bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sympathetic pain? A role of poor parasympathetic nervous system engagement in vicarious pain states
Authors: Nazarewicz Julia , Verdejo‐Garcia Antonio , Giummarra Melita J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis study investigated the psychophysiological correlates of the subjective experience of vicarious pain; that is, a spontaneous experience of pain when seeing another in pain. Forty‐nine healthy, otherwise pain‐free individuals aged 18–55 years completed empathy and anxiety questionnaires and were classified into three groups: vicarious responders with high anxiety (n = 11), vicarious responders with low anxiety (n = 22), and nonresponders (n = 16). Electrophysiological recordings of heart rate variability (HRV) during paced breathing and cognitive stress (serial sevens task) were completed before participants viewed short videos of athletes in states of pain or happiness, taken from Australian League Football matches. Change in beats per minute, relative to neutral scenes, were analyzed for the first 4 s after onset of the painful or happy event. Anxious responders had lower HF‐HRV than both other groups, implicating poor parasympathetic regulation specific to states of stress. Both vicarious responder groups had elevated HR at the event onset, regardless of valence. After viewing painful injuries, nonanxious vicarious responders showed sustained HR over time, anxious responders showed HR acceleration with a peak at 3 s after the injury onset, and nonresponders showed a pattern of marked HR deceleration. These findings suggest that vicarious pain in anxious responders is associated with poorly regulated sympathetic arousal via insufficient inhibitory parasympathetic activity, whereas nonanxious persons show sustained arousal. Clearly, multiple mechanisms in the central and peripheral nervous system must play a role in vicarious pain states, and the different manifestations are likely to lead to very different behavioral consequences.
The facilitation of motor actions by acoustic and electric stimulation
Authors: Marinovic Welber , Milford Magdalene , Carroll Timothy , Riek Stephan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe presentation of a loud acoustic stimulus during the preparation of motor actions can both speed movement initiation and increase response vigor. Several recent studies have explored this phenomenon as a means to investigate the mechanisms and neural correlates of movement preparation. Here, we sought to determine the generality of this effect across sensory modalities, and in particular whether unexpected somatosensory stimulation can facilitate movements in a manner similar to loud sounds. We show that electric and acoustic stimuli can be similarly effective in inducing the early release of motor actions, in both reaction time and anticipatory timing tasks. Consistent with recent response activation models of motor preparation, we also demonstrate that increasing the intensity of electric stimuli induces both progressive decreases in reaction time and increases in response vigor. Additionally, we show that the early release of motor actions can be induced by electric stimuli targeting predominantly either muscle afferents or skin afferents. Finally, we show that simultaneous acoustic and electric stimulation leads to earlier releases of anticipatory actions than either unimodal stimulus. These findings may lead to new avenues for experimental and clinical exploitation of the effects of accessory sensory information on movement preparation and initiation.
Gender differences in the impact of daily sadness on 24‐h heart rate variability
Authors: Verkuil Bart , Brosschot Jos F. , Marques Andrea H. , Kampschroer Kevin , Sternberg Esther M. , Thayer Julian F. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractReduced heart rate variability (HRV) is proposed to mediate the relation between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular health problems. Yet, several studies have found that in women depression is associated with higher HRV levels, whereas in men depression is associated with lower HRV levels. So far, these studies have only examined gender differences in HRV levels using a single assessment. This study aimed to test the interactive effects of gender and sadness on ambulatory‐assessed HRV levels. A sample of 60 (41 women) employees participated in an ambulatory study. HRV levels (mean of successive differences; MSD) were continuously measured for 24 h. During the daytime, hourly assessments of sadness and other mood states were taken, while depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES‐D). Gender differences were observed when examining the impact of average daily sadness on MSD. In women, but not in men, the total amount of sadness experienced during the day was associated with higher circadian MSD levels. These findings suggest that researchers need to take gender differences into account when examining the relation between sadness, HRV, and cardiovascular problems.
Sex and Sexuality in Buddhism: A Tetralemma
Authors: Langenberg Amy Paris 
Published: September 2015

AbstractModern people presume ‘sex’ to be a function of biology and ‘sexuality’ to be a fundamental aspect of identity. Since Buddhist monks and nuns are celibate by definition, many assume a uniform sex‐negativity in Buddhism. But Buddhist teachers and practitioners have thought about, talked about, and performed sex in many modes beyond the negative. Buddhism, a tradition originating in ancient India but straddling tens of centuries and multiple cultural, national, and linguistic boundaries, provides many opportunities for reflection on the putative universality of biological ‘sex’, and the theorized modernity of ‘sexuality’. How, when, and why do Buddhists have sex? Do Buddhists have a sexuality? This article employs the logical formula of the tetralemma to explore the topics of sex and sexuality in various Buddhist traditions, challenge the supposed sex‐negativity of Buddhism, and question the applicability of ‘sexuality’ in its modern usage as a term of critical analysis in Buddhist contexts.
Trauma and Gender
Authors: Segalo Puleng 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe meaning of trauma within psychology has for a long time been viewed mostly from a ‘pathologising’ standpoint. Viewed as pathology, people's trauma may become understood using a singular lens thereby leaving out broader contextual (social, environmental, political, historical, economical etc.) aspects that have been shown to play a role in the subjective experience of various forms of suffering. Psychology has for a long time been quick to diagnose victims of traumatic experiences from an individualistic perspective, almost always positioning the ‘problem’ within the person. As a result of the Vietnam War, World Wars I and II and the Holocaust, the rise in the diagnosing of PTSD gave way to the labelling of trauma. Within psychology, post‐traumatic stress disorder has become the way to operationalise suffering, and I would like to argue that this occludes how suffering lives in a family, a community and in gendered bodies. The gendering of trauma continues to be a silenced space. There is a need to highlight and acknowledge the gendered nature of suffering which begs for trauma to be understood in context and not as an isolated act or occurrence affecting the individual. Women have remained, and in many ways continue to remain, silenced with minimal opportunities to name the world for themselves. This paper seeks to provide a critical analysis of the notion of trauma (and its intersection with gender) that arises from conflict and post‐conflict situations.
Identity Fusion, Extreme Pro‐Group Behavior, and the Path to Defusion
Authors: Fredman Leah A. , Buhrmester Michael D. , Gomez Angel , Fraser William T. , Talaifar Sanaz , Brannon Skylar M. , Swann William B. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIdentity fusion refers to a visceral sense of oneness with an ingroup. For fused individuals, group membership is not a means to an end (e.g., a positive social identity). Rather, membership is an all‐absorbing goal in itself; little other than the group matters. Group membership is also seen as enduring, sustained by chronically activated psychological structures as well as features of the context. Fellow group members are likewise seen as permanent members of the group, as they are members of the ingroup “family”. And just as family members are compelled to make extreme sacrifices for their family, so too are highly fused individuals – including even the ultimate sacrifice. These efforts to protect the ingroup can have negative consequences when, for example, people become strongly fused to groups that are devoted to extreme, anti‐social behaviors. In such instances, it may be prudent to encourage “defusion” from the group, but the emotional investment associated with fusion may thwart such efforts. We discuss the implications of these and related considerations.
Getting personal with blood donors – the rationale for, methodology of and an overview of participants in the UK blood donor survey
Authors: Davison K. L. , Reynolds C. A. , Andrews N. , Brailsford S. R. ,   on Behalf of the UK Blood Donor Survey Steering Group
Published: September 2015

SUMMARYObjectiveTo design and pilot a survey of UK blood donors to assess, on a large scale, their understanding of and compliance with the donor selection guidelines (DSG).BackgroundCompliance with the DSG is important for maintaining blood safety, however, little is currently known about the extent of this among UK donors.Materials and methodsThe online, unlinked survey was based on the donor health check form with a focus on behaviours associated with blood borne infections, sexual contact, drug use and travel. The survey materials were reviewed by a donor focus group and the survey was piloted among 2982 UK donors. Percentage responses were calculated, complaints monitored and answers to questions reviewed. The survey went live in 2013; 225 091 donors were invited via email to participate followed by two reminders.ResultsThe survey was well received by the focus group, with little concern about the sensitive and personal questions. Their feedback led to important refinement in the survey materials. In the pilots, 21·0% (627/2982) responded, a reminder was necessary to achieve this. Among responders, there was evidence of non‐compliance and test seeking behaviour, and no evidence that intention to donate again was affected. In the live survey, 29% (65 439) responded; responders were generally representative of donors overall.ConclusionA large scale survey of donor compliances is feasible, acceptable and effective in ascertaining appropriate information; involving donors and the blood services in the development stages through a focus group and pilots was important to achieve this.
Sodium homeostasis is preserved in a global 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 knockout mouse model
Authors: Christensen Thorbjørn H. , Bailey Matthew A. , Kenyon Christopher J. , Jensen Boye L. , Hunter Robert W. 
Published: September 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Glucocorticoids act in the kidney to promote salt and water retention. Renal 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1), by increasing local concentrations of glucocorticoids, may exert an antinatriuretic effect. We hypothesized that global deletion of 11βHSD1 in the mouse would give rise to a salt‐wasting renal phenotype.

What is the main finding and its importance?
We subjected a mouse model of global 11βHSD1 deletion to studies of water and electrolyte balance, renal clearance, urinary steroid excretion, renin–angiotensin system activation and renal sodium transporter expression. We found no significant effects on renal sodium or water excretion. Any effect of renal 11βHSD1 on sodium homeostasis is subtle.

Glucocorticoids act in the kidney to regulate glomerular haemodynamics and tubular sodium transport; the net effect favours sodium retention. 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) is expressed in the renal tubules and the interstitial cells of the medulla, where it is likely to regenerate active glucocorticoids from inert 11‐keto forms. The physiological function of renal 11βHSD1 is largely unknown. We hypothesized that loss of renal 11βHSD1 would result in salt wasting and tested this in a knockout mouse model in which 11βHSD1 was deleted in all body tissues. In balance studies, 11βHSD1 deletion had no effect on water, sodium or potassium metabolism; transition to a low‐sodium diet did not reveal a natriuretic phenotype. Renal clearance studies demonstrated identical haemodynamic parameters (arterial blood pressure, renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate) in knockout and wild‐type mice, but revealed an augmented kaliuretic response to thiazides in 11βHSD1 knockout animals. There was no effect on the natriuretic response to the amiloride analogue benzamil. Urinary excretion of deoxycorticosterone was higher in 11βHSD1 knockout mice, and there was hypertrophy of cells in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. There was no difference in the activity of the renin–angiotensin and nitric oxide systems, no difference in renal histology and no difference in the abundance of key tubular transporter proteins. We conclude that any effect of 11βHSD1 on renal sodium excretion is subtle.
Gut microbiome in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wing Maria R. , Patel Samir S. , Ramezani Ali , Raj Dominic S. 
Published: September 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?
This review addresses the contribution of the altered gut microbiome to uraemic syndrome, with specific reference to gut microbiome‐derived uraemic toxins. It also discusses the potential treatment options to normalize the disturbed microbiome in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What advances does it highlight?
This review highlights the importance of the gut–kidney connection and how the altered microbial landscape in the intestine contributes to dysmetabolism and inflammation in CKD. Recent findings linking gut‐derived uraemic toxins to progression of CKD, cardiovascular disease and mortality are also discussed. Finally, we briefly explain targeted therapies that have been studied to restore intestinal symbiosis in CKD.

The human intestine is now recognized as an important metabolic organ powered by gut microbiota. This review addresses the alteration in the gut microbiome in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its consequence. We describe the major uraemic toxins, p‐cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine N‐oxide, which are produced by the gut microbiome, and how these metabolites contribute to progression of CKD and associated cardiovascular disease. Translocation of endotoxin from the gut into the systemic circulation contributes to inflammation in CKD. Targeting the gut microbiome to restore symbiosis may prove to be a potent strategy in reducing inflammation and production of these uraemic toxins.
Draft Genome Assembly of Filamentous Brackish Cyanobacterium
Limnoraphis robusta
Strain CS-951
Authors: Willis Anusuya , Parks Matthew , Burford Michele A. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Limnoraphis robusta
CS-951 is a sheathed, filamentous benthic, nonheterocystous cyanobacterium. It was isolated from brackish water and identified morphologically as
Lyngbya majuscula
. We report the draft genome of
L. robusta
CS-951, with a genome size of 7,314,117 bp, a 41.6% GC content, and 6,791 putative protein-coding genes assembled into 361contigs.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus ruber Strain P25, an Active Polychlorinated Biphenyl Degrader
Authors: Shumkova Ekaterina S. , Olsson Björn E. , Kudryavtseva Anna V. , Plotnikova Elena G. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

We report the 5,728,255-bp draft genome sequence of
Rhodococcus ruber
P25, isolated from a soil polluted with halogenated aromatic compounds in the city of Perm, Russia. The strain degrades polychlorinated biphenyls and a broad range of aromatic compounds. It possesses genes that mediate the degradation of biphenyls/polychlorinated biphenyls, naphthalene, and monoaromatic compounds.
Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing K. pneumoniae Siphophage Sushi
Authors: Nguyen Dat T. , Lessor Lauren E. , Cahill Jesse L. , Rasche Eric S. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is a Gram-negative bacterium in the family
Enterobacteriaceae
. It is associated with numerous nosocomial infections, including respiratory and urinary tract infections in humans. The following reports the complete genome sequence of
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase-producing
K. pneumoniae
T1-like siphophage Sushi and describes its major features.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Bacterium
Gordonia jacobaea
, a New Member of the
Gordonia
Genus
Authors: Jiménez-Galisteo G. , Villa T. G. , Vinuesa T. , Viñas M. , Domínguez A. , Muñoz E. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Gordonia jacobaea
was isolated and characterized in the Department of Microbiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, in 2000. Here we present the draft genome sequence of this species, which will improve our understanding of the diversity and the relation of the cell wall proteins of
G. jacobaea
with other mycolata.
Genome Sequences of a Rat Polyomavirus Related to Murine Polyomavirus, Rattus norvegicus Polyomavirus 1
Authors: Ehlers Bernhard , Richter Dania , Matuschka Franz-Rainer , Ulrich Rainer G. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

We amplified and sequenced six complete genomes of a polyomavirus from feral Norway rats (
Rattus norvegicus
) and from a long-term breeding colony derived from Norway rats. This virus, which is closely related to hamster polyomavirus and murine polyomavirus, may contribute to understanding the evolutionary history of rodent polyomaviruses.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Methylobacterium
sp. ME121, Isolated from Soil as a Mixed Single Colony with
Kaistia
sp. 32K
Authors: Fujinami Shun , Takeda-Yano Kiyoko , Onodera Takefumi , Satoh Katsuya , Shimizu Tetsu , Wakabayashi Yuu , Narumi Issay , Nakamura Akira , Ito Masahiro 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Methylobacterium
sp. ME121 was isolated from soil as a mixed single colony with
Kaistia
sp. 32K, and its growth was enhanced by coculture. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Methylobacterium
sp. ME121, which may contribute to the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
Urosepsis: Overview of the Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges
Authors: Wagenlehner Florian M. E. , Pilatz Adrian , Weidner Wolfgang , Naber Kurt G. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTUrosepsis is defined as sepsis caused by an infection in the urogenital tract. In approximately 30% of all septic patients the infectious focus is localized in the urogenital tract, mainly due to obstructions at various levels, such as ureteral stones. Urosepsis may also occur after operations in the urogenital tract. In urosepsis, complete bacteria and components of the bacterial cell wall from the urogenital tract trigger the host inflammatory event and act as exogenous pyrogens on eukaryotic target cells of patients. A burst of second messenger molecules leads to several different stages of the septic process, from hyperactivity to immunosuppression. As pyelonephritis is the most frequent cause for urosepsis, the kidney function is therefore most important in terms of cause and as a target organ for dysfunction in the course of the sepsis.Since effective antimicrobial therapy must be initiated early during sepsis, the empiric intravenous therapy should be initiated immediately after microbiological sampling. For the selection of appropriate antimicrobials, it is important to know risk factors for resistant organisms and whether the sepsis is primary or secondary and community or nosocomially acquired. In addition, the preceding antimicrobial therapies should be recorded as precisely as possible. Resistance surveillance should, in any case, be performed locally to adjust for the best suitable empiric treatment. Treatment challenges arise from the rapid increase of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, especially extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria. Treatment of urosepsis comprises four basic strategies I) supportive therapy (stabilizing and maintaining blood pressure), II) antimicrobial therapy, III) control or elimination of the complicating factor, and IV) specific sepsis therapy.
Mapping the risk perception and communication gap between different professions of healthcare providers in cancer care: a cross-sectional protocol
Authors: Stub Trine , Musial Frauke , Quandt Sara A , Arcury Thomas A , Salamonsen Anita , Kristoffersen Agnete , Berntsen Gro 
Published: September 2015

IntroductionStudies show that patients with cancer who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have a poorer survival prognosis than those who do not. It remains unclear whether this is due to a priori poorer prognosis that makes patients turn to CAM, or whether there is a factor associated with CAM use itself that influences the prognosis negatively. Healthcare providers should assist patients in safeguarding their treatment decision. However, the current non-communication between CAM and conventional providers leaves it up to the patients themselves to choose how to best integrate the two worlds of therapy. In this study, an interactive shared decision-making (SDM) tool will be developed to enable patients and health professionals to make safe health choices.Methods and analysisWe will delineate, compare and evaluate perception and clinical experience of communication of risk situations among oncology experts, general practitioners and CAM practitioners. To accomplish this, we will develop a pilot and implement a large-scale survey among the aforementioned health professionals in Norway. Guided by the survey results, we will develop a β-version of a shared decision-making tool for healthcare providers to use in guiding patients to make safe CAM decisions.Ethics and disseminationParticipants must give their informed and written consent before inclusion. They will be informed about the opportunity to drop out from the study followed by deletion of all data registered. The study needs no approval from The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics because all participants are healthcare professionals. Results from this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed medical journals.