspension cells. Sufficient in vitro Pol II activity was detected after the minor modification of the nuclear soluble extracts preparation method; removal of vacuoles from protoplasts and L-ascorbic acid supplementation in the extraction buffer were particularly effective. Surprisingly, all four Arabidopsis Rubisco small subunit (rbcS-1A, rbcS-1B, rbcS-2B, and rbcS-3B) gene members were in vitro transcribed from the naked DNA templates without any light-dependent manner. However, clear light-inducible transcriptions were observed using chromatin template of rbcS-1A gene, which was prepared with a human nucleosome assembly protein 1 (hNAP1) and HeLa histones. This suggested that a key determinant of light-dependency through the rbcS gene transcription was a higher order of DNA structure (i.e. chromatin).
Decreased interleukin‐21 expression in skin and blood in advanced mycosis fungoides
Authors: Kabasawa Miyoko , Sugaya Makoto , Oka Tomonori , Takahashi Naomi , Kawaguchi Makiko , Suga Hiraku , Miyagaki Tomomitsu , Takahashi Takehiro , Shibata Sayaka , Fujita Hideki , Asano Yoshihide , Tada Yayoi , Kadono Takafumi , Okochi Hitoshi , Sato Shinichi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐21 is regarded as a potent antitumor agent, which increases the cytotoxicity of both natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells. In this study, we investigated the role of IL‐21 in mycosis fungoides (MF). IL‐21 mRNA expression levels in patch and plaque MF were significantly higher than those in normal skin. IL‐21 mRNA expression levels in tumor MF were significantly decreased compared with those in patch and plaque MF. Interestingly, mRNA expression levels of IL‐21 in MF lesional skin significantly correlated with those of T‐helper type‐1 cytokines/chemokines such as CXCL10, CXCL11 and γ‐interferon. Immunohistochemistry showed that IL‐21 was expressed by keratinocytes in patch and plaque MF. Furthermore, serum IL‐21 levels in patients with tumor MF were significantly lower than those of healthy controls and plaque MF. Thus, IL‐21 expression was significantly downregulated in skin and blood of patients with tumor MF, which may contribute to progression of MF. Our study suggests that recombinant IL‐21 would be a promising therapy for MF.
The Importance of the Mean Platelet Aggregation Degree in Long‐term Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Following Drug‐Eluting Stent Implantation
Authors: Li Quan , Ren Xuejun , Yu Xianpeng , He Jiqiang , Gao Yuechun , Zhang Xiaoling , Wu Changyan , Luo Yawei , Zhang Yuchen , Chen Fang 
Published: January 2016

SummaryIntroductionThe dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and the response of clopidogrel were two pivotal issues in drug‐eluting stent (DES) era.AimsTo analyze the combined impacts of DAPT and the response to clopidogrel to evaluate their long‐term effect on patients undergoing DES implantation.MethodsPlatelet aggregation was serially measured by light transmission aggregometry in all eligible patients during the course of treatment with DAPT, and the mean platelet aggregation degree of each participant was calculated. Based on the duration of DAPT and the mean platelet aggregation degree, all the enrolled patients were then divided into four groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events.ResultsWe analyzed 1245 suitable patients in this study. They were divided into four groups: Group A (12‐month DAPT & low platelet aggregation degree) with 233 subjects, Group B (12‐month DAPT & high platelet aggregation degree) with 260 subjects, Group C (>12‐month DAPT & low platelet aggregation degree) with 374 subjects, and Group D (>12‐month DAPT & high platelet aggregation degree) with 378 subjects. Group C was associated with a decreased incidence of primary endpoints [HR 0.512, 95%CI (0.27–0.97); P = 0.040]. The Cox proportional hazard model was further analyzed with Groups A and B combined as the reference category [HR for Group C vs. Group A, 0.84, 95%CI (0.33–2.15); P = 0.719; HR for Group C vs. Group B, 0.45, 95%CI (0.21–0.98); P = 0.043]. Their respective multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions confirmed these trends.ConclusionsThe mean platelet aggregation degree is of importance in long‐term use of DAPT; extension of DAPT beyond 1 year should be implemented cautiously in patients implanted with DESs.
The Effectiveness of Early Educational Interventions in the Emergency Department to Reduce Incidence or Severity of Postconcussion Syndrome Following a Concussion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Eliyahu Leeor , Kirkland Scott , Campbell Sandy , Rowe Brian H. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectivesConcussions or mild traumatic brain injury are a major public health concern accounting for 85% of all brain injuries. Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) has been found to affect between 15 and 25% of patients with concussion 1 year after the initial injury. The goal of this review is to assess the effectiveness of early educational information or interventions provided in the emergency department on the onset and/or severity of PCS.MethodsA comprehensive literature search strategy involving seven electronic databases was developed. A grey literature search of Google Scholar, recent conference proceedings in emergency medicine, bibliographies of included studies, and clinical trial registries was also performed. The citation list was reviewed independently by two reviewers; no restrictions on publication status or language of publication were applied. The Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool and the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale were used to assess quality.ResultsFrom 1,325 citations retrieved, four RCTs and one controlled clinical trial met inclusion criteria. Interventions identified in these studies included: educational information sheets, with or without telephone or in‐person follow‐up, and one study on bed rest. While rarely requested, one study offered referrals and additional treatment, if needed. None of the studies were deemed to be high quality. Heterogeneity among outcome reporting, follow‐up dates and interventions used precluded a pooled analysis. Overall, only two of the five included studies involving adult patients receiving early educational interventions reported a significant improvement in PCS symptoms. No reduction in PCS symptoms was found in the study on bed rest interventions.ConclusionLimited evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of early educational interventions following concussion. Standardization of the interventions, outcome measures, and follow‐up periods would make quantitative comparisons more valid. Moreover, higher‐quality research in the field of early interventions for patients in the acute care setting is urgently required.
Building a Natural Language Processing Tool to Identify Patients With High Clinical Suspicion for Kawasaki Disease from Emergency Department Notes
Authors: Doan Son , Maehara Cleo K. , Chaparro Juan D. , Lu Sisi , Liu Ruiling , Graham Amanda , Berry Erika , Hsu Chun‐Nan , Kanegaye John T. , Lloyd David D. , Ohno‐Machado Lucila , Burns Jane C. , Tremoulet Adriana H. ,   the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Kawasaki Disease Research Group
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveDelayed diagnosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) may lead to serious cardiac complications. We sought to create and test the performance of a natural language processing (NLP) tool, the KD‐NLP, in the identification of emergency department (ED) patients for whom the diagnosis of KD should be considered.MethodsWe developed an NLP tool that recognizes the KD diagnostic criteria based on standard clinical terms and medical word usage using 22 pediatric ED notes augmented by Unified Medical Language System vocabulary. With high suspicion for KD defined as fever and three or more KD clinical signs, KD‐NLP was applied to 253 ED notes from children ultimately diagnosed with either KD or another febrile illness. We evaluated KD‐NLP performance against ED notes manually reviewed by clinicians and compared the results to a simple keyword search.ResultsKD‐NLP identified high‐suspicion patients with a sensitivity of 93.6% and specificity of 77.5% compared to notes manually reviewed by clinicians. The tool outperformed a simple keyword search (sensitivity = 41.0%; specificity = 76.3%).ConclusionsKD‐NLP showed comparable performance to clinician manual chart review for identification of pediatric ED patients with a high suspicion for KD. This tool could be incorporated into the ED electronic health record system to alert providers to consider the diagnosis of KD. KD‐NLP could serve as a model for decision support for other conditions in the ED.
Video‐based Assessment of Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion in the Resuscitation Area of a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Vukovic Adam A. , Frey Mary , Byczkowski Terri , Taylor Regina , Kerrey Benjamin T. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to describe the frequency of and factors associated with prolonged peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) insertion in the resuscitation area of a pediatric emergency department (PED).MethodsVideo‐based study of a consecutive sample of nontrauma patients undergoing PIV insertion in the resuscitation area of a PED. Preexisting videos were the main data source. The primary outcome was patients with prolonged duration of PIV insertion (>90 seconds from start of first attempt to successful flush/blood draw). Logistic regression identified variables independently associated with prolonged PIV insertion.ResultsA total of 151 consecutive nontrauma patients underwent PIV insertion during a 2.5‐month period. Sixty‐nine patients (46%) had prolonged PIV insertion, including 14 for whom PED providers failed to insert PIVs. For patients with successful PIV insertion by PED providers, median duration was 48 seconds (interquartile range [IQR] = 23 to 295 seconds). Vascular access was ultimately achieved for 13 patients (93%) with initial insertion failure by the PED team (10 non‐PED personnel, three intraosseous lines), with a median duration of 26.7 minutes (IQR = 19.9 to 34.2 minutes). Age ≤ 2 years (ORadj = 6.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.9 to 16.1) and musculoskeletal contractures (ORadj = 5.3; 95% CI = 1.6 to 17.2) were independently associated with prolonged PIV insertion.ConclusionsProlonged PIV insertion is common in a PED resuscitation area. When PED providers could not insert a PIV, time to insertion was very long. Young patients and those with contractures were at particular risk for prolonged and failed PIV placement. When emergent vascular access is required, alternative approaches should be considered early for these patients.
CURB‐65 Performance Among Admitted and Discharged Emergency Department Patients With Community‐acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Sharp Adam L. , Jones Jason P. , Wu Ivan , Huynh Dan , Kocher Keith E. , Shah Nirav R. , Gould Michael K. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectivesPneumonia severity tools were primarily developed in cohorts of hospitalized patients, limiting their applicability to the emergency department (ED). We describe current community ED admission practices and examine the accuracy of the CURB‐65 to predict 30‐day mortality for patients, either discharged or admitted with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).MethodsA retrospective, observational study of adult CAP encounters in 14 community EDs within an integrated healthcare system. We calculated CURB‐65 scores for all encounters and described the use of hospitalization, stratified by each score (0–5). We then used each score as a cutoff to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios for predicting 30‐day mortality.ResultsThe sample included 21,183 ED encounters for CAP (7,952 discharged and 13,231 admitted). The C‐statistic describing the accuracy of CURB‐65 for predicting 30‐day mortality in the full sample was 0.761 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.747–0.774). The C‐statistic was 0.864 (95% CI, 0.821–0.906) among patients discharged from the ED compared with 0.689 (95% CI, 0.672–0.705) among patients who were admitted. Among all ED encounters a CURB‐65 threshold of ≥1 was 92.8% sensitive and 38.0% specific for predicting mortality, with a 99.9% NPV. Among all encounters, 62.5% were admitted, including 36.2% of those at lowest risk (CURB‐65 = 0).ConclusionsCURB‐65 had very good accuracy for predicting 30‐day mortality among patients discharged from the ED. This severity tool may help ED providers risk stratify patients to assist with disposition decisions and identify unwarranted variation in patient care.
Geographical disparities in prescription practices of lithium and clozapine: a community‐based study
Authors: Verdoux H. , Pambrun E. , Cortaredona S. , Coldefy M. , Le Neindre C. , Tournier M. , Verger P. 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo explore the socioeconomic and health resource characteristics associated with geographical variations of lithium and clozapine dispensing rates in France.MethodThe study was performed using reimbursement data from the French Insurance Healthcare system over the period 2006–2013 in a community‐based sample of persons aged 16 years and over. An ecological design was used to assess whether lithium and clozapine prescribing rates were associated with socioeconomic and health resource characteristics of the zone of residence (n = 95 French administrative subdivisions).ResultsLarge geographical disparities were observed in dispensing rates: lithium dispensing rates by zone of residence ranged from 0 to 6.6 per 1000 (mean 2.4 per 1000) and clozapine dispensing rates ranged from 0 to 4.9 per 1000 (mean 0.8 per 1000). Higher density of GPs and regular communication between mental health services and primary care were independently associated with higher rates of lithium and clozapine dispensing and with a higher proportion of lithium users among mood‐stabilizer users.ConclusionA sufficient density of GPs and an effective communication and collaboration between mental healthcare services and primary care seems to favor greater access to psychotropic drugs with demonstrated efficacy but often viewed as ‘risky’ to prescribe.
Cannabidiol disrupts the reconsolidation of contextual drug‐associated memories in Wistar rats
Authors: de Carvalho Cristiane Ribeiro , Takahashi Reinaldo Naoto 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn addicts, craving and relapse are frequently induced by the recall of memories related to a drug experience. Several studies have demonstrated that drug‐related memories are reactivated after exposure to environmental cues and may undergo reconsolidation, a process that can strengthen memories. Thus, reactivation of mnemonic traces provides an opportunity for disrupting memories that contribute to the pathological cycle of addiction. Here we used drug‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP) to investigate whether cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid, given just after reactivation sessions, would affect reconsolidation of drug‐reward memory, reinstatement of morphine‐CPP, or conditioned place aversion precipitated by naltrexone in Wistar rats. We found that CBD impaired the reconsolidation of preference for the environment previously paired with both morphine and cocaine. This disruption seems to be persistent, as the preference did not return after further reinstatement induced by priming drug and stress reinstatement. Moreover, in an established morphine‐CPP, an injection of CBD after the exposure to a conditioning session led to a significant reduction of both morphine‐CPP and subsequent conditioned place aversion precipitated by naltrexone in the same context. Thus, established memories induced by a drug of abuse can be blocked after reactivation of the drug experience. Taken together, these results provide evidence for the disruptive effect of CBD on reconsolidation of contextual drug‐related memories and highlight its therapeutic potential to attenuate contextual memories associated with drugs of abuse and consequently to reduce the risk of relapse.
A comparison of neuropsychiatric adverse events during early treatment with varenicline or a nicotine patch
Authors: Cunningham Francesca E. , Hur Kwan , Dong Diane , Miller Donald R. , Zhang Rongping , Wei Xiangming , McCarren Madeline , Mosholder Andrew D. , Graham David J. , Aspinall Sherrie L. , Good Chester B. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimsWe compared the risk of mental health episodes requiring hospitalization (primary aim) or out‐patient clinic visits (secondary aim) associated with varenicline versus the nicotine patch (NP) in an era prior to psychiatric boxed warnings.DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA), USA.ParticipantsVA patients with or without psychiatric comorbidities and a new prescription for varenicline (15 255) were propensity score‐matched (1 : 2) to new users of NP (123 054) between 1 May 2006 and 30 September 2007, resulting in 11 774 and 23 548 patients in the varenicline and NP groups, respectively.MeasurementsThe primary outcomes were hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of a range of mental health disorders: depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicide attempt, post‐traumatic stress disorder, other psychosis and drug‐induced mental disorders. Secondary outcomes were out‐patient clinic visits with a primary diagnosis of the above list of mental health disorders.FindingsBackground characteristics of the treatment groups were similar after matching. There was no statistically significant difference in risk of hospitalization for any of the studied mental health disorders with varenicline compared with NP. Among secondary outcomes there was an increased risk of out‐patient clinic visits for schizophrenia among patients who received varenicline [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07, 1.51], this increase being evident only in those with a pre‐existing mental health disorder.ConclusionIn US VA patients studied prior to the boxed warning being implemented, use of varenicline for smoking cessation was not associated with a detectable increase compared with nicotine patches in hospitalization for any mental health outcomes. There was an increased rate of out‐patient attendances with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia amounting to five per 100 person years of treatment. This increase was found only in patients with a pre‐existing mental health disorder.
Late reproductive analysis in rat male offspring exposed to nicotine during pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Miranda‐Spooner M. , Paccola C. C. , Neves F. M. O. , de Oliva S. U. , Miraglia S. M. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryWe previously observed that nicotine, administered to rats (Wistar) during pregnancy and lactation periods, provokes, in the progeny, late morphofunctional alterations in Leydig cell, body weight increase in adulthood (90 days post partum, dpp) as well as seminiferous epithelium injury. Aiming to investigate whether the spermatogenic damage previously observed in adult progenies from pregnant and lactating nicotine‐exposed rat dams are maintained or whether it is worsened in older rats, we analyzed the morphological testicular alterations after up to two complete periods of spermatogenesis (53 days each), spermatic parameters, and sperm DNA fragmentation. Pregnant and lactating rats were nicotine‐exposed (2 mg/kg/day) through an osmotic minipump implanted on the first day of pregnancy and replaced after birth. Absolute Control (no minipump) and Sham Control (minipump without nicotine) groups were established. The offspring were killed at 90, 143, and 196 dpp. Significant alterations in morphometric and stereological testicular parameters, such as concentration of sperm number, daily sperm production, and plasma and intratesticular levels of cholesterol and testosterone were not observed in nicotine‐exposed rats. Testicular histopathological analysis showed small intraepithelial vacuolization and an accentuated germ cell desquamation in exposed rats. However, the offspring from nicotine‐exposed dams exhibited higher frequency of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa and lower sperm motility in comparison with control groups. In addition, nicotine‐exposed groups showed a significant reduction in sperm mitochondrial activity and an increased sperm DNA fragmentation (Comet assay). These results indicate a late reproductive damage in the male progeny caused by maternal nicotine exposure, related to the decrease in sperm quality.
Light and electron microscopic study of mature spermatozoa from White Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos): an ultrastructural and molecular analysis
Authors: Majhi Rakesh Kumar , Kumar Ashutosh , Yadav Manoj , Kumar Pradeep , Maity Apratim , Giri Sunil C. , Goswami Chandan 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe morphology, ultrastructure, and functions of mature avian spermatozoa have been of immense commercial and scientific interest for several reasons. This is mainly important in case of birds in poultry production, conservation, and in the use of sperm morphometry as phylogenetic evidence. Avian spermatozoa share complex or no correlation of sperm morphometry with respect to testis and/or body size as described before. In this work, we have isolated mature spermatozoa from White Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos) by non‐invasive methods and performed several immunostaining analysis as well as cytochemical analysis using electron and light microscopes. Here, we report the presence of different post‐translationally modified tubulin such as tyrosinated‐, detyrosinated‐, acetylated‐, polyglutamylated‐, and glycylated‐tubulin in specific regions of the mature spermatozoa. By using field‐emission scanning electron microscope, we confirm the presence of acrosome‐like structure at the tip of the sperm head. However, this structure remains non‐reactive to common lectins such as Peanut Agglutinin (PNA) and cholesterol‐sensitive dyes such as Filipin. We report that this acrosomal structure is primarily made of lipid‐based structures and is resistant to 0.1% Triton X100. Confocal microscopy and super resolution structured illumination microscopy study indicates that the nucleus is bifurcated at the tip region. By using specific markers, we report that the perforatorium structure present at the tip of the spermatozoa head contains specialized organelles that is similar to atypical mitochondria. We propose that these ultrastructural and molecular parameters can be used as species‐specific features. The bifurcated nucleus and presence of atypical mitochondria within this structure may be relevant for the complex mitochondrial inheritance and mitochondrial heteroplasmy observed in case of avian population.