bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An ADP‐ribosyltransferase Alt of bacteriophage T4 negatively regulates the Escherichia coli MazF toxin of a toxin–antitoxin module
Authors: Alawneh Abdulraheem M. , Qi Dan , Yonesaki Tetsuro , Otsuka Yuichi 
Published: September 2015

SummaryProkaryotic toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are linked to many roles in cell physiology, such as plasmid maintenance, stress response, persistence and protection from phage infection, and the activities of toxins are tightly regulated. Here, we describe a novel regulatory mechanism for a toxin of Escherichia coli TA systems. The MazF toxin of MazE‐MazF, which is one of the best characterized type II TA systems, was modified immediately after infection with bacteriophage T4. Mass spectrometry demonstrated that the molecular weight of this modification was 542 Da, corresponding to a mono‐ADP‐ribosylation. This modification disappeared in cells infected with T4 phage lacking Alt, which is one of three ADP‐ribosyltransferases encoded by T4 phage and is injected together with phage DNA upon infection. In vivo and in vitro analyses confirmed that T4 Alt ADP‐ribosylated MazF at an arginine residue at position 4. Finally, the ADP‐ribosylation of MazF by Alt resulted in the reduction of MazF RNA cleavage activity in vitro, suggesting that it may function to inactivate MazF during T4 infection. This is the first example of the chemical modification of an E. coli toxin in TA systems to regulate activity.
Regenerating the Islamic Republic: Commemorating Martyrs in Provincial Iran1
Authors: Wellman Rose 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis article explores how provincial Iranian laymen and officials who support the regime (here, Basijis) mobilize the bodies and blood of martyrs to sacralize the national landscape in Post‐Revolutionary Iran. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a powerful cohort of religious scholars and everyday citizens has emphasized the need to (re)generate the authentically Islamic interior of the nation while resisting an immoral, “Westernstruck” exterior. A significant part of this sacred defense against Western cultural invasion has been the exhumation of bodies of Iran‐Iraq War (1980‐88) martyrs from the battlefront for reburial and commemoration at sites across the national landscape. This article, based on 15 months of ethnographic research in the Fars Province of Iran, investigates these ongoing practices of reburying and memorializing martyrs. I argue that the exhumations and reburials of martyrs are strategic religious practices that organize the bodies of Iranian subjects around key reference points, specifically the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn at the Battle of Karbala, the 1979 Revolution, and the Iran‐Iraq War. In addition, I show how acts of commemorating martyrs emphasize the sacrificial blood of male citizens, a bodily substance that draws further symbolic efficacy from its associations with the life‐giving blood of kinship. This is the first ethnographic account of how martyrs are interred and commemorated in provincial Iran.
Cerebrospinal fluid Coccidioides antigen testing in the diagnosis and management of central nervous system coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Bamberger David M. , Pepito Brian S. , Proia Laurie A. , Ostrosky‐Zeichner Luis , Ashraf Madiha , Marty Francisco , Scully Eileen , Wheat L. Joseph 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe goal of this study was to report on the potential utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Coccidioides antigen testing in the diagnosis and management of Coccidioides meningitis. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of seven patients with Coccidioides meningitis who had Coccidioides antigen tests performed on CSF. In two severely immunocompromised patients, CSF Coccidioides antigen testing was helpful in the diagnosis when other testing modalities were negative. Coccidioides antigen testing was also useful in the management of patients who had progression of disease due to non‐adherence, development of resistance, failure of therapy and the presence of vasculitis. Changing antigen levels helped identify disease complications in three patients that led to alterations in therapy or management. On the basis of our review of these seven patients with Coccidioides meningitis, we concluded that the Coccidioides antigen test contributed to the diagnosis and management of patients with Coccidioides meningitis.
Cladistic analysis of Caseidae (Caseasauria, Synapsida): using the gap‐weighting method to include taxa based on incomplete specimens
Authors: Romano Marco , Nicosia Umberto 
Published: September 2015

AbstractOccupying the role of primary consumer and having an early–middle Permian age range, caseids (Caseasauria, Synapsida) are fundamental to the interpretation of the early history of terrestrial vertebrate ecosystems. Despite this importance, no comprehensive, species‐level phylogenetic study of Caseidae has yet been performed. Herein, we present a phylogenetic analysis of the group, using gap weighting to include poorly known taxa. Besides the description and comments on the resultant topologies, some more general issues concerning cladistic methodologies are briefly addressed. This study highlights the importance of a total‐evidence approach, including as many within‐group taxa and characters as possible. Continuously varying characters, in the form of indices derived from measurement of individual skeletal elements, proved to be highly important, adding significantly to the resolution of, and support for, recovered trees. The utility of the postcranial skeleton in understanding relationships among basal synapsids is highlighted.
Influence of graft size matching on outcomes of infantile living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Wan Ping , Li Qigen , Zhang Jianjun , Shen Conghuan , Luo Yi , Chen Qimin , Chen Xiaosong , Zhang Ming , Han Longzhi , Xia Qiang 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe aimed to assess the impact of size mismatching between grafts and recipients on outcomes of infants or small children after LDLT. Between October 2006 and December 2014, 129 LDLT recipients weighing no more than 8 kg were retrospectively analyzed. The entire cohort was categorized into three groups by GRWR: GRWR<3.0% (group A, n = 38), 3.0%≤GRWR<4.0% (group B, n = 61), and GRWR≥4.0% (group C, n = 30). Baseline characteristics were similar among groups A, B, and C. Compared with groups A and B, post‐transplant alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase within seven days were significantly higher in group C; however, differences between total bilirubin and albumin after transplantation were not prominent. Moreover, incidences of surgical complications, perioperative deaths, infections, and acute rejections were all comparable among the three groups. Five‐yr patient survival rates for groups A, B, and C were 89.5%, 88.9%, and 81.6%, respectively (p = 0.872), and the graft survival rates were 89.5%, 86.6%, and 81.6%, respectively (p = 0.846). In conclusion, GRWR between 1.9% and 5.8% would not cause noticeable adverse events for infantile LDLT recipients ≤8 kg. However, there is still a role for considering reduction in the graft mass as an applicable strategy in selected cases.
Sleep Duration, Activity Levels, and Measures of Obesity in Adults
Authors: Elder Betty L. , Ammar Erica M. , Pile Debra 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate sleep and activity as they relate to obesity measures of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in adults. Findings from recent studies have linked physical inactivity and short sleep with obesity.Design and SampleA total of 337 subjects were collected from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MeasuresThe sample was evaluated to determine if a relationship existed between sleep duration, activity levels, and measures of obesity.ResultsPearson r correlation revealed a significant positive relationship between WC and sedentary activity, r(318) = .168, p = .003. Analysis also showed a significant inverse association between sleep duration and WC, r(319) = −.113, p = .043. No statistical significance was found using BMI as the measure of obesity in relation to duration of sleep or activity level.ConclusionsIn support of recent literature, this study found duration of sleep and sedentary activity in adults may relate to the development of obesity as measured by WC.
Nematode quantitative resistance conferred by the pepper genetic background presents additive effects and is stable against different isolates of Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Sánchez‐Solana F. , Ros C. , Lacasa C. M. , Palloix A. , Lacasa A. 
Published: September 2015

Root‐knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne spp., are a major disease problem in solanaceous crops worldwide, including pepper (Capsicum spp.). Genetic control provides an economically and environmentally sustainable protection alternative to soil fumigants. In pepper, resistance to the main RKN species (M. incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria) is conferred by the major genes (R genes) Me1, Me3 and N. However, RKNs are able to develop virulence, thus endangering the efficiency of R genes. Quantitative resistance (QR) against Meloidogyne spp. is expected to provide an alternative to R genes, or to be combined with R genes, to increase the resistance efficiency and durability in pepper. In order to explore the ability of QR to protect pepper against RKNs, five pepper inbred lines, differing in their QR level, were tested directly, or after combination with the Me1 and Me3 genes, for their resistance to a panel of M. arenaria, M. javanica and M. incognita isolates. The M. arenaria and M. javanica isolates showed low pathogenicity to pepper, unlike the M. incognita isolates. The QR, controlled by the pepper genetic background, displayed a high resistance level with a broad spectrum of action, protecting pepper against Me3‐virulent as well as avirulent M. incognita isolates. The QR was also expressed when combined with the Me1 and Me3 genes, but presented additive genetic effects so that heterozygous F1 hybrids proved less resistant than homozygous inbred lines. The discovery of this QR is expected to provide promising applications for preserving the efficiency and durability of nematode resistance.
Health Benefit Downward Rigidity: Employers’ Responses to Rising Insurance Costs
Authors: Guo Xuguang , Tao Ran 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe article examines employers’ responses to rising insurance costs using Census Bureau Medical Expenditure Panel Survey–Insurance Component data from 1997 to 2005. The findings confirm that employers did not take dramatic actions to reduce benefit in response to the rising insurance cost during our study period. Most employers did not drop health insurance coverage, reduce workers’ eligibility for insurance, or substantially scale back their health insurance coverage. Instead, companies controlled the insurance cost in more subtle ways by adopting cost‐efficient health plans and requesting employee contribution to the insurance premium and out‐of‐pocket expenses for medical treatments. Our results show that the effect of those tactics was limited. The share of employee spending did not rise along with the growth of insurance premiums. Employers absorbed a large portion of the increased insurance cost.
Group intervention for burnout in parents of chronically ill children – a small‐scale study
Authors: Lindström Caisa , Åman Jan , Anderzén‐Carlsson Agneta , Lindahl Norberg Annika 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundLong‐term stress leading to burnout symptoms is prevalent in parents of chronically ill children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a group intervention by measuring changes in self‐rated clinical burnout and performance‐based self‐esteem. In addition, the parental perceptions of the acceptability of the intervention were explored.MethodsPreviously, we have explored the prevalence of clinical burnout in parents of patients 1–18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the county of Örebro. All parents who exhibited clinical burnout symptoms in accordance with the Shirom–Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ) were then invited to participate in a group intervention, which was evaluated in the present small‐scale study. The group intervention consisted of eight sessions over a 12‐week period, including education about behaviour, cognition and symptoms associated with burnout, intending to help the parents to develop adequate strategies for coping with and reducing stress. We evaluated the effect of the intervention in terms of self‐rated clinical burnout and performance‐based self‐esteem (PBSE). In addition, the acceptability of the intervention was evaluated by analyses of recruitment and retention and self‐reports from parents.ResultsSixteen parents (13 of children with TIDM and three of children with IBD) out of 104 reporting clinical burnout participated in the intervention. All participants completed the intervention, and the mean attendance rate at all sessions was 90%. Parents’ subjective evaluations were mainly positive, and SMBQ (p = 0.01) and PBSE scale (p = 0.04) measurements were significantly reduced, which effects remained 6 months after completion of the intervention.ConclusionsDespite the small‐scale study, we consider that this intervention for parents with clinical burnout was appreciated and well accepted. The significant reduction in clinical burnout symptoms requires further evaluation in randomised controlled studies based on larger groups of parents.
Trajectories of Suicidal Ideation from Sixth through Tenth Grades in Predicting Suicide Attempts in Young Adulthood in an Urban African American Cohort
Authors: Musci Rashelle J. , Hart Shelley R. , Ballard Elizabeth D. , Newcomer Alison , Van Eck Kathryn , Ialongo Nicholas , Wilcox Holly 
Published: September 2015

The trajectory of suicidal ideation across early adolescence may inform the timing of suicide prevention program implementation. This study aimed to identify developmental trajectories of suicidal ideation among an urban cohort of community‐residing African Americans (AA) longitudinally followed from middle school through early adulthood (ages 11–19 years). Subtypes based on the developmental course of suicidal ideation from late childhood through mid‐adolescence were identified using longitudinal latent class analysis (LLCA) with 581 AA adolescents (52.7% male; 71.1% free or reduced school meals). The developmental trajectories of suicidal ideation were then used to predict suicide attempts in young adulthood. Our LLCA indicated two subtypes (i.e., ideators and nonideators), with 8% of the sample in the ideator class. This trajectory class shows a peak of suicidal ideation in seventh grade and a steady decline in ideation in subsequent grades. Additionally, suicidal ideation trajectories significantly predicted suicide attempt. Results of these analyses suggest the need for suicide prevention approaches prior to high school for AA youth.
Biologic variability and correlation of platelet function testing in healthy dogs
Authors: Blois Shauna L. , Lang Sean T. , Wood R. Darren , Monteith Gabrielle 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundPlatelet function tests are influenced by biologic variability, including inter‐individual (CVG) and intra‐individual (CVI), as well as analytic (CVA) variability. Variability in canine platelet function testing is unknown, but if excessive, would make it difficult to interpret serial results. Additionally, the correlation between platelet function tests is poor in people, but not well described in dogs.ObjectivesThe aims were to: (1) identify the effect of variation in preanalytic factors (venipuncture, elapsed time until analysis) on platelet function tests; (2) calculate analytic and biologic variability of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced thromboelastograph platelet mapping (TEG‐PM), ADP‐, AA‐, and collagen‐induced whole blood platelet aggregometry (WBA), and collagen/ADP and collagen/epinephrine platelet function analysis (PFA‐CADP, PFA‐CEPI); and (3) determine the correlation between these variables.MethodsIn this prospective observational trial, platelet function was measured once every 7 days, for 4 consecutive weeks, in 9 healthy dogs. In addition, CBC, TEG‐PM, WBA, and PFA were performed.ResultsOverall coefficients of variability ranged from 13.3% to 87.8% for the platelet function tests. Biologic variability was highest for AA‐induced maximum amplitude generated during TEG‐PM (MAAA; CVG = 95.3%, CVI = 60.8%). Use of population‐based reference intervals (RI) was determined appropriate only for PFA‐CADP (index of individuality = 10.7). There was poor correlation between most platelet function tests.ConclusionsUse of population‐based RI appears inappropriate for most platelet function tests, and tests poorly correlate with one another. Future studies on biologic variability and correlation of platelet function tests should be performed in dogs with platelet dysfunction and those treated with antiplatelet therapy.
Effects of oral supplementation of iron on hepcidin blood concentrations among non‐anaemic female blood donors: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Waldvogel S. , Rochat B. , Peduzzi D. , Vaucher P. , Tissot J.‐D. , Favrat B. 
Published: September 2015

Background and objectivesHepcidin is the main hormone that regulates iron balance. Its lowering favours digestive iron absorption in cases of iron deficiency or enhanced erythropoiesis. The careful dosage of this small peptide promises new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Its measurement is progressively being validated and now its clinical value must be explored in different physiological situations. Here, we evaluate hepcidin levels among premenopausal female donors with iron deficiency without anaemia.Materials and MethodsIn a preceding study, a 4‐week oral iron treatment (80 mg/day) was administered in a randomized controlled trial (n = 145), in cases of iron deficiency without anaemia after a blood donation. We subsequently measured hepcidin at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment, using mass spectrometry.ResultsIron supplementation had a significant effect on plasma hepcidin compared to the placebo arm at 4 weeks [+0·29 nm [95% CI: 0·18 to 0·40]). There was a significant correlation between hepcidin and ferritin at baseline (R2 = 0·121, P < 0·001) and after treatment (R2 = 0·436, P < 0·001). Hepcidin levels at baseline were not predictive of concentration changes for ferritin or haemoglobin. However, hepcidin levels at 4 weeks were significantly higher (0·79 nm [95% CI: 0·53 to 1·05]) among ferritin responders.ConclusionsThis study shows that a 4‐week oral treatment of iron increased hepcidin blood concentrations in female blood donors with an initial ferritin concentration of less than 30 ng/ml. Apparently, hepcidin cannot serve as a predictor of response to iron treatment but might serve as a marker of the iron repletion needed for erythropoiesis.
The influence of focal spot blooming on high‐contrast spatial resolution in CT imaging
Authors: Grimes Joshua , Duan Xinhui , Yu Lifeng , Halaweish Ahmed F. , Haag Nicole , Leng Shuai , McCollough Cynthia 
Published: September 2015

Purpose:The objective of this work was to investigate focal spot blooming effects on the spatial resolution of CT images and to evaluate an x‐ray tube that uses dynamic focal spot control for minimizing focal spot blooming.Methods:The influence of increasing tube current at a fixed tube potential of 80 kV on high‐contrast spatial resolution of seven different CT scanner models (scanners A–G), including one scanner that uses dynamic focal spot control to reduce focal spot blooming (scanner A), was evaluated. Spatial resolution was assessed using a wire phantom for the modulation transfer function (MTF) calculation and a copper disc phantom for measuring the slice sensitivity profile (SSP). The impact of varying the tube potential was investigated on two scanner models (scanners A and B) by measuring the MTF and SSP and also by using the resolution bar pattern module of the ACR CT phantom. The phantoms were scanned at 70–150 kV on scanner A and 80–140 kV on scanner B, with tube currents from 100 mA up to the maximum tube current available on each scanner. The images were reconstructed using a slice thickness of 0.6 mm with both smooth and sharp kernels. Additionally, focal spot size at varying tube potentials and currents was directly measured using pinhole and slit camera techniques.Results:Evaluation of the MTF and SSP data from the 7 CT scanner models evaluated demonstrated decreased focal spot blooming for newer scanners, as evidenced by decreasing deviations in MTF and SSP as tube current varied. For scanners A and B, where focal spot blooming effects as a function of tube potential were assessed, the spatial resolution variation in the axial plane was much smaller on scanner A compared to scanner B as tube potential and current changed. On scanner A, the 50% MTF never decreased by more than 2% from the 50% MTF measured at 100 mA. On scanner B, the 50% MTF decreased by as much as 19% from the 50% MTF measured at 100 mA. Assessments of the SSP, the bar patterns in the ACR phantom and the pinhole and slit camera measurements were consistent with the MTF calculations.Conclusions:Focal spot blooming has a noticeable effect on spatial resolution in CT imaging. The focal spot shaping technology of scanner A greatly reduced blooming effects.