bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of Noninvasive Intraocular Pressure or Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurements for Predicting Elevated Intracranial Pressure in Cryptococcal Meningitis
Authors: Nabeta Henry W. , Bahr Nathan C. , Rhein Joshua , Fossland Nicholas , Kiragga Agnes N. , Meya David B. , Dunlop Stephen J. , Boulware David R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground.  Cryptococcal meningitis is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Therapeutic lumbar puncture (LP) is recommended when the initial ICP is &gt;250 mm H2O, yet the availability of manometers in Africa is limited and not always used where available. We assessed whether intraocular pressure could be a noninvasive surrogate predictor to determine when additional therapeutic LPs are necessary.Methods.  Ninety-eight human immunodeficiency virus-infected Ugandans with suspected meningitis (81% Cryptococcus) had intraocular pressure measured using a handheld tonometer (n = 78) or optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by ultrasound (n = 81). We determined the diagnostic performance of these methods for predicting ICP vs a standard manometer.Results.  The median ICP was 225 mm H2O (interquartile range [IQR], 135–405 mm H2O). The median intraocular pressure was 28 mm Hg (IQR, 22–37 mm Hg), and median ultrasound ONSD was 5.4 mm (IQR, 4.95–6.1 mm). ICP moderately correlated with intraocular pressure (ρ = 0.45, P &lt; .001) and with ultrasound ONSD (ρ = 0.44, P &lt; .001). There were not discrete threshold cutoff values for either tonometry or ultrasound ONSD that provided a suitable cutoff diagnostic value to predict elevated ICP (&gt;200 mm H2O). However, risk of elevated ICP &gt;200 mm H2O was increased with an average intraocular pressure &gt;28 mm Hg (relative risk [RR] = 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55–5.92; P &lt; .001) or an average of ONSD &gt;5 mm (RR = 2.39; 95% CI, 1.42–4.03; P = .003). As either intraocular pressure or ONSD increased, probability of elevated ICP increased (ie, positive predictive value increased).Conclusions.  Noninvasive intraocular pressure measurements by tonometry or ultrasound correlate with cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure, but both are a suboptimal replacement for actual ICP measurement with a manometer.
Investigation of Cardiomyopathy in Children With Cirrhotic and Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension
Authors: Celtik Coskun , Durmaz Ozlem , Oner Naci , Yavuz Taner , Gökce Selim , Aydogan Aysen , Nisli Kemal , Emiroglu H. Haldun , Ömeroglu Rukiye E. , Sökücü Semra 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTBackground:Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCMP) is a functional disorder characterized by electrophysiological disturbances, and diastolic and/or systolic dysfunction in patients with liver disease. This disorder is a well‐defined entity in adults, but pediatric data are limited. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence, features, and risk factors of CCMP in children with portal hypertension (PHT).Methods:This study included 50 children with cirrhotic PHT (40/50) and noncirrhotic PHT (10/50). Fifty healthy children were also selected for the control group. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were used to evaluate cardiac functions. Corrected QT (QTc) ≥ 0.45 was accepted as prolonged on electrocardiography. The study group was divided into 3 groups: cirrhotic, noncirrhotic, and control. Then, the CCMP group was created according to the diagnostic criteria. Latent CCMP was diagnosed in the presence of prolonged‐QTc along with a minor criterion (tachycardia). Manifest CCMP was diagnosed in the presence of at least 2 major criteria (prolonged‐QTc along with abnormal echocardiographic findings). Moreover, in this study, the risk factors for CCMP were investigated.Results:The CCMP group included 10 cases (20%). Nine of these cases had latent CCMP (18%), and the remaining one (2%) had manifest CCMP. All of the cases with CCMP had cirrhosis and ascites. None of the patients with CCMP had severe cardiac symptoms, but they were already using some cardioprotective drugs such as propanolol and spironolactone. As risk factors for CCMP, pediatric end‐stage liver disease scores, Child‐Pugh scores, and ascites grades were found to be significant for the determination of CCMP. The most important risk factor was ascites severity (P = 0.001, odds ratio 9.4).Conclusions:Approximately 20% of children with PHT have CCMP. A detailed cardiac examination should be carried out periodically in children with cirrhotic PHT, especially in the presence of ascites and high Child‐Pugh score.
MUSiCC: A marker genes based framework for metagenomic normalization and accurate profiling of gene abundances in the microbiome
Authors: Manor Ohad , Borenstein Elhanan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractFunctional metagenomic analyses commonly involve a normalization step, where measured levels of genes or pathways are converted into relative abundances. Here, we demonstrate that this normalization scheme introduces marked biases both across and within human microbiome samples and systematically identify various sample-and gene-specific properties that contribute to these biases. We introduce an alternative normalization paradigm, MUSiCC, which combines universal single-copy genes with machine learning methods to correct these biases and to obtain a more accurate and biologically meaningful measure of gene abundances. Finally, we demonstrate that MUSiCC significantly improves downstream discovery of functional shifts in the microbiome.MUSiCC is available athttp://elbo.gs.washington.edu/software.html.
Molecular phenotypes that are causal to complex traits can have low heritability and are expected to have small influence
Authors: Parts Leopold 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWork on genetic makeup of complex traits has led to some unexpected findings. Molecular trait heritability estimates have consistently been lower than those of common diseases, even though it is intuitively expected that the genotype signal weakens as it becomes more dissociated from DNA. Further, results from very large studies have not been sufficient to explain most of the heritable signal, and suggest hundreds if not thousands of responsible alleles. Here, I demonstrate how trait heritability depends crucially on the definition of the phenotype, and is influenced by the variability of the assay, measurement strategy, and the quantification approach used. For a phenotype downstream of many molecular traits, it is possible that its heritability is larger than for any of its upstream determinants. I also rearticulate via models and data that if a phenotype has many dependencies, a large number of small effect alleles are expected. However, even if these alleles do drive highly heritable causal intermediates that can be modulated, it does not imply that large changes in phenotype can be obtained.
Phenylcoumaran Benzylic Ether Reductase Prevents Accumulation of Compounds Formed under Oxidative Conditions in Poplar Xylem
Authors: Niculaes Claudiu , Morreel Kris , Kim Hoon , Lu Fachuang , McKee Lauren S. , Ivens Bart , Haustraete Jurgen , Vanholme Bartel , Rycke Riet De , Hertzberg Magnus , Fromm Jorg , Bulone Vincent , Polle Andrea , Ralph John , Boerjan Wout 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPhenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase (PCBER) is one of the most abundant proteins in poplar (Populus spp) xylem, but its biological role has remained obscure. In this work, metabolite profiling of transgenic poplar trees downregulated in PCBER revealed both the in vivo substrate and product of PCBER. Based on mass spectrometry and NMR data, the substrate was identified as a hexosylated 8–5-coupling product between sinapyl alcohol and guaiacylglycerol, and the product was identified as its benzyl-reduced form. This activity was confirmed in vitro using a purified recombinant PCBER expressed in Escherichia coli. Assays performed on 20 synthetic substrate analogs revealed the enzyme specificity. In addition, the xylem of PCBER-downregulated trees accumulated over 2000-fold higher levels of cysteine adducts of monolignol dimers. These compounds could be generated in vitro by simple oxidative coupling assays involving monolignols and cysteine. Altogether, our data suggest that the function of PCBER is to reduce phenylpropanoid dimers in planta to form antioxidants that protect the plant against oxidative damage. In addition to describing the catalytic activity of one of the most abundant enzymes in wood, we provide experimental evidence for the antioxidant role of a phenylpropanoid coupling product in planta.
Tracing Teutonic footprints in VET around the world?
Authors: Pilz Matthias , Li Junmin 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to focus on the vocational and training behaviours of German corporations at their subsidiaries in the USA, China and India. Although all three countries are important markets for Germany, they are characterised by very different cultures, vocational education and training (VET) systems and employment systems. The transfer of the German VET system to other countries has been the topic of discussion and controversy.

Design/methodology/approach
– In this study, the authors rely on interviews with local training experts of German subsidiaries to analyse VET activities. Their analysis is based on convergence (standardisation) versus divergence (localisation) theory borrowed from approaches in international management studies.

Findings
– The findings indicate a “localisation” effect in all three nations. The similarities can be explained partially by the stronger focus on off-the-job trainings and greater preferences for academic careers.

Research limitations/implications
– The study is a pilot study.

Practical implications
– The transfer of the German VET system to other countries seems to be very difficult.

Originality/value
– Beyond this general debate, the specialist literature pays virtually no attention to the training practices of German companies abroad. The authors have tried to fill this research gap.
Isolation, Identification, and Quantification of Lichenysin, a Novel Nonvolatile Compound in Chinese Distilled Spirits
Authors: Zhang Rong , Wu Qun , Xu Yan , Qian Michael C. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractNonvolatile components influence overall flavor volatility and perception in alcoholic beverages. However, little information has been reported about the nonvolatile compounds in Chinese distilled spirits. For the first time, we isolated and identified a cyclic lipopeptide “lichenysin” as a novel nonvolatile compound in Chinese liquors, using preparative high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance. The concentrations of lichenysin were quantified in 14 main types of bottled Chinese liquors by using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The concentrations of lichenysin in Chinese liquor ranged from 0.01 to 111.74 μg/L, where the concentration was the highest in Dongjiu liquor. Furthermore, we found that lichenysin selectively affected aroma volatility in the Chinese liquor, using the headspace solid‐phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The headspace concentrations of 2‐phenylethanol, phenol, and 4‐methylphenol significantly decreased by respectively 58%, 76%, and 59% in 3 Chinese commercial liquors with an increase in lichenysin. These results indicated that lichenysin could be a novel nonvolatile compound that selectively affected aroma volatility in Chinese liquors.
Comparative transcriptome resources of eleven Primulina species, a group of ‘stone plants’ from a biodiversity hot spot
Authors: Ai Bin , Gao Yong , Zhang Xiaolong , Tao Junjie , Kang Ming , Huang Hongwen 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe genus Primulina is an emerging model system in studying the drivers and mechanisms of species diversification, for its high species richness and endemism, together with high degree of habitat specialization. In this study, we sequenced transcriptomes for eleven Primulina species across the phylogeny of the genus using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. A total of 336 million clean reads were processed into 355 573 unigenes with a mean length of 1336 bp and an N50 value of 2191 bp after pooling and reassembling twelve individual pre‐assembled unigene sets. Of these unigenes, 249 973 (70%) were successfully annotated and 256 601 (72%) were identified as coding sequences (CDSs). We identified a total of 38 279 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 367 123 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Marker validation assay revealed that 354 (27.3%) of the 1296 SSR and 795 (39.6%) of the 2008 SNP loci showed successful genotyping performance and exhibited expected polymorphism profiles. We screened 834 putative single‐copy nuclear genes and proved their high effectiveness in phylogeny construction and estimation of ancestral population parameters. We identified a total of 85 candidate orthologs under positive selection for 46 of the 66 species pairs. This study provided an efficient application of RNA‐seq in development of genomic resources for a group of ‘stone plants’ from south China Karst regions, a biodiversity hot spot of the World. The assembled unigenes with annotations and the massive gene‐associated molecular markers would help guide further molecular systematic, population genetic and ecological genomics studies in Primulina and its relatives.
Specific suppression of insulin sensitivity in growth hormone receptor gene‐disrupted (GHR‐KO) mice attenuates phenotypic features of slow aging
Authors: Arum Oge , Boparai Ravneet K. , Saleh Jamal K. , Wang Feiya , Dirks Angela L. , Turner Jeremy G. , Kopchick John J. , Liu Jun‐Li , Khardori Romesh K. , Bartke Andrzej 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIn addition to their extended lifespans, slow‐aging growth hormone receptor/binding protein gene‐disrupted (knockout) (GHR‐KO) mice are hypoinsulinemic and highly sensitive to the action of insulin. It has been proposed that this insulin sensitivity is important for their longevity and increased healthspan. We tested whether this insulin sensitivity of the GHR‐KO mouse is necessary for its retarded aging by abrogating that sensitivity with a transgenic alteration that improves development and secretory function of pancreatic β‐cells by expressing Igf‐1 under the rat insulin promoter 1 (RIP::IGF‐1). The RIP::IGF‐1 transgene increased circulating insulin content in GHR‐KO mice, and thusly fully normalized their insulin sensitivity, without affecting the proliferation of any non‐β‐cell cell types. Multiple (nonsurvivorship) longevity‐associated physiological and endocrinological characteristics of these mice (namely beneficial blood glucose regulatory control, altered metabolism, and preservation of memory capabilities) were partially or completely normalized, thus supporting the causal role of insulin sensitivity for the decelerated senescence of GHR‐KO mice. We conclude that a delayed onset and/or decreased pace of aging can be hormonally regulated.
Model‐based Prediction In Ecological Surveys Including Those with Incomplete Detection
Authors: Melville Gavin J. , Welsh Alan H. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThis paper explores and develops model‐based predictors for surveys of plants and wildlife including those with incomplete detection. The methodology allows for estimating a detection function to account for objects which were not detected at the time of the survey. The model‐based theory utilises generalized linear models (GLMs) and is either new or adapted from other areas of sampling. A simulation study is used to validate the estimators and comparisons are made with an integrated likelihood approach. An aerial survey of kangaroos in western New South Wales is used to illustrate the theory. The area within 50m of the aircraft is treated as a strip transect and mark‐recapture methods are used to estimate the detection function.
Innovations in Practice: Supporting parent and teen communication during outpatient psychotropic medication appointments
Authors: O'Brien Megan , Holmes Cheryl , Chapman Kyle , Rosen Michael , Lee Jaehoon , Crickard Elizabeth 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundEncouragement of youth participation in mental health treatment is relatively new and there have been few specific interventions to improve engagement, particularly as it relates to medication management. This article describes the development of a tool to support engagement during medication appointments by identifying areas of agreement/disagreement between parents and teens.MethodData were analyzed from 240 parent/teen dyads visiting an outpatient community mental health center for medication management. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all items. Kappa scores were used to assess agreement between parent and teen dyads.ResultsThe level of agreement between parents and teens was low. Overall, teens expressed preference for discussion of ‘positive’ aspects of treatment such as what is going well, whereas parents preferred to focus on ‘negative’ aspects of treatment such as problematic symptoms. The lowest level of agreement was found for the item: ‘My teen seems to be having problems with energy levels’ (Kappa = .19; 95% CI = .05–.34). The strongest level of agreement was for the question ‘How has your teen been using the medication since the last appointment?’ (Kappa = .56; 95% CI = .44–.69).ConclusionsThe findings support the utility of the tool for illustrating the variation in needs of teens and parents during medication appointments. Knowledge of these differences can be used by providers to encourage teen participation and may enhance overall communication.
Case–controlled identification of colorectal cancer based on proteomic profiles and the potential for screening
Authors: Huijbers A. , Mesker W. E. , Mertens B. J. , Bladergroen M. R. , Deelder A. M. , van der Burgt Y. E. M. , Tollenaar R. A. E. M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimColorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes detect early cancers but unfortunately have limited sensitivity and specificity. Mass spectrometry‐based determination of serum peptide and protein profiles provides a new approach for improved screening.MethodSerum samples were obtained from 126 CRC patients before treatment and 277 control individuals. An additional group of samples from 50 CRC patients and 82 controls was used for validation. Peptide and protein enrichments were carried out using reverse‐phase C18 and weak‐cation exchange magnetic beads in an automated solid‐phase extraction and spotting procedure. Profiles were acquired on a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight system. Discriminant rules using logistic regression were calibrated for the peptide and protein signatures separately, followed by combining the classifications to obtain double cross‐validated predicted class probabilities. Results were validated on an identical patient set.ResultsA discriminative power was found for patients with CRC representative for all histopathological stages compared with controls with an area under the curve of 0.95 in the test set (0.93 for the validation set) and with a high specificity (94–95%).ConclusionThe study has shown that a serum peptide and protein biomarker signature can be used to distinguish CRC patients from healthy controls with high discriminative power. This relatively simple and cheap test is promising for CRC screening.
In search of the holy grail of fly motion vision
Authors: Borst Alexander 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDetecting the direction of image motion is important for visual navigation as well as predator, prey and mate detection and, thus, essential for the survival of all animals that have eyes. However, the direction of motion is not explicitly represented at the level of the photoreceptors: it rather needs to be computed by subsequent neural circuits, involving a comparison of the signals from neighbouring photoreceptors over time. The exact nature of this process as implemented at the neuronal level has been a long‐standing question in the field. Only recently, much progress has been made in Drosophila by genetically targeting individual neuron types to block, activate or record from them. The results obtained this way indicate that: (i) luminance information from fly photoreceptors R1–6 is split into two parallel motion circuits, specialized to detect the motion of luminance increments (ON‐Channel) and decrements (OFF‐Channel) separately; (ii) lamina neurons L1 and L2 are the primary input neurons to these circuits (L1 → ON‐channel, L2 → OFF‐channel); and (iii) T4 and T5 cells carry their output signals (ON → T4, OFF → T5).
High‐frequency electrical stimulation suppresses cholinergic accumbens interneurons in acute rat brain slices through GABAB receptors
Authors: Xie Yijing , Heida Tjitske , Stegenga Jan , Zhao Yan , Moser Andreas , Tronnier Volker , Feuerstein Thomas J. , Hofmann Ulrich G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe nucleus accumbens is selected as a surgical target in deep brain stimulation for treating refractory obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). One of the therapeutic benefits of this procedure is that the abnormal hyper‐functioning prefrontal cortex of patients with OCD is restored during stimulation. One hypothesis regarding the mechanism of deep brain stimulation is that the neuronal electrophysiological properties are directly altered by electrical stimulation; another hypothesis assumes that the stimulation induces selective neuron transmitter release, such as γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). In this study, we used multi‐electrode arrays with electrode size of 40 × 40 μm to record electrophysiological signals from the large nucleus accumbens neurons in acute rat brain slices while applying electrical stimulation simultaneously. We revealed that high‐frequency stimulation (HFS, 140 Hz) suppressed the spontaneous neuronal firing rate significantly, whereas low‐frequency stimulation (LFS, 10 Hz) did not. Both HFS and LFS have no effect on neuronal firing pattern or on neuronal oscillation synchrony. GABAB receptor antagonism reversed the HFS‐provoked neuronal inhibition, whereas GABAA receptor blockade failed to affect it. The recorded neurons were pharmacologically identified to be cholinergic interneurons. We propose that HFS has a direct suppressive effect on the identified accumbal acetylcholine (ACh) interneurons by enhancing GABA release in the stimulated region. Potentially, suppressed ACh interneurons decrease the disinhibiting function of medium‐sized spiny neurons in the striato‐thalamo‐cortical circuit. This finding might give an indication of the mechanism of the therapeutic effect of HFS in nucleus accumbens on restoring the abnormal hyperactive prefrontal cortex status in OCD.
Nonadherence to treatment causing acute hospitalizations in people with epilepsy: An observational, prospective study
Authors: Samsonsen Christian , Reimers Arne , Bråthen Geir , Helde Grethe , Brodtkorb Eylert 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe aim was to assess the clinical relevance of antiepileptic drug (AED) nonadherence by means of therapeutic drug concentration monitoring (TDM). Two hundred eighty‐two consecutive patients with epilepsy acutely admitted to hospital for seizures were included. Nonadherence was defined as having a serum concentration/dose ratio at admission of <75% of the patient's own control value (probable nonadherence: 50–75%; definite: <50%). Nonadherence was identified in 39% of patients (definite 24%; probable 15%). It was significantly more common in patients with generalized seizures compared to those with focal onset seizures, and in patients <30 years compared to older patients. When specifically asked, 44% of nonadherent patients claimed regular intake. Nonadherence is a major cause of seizure breakthrough in patients with epilepsy, particularly in young adults. Many patients seem to be unaware of missed drug intake. Prompt measurements of AED serum concentrations should be available as part of the emergency care for patients acutely hospitalized for seizures to permit this issue to be thoroughly addressed prior to discharge.