bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sciarid and shore flies as aerial vectors of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in greenhouse cucumbers
Authors: Scarlett K. , Tesoriero L. , Daniel R. , Guest D. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe options for managing Fusarium wilt in greenhouse cucumbers are limited by our poor understanding of the modes of survival and dissemination of the pathogen. This study uses a specific quantitative real‐time PCR assay for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum to investigate the significance of flying insects as aerial vectors of the pathogen in a commercial cucumber greenhouse. Shore flies were more frequently detected (35.5%) carrying F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum than sciarids (25%), with both species carrying between 1 × 102 and 1 × 106 pathogen genome copies/individual. Sciarid and shore flies acquired F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum following exposures to agar cultures of the pathogen of up to 94 h. Light microscopy revealed that spores were carried externally on the bodies of the adult flies. The ability of adult sciarid flies to vector the pathogen from peat‐grown diseased cucumber plants and infect healthy cucumber plants was demonstrated in a caged glasshouse trial. An inoculum density trial showed that vascular wilt disease was initiated after inoculation of peat‐grown seedlings with as few as 1000 conidia. We conclude that sciarid and shore flies play significant roles as vectors of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in greenhouse cucumbers and need to be recognized in developing integrated crop management strategies.
Are there associations among physical activity, fatigue, sleep quality and pain in people with mental illness? A pilot study
Authors: Connaughton J. , Patman S. , Pardoe C. 
Published: November 2013

Accessible summary
Many people with mental health disorders experience fatigue, pain and poor sleep. In other patient groups, physical exercise has been shown to have positive effects on these symptoms.
It is unknown whether day‐to‐day physical activity (not necessarily exercise) affects sleep quality or severity of pain or fatigue in those with mental illness.
This study observed physical activity, sleep quality, pain and fatigue in four people hospitalized with severe mental illness.
Significant associations were found between pain and fatigue severity in the morning, but not in the evening. A significant association was found between physical activity and morning and evening pain severity. No association was found between activity and fatigue.
This is a preliminary study that may guide future investigations of the effect of physical activity and exercise on symptoms commonly experienced in people with mental illness.
AbstractGood mental health is imperative to well‐being. Symptoms of fatigue, chronic pain and poor sleep are common in people with mental illness and contribute to substantial loss of functioning. Physical exercise interventions have shown to decrease these symptoms in a range of populations; however, their possible association with physical activity related to day‐to‐day functioning have not been explored in people hospitalized with severe mental illness. Inpatients (n = 4) of a metropolitan mental health facility were fitted with an Actiwatch, which collected physical activity and sleep measures for an anticipated 14‐day data collection period. During this time, morning and evening pain and fatigue scores were collected on an 11‐point numerical rating scale. Significant associations were found between morning pain and morning fatigue scores (β = −0.44, P = 0.023), morning pain and physical activity (β = 12.34, P = 0.042), and physical activity and evening pain scores (β = 0.20, P = 0.017). Fatigue tended towards interfering more with quality of life than did pain, but this was not significant (P = 0.07). This study provided preliminary data suggesting associations between pain and fatigue, and intensity of pain and physical activity levels. This information can be used to generate hypotheses for future clinical trials.
Hormonal Contraception and Female Pain, Orgasm and Sexual Pleasure
Authors: Smith Nicole K. , Jozkowski Kristen N. , Sanders Stephanie A. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Almost half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintentional, unplanned, or mistimed. Most unplanned pregnancies result from inconsistent, incorrect, or nonuse of a contraceptive method. Diminished sexual function and pleasure may be a barrier to using hormonal contraception.

Aim
This study explores sexual function and behaviors of women in relation to the use of hormonal vs. nonhormonal methods of contraception.

Methods
Data were collected as part of an online health and sexuality study of women.

Main Outcome Measures
Main outcomes variables assess frequencies in two domains: (i) sexual function (proportion of sexual events with experiences of pain or discomfort, arousal, contentment and satisfaction, pleasure and enjoyment, lubrication difficulty, and orgasm) and (ii) sexual behavior (number of times engaged in sexual activity, proportion of sexual events initiated by the woman, and proportion of sexual events for which a lubricant was used). Sociodemographic variables and contraceptive use were used as sample descriptors and correlates. The recall period was the past 4 weeks.

Results
The sample included 1,101 women with approximately half (n = 535) using a hormonal contraceptive method exclusively or a combination of a hormonal and nonhormonal method, and about half (n = 566) using a nonhormonal method of contraception exclusively. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation of hormonal contraceptive use to each of the dependent variables. Women using a hormonal contraceptive method experienced less frequent sexual activity, arousal, pleasure, and orgasm and more difficulty with lubrication even when controlling for sociodemographic variables.

Conclusions
This study adds to the literature on the potential negative sexual side effects experienced by many women using hormonal contraception. Prospective research with diverse women is needed to enhance the understanding of potential negative sexual side effects of hormonal contraceptives, their prevalence, and possible mechanisms. Clinical and counseling implications are discussed.
Sleep–wake fluctuations and respiratory events during Cheyne–Stokes respiration in patients with heart failure
Authors: Domenico Pinna Gian , Robbi Elena , Pizza Fabio , Caporotondi Angelo , La Rovere Maria Teresa , Maestri Roberto 
Published: November 2013

SummaryFluctuations in sleep–wake state are thought to contribute to the respiratory instability of Cheyne–Stokes respiration in patients with heart failure by promoting the rhythmic occurrence of central apnea and ventilatory overshoot. There are no data, however, on the relationship between vigilance state and respiratory events. In this study we used a novel method to detect the occurrence of state transitions (time resolution: 0.25 s, minimum duration of state changes: 2 s) and to assess their time relationship with apnoeic events. We also evaluated whether end‐apnoeic arousals are associated with a ventilatory overshoot. A polysomnographic, daytime laboratory recording (25 min) was performed during Cheyne–Stokes respiration in 16 patients with heart failure. Automatic state classification included wakefulness and non‐rapid eye movement sleep stages 1–2. As a rule, wakefulness occurred during hyperpnoeic phases, and non‐rapid eye movement sleep occurred during apnoeic events. Ninety‐two percent of the observed central apneas (N = 272) were associated with a concurrent wakefulness → non‐rapid eye movement sleep → wakefulness transition. The delay between wakefulness → non‐rapid eye movement sleep transitions and apnea onset was −0.3 [−3.1, 3.0] s [median (lower quartile, upper quartile); P = 0.99 testing the null hypothesis: median delay = 0], and the delay between non‐rapid eye movement sleep → wakefulness transitions and apnea termination was 0.2 [−0.5, 1.2] s (P = 0.7). A positive/negative delay indicates that the state transition occurred before/after the onset or termination of apnea. Non‐rapid eye movement sleep → wakefulness transitions synchronous with apnea termination were associated with a threefold increase in tidal volume and a twofold increase in ventilation (all P < 0.001), indicating ventilatory overshoot. These findings highlight that wakefulness → non‐rapid eye movement sleep → wakefulness transitions parallel apnoeic events during Cheyne–Stokes respiration in patients with heart failure. The relationships between state changes and respiratory events are consistent with the notion that state fluctuations promote ventilatory instability.
A study of the DNA damage checkpoint in Candida albicans: uncoupling of the functions of Rad53 in DNA repair, cell cycle regulation and genotoxic stress‐induced polarized growth
Authors: Loll‐Krippleber Raphaël , d'Enfert Christophe , Feri Adeline , Diogo Dorothée , Perin Aurélie , Marcet‐Houben Marina , Bougnoux Marie‐Elisabeth , Legrand Mélanie 
Published: November 2013

SummaryIn response to genotoxic stress (GS), Candida albicans can undergo polarized growth and massive genome rearrangements including loss‐of‐heterozygosity (LOH) events. We evaluated the contribution of the CaRad53p and CaDun1p kinases of the DNA damage checkpoint (DDCP) in these processes. Characterization of C. albicans rad53ΔΔ and dun1ΔΔ mutants revealed that the two kinases were involved in the maintenance of heterozygosity. SNP‐RFLP typing and whole‐genome sequencing of rad53ΔΔ isolates having undergone a LOH revealed that, according to the chromosome on which LOH had occurred, these were predominantly due to break‐induced replication/mitotic cross‐over or chromosome loss. Loss of CaRAD53 also resulted in frequent aneuploidies. Deletion of CaDUN1 led to an increase in recombination‐dependent LOH but did not trigger aneuploidies. It also increased GS sensitivity but did not impair GS‐induced polarized growth contrary to CaRAD53 deletion. Characterization of CaRad53p site‐directed mutants demonstrated that its kinase activity and N‐terminal phosphorylation sites were crucial for its function in the resistance to GS, maintenance of heterozygosity, cell cycle regulation and polarized growth. Moreover, using phosphomimic mutants, we revealed an uncoupling of the functions of CaRad53p in these different processes, thus providing a novel understanding of how the DDCP may regulate downstream events in response to GS.
Two closely related members of Arabidopsis 13‐lipoxygenases (13‐LOXs), LOX3 and LOX4, reveal distinct functions in response to plant‐parasitic nematode infection
Authors: Ozalvo Rachel , Cabrera Javier , Escobar Carolina , Christensen Shawn A. , Borrego Eli J. , Kolomiets Michael V. , Castresana Carmen , Iberkleid Ionit , Brown Horowitz Sigal 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe responses of two closely related members of Arabidopsis 13‐lipoxygenases (13‐LOXs), LOX3 and LOX4, to infection by the sedentary nematodes root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii) were analysed in transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings. The tissue localization of LOX3 and LOX4 gene expression using β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene constructs showed local induction of LOX3 expression when second‐stage juveniles reached the vascular bundle and during the early stages of plant–nematode interaction through gall and syncytia formation. Thin sections of nematode‐infested knots indicated LOX3 expression in mature giant cells, and high expression in neighbouring cells and those surrounding the female body. LOX4 promoter was also activated by nematode infection, although the GUS signal weakened as infection and disease progressed. Homozygous insertion mutants lacking LOX3 were less susceptible than wild‐type plants to root‐knot nematode infection, as reflected by a decrease in female counts. Conversely, deficiency in LOX4 function led to a marked increase in females and egg mass number and in the female to male ratio of M. javanica and H. schachtii, respectively. The susceptibility of lox4 mutants was accompanied by increased expression of allene oxide synthase, allene oxide cyclase and ethylene‐responsive transcription factor 4, and the accumulation of jasmonic acid, measured in the roots of lox4 mutants. This response was not found in lox3 mutants. Taken together, our results reveal that LOX4 and LOX3 interfere differentially with distinct metabolic and signalling pathways, and that LOX4 plays a major role in controlling plant defence against nematode infection.
Chronic stress mediators act synergistically on colonic nociceptive mouse dorsal root ganglia neurons to increase excitability
Authors: Ochoa‐Cortes F. , Guerrero–Alba R. , Valdez‐Morales E. E. , Spreadbury I. , Barajas‐Lopez C. , Castro M. , Bertrand J. , Cenac N. , Vergnolle N. , Vanner S. J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundStress hormones can signal to colonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and may play a role in sustained hyperexcitability of nociceptors.MethodsMouse DRG neurons were exposed overnight to epinephrine (Epi) 5 nM and/or corticosterone (Cort) 1 μM or prior water‐avoidance stress. Patch clamp recordings, visceromotor reflexes (VMRs) and molecular studies were conducted.Key ResultsWater‐avoidance stress induced neuronal hyperexcitability. Incubation of DRG neurons in both Cort and Epi (but neither alone) induced hyperexcitability (rheobase decreased 51%, p < 0.05; action potential discharge increased 95%, p < 0.01); this was blocked by antagonists of the β2 adrenoreceptor (butoxamine, But) and Cort receptor (mifepristone) in combination or alone. Stress hormones enhanced voltage‐gated Nav1.7 currents (p < 0.05) and suppressed IA (p < 0.0001) and IK+ (p < 0.05) currents. Furthermore, stress hormones increased DRG β2 adrenoreceptor mRNA (59%, p = 0.007) and protein (125%, p < 0.05), also Nav 1.7 transcript (45%, p = 0.004) and protein (114%, p = 0.002). In whole‐animal studies, the WAS hyperexcitability of DRG neurons was blocked by antagonists of the β2 and glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) but together they paradoxically increased VMRs to colorectal balloon distension.Conclusions & InferencesStress mediators Epi and Cort activate β2 and GCR on DRG neurons which synergistically induce hyperexcitability of nociceptive DRG neurons and cause corresponding changes in voltage‐gated Na+ and K+ currents. Furthermore, they increase the expression of β2 adrenoreceptors and Nav1.7 channels, suggesting transcriptional changes could contribute to sustained signaling following stress. The paradoxical effects of But and mifepristone in electrophysiological compared to VMR testing may reflect different peripheral and central actions on sensory signaling.
Reduced phototropism in pks mutants may be due to altered auxin‐regulated gene expression or reduced lateral auxin transport
Authors: Kami Chitose , Allenbach Laure , Zourelidou Melina , Ljung Karin , Schütz Frédéric , Isono Erika , Watahiki Masaaki K. , Yamamoto Kotaro T. , Schwechheimer Claus , Fankhauser Christian 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPhototropism allows plants to orient their photosynthetic organs towards the light. In Arabidopsis, phototropins 1 and 2 sense directional blue light such that phot1 triggers phototropism in response to low fluence rates, while both phot1 and phot2 mediate this response under higher light conditions. Phototropism results from asymmetric growth in the hypocotyl elongation zone that depends on an auxin gradient across the embryonic stem. How phototropin activation leads to this growth response is still poorly understood. Members of the phytochrome kinase substrate (PKS) family may act early in this pathway, because PKS1, PKS2 and PKS4 are needed for a normal phototropic response and they associate with phot1 in vivo. Here we show that PKS proteins are needed both for phot1‐ and phot2‐mediated phototropism. The phototropic response is conditioned by the developmental asymmetry of dicotyledonous seedlings, such that there is a faster growth reorientation when cotyledons face away from the light compared with seedlings whose cotyledons face the light. The molecular basis for this developmental effect on phototropism is unknown; here we show that PKS proteins play a role at the interface between development and phototropism. Moreover, we present evidence for a role of PKS genes in hypocotyl gravi‐reorientation that is independent of photoreceptors. pks mutants have normal levels of auxin and normal polar auxin transport, however they show altered expression patterns of auxin marker genes. This situation suggests that PKS proteins are involved in auxin signaling and/or lateral auxin redistribution.
Current management of atrial fibrillation: an observational study in NHS primary care
Authors: Kassianos George , Arden Chris , Hogan Simon , Dew Robert , Fuat Ahmet 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo describe National Health Service (NHS) resource use and pharmacological management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in routine UK primary care.DesignMulticentre retrospective study.SettingSeven primary care practices in England, one in Wales.PatientsPatients with AF were identified and approached for consent. Data were collected on the first 12 weeks post-diagnosis (‘initiation’) and, for established patients, up to the most recent 3 years of management (‘maintenance’).ResultsData collected on 825 patients with AF, 56% men. Mean age (at diagnosis) 70.5 years. Mean 2.4 (SD 2.2) visits to primary care per patient during the initiation phase; 1.5 (SD 1.8) per patient-year during the maintenance phase. Mean 0.4 (SD 0.6) inpatient admissions for AF per patient during the initiation phase and 0.1 (SD 0.3) per patient-year during the maintenance phase. The mean length of hospital stay per admitted patient was 5.6 days during initiation and 6.4 days per patient-year during maintenance. During the initiation phase, 46.1% (143/310) patients received a β-blocker and 97 (31.3%) received no rate/rhythm control. Only 234 (75.5%) patients received thromboprophylaxis in the 12 weeks postdiagnosis and 674 (87.7%) in the maintenance phase. 440 (57.2%) patients were deemed to be at high risk of stroke at the end of the maintenance phase; 55% (242/440) of these were receiving appropriate anticoagulation therapy.ConclusionsThe results suggest that there are opportunities for optimisation of treatment and there is significant NHS resource associated with AF management, the details of which are invaluable for future healthcare planning and policy development in this area.
Internal consistency, factor structure and construct validity of the French version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture
Authors: Perneger Thomas V , Staines Anthony , Kundig François 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo assess the psychometric properties of the French-language version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC).MethodsData were obtained from a staff survey at a Swiss multisite hospital. We computed descriptive statistics and internal consistency coefficients, then conducted a confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis, and performed construct validity tests.Results1171 staff members participated (response rate 74%). The internal consistency coefficients of the 12 dimension scores ranged from 0.57 to 0.86 (median 0.73). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a reasonable but not perfect fit of the hypothesised measurement model (root mean square error of approximation 0.043, comparative fit index 0.89). Exploratory data analysis suggested 10 dimensions instead of 12, grouping items fromteamwork across hospital unitswith those ofhospital handoffs and transitions, and items fromcommunication opennesswith those offeedback and communication about error. However, the loading pattern was clean: 41 of 42 main loadings exceeded 0.40, and only 3 of 378 cross-loadings exceeded 0.30. All 10 process scores were higher among respondents who rated the global safety grade as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ rather than ‘good’, ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ (effect sizes 0.41–0.79, all p<0.001), but score differences between those who have and have not reported an incident in the past year were weak or inconsistent with theory.DiscussionThe French version of the HSOPSC did not perform as well as the original in standard psychometric analyses.
Developmental trajectories of schizotypal personality disorder-like behavioural manifestations: a two-year longitudinal prospective study of college students
Authors: Geng Fu-lei , Xu Ting , Wang Yi , Shi Hai-song , Yan Chao , Neumann David L , Shum David HK , Lui Simon SY , Cheung Eric FC , Chan Raymond CK 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Previous evidence has shown that schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) is part of the schizophrenia spectrum. Few studies have examined latent classes in the developmental trajectories of SPD features over time in individuals with SPD features.

Methods
We adopted a longitudinal prospective study design to follow up a cohort of 660 college students during a two-year period. Participants’ SPD-like symptoms and psychosocial function were measured by a comprehensive set of questionnaires that covered SPD features and cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial functions. Latent class growth analysis was used to examine the trajectory classes.

Results
Three trajectory classes were identified: a low, a medium, and a high SPD features group. Participants in the low group reported few SPD features and their symptoms declined over time. The medium group students had more SPD features than the low group and these symptoms stabilized during the follow up period. Participants in the high group reported the most SPD features and their symptoms increased over time. The three groups differed in paranoid thoughts, psychological distress, neurocognition function, and emotional expression over time. Results of multivariate regression analysis suggested that paranoid thoughts, emotional experience and prospective memory were predictors of social functioning in the high SPD feature group.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that individuals with SPD features may be delineated into different developmental subgroups and these subgroups differ significantly in psychosocial function. Delusions, emotion, and prospective memory may be important features to consider in early diagnosis and interventions for individuals predisposed to SPD and schizophrenia.