bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Draft Genome Sequence of
Thermoanaerobacter
sp. Strain YS13, a Novel Thermophilic Bacterium
Authors: Peng Tingting , Pan Siyi , Christopher Lew , Sparling Richard , Levin David B. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Thermoanerobacter
sp. YS13, isolated from a geothermal hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, which consists of 2,713,030 bp with a mean G+C content of 34.05%. A total of 2,779 genes, including 2,707 protein-coding genes, 12 rRNAs, and 59 tRNAs were identified.
Genome Sequence of
Rhodococcus
sp. 4J2A2, a Desiccation-Tolerant Bacterium Involved in Biodegradation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Manzanera Maximino , García-Fontana Cristina , Vílchez Juan Ignacio , González-López Jesús 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

The genome sequence for
Rhodococcus
sp. 4J2A2, a newly described desiccation-tolerant strain that removes aromatic hydrocarbons, is reported here. The genome is estimated to be around 7.5 Mb in size, with an average G+C content of 60.77% and a predicted number of protein-coding sequences of 6,354.
Burkholderia cenocepacia Lipopolysaccharide Modification and Flagellin Glycosylation Affect Virulence but Not Innate Immune Recognition in Plants
Authors: Khodai-Kalaki Maryam , Andrade Angel , Fathy Mohamed Yasmine , Valvano Miguel A. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia cenocepacia
causes opportunistic infections in plants, insects, animals, and humans, suggesting that “virulence” depends on the host and its innate susceptibility to infection. We hypothesized that modifications in key bacterial molecules recognized by the innate immune system modulate host responses to
B. cenocepacia
. Indeed, modification of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with 4-amino-4-deoxy-
l
-arabinose and flagellin glycosylation attenuates
B. cenocepacia
infection in
Arabidopsis thaliana
and
Galleria mellonella
insect larvae. However,
B. cenocepacia
LPS and flagellin triggered rapid bursts of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in
A. thaliana
leading to activation of the
PR-1
defense gene. These responses were drastically reduced in plants with
fls2
(flagellin FLS2 host receptor kinase),
Atnoa1
(nitric oxide-associated protein 1), and
dnd1-1
(reduced production of nitric oxide) null mutations. Together, our results indicate that LPS modification and flagellin glycosylation do not affect recognition by plant receptors but are required for bacteria to establish overt infection.

IMPORTANCE
Virulence and pathogenicity are properties ascribed to microbes, which actually require careful consideration of the host. Using the term “pathogen” to define a microbe without considering its host has recently been debated, since the microbe's capacity to establish a niche in a given host is a critical feature associated with infection. Opportunistic bacteria are a perfect example of microbes whose ability to cause disease is intimately related to the host's ability to recognize and respond to the infection. Here, we use the opportunistic bacterium
Burkholderia cenocepacia
and the host plant
Arabidopsis thaliana
to investigate the role of bacterial surface molecules, namely, lipopolysaccharide and flagellin, in contributing to infection and also in eliciting a host response. We reveal that both molecules can be modified by glycosylation, and although the modifications are critical for the bacteria to establish an infection, they do not impact the host's ability to recognize the pathogen.
Is there a greater maternal than paternal influence on offspring adiposity in India?
Authors: Corsi Daniel J , Subramanian S V , Ackerson Leland K , Davey Smith George 
Published: June 2015

Previous research has provided conflicting evidence regarding fetal roots of adiposity in India. To compare the strength of association between maternal and paternal body mass indexes (BMIs) corrected for height with offspring BMI in India to examine the potential for intrauterine mechanisms to influence offspring adiposity in India, we analysed a sample of 16 528 mother-father-offspring trios from the 2005 to 2006 Indian National Family Health Survey. Children were aged 0–59 months with parents aged 15–49 years (mothers) and 15–54 years (fathers). Linear and logistic regression models, specified in multiple ways, were used to estimate associations between parental BMI* (BMI redefined by power term x (kg/mx) to be independent from height), and child BMI/top decile of child BMI. Higher values of maternal BMI and paternal BMI were associated with higher values of offspring BMI. In comparing the effects of maternal BMI and paternal BMI, however, no consistent differences were found in the strength of these parental influences on offspring BMI. In the fully adjusted linear model, the standardised coefficient was 0.131 (95% CI 0.110 to 0.154) for maternal BMI* and 0.079 (95% CI 0.056 to 0.103) for paternal BMI*; with evidence of heterogeneity between maternal-offspring and paternal-offspring associations (p=0.005). This was not robust in the unstandardised regression (β=0.056, 95% CI 0.044 to 0.067 for maternal BMI and β=0.039, 95% CI 0.025 to 0.053 for paternal BMI, p=0.093). Mixed results indicate that compared with paternal BMI, maternal BMI did not have a consistently stronger influence on offspring BMI in India.
Impact of laws aimed at healthcare-associated infection reduction: a qualitative study
Authors: Stone Patricia W , Pogorzelska-Maziarz Monika , Reagan Julie , Merrill Jacqueline A , Sperber Brad , Cairns Catherine , Penn Matthew , Ramanathan Tara , Mothershed Elizabeth , Skillen Elizabeth 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are preventable. Globally, laws aimed at reducing HAIs have been implemented. In the USA, these laws are at the federal and state levels. It is not known whether the state interventions are more effective than the federal incentives alone.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to explore the impact federal and state HAI laws have on state departments of health and hospital stakeholders in the USA and to explore similarities and differences in perceptions across states.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted. In 2012, we conducted semistructured interviews with key stakeholders from states with and without state-level laws to gain multiple perspectives. Interviews were transcribed and open coding was conducted. Data were analysed using content analysis and collected until theoretical saturation was achieved.ResultsNinety interviews were conducted with stakeholders from 12 states (6 states with laws and 6 states without laws). We found an increase in state-level collaboration. The publicly reported data helped hospitals benchmark and focus leaders on HAI prevention. There were concerns about the publicly reported data (eg, lack of validation and timeliness). Resource needs were also identified. No major differences were expressed by interviewees from states with and without laws.ConclusionsWhile we could not tease out the impact of specific interventions, increased collaboration between departments of health and their partners is occurring. Harmonisation of HAI definitions and reporting between state and federal laws would minimise reporting burden. Continued monitoring of the progress of HAI prevention is needed.
Utility analysis of management strategies for suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage in patients with thunderclap headache with negative CT result
Authors: Wu Xiao , Kalra Vivek B , Durand David , Malhotra Ajay 
Published: June 2015

PurposeTo determine the most effective follow-up strategy for evaluation of patients with thunderclap headache and negative initial non-contrast CT for acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).Materials and methodsInstitutional review was performed to assess the frequency of CT angiography (CTA) in screening patients with negative non-contrast CT. A comparative effectiveness analysis based on decision tree modelling was subsequently performed to assess three different strategies—no follow-up, lumbar puncture (LP) and CTA. The clinical probabilities and utilities from literature were used to design the decision tree. Base-case scenario utility calculations, sensitivity analyses and probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation were performed.ResultsInstitutional review of recent data in the last two years demonstrates frequent use of CTA in patients with thunderclap headache with limited utility. The decision tree analysis shows CT with LP follow-up to be the most effective strategy with the highest expected utility of 0.79926 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) compared with 0.79875 QALY for no follow-up and 0.79869 QALY for CTA follow-up. Monte Carlo simulation showed LP was the best strategy in 86.4% of all iterations. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that CT without follow-up is the best strategy only when the sensitivity of CT is very high (99.6%) or the pre-test probability of SAH in a patients with thunderclap headache with negative initial CT is low (1.6%).ConclusionsCT with no follow-up was shown to be the best strategy when the pre-test probability of SAH is low (<1.6%) or the sensitivity of initial non-contrast CT for blood is high (>99.6%). Otherwise, LP should be the preferred strategy for follow-up.
Employment situation and risk of death among middle-aged Japanese women
Authors: Honjo Kaori , Iso Hiroyasu , Ikeda Ai , Fujino Yoshihisa , Tamakoshi Akiko 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundFew studies have examined the health effects of employment situation among women, taking social and economic conditions into consideration. The objective of this research was to investigate the association of employment situation (full-time or part-time employee and self-employed) with mortality risk in women over a 20-year follow-up period. Additionally, we examined whether the association between employment situation and mortality in women differed by education level and marital status.MethodsWe investigated the association of employment situation with mortality among 16 692 women aged 40–59 years enrolled in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. Multivariate HRs and 95% CIs for total deaths by employment situation were calculated after adjustment for age, disease history, residential area, education level, marital status and number of children. We also conducted subgroup analysis by education level and marital status.ResultsMultivariate HRs for mortality of part-time employees and self-employed workers were 1.48 (95% CI, 1.25 to 1.75) and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.21 to 1.72), respectively, with reference to women working full-time. Subgroup analysis by education level indicated that health effects in women according to employment situation were likely to be more evident in the low education-level group. Subgroup analysis by marital status indicated that this factor also affected the association between employment situation and risk of death.ConclusionsAmong middle-aged Japanese women, employment situation was associated with mortality risk. Health effects were likely to differ by household structure and socioeconomic conditions.
Epidemiology of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle in Hokkaido, Japan, between September 2001 and December 2006
Authors: Kadohira M. , Stevenson M. A. , Kanayama T. , Morris R. S. 
Published: June 2015

Between October 2001 and December 2006 an estimated total of 6 million cattle in Japan were tested forbse, with 31 returning a positive result. Exploratory mapping, the space‐time scan statistic, and ordinal logistic regression have been used to describe the epidemiology of the 24 cases identified in the prefecture of Hokkaido, and to quantify the risk factors for the disease. Two birth cohort groups were affected: cattle born during a period of seven months in 1996, and cattle born between 1999 and 2001. The descriptive spatial analyses showed that eight of the 10 cases born in 1996 were born in areas with a relatively high density of dairy farms in the east of Hokkaido, but that the 14 later cases were more widely distributed throughout the prefecture, with equal numbers of cases in the east and the west. These findings provide indirect evidence of a single localised contamination of the cattle feed supply in 1996, and recycling of the infection after 1999.
Effects of competition experience and transportation on the adrenocortical and thyroid responses of horses
Authors: Fazio E. , Medica P. , Cravana C. , Ferlazzo A. 
Published: June 2015

To evaluate whether the amount of experience of sport horses and the stress of transport affected their adrenocortical and thyroid responses, the plasma concentrations of total cortisol and total and free iodothyronine of 63 horses were studied before and after show jumping competitions. There were 14 trained inexperienced jumpers (group 1), 20 trained experienced jumpers (group 2), 10 trained inexperienced jumpers that had been transported just before the competition (group 3) and 19 trained experienced jumpers that had been transported just before the competition (group 4). The concentrations were measured under basal conditions and five and 30 minutes after the competition. There were significant increases relative to the basal values in the total cortisol concentrations of all four groups of horses at five and 30 minutes (P<0·001), but there were no significant differences between the groups. In contrast, there were no significant changes in the concentrations of triiodothyronine, thyroxine and free thyroxine after the competition and there were no significant differences between the groups. However, the horses in group 2 had significantly lower basal concentrations of free triiodothyronine than the horses in groups 1, 3 and 4 and the difference was maintained at five and 30 minutes after the competition.
Australia and Nuna
Authors: Betts P. G. , Armit R. J. , Stewart J. , Aitken A. R. A. , Ailleres L. , Donchak P. , Hutton L. , Withnall I. , Giles D. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

The Australian continent records
c.
1860–1800 Ma orogenesis associated with rapid accretion of several ribbon micro-continents along the southern and eastern margins of the proto-North Australian Craton during Nuna assembly. The boundaries of these accreted micro-continents are imaged in crustal-scale seismic reflection data, and regional gravity and aeromagnetic datasets. Continental growth (
c.
1860–1850 Ma) along the southern margin of the proto-North Australian Craton is recorded by the accretion of a micro-continent that included the Aileron Terrane (northern Arunta Inlier) and the Gawler Craton. Eastward growth of the North Australian Craton occurred during the accretion of the Numil Terrane and the Abingdon Seismic Province, which forms part of a broader zone of collision between the northwestern margins of Laurentia and the proto-North Australian Craton. The Tickalara Arc initially accreted with the Kimberley Craton at
c.
1850 Ma and together these collided with the proto-North Australian Craton at
c.
1820 Ma. Collision between the West Australian Craton and the proto-North Australian Craton at
c.
1790–1760 Ma terminated the rapid growth of the Australian continent.
Ticagrelor Protects the Heart Against Reperfusion Injury and Improves Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ye Yumei , Birnbaum Gilad D. , Perez-Polo Jose R. , Nanhwan Manjyot K. , Nylander Sven , Birnbaum Yochai 
Published: June 2015

Objective—

In addition to P2Y
12
receptor antagonism, ticagrelor inhibits adenosine cell uptake. Prior data show that 7-day pretreatment with ticagrelor limits infarct size. We explored the acute effects of ticagrelor and clopidogrel on infarct size and potential long-term effects on heart function.

Approach and Results—

Rats underwent 30-minute ischemia per 24-hour reperfusion. (1) Ticagrelor (10 or 30 mg/kg) or clopidogrel (12.5 mg/kg) was given via intraperitoneal injection 5 minutes before reperfusion. (2) Rats received ticagrelor acute (intraperitoneal; 30 mg/kg), chronic (oral; 300 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks starting 1 day after reperfusion or the combination (acute+chronic). Another group received clopidogrel (intraperitoneal [12.5 mg/kg]+oral [62.5 mg/kg per day]) for 4 weeks. (1) Ticagrelor dose-dependently reduced infarct size, 10 mg/kg (31.5%±1.8%;
P
<0.001) and 30 mg/kg (21.4%±2.6%;
P
<0.001) versus control (45.3±1.7%), whereas clopidogrel had no effect (42.4%±2.6%). Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, increased myocardial adenosine levels, increased phosphorylation of Akt, endothelial NO synthase, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 4 hours after reperfusion and decreased apoptosis. (2) After 4 weeks, left ventricular ejection fraction was reduced in the vehicle-treated group (44.8%±3.5%) versus sham (77.6%±0.9%). All ticagrelor treatments improved left ventricular ejection fraction, acute (69.5%±1.6%), chronic (69.2%±1.0%), and acute+chronic (76.3%±1.2%), whereas clopidogrel had no effect (37.4%±3.7%). Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, attenuated fibrosis and decreased collagen-III mRNA levels 4 weeks after ischemia/reperfusion. Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, attenuated the increase in proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18, and increased anti-inflammatory 15-epi-lipoxin-A
4
levels.

Conclusions—
Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, administered just before reperfusion protects against reperfusion injury. This acute treatment or chronic ticagrelor for 4 weeks or their combination improved heart function, whereas clopidogrel, despite achieving a similar degree of platelet inhibition, had no effect.
Effect of Bile Acid Sequestrants on the Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Ross Stephanie , D’Mello Matthew , Anand Sonia S. , Eikelboom John ,   CARDIoGRAMplusC4D Consortium*, Stewart Alexandre F.R. , Samani Nilesh J. , Roberts Robert , Paré Guillaume 
Published: June 2015

Background—
Statins lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), but they may be ineffective or not tolerated. Bile acid sequestrants (BAS) reduce LDL-C, yet their clinical efficacy on CAD remains controversial.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of cholestyramine and colesevelam. We then used Mendelian randomization to estimate the effect of BAS on reducing the risk of CAD. First, we quantified the effect of rs4299376 (
ABCG5/ABCG8
), which affects the intestinal cholesterol absorption pathway targeted by BAS and then we used these estimates to predict the effect of BAS on CAD. Nineteen randomized controlled trials with a total of 7021 study participants were included. Cholestyramine 24 g/d was associated with a reduction in LDL-C of 23.5 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] −26.8,−20.2; N=3806) and a trend toward reduced risk of CAD (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.70–1.02;
P
=0.07; N=3806), whereas colesevelam 3.75 g/d was associated with a reduction in LDL-C of 22.7 mg/dL (95% CI −28.3, −17.2; N=759). Based on the findings that rs4299376 was associated with a 2.75 mg/dL decrease in LDL-C and a 5% decrease in risk of CAD outcomes, we estimated that cholestyramine was associated with an odds ratio for CAD of 0.63 (95% CI 0.52–0.77;
P
=6.3×10
−6
) and colesevelam with an odds ratio of 0.64 (95% CI 0.52–0.79,
P
=4.3×10
−5
), which were not statistically different from BAS clinical trials (
P
>0.05).

Conclusions—
The cholesterol lowering effect of BAS may translate into a clinically relevant reduction in CAD.
Long-Term Excess Mortality After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Huhtakangas Justiina , Lehto Hanna , Seppä Karri , Kivisaari Riku , Niemelä Mika , Hernesniemi Juha , Lehecka Martin 
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—
There is high case-fatality rate and loss of productive life-years related to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) but data on long-term survival of patients with aSAH are scarce. We aim to evaluate long-term excess mortality and related risk factors after an aSAH event.

Methods—
Survivors (n=3078) of aSAH who had survived for ≥1 year were reviewed for this retrospective follow-up study, which was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery in Helsinki between 1980 and 2007. Follow-up started 1 year after the aSAH and continued until death or the end of 2012 (48 918 patient-years). Mortality and relative survival ratios were derived using a matched general population.

Results—
Survivors of aSAH after 20 years showed 17% excess mortality compared with the general population. Even young patients and patients with good recovery showed excess mortality. The highest excess mortality was among patients with multiple aneurysms, old age, poor preoperative clinical condition, conservative aneurysm treatment, and unfavorable clinical outcome at 1 year.

Conclusions—
Even after initially favorable recovery from an aSAH, survivors experience excess mortality in the long run in comparison to a matched general population. Cardiovascular disease at younger age and cerebrovascular events were overrepresented as causes of death, which indicates the importance of treatment of vascular risk factors. Young patients and patients with multiple aneurysms who are recovering from an aSAH should be followed-up and treated most actively.
A new species of freshwater prawn of the genus Macrobrachium (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Guatemala
Authors: Tejeda-Mazariegos Juan C. , Mejía-Ortíz Luis M. 
Published: June 2015

There are three main drainage slopes in Guatemala; from these around eightMacrobrachiumspecies with extended larval development have been reported. In this paper, we describe the first species with abbreviated larval development for Guatemala,Macrobrachium cemainov. sp. This is a freshwater prawn of medium size, with large second pereiopods in relation to body size, compared to related species in Mexico and South America.Macrobrachium vicconiRomán, Ortega & Mejía, 2000, reported from Chiapas, Mexico, is the closest species geographically. However,M. vicconiis different fromMacrobrachium cemainov. sp. in the scaphocerite proportion, length of the first pereiopods and in the proportions of the second pereiopod, i.e., ratios of carpus/merus, carpus/propodus, palm/dactylus, propodus/dactylus and the rostrum ornamentation.
The effect of endobacteria on the development and virulence of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Tian Xiao-Jing , Wu Xiao-Qin , Xiang Yang , Fang Xin , Ye Jian-Ren 
Published: June 2015

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN),Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a destructive forest disease. Recent studies showed that bacteria associated with PWN might play important roles in PWD. In this study, the effects of endobacteria isolated from PWN on the development and virulence of PWN were evaluated. The results revealed that endobacteria isolated from high virulence PWN could partially promote the development of the nematode, while endobacteria from PWN with low virulence could inhibit the development of nematode. Both bacteria-free and non-sterilised nematodes were able to infect microcuttings ofPinus densiflora. The endobacterial isolates,Stenotrophomonas maltophiliaNSBx.14 andAchromobacter xylosoxidansssp.xylosoxidansNSBx.22, enhanced the virulence of low virulence PWN but reduced the virulence of high virulence PWN. The results suggest the pathogenicity of PWN is not affected by loss of bacteria and endobacteria might play a role in the development and virulence of PWN.