bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction and characterization of helper T‐cell epitopes from pneumococcal surface adhesin A
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Gupta Pranav , Sharma Praveen K. , Ades Edwin W. , Hollingshead Susan K. , Singh Shailesh , Lillard James W. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) is a multifunctional lipoprotein known to bind nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, and is significantly involved in bacterial adherence and virulence. Identification of PsaA peptides that optimally bind human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and elicit a potent immune response would be of great importance to vaccine development. However, this is hindered by the multitude of HLA polymorphisms in humans. To identify the conserved immunodominant epitopes, we used an experimental dataset of 28 PsaA synthetic peptides and in silico methods to predict specific peptide‐binding to HLA and murine MHC class II molecules. We also characterized spleen and cervical lymph node (CLN) ‐derived T helper (Th) lymphocyte cytokine responses to these peptides after Streptococcus pneumoniae strain EF3030 challenge in mice. Individual, yet overlapping, peptides 15 amino acids in length revealed residues of PsaA that consistently caused the highest interferon‐γ, interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐5 and IL‐17 responses and proliferation as well as moderate IL‐10 and IL‐4 responses by ex vivo re‐stimulated splenic and CLN CD4+ T cells isolated from S. pneumoniae strain EF3030‐challenged F1 (B6 × BALB/c) mice. In silico analysis revealed that peptides from PsaA may interact with a broad range of HLA‐DP, ‐DQ and ‐DR alleles, due in part to regions lacking β‐turns and asparagine endopeptidase sites. These data suggest that Th cell peptides (7, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24) screened for secondary structures and MHC class II peptide‐binding affinities can elicit T helper cytokine and proliferative responses to PsaA peptides.
Investigating characteristics of collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners in primary healthcare: a mixed methods multiple case study protocol
Authors: Schadewaldt Verena , McInnes Elizabeth , Hiller Janet E. , Gardner Anne 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate characteristics of collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners in the primary healthcare setting in Australia.BackgroundRecent definitions of collaboration in the literature describe it as being based on communication, shared decision‐making and the respect and equality of team members. However, research demonstrates a tension between this theoretical ideal and how collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners occurs in practice. Different socialization processes of the two professions and legislative requirements influence collaborative practice. The way these two professions overcome traditional boundaries and realize collaborative practice in the primary healthcare setting needs to be examined.DesignMixed methods multiple case study including up to six sites with a minimum of six and a maximum of 20 participants in total.MethodsData on collaborative practice between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners in primary health care will be collected in three phases: (1) two‐week direct observation in the practice setting to capture actual behaviour and context; (2) questionnaire to measure dimensions of collaboration; and (3) one‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews with nurse practitioners, medical practitioners and practice managers to record experiences, perceptions and understanding of collaboration.DiscussionTriangulation of findings will generate a comprehensive understanding of how collaboration between nurse practitioners and medical practitioners in Australia occurs in the primary care setting. The results of this study will inform nurse practitioners, medical practitioners practice managers and policy makers on successful models of collaboration.
Agronomic Water Mass Balance vs. Well Measurement for Assessing Ogallala Aquifer Depletion in the Texas Panhandle
Authors: Ouapo Constant Z. , Stewart B.A. , DeOtte Robert E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe Ogallala Aquifer is depleting faster than it is being replenished. Interpretation of well data suggests that the water table in some counties is not declining, or not as much as might be expected in view of the amount of land being irrigated. As the Ogallala Aquifer in the Texas Panhandle receives almost no recharge, a possible explanation is that the current method of using well data for estimating the quantity of water remaining in the aquifer is underestimating water in storage. This study used an agronomic water mass balance approach to estimate how much water has been used for irrigation compared to amounts estimated by well data. The major finding was in counties where irrigation well capacities have declined significantly but irrigation is continuing, there is likely more water in storage than presently estimated, but the amounts of water being used for irrigation in those counties are greater than estimated changes of water in storage. The proposed hypothesis for this difference is there are mounds of water between wells that are not being accounted for and data are presented and discussed to support this conjecture.
Heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor: A hepatic stellate cell proliferation inducer via ErbB receptors
Authors: Zhang Di , Zhang Jian , Jiang Xiaoyu , Li Xiaojun , Wang Yan , Ma Junji , Jiang Huiqing 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackground and AimHeparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) has a proliferative effect on several types of cells. However, the role of HB‐EGF on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is not clear. The present study is to investigate the regulatory effects of HB‐EGF on HSC proliferation and apoptosis.MethodsActivated primary rat HSCs and two HSC cell lines (human LX2 and rat T6) were used in this study. Four inhibitors (CRM197 to HB‐EGF, AG1478 to epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], PD98059 to mitogen‐activated kinase, and LY294002 to phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase) were employed to verify the pathway of HB‐EGF on cell proliferation and apoptosis.ResultsHB‐EGF expression was significantly increased in activated HSCs. HB‐EGF increased the expressions of phospho‐EGFR and ErbB4 receptors, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt. Consequently, HB‐EGF stimulated HSC proliferation and suppressed HSC apoptosis. Each individual inhibitor specifically inhibited the correlated receptor or enzyme and inhibited HSC proliferation and induced its apoptosis.ConclusionsHB‐EGF promotes HSC proliferation via activation of the EGFR and ErbB4 receptors and, subsequently, via activation of ERK and Akt. Any blockage in the chain obstructs the flow from HB‐EGF to HSC proliferation. Therefore, HB‐EGF is a potential therapeutic target in liver fibrosis.
Pre‐S mutations of hepatitis B virus affect genome replication and expression of surface antigens
Authors: Kim Beom Kyung , Choi Sung Hoon , Ahn Sung Hyun , Chung Ae Ri , Park Yong Kwang , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Kim Seungtaek , Kim Hyon‐Suk , Park Jeon Han , Kim Kyung Sik , Lee Hee Seung , Cho Yong Sang , Kim Kyun‐Hwan , Ahn Sang Hoon 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgrounds and AimsIn chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, quantitative HBV surface antigen (qHBsAg) is useful for monitoring viral replication and treatment responses. We aimed to determine whether pre‐S mutations have any effect on circulating qHBsAg.MethodsPlasmids expressing 1–8 amino acid deletion in pre‐S1 (“pre‐S1Δ1‐8”) and 3‐25 amino acid deletion in pre‐S2 (“pre‐S2Δ3‐25”) were constructed. At 72 h post‐transfection into Huh7 cells, qHBsAg were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. To mimic milieus of quasispecies, we co‐transfected either pre‐S1Δ1‐8 or pre‐S2Δ3‐25 with wild type (WT).ResultsPre‐S mutations affected transcription and replication ability of HBV because of altered overlapping polymerase. Compared with WT, extracellular qHBsAg in pre‐S1Δ1‐8 and pre‐S2Δ3‐25 were on average 3.87‐fold higher and 0.92‐fold lower, respectively, whereas intracellular qHBsAg in pre‐S1Δ1‐8 and pre‐S2Δ3‐25 were 0.57‐fold lower and 1.60‐fold higher, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining of cellular HBsAg showed that pre‐S1Δ1‐8 had less staining and that pre‐S2Δ3‐25 had denser staining. As ratios of either pre‐S1Δ1‐8 or pre‐S2Δ3‐25:WT increased from 0:10 to 10:0 gradually, relative extracellular qHBsAg increased from 1.0 to 3.85 in pre‐S1Δ1‐8 co‐transfection, whereas those decreased from 1.0 to 0.88 in pre‐S2Δ3‐25 co‐transfection.ConclusionPre‐S mutations exhibit different phenotypes of genome replication and HBsAg expression according to their locations. Thus, qHBsAg level for diagnosis and prognostification in chronic HBV infection should be used more cautiously, considering emergences of pre‐S deletion mutants.
Identification and expression profiling of Vigna mungo microRNAs from leaf small RNA transcriptome by deep sequencing
Authors: Paul Sujay , Kundu Anirban , Pal Amita 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non‐coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in post‐transcriptional gene regulation. Several conserved and species‐specific miRNAs have been characterized to date, predominantly from the plant species whose genome is well characterized. However, information on the variability of these regulatory RNAs in economically important but genetically less characterized crop species are limited. Vigna mungo is an important grain legume, which is grown primarily for its protein‐rich edible seeds. miRNAs from this species have not been identified to date due to lack of genome sequence information. To identify miRNAs from V. mungo, a small RNA library was constructed from young leaves. High‐throughput Illumina sequencing technology and bioinformatic analysis of the small RNA reads led to the identification of 66 miRNA loci represented by 45 conserved miRNAs belonging to 19 families and eight non‐conserved miRNAs belonging to seven families. Besides, 13 novel miRNA candidates in V. mungo were also identified. Expression patterns of selected conserved, non‐conserved, and novel miRNA candidates have been demonstrated in leaf, stem, and root tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and potential target genes were predicted for most of the conserved miRNAs. This information offers genomic resources for better understanding of miRNA mediated post‐transcriptional gene regulation.
Genomic regions underlying agronomic traits in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) as revealed by association mapping
Authors: Soto‐Cerda Braulio J. , Duguid Scott , Booker Helen , Rowland Gordon , Diederichsen Axel , Cloutier Sylvie 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe extreme climate of the Canadian Prairies poses a major challenge to improve yield. Although it is possible to breed for yield per se, focusing on yield‐related traits could be advantageous because of their simpler genetic architecture. The Canadian flax core collection of 390 accessions was genotyped with 464 simple sequence repeat markers, and phenotypic data for nine agronomic traits including yield, bolls per area, 1,000 seed weight, seeds per boll, start of flowering, end of flowering, plant height, plant branching, and lodging collected from up to eight environments was used for association mapping. Based on a mixed model (principal component analysis (PCA) + kinship matrix (K)), 12 significant marker‐trait associations for six agronomic traits were identified. Most of the associations were stable across environments as revealed by multivariate analyses. Statistical simulation for five markers associated with 1000 seed weight indicated that the favorable alleles have additive effects. None of the modern cultivars carried the five favorable alleles and the maximum number of four observed in any accessions was mostly in breeding lines. Our results confirmed the complex genetic architecture of yield‐related traits and the inherent difficulties associated with their identification while illustrating the potential for improvement through marker‐assisted selection.
MS‐275, a Class I histone deacetylase inhibitor, protects the p53‐deficient mouse against ischemic injury
Authors: Murphy Sean P. , Lee Rona J. , McClean Megan E. , Pemberton Heather E. , Uo Takuma , Morrison Richard S. , Bastian Chinthasagar , Baltan Selva 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe administration of pan histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors reduces ischemic damage to the CNS, both in vitro and in animal models of stroke, via mechanisms which we are beginning to understand. The acetylation of p53 is regulated by Class I HDACs and, because p53 appears to play a role in ischemic pathology, the purpose of this study was to discover, using an in vitro white matter ischemia model and an in vivo cerebral ischemia model, if neuroprotection mediated by HDAC inhibition depended on p53 expression. Optic nerves were excised from wild‐type and p53‐deficient mice, and then subjected to oxygen–glucose deprivation in the presence and absence of a specific inhibitor of Class I HDACs (MS‐275, entinostat) while compound action potentials were recorded. Furthermore, transient focal ischemia was imposed on wild‐type and p53‐deficient mice, which were subsequently treated with MS‐275. Interestingly, and in both scenarios, the beneficial effects of MS‐275 were most pronounced when p53 was absent. These results suggest that modulation of p53 activity is not responsible for MS‐275‐mediated neuroprotection, and further illustrate how HDAC inhibitors variably influence p53 and associated apoptotic pathways.
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Optic nerves from wild‐type and p53‐deficient mice, engineered to express cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) in neuronal mitochondria, were subjected to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) in the presence and absence of a specific inhibitor of Class I histone deacetylases. The protective effect of MS‐275 was evidenced by mitochondrial preservation, and this was most pronounced in the absence of p53.
Comparisons of Patient Satisfaction Levels with Complete Dentures of Different Occlusions: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shirani Mohhamadjavad , Mosharraf Ramin , Shirany Mohammadkazem 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPurposeThere is a lack of evidence to recommend a particular type of posterior occlusal form for conventional complete dentures. The type of posterior occlusal scheme can affect complete denture stability, retention, and patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to compare patient satisfaction to three types of complete denture occlusion using a randomized, crossover controlled trial.Materials and MethodsThree sets of complete dentures were made for each of 15 patients (mean age = 58.87 ± 15.02 years). They received (1) fully bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO), (2) lingualized occlusion, and (3) buccalized occlusion (BO) denture sets in random order. After wearing each set for 6 weeks, patient satisfaction was assessed using a 19‐item version of the Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous Patients (OHIP‐EDENT). Each question was scored on a 1 to 5 scale for patients’ problems with dentures (for these ordinal variables, 1 = “never” and 5 = “very often”). These items were first analyzed by Friedman tests and then by Wilcoxon rank tests for 80% test power at the 0.05‐alpha level (d = 0.7).ResultsBO resulted in lower avoidance of particular foods and physical disability scores than fully BBO.ConclusionsWith the caution of small sample size, the results of this study provide evidence that use of BO can improve food avoidance and physical disability aspects of patient satisfaction with complete dentures.
School‐Based Health Promotion Intervention: Parent and School Staff Perspectives
Authors: Patino‐Fernandez Anna M. , Hernandez Jennifer , Villa Manuela , Delamater Alan 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe prevalence of childhood obesity is high, particularly among minority youth. The objective of this article was to evaluate parent and school staff perspectives of childhood health and weight qualitatively to guide the development of a school‐based obesity prevention program for minority youth.METHODSHispanic parents (N = 9) of first graders participated in 1 of 3 focus groups, consisting of 3 parents each. School staff (N = 7) participated in 1 focus group. All sessions were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using NVivo, 2 independent coders rated the transcriptions to identify themes and a third coder addressed commonalities and discrepancies in the coding schemes.RESULTSParents and school staff have conflicting views over whose responsibility it is to provide nutritional education and participation in physical activity (PA). Parents felt the school should teach children about healthy nutrition, provide guidance in the cafeteria, and offer more structured PA in school. In contrast, school staff noted that parents have the primary responsibility of ensuring children get adequate nutrition and PA.CONCLUSIONSDespite contrasting views, parents and staff agreed with the need for comprehensive school‐based obesity prevention efforts emphasizing parent and teacher collaboration to promote healthy school and home environments.
Changes in melatonin levels in transgenic ‘Micro‐Tom’ tomato overexpressing ovine AANAT and ovine HIOMT genes
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhao Yu , Reiter Russel J. , He Changjiu , Liu Guoshi , Lei Qiong , Zuo Bixiao , Zheng Xiao Dong , Li Qingtian , Kong Jin 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn animals, the melatonin biosynthesis pathway has been well defined after the isolation and identification of the four key genes that are involved in the conversion of tryptophan to melatonin. In plants, there are special alternative catalyzing steps, and plant genes share very low homology with the animal genes. It was of interest to examine the phenotype of transgenic Micro‐Tom tomato plants overexpressing the homologous sheep oAANAT and oHIOMT genes responsible for the last two steps of melatonin synthesis. The oAANAT transgenic plants have higher melatonin levels and lower indoleacetic acid (IAA) contents than control due to the competition for tryptophan, the same precursor for both melatonin and IAA. Therefore, the oAANAT lines lose the ‘apical dominance’ inferring that melatonin likely lacks auxin activity. The significantly higher melatonin content in oHIOMT lines than oAANAT lines provides new proof for the important role of ASMT in plant melatonin synthesis. In addition, the enhanced drought tolerance of oHIOMT lines will also be an important contribution for plant engineering.
Peripartal calcium homoeostasis of multiparous dairy cows fed rumen‐protected rice bran or a lowered dietary cation/anion balance diet before calving
Authors: Martín‐Tereso J. , ter Wijlen H. , van Laar H. , Verstegen M. W. A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryMilk fever is one of the most important metabolic diseases in dairy cattle. Reducing the dietary cation/anion balance (DCAD) with anionic salts is a common prevention strategy. However, many small European farms cannot use total mixed rations (TMR) in the close‐up period. Including anionic salts in compound feeds can result in feed refusals and moderate inclusions to preserve feed palatability results in insufficient DCAD reduction. Rumen‐protected rice bran induces the adaptation of Ca metabolism in dairy cows by a reduction of Ca intake and by a reduction of the availability of dietary Ca. In the presence of a negative control, rumen‐protected rice bran (2.8 kg/day) was compared with a lowered DCAD diet (from 269 to 4 meq/kg DM) in their effect to prevent milk fever. In a randomized block design, 45 multiparous Holstein cows joined the trial sequentially from 21 days before the expected calving date and were observed until the 8th week of lactation. Feed and nutrient intakes were recorded, and Ca, P, Mg in serum and urine, urine pH, serum NEFA and milk production in early lactation were compared. Feeding rumen‐protected rice bran before calving improved the recovery of calcaemia after calving and had a positive effect on DMI after calving. The moderately low DCAD diet did not positively influence serum Ca at calving. Calcaemia recovered even later than in control, and cows showed reduced DMI post‐calving and higher NEFA levels in the first 36 h after calving. This moderate reduction of DCAD did not provide an intermediate prevention level indicating that DCAD needs to be reduced to the recommended levels to prevent milk fever. Rumen‐protected rice bran may be a suitable feed to reduce hypocalcaemia post‐partum and can be included in pre‐calving compound feeds representing a palatable alternative to anionic salts.
Biodiversity in transitional waters: steeper ecotone, lower diversity
Authors: Reizopoulou Sofia , Simboura Nomiki , Barbone Enrico , Aleffi Floriana , Basset Alberto , Nicolaidou Artemis 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBenthic communities were studied in four transitional water ecosystems in the Mediterranean, located in Albania (Narta), Greece (Logarou) and Italy (Grado‐Marano and Margherita di Savoia), with different degrees of salinity ranges, in order to investigate biodiversity trends across a scale of environmental stress. The intensity of natural stress in the transition zones, from the marine‐based to the land‐based influence, varied from gradual to sharp. The spatial variability in the physical environment had a stronger effect on species richness than did the temporal fluctuations. The sharper the spatial variations of salinity, the lower the number of species and the diversity level of the system. The differences in intensity of natural instability were also reflected by the presence of different sets of species, with the euryhaline species developing large populations and dominating the more enclosed systems, whereas the marine component of the fauna plays the most important role in increasing the level of benthic diversity.
Three Practical Assignments for the Introductory Risk Management and Insurance Student
Authors: Gatzlaff Kevin M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractI have developed, used, and refined an auto quote assignment, a life quote assignment, and a retirement analysis assignment that seem to communicate certain concepts well to the typical student enrolled in a risk management and insurance principles course. These assignments consist of worksheets requiring Internet research and a series of questions based on the answers discovered. Additionally, a short class discussion follows each of the three assignments to further ensure that students have achieved the primary learning objectives of each assignment. In their current form, these assignments are practical and require relatively minimal student and instructor time. Each could easily be expanded to accommodate students with advanced understanding and capability.
Recent Research Developments Affecting Nonlife Insurance—The CAS Risk Premium Project 2012 Update
Authors: Biener Christian , Eling Martin 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis article reports the main results of the 2012 Risk Premium Project update, a yearly review of actuarial and finance literature on the theory and empirics of risk assessment for property–casualty insurance. Pricing and modeling insurance risks and methodological advancement in risk valuation were popular fields of research in 2012. Of special note is new work on behavioral pricing and liquidity. Additionally, underwriting cycles attracted some controversy, and emerging risks, such as systemic risk and potential interrelations between insurance and other financial markets, were also areas of intense discussion.