bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-Time Impact of Laser Ablation of Placental Anastomoses on Myocardial Function in Monochorionic Twins with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Degenhardt Jan , Reinold Meike , Enzensberger Christian , Wolter Aline , Kawecki Andrea , Kohl Thomas , Graupner Oliver , Willruth Arne , Gembruch Ulrich , Bahlmann Franz , Steinhard Johannes , Axt-Fliedner Roland 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Purpose To evaluate pre- and post-procedure myocardial function in monochorionic twins with TTTS who underwent laser ablation of placental anastomoses using pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (pw TDI).
Materials and Methods 20 monochorionic twin gestations with TTTS were included and underwent laser ablation at our center between 2011 and 2014. Prior to and after the intervention, cardiac function was assessed by measuring the mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Tei index, isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), ejection time (ET), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) for the left ventricle in pulsed wave Doppler (pw D) ultrasound as well as ICT, ET, IRT and Tei index in pw TDI for the left and right ventricle. E-, A-, E´- and A´-wave peak velocity and the systolic downward motion (S´) were measured for both ventricles and the E/A, E/E´ and E´/A´ ratios were calculated. In a mean of 1.3 (SD 0.6) days after laser ablation, this measurement protocol was repeated.
Results Pre-intervention recipients had longer ICT, ET and IRT in pw D and pw TDI compared to donors not reaching statistical significance for most parameters. Statistically significant were prolonged ICT in pw D (p 0.01) and ET (p 0.01) in pw TDI in recipients. In donor fetuses preoperative myocardial function did not differ significantly from postoperative myocardial function except in increased left ventricular ejection time of the left ventricle in pw TDI (p 0.04) and an increased E´/A´ratio (p 0.01). After laser coagulation, myocardial function was slightly altered in recipients as ICT and IRT shortened and Tei indices decreased but only reaching statistical significance in shortened IRTs in pw TDI for both ventricles.
Conclusion Laser ablation of placental anastomoses in TTTS might influence myocardial function in the postoperative period. Shortened IRT intervals may reflect an improvement of diastolic function in recipients.
Redox-induced activation of the proton pump in the respiratory complex I
Authors: Sharma Vivek , Belevich Galina , Gamiz-Hernandez Ana P. , Róg Tomasz , Vattulainen Ilpo , Verkhovskaya Marina L. , Wikström Mårten , Hummer Gerhard , Kaila Ville R. I. 
Published: September 2015

Significance
Complex I is a redox-driven proton pump, central for aerobic energy transduction. We show here by large-scale quantum and classical molecular simulations how reduction of quinone (Q) in the hydrophilic domain of complex I activates the proton pump in the membrane domain. Our simulations indicate that reduction of Q leads to local charge redistributions that trigger conformational changes via an array of alternating charged residues in the membrane domain, nearly 40 Å away. These mechanistic observations are supported by site-directed mutagenesis of a key residue triggering the activation process. The combined data provide molecular insight into how the long-range energy transduction is accomplished by complex I.
Resilient 3D hierarchical architected metamaterials
Authors: Meza Lucas R. , Zelhofer Alex J. , Clarke Nigel , Mateos Arturo J. , Kochmann Dennis M. , Greer Julia R. 
Published: September 2015

Significance
Fractal-like architectures exist in natural materials, like shells and bone, and have drawn considerable interest because of their mechanical robustness and damage tolerance. Developing hierarchically designed metamaterials remains a highly sought after task impaired mainly by limitations in fabrication techniques. We created 3D hierarchical nanolattices with individual beams comprised of multiple self-similar unit cells spanning length scales over four orders of magnitude in fractal-like geometries. We show, through a combination of experiments and computations, that introducing hierarchy into the architecture of 3D structural metamaterials enables the attainment of a unique combination of properties: ultralightweight, recoverability, and a near-linear scaling of stiffness and strength with density.
Changes in Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens Associated With Acute Respiratory Illness in Military Trainees After Reintroduction of Adenovirus Vaccine
Authors: Yun Heather C. , Young Adam N. , Caballero Manuel Y. , Lott Lisa , Cropper Thomas L. , Murray Clinton K. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Background.  Adenovirus (Ad) has long been the predominant cause of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in military trainees. In 2011, live oral Ad vaccines for serotypes 4 and 7 were reintroduced into US basic military training populations. This study evaluated the impact on clinical presentations and other respiratory pathogens.
Methods.  The Center for Advanced Molecular Detection at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland prospectively collects demographic, clinical, and polymerase chain reaction data from respiratory specimens (throat swab and nasal wash) among Air Force trainees presenting for care of ARI.
Results.  From June 2008 to August 2013, 2660 trainees enrolled and were tested for selected respiratory pathogens. Post-vaccine introduction (VI), reported systemic symptoms were less frequent, including fever (38% vs 94%) and myalgia (37% vs 67%; P &lt; .01). Median temperature and heart rate decreased (98.4 vs 101.3°F, 81 vs 96 beats per minute; P &lt; .01). Ad detection decreased for all Ad (3% vs 68%), Ad4 (1% vs 70%), 7 (0% vs 8%), 14 (0% vs 5%), and 3 (0.1% vs 2%); P &lt; .01). Rhinovirus and cases with no pathogen identified increased in frequency (35% vs 18%, 51% vs 14%; P &lt; .01).
Conclusions.  Acute respiratory illness in military trainees post-VI is associated with decreased severity of systemic symptoms and reduced fever and heart rate. Marked reductions in frequency of Ad serotypes are seen, including those in the vaccine, with no serotype shift. However, detection of several other respiratory pathogens, most notably rhinovirus, is observed in increasing proportions, and a majority are now undiagnosed clinical syndromes.
A Survey Study of Pregnant Women and Healthcare Practitioners Assessing the Knowledge of Attitudes and Practices of Hepatitis B Management at a Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
Authors: Cheng Anita , Jose JoAnn , Larsen-Reindorf Roderick , Small Christina , Nde Helen , Dugas Lara , Ehrhardt Stephan , Nelson Kenrad , Ezeanolue Eche , Layden Jennifer 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem, with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including West Africa, bearing a large proportion of cases. Mother-to-child and early childhood horizontal transmission, the most common mechanisms of disease spread in West Africa, lead to a high rate of chronic infection. Although these transmission mechanisms are preventable through vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin, they are not routinely used due to limited resources. Antiviral therapy in pregnant women who are HBV positive is another option to reduce transmission. We conducted a survey study of pregnant women and clinicians at a teaching hospital in West Africa to determine the knowledge base about HBV and willingness to implement measures to reduce HBV transmission. Pregnant women had limited knowledge about HBV and the common transmission mechanisms. Clinicians identified cost and time as the major barriers to implementation of HBV prevention measures. Both pregnant women and clinicians were largely willing to implement and use measures, including antivirals, to help reduce HBV transmission.
Mannose-Binding Lectin Gene, MBL2, Polymorphisms Do Not Increase Susceptibility to Invasive Meningococcal Disease in a Population of Danish Children
Authors: Lundbo Lene F. , Sørensen Henrik T. , Clausen Louise N. , Hollegaard Mads V. , Hougaard David M. , Konradsen Helle B. , Harboe Zitta Barrella , Nørgaard Mette , Benfield Thomas 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Background.  Neisseria meningitidis is the cause of meningococcal bacteremia and meningitis, and nasopharyngeal colonization with this pathogen is common. The incidence of invasive disease is highest in infants, whereas adolescents more often are carriers. Altered regulation or dysfunction of the innate immune system may predispose to invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). In this study, we investigated the effect of genetic variation in the mannose-binding lectin gene, MBL2, and its promoter on susceptibility to IMD and IMD-associated mortality among children.
Methods.  Children (&lt;5 years) diagnosed during 1982–2007 with IMD and controls were identified through Danish national registries. DNA was obtained from the Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank. The associations between MBL2 diplotypes and IMD susceptibility and 30- and 90-day mortality were investigated using logistic regression analysis.
Results.  We included 1351 children: 406 with meningitis, 272 with bacteremia, and 673 age- and sex-matched controls. Of the children studied, 1292 (96%) were successfully genotyped and assigned MBL2 diplotypes. The median age in IMD cases was 19.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 8.8–32.2 months). Children with defective MBL2 diplotypes were not at higher risk for meningococcal meningitis than children with intermediate and normal diplotypes (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], .47–1.02). Similar results were found for children with bacteremia and defective diplotypes (OR = 0.84; 95% CI, .53–1.32) as well as for all cases (OR = 0.75; 95% CI, .56–1.01). There was no association between MBL2 diplotypes and mortality.
Conclusions.  Defective MBL2 diplotypes did not predict either an increased IMD susceptibility or mortality in a Danish population of children.
Temporal Association Between Reflux‐like Behaviors and Gastroesophageal Reflux in Preterm and Term Infants
Authors: Funderburk Apryle , Nawab Ursula , Abraham Sheeja , DiPalma Joan , Epstein Michele , Aldridge Heather , Aghai Zubair H. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTObjectives:Multichannel intraluminal impedance studies (MII‐pH) have become the criterion standard for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Several clinical signs and symptoms that are attributed to GER during infancy may not be related to true reflux. Our objective was to correlate the observed reflux‐like behaviors to reflux events on MII‐pH studies.Methods:This is a retrospective study on infants being evaluated for GER with MII. During the MII‐pH study, the infants were observed for clinical behaviors. Symptom Index (SI), symptom sensitivity index (SSI), and symptom association probability were used to correlate symptoms with reflux events.Results:Of 58 infants (40 preterm, 18 term) included in the study, only 6 infants (10%) had an abnormal MII‐pH study. Irritability (32 infants), bradycardia (20), and desaturation (18) were the common signs and symptoms. A total of 2142 (755 acidic and 1386 nonacidic) reflux episodes and 953 clinical reflux behaviors were recorded. The incidence and pattern of GER was similar in preterm and term infants. There was no significant difference in GER episodes and acid exposure in preterm infants fed orally or via nasogastric tube. The symptom association probability was abnormal in only 6 (19%), 1 (5%), and 5 (28%) infants with irritability, bradycardia, and desaturation, respectively.Conclusions:The prevalence of GER as detected by MII‐pH was low (10%) in symptomatic preterm and term infants. The incidence and pattern of GER was similar in preterm and term infants. The majority of suspected clinical reflux behaviors did not correlate with reflux events.
Mycobacterium abscessus prosthetic valve endocarditis in a patient with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Tennant Sarah J. , Forster Derek W. , Burgess Donna R. , Huaman Moises A. 
Published: September 2015

Introduction:

Mycobacterium abscessus is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium ubiquitous in the environment, which rarely causes endovascular infections. We report the first published case, to the best of our knowledge, of M. abscessus endocarditis in a patient with Marfan syndrome.

Case presentation:
A female in her 40s with a history of Marfan syndrome status-post mechanical aortic valve replacement and a chronic indwelling venous access port presented with a 2-day history of confusion and 3-month history of intermittent fevers. Her blood cultures grew M. abscessus. An echocardiogram revealed a 1 cm vegetation attached to the prosthetic aortic valve and a perivalvular abscess. The patient was started on imipenem/cilastatin, amikacin and linezolid. Her course was complicated by septic emboli to the brain and subarachnoid haemorrhage. She was deemed a poor surgical candidate. The patient ultimately developed cardiac arrest and died.

Conclusion:

M. abscessus endocarditis is rare and is associated with high mortality. Late recognition of M. abscessus as a causative pathogen of endovascular infection, extensive antimicrobial resistance and limited surgical options at the time of diagnosis make the management of M. abscessus endocarditis very challenging.
Involvement of Campylobacter jejuni in septic arthritis: a case report
Authors: Colosimo Manuela , Grancini Anna , Daprai Laura , Giovanni Cimminiello Aldo , Castelli Cristina , Restelli Antonella , Gallelli Luca , Torresani Erminio 
Published: September 2015

Introduction:

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of human bacterial enteritis in developed countries and is a rare cause of extra-intestinal infections.

Case presentation:
In this paper, we report a case of septic arthritis related to C. jejuni infection in an immunocompetent 53-year-old man with prosthetic devices who presented to us with enteritis. Following treatment with ciprofloxacin, loperamide hydrochloride and acetaminophen, he developed articular pain with painful swelling and redness in the region of the outer side of the left thigh. A diagnosis of a monoarticular non-migratory manifestation was postulated and vancomycin was started but was stopped 1 day later due to the development of skin erythema, and levofloxacin, teicoplanin and rifampicin treatment was started. An X-ray of the hip excluded dislocation of the prosthesis, while ultrasound showed an abscess in the soft tissue, confirmed by a triphasic bone scan. Aspiration of the joint fluid revealed the presence of moving, curved, Gram-negative bacilli 72 h after incubation, while growth on agar plates and tryptose broth remained negative after 5 days. Reactions for Campylobacter diagnosis were positive, and the micro-organism was identified as C. jejuni. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed a sensitivity for ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, tetracycline, erythromycin and gentamicin. Antimicrobial treatment was continued for a further 10 days with complete resolution of symptoms.

Conclusion:
Clinicians should consider Campylobacter in infections without a history of a travel in the tropics. Antibiotic treatment must be carefully evaluated to take into account the local resistance to avoid clinical failure.
How can we study the evolution of animal minds?
Authors: Cauchoix Maxime , Chaine Alexis 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDuring the last 50 years, comparative cognition and neurosciences have improved our understanding of animal minds while evolutionary ecology has revealed how selection acts on traits through evolutionary time. We describe how this evolutionary approach can be used to understand the evolution of animal cognition. We recount howcomparativeandfitness methodshave been used to understand the evolution of cognition and outline how these methods could be extended to gain new insights into cognitive evolution. The fitness approach, in particular, offers unprecedented opportunities to study the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for variation in cognition within species and could allow us to investigate both proximate (ie: neural and developmental) and ultimate (ie: ecological and evolutionary) underpinnings of animal cognition together. Our goal in this review is to build a bridge between cognitive neuroscientist and evolutionary biologists, illustrate how their research could be complementary, and encourage evolutionary ecologists to include explicit attention to cognitive processes in their studies of behaviour. We believe that in doing so, we can break new ground in our understanding of the evolution of cognition as well as gain a much better understanding of animal behaviour.
A simple approach for maximizing the overlap of phylogenetic and comparative data
Authors: Pennell Matthew W. , FitzJohn Richard G. , Cornwell William K. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBiologists are increasingly using curated, public data sets to conduct phylogenetic comparative analyses. Unfortunately, there is often a mismatch between species for which there is phylogenetic data and those for which other data is available. As a result, researchers are commonly forced to either drop species from analyses entirely or else impute the missing data.Here we outline a simple solution to increase the overlap while avoiding potential the biases introduced by imputing data. If some external topological or taxonomic information is available, this can be used to maximize the overlap between the data and the phylogeny. We develop an algorithm that replaces a species lacking data with a species that has data. This swap can be made because for those two species, all phylogenetic relationships are exactly equivalent.We have implemented our method in a new R package phyndr, which will allow researchers to apply our algorithm to empirical data sets. It is relatively efficient such that taxon swaps can be quickly computed, even for large trees. To facilitate the use of taxonomic knowledge we created a separate data packagetaxonlookup;it contains a curated, versioned taxonomic lookup for land plants and is interoperable with phyndr.Emerging online databases and statistical advances are making it possible for researchers to investigate evolutionary questions at unprecedented scales. However, in this effort species mismatch among data sources will increasingly be a problem; evolutionary informatics tools, such as phyndr and taxonlookup, can help alleviate this issue.
Efficient Disruption and Replacement of an Effector Gene in the OomycetePhytophthora sojae using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Fang Yufeng , Tyler Brett M 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARYPhytophthora sojaeis a pathogenic oomycete that infects soybean seedlings as well as stems and roots of established plants, costing growers $1–2 billion per year. Due to its economic importance,P. sojaehas become a model for the study of oomycete genetics, physiology and pathology. Despite the availability of several genome sequences, the lack of efficient techniques for targeted mutagenesis and gene replacement have long hampered genetic studies of pathogenicity inPhytophthoraspecies. Here, we describe a CRISPR/Cas9 system enabling rapid and efficient genome editing inP. sojae. Using the RXLR effector geneAvr4/6as target, we observed that in the absence of a homologous template, the repair of Cas9-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) inP. sojaewas mediated by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), primarily resulting in short indels. Most mutants were homozygous, presumably due to gene conversion triggered by Cas9-mediated cleavage of non-mutant alleles. When donor DNA was present, homology directed repair (HDR) was observed, which resulted in the replacement of the target gene with the donor DNA. By testing the specific virulence of several NHEJ mutants and HDR -mediated gene replacements on soybeans, we have validated the contribution of Avr4/6 to recognition by soybean R gene loci,Rps4 andRps6, but also uncovered additional contributions to resistance by these two loci. Our results establish a powerful tool for studying functional genomics inPhytophthora, which provides new avenues for better control of this pathogen.
Teaser: Individualized benchmarking and optimization of read mapping results for NGS data
Authors: Smolka Moritz , Rescheneder Philipp , Schatz Michael C. , Haeseler Arndt von , Sedlazeck Fritz J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMapping reads to a genome remains challenging, especially for non-model organisms with poorer quality assemblies, or for organisms with higher rates of mutations. While most research has focused on speeding up the mapping process, little attention has been paid to optimize the choice of mapper and parameters for a user’s dataset. Here we present Teaser, which assists in these choices through rapid automated benchmarking of different mappers and parameter settings for individualized data. Within minutes, Teaser completes a quantitative evaluation of an ensemble of mapping algorithms and parameters. Using Teaser, we demonstrate how Bowtie2 can be optimized for different data.
The impact of motivations, personal values and management skills on the performance of SMEs in South Africa
Authors: Asah Francis , Fatoki Olawale Olufunso , Rungani Ellen 
Published: September 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of motivation, personal values and managerial skills of managers on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa.Design/methodology/approach– Data were collected through the use of self-administered questionnaire in a survey. Data analysis included factor analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analysis.Findings– The findings revealed significant positive relationships between motivations, personal values and managerial skills of SME owners on performance.Research limitations/implications– Access to external finance (debt or equity) is one of the factors that can impact on the performance of growing SMEs. The non-accessibility of debt finance from commercial banks and trade creditors is seen as one of the major contributing factors to the failure of SMEs in South Africa. This study did not link access to finance to performance.Practical implications– The failure rate of SMEs is very high in South Africa. The study suggests that SME owners should incorporate values and improve management skills. In addition, SMEs that are motivated by opportunity have a better chance of survival.Social implications– To reduce unemployment and poverty in South Africa.Originality/value– This study adds to the understanding of the relationship between of personal values, motivations and management skills of managers and the performance of SMEs from a developing country perspective.