bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of uveitis in a Western urban multiethnic population. The challenge of globalization
Authors: Llorenç Victor , Mesquida Marina , Sainz de la Maza Maite , Keller Johannes , Molins Blanca , Espinosa Gerard , Hernandez María V. , Gonzalez‐Martín Julian , Adán Alfredo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPurposeTo report the anatomical pattern and etiological spectrum of uveitis in an urban multi‐ethnic population from Barcelona, Spain. General and specific epidemiological data for the most prevalent aetiologies are also calculated.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of consecutive uveitis cases was performed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2012. Exogenous endophthalmitis, surgery‐related, post‐traumatic and toxic uveitis along with masquerade syndromes were excluded. Anatomical (Standard Uveitis Nomenclature criteria) and aetiological patterns (by tailored tests), age, sex, geographical origin and laterality were analysed. Mean incidence and prevalence were calculated for a mid‐period reference population.ResultsFrom 1022 patients included, 52% were anterior uveitis (AU), 23% posterior, 15% panuveitis and 9% intermediate uveitis. Aetiologically, 26% were unclassifiable, 29% infectious, 25% associated with systemic immune diseases, and 20% corresponded to ocular‐specific syndromes. Among classified causes, herpesvirus (12%), toxoplasma (7%), Behçet's disease (BD) (5%), HLA‐B27‐isolated AU (5%), ankylosing spondylitis (5%), tuberculosis‐related uveitis (TRU) (5%), birdshot chorioretinopathy (3%) and sarcoidosis (3%) were the most frequent. Non‐Spanish origin was recorded in 22%, with 47% of Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada and 36% of toxoplasma cases coming from South America, 10% of BD and 11% of TRU from Africa and 24% of TRU cases from Asia. A mean annual incidence of 51.91 cases/100 000 inhabitants was found for the referral population.ConclusionIn our referral area, 74% of the uveitis cases can be correctly classified. A large myriad of uveitis aetiologies with a strong geographical origin burden are found in Western urban multi‐ethnic populations.
Limitations to the use of facilitation as a restoration tool in arid grazed savanna: a case study
Authors: Noumi Zouhaier , Chaieb Mohamed , Michalet Richard , Touzard Blaise 
Published: February 2015

AbstractQuestionThere is increasing interest in using facilitation by nurse plants for restoring dry degraded ecosystems. However, most studies concern semi‐arid areas, and the efficiency and importance of facilitation in arid grazed areas is still poorly understood. The goal of this study was to determine to what extent positive interactions among plants could be used as a restoration tool in an arid grazed region (southern Tunisia). In particular, we examined variations in plant interactions, along with water stress, grazing intensity and the type of nurse plant (grass vs chenopod shrub).LocationAcacia tortilis open woodland community of the National Park of Bou‐Hedma, Tunisia (33°30′ N, 9°38′ E).MethodsSurvival of transplants of Acacia was monitored during two growing seasons, with and without herbivores, in the presence/absence of a chenopod shrub and a perennial grass, and in three communities of contrasting water availability. We quantified the importance of biotic interactions and their variation across the community, grazing and neighbour type treatments.ResultsCompetition was the only statistically significant interaction occurring between Acacia seedlings and both neighbours in all water and grazing conditions. The negative effect of neighbours was mostly for light and water. However, competition was important only at the start of the experiment during a relatively wet period, in the wettest community and in the absence of herbivores. Drought stress and disturbance were the most important drivers of target tree survival.ConclusionsFacilitation cannot be used as a tool for ecological restoration in this arid system, mainly because the only available target tree species is too shade‐intolerant and drought‐tolerant to benefit from neighbours. In addition, the importance of plant–plant interactions vanished due to the overwhelming importance of stress and disturbance. Our study highlights the fact that nurse‐based ecological restoration should not be an automatic process, but must be tailored to the species and environment in question.
Combination of multiparametric MRI and transperineal template‐guided mapping biopsy of the prostate to identify candidates for hemi‐ablative focal therapy
Authors: Tran Minh , Thompson James , Böhm Maret , Pulbrook Marley , Moses Daniel , Shnier Ron , Brenner Phillip , Delprado Warick , Haynes Anne‐Maree , Savdie Richard , Stricker Phillip D. 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of combined multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and transperineal template‐guided mapping biopsy (TTMB) for identifying lobes with significant prostate cancer (PCa) for the application of hemi‐ablative focal therapy (FT).Patients and MethodsFrom January 2012 to January 2014, 89 consecutive patients, aged ≥40 years, with a PSA level ≤15 ng/mL, underwent in sequential order: mpMRI, TTMB and radical prostatectomy (RP) at a single centre. Analysis was performed on 50 patients who met consensus guidelines for FT. Lobes were stratified into lobes with significant cancer (LSC), lobes with insignificant cancer and lobes with no cancer. Using histopathology at RP, the predictive performance of combined mpMRI + TTMB in identifying LSC was evaluated.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for mpMRI + TTMB for LSC were 97, 61 and 83%, respectively. The negative predictive value (NPV), the primary variable of interest, for mpMRI + TTMB for LSC was 91%. Of the 50 patients, 21 had significant unilateral disease on mpMRI + TTMB. Two of these 21 patients had significant bilateral disease on RP not identified on mpMRI + TTMB.ConclusionsIn the selection of candidates for FT, a combination of mpMRI and TTMB provides a high NPV in the detection of LSC.
Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale: psychometric properties of a questionnaire for children and adolescents
Authors: McKeague Lynn , Hennessy Eilis , O'Driscoll Claire , Heary Caroline 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundThe nature of stigmatizing attitudes towards children and adolescents with mental health problems has received little empirical attention, despite consensus that such attitudes are widespread. As a consequence, much less is known about stigma in childhood and adolescence and methods of stigma measurement are frequently borrowed from the adult literature. For research on this topic to develop, a theoretically based and developmentally appropriate measure is needed. This study aimed to develop a theory‐based peer stigma questionnaire suitable for children and adolescents.MethodParticipants were 562 children and adolescents aged 9–16 years (M = 12.99 years;SD = 1.6 years) in the Republic of Ireland, 316 female, all were White. The Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale (PMHSS) contains 24 statements (negative and positive) about peers with mental health problems that are rated on a 5‐point scale. Participants also completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Re‐test data was collected after 2 weeks from 109 participants.ResultsPrincipal Components Analysis on the negative statements indicate the presence of two components:Stigma Agreement, personal endorsement of stigmatising statements andStigma Awareness: awareness of prevailing societal stigma towards youth with mental health problems. The positive statements include three components:Intellectual Ability,RecoveryandFriendship.ConclusionsThePMHSSis a psychometrically sound instrument with good retest reliability suitable for use with older children and teenagers. Initial use of the scale suggests that personal endorsement of stigma is lower than perceptions of public stigma.
Left Ventricular Septolateral Mechanical Delay Is Associated with Reduced Long‐Term Survival in Systolic Heart Failure with Narrow QRS Duration: Nine‐Year Outcome in 109 Patients
Authors: Krishnan Srikanth , Verma Sanjay , Cheng Michael , Krishnan Rajagopal , Pai Ramdas G. 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundThe long‐term prognostic importance of left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony in patients with systolic heart failure is not known. We investigated this question in 109 consecutive patients with systolic heart failure with an LV ejection fraction (EF) ≤35% and QRS duration <130 ms.MethodsThe cohort is a prospective series of 109 patients with EF ≤35% and QRS duration <130 ms who did not receive a defibrillator. Onset to onset septolateral and anteroposterior mechanical delays were computed from tissue Doppler velocity signals of the four quadrants of the mitral annulus and related to mortality.ResultsPatient characteristics included age 53 ± 12 years, 73% male, 23% with coronary artery disease, LVEF 24 ± 7%, LV end‐diastolic dimension 64 ± 9 mm, LV end‐systolic dimension 55 ± 9 mm, QRS duration 107 ± 30 ms, and 92 with QRS duration <120 ms. Over a follow‐up of 9 years, there were 51 deaths. Univariate predictors of mortality included LV septolateral delay (HR 1.01 per ms, P < 0.0001), anteroposterior delay (P = 0.003), and age (P = 0.005), but not EF, LV size, or QRS duration. Using Cox regression analysis, LV septolateral delay was an independent predictor of higher mortality (P = 0.0005) after adjusting for age, gender, EF, LV size, QRS duration, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and use of beta blockers or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors.ConclusionIn patients with heart failure, LVEF ≤35% and QRSd < 130 ms, LV mechanical dyssynchrony is a strong and independent predictor of long‐term mortality.
Masked, diluted and drowned out: how global seafood trade weakens signals from marine ecosystems
Authors: Crona Beatrice I , Daw Tim M , Swartz Wilf , Norström Albert V , Nyström Magnus , Thyresson Matilda , Folke Carl , Hentati‐Sundberg Jonas , Österblom Henrik , Deutsch Lisa , Troell Max 
Published: February 2015

AbstractNearly 40% of seafood is traded internationally and an even bigger proportion is affected by international trade, yet scholarship on marine fisheries has focused on global trends in stocks and catches, or on dynamics of individual fisheries, with limited attention to the link between individual fisheries, global trade and distant consumers. This paper examines the usefulness of fish price as a feedback signal to consumers about the state of fisheries and marine ecosystems. We suggest that the current nature of fisheries systems and global markets prevent transmission of such price signals from source fisheries to consumers. We propose several mechanisms that combine to weaken price signals, and present one example – the North Sea cod – to show how these mechanisms can be tested. The lack of a reliable price feedback to consumers represents a challenge for sustainable fisheries governance. We therefore propose three complimentary approaches to address the missing feedback: (i) strengthening information flow through improved traceability and visibility of individual fishers to consumers, (ii) capitalizing on the changing seafood trade structures and (iii) bypassing and complementing market mechanisms by directly targeting citizens and political actors regarding marine environmental issues through publicity and information campaigns. These strategies each have limitations and thus need to be pursued together to address the challenge of sustainability in global marine fisheries.
Structure and proposed mechanism of l‐α‐glycerophosphate oxidase from Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Elkhal Callia K. , Kean Kelsey M. , Parsonage Derek , Maenpuen Somchart , Chaiyen Pimchai , Claiborne Al , Karplus P. Andrew 
Published: February 2015

The formation of H2O2 by the FAD‐dependent l‐α‐glycerophosphate oxidase (GlpO) is important for the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The structurally known GlpO from Streptococcus sp. (SspGlpO) is similar to the pneumococcal protein (SpGlpO) and provides a guide for drug design against that target. However, M. pneumoniae GlpO (MpGlpO), having < 20% sequence identity with structurally known GlpOs, appears to represent a second type of GlpO that we designate as type II GlpOs. In the present study, the recombinant His‐tagged MpGlpO structure is described at an approximate resolution of 2.5 Å, solved by molecular replacement using, as a search model, the Bordetella pertussis protein 3253 (Bp3253), comprising a protein of unknown function solved by structural genomics efforts. Recombinant MpGlpO is an active oxidase with a turnover number of approximately 580 min−1, whereas Bp3253 showed no GlpO activity. No substantial differences exist between the oxidized and dithionite‐reduced MpGlpO structures. Although, no liganded structures were determined, a comparison with the tartrate‐bound Bp3253 structure and consideration of residue conservation patterns guided the construction of a model for l‐α‐glycerophosphate (Glp) recognition and turnover by MpGlpO. The predicted binding mode also appears relevant for the type I GlpOs (such as SspGlpO) despite differences in substrate recognition residues, and it implicates a histidine conserved in type I and II Glp oxidases and dehydrogenases as the catalytic acid/base. The present study provides a solid foundation for guiding further studies of the mitochondrial Glp dehydrogenases, as well as for continued studies of M. pneumoniae and S. pneumoniae glycerol metabolism and the development of novel therapeutics targeting MpGlpO and SpGlpO.DatabaseStructural data have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession numbers 4X9M (oxidized) and 4X9N (reduced).
Factor VIII alloantibody inhibitors: cost analysis of immune tolerance induction vs. prophylaxis and on‐demand with bypass treatment
Authors: Earnshaw S. R. , Graham C. N. , McDade C. L. , Spears J. B. , Kessler C. M. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryDevelopment of inhibitors (alloantibodies to exogenous factor VIII) is the most significant treatment complication in patients with haemophilia A. The only proven way to eradicate inhibitors is through immune tolerance induction (ITI), while bypassing agents are typically employed to treat or prevent bleeds in patients with high titre inhibitors. Costs of these approaches have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to compare lifetime costs of treating patients with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors using on‐demand or prophylaxis treatment with bypassing agents and ITI. A decision‐analytic model was developed to compare the treatment costs and outcomes. Quantitation of the reduction in bleeding events for patients on prophylaxis and after eradication of inhibitors when on ITI and relapse of inhibitors was derived from published studies. Costs were obtained from standard US costing sources and are reported in 2014 US dollars. Costs and outcomes were discounted 3% per annum. Lifetime costs of treating patients with inhibitors are lower for ITI vs. on‐demand or prophylaxis. Patients are also projected to live longer, have greater quality‐adjusted life‐years, and have fewer bleeding events than patients treated on‐demand. Treating patients via ITI to eradicate inhibitors may result in lower lifetime costs and greater life‐years and quality‐adjusted life‐years than treating with bypassing agents.
High incidence of the hepatitis C virus recombinant 2k/1b in Georgia: Recommendations for testing and treatment
Authors: Karchava Marine , Waldenström Jesper , Parker Monica , Hallack Renee , Sharvadze Lali , Gatserelia Lana , Chkhartishvili Nikoloz , Dvali Natia , Dzigua Lela , Dolmazashvili Ekaterine , Norder Helene , Tsertsvadze Tengiz 
Published: February 2015

AimThe first hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant, RF2k/1b, was initially described from Russia and has since then been identified from patients in Ireland, Estonia, Uzbekistan and Cyprus. Many of these patients originated from Georgia; however, there is no information on its prevalence in Georgia or its susceptibility to antiviral treatment.MethodsWe retrospectively sequenced the non‐structural region 5B (NS5B) of the HCV genome in samples from 72 Georgian patients, 36 of whom had been treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.ResultsThe HCV genotype was determined using the Versant HCV Genotype v2 kit. Based on this typing, 32 patients (44.4%) were infected with genotype 1, 21 (29.1%) genotype 2 and 19 (26.3%) genotype 3. Partial NS5B of these strains was sequenced and analyzed for type, with concordant genotype results for all type 1 and 3 strains. Discrepant results were observed for genotyped 2 strains, with 16 (76%) having NS5B of subtype 1b. On phylogenetic analysis, 15 NS5B sequences of these strains were found in a clade formed by recombinant RF2k/1b strains. The remaining discordant sequence was found within a clade formed by 1b strains.ConclusionOur findings show that the RF2k/1b recombinant strain is common among Georgian patients previously assumed to be infected with genotype 2. Because genotyping is mainly performed to decide treatment strategies, there is a need to determine the genotype by analysis of at least two genomic regions in strains from Georgian patients considered infected with genotype 2 based on standard HCV genotyping methods.
Are acinic cell carcinomas of the breast and salivary glands distinct diseases?
Authors: Piscuoglio Salvatore , Hodi Zsolt , Katabi Nora , Guerini‐Rocco Elena , Macedo Gabriel S , Ng Charlotte K Y , Edelweiss Marcia , De Mattos‐Arruda Leticia , Wen Hannah Y , Rakha Emad A , Ellis Ian O , Rubin Brian P , Weigelt Britta , Reis‐Filho Jorge S 
Published: February 2015

AimsAcinic cell carcinomas (AcCC) of the breast have been reported to constitute the breast counterpart of salivary gland AcCCs, based on the similarities of their histological and immunohistochemical features. Breast AcCC is a vanishingly rare form of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Recent studies have demonstrated that in TNBCs, the two driver genes most frequently mutated are TP53 (82%) and PIK3CA (10%). We sought to define whether breast AcCCs would harbour TP53 and PIK3CA somatic mutations, and if so, whether these would be present in salivary gland AcCCs.Methods and resultsSanger sequencing of the entire coding region of TP53 and of PIK3CA hotspot mutation sites of 10 breast and 20 salivary gland microdissected AcCCs revealed eight TP53 (80%) and one PIK3CA (10%) somatic mutations in breast AcCCs. No somatic mutations affecting these genes were found in the 20 salivary gland AcCCs analysed.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that breast AcCCs display TP53 and PIK3CA mutations at frequencies similar to those of common types of TNBCs, whereas these genes appear not to be altered in salivary gland AcCCs, suggesting that despite their similar histological appearances, AcCCs of the breast and salivary glands probably constitute unrelated diseases.
A Raman spectroscopic study of meat protein/lipid interactions at protein/oil or protein/fat interfaces
Authors: Shao Jun‐Hua , Deng Ya‐Min , Zhou Guang‐Hong , Xu Xing‐Lian , Liu Deng‐Yong 
Published: February 2015

SummaryStructural changes in proteins of meat, FC (fat cream layers) and OC (soya bean oil cream layers) were studied by Raman spectroscopy. Results revealed that adsorption of proteins to the cream layers resulted in a maximum scattering change from 1657 to 1661 cm−1, the intensity of amide I was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the percentages of secondary structures of proteins in the raw meat and meat cream layers were significantly different (P < 0.05), the bands near 540 and 475 cm−1 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in intensities in the soya bean oil cream layer samples compared to raw meat alone, the normalised intensity of the tryptophan band near 758 cm−1, from 0.52 in the raw meat to 1.11 (fat cream layer) or 0.72 (soya bean oil cream layer). These results indicated that disulphide bonds, hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding were of the main interactions observed in proteins and lipids at the emulsion interface.
Hydroxypropylated microcrystalline pea starch: optimisation, functional characterisation
Authors: Hongbo Tang , Haibo Lin , Yanping Li , Siqing Dong 
Published: February 2015

SummaryPea starch (PS) appears to be very attractive for the peculiar physicochemical characteristics, which is used for the vermicelli, film‐forming material due to the high amylose content. The aim of this study was to optimise the hydroxypropylation technology parameters of the microcrystalline pea starch based on pea starch as a raw material, hydrochloric acid as an hydrolysis reagent, epoxy propane as an etherisation reagent by the Box–Behnken method. The thermal properties of hydroxypropylated microcrystalline pea starch were characterised by the thermogravimetric analyser and differential scanning calorimeter, respectively. Through the analysis of Design‐Expert software, the regression model and corresponding variances were obtained. In this case, the determination coefficient (R2) was 0.9631. This implied that 96.31% of the variation could be explained by the regression model. The best reaction conditions for preparing the hydroxypropylated microcrystalline pea starch were as follows: reaction temperature 40 °C, reaction time 16 h, amount of epoxy propane 14%, amount of sodium hydroxide 1.2% and amount of anhydrous sodium sulphate 12%. After the microcrystalline pea starch was hydroxypropylated, its peak temperature, melting enthalpy, temperature range of the endothermic peak increased, but its the thermal stability, onset temperature decreased.
Purification and characterisation of β‐mannanase from Lactobacillus plantarum (M24) and its applications in some fruit juices
Authors: Nadaroglu Hayrunnisa , Adiguzel Ahmet , Adiguzel Gulsah 
Published: February 2015

Summaryβ‐Mannanase was purified 2619.05‐fold from the Lactobacillus plantarum (M24) bacterium by ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion exchange chromatography (DEAE‐Sephadex). The purified enzyme gave two protein bands at a level of approximately 36.4 and 55.3 kDa in the SDS‐PAGE. The purified mannanase enzyme has shown its maximum activity at 50 °C and pH 8, and it has been also determined that the enzyme was stable at 5–11 pH range and over 50 °C. The Vmax and Km values have been identified as 82 mg mannan mL−1 and 0.178 mm, respectively. The effects of some metal ions such as Fe2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ on the mannanase enzyme have been also investigated, and it has been determined that all metal ions had significant effects on the activation of the mannanase enzyme. In addition, the effectiveness of the purified mannanase enzyme on the clarification of some fruit juices such as orange, apricot, grape and apple has been investigated. During the clarification processes, the enzyme was more effective than crude extracts on the clarification of the peach juice with a ratio of 223.1% at most.