bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do sleep hygiene measures and progressive muscle relaxation influence sleep bruxism? Report of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Valiente López M. , van Selms M. K. A. , van der Zaag J. , Hamburger H. L. , Lobbezoo F. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of sleep hygiene measures combined with relaxation techniques in the management of sleep bruxism (SB) in a double‐blind, parallel, controlled, randomised clinical trial design. Sixteen participants (mean ± s.d. age = 39·9 ± 10·8 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 8) or to the experimental treatment group (n = 8). Participants belonging to the latter group were instructed to perform sleep hygiene measures and progressive muscle relaxation techniques for a 4‐week period. Two polysomnographic recordings, including bilateral masseter electromyographic activity, were made: one prior to the treatment and the other after the treatment period. The number of bruxism episodes per hour, the number of burst per hour and the bruxism time index (i.e. the percentage of total sleep time spent bruxing) were established as outcome variables. No significant differences could be observed between the outcome measures obtained before and after the 4‐week period, neither for the sleep bruxism variables nor for the sleep variables. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that there is no effect of sleep hygiene measures together with progressive relaxation techniques on sleep bruxism or sleep over a 4‐week observation period.
Genetic consequences of postglacial range expansion in two codistributed rodents (genus Dipodomys) depend on ecology and genetic locus
Authors: Jezkova Tereza , Riddle Brett R. , Card Daren C. , Schield Drew R. , Eckstut Mallory E. , Castoe Todd A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHow does range expansion affect genetic diversity in species with different ecologies, and do different types of genetic markers lead to different conclusions? We addressed these questions by assessing the genetic consequences of postglacial range expansion using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear restriction site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing in two congeneric and codistributed rodents with different ecological characteristics: the desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti), a sand specialist, and the Merriam's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami), a substrate generalist. For each species, we compared genetic variation between populations that retained stable distributions throughout glacial periods and those inferred to have expanded since the last glacial maximum. Our results suggest that expanded populations of both species experienced a loss of private mtDNA haplotypes and differentiation among populations, as well as a loss of nuclear single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) private alleles and polymorphic loci. However, only D. deserti experienced a loss of nucleotide diversity (both mtDNA and nuclear) and nuclear heterozygosity. For all indices of diversity and differentiation that showed reduced values in the expanded areas, D. deserti populations experienced a greater degree of loss than did D. merriami populations. Additionally, patterns of loss in genetic diversity in expanded populations were substantially less extreme (by two orders of magnitude in some cases) for nuclear SNPs in both species compared to that observed for mitochondrial data. Our results demonstrate that ecological characteristics may play a role in determining genetic variation associated with range expansions, yet mtDNA diversity loss is not necessarily accompanied by a matched magnitude of loss in nuclear diversity.
Regulation of metabolic gene clusters in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nützmann Hans‐Wilhelm , Osbourn Anne 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Recent discoveries have revealed that the genes for the biosynthesis of a variety of plant specialized metabolites are organized in operon‐like clusters within plant genomes. Here we identify a regulatory process that is required for normal expression of metabolic gene clusters in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Comparative gene expression analysis of a representative clustered gene was performed in a set of chromatin mutant lines. Subsequently, metabolite levels were analysed by GC‐MS and the local chromatin structure was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation and nucleosome positioning.

We show that the transcript levels of genes within two metabolic clusters are coordinately reduced in an arp6 and h2a.z background. We demonstrate that H2A.Z enrichment in the clusters is positively correlated with active cluster expression. We further show that nucleosome stability within the cluster regions is higher in the arp6 background compared with the wild‐type.

These results implicate ARP6 and H2A.Z in the regulation of metabolic clusters in Arabidopsis thaliana through localized chromatin modifications that enable the coordinate expression of groups of contiguous genes. These findings shed light on the complex process of cluster regulation, an area that could in the future open up new opportunities for the discovery and manipulation of specialized metabolic pathways in plants.
Levinas's ethics as a basis of healthcare – challenges and dilemmas
Authors: Nordtug Birgit 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLevinas's ethics has in the last decades exerted a significant influence on Nursing and Caring Science. The core of Levinas's ethics – his analyses of how our subjectivity is established in the ethical encounter with our neighbour or the Other – is applied both to healthcare practice and in the project of building an identity of Nursing and Caring Science. Levinas's analyses are highly abstract and metaphysical, and also non‐normative. Thus, his analyses cannot be applied directly to practical problems and questions. Theorists in Nursing and Caring Science are generally aware of this. Nevertheless, many of them use Levinas's analyses to explore and solve questions of practical and normative character. This article focuses on the challenges and dilemmas of using Levinas in this manner.The article is divided into two parts. The first part presents some central ideas of Levinas's ethics based on the latter part of his authorship. The main focus is on the radicalism of Levinas's critique of the symbolic order (which includes concepts, categories, knowledge, etc.) – or as he puts it ‘the said’ – as a basis for subjectivity and responsibility. Levinas's notions of saying, anarchy, and singularity accentuate this point of view. These notions refer to conditions in the language, which counteract the symbolic order in the ethical encounter to such an extent that it becomes an incomprehensible. Levinas gives the argumentation a metaphysical frame: The encounter with the incomprehensible is an encounter with the Holy, which is not the ontological God, but a metaphysical desire. It is a mystery as to what this means, and herein lies possibly the main challenge when using Levinas's ethics in science and research: How to maintain the radicalism of his critique of the symbolic order when this is to be communicated in a scientific context that expects clarification of statements and ideas? The second part of the article explores this question by examining how some theorists use Levinas's ethics on questions and problems in the area of healthcare and Nursing and Caring Science. The focus is especially on the theorists' reception and use of the just mentioned notions. The study reveals that these theorists to a large extent transform Levinas's ethics according to their own approaches, with the result that his ethics loses its critical radicalism. Thus, I question the reason why they use Levinas.
Production of high levels of poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate in plastids of Camelina sativa seeds
Authors: Malik Meghna R. , Yang Wenyu , Patterson Nii , Tang Jihong , Wellinghoff Rachel L. , Preuss Mary L. , Burkitt Claire , Sharma Nirmala , Ji Yuanyuan , Jez Joseph M. , Peoples Oliver P. , Jaworski Jan G. , Cahoon Edgar B. , Snell Kristi D. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryPoly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production in plastids of Camelina sativa seeds was investigated by comparing levels of polymer produced upon transformation of plants with five different binary vectors containing combinations of five seed‐specific promoters for expression of transgenes. Genes encoding PHB biosynthetic enzymes were modified at the N‐terminus to encode a plastid targeting signal. PHB levels of up to 15% of the mature seed weight were measured in single sacrificed T1 seeds with a genetic construct containing the oleosin and glycinin promoters. A more detailed analysis of the PHB production potential of two of the best performing binary vectors in a Camelina line bred for larger seed size yielded lines containing up to 15% polymer in mature T2 seeds. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of distinct granules of PHB in the seeds. PHB production had varying effects on germination, emergence and survival of seedlings. Once true leaves formed, plants grew normally and were able to set seeds. PHB synthesis lowered the total oil but not the protein content of engineered seeds. A change in the oil fatty acid profile was also observed. High molecular weight polymer was produced with weight‐averaged molecular weights varying between 600 000 and 1 500 000, depending on the line. Select lines were advanced to later generations yielding a line with 13.7% PHB in T4 seeds. The levels of polymer produced in this study are the highest reported to date in a seed and are an important step forward for commercializing an oilseed‐based platform for PHB production.
Genetic analysis and quantitative trait locus mapping of PEG‐induced osmotic stress tolerance in cotton
Authors: Abdelraheem Abdelraheem , Hughs Sidney E. , Jones Don C. , Zhang Jinfa 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWater stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that adversely affect cotton production. Seedlings of 142 backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from Pima cotton ‘Pima S‐7’ (Gossypium barbadense L.) × Upland cotton ‘Sure‐Grow 747’(G. hirsutum L.) were evaluated in two tests for plant height, fresh shoot weight and root weight under two treatments (5% PEG and water‐control conditions) using a hydroponic system in the greenhouse. The experiment in each test was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The analysis of variance for the two tests detected significant genotypic variation in PEG‐induced stress tolerance within the BIL population and between the parents. Heritabilities were moderate to high and were higher under the control conditions than under the PEG treatment, and the three traits were also significantly and positively correlated. Based on a linkage map with 292 loci, six QTLs were detected including two for plant height, and two each for fresh shoot weight and root weight. This study represents the first report in using a permanent mapping population in genetic and linkage analysis of water stress tolerance in cotton.
Tacrolimus and sirolimus in capillary dried blood spots allows for remote monitoring
Authors: Dickerson Jane A. , Sinkey Marian , Jacot Kathleen , Stack Jennifer , Sadilkova Katerina , Law Yuk M. , Jack Rhona M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus and sirolimus plays a significant role in the clinical follow‐up of transplant patients receiving IMS therapy. Success of transplant and favorable patient outcome relies on maintaining adequate therapeutic drug levels. The purpose of this research is to assess the clinical utility of remote collection of DBS for immunosuppressant monitoring and compare the IMS level in paired collections of venous whole blood and DBS. Sirolimus and tacrolimus levels were clinically correlated in capillary blood collected from a finger poke with venous whole blood from pediatric, post‐transplant patients. The participants took the dried blood spot card home with them with a pre‐addressed, postage‐paid envelope and mailed it back to the laboratory. Overall, a small but statistically significant negative bias was observed (−0.6 ng/mL, p = 0.0011). A chart review was performed to assess whether clinical management would have changed, and none of the cases revealed a clinically significant change. Sirolimus in DBS also correlated with venous levels. Overall, a small but statistically negative bias was observed (−0.8 ng/mL, p = 0.029). In summary, analysis of IMS levels in DBS is possible, and the difference noted between capillary and venous blood is within the clinically acceptable limits.
Tris–Egg Yolk–Glycerol (TEY) Extender Developed for Freezing Dog Semen is a Good Option to Cryopreserve Bovine Epididymal Sperm Cells
Authors: Lopes G , Soares L , Ferreira P , Rocha A 
Published: November 2014

ContentsCryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa is often performed after shipping the excised testis–epididymis complexes, under refrigeration, to a specialized laboratory. However, epididymal spermatozoa can be collected immediately after excision of the epididymis and sent extended and refrigerated to a laboratory for cryopreservation. In this experiment, we evaluated the effect of both methods of cold storage bovine epididymal spermatozoa as well as of two different extenders on spermatozoa characteristics after freeze–thawing. For that, spermatozoa collected from the caudae epididymis of 19 bulls were extended and cryopreserved in either AndroMed® or a Tris–egg yolk (TEY)‐based extender. Cryopreservation of sperm cells was performed immediately after castration (Group A, n = 9) or after cold storage for 24 h diluted in the two extenders and (Group B, n = 9) and also after cold storage for 24 h within the whole epididymis (Group C, n = 10). Sperm subjective progressive motility (light microscopy), plasma membrane integrity (hypoosmotic swelling test) and sperm viability (eosin–nigrosin) were evaluated. In vitro fertilization and culture (IVF) was performed to assess the blastocyst rate. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed on post‐thaw sperm parameters between samples from Group A, B and C. TEY extended samples presented a higher (p < 0.01) percentage of progressive motile and live sperm, than those extended in AndroMed®. Blastocyst rate after IVF differed only (p < 0.05) between the reference group (IVF performed with frozen semen with known in vitro fertility) and Group A extended in AndroMed®. We conclude that when cryopreservation facilities are distant from the collection site, bovine epididymal sperm can be shipped chilled overnight either within the epididymal tail or after dilution without deleterious effect on post‐thaw sperm quality. TEY extender was more suitable for cold storage and freezing bovine epididymal sperm, than the commercial extender AndroMed®.
An Investigation into the Human Element of On‐farm Animal Welfare Incidents in Ireland
Authors: Devitt Catherine , Kelly Patricia , Blake Martin , Hanlon Alison , More Simon J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA previous study on key farm performance indicators for animal welfare incidents in Ireland provided anecdotal evidence to suggest that farm animal welfare standards are often underpinned by social and human health‐related factors among farmers. The present study took an exploratory approach to identify these factors and how they influence farm animal neglect. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with farmers. Identified factors included farming difficulties associated with age and help on the farm (n = 5), mental health‐related problems (n = 4), and differing perceptions of animal welfare (n = 4). Stress was a prevalent theme. Evidence suggests that these negative human factors impact on farmers’ ability to carry out farm management activities. Poor uptake of support services was noted and barriers included resistance, self‐reliance and an inability to talk openly about mental health problems. Initiatives such as the early warning system, aimed at reducing the incidence of farm animal neglect in Ireland, should be understood as often involving a human element. In particular, further research is required into how mental health problems may lead to altered or reduced regard for animal welfare.
50th Anniversary Article: Seeing Stresses through the Thermoelastic Lens—A Retrospective and Prospective from an Australian Viewpoint
Authors: Wong A. K. , Rajic N. , Nguyen Q. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) has been around for the past 30 years, but to date, it is still a very much underrated and under‐utilised experimental technique. Although there are devoted groups of practitioners in some industries, this technology is not well known within the aerospace sector. In contrast, the Aerospace Division of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) in Australia has been in the forefront of this technology for some time, achieving many pioneering feats. This paper gives a brief introduction to the development of this technology from a historical perspective, then focuses on a number of innovations that have stemmed from DSTO, including the development and application of the world's first focal plane array based TSA system and, more recently, the development of small and robust microbolometer based systems. For the latter, it is shown that despite nominally poorer temperature sensitivities, they make ideal TSA devices and can in some cases outperform their much more expensive photon detector counterparts. Because of this, together with the enormous practical advantages of microbolometers, the future of TSA is shown to be brighter than ever. Specifically, it is argued that such TSA systems can play a major role in the pervasive and persistent surveillance of full scale fatigue testing of aircraft structures. By detecting both design and developing faults early, it can effectively relieve cost and schedule penalties that are often associated with unanticipated failures. To realise this capability, integration of this technology with autonomous systems will be important, and some preliminary but promising results from a technology demonstrator program are presented.
Clinical and immunological significance of HLA‐E in stem cell transplantation and cancer
Authors: Wieten L. , Mahaweni N. M. , Voorter C. E.M. , Bos G. M.J. , Tilanus M. G.J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen‐E (HLA‐E) is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule that canonically binds peptides derived from the leader sequence of classical HLA class I. HLA‐E can also bind peptides from stress protein [e.g. heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60)] and pathogens, illustrating the importance of HLA‐E for anti‐viral and anti‐tumor immunity. Like classical HLA class I molecules, HLA‐E is ubiquitously expressed, however, it is characterized by only a very limited sequence variability and two dominant protein forms have been described (HLA‐E*01:01 and HLA‐E*01:03). HLA‐E influences both the innate and the adaptive arms of the immune system by the engagement of inhibitory (e.g. NKG2A) and activating receptors [e.g. αβ T cell receptor (αβTCR) or NKG2C] on NK cells and CD8 T cells. The effects of HLA‐E on the cellular immune response are therefore complex and not completely understood yet. Here, we aim to provide an overview of the immunological and clinical relevance of HLA‐E and HLA‐E polymorphism in stem cell transplantation and in cancer. We review novel insights in the mechanism via which HLA‐E expression levels are controlled and how the cellular immune response in transplantation and cancer is influenced by HLA‐E.
Is leishmaniasis an “unusual suspect” of infection in allogeneic transplantation?
Authors: Komitopoulou A. , Tzenou T. , Baltadakis J. , Apostolidis J. , Karakasis D. , Harhalakis N. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLeishmaniasis is a disease of the immunocompetent population, more often affecting infants and young children. However, the number of leishmaniasis cases associated with immunosuppression has increased over the last 20 years. The visceral form of the disease, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is identified as an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed individuals, occurring mainly after solid organ transplantation, especially in renal transplant recipients. Limited data are available about VL after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We report the cases of 3 patients with late VL after allogeneic HSCT, and review the literature.
Enhanced detection of viral diversity using partial and near full‐length genomes of human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 provirus deep sequencing data from recently infected donors at four blood centers in Brazil
Authors: Pessôa Rodrigo , Watanabe Jaqueline Tomoko , Calabria Paula , Alencar Cecilia Salete , Loureiro Paula , Lopes Maria Esther , Proetti Anna Barbara , Félix Alvina Clara , Sabino Ester C. , Busch Michael P. , Sanabani Sabri S. ,   International Component of the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: November 2014

BackgroundHere, we report application of high‐throughput near full‐length genome (NFLG) and partial human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV‐1) proviral genome deep sequencing to characterize HIV in recently infected blood donors at four major blood centers in Brazil.Study Design and MethodsFrom 2007 to 2011, a total of 341 HIV+ blood donors from four blood centers were recruited to participate in a case‐control study to identify HIV risk factors and motivations to donate. Forty‐seven (17 from São Paulo, eight from Minas Gerais, 11 from Pernambuco, and 11 from Rio de Janeiro) were classified as recently infected based on testing by less‐sensitive enzyme immunoassays. Five overlapping amplicons spanning the HIV genome were polymerase chain reaction amplified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The amplicons were molecularly barcoded, pooled, and sequenced by a paired‐end protocol (Illumina).ResultsOf the 47 recently infected donor samples studied, 39 (82.9%) NFLGs and six (12.7%) partial fragments were de novo assembled into contiguous sequences and successfully subtyped. Subtype B was the only nonrecombinant virus identified in this study and accounted for 62.2% (28/45) of samples. The remaining 37.8% (17/45) of samples showed various patterns of subtype discordance in different regions of HIV‐1 genomes, indicating two to four circulating recombinant subtypes derived from Clades B, F, and C. Fourteen samples (31.1%) from this study harbored drug resistance mutations, indicating higher rate of drug resistance among Brazilian blood donors.ConclusionOur findings revealed a high proportion of HIV‐1 recombinants among recently infected blood donors in Brazil, which has implications for future blood screening, diagnosis, therapy, and vaccine development.