bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Porcine Model of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Caused by Oropharyngeal Challenge with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Li Bassi Gianluigi , Rigol Montserrat , Marti Joan-Daniel , Saucedo Lina , Ranzani Otavio T. , Roca Ignasi , Cabanas Maria , Muñoz Laura , Giunta Valeria , Luque Nestor , Rinaudo Mariano , Esperatti Mariano , Fernandez-Barat Laia , Ferrer Miquel , Vila Jordi , Ramirez Jose , Torres Antoni 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background:
Animal models of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in primates, sheep, and pigs differ in the underlying pulmonary injury, etiology, bacterial inoculation methods, and time to onset. The most common ovine and porcine models do not reproduce the primary pathogenic mechanism of the disease, through the aspiration of oropharyngeal pathogens, or the most prevalent human etiology. Herein the authors characterize a novel porcine model of VAP due to aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions colonized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods:
Ten healthy pigs were intubated, positioned in anti-Trendelenburg, and mechanically ventilated for 72 h. Three animals did not receive bacterial challenge, whereas in seven animals, a P. aeruginosa suspension was instilled into the oropharynx. Tracheal aspirates were cultured and respiratory mechanics were recorded. On autopsy, lobar samples were obtained to corroborate VAP through microbiological and histological studies.

Results:
In animals not challenged, diverse bacterial colonization of the airways was found and monolobar VAP rarely developed. In animals with P. aeruginosa challenge, colonization of tracheal secretion increased up to 6.39 ± 0.34 log colony-forming unit (cfu)/ml (P < 0.001). VAP was confirmed in six of seven pigs, in 78% of the cases developed in the dependent lung segments (right medium and lower lobes, P = 0.032). The static respiratory system elastance worsened to 41.5 ± 5.8 cm H2O/l (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:
The authors devised a VAP model caused by aspiration of oropharyngeal P. aeruginosa, a frequent causative pathogen of human VAP. The model also overcomes the practical and legislative limitations associated with the use of primates. The authors’ model could be employed to study pathophysiologic mechanisms, as well as novel diagnostic/preventive strategies.
ArabidopsisCAM7 and HY5 Physically Interact and Directly Bind to theHY5Promoter to Regulate Its Expression and Thereby Promote Photomorphogenesis
Authors: Abbas Nazia , Maurya Jay P. , Senapati Dhirodatta , Gangappa Sreeramaiah N. , Chattopadhyay Sudip 
Published: March 2014

AbstractArabidopsis thaliana CALMODULIN7 (CAM7), a unique member of the calmodulin gene family, plays a crucial role as a transcriptional regulator in seedling development. The elongated HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) bZIP protein, an integrator of multiple signaling pathways, also plays an important role in photomorphogenic growth and light-regulated gene expression. CAM7 acts synergistically with HY5 to promote photomorphogenesis at various wavelengths of light. Although the genetic relationships between CAM7 and HY5 in light-mediated seedling development have been demonstrated, the molecular connectivity between CAM7 and HY5 is unknown. Furthermore, whereas HY5-mediated gene regulation has been fairly well investigated, the transcriptional regulation of HY5 is largely unknown. Here, we report that HY5 expression is regulated by HY5 and CAM7 at various wavelengths of light and also at various stages of development. In vitro and in vivo DNA–protein interaction studies suggest that HY5 and CAM7 bind to closely located T/G- and E-box cis-acting elements present in the HY5 promoter, respectively. Furthermore, CAM7 and HY5 physically interact and regulate the expression of HY5 in a concerted manner. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CAM7 and HY5 directly interact with the HY5 promoter to mediate the transcriptional activity of HY5 during Arabidopsis seedling development.
Strigolactone Promotes Degradation of DWARF14, an α/β Hydrolase Essential for Strigolactone Signaling inArabidopsis
Authors: Chevalier Florian , Nieminen Kaisa , Sánchez-Ferrero Juan Carlos , Rodríguez María Luisa , Chagoyen Mónica , Hardtke Christian S. , Cubas Pilar 
Published: March 2014

AbstractStrigolactones (SLs) are phytohormones that play a central role in regulating shoot branching. SL perception and signaling involves the F-box protein MAX2 and the hydrolase DWARF14 (D14), proposed to act as an SL receptor. We used strong loss-of-function alleles of the Arabidopsis thaliana D14 gene to characterize D14 function from early axillary bud development through to lateral shoot outgrowth and demonstrated a role of this gene in the control of flowering time. Our data show that D14 distribution in vivo overlaps with that reported for MAX2 at both the tissue and subcellular levels, allowing physical interactions between these proteins. Our grafting studies indicate that neither D14 mRNA nor the protein move over a long range upwards in the plant. Like MAX2, D14 is required locally in the aerial part of the plant to suppress shoot branching. We also identified a mechanism of SL-induced, MAX2-dependent proteasome-mediated degradation of D14. This negative feedback loop would cause a substantial drop in SL perception, which would effectively limit SL signaling duration and intensity.
A complex network of interactions controls coexistence and relative abundances in Patagonian grass‐shrub steppes
Authors: Cipriotti Pablo A. , Aguiar Martín R. , Wiegand Thorsten , Paruelo José M. 
Published: March 2014

Summary

The coexistence of shrubs and grasses has intrigued ecologists for the past century, and the conundrum of shrub–grass coexistence is at the core of debates on the functioning of semi‐arid ecosystems. Here, we explored how the interplay of root competition and facilitation between life‐forms at different life stages and demographic bottlenecks controls the long‐term coexistence of multiple shrub and grass species in semi‐arid Patagonian steppes.

We used the spatially explicit and individual‐based simulation model DINVEG that integrates the abundant information on the semi‐arid Patagonian grass–shrub steppes to test six competing hypotheses on the mechanisms that govern the coexistence and relative abundances of several grass and shrub species. The structurally realistic model allows for a direct comparison of model outputs with a wide range of previously collected field data.

We formulate three competing hypotheses on vertical root overlap between grasses and shrubs (no overlap, partial overlap, full overlap) that were crosses with two hypotheses on asymmetric shrub–grass facilitation (with and without). Each of the six variants of DINVEG were tested in their ability to generate dynamics in accordance with detailed field data, and we performed global sensitivity analyses to reveal demographic bottlenecks and controls.

The hypothesis combining partial vertical root overlap with no facilitation was the most likely hypothesis given the data. It created demographic bottlenecks in recruitment and emergence that controlled grass and shrub abundances, respectively, and only this hypothesis generated a situation where grasses controlled shrub abundances (by limiting shrub recruitment), but where grass abundance was only weakly controlled by shrubs. Internal water dynamics generated reduced competition of shrubs to neighboured grasses that was sufficient to produce the observed ring of grasses around shrubs, and most of the parameterizations that approximated the observed species‐specific abundances were able to reproduce the observed equilibrated spatial patterns of the mature community.

Synthesis. We found a complex network of mechanisms that controlled growth‐form coexistence and relative abundances in the Patagonian grass‐shrub steppe where both, demographic bottlenecks and species interactions across life‐forms, species and life stages were important. Our study points to alternative mechanisms of shrub–grass coexistence that may play an important role in dry grasslands and steppes where fire and herbivory are not key drivers and provide an avenue to detect them.
Blast Injury and the Human Skeleton: An Important Emerging Aspect of Conflict‐Related Trauma
Authors: Dussault Marie Christine , Smith Martin , Osselton David 
Published: March 2014

AbstractRecent decades have seen an accelerating trend in warfare whereby a growing proportion of conflict‐related deaths have been caused by explosions. Analysis of blast injury features little in anthropological literature. We present a review of clinical literature that includes prevalence of injury to anatomical regions and potential indicators of blast injury which can be used by forensic anthropologists. This includes high prevalence of extremity (22.8–91.2%) and facial (19.6–40%) injury in combat contexts, lower limb fractures (19–74.3%) in suicide bombing, traumatic amputation (3–43%) and diffuse fracture patterns in terrorist bombings. Potential indicators of blast trauma include blowout fractures in sinus cavities from blast overpressure, transverse mandibular fractures, and visceral surface rib fractures. Ability to recognize blast trauma and distinguish it in the skeleton is of importance in investigations and judicial proceedings relating to war crimes, terrorism, and human rights violations and likely to become increasingly crucial to forensic anthropology knowledge.
Concentrations of remifentanil, propofol, fentanyl, and midazolam during rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia
Authors: BJELLAND T. W. , KLEPSTAD P. , HAUGEN B. O. , NILSEN T. , SALVESEN Ø. , DALE O. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe clearance of sedatives and analgesics may be reduced by therapeutic hypothermia. However, little is known about the concentrations of such drugs during rewarming. The aim of this study was to describe the serum concentrations of sedatives and analgesics during rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia.MethodsBlood samples were collected for quantification of drug concentrations in 22 patients given analgesia/sedation with either remifentanil/propofol or fentanyl/midazolam during rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia (33–34°C) after cardiac arrest. Samples for were drawn before (−2 h) and during rewarming (0–8 h). Linear mixed effects models were used to describe serum concentrations and adjust for rates of infusion during rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia.ResultsSubjects with samples analyzed were remifentanil (n = 8), propofol (n = 14), fentanyl (n = 8), and midazolam (n = 8). Age, body mass index, and simplified acute physiology score II [mean (standard deviation)] were 64 (14.2) years, 27.3 (3.7) kg/m2, and 69 (13.2), respectively. While the concentration of fentanyl was not significantly affected by temperature, concentrations of remifentanil, propofol, and midazolam decreased with core temperature by 16%, 12%, and 11% (mean values) from 33°C to 37°C after adjusting for rates of infusion, respectively.ConclusionConcentrations of remifentanil, propofol, and midazolam decreased during rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia when adjusting for rates of infusion. No changes were demonstrated for fentanyl.
Bruch′s membrane thickness in high myopia
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Holbach Leonard , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPurposeTo measure the thickness of Bruch′s membrane (BM) and assess its associations with axial length.MethodsUsing a light microscope, we measured the thickness of Bruch′s membrane, choroid and sclera on horizontal anterior‐posterior histological sections of enucleated human globes.ResultsThe study included 54 eyes (42 with glaucomatous optic nerve damage; 23 globes with axial length ≥26.5 mm) with a mean axial length of 26.6 ± 3.3 mm (range: 21.0–34.0 mm). In the non‐highly myopic eyes, BM was significantly thicker at the pars plana region (6.6 ± 1.1 μm) than at the equator (4.1 ± 1.5 μm; p < 0.001), the midpoint between equator and posterior pole (4.1 ± 1.5 μm; p < 0.001), the parapapillary region (4.5 ± 1.0 μm; p = 0.006) or the posterior pole (4.4 ± 1.7 μm; p = 0.001). At any measurement location at or behind the ora serrata, BM thickness did not differ significantly (all p ≥ 0.40) between the non‐glaucomatous non‐highly myopic group and the glaucomatous non‐highly myopic group, or between the non‐highly myopic group and the highly myopic group. BM thickness at any location was not significantly (all p > 0.45) related to axial length. The ratio of scleral thickness to BM thickness and the ratio of choroidal thickness to BM thickness significantly decreased with longer axial length for measurements taken behind the equator.ConclusionsBM is physiologically thickest in the pars plana, with no major thickness differences between locations at or behind the ora serrata. In contrast to choroidal and scleral thickness, BM thickness is not significantly related to axial length. Axially elongated eyes have a normal BM thickness, despite a thinned choroid and sclera.
Retinal vessel diameters decrease with macular ganglion cell layer thickness in autosomal dominant optic atrophy and in healthy subjects
Authors: Rönnbäck Cecilia , Grønskov Karen , Larsen Michael 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPurposeTo investigate retinal trunk vessel diameters in subjects with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) and mutation‐free healthy relatives.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 52 ADOA patients with the optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) exon 28 (c.2826_2836delinsGGATGCTCCA) mutation (age 8.6–83.5 years) (best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 8–94 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters) and 55 mutation‐free first‐degree healthy relatives (age 8.9–68.7 years, BCVA 80–99). Analysis of fundus photographs provided integrated magnification‐corrected measures of retinal vessel diameters (central retinal artery equivalent, CRAE, and central retinal vein equivalent, CRVE). Statistical analysis was corrected for age, gender, spherical equivalent refraction, axial length and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) in a mixed model analysis.ResultsRetinal arteries and veins were thinner in ADOA than in healthy controls (CRAE (mean ± 2 standard deviations (SD)) 153.9 ± 41.0 μm and CRVE 236.1 ± 42.0 μm in ADOA, CRAE 172.5 ± 25.0 μm (p = 0.0004) and CRVE 254.2 ± 37.6 μm (p = 0.0019) in healthy controls). MABP was comparable in the two groups (p = 0.18), and in both groups, CRAE decreased with increasing MABP (p = 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively). In ADOA, CRAE and CRVE decreased with age (p = 0.011 and p = 0.020, respectively) and CRAE decreased with decreasing BCVA (p = 0.011). In patients with ADOA and in healthy controls, CRAE decreased with decreasing average macular ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GC‐IPL) thickness (p = 0.0017 and p = 0.0057, respectively).ConclusionNarrow retinal arteries and veins were associated not only with the severity of ADOA but with ganglion cell volume in patients with ADOA and in healthy subjects. This suggests that narrow vessels are a consequence rather than the cause of inner retinal hypoplasia or atrophy, although longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Bad guys turned nice? A critical assessment ofWolbachiamutualisms in arthropod hosts
Authors: Zug Roman , Hammerstein Peter 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTWolbachiaare the most abundant bacterial endosymbionts among arthropods. Although maternally inherited, they do not conform to the widespread view that vertical transmission inevitably selects for beneficial symbionts. Instead,Wolbachiaare notorious for their reproductive parasitism which, although lowering host fitness, ensures their spread. However, even for reproductive parasites it can pay to enhance host fitness. Indeed, there is a recent upsurge of reports onWolbachia‐associated fitness benefits. Therefore, the question arises how such instances of mutualism are related to the phenotypes of reproductive parasitism. Here, we review the evidence ofWolbachiamutualisms in arthropods, including both facultative and obligate relationships, and critically assess their biological relevance. Although many studies report anti‐pathogenic effects ofWolbachia, few actually prove these effects to be relevant to field conditions. We further show thatWolbachiafrequently have beneficial and detrimental effects at the same time, and that reproductive manipulations and obligate mutualisms may share common mechanisms. These findings undermine the idea of a clear‐cut distinction betweenWolbachiamutualism and parasitism. In general, both facultative and obligate mutualisms can have a strong, and sometimes unforeseen, impact on the ecology and evolution ofWolbachiaand their arthropod hosts. Acknowledging this mutualistic potential might be the key to a better understanding of some unresolved issues in the study ofWolbachia–host interactions.
Proteomic Analysis of Proteins Engaged in α‐Methylene‐δ‐Lactone Cytotoxic Effects in Hormone‐Independent Breast Cancer MDA‐MB‐231 Cells
Authors: Wyrebska Anna , Pawlowska Zofia , Gach Katarzyna , Komorowski Piotr , Protas Anna , Walkowiak Bogdan , Janecka Anna 
Published: March 2014

A simple synthetic α‐methylene‐δ‐lactone, 1‐isopropyl‐2‐methylene‐1,2‐dihydrobenzochromen‐3‐one, designated DL‐3, was shown previously to induce apoptosis and significantly suppress cell metastatic potential in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. The mechanisms through which DL‐3 exerts its effects are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protein expression profiles in MDA‐MB‐231 cells exposed to the DL‐3 treatment. Using 2D differential gel electrophoresis, a set of eight differentially expressed proteins (spot intensities which showed ≥1.25‐fold change and statistical significance, p < 0.05, between the control and DL‐3‐treated group) were found and successfully identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/MS). The proteomic results revealed that the presence of DL‐3 in MDA‐MB‐231 cells led to the differential regulation of some proteins that are involved in the cell cycle progression, apoptosis, cytokinesis, modulation of transcription, cellular signaling, and vesicular trafficking. The function of other identified proteins is still unknown. Therefore, our data indicate new directions for the further studies of the pathways engaged in the anticancer action exerted by α‐methylene‐δ‐lactones in cancer cells.
Taking Stock of Two Decades of Attachment Transmission Gap: Broadening the Assessment of Maternal Behavior
Authors: Bernier Annie , Matte‐Gagné Célia , Bélanger Marie‐Ève , Whipple Natasha 
Published: March 2014

This report aimed to investigate the capacity of maternal behaviors tailored to children's attachment and exploration systems to jointly explain the well‐known mother–child transmission of attachment. Four home visits were conducted between ages 7 months and 2 years with 130 mother–child dyads to assess maternal attachment state of mind, sensitivity, autonomy support, and mother–child attachment security. Results showed that together, maternal sensitivity and autonomy support fully accounted for the relation between maternal and child attachment, that they each accounted for a unique portion of this relation, and that the magnitude of these mediated pathways was equivalent. These results suggest that the attachment transmission gap can be narrowed by the use of a theory‐driven multidimensional approach to maternal behavior.
Enhanced formation and impaired degradation of neutrophil extracellular traps in dermatomyositis and polymyositis: a potential contributor to interstitial lung disease complications
Authors: Zhang S , Shu X , Tian X , Chen F , Lu X , Wang G 
Published: March 2014

Summary
Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyosits (PM) are systemic autoimmune diseases whose pathogeneses remain unclear. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are reputed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. This study tests the hypothesis that NETs may be pathogenic in DM/PM. Plasma samples from 97 DM/PM patients (72 DM, 25 PM) and 54 healthy controls were tested for the capacities to induce and degrade NETs. Plasma DNase I activity was tested to further explore possible reasons for the incomplete degradation of NETs. Results from 35 DM patients and seven PM patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) were compared with results from DM/PM patients without ILD. Compared with control subjects, DM/PM patients exhibited a significantly enhanced capacity for inducing NETs, which was supported by elevated levels of plasma LL-37 and circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in DM/PM. NETs degradation and DNase I activity were also decreased significantly in DM/PM patients and were correlated positively. Moreover, DM/PM patients with ILD exhibited the lowest NETs degradation in vitro due to the decrease in DNase I activity. DNase I activity in patients with anti-Jo-1 antibodies was significantly lower than in patients without. Glucocorticoid therapy seems to improve DNase I activity. Our findings demonstrate that excessively formed NETs cannot be degraded completely because of decreased DNase I activity in DM/PM patients, especially in patients with ILD, suggesting that abnormal regulation of NETs may be involved in the pathogenesis of DM/PM and could be one of the factors that initiate and aggravate ILD.
Fire Management, Managed Relocation, and Land Conservation Options for Long‐Lived Obligate Seeding Plants under Global Changes in Climate, Urbanization, and Fire Regime
Authors: BONEBRAKE TIMOTHY C. , SYPHARD ALEXANDRA D. , FRANKLIN JANET , ANDERSON KURT E. , AKÇAKAYA H. RESIT , MIZEREK TONI , WINCHELL CLARK , REGAN HELEN M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMost species face multiple anthropogenic disruptions. Few studies have quantified the cumulative influence of multiple threats on species of conservation concern, and far fewer have quantified the potential relative value of multiple conservation interventions in light of these threats. We linked spatial distribution and population viability models to explore conservation interventions under projected climate change, urbanization, and changes in fire regime on a long‐lived obligate seeding plant species sensitive to high fire frequencies, a dominant plant functional type in many fire‐prone ecosystems, including the biodiversity hotspots of Mediterranean‐type ecosystems. First, we investigated the relative risk of population decline for plant populations in landscapes with and without land protection under an existing habitat conservation plan. Second, we modeled the effectiveness of relocating both seedlings and seeds from a large patch with predicted declines in habitat area to 2 unoccupied recipient patches with increasing habitat area under 2 projected climate change scenarios. Finally, we modeled 8 fire return intervals (FRIs) approximating the outcomes of different management strategies that effectively control fire frequency. Invariably, long‐lived obligate seeding populations remained viable only when FRIs were maintained at or above a minimum level. Land conservation and seedling relocation efforts lessened the impact of climate change and land‐use change on obligate seeding populations to differing degrees depending on the climate change scenario, but neither of these efforts was as generally effective as frequent translocation of seeds. While none of the modeled strategies fully compensated for the effects of land‐use and climate change, an integrative approach managing multiple threats may diminish population declines for species in complex landscapes. Conservation plans designed to mitigate the impacts of a single threat are likely to fail if additional threats are ignored.Manejo de Incendios, Reubicación Administrada y Opciones de Conservación de Suelo para Plantas de Vida Larga con Sembrado Obligado bajo los Cambios Globales en el Clima, la Urbanización y el Régimen de Incendios