bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro biofilm formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae as a predictor of post‐vaccination emerging serotypes colonizing the human nasopharynx
Authors: Domenech Mirian , Araújo‐Bazán Lidia , García Ernesto , Moscoso Miriam 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe increasing use of the 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been accompanied by the rise of non‐vaccine serotypes colonizing the human nasopharynx. The vast majority of infections are caused by microorganisms that grow in biofilms. It has recently been shown that the formation of Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilms in vivo and in vitro is hindered by the presence of capsular polysaccharide. The biofilm‐forming capacity of pneumococcal clinical isolates with different types of capsular polysaccharide and various isogenic transformants was examined. Strains of serotypes 19A and 19F, but not 19B and 19C, formed ≥ 80% of the quantity of biofilm associated with a non‐encapsulated control strain. Strains of serogroup 6 also showed significant biofilm‐forming capacity. The capsules of serotypes 19A and 19F, and serogroup 6 contain the disaccharides α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐Rhap‐(1→ and α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→3)‐α‐L‐Rhap‐(1→. Serotype 18A and serotypes 18B/18C have very similar capsular disaccharides: α‐D‐GlcpNAc‐(1→3)‐β‐L‐Rhap‐(1→ and α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→3)‐β‐L‐Rhap‐(1→ respectively. However, the strains of serogroup 18 showed impaired biofilm formation. These results indicate that the chemical composition/structure of the capsular polysaccharide is crucial to the biofilm‐forming capacity of pneumococcal serotypes. Testing of the in vitro biofilm‐forming ability of isogenic transformants expressing different capsular polysaccharides may help predict the emergence of colonizing, non‐vaccine serotypes.
The Prc and RseP proteases control bacterial cell‐surface signalling activity
Authors: Bastiaansen Karlijn C. , Ibañez Aurelia , Ramos Juan L. , Bitter Wilbert , Llamas María A. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryExtracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors play a key role in the regulation of vital functions in the bacterial response to the environment. In Gram‐negative bacteria, activity of these sigma factors is often controlled by cell‐surface signalling (CSS), a regulatory system that also involves an outer membrane receptor and a transmembrane anti‐sigma factor. To get more insight into the molecular mechanism behind CSS regulation, we have focused on the unique Iut system of Pseudomonas putida. This system contains a hybrid protein containing both a cytoplasmic ECF sigma domain and a periplasmic anti‐sigma domain, apparently leading to a permanent interaction between the sigma and anti‐sigma factor. We show that the Iut ECF sigma factor regulates the response to aerobactin under iron deficiency conditions and is activated by a proteolytic pathway that involves the sequential action of two proteases: Prc, which removes the periplasmic anti‐sigma domain, and RseP, which subsequently removes the transmembrane domain and thereby generates the ECF active transcriptional form. We furthermore demonstrate the role of these proteases in the regulation of classical CSS systems in which the sigma and anti‐sigma factors are two different proteins.
Optimization and evaluation of microencapsulated artificial diet for mass rearing the predatory ladybird Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Tan Xiao‐Ling , Zhao Jing , Wang Su , Zhang Fan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractArtificial diet optimization is a key aspect in mass rearing of natural enemies since it influences the quality and feeding effectiveness, and thus the success of the biological control program. Here, we introduced the microencapsulation method to package liquid artificial diet for feeding of the ladybird Propylea japonica. An orthogonal test of the quality of microencapsulated artificial diets (ADMs) was performed on key variables in production; Ca‐alginate concentration, chitosan concentration and weight ratio of wall material to inner diet. We compared the development and reproduction of P. japonica fed on the ADMs under different cold‐stored periods with those fed on fresh aphids and liquid artificial diets, in addition to a comparison of respiration, locomotion and predation. Our results indicated that chitosan concentration and ratio of shell to core significantly influence the quality of ADMs. The optimal recipe is 1.0% Ca‐alginate, 1.6% chitosan and shell : core = 1 : 2. Insects reared on fresh optimized ADMs were similar to those fed on fresh prey in all developmental and reproductive characteristics except for survival ratio and female fertility. ADMs appeared more beneficial than using a liquid artificial diet, although this may decrease with the prolonging of the cold‐storage period. P. japonica fed either on fresh ADMs or fresh prey showed improved respiration and predation abilities compared to where liquid artificial diet was used. Our study indicates advantages of microencapsulation in the production of artificial diet for predatory ladybird rearing. A microencapsulated diet can directly increase the efficiency and stability of mass rearing.
The negative effects of temperature increase on bacterial respiration are independent of changes in community composition
Authors: Pires Aliny P. F. , Guariento Rafael D. , Laque Thais , Esteves Francisco A. , Farjalla Vinicius F. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryTemporal changes in environmental conditions and in bacterial community composition (BCC) regulate bacterial processes and ecosystem services. An increase in temperature accelerates bacterial processes in polar or temperate regions, but this relationship has not been documented for the tropics. Here, we tested the interactive effects of changing the BCC and increasing the water temperature on tropical bacterial respiration (BR). The BCC was manipulated through successional changes of the bacterial community in a filtered water sample from a tropical coastal lagoon. Four succession incubation periods (120, 240, 288 and 336 h) and four different water temperatures (23, 28, 33 and 38oC) were tested in a full‐factorial design microcosm experiment. Both the BCC and the temperature had significant individual, but not interactive, effects on BR. Temperature increasing consistently decreased BR, while there was no clear pattern of successional effects on BR observed. No BCC tested was able to diminish the negative effects of temperature increases on BR. Our results suggest that the effects of an increasing temperature can negatively affect BR, even in tropical ecosystems with different BCC.
A comparison of Maxlike and Maxent for modelling species distributions
Authors: Merow Cory , Silander John A. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Understanding species spatial occurrence patterns and their environmental dependence is one of the fundamental goals in ecology and evolution. Often, occurrence models are built with presence‐only data because absence data are unavailable. We compare the strengths and limitations of the recently developed presence‐only modelling method, Maxlike, with the more widely used Maxent.

In spite of disparities highlighted by the developers of Maxlike and Maxent, we show approximate formal relationships between the parameters of Maxlike and Maxent for two scenarios to illustrate their similarity. Using case studies based on real and simulated data, we show how these similarities manifest in practice.

We find more similarities than differences between Maxlike and Maxent, including coefficient values, predicted spatial distributions, similarity to presence–absence models, predictive performance and ranking the predicted suitability of cells. Maxlike reliably predicted absolute occurrence probabilities for very large data sets on landscapes where occurrence probability approximately spanned [0,1]. For smaller data sets, the uncertainty in predicted occurrence probability by Maxlike was very large, due to the inherent limitations of presence‐only data. In contrast, Maxent is constrained to predicting relative occurrence probabilities or relative occurrence rates unless it is provided with additional information from presence–absence data. Both models can reliably predict relative differences in occurrence probability.

The choice of which model to use depends partly on sampling assumptions, which we discuss in detail. Due to limitations of presence‐only data, ecologists should typically focus on interpretations relying on relative differences in occurrence probability or relative occurrence rates. We discuss how to remedy a number of concerns about the use of Maxent and how to avoid some potential pitfalls with Maxlike – particularly related to high variance predictions. We conclude that both methods are similarly valuable for understanding and predicting species’ distributions in terms of relative differences in occurrence probability when the models are specified carefully.
Evaluating rehabilitation goals of visually impaired children in multidisciplinary care according to ICF‐CY guidelines
Authors: Rainey Linda , van Nispen Ruth , van Rens Ger 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPurposeTo gain qualitative insight into the rehabilitation goals of visually impaired children and how these goals relate to the structure of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and patient characteristics.MethodsA patient record study was conducted, analysing rehabilitation goals and characteristics of children with a suspected visual impairment in the Netherlands (<18 years) who applied for multidisciplinary services in 2012 (N = 289). Chi‐square analyses for trend in rehabilitation content across age bands and additional analyses were performed.ResultsThe three most common diagnoses were nystagmus (21.2%), cerebral visual impairment (16.2%) and albinism (6.1%). Rehabilitation goals for children aged <7 years were mostly aimed at ‘physical (visual) functioning’ (36.7%) and ‘environmental factors’ (36.7%). For children ≥7 years, significantly more goals were identified on activity and participation (A&P) domains (52.2%). Three A and P domains presented a significant linear trend on the number of rehabilitation goals across age bands: (1) ‘Learning and applying knowledge’ (13.042, p < 0.001), (4) ‘Mobility’ (31.340, p < 0.001) and (8) ‘Major life areas’ (5.925, p = 0.015). Regression analysis showed that both age and visual acuity significantly contributed to the number of A and P goals.ConclusionAlthough analyses were based on a selection of patient records, the number and nature of rehabilitation goals differ significantly with age. Many A and P goals seem underrepresented at the intake procedure, for example: communication, peer interaction and participating in leisure activities. A systematic, standardized procedure is required to catalogue all existing goals and to be able to evaluate progress and potential new or other important goals.
Peripapillary ring: histology and correlations
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Holbach Leonard , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPurposeTo assess the histologic correlate of the peripapillary ring (PPR) as the optic disc boundary, to measure it histomorphometrically and to assess its associations with glaucoma and axial length.MethodsUsing a light microscope, we measured the width of the PPR and optic nerve pia mater. We additionally had measured the axial length, length of parapapillary beta and gamma zones, and thickness of the sclera and choroid.ResultsThe study included 83 human globes with a mean axial length of 26.1 ± 3.3 mm (range: 20.0–35.0 mm). In the non‐highly myopic (axial length <26.5 mm) non‐glaucomatous eyes, mean PPR width was 55 ± 14 μm (range: 26–88 μm) and mean thickness of the optic nerve pia mater was 52 ± 22 μm (range: 20–84 μm). PPR width and pia mater thickness were significantly associated with each other (p = 0.001; correlation coefficient r = 0.37). PPR width increased significantly with longer axial length (p = 0.001; r = 0.35) and with the length of the peripapillary scleral flange (p = 0.02; r = 0.34). Pia mater thickness increased significantly with longer axial length (p = 0.03; r = 0.24) and with presence of glaucoma (p = 0.03). In eyes without parapapillary gamma zone, PPR was covered or was at least touched by the end of Bruch's membrane and separated the peripapillary choroid from the prelaminar optic nerve head tissue. In eyes with parapapillary gamma zone, PPR was the continuation of the optic nerve pia mater and reached the undersurface of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer. In these eyes, Bruch's membrane started in a distance of up to 5 mm from PPR, and the thin space of peripapillary choroid ended by an attachment of Bruch's membrane to the thinned sclera.ConclusionsPeripapillary ring width (mean: 55 ± 14 μm) increases slightly with longer axial length and is independent of glaucoma. It is strongly correlated with the pia mater thickness and is the continuation of the pia mater to the ocular surface.
Nogo‐B expression, in arterial intima, is impeded in the early stages of atherosclerosis in humans
Authors: Drożdż Katarzyna , Grzegorek Irmina , Chmielewska Magdalena , Gomułkiewicz Agnieszka , Jabłońska Karolina , Piotrowska Aleksandra , Karczewski Maciej , Janczak Dariusz , Patrzałek Dariusz , Dzięgiel Piotr , Szuba Andrzej 
Published: December 2013

Nogo‐B (Reticulon 4B) is considered to be a novel vascular marker, which may have a protective role in injury‐induced neointima formation and atherosclerosis. Nogo A/B is found to be crucial for monocyte/macrophage recruitment in acute inflammation and it is expressed in CD68 + macrophages. We hypothesize that macrophage infiltration in atherosclerosis is not dependent on Nogo‐B expression in arterial wall. We have assessed Nogo‐B expression and macrophage accumulation in the iliac arteries of healthy organ donors and organ donors with cardiovascular risk factors. Paraffin sections of 66 iliac arteries, from 44 deceased organ donors (17 women and 27 men), were studied. The healthy and cardiovascular risk (CVR) subgroups were created. With regard to staging of the atherosclerotic process, the thickness of arterial intima was measured in digitalized images of H+E stained tissue sections. Immunohistochemical reactions (Nogo‐B and CD68) were carried out in all arteries (66 samples). Western blotting (WB‐19 samples) and real‐time PCR (27 samples) were performed on selected arteries. Significantly higher Nogo‐B expression was demonstrated in the intima of the healthy subjects' subgroup, using immunohistochemistry. WB and real‐time PCR revealed a trend toward lower Nogo‐B expression in the adventitia of the CVR subgroup. Furthermore, the thickness of the intima was found to negatively correlate with the expression of Nogo‐B in the intima and media (r = −0.32; p < 0.05; r = −0.32; p < 0.05). Macrophage infiltrates were more prominent in intima of CVR subjects (0.65 vs 3.52 a.u.; p < 0.01). Macrophage density in intima increased with atherosclerosis progression (r = 0.37; p < 0.01). CD68 macrophages density in adventitia was lower in CVR arteries than in healthy arteries. The expression of Nogo‐B, in arterial intima, is impeded in the early stages of atherosclerosis. Accumulation of arterial intimal CD68 macrophages has been shown to progress; however, the overall macrophage density in the adventitia is reduced in arteries shown to have intimal thickening. Macrophage infiltration is not accompanied by Nogo‐B expression in atherosclerotic arteries.
A New Approach to the Group Ranking Problem: Finding Consensus Ordered Segments from Users’ Preference Data
Authors: Chen Yen‐Liang , Cheng Li‐Chen , Hsu Weu‐Yu 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe group ranking problem involves constructing coherent aggregated results from users’ preference data. The goal of most group ranking problems is to generate an ordered list of all items that represents the user consensus. There are, however, two weaknesses to this approach. First, a complete list of ranked items is always output even when there is no consensus or only a slight consensus. Second, due to similarity of performance, in many practical situations, it is very difficult to differentiate whether one item is really better than another within a set. These weaknesses have motivated us to apply the clustering concept to the group ranking problem, to output an ordered list of segments containing a set of similarly preferred items, called consensus ordered segments. The advantages of our approach are that (i) the list of segments is based on the users’ consensuses, (ii) the items with similar preferences are grouped together in the same segment, and (iii) the relationships between items can be easily seen. An algorithm is developed to construct the consensus of the ordered segments from the users’ total ranking data. Finally, the experimental results indicate that the proposed method is computationally efficient, and can effectively identify consensus ordered segments.
Decision Making Using Rating Systems: When Scale Meets Binary
Authors: Bargagliotti Anna E. , Li Lingfang (Ivy) 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThis article investigates how different decisions can be reached when decision makers consult a binary rating system and a scale rating system. Since typically decision makers use rating information to make binary decisions, it is particularly important to compare the scale system to the binary system. We show that the only N‐point scale system that reports a rater's opinion consistently with the binary system is one where N is odd and is not divisible by 4. At the aggregate level, however, we illustrate that inconsistencies persist regardless of the choice of N. In addition, we provide simple tools that can determine whether the systems lead decision makers to the same decision outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial comparing the GLP‐1 receptor agonist liraglutide to a sulphonylurea as add on to metformin in patients with established type 2 diabetes during Ramadan: the Treat 4 Ramadan Trial
Authors: Brady E. M. , Davies M. J. , Gray L. J. , Saeed M. A. , Smith D. , Hanif W. , Khunti K. 
Published: December 2013

AimsTo compare a sulphonylurea with the glucagon like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist liraglutide in combination with metformin in patients on mono/dual oral therapy with established type 2 diabetes fasting during Ramadan.MethodsNinety‐nine adults intending to fast during Ramadan [50% male, mean age 52 years, body mass index (BMI) 32 kg/m2] were randomized from two UK sites. Baseline data were collected ≥14 days prior to Ramadan and at 3 and 12 weeks after Ramadan.ResultsAt 12 weeks, more patients in the liraglutide compared with the sulphonylurea group achieved a composite endpoint of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) < 7%, no weight gain and no severe hypoglycaemia but this did not reach statistical significance [odds ratio (OR) 4.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97, 17.22, p = 0.06]. From a baseline of 7.7% there was no change in HbA1c at 12 weeks in the sulphonylurea (+0.02%) compared with a 0.3% reduction in the liraglutide group (adjusted coefficient −0.41, 95% CI −0.83, 0.01, p = 0.05). Significant reductions were also observed in weight and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in the liraglutide compared with the sulphonylurea group. Treatment satisfaction was comparable across the treatment groups. There were no episodes of severe hypoglycaemia in either group, however, self‐recorded episodes of blood glucose ≤3.9 mmol/l were significantly lower with liraglutide (incidence rate ratio 0.29, 95% CI 0.19, 0.41, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsLiraglutide compared with sulphonylurea is well tolerated and maybe an effective therapy in combination with metformin during Ramadan with more patients able to achieve target HbA1c, lose or maintain weight with no severe hypoglycaemia. This was achieved with a high level of treatment satisfaction.
Evaluation of Atrial Electromechanical Delay and Its Relationship to Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Acar Gurkan , Kahraman Hasan , Akkoyun Murat , Kilinc Metin , Zencir Cemil , Yusufoglu Edagani , Dirnak Imran , Sahin Hatice , Olmez Soner , Akcay Ahmet , Ardic Idris 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to evaluate atrial electromechanical delay, inflammation, and oxidative stress parameters, along with to investigate clinical and laboratory characteristics affecting atrial electromechanical delay in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsForty‐three patients with COPD (60.5 ± 9.9 years) and 50 healthy controls (59.6 ± 7.1 years) were included in the study. Atrial electromechanical delay intervals were measured from lateral mitral annulus corrected PA (cPA lateral) and lateral tricuspid annulus (cPA tricuspid) using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and corrected for heart rate. Left and right ventricles functions were examined using conventional and TDI. Plasma levels of high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidative stress parameters were also measured. Factors associated with atrial electromechanical delay were evaluated by stepwise multiple regression analysis.ResultsCorrected PA lateral and cPA tricuspid were significantly higher in patients with COPD (69.8 ± 10.4 vs. 62.2 ± 8.9 msec, P < 0.001 and 45.4 ± 10.2 vs. 33.5 ± 5.1 msec, P < 0.001, respectively). Plasma levels of hsCRP and malondialdehyde, an indicator of oxidative stress, were increased in patient's group (15.7 ± 31.7 vs. 4.8 ± 4.7 mg/L, P = 0.01 and 17.1 ± 10.3 vs. 11.6 ± 7.9 nmol/L, P = 0.005, respectively). cPA lateral is independently related to lateral Em/Am ratio (β = −0.29, P = 0.004) and forced expiratory volume in 1st second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio (β = −0.24, P = 0.02). cPA tricuspid is independently related to only FEV1/FVC ratio (β = −0.51, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study shows that atrial electromechanical delay intervals are prolonged in patients with COPD. Prolongation of atrial electromechanical delay measured from lateral tricuspid annulus was independently related with FEV1/FVC ratio in these patients.
Does Accessory Pathway Significantly Alter Left Ventricular Twist/Torsion? A Study in Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome by Velocity Vector Imaging
Authors: Aminian Farimah , Esmaeilzadeh Maryam , Moladoust Hassan , Maleki Majid , Shahrzad Soraya , Emkanjoo Zahra , Sadeghpour Anita 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of manifest accessory pathway on left ventricle (LV) twist physiology in Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) patients. Although this issue was addressed in 1 study based on speckle tracking method, there was no comparative study with a different technique. We planned to use velocity vector imaging (VVI) to find out how much an accessory pathway can affect LV twist mechanics.MethodsThirty patients were enrolled regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two serial comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography evaluations were performed before and after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) within 24 hours. Stored cine loops were analyzed using VVI technique and LV twist and related parameters were extracted.ResultsComparing pre‐ and post‐RFCA data, no significant changes were observed in LV systolic and diastolic dimensions, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and Doppler and tissue Doppler‐related parameters. VVI study revealed remarkable rise in peak LV apical rotation (10.3º ± 3.0º to 13.8º ± 3.6º, P < 0.001) and basal rotation (−6.0 ± 1.8º to −7.7 ± 1.8º, P < 0.001) after RFCA. Subsequently LV twist showed a surge from 14.7º ± 3.9º to 20.2º ± 4.4º (P < 0.001). LV untwisting rate changed significantly from −96 ± 67 to −149.0 ± 47.5°/sec (P < 0.001) and apical‐basal rotation delay showed a remarkable decline after RFCA (106 ± 81 vs. 42.8 ± 26.0 msec, P < 0.001).ConclusionAccessory pathways have a major impact on LV twist mechanics.