bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal specificity of cyanobacterial nickel‐responsive repressor InrS: cells maintain zinc and copper below the detection threshold for InrS
Authors: Foster Andrew W. , Pernil Rafael , Patterson Carl J. , Robinson Nigel J. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryInrS is a Ni(II)‐responsive, CsoR/RcnR‐like, DNA‐binding transcriptional repressor of the nrsD gene, but the Ni(II) co‐ordination sphere of InrS is unlike Ni(II)‐RcnR. We show that copper and Zn(II) also bind tightly to InrS and in vitro these ions also impair InrS binding to the nrsD operator‐promoter. InrS does not respond to Zn(II) (or copper) in vivo after 48 h, when Zn(II) sensor ZiaR responds, but InrS transiently responds (1 h) to both metals. InrS conserves only one (of two) second co‐ordination shell residues of CsoR (Glu98 in InrS). The allosteric mechanism of InrS is distinct from Cu(I)‐CsoR and conservation of deduced second shell residues better predicts metal specificity than do the metal ligands. The allosteric mechanism of InrS permits greater promiscuity in vitro than CsoR. The factors dictating metal‐selectivity in vivo are that KNi(II) and ΔGCNi(II)‐InrS·DNA are sufficiently high, relative to other metal sensors, for InrS to detect Ni(II), while the equivalent parameters for copper may be insufficient for copper‐sensing in Synechocystis (at 48 h). InrS KZn(II) (5.6 × 10−13 M) is comparable to the sensory sites of ZiaR (and Zur), but ΔGCZn(II)‐InrS·DNA is less than ΔGCZn(II)‐ZiaR·DNA implying that relative to other sensors, ΔGCZn(II)‐Sensor·DNA rather than KZn(II) determines the final detection threshold for Zn(II).
The vitamin D receptor turns off chronically activated T cells
Authors: Cantorna Margherita T. , Waddell Amanda 
Published: March 2014

T cell proliferation and T helper (TH) cells that make IL‐17 (TH17 cells) and IFN‐γ (TH1 cells) have been shown to be inhibited by 1,25(OH)2D3. Previous work has shown that immune‐mediated diseases, where TH1 and TH17 cells are pathogenic, are ameliorated with 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Paradoxically, infectious diseases that require TH1 and TH17 responses for host resistance are unaffected by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Resting T cells are not responsive to vitamin D because they do not express the vitamin D receptor (VDR) until late after activation. T cells activated following an infection help clear the infection, and since the antigen is eliminated, vitamin D is not needed to dampen the immune response. Conversely, in immune‐mediated disease, there is chronic T cell activation, and in this scenario, vitamin D and 1,25(OH)2D3 are critical for inhibiting T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Vitamin D is a late regulator of T cell function and acts to turn off T cells. This paper will review these data.
Variability in Clinical Features of Early Versus Late Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Pocket Infections
Authors: WELCH MARIKO , USLAN DANIEL Z. , GREENSPON ARNOLD J. , SOHAIL MUHAMMAD R. , BADDOUR LARRY M. , BLANK ELISABETH , CARRILLO ROGER G. , DANIK STEPHAN B. , DEL RIO ANA , HELLINGER WALTER , LE KATHERINE Y. , MIRO JOSE M. , NABER CHRISTOPH , PEACOCK JAMES E. , VIKRAM HOLENARASIPUR R. , TSENG CHI‐HONG , PRUTKIN JORDAN M. ,   for the MEDIC Investigators
Published: March 2014

BackgroundCardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) pocket infections are often related to recent CIED placement or manipulation, but these infections are not well characterized. The clinical presentation of CIED pocket infection, based on temporal onset related to last CIED procedure, deserves further study.MethodsThe MEDIC (Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort) prospectively enrolled subjects with CIED infection. Subjects were stratified into those whose infection occurred <12 months (early) or ≥12 months (late) since their last CIED‐related procedure.ResultsThere were 132 subjects in the early group and 106 in the late group. There were more females (P = 0.009) and anticoagulation use (P = 0.039) in the early group. Subjects with early infections were more likely to have had a generator change or lead addition as their last procedure (P = 0.03) and had more prior CIED procedures (P = 0.023). Early infections were more likely to present with pocket erythema (P < 0.001), swelling (P < 0.001), and pain (P = 0.007). Late infections were more likely to have pocket erosion (P = 0.005) and valvular vegetations (P = 0.009). In bacteremic subjects, early infections were more likely healthcare‐associated (P < 0.001). In‐hospital and 6‐month mortality were equivalent.ConclusionA total of 45% of patients with CIED pocket infection presented >12 months following their last CIED‐related procedure. Patients with early infection were more likely to be female, on anticoagulation, and present with localized inflammation, whereas those with late infection were more likely to have CIED erosion or valvular endocarditis.
Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Long‐Term Recurrences Following Transcatheter Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: MANGANIELLO SABRINA , ANSELMINO MATTEO , AMELLONE CLAUDIA , PELISSERO ELISA , GIUGGIA MARCO , TRAPANI GIUSEPPE , GIORDANO BENEDETTA , SENATORE GAETANO , GAITA FIORENZO 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) relapses, following transcatheter AF ablation, are frequently reported based on patients’ symptoms, scheduled electrocardiograms (ECGs), or 24‐hour Holter recordings. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic AF recurrences, using continuous subcutaneous ECG monitoring, in the long‐term follow‐up of patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF undergoing transcatheter ablation.Methods and ResultsIn total 113 consecutive patients symptomatic for paroxysmal or persistent AF were enrolled. All patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation plus left linear lesions. The insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), subcutaneously implanted during the ablation procedure, recorded the amount of AF per day (daily burden) and per last follow‐up period (total AF burden). Based on symptoms and on scheduled 12‐lead ECG performed during follow‐up, 40 patients (35.4%) suffered AF recurrences. By means of ICM data, however, arrhythmia relapses were recorded within 75 patients (66.3%), of whom 35 (46.7%) were asymptomatic. Patients suffering symptomatic AF recurrences resulted, at univariate analysis, older (66.6 ± 8.4 years vs 61.6 ± 10.7 years) and suffering greater AF burden (88.8 ± 26.9% vs 8.0 ± 8.0%).ConclusionsAF ablation outcome based on patients’ symptoms and/or scheduled ECGs underestimated relapses, as up to half of the patients, during a long‐term follow‐up, suffer asymptomatic recurrences.
Implantable Defibrillators With Enhanced Detection Algorithms: Detection Performance and Safety Results from the PainFree SST Study
Authors: WOLLMANN CHRISTIAN G. , LAWO THOMAS , KÜHLKAMP VOLKER , BECKER RÜDIGER , GARUTTI CLAUDIO , JACKSON TROY , BROWN MARK L. , MAYR HARALD 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundImplantable defibrillators (ICD) are highly effective in reducing arrhythmia‐related mortality. ICD shock therapy has been shown to increase psychological distress, health care utilization, and is associated with increased mortality. The Protecta ICDs (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) have algorithms designed to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate shock therapy.Methods and ResultsThe PainFree SmartShock™ Technology (PainFree SST) study is a prospective, multicenter, clinical trial with two consecutive phases, a premarket phase safety study and a postmarket phase effectiveness study. We report the results of the PainFree SST safety study.The premarket phase aimed to investigate safety in the first year postimplant, and to determine if the novel algorithms (T‐wave discrimination, right ventricular lead noise discrimination and confirmation+) affect appropriate ventricular fibrillation (VF) detection. Patients (total: n = 246 [male 78%, mean age 63 year, primary prevention indication in 76%]) were implanted either with a Protecta XT dual‐chamber ICD (n = 114 [46%]) or a defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization therapy (n = 132 [54%]). Appropriate VF detection was measured during VF induction at implantation when the novel algorithms were programmed ON. A two‐second delay in VF detection was classified as clinically significant. No delay in VF detection was observed with all algorithms programmed ON. No unanticipated serious adverse device effects occurred during first year postimplant.ConclusionThe results of the premarket phase of the PainFree SST trial demonstrate the safety of the Protecta XT defibrillators. Detection of induced VF was not delayed with SmartShock™ algorithms ON.
Effects of Ventilation and Catheter Position on Catheter Movement on the Tricuspid Annulus during Ablation in Children
Authors: CERESNAK SCOTT R. , KAHANA MADELYN , ZUCKER HOWARD A. , MANN GLENN , NAPPO LYNN , PASS ROBERT H. 
Published: March 2014

IntroductionThere are little data on the effect of catheter position and mechanical ventilation on ablation catheter stability during electrophysiology study in children. We sought to determine the magnitude of catheter movement with mechanical ventilation, the effect of ventilation maneuvers on catheter movement, and to compare the degree of movement observed between the right lateral (RL) and right posteroseptal (RPS) regions.MethodsFrom June 2012 to June 2013, patients ≤21 years of age undergoing ablation for supraventricular tachycardia with CARTO® 3 (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) were included. During mapping the ablation catheter was placed in the RPS and RL regions and the magnitude of catheter movement (mm) was measured using CARTO® 3. Measurements were made during routine ventilation and with a maximal inspiration maneuver between end‐expiration (ENDEX) and peak‐inspiration (PEAKINS).ResultsTwenty‐one patients were included: 12 males (57%), age 13 ± 3 years, weight 55 ± 14 kg. Indications for ablation were: 10 Wolff‐Parkinson‐White, seven atrioventricular node re‐entry tachycardia, four concealed accessory pathway. Mechanical ventilation was used in all cases. The magnitude of catheter movement was 3.6 ± 1.7 mm with routine ventilation and 6.2 ± 4.1 mm between ENDEX and PEAKINS (P ≤ 0.01). Catheter movement was greater in the RL compared to the RPS region with routine ventilation (RL 4.3 ± 1.6 vs RPS 3.0 ± 1.5; P < 0.01) and between ENDEX and PEAKINS (RL 8.3 ± 4.7 vs RPS 4.0 ± 1.7; P < 0.01).ConclusionsVentilation and catheter position both have significant impact on the degree of catheter movement during ablation. Movement was greatest in the RL position. This may partially explain the lower success rates of ablation in the RL region.
Ketofol simulations for dosing in pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Coulter Finn L. S. , Hannam Jacqueline A. , Anderson Brian J. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundPropofol mixed with racemic ketamine (or ‘ketofol’) is popular for short procedural sedation and analgesia. Use is creeping into anesthesia, yet neither the optimal combination nor infusion rate is known. The EC50 of propofol's antiemetic effect is reported to be 0.343 mg·l−1, while ketamine analgesia is thought to persist with concentrations above 0.2 mg·l−1. We aimed to determine a ketofol dosing regimen for anesthesia 30‐min and 1.5‐h duration in a healthy child that did not unduly compromise recovery.MethodsPharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic parameters were used to simulate drug concentration and effect profiles over time for different ratios of propofol to ketamine ratios (1 : 1 to 10 : 1) and rates. The target effect was the 95% probability of loss of response to a 5‐s transcutaneous tetanus (P05). Combined effects were additive, with a propofol EC50 of 3.1 mg·l−1, ketamine EC50 of 0.64 mg·l−1, and slope of 5.4. The time to predicted 50% probability of return of this response after ceasing infusion (P50) was determined for a 5‐year‐old 20‐kg healthy child.ResultsThe addition of ketamine to propofol infused using a manual infusion regimen (loading dose 3 mg·kg−1, then 15 mg·kg−1·h−1 for 15 min, 13 mg·kg−1·h−1 for 15 min, 11 mg·kg−1·h−1 for 30 min, and 10 mg·kg−1·h−1 for 1–2 h) caused prolonged postoperative sedation. The P50 after a 1.5‐h infusion using a 1 : 1 mixture was 4.5 h, 2 : 1 mixture was 3.25 h, 5 : 1 mixture was 1.6 h, and 10 : 1 mixture was 40 min. These P50 estimates could be reduced by slowing administration infusion rates to 20%, 33%, 50%, 67%, 80%, and 90% for mixtures 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 3 : 1, 5 : 1, 6.7 : 1, and 10 : 1, respectively. These rates achieve a P50 of approximately 20 min for 30‐min duration anesthesia and 60 min for 1.5‐h duration anesthesia.ConclusionsThe addition of ketamine to propofol infusion will prolong recovery unless infusion rates are decreased. We suggest an optimal ratio of racemic ketamine to propofol of 1 : 5 for 30‐min anesthesia and 1 : 6.7 for 90‐min anesthesia. Delivery of these ratios achieves propofol concentrations above an antiemetic threshold for longer than the ketamine concentration above the analgesic threshold during, potentially reducing postoperative nausea incidence.
A review of the surface and internal anatomy of the caudal canal in children
Authors: Lees David , Frawley Geoff , Taghavi Kiarash , Mirjalili Seyed Ali 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe anatomy of the sacral hiatus and caudal canal is prone to significant variation, yet studies assessing this in the pediatric population remain limited. Awareness of the possible anatomical variations is critical to the safety and success of caudal epidural blocks, particularly when image guidance is not employed. This systematic review analyzes the available evidence on the clinical anatomy of the caudal canal in pediatric patients, emphasizing surface anatomy and internal anatomical variations. A literature search using three electronic databases and standard pediatric and anatomy reference texts was conducted yielding 24 primary and seven secondary English‐language sources. Appreciating that our current landmark‐guided approaches to the caudal canal are not well studied in the pediatric population is important for both clinicians and researchers.
Cost Utility Analysis of Percutaneous Adhesiolysis in Managing Pain of Post‐lumbar Surgery Syndrome and Lumbar Central Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Manchikanti Laxmaiah , Helm Standiford , Pampati Vidyasagar , Racz Gabor B. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe increase in the number of interventions for the management of chronic pain and associated escalation of healthcare costs has captured the attention of health policymakers, in no small part due to the lack of documentation of efficacy, cost‐effectiveness, or cost utility analysis. A recent cost utility analysis of caudal epidural injections in managing chronic low back pain of various pathologies showed a high cost utility with improvement in quality of life years, competitive with various other modalities of treatments. However, there are no analyses derived from high‐quality controlled studies related to the cost utility of percutaneous adhesiolysis in the treatment of post‐lumbar surgery syndrome or lumbar central spinal stenosis.Study DesignThis analysis is based on 2 previously published controlled studies.ObjectiveTo assess the cost utility of percutaneous adhesiolysis procedures in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain secondary to post‐lumbar surgery syndrome and lumbar central spinal stenosis.SettingA private, specialty referral interventional pain management center in the United States.MethodsTwo controlled studies were conducted assessing the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous adhesiolysis for post‐lumbar surgery syndrome and lumbar central spinal stenosis in an interventional pain management setting utilizing contemporary interventional pain management practices. A cost utility analysis was performed with direct payment data for a total of 130 patients in treatment groups over a 2‐year period. Various outcome measures were included with significant improvement, defined as at least 50% improvement with reduction in pain and disability status.ResultsThe results of 2 controlled studies of low back pain with 60 and 70 patients and a 2‐year follow‐up with the actual reimbursement data showed cost utility for 1 year of quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) of USD $2,652 for post‐lumbar surgery syndrome and USD $2,649 for lumbar central spinal stenosis. The results of this assessment show that the cost utility of managing chronic, intractable low back pain with percutaneous adhesiolysis at a QALY that is similar or lower in price than medical therapy only, physical therapy, manipulation, spinal cord stimulation, and surgery.LimitationsThe limitations of this cost utility analysis are that it is a single‐center evaluation, with the inclusion of costs of adhesiolysis procedures in an ambulatory surgery center and physician visits, rather than all related costs including drug therapy and costs of disability in multiple settings.ConclusionThis cost utility analysis of percutaneous adhesiolysis in the treatment of post‐lumbar surgery syndrome and lumbar central spinal stenosis shows the clinical effectiveness and cost utility of these procedures at USD $2,650 per one year of QALY when performed in an ambulatory surgery center.
A peptide hormone gene, GhPSK promotes fibre elongation and contributes to longer and finer cotton fibre
Authors: Han Jie , Tan Jiafu , Tu Lili , Zhang Xianlong 
Published: March 2014

SummaryCotton fibres, the single‐celled trichomes derived from the ovule epidermis, provide the most important natural material for the global textile industry. A number of studies have demonstrated that regulating endogenous hormone levels through transgenic approaches can improve cotton fibre qualities. Phytosulfokine‐α (PSK‐α) is a novel peptide hormone in plants that is involved in regulating cell proliferation and elongation. However, its potential applications in crop genetic improvement have not been evaluated. In this study, we describe how exogenous PSK‐α application promotes cotton fibre cell elongation in vitro. Chlorate, an effective inhibitor of peptide sulfation, suppressed fibre elongation in ovule culture. Exogenously applied PSK‐α partly restored the chlorate‐induced suppression. A putative PSK gene (GhPSK) was cloned from Gossypium hirsutum. Expression pattern analysis revealed that GhPSK is preferentially expressed in rapidly elongating fibre cells (5–20 days postanthesis). Overexpression of GhPSK in cotton increased the endogenous PSK‐α level and promoted cotton fibre cell elongation, resulting in longer and finer fibres. Further results from electrophysiological and physiological analyses suggest that GhPSK affects fibre development through regulation of K+ efflux. Digital gene expression (DGE) profile analysis of GhPSK overexpression lines indicates that PSK signalling may regulate the respiratory electron‐transport chain and reactive oxygen species to affect cotton fibre development. These results imply that peptide hormones are involved in cotton fibre growth and suggest a new strategy for the biotechnological improvement of cotton fibre quality.
Darwin‐Wallace Demons: survival of the fastest in populations of duckweeds and the evolutionary history of an enigmatic group of angiosperms
Authors: Kutschera U. , Niklas K. J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn evolutionary biology, the term ‘Darwinian fitness’ refers to the lifetime reproductive success of an individual within a population of conspecifics. The idea of a ‘Darwinian Demon’ emerged from this concept and is defined here as an organism that commences reproduction almost immediately after birth, has a maximum fitness, and lives forever. It has been argued that duckweeds (sub‐family Lemnoideae, order Alismatales), a group containing five genera and 34 species of small aquatic monocotyledonous plants with a reduced body plan, can be interpreted as examples of ‘Darwinian Demons’. Here we focus on the speciesSpirodela polyrhiza(Great duckweed) and show that these miniaturised aquatic angiosperms display features that fit the definition of the hypothetical organism that we will call a ‘Darwin‐Wallace Demon’ in recognition of the duel proponents of evolution by natural selection. A quantitative analysis (log‐log bivariate plot of annual growth in dry biomassversusstanding dry body mass of various green algae and land plants) revealed that duckweeds are thus far the most rapidly growing angiosperms in proportion to their body mass. In light of this finding, we discuss the disposable soma and metabolic optimising theories, summarise evidence for and against the proposition that the Lemnoideae (family Araceae) reflect an example of reductive evolution, and argue that, under real‐world conditions (environmental constraints and other limitations), ‘Darwin‐Wallace Demons’ cannot exist, although the concept remains useful in much the same way that the Hardy–Weinberg law does.
Association of HLA‐B27 and ERAP1 with ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility in Beijing Han Chinese
Authors: Zhang Z. , Dai D. , Yu K. , Yuan F. , Jin J. , Ding L. , Hao Y. , Liang F. , Liu N. , Zhao X. , Long J. , Xi Y. , Sun Y.‐Y. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis study investigated the genetic polymorphisms of HLA‐B27, together with polymorphisms on endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), and susceptibility for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the Beijing Han population. A case‐control study was carried out for 602 AS patient samples and 619 matched controls of Han Chinese. HLA‐B27 genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific primers (PCR‐SSP), and four ERAP1 SNPs (rs27037, rs27980, rs27582, and rs27434) were selected and genotyped on the Sequenom iPlex platform (Sequenom, San Diego, CA). Association analysis was performed using the likelihood ratio χ2 test. This study identified four HLA‐B27 alleles in Beijing Han AS patients, B*27:02, B*27:04, B*27:05, and B*27:07, of which B*27:05 was the most significant geographical different subtype among AS patients in Chinese. Our results confirmed that HLA‐B27 was strongly associated with AS (P = 1.9 × 10−150), and the most strongly associated alleles were B*27:04, B*27:05, and B*27:02. Our study also confirmed a weak association between ERAP1 (rs27434) and AS. We also observed that for HLA‐B*27:02 and HLA‐B*27:04 positive AS patients, rs27434 and rs27582 were associated with AS. In contrast, for HLA‐B27‐negative and HLA‐B*27:05‐positive AS patients, this association was not observed. This is the first study to show that both B27 and ERAP1 are AS genetic susceptibility genes in Beijing Han. Interactions between ERAP1 and HLA‐B*27:02 and B*27:04 may play an important role in the AS pathogenesis.