bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Animal‐inflicted open wounds in rural Turkey: lessons learned and a proposed treatment algorithm for uncertain scenarios
Authors: Sezgin Billur , Ljohiy Mbaraka , Akgol Gur Sultan Tuna 
Published: September 2015

AbstractUncertainty in the management of animal‐inflicted injuries, especially in rural settings, usually results in a general approach to leave all wounds to heal with secondary intention, which can lead to unsightly scarring and functional loss. This study focusus on different circumstances dealt with by plastic surgeons in a rural setting in Turkey and aims to configure what the general approach should be through an analysis of a wide spectrum of patients.Between June 2013 and December 2014, 205 patients who presented to the emergency department for animal‐inflicted injuries were retrospectively analysed. Patients who consulted for plastic surgery were included in the analysis to determine which wounds require further attention. Patients with past animal‐inflicted injuries who presented to the outpatient plastic surgery clinic with concerns such as non‐healing open wounds or cosmetic or functional impairment were also evaluated.Statistical analysis demostrated a significantly lower rate of infection encountered in animal‐inflicted open wounds (AIOWs) of patients who consulted for plastic surgery from the emergency department than those who presented to the outpatient clinic (P < 0·05).The main concern in the management of animal‐inflicted wounds is their potential for infection, but this does not mean that every wound will be infected. The most important factor is being able to distinguish wounds that have a higher potential for infection and to select the type of wound management accordingly. An algorithm has been proposed as a guidance for the management of AIOWs, which covers the approach towards both domestic and stray animal‐inflicted injuries.
Population structure within an alpine archipelago: strong signature of past climate change in the New Zealand rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris)
Authors: Weston K. A. , Robertson B. C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNaturally subdivided populations such as those occupying high‐altitude habitat patches of the ‘alpine archipelago’ can provide significant insight into past biogeographical change and serve as useful models for predicting future responses to anthropogenic climate change. Among New Zealand's alpine taxa, phylogenetic studies support two major radiations: the first correlating with geological forces (Pliocene uplift) and the second with climatic processes (Pleistocene glaciations). The rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) is a threatened alpine passerine belonging to the endemic New Zealand wren family (Acanthisittidae). Rock wren constitute a widespread, naturally fragmented population, occurring in patches of suitable habitat over c. 900 m in altitude throughout the length of the South Island, New Zealand. We investigated the relative role of historical geological versus climatic processes in shaping the genetic structure of rock wren (N = 134) throughout their range. Using microsatellites combined with nuclear and mtDNA sequence data, we identify a deep north–south divergence in rock wren (3.7 ± 0.5% at cytochrome b) consistent with the glacial refugia hypothesis whereby populations were restricted in isolated refugia during the Pleistocene c. 2 Ma. This is the first study of an alpine vertebrate to test and provide strong evidence for the glacial refugia hypothesis as an explanation for the low endemicity central zone known as the biotic ‘gap’ in the South Island of New Zealand.
Back to the Future?: Emergent Visions for Object‐Based Teaching in and beyond the Classroom
Authors: Adams Kathleen M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis article introduces a special issue ofMuseum Anthropologydevoted to innovative strategies for teaching with objects. Although a century ago anthropology, museums, and objects were intimately entwined, trends in many museology and anthropology courses have drifted toward focusing on ideas and people rather than objects. The contributors to this special issue have cultivated new pedagogical approaches that complement or realign literature‐focused classroom canons that can distance students from the very objects under study. In keeping with recent theoretical approaches to objects that highlight the sensory dimensions of material culture, many of the articles in this special issue examine the challenges and potential rewards when educators foster physical engagement with objects in and beyond the classroom. Taken together, the articles also underscore how object‐based teaching can yield new theoretical and practical insights, enhance the social relevance of classroom activities, and facilitate meaningful benefits for local communities. [material culture, praxis, pedagogy, embodied practices, object‐based teaching]
Flavins secreted by roots of iron‐deficient Beta vulgaris enable mining of ferric oxide via reductive mechanisms
Authors: Sisó‐Terraza Patricia , Rios Juan J. , Abadía Javier , Abadía Anunciación , Álvarez‐Fernández Ana 
Published: September 2015

Summary

Iron (Fe) is abundant in soils but generally poorly soluble. Plants, with the exception of Graminaceae, take up Fe using an Fe(III)‐chelate reductase coupled to an Fe(II) transporter. Whether or not nongraminaceous species can convert scarcely soluble Fe(III) forms into soluble Fe forms has deserved little attention so far. We have used Beta vulgaris, one among the many species whose roots secrete flavins upon Fe deficiency, to study whether or not flavins are involved in Fe acquisition.

Flavins secreted by Fe‐deficient plants were removed from the nutrient solution, and plants were compared with Fe‐sufficient plants and Fe‐deficient plants without flavin removal. Solubilization of a scarcely soluble Fe(III)‐oxide was assessed in the presence or absence of flavins, NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) or plant roots, and an Fe(II) trapping agent.

The removal of flavins from the nutrient solution aggravated the Fe deficiency‐induced leaf chlorosis. Flavins were able to dissolve an Fe(III)‐oxide in the presence of NADH. The addition of extracellular flavins enabled roots of Fe‐deficient plants to reductively dissolve an Fe(III)‐oxide.

We concluded that root‐secretion of flavins improves Fe nutrition in B. vulgaris. Flavins allow B. vulgaris roots to mine Fe from Fe(III)‐oxides via reductive mechanisms.
Inhibition of LtxA toxicity by blocking cholesterol binding with peptides
Authors: Brown A.C. , Koufos E. , Balashova N.V. , Boesze‐Battaglia K. , Lally E.T. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe leukotoxin (LtxA) produced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans kills host immune cells, allowing the bacterium to establish an ecological niche in the upper aerodigestive tract of its human host. The interaction of LtxA with human immune cells is both complex and multifaceted, involving membrane lipids as well as cell‐surface proteins. In the initial encounter with the host cell, LtxA associates with lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1, a cell surface adhesion glycoprotein. However, we have also demonstrated that the toxin associates strongly with the plasma membrane lipids, specifically cholesterol. This association with cholesterol is regulated by a cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif, with a sequence of 334LEEYSKR340, in the N‐terminal region of the toxin. Here, we have demonstrated that removal of cholesterol from the plasma membrane or mutation of the LtxA CRAC motif inhibits the activity of the toxin in THP‐1 cells. To inhibit LtxA activity, we designed a short peptide corresponding to the CRAC336 motif of LtxA (CRAC336WT). This peptide binds to cholesterol and thereby inhibits the toxicity of LtxA in THP‐1 cells. Previously, we showed that this peptide inhibits LtxA toxicity against Jn.9 (Jurkat) cells, indicating that peptides derived from the cholesterol‐binding site of LtxA may have a potential clinical applicability in controlling infections of repeats‐in‐toxin‐producing organisms.
Development of ensemble pedotransfer functions for cation exchange capacity of soils ofQingdao inChina
Authors: Liao K. , Xu S. , Zhu Q. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSoil cation exchange capacity (CEC), which is considered to be an indicator of buffering capacity, is an important soil attribute that influences soil fertility but is costly, time‐consuming and labour‐intensive to measure. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have routinely been used to predict soilCECfrom easily measured soil properties, such as soilpH, texture and organic matter content. However, uncertainty in which one to select can be substantial as differentPTFs do not necessarily produce the same result. In this study, a total of 100 soil samples were collected from surface horizons (0–20 cm) in different regions of Qingdao City, China. Three ensemblePTFs (ePTFs), including simple ensemble mean (SEM), individually bias‐removed ensemble mean (IBREM) and collective bias‐removed ensemble mean (CBREM), were developed to reduce the uncertainty inCECprediction based on 12 published regression‐basedPTFs. In addition, a localPTF(LPTF) forCECwas also developed using multiple stepwise regression and basic soil properties. The performances of the threeePTFs were compared with those of the publishedPTFs andLPTF. Results show that the differences between the performances of the publishedPTFs were substantial. When the systematic bias of each publishedPTFwas removed separately, the prediction capability of thePTFs was increased. The performance ofLPTFwas significantly better than that ofSEM, but slightly worse thanIBREM. It is noted thatCBREMhad higher accuracy than all of the other methods. Overall,CBREMis a promising approach for estimating soilCECin the study area.
Perivascular tissue inhibits rho‐kinase‐dependent smooth muscle Ca2+ sensitivity and endothelium‐dependent H2S signalling in rat coronary arteries
Authors: Aalbaek Filip , Bonde Lisbeth , Kim Sukhan , Boedtkjer Ebbe 
Published: September 2015

Key points
Local regulation of vascular resistance adjusts coronary blood flow to metabolic demand, although the mechanisms involved are not comprehensively understood
We show that heart tissue surrounding rat coronary arteries releases diffusible factors that regulate vasoconstriction and relaxation
Perivascular tissue reduces rho‐kinase‐dependent smooth muscle Ca2+ sensitivity and constriction of coronary arteries to serotonin, the thromboxane analogue U46619 and the α1‐adrenergic agonist phenylephrine
Endothelium‐dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in response to cholinergic stimulation is inhibited by perivascular tissue as a result of reduced endothelial Ca2+ responses and attenuated H2S‐dependent signalling
These results establish cellular mechanisms by which perivascular heart tissue can modify local vascular tone and coronary blood flow
AbstractInteractions between perivascular tissue (PVT) and the vascular wall modify artery tone and contribute to local blood flow regulation. Using isometric myography, fluorescence microscopy, membrane potential recordings and phosphospecific immunoblotting, we investigated the cellular mechanisms by which PVT affects constriction and relaxation of rat coronary septal arteries. PVT inhibited vasoconstriction to thromboxane, serotonin and α1‐adrenergic stimulation but not to depolarization with elevated extracellular [K+]. When PVT was wrapped around isolated arteries or placed at the bottom of the myograph chamber, a smaller yet significant inhibition of vasoconstriction was observed. Resting membrane potential, depolarization to serotonin or thromboxane stimulation, and resting and serotonin‐stimulated vascular smooth muscle [Ca2+]‐levels were unaffected by PVT. Serotonin‐induced vasoconstriction was almost abolished by rho‐kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 and modestly reduced by protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide X. PVT reduced phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT) at Thr850 by ∼40% in serotonin‐stimulated arteries but had no effect on MYPT‐phosphorylation in arteries depolarized with elevated extracellular [K+]. The net anti‐contractile effect of PVT was accentuated after endothelial denudation. PVT also impaired vasorelaxation and endothelial Ca2+ responses to cholinergic stimulation. Methacholine‐induced vasorelaxation was mediated by NO and H2S, and particularly the H2S‐dependent (dl‐propargylglycine‐ and XE991‐sensitive) component was attenuated by PVT. Vasorelaxation to NO‐ and H2S‐donors was maintained in arteries with PVT. In conclusion, cardiomyocyte‐rich PVT surrounding coronary arteries releases diffusible factors that reduce rho‐kinase‐dependent smooth muscle Ca2+ sensitivity and endothelial Ca2+ responses. These mechanisms inhibit agonist‐induced vasoconstriction and endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation and suggest new signalling pathways for metabolic regulation of blood flow.
Field Comparison of IEC 61400-11 Wind Turbines — Part 11: Acoustic Noise Measurement Techniques, Edition 3.0 and Edition 2.1
Authors: Jozwiak Rob , Munro Allan , Halstead Duncan , Denison Addie 
Published: September 2015

Following the release of Edition 3.0 (2012) of IEC 61400-11 Wind Turbines – Part 11: Acoustic noise measurement techniques, there has been a lot of interest as to how analysis results differ from methods stipulated in Edition 2.1 (2006).
This paper provides a detailed review of the differences between Edition 3.0 and Edition 2.1. An analysis is provided on differences in evaluation of the apparent sound power level and tonal audibility between both versions of the measurement standard.
Technical Note: Synchrotron‐based high‐energy x‐ray phase sensitive microtomography for biomedical research
Authors: Liu Huiqiang , Wu Xizeng , Xiao Tiqiao 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:Propagation‐based phase‐contrast CT (PPCT) utilizes highly sensitive phase‐contrast technology applied to x‐ray microtomography. Performing phase retrieval on the acquired angular projections can enhance image contrast and enable quantitative imaging. In this work, the authors demonstrate the validity and advantages of a novel technique for high‐resolution PPCT by using the generalized phase‐attenuation duality (PAD) method of phase retrieval.Methods:A high‐resolution angular projection data set of a fish head specimen was acquired with a monochromatic 60‐keV x‐ray beam. In one approach, the projection data were directly used for tomographic reconstruction. In two other approaches, the projection data were preprocessed by phase retrieval based on either the linearized PAD method or the generalized PAD method. The reconstructed images from all three approaches were then compared in terms of tissue contrast‐to‐noise ratio and spatial resolution.Results:The authors’ experimental results demonstrated the validity of the PPCT technique based on the generalized PAD‐based method. In addition, the results show that the authors’ technique is superior to the direct PPCT technique as well as the linearized PAD‐based PPCT technique in terms of their relative capabilities for tissue discrimination and characterization.Conclusions:This novel PPCT technique demonstrates great potential for biomedical imaging, especially for applications that require high spatial resolution and limited radiation exposure.
Correcting scan‐to‐scan response variability for a radiochromic film‐based reference dosimetry system
Authors: Lewis David , Devic Slobodan 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:In radiochromic film dosimetry systems, measurements are usually obtained from film images acquired on a CCD‐based flatbed scanner. The authors investigated factors affecting scan‐to‐scan response variability leading to increased dose measurement uncertainty.Methods:The authors used flatbed document scanners to repetitively scan EBT3 radiochromic films exposed to doses 0–1000 cGy, together with three neutral density filters and three blue optical filters. Scanning was performed under two conditions: scanner lid closed and scanner lid opened/closed between scans. The authors also placed a scanner in a cold room at 9 °C and later in a room at 22 °C and scanned EBT3 films to explore temperature effects. Finally, the authors investigated the effect of altering the distance between the film and the scanner's light source.Results:Using a measurement protocol to isolate the contribution of the CCD and electronic circuitry of the scanners, the authors found that the standard deviation of response measurements for the EBT3 film model was about 0.17% for one scanner and 0.09% for the second. When the lid of the first scanner was opened and closed between scans, the average scan‐to‐scan difference of responses increased from 0.12% to 0.27%. Increasing the sample temperature during scanning changed the RGB response values by about −0.17, −0.14, and −0.05%/°C, respectively. Reducing the film‐to‐light source distance increased the RBG response values about 1.1, 1.3, and 1.4%/mm, respectively. The authors observed that films and film samples were often not flat with some areas up to 8 mm away from the scanner's glass window.Conclusions:In the absence of measures to deal with the response irregularities, each factor the authors investigated could lead to dose uncertainty >2%. Those factors related to the film‐to‐light source distance could be particularly impactful since the authors observed many instances where the curl of film samples had the potential to cause dose uncertainty in excess of 5%. Two expedients will eliminate the uncertainties: a transparent sheet (preferably glass) placed over the scanned film keeps the film‐to‐light source distance constant, and an EBT3 reference film included in all scans provides correction factors for measured response values.
Eagle Effect in Nonreplicating Persister Mycobacteria
Authors: Wu Mu-Lu , Tan Jasmie , Dick Thomas 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

We determined the microbicidal activities of antibacterials against nonreplicating
Mycobacterium smegmatis
grown in a starvation-based Loebel model for persistence. Whereas most drugs lost their activity, fluoroquinolones retained lethal potency. Dose-response characterizations showed a paradoxical more-drug-kills-less Eagle effect. Pretreatment of cultures with chloramphenicol blocked the lethal action of the gyrase inhibitors. These results suggest that fluoroquinolones at low concentrations trigger a protein synthesis-dependent cell death pathway and shut off this suicide pathway at elevated concentrations.
A Novel Pyridazinone Derivative Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Inducing Genome-Free Capsid Formation
Authors: Wang Ya-Juan , Lu Dong , Xu Yi-Bin , Xing Wei-Qiang , Tong Xian-Kun , Wang Gui-Feng , Feng Chun-Lan , He Pei-Lan , Yang Li , Tang Wei , Hu You-Hong , Zuo Jian-Ping 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

Here we first identified a novel pyridazinone derivative, compound 3711, as a nonnucleosidic hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibitor in a cell model system. 3711 decreased extracellular HBV DNA levels by 50% (50% inhibitory concentration [IC
50
]) at 1.5 ± 0.2 μM and intracellular DNA levels at 1.9 ± 0.1 μM, which demonstrated antiviral activity at levels far below those associated with toxicity. Both the 3TC/ETV dually resistant L180M/M204I mutant and the adefovir (ADV)-resistant A181T/N236T mutant were as susceptible to 3711 as wild-type HBV. 3711 treatment induced the formation of genome-free capsids, a portion of which migrated faster on 1.8% native agarose gel. The induced genome-free capsids sedimented more slowly in isopycnic CsCl gradient centrifugation without significant morphological changes. 3711 treatment decreased levels of HBV DNA contained in both secreted enveloped virion and naked virus particles in supernatant. 3711 could interfere with capsid formation of the core protein (Cp) assembly domain. A Cp V124W mutant, which strengthens capsid interdimer interactions, recapitulated the effect of 3711 on capsid assembly. Pyridazinone derivative 3711, a novel chemical entity and HBV inhibitor, may provide a new opportunity to combat chronic HBV infection.
A Clonal Complex 12 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strain, West Australian MRSA-59, Harbors a Novel Pseudo-SCC
mec
Element
Authors: Monecke Stefan , Coombs Geoffrey W. , Pearson Julie , Hotzel Helmut , Slickers Peter , Ehricht Ralf 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

A West Australian methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
strain (WA MRSA-59) was characterized by microarray and sequencing. Its pseudo-staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) element comprised
dcs
,
Q9XB68
-
dcs
,
mvaS
-SCC,
Q5HJW6
,
dru
,
ugpQ
,
ydeM
,
mecA-mecR-mecI
, txbi
mecI
,
tnp
IS
431
,
copA2-mco
(copper resistance),
ydhK
,
arsC-arsB-arsR
(arsenic resistance), open reading frame PT43, and
per-2
. Recombinase genes,
xylR
(
mecR2
), and PSM-
mec
(phenol-soluble modulin) were absent. We suggest that
mec
complex A should be split into two subtypes. One harbors PSM-
mec
and
xylR
(
mecR2
). It is found in SCC
mec
types II, III, and VIII. The second subtype, described herein, is present in WA MRSA-59 and some coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Physiological Roles and Adverse Effects of the Two Cystine Importers of Escherichia coli
Authors: Chonoles Imlay Karin R. , Korshunov Sergey , Imlay James A. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

When cystine is added to
Escherichia coli
, the bacterium becomes remarkably sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. This effect is due to enlarged intracellular pools of cysteine, which can drive Fenton chemistry. Genetic analysis linked the sensitivity to YdjN, a secondary transporter that along with the FliY-YecSC ABC system is responsible for cystine uptake. FliY-YecSC has a nanomolar

K
m

and is essential for import of trace cystine, whereas YdjN has a micromolar

K
m

and is the predominant importer when cystine is more abundant. Oddly, both systems are strongly induced by the CysB response to sulfur scarcity. The FliY-YecSC system can import a variety of biomolecules, including diaminopimelate; it is therefore vulnerable to competitive inhibition, presumably warranting YdjN induction under low-sulfur conditions. But the consequence is that if micromolar cystine then becomes available, the abundant YdjN massively overimports it, at >30 times the total sulfur demand of the cell. The imported cystine is rapidly reduced to cysteine in a glutathione-dependent process. This action avoids the hazard of disulfide stress, but it precludes feedback inhibition of YdjN by cystine. We conjecture that YdjN possesses no cysteine allosteric site because the isostructural amino acid serine might inappropriately bind in its place. Instead, the cell partially resolves the overaccumulation of cysteine by immediately excreting it, completing a futile import/reduction/export cycle that consumes a large amount of cellular energy. These unique, wasteful, and dangerous features of cystine metabolism are reproduced by other bacteria. We propose to rename
ydjN
as
tcyP
and
fliY-yecSC
as
tcyJLN
.

IMPORTANCE
In general, intracellular metabolite pools are kept at steady, nontoxic levels by a sophisticated combination of transcriptional and allosteric controls. Surprisingly, in
E. coli
allosteric control is utterly absent from the primary importer of cystine. This flaw allows massive overimport of cystine, which causes acute vulnerability to oxidative stress and is remedied only by wasteful cysteine efflux. The lack of import control may be rationalized by the unusual properties of cysteine itself. This phenomenon justifies the existence of countervailing cysteine export systems, whose purpose is otherwise hard to understand. It also highlights an unexpected link between sulfur metabolism and oxidative damage. Although this investigation focused upon
E. coli
, experiments confirmed that similar phenomena occur in other species.