bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Thr205 Phosphorylation Site within Respiratory Syncytial Virus Matrix (M) Protein Modulates M Oligomerization and Virus Production
Authors: Bajorek M. , Caly L. , Tran K. C. , Maertens G. N. , Tripp R. A. , Bacharach E. , Teng M. N. , Ghildyal R. , Jans D. A. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and the elderly worldwide; however, there is no licensed RSV vaccine or effective drug treatment available. The RSV matrix (M) protein plays key roles in virus assembly and budding, but the protein interactions that govern budding of infectious virus are not known. In this study, we focus on M protein and identify a key phosphorylation site (Thr205) in M that is critical for RSV infectious virus production. Recombinant virus with a nonphosphorylatable alanine (Ala) residue at the site was markedly attenuated, whereas virus with a phosphomimetic aspartate (Asp) resulted in a nonviable virus which could only be recovered with an additional mutation in M (serine to asparagine at position 220), strongly implying that Thr205 is critical for viral infectivity. Experiments
in vitro
showed that mutation of Thr205 does not affect M stability or the ability to form dimers but implicate an effect on higher-order oligomer assembly. In transfected and infected cells, Asp substitution of Thr205 appeared to impair M oligomerization; typical filamentous structures still formed at the plasma membrane, but M assembly during the ensuing elongation process seemed to be impaired, resulting in shorter and more branched filaments as observed using electron microscopy (EM). Our data thus imply for the first time that M oligomerization, regulated by a negative charge at Thr205, may be critical to production of infectious RSV.

IMPORTANCE
We show here for the first time that RSV M's role in virus assembly/release is strongly dependent on threonine 205 (Thr205), a consensus site for CK2, which appears to play a key regulatory role in modulating M oligomerization and association with virus filaments. Our analysis indicates that T205 mutations do not impair M dimerization or viruslike filament formation
per se
but rather the ability of M to assemble in ordered fashion on the viral filaments themselves. This appears to impact in turn upon the infectivity of released virus rather than on virus production or release itself. Thus, M oligomerization would appear to be a target of interest for the development of anti-RSV agents; further, the recombinant T205-substituted mutant viruses described here would appear to be the first RSV mutants affected in viral maturation to our knowledge and hence of considerable interest for vaccine approaches in the future.
Sexual minority population density and incidence of lung, colorectal and female breast cancer in California
Authors: Boehmer Ulrike , Miao Xiaopeng , Maxwell Nancy I , Ozonoff Al 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveRisk factors for breast, colorectal, and lung cancer are known to be more common among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, suggesting they may be more likely to develop these cancers. Our objective was to determine differences in cancer incidence by sexual orientation, using sexual orientation data aggregated at the county level.MethodsData on cancer incidence were obtained from the California Cancer Registry and data on sexual orientation were obtained from the California Health Interview Survey, from which a measure of age-specific LGB population density by county was calculated. Using multivariable Poisson regression models, the association between the age–race-stratified incident rate of breast, lung and colorectal cancer in each county and LGB population density was examined, with race, age group and poverty as covariates.ResultsAmong men, bisexual population density was associated with lower incidence of lung cancer and with higher incidence of colorectal cancer. Among women, lesbian population density was associated with lower incidence of lung and colorectal cancer and with higher incidence of breast cancer; bisexual population density was associated with higher incidence of lung and colorectal cancer and with lower incidence of breast cancer.ConclusionsThese study findings clearly document links between county-level LGB population density and cancer incidence, illuminating an important public health disparity.
Tight Glycemic Control After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in High-Risk Patient Populations
Authors: Agus Michael S.D. , Asaro Lisa A. , Steil Garry M. , Alexander Jamin L. , Silverman Melanie , Wypij David , Gaies Michael G. 
Published: March 2014

Background—
Our previous randomized, clinical trial showed that postoperative tight glycemic control (TGC) for children undergoing cardiac surgery did not reduce the rate of health care–associated infections compared with standard care (STD). Heterogeneity of treatment effect may exist within this population.

Methods and Results—

We performed a post hoc exploratory analysis of 980 children from birth to 36 months of age at the time of cardiac surgery who were randomized to postoperative TGC or STD in the intensive care unit. Significant interactions were observed between treatment group and both neonate (age ≤30 days;
P
=0.03) and intraoperative glucocorticoid exposure (
P
=0.03) on the risk of infection. The rate and incidence of infections in subjects ≤60 days old were significantly increased in the TGC compared with the STD group (rate: 13.5 versus 3.7 infections per 1000 cardiac intensive care unit days,
P
=0.01; incidence: 13% versus 4%,
P
=0.02), whereas infections among those >60 days of age were significantly reduced in the TGC compared with the STD group (rate: 5.0 versus 14.1 infections per 1000 cardiac intensive care unit days,
P
=0.02; incidence: 2% versus 5%,
P
=0.03); the interaction of treatment group by age subgroup was highly significant (
P
=0.001). Multivariable logistic regression controlling for the main effects revealed that previous cardiac surgery, chromosomal anomaly, and delayed sternal closure were independently associated with increased risk of infection.

Conclusions—
This exploratory analysis demonstrated that TGC may lower the risk of infection in children >60 days of age at the time of cardiac surgery compared with children receiving STD. Meta-analyses of past and ongoing clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings before clinical practice is altered.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00443599.
Persistent Spatial Information in the FEF during Object-based Short-term Memory Does Not Contribute to Task Performance
Authors: Clark Kelsey L. , Noudoost Behrad , Moore Tirin 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
We previously reported the existence of a persistent spatial signal in the FEF during object-based STM. This persistent activity reflected the location at which the sample appeared, irrespective of the location of upcoming targets. We hypothesized that such a spatial signal could be used to maintain or enhance object-selective memory activity elsewhere in cortex, analogous to the role of a spatial signal during attention. Here, we inactivated a portion of the FEF with GABAa agonist muscimol to test whether the observed activity contributes to object memory performance. We found that, although RTs were slowed for saccades into the inactivated portion of retinotopic space, performance for samples appearing in that region was unimpaired. This contrasts with the devastating effects of the same FEF inactivation on purely spatial working memory, as assessed with the memory-guided saccade task. Thus, in a task in which a significant fraction of FEF neurons displayed persistent, sample location-based activity, disrupting this activity had no impact on task performance.
Isentropic Analysis of Polar Cold Airmass Streams in the Northern Hemispheric Winter
Authors: Iwasaki Toshiki , Shoji Takamichi , Kanno Yuki , Sawada Masahiro , Ujiie Masashi , Takaya Koutarou 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
An analysis method is proposed for polar cold airmass streams from generation to disappearance. It designates a threshold potential temperature θT at around the turning point of the extratropical direct (ETD) meridional circulation from downward to equatorward in the mass-weighted isentropic zonal mean (MIM) and clarifies the geographical distributions of the cold air mass, the negative heat content (NHC), their horizontal fluxes, and their diabatic change rates on the basis of conservation relations of the air mass and thermodynamic energy. In the Northern Hemispheric winter, the polar cold air mass below θT = 280 K has two main streams: the East Asian stream and the North American stream. The former grows over the northern part of the Eurasian continent, flows eastward, turns down southeastward toward East Asia via Siberia, and disappears over the western North Pacific Ocean. The latter grows over the Arctic Ocean, flows toward the eastern coast of North America via Hudson Bay, and disappears over the western North Atlantic Ocean. In their exit regions, wave–mean flow interactions are considered to transfer the angular momentum from the cold airstreams to the upward Eliassen–Palm flux and convert the available potential energy to wave energy.
The Impact of Surface Mixing on the Arctic River Water Distribution and Stratification in a Global Ice–Ocean Model
Authors: Komuro Yoshiki 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The impact of oceanic vertical mixing on the near-surface vertical structure of the Arctic Ocean is investigated in a global ice–ocean model with a passive tracer. Lowering surface background vertical diffusivity and ignoring the effects of surface wave breaking under sea ice improves the model simulation of the horizontal Arctic river water distribution. This improvement is largely responsible for the freshening of the Arctic surface salinity in the model. Although these modifications in the model vertical mixing scheme are applied over the whole global ocean, the change in the surface salinity over the Arctic is larger than that in the rest of the global ocean by one to two orders of magnitude. In contrast, when a reduced background vertical diffusivity is used at all depths, the Arctic vertical salinity stratification is improved below the surface as well as in the surface layer, but the vertical structure and deep circulation in the rest of the global ocean are also strongly affected. Weaker surface vertical mixing in the Arctic Ocean also causes sea ice to thicken even without changes in the parameters for the sea ice component.
Patient Satisfaction in Pediatric Surgical Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Espinel Alexandra G. , Shah Rahul K. , McCormick Michael E. , Krakovitz Paul R. , Boss Emily F. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveThis study seeks to synthesize evidence‐based findings related to patient satisfaction as a process measure in pediatric surgical care.Data SourcesPubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.Review MethodsWe queried 4 standard search engines (1992‐2013) for studies specific to pediatric surgical fields in which patient or parent satisfaction or experience of care was a primary outcome measure. Data were systematically analyzed to determine study characteristics, setting, parent or patient focus, measure of experience, and bias. Two independent investigators independently reviewed all articles.ResultsThe initial search yielded 4748 publications (1503 duplicates), of which 170 underwent full‐text review. Thirty‐five were included for analysis; the majority (24/35,77%) were published in the last 5 years. Studies examined experience of the child (3/35), parent (23/35), or both (9/35). Experience and satisfaction were evaluated either by validated self‐assessment instruments (8), by satisfaction tools (8), or by nonstandard institutional or author‐developed tools (19). Experience was measured in the outpatient (7), preoperative (11), operative (14), and postoperative (3) care settings. Specific findings were unique to setting; however, in many studies higher satisfaction correlated with education/information giving, health care provider interpersonal behaviors, and facile/efficient care processes.ConclusionThe patient experience of care is a valuable quality measure that is being more frequently evaluated as a mechanism to improve pediatric surgical care processes. Findings related to patient satisfaction and experience of care may be limited due to lack of measurement using validated tools. Findings from this review may bear significance as patient experience measures become routinely integrated with quality and reimbursement.
High-throughput transcription profiling identifies putative epigenetic regulators of hematopoiesis
Authors: Prasad Punit , Rönnerblad Michelle , Arner Erik , Itoh Masayoshi , Kawaji Hideya , Lassmann Timo , Daub Carsten O. , Forrest Alistair R. R. , Lennartsson Andreas , Ekwall Karl 
Published: March 2014

Key Points
Expression analysis of novel potential regulatory epigenetic factors in hematopoiesis.
Transcription and enhancer profiling in human monocyte subsets
Authors: Schmidl Christian , Renner Kathrin , Peter Katrin , Eder Ruediger , Lassmann Timo , Balwierz Piotr J. , Itoh Masayoshi , Nagao-Sato Sayaka , Kawaji Hideya , Carninci Piero , Suzuki Harukazu , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Andreesen Reinhard , Hume David A. , Hoffmann Petra , Forrest Alistair R. R. , Kreutz Marina P. , Edinger Matthias , Rehli Michael 
Published: March 2014

Key PointsIn-depth regulome analysis of human monocyte subsets, including transcription and enhancer profiling. Description of metabolomic differences in human monocyte subsets.
Activation of protease-activated receptor 2 reduces glioblastoma cell apoptosis
Authors: Luo Ran , Wang Xiongwei , Dong Yuanxun , Wang Lei , Tian Chunlei 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
The pathogenesis of glioma is unclear. The disturbance of the apoptosis process plays a critical role in glioma growth. Factors regulating the apoptosis process are to be further understood. This study aims to investigate the role of protease activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in regulation the apoptosis process in glioma cells.

Results
The results showed that U87 cells and human glioma tissue expressed PAR2. Exposure to tryptase, or the PAR2 active peptide, increased STAT3 phosphorylation in the radiated U87 cells, reduced U87 cell apoptosis, suppressed the expression of p53 in U87 cells.

Conclusions
Activation of PAR2 can reduce the radiated U87 cell apoptosis via modulating the expression of p53. The results implicate that PAR2 may be a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of glioma.
Characteristics and motivations of absconders from forensic mental health services: a case-control study
Authors: Wilkie Treena , Penney Stephanie R , Fernane Stephanie , Simpson Alexander I F 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Absconding from hospital is a significant health and security issue within psychiatric facilities that can have considerable adverse effects on patients, their family members and care providers, as well as the wider community. Several studies have documented correlates associated with absconding events among general psychiatric samples; however, few studies have examined this phenomenon within samples of forensic patients where the perception of threat to public safety in the event of an unauthorized absence from hospital is often higher.

Methods
We investigate the frequency, timing, and determinants of absconding events among a sample of forensic psychiatric patients over a 24-month period, and compare patients who abscond to a control group matched along several sociodemographic and clinical dimensions. We explore, in a qualitative manner, patients’ motives for absconding.

Results
Fifty-seven patients were responsible for 102 incidents of absconding during the two year study window. Forensic patients who absconded from hospital were more likely to have a history of absconding attempts, a diagnosed substance use disorder, as well as score higher on a structured professional violence risk assessment measure. Only one of the absconding events identified included an incident of minor violence, and very few included the commission of other illegal behaviors (with the exception of substance use). The most common reported motive for absconding was a sense of boredom or frustration.

Conclusions
Using an inclusive definition of absconding, we found that absconding events were generally of brief duration, and that no member of the public was harmed by patients who absconded. Findings surrounding the motivations of absconders suggest that improvements in therapeutic communication between patients and clinical teams could help to reduce the occurrence of absconding events.
Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for lumbar infectious spondylitis: a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center
Authors: Yang Shih-Chieh , Fu Tsai-Sheng , Chen Hung-Shu , Kao Yu-Hsien , Yu Shang-Won , Tu Yuan-Kun 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Spinal infections remain a challenge for clinicians because of their variable presentation and complicated course. Common management approaches include conservative administration of antibiotics or aggressive surgical debridement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic debridement with dilute betadine solution irrigation (PEDI) for treating patients with lumbar infectious spondylitis.

Methods
From January 2005 to July 2010, a total of 32 patients undergoing PEDI were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The surgical indications of the enrolled patients included single-level infectious spondylodiscitis, postoperative infectious spondylodiscitis, advanced infection with epidural abscess, psoas muscle abscess, pre-vertebral or para-vertebral abscess, multilevel infectious spondylitis, and recurrent infection after anterior debridement and fusion. Clinical outcomes were assessed by careful physical examination, Macnab criteria, regular serologic testing, and imaging studies to determine whether continued antibiotics treatment or surgical intervention was required.

Results
Causative bacteria were identified in 28 (87.5%) of 32 biopsy specimens. Appropriate parenteral antibiotics for the predominant pathogen isolated from infected tissue biopsy cultures were prescribed to patients. Twenty-seven (84.4%) patients reported satisfactory relief of their back pain after PEDI. Twenty-six (81.3%) patients recovered uneventfully after PEDI and sequential antibiotic therapy. No surgery-related major complications were found, except 3 patients with transient paresthesia in the affected lumbar segment.

Conclusions
PEDI was successful in obtaining a bacteriologic diagnosis, relieving the patient’s symptoms, and assisting in the eradication of lumbar infectious spondylitis. This procedure could be an effective alternative for patients who have a poor response to conservative treatment before a major open surgery.
Preparation and characterization of nano liposomes of Orthosiphon stamineusethanolic extract in soybean phospholipids
Authors: Aisha Abdalrahim FA , Majid Amin Malik Shah Abdul , Ismail Zhari 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background

O. stamineus is a medicinal herb with remarkable pharmacological properties. However, poor solubility of the active principles limits its medicinal value. This study sought to prepare nano liposomes of OS ethanolic extract in unpurified soybean phospholipids in order to improve its solubility and permeability. OS liposomes were prepared by the conventional film method, and were characterized for solubility, entrapment efficiency, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size and zeta potential, release, absorption in everted rat intestinal sacs, and DPPH scavenging effect.

Results
OS liposomes showed substantial enhancement of extract’s solubility from 956 ± 34 to 3979 ± 139 μg/ml, with entrapment efficiency of 66.2 ± 0.9%. FTIR study indicates interaction between soybean phospholipids and OS extract. TEM and dynamic light scattering showed presence of round anionic nano liposomes with particle size and zeta potential of 152.5 ± 1.1 nm and −49.8 ± 1.0 mV, respectively. A study using the fluorescent probe pyrene showed the critical micellar concentration is 9.2 ± 2.9 μg/ml. Release studies showed 94 ± 0.1% release in non-formulated extract and 62.4 ± 0.1% in OS liposomes. Released extract from OS liposomes showed improvement in DPPH scavenging effect, IC50 = 23.5 ± 1.1 μg/ml compared to 32.4 ± 0.5 μg/ml in non-formulated extract. OS liposomes were stable at pH 5.5 and 7.4, but showed reversible agglomeration at pH 1.6. Absorption in everted rat intestinal sacs showed substantial improvement in permeability of 3′-hydroxy-5, 6, 7, 4″-tetramethoxyflavone, sinensetin, eupatorin, and 3 other unknown compounds.

Conclusions
Enhanced solubility, absorption and antioxidant effect may improve the overall pharmacological effects and medicinal value of OS ethanolic extract.
Inverted organic photovoltaic device with a new electron transport layer
Authors: Kim Hyeong Pil , Yusoff Abd Rashid bin Mohd , Kim Hyo Min , Lee Hee Jae , Seo Gi Jun , Jang Jin 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
We demonstrate that there is a new solution-processed electron transport layer, lithium-doped zinc oxide (LZO), with high-performance inverted organic photovoltaic device. The device exhibits a fill factor of 68.58%, an open circuit voltage of 0.86 V, a short-circuit current density of −9.35 cm/mA2 along with 5.49% power conversion efficiency. In addition, we studied the performance of blend ratio dependence on inverted organic photovoltaics. Our device also demonstrates a long stability shelf life over 4 weeks in air.
Cellular reprogramming for pancreatic β‐cell regeneration: clinical potential of small molecule control
Authors: Pandian Ganesh N , Taniguchi Junichi , Sugiyama Hiroshi 
Published: March 2014

AbstractRecent scientific breakthroughs in stem cell biology suggest that a sustainable treatment approach to cure diabetes mellitus (DM) can be achieved in the near future. However, the transplantation complexities and the difficulty in obtaining the stem cells from adult cells of pancreas, liver, bone morrow and other cells is a major concern. The epoch‐making strategy of transcription‐factor based cellular reprogramming suggest that these barriers could be overcome, and it is possible to reprogram any cells into functional β cells. Contemporary biological and analytical techniques help us to predict the key transcription factors needed for β‐cell regeneration. These β cell‐specific transcription factors could be modulated with diverse reprogramming protocols. Among cellular reprogramming strategies, small molecule approach gets proclaimed to have better clinical prospects because it does not involve genetic manipulation. Several small molecules targeting certain epigenetic enzymes and/or signaling pathways have been successful in helping to induce pancreatic β‐cell specification. Recently, a synthetic DNA‐based small molecule triggered targeted transcriptional activation of pancreas‐related genes to suggest the possibility of achieving desired cellular phenotype in a precise mode. Here, we give a brief overview of treating DM by regenerating pancreatic β‐cells from various cell sources. Through a comprehensive overview of the available transcription factors, small molecules and reprogramming strategies available for pancreatic β‐cell regeneration, this review compiles the current progress made towards the generation of clinically relevant insulin‐producing β‐cells.