bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The key roles of complement and tissue factor inEscherichia coli-induced coagulation in human whole blood
Authors: Landsem A , Fure H , Christiansen D , Nielsen E W , Østerud B , Mollnes T E , Brekke O L 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe complement system and the Toll-like (TLR) co-receptor CD14 play important roles in innate immunity and sepsis. Tissue factor (TF) is a key initiating component in intravascular coagulation in sepsis, and long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) enhances the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced transcription of TF. The aim of this study was to study the mechanism by which complement and CD14 affects LPS- and Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced coagulation in human blood. Fresh whole blood was anti-coagulated with lepirudin, and incubated with ultra-purified LPS (100 ng/ml) or with E. coli (1 × 107/ml). Inhibitors and controls included the C3 blocking peptide compstatin, an anti-CD14 F(ab′)2 antibody and a control F(ab′)2. TF mRNA was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and monocyte TF surface expression by flow cytometry. TF functional activity in plasma microparticles was measured using an amidolytic assay. Prothrombin fragment F 1+2 (PTF1.2) and PTX3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of TF was examined using an anti-TF blocking antibody. E. coli increased plasma PTF1.2 and PTX3 levels markedly. This increase was reduced by 84–&gt;99% with compstatin, 55–97% with anti-CD14 and &gt; 99% with combined inhibition (P &lt; 0·05 for all). The combined inhibition was significantly (P &lt; 0·05) more efficient than compstatin and anti-CD14 alone. The LPS- and E. coli–induced TF mRNA levels, monocyte TF surface expression and TF functional activity were reduced by &gt; 99% (P &lt; 0·05) with combined C3 and CD14 inhibition. LPS- and E. coli–induced PTF1.2 was reduced by 76–81% (P &lt; 0·05) with anti-TF antibody. LPS and E. coli activated the coagulation system by a complement- and CD14-dependent up-regulation of TF, leading subsequently to prothrombin activation.
Characterizing phase‐related differences in behaviour of Schistocerca gregaria with spatial distribution analysis
Authors: Cisse Sory , Ghaout Saïd , Mazih Ahmed , Jourdan‐Pineau Hélène , Maeno Koutaro Ould , Piou Cyril 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe behaviour of locusts has been studied extensively using two approaches: (1) analysing a single individual's response to a group stimulus or (2) using group conditions to look at aggregation patterns. The second approach has, in contrast with the first one, not been improved in terms of statistical analyses since the 1960s. In the present study, we propose a spatial statistics approach of point‐pattern analysis to improve the group‐based assessment of behavioural phase characterization. This diagnostic tool was developed and tested in the laboratory with comparative analysis of solitarious (isolation‐reared) and gregarious (crowd‐reared) desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). The spatial distribution patterns of 10 either solitarious or gregarious third‐instar hoppers were characterized with nearest neighbour distance measurements in a circular arena. The temporal sequence of spatial disposition of locusts was recorded with a digital camera taking photographs at regular intervals. The approach of point‐pattern analysis focused on the spatial distribution of observed events and allowed us to make inferences about the underlying process that generated them. The results confirmed that our diagnostic tool could identify that crowd‐reared hoppers tended to aggregate more to conspecifics than isolation‐reared ones. We could also verify that isolation‐reared hoppers were less active than crowd‐reared ones, but this was only true at the beginning of the experiments. The spatial statistics approach proposed in the present study could help with observations of phase‐related differences in the behaviour of locusts.
A Kantian Take on the Supererogatory
Authors: Baron Marcia 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis article presents a Kantian alternative to the mainstream approach in ethics concerning the phenomena that are widely thought to require a category of the supererogatory. My view is that the phenomena do not require this category of (Kantian style) imperfect duties. Elsewhere I have written on Kant on this topic; here I shift my focus away from interpretive issues and consider the pros and cons of the Kantian approach. What background assumptions would lean one to favour the Kantian approach and what sorts would lean one to favour the mainstream approach? I also consider the possibility that in institutional contexts, there is a need for the category of the supererogatory. Here, it seems, we do need to know what we really have to do and what is beyond the call of duty; in this context, however, duty is not the Kantian moral notion, but rather is pegged to particular roles, or to the needs of the institution or group or club of which one is a member. But even here, I argue, the notion of the supererogatory is not crucial.
Optimization of Hemicellulose Coating as Applied to Apricot Drying and Comparison with Chitosan Coating and Sulfite Treatment
Authors: Ubeyitogullari Ali , Cekmecelioglu Deniz 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDrying of hemicellulose‐coated apricots was compared to sulfuring and chitosan coating. Air velocity, temperature and hemicellulose concentration were optimized using the Box–Behnken response surface methodology against total color change (ΔE*), yellowness (Δb*) and final moisture content. Drying kinetics were evaluated by Newton, Page and Logarithmic models. Diffusion coefficient, activation energy and rehydration rate were calculated. The optimal drying conditions were found as 1 m/s of air velocity, 80C of air temperature and 3% (w/v) hemicellulose coating, which gave values of 15.2, −8.3 and 26% for ΔE*, Δb* and final moisture, respectively. The hemicellulose‐coated apricots indicated better color values than the uncoated and chitosan‐coated samples, while sulfuring still attained the best color values. Drying kinetics were best described by the Logarithmic model at 60 and 70C and Page model at 80C for 2% hemicellulose coating. Effective diffusion coefficients ranged from 2.499 to 5.742 × 10−9 and the activation energy was calculated as 33.78 kJ/mol. The hemicellulose‐coated apricots had slightly higher rehydration rate than the uncoated and sulfured samples. In conclusion, hemicellulose coating showed a promise for use in fruit drying.Practical ApplicationsTreatment of fruits with sulfur compounds (sulfur dioxide gas, sulfite solutions, etc.) prior to drying is a common practice to minimize loss in the quality of the dried fruit. In fact, use of these chemicals in foods is limited and the allowed concentration varies with countries worldwide in the range of 300–2,000 mg/kg. Because sulfur compounds can cause health problems, use of natural, renewable and abundant preservatives will be a viable alternative. In this respect, hemicellulose extracted from agricultural and food wastes can provide a low‐cost preservative and can be utilized to preserve fruits during drying. The results of this study will also provide a basis to utilize hemicellulose in various fruits other than apricots during drying and meanwhile will help reduce the concentration of sulfur compounds in foods.
A mitigation strategy for reducing flood risk to highways in arid regions: a case study of the El‐Quseir–Qena highway in Egypt
Authors: Monsef H. Abd‐El 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDuring the past 20 years, there has been a rapid increase in tourism development along the Red Sea coast of Egypt. In the resort of Hurghada, for example, the number of hotel rooms increased from a few hundred in 1989 to 35 000 in 2004, and the entire Egyptian Red Sea coastline has experienced growth. Accordingly, car and lorry traffic between the major cities of Upper Egypt and the Red Sea coast along the El‐Quseir–Qena highway has increased tremendously. The road provides access to tourist destinations and is an essential commuting route for workers. The El‐Quseir–Qena highway is subject to flash flooding, and several serious traffic accidents have occurred during flash floods. Therefore, this study performed an assessment of run‐off water and sediment yield for different parts of the El‐Ambagi basin using the Hydrologic Modeling System and the Kinematic Runoff and Erosion Model. In addition, the study aimed to determine the impacts of run‐off water and sediment yields on the El‐Quseir–Qena highway. The study proposed possible mitigation strategies for reducing flood risk and utilising the run‐off water to recharge the basin's alluvial, fractured‐carbonate, and fractured‐basement aquifers.
Low vitamin D is associated with hypertension in paediatric obesity
Authors: Kao Kung‐Ting , Abidi Nobia , Ranasinha Sanjeeva , Brown Justin , Rodda Christine , McCallum Zoe , Zacharin Margaret , Simm Peter J , Magnussen Costan G , Sabin Matthew A 
Published: June 2015

AimThe aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and cardio‐metabolic risk factors in a large cohort of obese youth attending tertiary paediatric obesity services.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cross‐sectional study. Data were retrospectively collected from all new consultations of children and adolescents attending obesity outpatient clinics between 2008 and 2011 at the two major paediatric hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Information collected included demographics, anthropometry, blood pressure, pubertal staging, body composition and fasting serum levels of 25(OH)D, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein, liver function, calcium and phosphate.Results25(OH)D data were available in 229 patients (age 3–18 years; 116 men; mean (standard deviation) body mass index ( BMI) Z‐score 2.5 (0.5) ). One hundred four (45%) participants were 25(OH)D deficient (<50 nmol/L). Lower serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with higher BMI Z‐score (P‐trend = 0.001), total fat mass (P‐trend = 0.009), systolic (P‐trend = 0.03) and diastolic blood pressures(P‐trend = 0.009). In multivariable‐adjusted regression analysis, 25(OH)D was significantly lower in those with elevated blood pressure after adjustment for BMI(P‐trend = 0.004) or total fat mass (P‐trend = 0.01).ConclusionOverweight and obese youth attending specialist obesity services have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. In this population, lower levels of vitamin D were seen in those with greater adiposity, and independent of this, in those who had higher blood pressure.
Evaluation of a Computer‐aided Lung Auscultation System for Diagnosis of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Feedlot Cattle
Authors: Mang A.V. , Buczinski S. , Booker C.W. , Timsit E. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundA computer‐aided lung auscultation (CALA) system was recently developed to diagnose bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in feedlot cattle.ObjectivesTo determine, in a case–control study, the level of agreement between CALA and veterinary lung auscultation and to evaluate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of CALA to diagnose BRD in feedlot cattle.AnimalsA total of 561 Angus cross‐steers (initial body weight = 246 ± 45 kg) were observed during the first 50 day after entry to a feedlot.MethodsCase–control study. Steers with visual signs of BRD identified by pen checkers were examined by a veterinarian, including lung auscultation using a conventional stethoscope and CALA that produced a lung score from 1 (normal) to 5 (chronic). For each steer examined for BRD, 1 apparently healthy steer was selected as control and similarly examined. Agreement between CALA and veterinary auscultation was assessed by kappa statistic. CALA's Se and Sp were estimated using Bayesian latent class analysis.ResultsOf the 561 steers, 35 were identified with visual signs of BRD and 35 were selected as controls. Comparison of veterinary auscultation and CALA (using a CALA score ≥2 as a cut off) revealed a substantial agreement (kappa = 0.77). Using latent class analysis, CALA had a relatively high Se (92.9%; 95% credible interval [CI] = 0.71–0.99) and Sp (89.6%; 95% CI = 0.64–0.99) for diagnosing BRD compared with pen checking.ConclusionsCALA had good diagnostic accuracy (albeit with a relatively wide CI). Its use in feedlots could increase the proportion of cattle accurately diagnosed with BRD.
Ground zero: not asthma at all
Authors: de Benedictis Fernando Maria , de Benedictis Diletta , Mirabile Lorenzo , Pozzi Marco , Guerrieri Arcangela , Di Pillo Sabrina 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUpper airway obstruction is commonly misdiagnosed as asthma. We report on four children with recurrent respiratory symptoms who had been erroneously diagnosed as having asthma and who received anti‐asthma medication for several years. The evaluation of spirometry tracing was neglected in all cases. Subglottic stenosis, tracheomalacia secondary to tracheo‐esophageal fistula, double aortic arch, and vocal cord dysfunction were suspected by direct inspection of the flow–volume curves and eventually diagnosed. The value of clinical history and careful evaluation of spirometry tracing in children with persistent respiratory symptoms is critically discussed.
Foreign Affairs, Domestic Attention: Explaining American Media Coverage of the European Financial Crisis*
Authors: Johnson Tyler , Rossbach David 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveWe explain how economic and political predictors shaped levels of American media coverage of the European financial crisis between 2008 and 2012.MethodsWe link exchange rates, unemployment rates, inflation, trade, protests, votes of no confidence, elections, and U.S. presidential remarks with financial crisis stories produced by The New York Times, the Associated Press, and television newscasts. Error‐correction modeling is utilized to determine whether relationships exist contemporaneously and across future months.ResultsWe find evidence across multiple models that changes in the exchange rate and elections shaped levels of media coverage. We find some evidence that votes of no confidence, protests, change in unemployment, and presidential remarks matter as well.ConclusionA combination of economic change, specific political events, and broader newsworthiness norms journalists utilize in determining which stories are worthy of attention drove American coverage of the European financial crisis.
The HEPT Analogue WPR-6 Is Active against a Broad Spectrum of Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Drug-Resistant HIV-1 Strains of Different Serotypes
Authors: Xu Weisi , Zhao Jianxiong , Sun Jianping , Yin Qianqian , Wang Yan , Jiao Yang , Liu Junyi , Jiang Shibo , Shao Yiming , Wang Xiaowei , Ma Liying 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are important components of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) used to treat human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1). However, because of the emergence of drug resistance and the adverse effects of current anti-HIV drugs, it is essential to develop novel NNRTIs with an excellent safety profile, improved activity against NNRTI-resistant viruses, and enhanced activity against clinical isolates of different subtypes. Here, we have identified 1-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-6-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-5-iodopyrimidine-2,4(1
H
,3
H
)-dione (WPR-6), a novel NNRTI with a 50% effective concentration (EC
50
) of 2 to 4 nM against laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strain SF33 and an EC
50
of 7 to 14 nM against nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant HIV-1 strain 7391 with a therapeutic index of >1 × 10
4
. A panel of five representative clinical virus isolates of different subtypes circulating predominantly in China was highly sensitive to WPR-6, with EC
50
s ranging from 1 to 6 nM. In addition, WPR-6 showed excellent antiviral potency against the most prevalent NNRTI-resistant viruses containing the K103N and Y181C mutations. To determine whether WPR-6 selects for novel resistant mutants,
in vitro
resistance selection was conducted with laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strain SF33 on MT-4 cells. The results demonstrated that V106I and Y188L were the two dominant NNRTI-associated resistance mutations detected in the breakthrough viruses. Taken together, these
in vitro
data indicate that WPR-6 has greater efficacy than the reference HEPT analogue TNK651 and the marketed drug nevirapine against HIV-1. However, to develop it as a new NNRTI, further improvement of its pharmacological properties is warranted.
csrR
, a Paralog and Direct Target of CsrA, Promotes Legionella pneumophila Resilience in Water
Authors: Abbott Zachary D. , Yakhnin Helen , Babitzke Paul , Swanson Michele S. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Critical to microbial versatility is the capacity to express the cohort of genes that increase fitness in different environments.
Legionella pneumophila
occupies extensive ecological space that includes diverse protists, pond water, engineered water systems, and mammalian lung macrophages. One mechanism that equips this opportunistic pathogen to adapt to fluctuating conditions is a switch between replicative and transmissive cell types that is controlled by the broadly conserved regulatory protein CsrA. A striking feature of the legionellae surveyed is that each of 14 strains encodes 4 to 7
csrA
-like genes, candidate regulators of distinct fitness traits. Here we focus on the one
csrA
paralog (
lpg1593
) that, like the canonical
csrA
, is conserved in all 14 strains surveyed. Phenotypic analysis revealed that long-term survival in tap water is promoted by the
lpg1593
locus, which we name
csrR
(for “
Csr
A-similar protein for
r
esilience”). As predicted by its GGA motif,
csrR
mRNA was bound directly by the canonical CsrA protein, as judged by electromobility shift and RNA-footprinting assays. Furthermore, CsrA repressed translation of
csrR
mRNA
in vivo
, as determined by analysis of
csrR-gfp
reporters,
csrR
mRNA stability in the presence and absence of
csrA
expression, and mutation of the CsrA binding site identified on the
csrR
mRNA. Thus, CsrA not only governs the transition from replication to transmission but also represses translation of its paralog
csrR
when nutrients are available. We propose that, during prolonged starvation, relief of CsrA repression permits CsrR protein to coordinate
L. pneumophila
's switch to a cell type that is resilient in water supplies.

IMPORTANCE
Persistence of
L. pneumophila
in water systems is a public health risk, and yet there is little understanding of the genetic determinants that equip this opportunistic pathogen to adapt to and survive in natural or engineered water systems. A potent regulator of this pathogen's intracellular life cycle is CsrA, a protein widely distributed among bacterial species that is understood quite well. Our finding that every sequenced
L. pneumophila
strain carries several
csrA
paralogs—including two common to all isolates—indicates that the legionellae exploit CsrA regulatory switches for multiple purposes. Our discovery that one paralog, CsrR, is a target of CsrA that enhances survival in water is an important step toward understanding colonization of the engineered environment by pathogenic
L. pneumophila
.
"ДИТЯЧА" І "ДОРОСЛА" БРОНХІАЛЬНА АСТМА: ЧИ ІСНУЄ ЗВ'ЯЗОК?
Authors: Мушак І. З. , Беш Л. В. 
Published: June 2015

<span style="font-family: PragmaticaCTT; color: #292526; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: PragmaticaCTT; color: #292526; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: PragmaticaCTT; color: #292526; font-size: xx-small;"><p>В статті представлено огляд даних сучасних літературних джерел, а також власні спостереження авторів щодо взаємозв'язку бронхіальної астми у дітей та дорослих, наслідки у дітей, можливості і частоту трансформації в бронхіальну астму дорослих.</p></span></span></span>
Selective Proximal Renal Denervation Guided by Autonomic Responses Evoked via High-Frequency Stimulation in a Preclinical Canine Model
Authors: Lu Jiayi , Wang Zhenglong , Zhou Tingquan , Chen Shaojie , Chen Weijie , Du Huaan , Tan Zhen , Yang Hanxuan , Hu Xinyu , Liu Chang , Ling Zhiyu , Liu Zengzhang , Zrenner Bernhard , Woo Kamsang , Yin Yuehui 
Published: June 2015

Background—
Electric stimulation has been proved to be available to monitor the efficacy of renal denervation (RDN). This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency stimulation (HFS)–guided proximal RDN.

Methods and Results—
A total of 13 Chinese Kunming dogs were included and allocated to proximal RDN group (n=8) and control group (n=5). HFS (20 Hz, 8 V, pulse width 2 ms) was performed from proximal to distal renal artery in all dogs. Radiofrequency ablations were delivered in proximal RDN group and only at the proximal positive sites where systolic blood pressure (BP) increased ≥10 mm Hg during HFS. Postablation HFS was performed over the previously stimulated sites. BP, heart rate, and plasma norepinephrine were analyzed. In 8 denervated dogs, preablation HFS caused significant BP increases of 6.0±5.0/3.4±5.5, 16.9±11.7/11.1±8.5, and 17.1±8.4/8.5±5.3 mm Hg during the first, second, and third 20 s of HFS at the proximal positive sites. After ablation, these sites showed a negative response to postablation HFS with increases of BP by 1.3±3.0/1.0±2.5, 0.8±3.9/1.5±3.4, and 1.5±4.5/0.7±3.8 mm Hg. Of note, no radiofrequency applications were delivered at the positive sites of middle renal artery, repeated HFS increased BP only by 3.3±5.3/2.8±4.2, 5.3±6.6/3.8±4.7, and 2.9±4.6/1.3±3.2 mm Hg, failed to reproduce the previous BP increases of 6.2±5.6/5.3±4.4, 15.0±9.3/10.2±6.2, and 14.9±7.7/8.4±4.7 mm Hg. At 3 months, BP and plasma norepinephrine substantially decreased in proximal RDN group. Whereas controls showed minimal BP decreases and had similar plasma norepinephrine concentrations as baseline.

Conclusions—
Renal afferent nerves can be mapped safely, and HFS-guided targeted proximal RDN can achieve apparent BP reduction and sympathetic inhibition.