bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic profiling of cellulosomal enzymes from the human gut bacterium, Ruminococcus champanellensis, reveals a fine‐tuned system for cohesin‐dockerin recognition
Authors: Moraïs Sarah , David Yonit Ben , Bensoussan Lizi , Duncan Sylvia H. , Koropatkin Nicole M. , Martens Eric C. , Flint Harry J. , Bayer Edward A. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryRuminococcus champanellensis is considered a keystone species in the human gut that degrades microcrystalline cellulose efficiently and contains the genetic elements necessary for cellulosome production. The basic elements of its cellulosome architecture, mainly cohesin and dockerin modules from scaffoldins and enzyme‐borne dockerins, have been characterized recently. In this study, we cloned, expressed and characterized all of the glycoside hydrolases that contain a dockerin module. Among the 25 enzymes, 10 cellulases, 4 xylanases, 3 mannanases, 2 xyloglucanases, 2 arabinofuranosidases, 2 arabinanases and one β‐glucanase were assessed for their comparative enzymatic activity on their respective substrates. The dockerin specificities of the enzymes were examined by ELISA, and 80 positives out of 525 possible interactions were detected. Our analysis reveals a fine‐tuned system for cohesin–dockerin specificity and the importance of diversity among the cohesin–dockerin sequences. Our results imply that cohesin–dockerin pairs are not necessarily assembled at random among the same specificity types, as generally believed for other cellulosome‐producing bacteria, but reveal a more organized cellulosome architecture. Moreover, our results highlight the importance of the cellulosome paradigm for cellulose and hemicellulose degradation by R. champanellensis in the human gut.
A Case of Sudden Infant Death Due to Incomplete Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Yajima Daisuke , Shimizu Keiko , Oka Kumiko , Asari Masaru , Maseda Chikatoshi , Okuda Katsuhiro , Shiono Hiroshi , Ohtani Seiji , Ogawa Katsuhiro 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAlthough Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self‐limiting disease, it may cause sudden cardiac death. Diagnosis of KD is principally based on clinical signs; however, some infant cases do not meet the criteria. Such cases are identified as incomplete KD. The sudden death risk in incomplete KD cases is similar to conventional KD. In our 5‐month‐old case, he had been admitted to a hospital for a fever and suppuration at the site of Bacille de Calmette et Guerin (BCG) vaccination. However, after discharge from the hospital, his C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels declined, he got indisposed and died suddenly. A medico‐legal autopsy revealed myocarditis, coronaritis, platelet‐aggregated emboli in coronary arteries, and myocardial degeneration, suggesting that the fatal myocardial infarction was due to thrombus emboli in the coronary arteries. Forensic pathologists therefore should pay attention to the cardiac pathology originated from incomplete KD as a potential cause in cases of sudden infant death.
Ultrasonography screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Ochi Marie , Matsuda Rie , Aibiki Toshihiko , Okudaira Tomonari , Kawamura Tomoe , Yamago Hiroka , Nakahara Hiromasa , Suga Yoshifumi , Azemoto Nobuaki , Miyata Hideki , Miyamoto Yasunao , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Hirooka Masashi , Abe Masanori , Matsuura Bunzo , Hiasa Yoichi , Michitaka Kojiro 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundEffective surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in diabetes mellitus (DM) has not been established. We elucidated the risk factors for HCC in DM patients.MethodsFrom 2000 to 2014, 80 patients diagnosed with HCC for the first time who had concomittant DM but no other etiology of liver disease were enrolled as the DM‐HCC group. From 2005 October to 2014, after introduction of the abdominal ultrasonography (US) report database, 2083 DM patients with no viral hepatitis, no known autoimmune hepatic diseases, and/or no evidence of alcohol abuse (>60 g/day) were enrolled as the DM‐US group. Findings from the first US screening were evaluated. “Elderly” patients were defined as those aged >65 years. Clinical features of DM‐HCC patients were evaluated and compared with those of DM‐US patients.ResultsIn the DM‐HCC group (54 men, 26 women), the mean (± SD age was 74.1 ± 8.5 years, and mean HbA1c and fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index were 7.3 ± 1.3% and 4.50 ± 3.42, respectively. Mean tumor diameter was 5.7 ± 3.5 cm, there were 63/13/2/2 patients classified as Child–Pugh A/B/C/unknown, and 56/24 were single/multiple lesions. In the DM‐US group, HCC was detected in three patients (0.14%; 0.3% of those classified as elderly). The mean age and FIB‐4 index of these three patients (one man, two women) were 75.6 years (range 67–92 years) and 4.84 (range 2.87–6.98), respectively. Mean tumor diamter was 7.6 cm and there were one and two single and multiple lesions, respectively. In elderly DM‐US patients with a high FIB‐4 index (≥4), the rate of HCC detection was 5.0%.ConclusionsBeing elderly and having a high FIB‐4 index are characteristic features of DM‐HCC. Similar characteristics were noted for patients with HCC in the DM‐US group. HCC surveillance with US is recommended for DM patients, especially those who are elderly (≥65 years) and have a high FIB‐4 index.
Dose‐related antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of two novel thiazolidin‐4‐ones in a rodent model of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Karot Sarine Sebastian , Surenahalli Vasantharaju Gowdra , Kishore Anoop , Mudgal Jayesh , Nandakumar Krishnadas , Chirayil Magith Thambi , Mathew Geetha , Nampurath Gopalan Kutty 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe replacement of the thiazolidinedione moiety with a thiazolidinone may yield antidiabetic compounds with similar pleiotropic effects. Hence, the aim of the present study was to explore the dose‐related antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of two synthesized novel thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives, one with a nicotinamide and the other with a p‐chlorophenoxyacetamide substitution at the N3 position of the thiazolidinone ring (NAT1 and PAT1, respectively), in a rodent model of metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsMetabolic syndrome was induced in Wistar rats by neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (i.p.) on 4 consecutive days followed by high‐sucrose diet feeding for 6 months. The effects of NAT1 (33 and 66 mg/kg) and molar equivalent doses of PAT1 (40 and 80 mg/kg) on relevant biochemical parameters were evaluated. Because MetS is a state of chronic low‐grade inflammation, we also evaluated the effects of these compounds on proinflammatory markers, namely interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO).ResultsBoth NAT1 and PAT1 attenuated hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, and glucose intolerance. PAT1 exhibited superior antihyperglycemic and antihypoalphalipoproteinemic effects than NAT1. However, NAT1 had a better triglyceride‐lowering effect. At the lower dose tested, both compounds significantly reduced elevated malondialdehyde levels. In addition, PAT1 (80 mg/kg) restored hepatic superoxide dismutase enzyme levels. There was a tendency for NAT1 and PAT1 to inhibit elevated hepatic IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. In addition, PAT1 exhibited in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity by reducing proinflammatory ROS and NO levels in RAW264.7 macrophages.ConclusionsThe novel thiazolidin‐4‐ones NAT1 and PAT1 could be potential pleiotropic drug candidates targeting MetS.
The structure of probabilistic networks
Authors: Poisot Timothée , Cirtwill Alyssa R. , Cazelles Kévin , Gravel Dominique , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Stouffer Daniel B. 
Published: September 2015

Summary

There is a growing realization among community ecologists that interactions between species vary across space and time and that this variation needs to be quantified. Our current numerical framework to analyse the structure of species interactions, based on graph‐theoretical approaches, usually do not consider the variability of interactions. As this variability has been show to hold valuable ecological information, there is a need to adapt the current measures of network structure so that they can exploit it.

We present analytical expressions of key measures of network structured, adapted so that they account for the variability of ecological interactions. We do so by modelling each interaction as a Bernoulli event; using basic calculus allows expressing the expected value, and when mathematically tractable, its variance. When applied to non‐probabilistic data, the measures we present give the same results as their non‐probabilistic formulations, meaning that they can be generally applied.

We present three case studies that highlight how these measures can be used, in re‐analysing data that experimentally measured the variability of interactions, to alleviate the computational demands of permutation‐based approaches, and to use the frequency at which interactions are observed over several locations to infer the structure of local networks. We provide a free and open‐source implementation of these measures.

We discuss how both sampling and data representation of ecological networks can be adapted to allow the application of a fully probabilistic numerical network approach.
An asymmetric logistic regression model for ecological data
Authors: Komori Osamu , Eguchi Shinto , Ikeda Shiro , Okamura Hiroshi , Ichinokawa Momoko , Nakayama Shinichiro 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBinary data are popular in ecological and environmental studies; however, due to various uncertainties and complexities present in data sets, the standard generalized linear model with a binomial error distribution often demonstrates insufficient predictive performance when analysing binary and proportional data.To address this difficulty, we propose an asymmetric logistic regression model that uses a new parameter to account for data complexity. We observe that this parameter controls the model's asymmetry and is important for adjusting the weights associated with observed data in order to improve model fitting. This model includes the ordinary logistic regression model as a special case. It is easily implemented using a slight modification ofglmorglmerin statistical softwareR.Simulation studies suggest that our new approach outperforms a traditional approach in terms of both predictive accuracy and variable selection. In a case study involving fisheries data, we found that the annual catch amount had a greater impact on stock status prediction, and improved predictive capability was supported with a smaller AIC compared to a generalized linear model.In summary, our method can enhance the applicability of a generalized linear model to various ecological problems using a slight modification, and significantly improves model fitting and model selection.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for gastrointestinal surgery, part 1: pathophysiological considerations
Authors: Scott M. J. , Baldini G. , Fearon K. C. H. , Feldheiser A. , Feldman L. S. , Gan T. J. , Ljungqvist O. , Lobo D. N. , Rockall T. A. , Schricker T. , Carli F. 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundThe present article has been written to convey concepts of anaesthetic care within the context of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme, thus aligning the practice of anaesthesia with the care delivered by the surgical team before, during and after surgery.MethodsThe physiological principles supporting the implementation of the ERAS programmes in patients undergoing major abdominal procedures are reviewed using an updated literature search and discussed by a multidisciplinary group composed of anaesthesiologists and surgeons with the aim to improve perioperative care.ResultsThe pathophysiology of some key perioperative elements disturbing the homoeostatic mechanisms such as insulin resistance, ileus and pain is here discussed.ConclusionsEvidence‐based strategies aimed at controlling the disruption of homoeostasis need to be evaluated in the context of ERAS programmes. Anaesthesiologists could, therefore, play a crucial role in facilitating the recovery process.
The dimorphic queens of Polyrhachis australis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Downes Michael F 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe formicine weaver ant Polyrhachis australis Mayr is one among many species of ants that have queens of two more or less distinct sizes, usually referred to as microgynes and macrogynes. The current consensus explains this phenomenon in terms of alternative strategies of dispersal and reproduction: microgynes typically walk to found new nests locally, macrogynes typically fly to found new nests farther afield. This study addressed four questions bearing on that interpretation: is the dimorphism complete (without intermediate sizes) or continuous in P. australis? Does the proportion of macrogynes correlate with the number of queens in the nest? Does the microgyne/macrogyne proportion vary over time? And are brachypterous individuals always microgynes? The implications of these questions concern the fitness status of the intermediate size individuals, the relative fitnesses of the two main morphs as the number of queens diminishes, the influence of habitat conditions on the production of the morphs, and the dispersal behaviour of microgynes. The size distribution of P. australis queens was incompletely bimodal, with some individuals of intermediate size. The proportion of macrogynes in nests increased with decreasing numbers of queens in nests, suggesting that macrogynes do better in whatever contests take place between queens during the ergonomic stage. Between 2009 and 2014, the proportion of macrogynes in nests fell from about 1 in 3 or 4, to less than 1 in 11, perhaps reflecting a differential production of queen morphs in saturated and unsaturated habitats: it profits a colony to produce more microgynes and fewer macrogynes when local conditions favour the easy founding of new nests by walking. Brachyptery was centred on the smallest microgynes, consistent with their assumed mode of dispersal for which wings are not needed.
A comparison of ventilator‐associated pneumonia rates determined by different scoring systems in four intensive care units in the North West of England
Authors: Wallace F. A. , Alexander P. D. G. , Spencer C. , Naisbitt J. , Moore J. A. , McGrath B. A. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryVentilator‐associated pneumonia is a common healthcare‐associated infection with significant mortality, morbidity and healthcare cost, and rates have been proposed as a potential quality indicator. We examined ventilator‐associated pneumonia rates as determined by different diagnostic scoring systems across four adult intensive care units in the North West of England. We also collected clinical opinions as to whether patients had ventilator‐associated pneumonia, and whether patients were receiving antibiotics as treatment. Pooled ventilator‐associated pneumonia rates were 36.3, 22.2, 15.2 and 1.1 per 1000 ventilator‐bed days depending on the scoring system used. There was significant within‐unit heterogeneity for ventilator‐associated pneumonia rates calculated by the various scoring systems (all p < 0.001). Clinical opinion and antibiotic use did not correlate well with the scoring systems (k = 0.23 and k = 0.17, respectively). We therefore question whether the ventilator‐associated pneumonia rate as measured by existing tools is either useful or desirable as a quality indicator.
Cardiovascular effects of hyperoxia during and after cardiac surgery
Authors: Spoelstra‐de Man A. M. E. , Smit B. , Oudemans‐van Straaten H. M. , Smulders Y. M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDuring and after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, high concentrations of oxygen are routinely administered, with the intention of preventing cellular hypoxia. We systematically reviewed the literature addressing the effects of arterial hyperoxia. Extensive evidence from pre‐clinical experiments and clinical studies in other patient groups suggests predominant harm, caused by oxidative stress, vasoconstriction, perfusion heterogeneity and myocardial injury. Whether these alterations are temporary and benign, or actually affect clinical outcome, remains to be demonstrated. In nine clinical cardiac surgical studies in low‐risk patients, higher oxygen targets tended to compromise cardiovascular function, but did not affect clinical outcome. No data about potential beneficial effects of hyperoxia, such as reduction of gas micro‐emboli or post‐cardiac surgery infections, were reported. Current evidence is insufficient to specify optimal oxygen targets. Nevertheless, the safety of supraphysiological oxygen suppletion is unproven. Randomised studies with a variety of oxygen targets and inclusion of high‐risk patients are needed to identify optimal oxygen targets during and after cardiac surgery.
Some neonatal risk factors for adult pulmonary arterial hypertension remain unknown
Authors: Naumburg Estelle , Axelsson Inge , Huber Daniel , Söderström Lars 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimPulmonary hypertension has been linked to premature birth, chronic lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and congenital heart disease. This national population‐based registry study assessed the risk of adult pulmonary hypertension following premature birth, adjusted for known risk factors.MethodsWe focused on adults in the Swedish Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Registry, who were born prematurely, and controls randomly selected from the Swedish medical birth register and matched to each case by birth year and delivery hospital. Information on perinatal factors was also retrieved from the medical birth register. Conditional multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between premature birth and adult pulmonary hypertension, taking into account the potential confounding factors.ResultsThe study population comprised 427 adults born between 1973 and 1996, with 61 cases and 366 controls. Adult pulmonary hypertension was associated with premature birth, with an odds ratio of 3.08 and 95% confidence interval of 1.21–7.87. The association did not alter after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionBy adjusting for factors linked to adult pulmonary hypertension, namely congenital heart defects, pulmonary diseases and premature birth, we were able to show that other unknown factors may influence the risk for pulmonary hypertension among adults who were born premature.
To clamp or not to clamp? Long‐term functional outcomes for elective off‐clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Shah Paras H. , George Arvin K. , Moreira Daniel M. , Alom Manaf , Okhunov Zhamshid , Salami Simpa , Waingankar Nikhil , Schwartz Michael J. , Vira Manish A. , Richstone Lee , Kavoussi Louis R. 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether elective off‐clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) affords long‐term renal functional benefit compared with the on‐clamp approach.Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective review of patients who underwent elective LPN between 2006 and 2011. Patients were followed longitudinally for up to 5 years. In all, 315 patients with radiographic evidence of a solitary renal mass and normal‐appearing contralateral kidney underwent elective LPN; 209 were performed on‐clamp vs 106 off‐clamp. One patient who required conversion from LPN to open PN was excluded from the study. Additionally, four patients in the on‐clamp cohort who underwent subsequent radical nephrectomy for local‐regional recurrence were excluded from longitudinal functional evaluation after their procedure. The primary objective was to evaluate differences in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between hilar clamping groups. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with clamp times >30 min and those with baseline renal insufficiency (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m2). Risk of developing worsened or new‐onset renal insufficiency was also compared.ResultsThe mean preoperative eGFR was similar between the on‐clamp and off‐clamp cohorts (80.7 vs 84.1 mL/min/1.73m2, P > 0.05). Univariable and multivariable analyses did not show significant differences in postoperative eGFR between both groups among all‐comers, those with clamp times >30 min, and patients with baseline renal insufficiency. Risk of chronic kidney disease was not diminished by the off‐clamp approach with up to 5 years of follow‐up.ConclusionsProgressive recovery of renal function after hilar clamping in the elective setting eclipses short‐term functional benefit achieved with off‐clamp LPN by 6 months; there was no significant difference in eGFR or the percentage incidence of chronic kidney disease between the on‐clamp and off‐clamp cohorts with up to 5 years follow‐up. As such, eliminating transient ischaemia during elective LPN does not confer clinical benefit.
Institutional Complementarities and Gender Diversity on Boards: A Configurational Approach
Authors: Iannotta Michela , Gatti Mauro , Huse Morten 
Published: September 2015

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueTo address the lack of a complementarities‐based approach in studies of board diversity, this paper seeks to understand whether and how certain country‐level factors are causally and jointly related to women on boards and the nature of their complementarities (are they synergic or substitutes?). Moreover, we intend to learn more about the adoption/diffusion of board gender quotas, by taking into account their role in the existing national configurations (whether they are necessary and/or sufficient conditions).Research Findings/InsightsUsing fs/QCA, our findings reveal a particular configuration of country‐level conditions that supports the existence of a joint causal relation between given institutional arrangements. Furthermore, we find that board gender quota legislation is not a sufficient condition on its own to achieve a higher number of women on boards. Such evidence suggests that its diffusion across countries could be the result of institutional isomorphism or social legitimacy more than to rational reasons.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsFor scholars, our paper refines and expands insights from the extant comparative corporate governance literature. By finding support for the “bundled” or jointly causal nature of given institutional factors, we open a window for further research that investigates board‐level phenomena in a complementarities‐based perspective.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsFor policy makers, this study provides some insights that could better drive their choice about which mix of policies is necessary to improve female representation on boards, and especially in which institutional areas they should be implemented. It is particularly relevant, because once gender quotas are endorsed at board level, they could have ambiguous effects on firm performance and corporate governance.