bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coevolution of MHC genes (LMP/TAP/class Ia, NKT‐class Ib, NKp30‐B7H6): lessons from cold‐blooded vertebrates
Authors: Ohta Yuko , Flajnik Martin F. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryComparative immunology provides the long view of what is conserved across all vertebrate taxa versus what is specific to particular organisms or group of organisms. Regarding the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and coevolution, three striking cases have been revealed in cold‐blooded vertebrates: lineages of class Ia antigen‐processing and ‐presenting genes, evolutionary conservation of NKT‐class Ib recognition, and the ancient emergence of the natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp30 and its ligand B7H6. While coevolution of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and class Ia has been documented in endothermic birds and two mammals, lineages of LMP7 are restricted to ectotherms. The unambiguous discovery of natural killer T (NKT) cells in Xenopus demonstrated that NKT cells are not restricted to mammals and are likely to have emerged at the same time in evolution as classical α/β and γ/δ T cells. NK cell receptors evolve at a rapid rate, and orthologues are nearly impossible to identify in different vertebrate classes. By contrast, we have detected NKp30 in all gnathostomes, except in species where it was lost. The recently discovered ligand of NKp30, B7H6, shows strong signs of coevolution with NKp30 throughout evolution, i.e. coincident loss or expansion of both genes in some species. NKp30 also offers an attractive IgSF candidate for the invasion of the RAG transposon, which is believed to have initiated T‐cell receptor/immunoglobulin adaptive immunity. Besides reviewing these intriguing features of MHC evolution and coevolution, we offer suggestions for future studies and propose a model for the primordial or proto MHC.
Mechanisms of Ytterbium Monosilicate/Mullite/Silicon Coating Failure During Thermal Cycling in Water Vapor
Authors: Richards Bradley T. , Begley Matthew R. , Wadley Haydn N.G. 
Published: August 2015

An air plasma spray process has been used to apply a model tri‐layer Yb2SiO5/Al6Si2O13/Si environmental barrier coating system on SiC test coupons. Significant differences in the thermal expansion of the component layers resulted in periodically spaced mud cracks in the Yb2SiO5 and Al6Si2O13 layers. Upon thermal cycling between 1316°C and 110°C in a 90% H2O/10% O2 environment flowing at 4.4 cm/s, it was found that partial delamination occurred with the fracture plane located within a thermally grown oxide (TGO) at the Al6Si2O13–Si interface. Delamination initiated at test coupon edges where the gaseous environment preferentially oxidized the exposed Si bond coat to form β‐cristobalite. Simultaneous ingress of the gaseous environment through mud cracks initiated local formation of β‐cristobalite (SiO2), the thickness of which was greatest directly below mud cracks. Upon cooling, cristobalite transformed from the β to α phase with a large, constrained volume contraction that resulted in severe microfracture of the TGO. Continued thermal cycling eventually propagated delamination cracks and caused partial spallation of the coatings. Formation of the cristobalite TGO appears to be the delamination life‐determining factor in protective coating systems utilizing a Si bond coat.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Resistant Hypertension: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Liu Liping , Cao Qunan , Guo Zhenzhen , Dai Qiuyan 
Published: August 2015

This study aimed to analyze the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and resistant hypertension. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of CPAP on BP in patients with OSA and resistant hypertension, indexed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception until March 20, 2015, were included in the meta‐analysis. A total of five RCTs were identified to meet the inclusion criteria. The pooled changes after CPAP treatment for 24‐hour ambulatory systolic BP and diastolic BP (DBP) were −4.78 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], −7.95 to −1.61) and −2.95 mm Hg (95% CI, −5.37 to −0.53) in favor of the CPAP group. CPAP was also associated with reduction in nocturnal DBP (mean difference, −1.53 mm Hg, 95% CI, −3.07 to 0). The results indicated a favorable reduction in BP with CPAP treatment in patients with OSA and resistant hypertension.
White‐Coat Effect Among Older Adults: Data From the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Tanner Rikki M. , Shimbo Daichi , Seals Samantha R. , Reynolds Kristi , Bowling C. Barrett , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Muntner Paul 
Published: August 2015

Many adults with elevated clinic blood pressure (BP) have lower BP when measured outside the clinic. This phenomenon, the “white‐coat effect,” may be larger among older adults, a population more susceptible to the adverse effects of low BP. The authors analyzed data from 257 participants in the Jackson Heart Study with elevated clinic BP (systolic/diastolic BP [SBP/DBP] ≥140/90 mm Hg) who underwent ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). The white‐coat effect for SBP was larger for participants 60 years and older vs those younger than 60 years in the overall population (12.2 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2–15.1 mm Hg and 8.4 mm Hg, 95% CI, 5.7–11.1, respectively; P=.06) and among those without diabetes or chronic kidney disease (15.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, 10.1–20.2 and 8.6 mm Hg, 95% CI, 5.0–12.3, respectively; P=.04). After multivariable adjustment, clinic SBP ≥150 mm Hg vs <150 mm Hg was associated with a larger white‐coat effect. Studies are needed to investigate the role of ABPM in guiding the initiation and titration of antihypertensive treatment, especially among older adults.
Association of Controlled and Uncontrolled Hypertension With Workplace Productivity
Authors: Unmuessig Victoria , Fishman Paul A. , Vrijhoef Hubertus J.M. , Elissen Arianne M.J. , Grossman David C. 
Published: August 2015

The authors estimated the lost productive time (LPT) due to absenteeism and presenteeism among employees at the Group Health Cooperative with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension compared with normotensive patients. The patients responded to a survey inquiring about health behaviors with links to their medical record to identify diagnoses, blood pressure measurement, and prescription drug dispenses. Individuals with controlled hypertension were more likely to report any LPT relative to individuals with uncontrolled hypertension (40.6% vs 32.6%, P<.05). There were no significant differences in the average hours of LPT due to presenteeism among individuals regardless of their hypertension status but individuals with hypertension were more likely to report hours of LPT due to absenteeism compared with normotensive individuals (1.04 vs 0.59 hours; P=.001). Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension were more likely to report LPT due to absenteeism compared with individuals with controlled hypertension (1.35 vs 0.72 hours; P=.001). There were no significant differences between individuals with hypertension whose blood pressure was controlled and normotensive individuals with respect to the likelihood of reporting any LPT or in the amounts of absenteeism and presenteeism.
Antiseptic solutions modulate the paracrine‐like activity of bone chips: differential impact of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Sawada Kosaku , Caballé‐Serrano Jordi , Bosshardt Dieter D. , Schaller Benoit , Miron Richard J. , Buser Daniel , Gruber Reinhard 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimChemical decontamination increases the availability of bone grafts; however, it remains unclear whether antiseptic processing changes the biological activity of bone.Materials and MethodsBone chips were incubated with four different antiseptic solutions including (1) povidone‐iodine (0.5%), (2) chlorhexidine diguluconate (0.2%), (3) hydrogen peroxide (1%) and (4) sodium hypochlorite (0.25%). After 10 min. of incubation, changes in the capacity of the bone‐conditioned medium (BCM) to modulate gene expression of gingival fibroblasts was investigated.ResultsConditioned medium obtained from freshly prepared bone chips increased the expression of TGF‐β target genes interleukin 11 (IL11), proteoglycan4 (PRG4), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and decreased the expression of adrenomedullin (ADM), and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in gingival fibroblasts. Incubation of bone chips with 0.2% chlorhexidine, followed by vigorously washing resulted in a BCM with even higher expression of IL11, PRG4 and NOX4. These findings were also detected with a decrease in cell viability and an activation of apoptosis signalling. Chlorhexidine alone, at low concentrations, increased IL11, PRG4 and NOX4 expression, independent of the TGF‐β receptor I kinase activity. In contrast, 0.25% sodium hypochlorite almost entirely abolished the activity of BCM, whereas the other two antiseptic solutions, 1% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5% povidone‐iodine, had relatively no impact respectively.ConclusionThese in vitro findings demonstrate that incubation of bone chips with chlorhexidine differentially affects the activity of the respective BCM compared to the other antiseptic solutions. The data further suggest that the main effects are caused by chlorhexidine remaining in the BCM after repeated washing of the bone chips.
To be or not to be? Mating success and survival trade‐offs when switching between alternative reproductive tactics
Authors: Córdoba‐Aguilar A. , Munguía‐Steyer R. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractHormones underlie the decision of assuming a territorial or a nonterritorial role, with territorial individuals usually having higher hormonal levels than nonterritorial individuals. As a territorial status is linked to higher mating opportunities, it is unclear why animals do not keep high hormonal levels and one explanation is that this would imply survival costs. We have tested this using males of the territorial damselfly Argia emma in the field. We increased juvenile hormone (JH) levels using methoprene in both territorial and nonterritorial males and predicted that: (i) males will keep (the case of territorial males) or become (the case of nonterritorial males) territorial after hormonal increase, and (ii) there will be an increase in mating success for nonterritorial males only and an impaired survival for both male tactics. Hormonally treated males remained or became territorial but had their survival impaired compared with control groups. Also, hormonally treated, ex‐nonterritorial males increased their mating success compared with the other control, nonterritorial males. The reduced survival can be explained proximally by the energy devoted either to the enhanced aggression showed during territory defence or immune function (as detected previously in damselflies). Although nonterritorial males may increase their mating success by switching to a territorial tactic, they are possibly unable to do it naturally as JH is dietary dependent and usually nonterritorial animals are in poorer condition than territorial animals.
Safety climate in English general practices: workload pressures may compromise safety
Authors: Bell Brian G. , Reeves David , Marsden Kate , Avery Anthony 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectivesAlthough most health care interactions in the developed world occur in general practice, most of the literature on patient safety has focused on secondary care services. To address this issue, we have constructed a patient safety toolkit for English general practices. We report how practice and respondent characteristics affect scores on our safety climate measure, the PC‐Safequest, and address recent concerns with high levels of workload in English general practices.MethodsWe administered the PC‐Safequest, a 30‐item tool that was designed to measure safety climate in primary care practices, to 335 primary care staff members in 31 practices in England. Practice characteristics, such as list size and deprivation in the area the practice served, and respondent characteristics, such as whether the respondent was a manager, were also collected and used in a multilevel analysis to predict PC‐Safequest scores.ResultsManagers gave their practices significantly higher safety climate scores than did non‐managers. Respondents with more years of experience had a more negative perception of the level of workload in their practice. Practices with more registered patients and in areas of higher deprivation provided lower safety climate scores.ConclusionsManagers rated their practices more positively on our safety climate measure, so the differences between the perceptions of managers and other staff may need to be reduced in order to build a strong safety culture. Excessive workload for more experienced staff and lower safety climate scores for larger practices may reflect ‘burnout’. Concerns that pressures in primary care could affect patient safety are discussed.
Effect of Process Parameters on Foam Mat Drying Kinetics of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and Thin‐Layer Drying Modeling of Experimental Data
Authors: Franco Talita Szlapak , Perussello Camila Augusto , Ellendersen Luciana Neves , Masson Maria Lucia 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBecause of the health benefits provided by the consumption of yacon and its perishability, the foam mat drying (FMD) was applied in order to increase its shelf life. Yacon juice foams formed by the addition of two different foaming agents (emulsifier and egg albumin) and incorporation of air were subjected to dehydration, with different air temperatures (50, 60 and 70C) and layer thicknesses (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 cm). The drying rate and effective diffusivity increase with the rise in temperature and the thickness of foam, being higher for the foam formed with egg albumin rather than emulsifier. The experimental data were fitted to several thin‐layer models, among which the logarithmic model was the most suitable to represent the process. The effect of temperature, thickness and foaming agent on the drying kinetics has not been studied previously; hence, this research can aid the design of optimized FMD processes.Practical ApplicationsYacon is a food with great potential for research because of its beneficial properties to human health, especially the prebiotic activity, which is ascribed to the high concentration of inulin and fructooligosaccharides in its composition. However, the high percentage of water renders this tuber extremely perishable, hindering transporting and processing. The foam layer drying reduces drying time and energy demand with respect to other drying techniques and allows the formation of products with excellent physicochemical and sensorial characteristics. The assessment of the process kinetics and application of mathematical models to predict it provides information for the process design, increasing the use of yacon in the agro industry.
Recovery of Campylobacter from External and Internal Spleen Samples from Baby Broiler Chicks Following Various Routes of Inoculation
Authors: Cox N.A. , Richardson L.J. , Cosby D.E. , Berrang M.E. , Harrison M.A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCampylobacter have been found in lymphoid tissue of poultry, but the location in these tissues has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if Campylobacter are on the outside or on the inside of the spleen. For external (ES) spleen sampling 2 days post‐inoculation, each spleen was rinsed with 3 mL of Bolton's enrichment broth (BEB). For internal (IS) spleen sampling, each rinsed spleen was submerged into 70% ethanol for 10 s, removed and submerged into 0.85% saline. The spleen was then placed into a sterile bag, macerated with 3 mL of BEB and stomached for 30 s before incubation. All samples and the correlating ceca were sampled for Campylobacter jejuni. Overall in four different experiments with baby chicks inoculated by oral, ocular or cloacal routes, Campylobacter was recovered from 75% (82/109) of the ES, 71% (77/109) of the IS and from 100% (109/109) of the ceca. Ethanol and saline samples were all negative for Campylobacter, suggesting that ethanol immersion is adequate to kill C. jejuni on the external surface. With Campylobacter in the internal tissue of the spleen, the organism appears to be systemic. Further research will determine the colonization mechanisms required for this bacterium in these different tissues.Practical ApplicationsIt is very difficult to sample the free flowing blood of a living chicken for bacteria without introducing contamination from the skin. This paper describes an effective method of sampling the internal portion of the spleen without introducing external contamination. By doing so, this indicates that the bacteria were systemic and will travel with the blood to all of the internal organs and tissues throughout the bird's body. Therefore when the bacteria are not isolated from certain tissues, it means that reservoirs were either not established or did not persist in that particular tissue even though the bacteria did flow through with the blood. Unless all of the potential reservoirs and sources of bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella are identified and fully understood, successful intervention strategies may not be possible. It would be important to know if reservoirs of these bacteria present in internal organs and tissues can periodically seed the intestinal and/or reproductive tracts of adult breeder birds, thus providing a source of contamination to the offspring.
Perceived Stress and Elder Abuse: A Population‐Based Study of Adult Protective Services Cases in Chicago
Authors: Roepke‐Buehler Susan K. , Dong XinQi 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesTo characterize the relationship between perceived stress and Adult Protective Services (APS) elder abuse cases in a population‐based sample.DesignCross‐sectional.SettingChicago.Participantscommunity‐dwelling, older adults (N = 8,558; mean age 74 ± 7, 62% female, 64% African American).MeasurementsPerceived Stress Scale (PSS), APS database linkage.ResultsBivariate and adjusted analyses showed that perceived stress was significantly higher in APS clients than in participants without any APS interaction for various subtypes of abuse (e.g., abuse from a perpetrator and self‐neglect). This relationship was strongest for those with a confirmed history of abuse from a perpetrator, with a medium‐large effect size (t = −5.8, P < .001, Cohen D = −0.6). Those in the highest stress tertile had a likelihood of having confirmed history of abuse from a perpetrator that was nearly three times as great as that of those in lower stress tertiles (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.2–6.2). Analyses of individual PSS items revealed a robust relationship between distress items and APS involvement. Items reflecting coping were inconsistently associated with elder abuse.ConclusionClients of APS have higher levels of perceived stress, and abuse from a perpetrator strengthens this relationship. Therefore, victims of abuse from a perpetrator may be at the highest risk of stress‐related consequences and should be targeted for intervention efforts that enhance empowerment and effective coping strategies.
“Best Case/Worst Case”: Qualitative Evaluation of a Novel Communication Tool for Difficult in‐the‐Moment Surgical Decisions
Authors: Kruser Jacqueline M. , Nabozny Michael J. , Steffens Nicole M. , Brasel Karen J. , Campbell Toby C. , Gaines Martha E. , Schwarze Margaret L. 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate a communication tool called “Best Case/Worst Case” (BC/WC) based on an established conceptual model of shared decision‐making.DesignFocus group study.SettingOlder adults (four focus groups) and surgeons (two focus groups) using modified questions from the Decision Aid Acceptability Scale and the Decisional Conflict Scale to evaluate and revise the communication tool.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 60 and older recruited from senior centers (n = 37) and surgeons from academic and private practices in Wisconsin (n = 17).MeasurementsQualitative content analysis was used to explore themes and concepts that focus group respondents identified.ResultsSeniors and surgeons praised the tool for the unambiguous illustration of multiple treatment options and the clarity gained from presentation of an array of treatment outcomes. Participants noted that the tool provides an opportunity for in‐the‐moment, preference‐based deliberation about options and a platform for further discussion with other clinicians and loved ones. Older adults worried that the format of the tool was not universally accessible for people with different educational backgrounds, and surgeons had concerns that the tool was vulnerable to physicians’ subjective biases.ConclusionThe BC/WC tool is a novel decision support intervention that may help facilitate difficult decision‐making for older adults and their physicians when considering invasive, acute medical treatments such as surgery.
Provenance of the HP–HT subducted margin in the Variscan belt (Cabo Ortegal Complex, NW Iberian Massif)
Authors: Albert R. , Arenas R. , Gerdes A. , Sánchez Martínez S. , Marko L. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe Variscan Upper Allochthon is a continental‐affinity terrane that recorded a Cambrian–Ediacaran magmatic arc generation, a subsequent transition to a passive margin, and a collision‐related high‐P metamorphism during the Devonian–Carboniferous amalgamation of Pangea. The objective of this article is to decipher which continental margin subducted in the Devonian high‐P–high‐T (HP–HT) event. To do so, a provenance study is presented using combined U–Pb (n = 613) and Lu–Hf (n = 463) isotopic LA–ICP–MS zircon analyses and Sm–Nd whole–rock (n = 5) determinations. These analyses have been performed on five samples of the Banded Gneisses (Cabo Ortegal Complex, NW Iberia), which forms a part of the HP–HT bottom member of the Upper Allochthon. Palaeozoic–Neoproterozoic zircon ages (34.7%) have a maximum abundance at 522–512 Ma, peaks at 575, 561, 545 Ma and minor abundance peaks between 780 and 590 Ma, and show from their Lu–Hf compositions a volcanic arc mixing pattern. This arc was probably related to the Cadomian arc system. The Mesoproterozoic population is scarce and scattered (2.8%), and due to its Lu–Hf pattern, it is proposed that this population is also West Africa Craton derived. The Paleoproterozoic population (39.6%) is concentrated at 2.07 Ga and it is linked to the Eburnean Orogeny, where depleted mantle derived magmas intruded an Archean craton margin. This craton is represented by the Archean population (22.8%), which is grouped at 3.0, 2.68‐2.61 and 2.52‐2.48 Ga, and shows long‐term reworking processes and at least two juvenile magma intrusions. These data show that the Variscan Upper Allochthon has a West African provenance and therefore, it strongly suggests that the NW Iberian allochthonous complexes and their correlative European terranes are also West Africa derived. These results allow us to finally clarify that the first high‐P event, recorded during the eo‐Variscan amalgamation of Pangea, was attained by the subduction of the margin of Gondwana under Laurussia.