bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison between Regional and Local Pulse‐Wave Velocity Data
Authors: Simova Iana , Katova Tzvetana , Santoro Ciro , Galderisi Maurizio 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundGold standard for pulse‐wave velocity (PWV) measurement is determination of the carotid‐femoral cfPWV, reflecting regional aortic PWV. Nevertheless, in several echocardiographic laboratories, PWV is measured locally, most commonly at the common carotid artery (CCA). The aim of this study was to compare regional and local PWV values in healthy volunteers.MethodsThe study population consisted of 22 prospectively enrolled healthy subjects, mean age 38.7 ± 11.1 years, 50% male. For regional PWV measurement, we evaluated cfPWV with a standard echo scanner. Regional PWV was measured at the CCA, with semiautomated dedicated software (MyLab, EsaOte, Italy).ResultscfPWV and local PWV values correlated significantly with high Pearson correlation coefficient (0.62, P = 0.002). Mean regional cfPWV (9.29 ± 3.73 m/s), however, was significantly higher than mean local PWV value (5.96 ± 1.08 m/s) (P < 0.001). The difference persisted in the subgroup analysis using different cfPWV cutoff values (10, 9, 8, and 7 m/s), except for subjects with cfPWV ≤7 m/s, where regional and local PWV values were similar.ConclusionIn a group of healthy volunteers, regional and local PWV values showed a good correlation. However, regional PWV was significantly higher than local PWV. These findings should be carefully taken into account when using this technique in the clinical setting.
cati: an R package using functional traits to detect and quantify multi‐level community assembly processes
Authors: Taudiere Adrien , Violle Cyrille 
Published: June 2015

Community ecologists are active in describing species by their functional traits, quantifying the functional structure of plant and animal assemblages and inferring community assembly processes with null‐model analyses of trait distribution and functional diversity indices. Intraspecific variation in traits and effects of spatial scale are potentially important in these analyses.Here, we introduce the R package cati (Community Assembly by Traits: Individuals and beyond) available on CRAN, for the analysis of community assembly with functional traits. cati builds on a recent approach to community assembly that explicitly incorporates individual differences in community assembly analyses and decomposes phenotypic variations across scales and organizational levels, based on three phenotypic variance ratios, termed the T‐statistics. More generally, the cati package 1) calculates a variety of single‐trait and multi‐trait indices from interspecific and intraspecific trait measures; 2) it partitions functional trait variation among spatial and taxonomic levels; 3) it implements a palette of flexible null models for detecting non‐random patterns of functional traits. These patterns can be used to draw inferences about hypotheses of community assembly such as environmental filtering and species interactions.The basic input for cati is a data frame in which columns are traits, rows are species or individuals, and entries are the measured trait values. The cati package can also incorporate a square distance matrix into analyses, which could include phylogenetic or genetic distances among individuals or species. Users select from a variety of functional trait metrics and analyze these relative to a null model that specifies trait distributions in a regional source pool.
Determining the stability of complete blood count parameters in stored blood samples using the SYSMEX XE‐5000 automated haematology analyser
Authors: Joshi A. , McVicker W. , Segalla R. , Favaloro E. , Luu V. , Vanniasinkam T. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryIntroductionIn this study, changes that occur in various blood parameters as determined by the Sysmex XE‐5000 analyser upon storage of blood samples for 72 h were investigated.MethodsBlood specimens (200) were processed through the SYSMEX XE‐5000 haematology analyser within 4 h of collection. Each specimen was distributed into two aliquots and one stored at 4 °C and the other at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C). Both stored aliquots were retested after 24, 48 and 72 h. The mean, mean per cent change and mean absolute difference between the value at 4 h and each time point for all parameters were calculated.ResultsAmong CBC parameters tested, the white cell count, red cell count and haemoglobin levels were found to be stable for up to 72 h. The mean cell volume and haematocrit changed significantly following 24‐h storage at room temperature. Reticulocytes were stable for 72 h under both storage conditions. Among the differential parameters, results of the monocyte count displayed significant change after 24‐h storage at room temperature.ConclusionThe data presented suggest that clinically reliable results for some CBC parameters can be obtained from specimens that are stored at 4 °C for up to 72 h.
Parenting style influences bullying: a longitudinal study comparing children with and without behavioral problems
Authors: Rajendran Khushmand , Kruszewski Edyta , Halperin Jeffrey M. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundMore optimal parenting has been linked with lower rates of bullying. However, it is not clear whether parenting can alter the trajectories of bullying among children diagnosed with ADHD or ODD as well as those who are not so diagnosed. This study examined whether parenting at age 4–5 years was associated with changes in bullying over the next 4 years among children with Attention‐deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with and without comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) relative to children without these disorders.MethodChildren from the New York metropolitan area (n = 162) were prospectively studied over six annual assessment points between preschool and 9 years of age. Parenting was assessed by laboratory observations of the parent and child; teachers rated child bullying, and parents reported on children's diagnostic status (Neither ADHD nor ODD, ADHD but not ODD, both ADHD and ODD).ResultsChildren with comorbid ADHD and ODD were more likely to bully than the other two groups. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed a fall in bullying over five years. Diagnostic status was significantly associated with initial levels of bullying. Irrespective of diagnostic group, children receiving more parent support for child autonomy at age 4 to 5 years showed a significantly greater decline in bullying than those provided with little support for autonomy. There was no longitudinal link between parent negative affect, emotionally supportive parenting and quality of parent–child interactions with bullying.ConclusionsGreater parent support for child autonomy at age 4–5 years is related to reduced bullying. Interventions that encourage parent support for child autonomy at the time of entry into school may reduce bullying during early school years.
Lack of Oestrogenic Inhibition of the Nuclear Factor‐κB Pathway in Somatolactotroph Tumour Cells
Authors: Eijo G. , Gottardo M. F. , Jaita G. , Magri M. L. , Moreno Ayala M. , Zárate S. , Candolfi M. , Pisera D. , Seilicovich A. 
Published: June 2015

Activation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. We have previously shown that oestrogens sensitise normal anterior pituitary cells to the apoptotic effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α by inhibiting NF‐κB nuclear translocation. In the present study, we examined whether oestrogens also modulate the NF‐κB signalling pathway and apoptosis in GH3 cells, a rat somatolactotroph tumour cell line. As determined by Western blotting, 17β‐oestradiol (E2) (10−9 m) increased the nuclear concentration of NF‐κB/p105, p65 and p50 in GH3 cells. However, E2 did not modify the expression of Bcl‐xL, a NF‐κB target gene. TNF‐α induced apoptosis of GH3 cells incubated in either the presence or absence of E2. Inhibition of the NF‐kB pathway using BAY 11‐7082 (BAY) (5 μm) decreased the viability of GH3 cells and increased the percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL)‐positive GH3 cells. BAY also increased TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis of GH3 cells, an effect that was further increased by an inhibitor of the c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase pathway, SP600125 (10 μm). We also analysed the role of the NF‐κB signalling pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of GH3 tumours in vivo. The administration of BAY to nude mice bearing GH3 tumours increased the number of TUNEL‐positive cells and decreased the number of proliferating GH3 cells. These findings suggest that GH3 cells lose their oestrogenic inhibitory action on the NF‐κB pathway and that the pro‐apoptotic effect of TNF‐α on these tumour pituitary cells does not require sensitisation by oestrogens as occurs in normal pituitary cells. NF‐κB was required for the survival of GH3 cells, suggesting that pharmacological inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway could interfere with pituitary tumour progression.
Health disparities in liver disease in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Spearman C. Wendy , Sonderup Mark W. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDisparities in health reflect the differences in the incidence, prevalence, burden of disease and access to care determined by socio‐economic and environmental factors. With liver disease, these disparities are exacerbated by a combination of limited awareness and preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in addition to the diagnostic and management costs. Sub‐Saharan Africa, comprising 11% of the world's population, disproportionately has 24% of the global disease burden, yet allocates <1% of global spend on health. It has 3% of the global healthcare workforce with a mean of 0.8 healthcare workers per 1000 population. Barriers to healthcare access are many and compounded by limited civil registration data, socio‐economic inequalities, discrepancies in private and public healthcare services and geopolitical strife. The UN 2014 report on the Millennium Development Goals suggest that sub‐Saharan Africa will probably not meet several goals, however with HIV/AIDS and Malaria (goal 6), many successes have been achieved. A 2010 Global Burden of Disease study demonstrated that cirrhosis mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa doubled between 1980 and 2010. Aetiologies included hepatitis B (34%), hepatitis C (17%), alcohol (18%) and unknown in 31%. Hepatitis B, C and alcohol accounted for 47, 23 and 20% of hepatocellular carcinoma respectively. In 10%, the underlying aetiology was not known. Liver disease reflects the broader disparities in healthcare in sub‐Saharan Africa. However, many of these challenges are not insurmountable as vaccines and new therapies could comprehensively deal with the burden of viral hepatitis. Access to and affordability of therapeutics remains the major barrier.
Comparative analyses of clinical and environmental populations of Cryptococcus neoformans in Botswana
Authors: Chen Yuan , Litvintseva Anastasia P. , Frazzitta Aubrey E. , Haverkamp Miriam R. , Wang Liuyang , Fang Charles , Muthoga Charles , Mitchell Thomas G. , Perfect John R. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (Cng) is the most common cause of fungal meningitis, and its prevalence is highest in sub‐Saharan Africa. Patients become infected by inhaling airborne spores or desiccated yeast cells from the environment, where the fungus thrives in avian droppings, trees and soil. To investigate the prevalence and population structure of Cng in southern Africa, we analysed isolates from 77 environmental samples and 64 patients. We detected significant genetic diversity among isolates and strong evidence of geographic structure at the local level. High proportions of isolates with the rare MATa allele were observed in both clinical and environmental isolates; however, the mating‐type alleles were unevenly distributed among different subpopulations. Nearly equal proportions of the MATa and MATα mating types were observed among all clinical isolates and in one environmental subpopulation from the eastern part of Botswana. As previously reported, there was evidence of both clonality and recombination in different geographic areas. These results provide a foundation for subsequent genomewide association studies to identify genes and genotypes linked to pathogenicity in humans.
Skin substitute‐assisted repair shows reduced dermal fibrosis in acute human wounds validated simultaneously by histology and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Greaves Nicholas S. , Iqbal Syed A. , Hodgkinson Tom , Morris Julie , Benatar Brian , Alonso‐Rasgado Teresa , Baguneid Mohamed , Bayat Ardeshir 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTSkin substitutes are heterogeneous biomaterials designed to accelerate wound healing through provision of replacement extracellular matrix. Despite growing evidence for their use in chronic wounds, the role of skin substitutes in acute wound management and their influence on fibrogenesis remains unclear. Skin substitute characteristics including biocompatibility, porosity, and elasticity strongly influence cellular behavior during wound healing. Thus, we hypothesize that structural and biomechanical variation between biomaterials may induce differential scar formation after cutaneous injury. The following human prospective cohort study was designed to investigate this premise. Four 5‐mm full thickness punch biopsies were harvested from 50 volunteers. In all cases, site 1 healed by secondary intention, site 2 was treated with collagen‐GAG scaffold (CG), and decellularised dermis (DCD) was applied to site 3 while tissue extracted from site 4 was replaced (autograft). Healing tissue was assessed weekly with optical coherence tomography (OCT), before being excised on days 7, 14, 21, or 28 depending on study group allocation for later histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Extracted RNA was used in microarray analysis and polymerase chain reaction of highlighted genes. Autograft treatment resulted in minimal fibrosis confirmed immunohistochemically and with OCT through significantly lower collagen I levels (p = 0.047 and 0.03) and reduced mean grayscale values (p = 0.038 and 0.015), respectively. DCD developed intermediate scar formation with partial rete ridge reformation and reduced fasiculonodular fibrosis. It was uniquely associated with late up‐regulation of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3, oncostatin M, and interleukin‐10 (p = 0.007, 0.04, 0.019, 0.019). Regenerated dermis was significantly thicker in DCD and autografts 28 days post‐injury compared with control and CG samples (p = 0.003 and <0.0001). In conclusion, variable fibrotic outcomes were observed in skin substitute‐treated wounds with reduced scarring in autograft and DCD samples compared with controls. OCT enabled concurrent assessment of wound morphology and quantification of dermal fibrosis.
Pivotal role of ATP in macrophages fast tracking wound repair and regeneration
Authors: Kotwal Girish J. , Sarojini Harshini , Chien Sufan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractChronic wounds occurring during aging or diabetes pose a significant burden to patients. The classical four‐phase wound healing process has a 3–6 day lag before granulation starts to appear and it requires an intermediate step of activation of resident fibroblasts during the remodeling phase for production of collagen. This brief communication discusses published articles that demonstrate how the entire wound healing process can be fast tracked by intracellular ATP delivery, which triggers a novel pathway where alternatively activated macrophages play absolutely critical and central roles. This novel pathway involves an increase in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL‐1β, IL‐6) and a chemokine (MCP‐1) release. This is followed by activation of purinergic receptor (a family of plasma membrane receptors found in almost all mammalian cells), production of platelets and platelet microparticles, and activation of ATP‐dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes. The end result is a massive influx and in situ proliferation of macrophages, increases in vascular endothelial growth factors that promote neovascularization, and most prominently, the direct production of collagen.
Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Broiler Chicken Meat of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Origin at Estonian Retail Level and from Patients with Severe Enteric Infections in Estonia
Authors: Mäesaar M. , Kramarenko T. , Meremäe K. , Sõgel J. , Lillenberg M. , Häkkinen L. , Ivanova M. , Kovalenko K. , Hörman A. , Hänninen M.‐L. , Roasto M. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe resistance patterns of Campylobacter spp. isolated from retail broiler chicken meat originating either from Estonia, Lithuania or Latvia collected in Estonia were determined. Additionally, in collaboration with the laboratories of several Estonian hospitals, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined for Campylobacter isolates from patients with severe Campylobacter enteric infections. The isolates were identified at the species level by the PCR method. Respectively, 88.8% of the isolates were C. jejuni, and 11.2% were C. coli. In total, 126 Campylobacter isolates of broiler chicken meat and human origin were tested for minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) with the broth microdilution VetMICTH method (National Veterinary Institute; Uppsala, Sweden) for a total of six antimicrobials. Resistance to one or more antimicrobials was detected in 62 (63.3%) of Campylobacter broiler chicken meat isolates and in 20 (71.4%) of human‐origin isolates. Large proportions of the broiler chicken meat isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (60.2%). Multidrug resistance (i.e. to three or more unrelated antimicrobials) was detected in five (5.1%) C. jejuni isolates. Among the human isolates, 20 (71.4%) were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and two (7.1%) C. jejuni isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The chicken meat isolates of Estonian origin were the most susceptible. However, a high proportion of fluoroquinolone‐resistant C. jejuni isolates were found in Latvian and Lithuanian products. The results of this study indicate that the problems caused by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials extend beyond the country in which a food originates; therefore, both domestic and international interventions and agreements are required to implement common policies on antimicrobial usage and to minimize the emergence of Campylobacter drug resistance.
Facultative Anaerobe Caldibacillus debilis GB1: Characterization and Use in a Designed Aerotolerant, Cellulose-Degrading Coculture with Clostridium thermocellum
Authors: Wushke Scott , Levin David B. , Cicek Nazim , Sparling Richard 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Development of a designed coculture that can achieve aerotolerant ethanogenic biofuel production from cellulose can reduce the costs of maintaining anaerobic conditions during industrial consolidated bioprocessing (CBP). To this end, a strain of
Caldibacillus debilis
isolated from an air-tolerant cellulolytic consortium which included a
Clostridium thermocellum
strain was characterized and compared with the
C. debilis
type strain. Characterization of isolate
C. debilis
GB1 and comparisons with the type strain of
C. debilis
revealed significant physiological differences, including (i) the absence of anaerobic metabolism in the type strain and (ii) different end product synthesis profiles under the experimental conditions used. The designed cocultures displayed unique responses to oxidative conditions, including an increase in lactate production. We show here that when the two species were cultured together, the noncellulolytic facultative anaerobe
C. debilis
GB1 provided respiratory protection for
C. thermocellum
, allowing the synergistic utilization of cellulose even under an aerobic atmosphere.
Paenibacilluslarvae-Directed Bacteriophage HB10c2 and Its Application in American Foulbrood-Affected Honey Bee Larvae
Authors: Beims Hannes , Wittmann Johannes , Bunk Boyke , Spröer Cathrin , Rohde Christine , Günther Gabi , Rohde Manfred , von der Ohe Werner , Steinert Michael 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Paenibacillus
larvae
is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), the most serious honey bee brood bacterial disease. We isolated and characterized
P. larvae
-directed bacteriophages and developed criteria for safe phage therapy. Whole-genome analysis of a highly lytic virus of the family
Siphoviridae
(HB10c2) provided a detailed safety profile and uncovered its lysogenic nature and a putative beta-lactamase-like protein. To rate its antagonistic activity against the pathogens targeted and to specify potentially harmful effects on the bee population and the environment,
P. larvae
genotypes ERIC I to IV, representatives of the bee gut microbiota, and a broad panel of members of the order
Bacillales
were analyzed for phage HB10c2-induced lysis. Breeding assays with infected bee larvae revealed that the
in vitro
phage activity observed was not predictive of the real-life scenario and therapeutic efficacy. On the basis of the disclosed
P. larvae
-bacteriophage coevolution, we discuss the future prospects of AFB phage therapy.
Correlation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Genotypes and Carbohydrate Utilization Signatures Determined by Phenotype Profiling
Authors: Ceapa Corina , Lambert Jolanda , van Limpt Kees , Wels Michiel , Smokvina Tamara , Knol Jan , Kleerebezem Michiel 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Lactobacillus rhamnosus
is a bacterial species commonly colonizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of humans and also frequently used in food products. While some strains have been studied extensively, physiological variability among isolates of the species found in healthy humans or their diet is largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity of carbohydrate utilization capabilities of human isolates and food-derived strains of
L. rhamnosus
in relation to their niche of isolation and genotype. We investigated the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of 25 out of 65
L. rhamnosus
strains from various niches, mainly human feces and fermented dairy products. Genetic fingerprinting of the strains by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) identified 11 distinct subgroups at 70% similarity and suggested niche enrichment within particular genetic clades. High-resolution carbohydrate utilization profiling (OmniLog) identified 14 carbon sources that could be used by all of the strains tested for growth, while the utilization of 58 carbon sources differed significantly between strains, enabling the stratification of
L. rhamnosus
strains into three metabolic clusters that partially correlate with the genotypic clades but appear uncorrelated with the strain's origin of isolation. Draft genome sequences of 8 strains were generated and employed in a gene-trait matching (GTM) analysis together with the publicly available genomes of
L. rhamnosus
GG (ATCC 53103) and HN001 for several carbohydrates that were distinct for the different metabolic clusters:
l
-rhamnose, cellobiose,
l
-sorbose, and α-methyl-
d
-glucoside. From the analysis, candidate genes were identified that correlate with
l
-sorbose and α-methyl-
d
-glucoside utilization, and the proposed function of these genes could be confirmed by heterologous expression in a strain lacking the genes. This study expands our insight into the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of the species
L. rhamnosus
and explores the relationships between specific carbohydrate utilization capacities and genotype and/or niche adaptation of this species.