bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Late pancreas retransplantation
Authors: Fridell Jonathan A. , Mangus Richard S. , Chen Jeanne M. , Goble Michelle L. , Mujtaba Muhammad A. , Taber Tim E. , Powelson John A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPancreas retransplantation, excluding immediate retransplantation for graft thrombosis, is a technically treacherous operation with the added challenges of adhesions from the prior transplant and difficulties identifying usable recipient vessels. The goal of this study was to review our single‐center experience with late pancreas retransplantation. Charts for all pancreas transplant recipients between 01/2003 and 04/2013 were reviewed for demographics, graft and patient survival, length of stay (LOS), readmissions, and technical complications. Of 473 pancreas transplants, there were 20 late pancreas retransplants compared to 441 first transplants. There were no significant differences in donor or recipient demographics. There was no significant difference in graft or patient survival. The mean and median lengths of stay were 22 and nine d, respectively (range 5–175 d), and 11 recipients required readmission within the first three months post‐transplant. Five patients were reexplored in the early postoperative period for an enteric leak at the site of the primary allograft (n = 1), complications of percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement (n = 1), hemorrhage (n = 1), and negative laparotomy for hyperglycemia (n = 2). Pancreas retransplantation is technically challenging but can be safely performed with graft and recipient survival comparable to primary transplants.
Impact of induction immunosuppression on survival in heart transplant recipients: a contemporary analysis of agents
Authors: Whitson Bryan A. , Kilic Ahmet , Lehman Amy , Wehr Allison , Hasan Ayesha , Haas Garrie , Hayes Don , Sai‐Sudhakar Chittoor B. , Higgins Robert S.D. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIntroductionThe impact of induction immunosuppression on long‐term survival in heart transplant recipients is unclear. Over the past three decades, practices have varied as induction agents have changed and experiences grew. We sought to evaluate the effect of contemporary induction immunosuppression agents in heart transplant recipients with the primary endpoint of survival, utilizing national registry data.MethodsWe queried the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data registry for all heart transplants from 1987 to 2012. We restricted our analysis to adult (≥18 yr) recipients performed from 2001–2011 (to allow for the potential for a minimum of 12 months post‐transplant follow‐up) who received either: no antibody based induction (NONE) or the contemporary agents (INDUCED) of either: basiliximab/daclizumab (IL‐2Rab), alemtuzumab, or ATG/ALG/thymoglobulin. Kaplan‐Meier estimates of the survival function as well as Cox proportional hazards models were utilized.ResultsOf the 17 857 heart transplants that met the inclusion criteria, there were 4635 (26%) reported deaths during the follow‐up period. There were 8216 (46%) patients who were INDUCED. Of the INDUCED agents, 55% were IL‐2Rab, 4% alemtuzumab, and 40% ALG/ATG/thymoglobulin. Donor and recipient characteristics were evaluated. Overall, being INDUCED did not significantly affect survival in univariable (p = 0.522) and multivariable (p = 0.130) Cox models as well as a propensity score adjusted model (p = 0.733). Among those induced, ATG/ALG/thymoglobulin appeared to have superior survival as compared with IL‐2Rab (log‐rank p = 0.007, univariable hazard ratio [HR] = 0.886; 95% CI: 0.811–0.968; p = 0.522). However, in a multivariable Cox model that adjusted for recipient age, VAD, BMI, steroid use, CMV match, and ischemic time, the hazard ratio for ALG/ATG/thymoglobulin vs. IL‐2Rab was no longer statistically significant (HR = 0.948; 95% CI: 0.850–1.058; p = 0.341).ConclusionIn a contemporary analysis of heart transplant recipients, an overall analysis of induction agents does not appear to impact survival, as compared to no induction immunosuppression. While ALG/ATG/thymoglobulin appeared to have a beneficial effect on survival compared to IL‐2Rab in the univariable model, this difference was no longer statistically significant once we adjusted for clinically relevant covariates.
Preschoolers with Down syndrome do not yet show the learning and memory impairments seen in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: Roberts Lynette V. , Richmond Jenny L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIndividuals with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit a behavioral phenotype of specific strengths and weaknesses, in addition to a generalized cognitive delay. In particular, adults with DS exhibit specific deficits in learning and memory processes that depend on the hippocampus, and there is some suggestion of impairments on executive function tasks that depend on the prefrontal cortex. While these functions have been investigated in adults with DS, it is largely unclear how these processes develop in young children with DS. Here we tested preschoolers with DS and typically developing children, age‐matched on either receptive language or non‐verbal scores as a proxy for mental age (MA), on a battery of eye‐tracking and behavioral measures that have been shown to depend on the hippocampus or the prefrontal cortex. Preschoolers with DS performed equivalently to MA‐matched controls, suggesting that the disability‐specific memory deficits documented in adults with DS, in addition to a cognitive delay, are not yet evident in preschoolers with DS, and likely emerge progressively with age. Our results reinforce the idea that early childhood may be a critical time frame for targeted early intervention.A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6GUA6my22Q&list=UU3FIcom6UpITHZOIEa8Onnw
The development of adaptive conformity in young children: effects of uncertainty and consensus
Authors: Morgan Thomas J.H. , Laland Kevin N. , Harris Paul L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHuman culture relies on extensive use of social transmission, which must be integrated with independently acquired (i.e. asocial) information for effective decision‐making. Formal evolutionary theory predicts that natural selection should favor adaptive learning strategies, including a bias to copy when uncertain, and a bias to disproportionately copy the majority (known as ‘conformist transmission’). Although the function and causation of these evolved strategies has been comparatively well studied, little is known of their development. We experimentally investigated the development of the bias to copy‐when‐uncertain and conformist transmission in children from the ages of 3 to 7, testing predictions derived from theoretical models. Children first attempted to solve a binary‐choice quantity discrimination task themselves using asocial information, but were then given the decisions of informants, and an opportunity to revise their answer. We investigated whether children's revised judgments were adaptively contingent on (i) the difficulty of the trial and (ii) the degree of consensus amongst informants. As predicted, older but not younger children copied others more on more difficult trials than on easier trials, even though older children also showed a tendency to stick with their initial, asocial decision. We also found that older children, like adults, were disproportionately receptive to non‐total majorities (i.e. were conformist) whereas younger children were receptive only to total (i.e. unanimous) majorities. We conclude that, whilst the mechanism for incorporating social information into decision‐making is initially very blunt, across the course of early childhood it converges on the adaptive learning mechanisms observed in adults and predicted by cultural evolutionary theory.A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://youtu.be/Qb6JINGYqVk
Ligand binding to WW tandem domains of YAP2 transcriptional regulator is under negative cooperativity
Authors: Schuchardt Brett J. , Mikles David C. , Hoang Lawrence M. , Bhat Vikas , McDonald Caleb B. , Sudol Marius , Farooq Amjad 
Published: October 2014

YES‐associated protein 2 (YAP2) transcriptional regulator drives a multitude of cellular processes, including the newly discovered Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, by virtue of the ability of its WW domains to bind and recruit PPXY‐containing ligands to specific subcellular compartments. Herein, we employ an array of biophysical tools to investigate allosteric communication between the WW tandem domains of YAP2. Our data show that the WW tandem domains of YAP2 negatively cooperate when binding to their cognate ligands. Moreover, the molecular origin of such negative cooperativity lies in an unfavorable entropic contribution to the overall free energy relative to ligand binding to isolated WW domains. Consistent with this notion, the WW tandem domains adopt a fixed spatial orientation such that the WW1 domain curves outwards and stacks onto the binding groove of the WW2 domain, thereby sterically hindering ligand binding to both itself and its tandem partner. Although ligand binding to both WW domains disrupts such interdomain stacking interaction, they reorient themselves and adopt an alternative fixed spatial orientation in the liganded state by virtue of their ability to engage laterally so as to allow their binding grooves to point outwards and away from each other. In short, while the ability of WW tandem domains to aid ligand binding is well documented, our demonstration that they may also be subject to negative binding cooperativity represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the molecular action of this ubiquitous family of protein modules.Structured digital abstract

A list of the large number of protein‐protein interactions described in this article is available via the INTACT article ID EBI-9824392
Cone beam computed tomography and periapical lesions: a systematic review analysing studies on diagnostic efficacy by a hierarchical model
Authors: Kruse C. , Spin‐Neto R. , Wenzel A. , Kirkevang L.‐L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate using a systematic review approach the diagnostic efficacy of CBCT for periapical lesions, focusing on the evidence level of the included studies using a six‐tiered hierarchical model.MethodologyThe MEDLINE bibliographic database was searched from 2000 to July 2013 for studies evaluating the potential of CBCT imaging in the diagnosis and planning of treatment for periapical lesions. The search strategy was limited to English language publications using the following combined terms in the search strategy: apical pathology or endodontic pathology or periapical or lesion or healing and CBCT or cone beam CT. The diagnostic efficacy level of the studies was assessed independently by four reviewers.ResultsThe search identified 25 publications that qualitatively or quantitatively assessed the use of CBCT for the diagnosis of periapical lesions, in which the methodology/results comprised at least one of the following parameters: the methods, the imaging protocols or qualitative/quantitative information on how CBCT influenced the diagnosis and/or treatment plan.ConclusionFrom the assessed studies, it can be concluded that although there is a tendency for a higher accuracy for periapical lesion detection using CBCT compared to two‐dimensional imaging methods, no studies have been conducted that justify the standard use of CBCT in diagnosing periapical lesions. In addition, it should be considered that, at the present time, the efficacy of CBCT as the diagnostic imaging method for periapical lesions has been assessed merely at low diagnostic efficacy levels.
MEK inhibition prevents tumour‐shed transforming growth factor‐β‐induced T‐regulatory cell augmentation in tumour milieu
Authors: Hossain Dewan M. S. , Panda Abir K. , Chakrabarty Sreeparna , Bhattacharjee Pushpak , Kajal Kirti , Mohanty Suchismita , Sarkar Irene , Sarkar Diptendra K. , Kar Santosh K. , Sa Gaurisankar 
Published: October 2014

SummaryTumour progression is associated with immune‐suppressive conditions that facilitate the escape of tumour cells from the regimen of immune cells, subsequently paralysing the host defence mechanisms. Induction of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells has been implicated in the tumour immune escape mechanism, although the novel anti‐cancer treatment strategies targeting Treg cells remain unknown. The focus of this study is to define the interaction between tumour and immune system, i.e. how immune tolerance starts and gradually leads to the induction of adaptive Treg cells in the tumour microenvironment. Our study identified hyperactivated mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) ‐signalling as a potential target for reversing Treg cell augmentation in breast cancer patients. In more mechanistic detail, pharmacological inhibitors of MEK/ERK signalling inhibited transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) production in tumour cells that essentially blocked TGF‐β‐SMAD3/SMAD4‐mediated induction of CD25/interleukin‐2 receptor α on CD4+ T‐cell surface. As a result high‐affinity binding of interleukin‐2 on those cells was prohibited, causing lack of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/JAK3‐mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/STAT5 activation required for FoxP3 expression. Finally, for a more radical approach towards a safe MEK inhibitor, we validate the potential of multi‐kinase inhibitor curcumin, especially the nano‐curcumin made out of pure curcumin with greater bioavailability; in repealing tumour‐shed TGF‐β‐induced Treg cell augmentation.
Strains of the Morphospecies Ploeotia costata (Euglenozoa) Isolated from the Western North Pacific (Taiwan) Reveal Substantial Genetic Differences
Authors: Chan Ya‐Fan , Chiang Kuo‐Ping , Chang Jeng , Moestrup Øjvind , Chung Chih‐Ching 
Published: October 2014

AbstractTwo phagotrophic euglenid strains (Strains Pac and Tam) were isolated from coastal locations in Taiwan. Ultrastructural characteristics of the strains included five pellicle strips joined at the posterior end. The strips were formed by major grooves with bifurcated edges. At the cell anterior, the feeding structure formed a lip. Underneath the lip was a comb composed of layers of microtubules. Farther back, two supporting rods tapered toward the posterior end, and a number of vanes with attached microtubules were present between the rods. The morphological characteristics agree with Ploeotia costata Strain CCAP 1265/1. However, the 18S rDNA sequences of Strains Pac/Tam lacked a group I intron and possessed three extra insertions of 116, 67, and 53 bp. Phylogenetic analysis indicated low sequence similarity between Strains Pac/Tam and CCAP 1265/1 (92%). The morphospecies P. costata apparently includes a substantial level of DNA sequence divergence, and likely represents multiple molecular species units.
The impact of PNPLA3 (rs738409 C>G) polymorphisms on liver histology and long‐term clinical outcome in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Brouwer Willem P , van der Meer Adriaan J , Boonstra Andre , Pas Suzan D , de Knegt Robert J , de Man Rob A , Hansen Bettina E , ten Kate Fiebo JW , Janssen Harry LA 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsWe aimed to assess the association between the patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing‐3 (PNPLA3) I148M polymorphism, liver histology and long‐term outcome in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsWe enrolled 531 consecutive treatment naïve CHB patients diagnosed from 1985 to 2012 with an available liver biopsy for reassessment, and sample for genetic testing. Data on all‐cause mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at long‐term follow‐up were obtained from national database registries.ResultsThe prevalence of steatohepatitis increased with PNPLA3 CC (14%), CG (20%) and GG (43%) (P < 0.001). The association was altered by both gender (P = 0.010) and overweight (P = 0.015): the effect of PNPLA3 on steatohepatitis was most pronounced among non‐overweight females (adjusted OR 13.4, 95%CI: 3.7–51.6, P < 0.001), and non‐overweight males (adjusted OR 2.4, 95%CI: 1.4–4.3, P = 0.002). Furthermore, PNPLA3 GG genotype was associated with iron depositions (OR 2.8, 95%CI: 1.2–6.4, P = 0.014) and lobular inflammation (OR 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1–4.5, P = 0.032), but not with advanced fibrosis (OR 1.1, 95%CI: 0.7–1.8, P = 0.566). The median follow‐up was 10.1 years (interquartile range 5.6 – 15.8), during which 13 patients developed HCC and 28 died. Steatohepatitis was associated with all‐cause mortality [Hazard ratio (HR) 3.1, 95%CI: 1.3–7.3, P = 0.006] and HCC (HR 2.8, 95%CI: 0.9–9.2, P = 0.078), but no significant association was observed for PNPLA3.ConclusionsIn this cohort of biopsied CHB patients, PNPLA3 was independently associated with steatosis, steatohepatitis, lobular inflammation and iron depositions, but not with advanced fibrosis, HCC development or all‐cause mortality. The effect of PNPLA3 on steatohepatitis was particularly pronounced among female patients without severe overweight.
Large‐scale introduction of the Indo‐Pacific damselfish Abudefduf vaigiensis into Hawai'i promotes genetic swamping of the endemic congener A. abdominalis
Authors: Coleman Richard R. , Gaither Michelle R. , Kimokeo Bethany , Stanton Frank G. , Bowen Brian W. , Toonen Robert J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHybridization in the ocean was once considered rare, a process prohibited by the rapid evolution of intrinsic reproductive barriers in a high‐dispersal medium. However, recent genetic surveys have prompted a reappraisal of marine hybridization as an important demographic and evolutionary process. The Hawaiian Archipelago offers an unusual case history in this arena, due to the recent arrival of the widely distributed Indo‐Pacific sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis), which is hybridizing with the endemic congener, A. abdominalis. Surveys of mtDNA and three nuclear loci across Hawai'i (N = 396, Abudefduf abdominalis and N = 314, A. vaigiensis) reveal that hybridization is significantly higher in the human‐perturbed southeast archipelago (19.8%), tapering off to 5.9% in the pristine northwest archipelago. While densities of the two species varied throughout Hawai'i, hybridization was highest in regions with similar species densities, contradicting the generalization that the rarity of one species promotes interspecific mating. Our finding of later generation hybrids throughout the archipelago invokes the possibility of genetic swamping of the endemic species. Exaptation, an adaptation with unintended consequences, may explain these findings: the endemic species has transient yellow coloration during reproduction, whereas the introduced species has yellow coloration continuously as adults, in effect a permanent signal of reproductive receptivity. Haplotype diversity is higher in Hawaiian A. vaigiensis than in our samples from the native range, indicating large‐scale colonization almost certainly facilitated by the historically recent surge of marine debris. In this chain of events, marine debris promotes colonization, exaptation promotes hybridization, and introgression invokes the possible collapse of an endemic species.
Physical controls on sand composition and relative durability of detrital minerals during ultra‐long distance littoral and aeolian transport (Namibia and southern Angola)
Authors: Garzanti Eduardo , Resentini Alberto , Andò Sergio , Vezzoli Giovanni , Pereira Alcides , Vermeesch Pieter 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSediment in coastal Namibia to southern Angola is supplied dominantly from the Orange River with minor additional fluvial input and negligible modifications by chemical processes, which makes this a great test case for investigating physical controls on sand texture and composition. This study monitored textural, mineralogical and geochemical variability in beach and aeolian‐dune sands along a ca 1750 km stretch of the Atlantic coast of southern Africa by using an integrated set of techniques, including image analysis, laser granulometry, optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and bulk‐sediment geochemistry. These results contrast with previous reports that feldspars and volcanic detritus break down during transport, that sand grains are rounded rapidly in shallow‐marine environments, and that quartzose sands may be produced by physical processes. Mechanical wear is unable to modify the relative abundance of detrital components, including pyroxene and mafic volcanic rock fragments traditionally believed to be destroyed rapidly. The sole exceptions are poorly lithified or cleaved sedimentary/metasedimentary rock fragments, readily lost at the transition to the marine environment, and slow‐settling flaky micas, winnowed and deposited offshore. Coastal sediments tend to be depleted in relatively mobile amphibole, preferentially entrained offshore or re‐deposited in sheltered beaches, while less mobile garnet is retained onshore. No detrital mineral displays a significant increase in grain roundness after 300 to 350 km of longshore transport in high‐energy littoral environments from the Orange mouth to south of the Namib Erg, but all minerals get rapidly rounded after passing into the dunefield. Pyroxene and opaques get rounded faster than harder quartz and garnet, but sand mineralogy remains unchanged. Excepting strong transient selective‐entrainment effects, physical processes are unable to modify sand composition significantly. Selective mechanical breakdown can be largely neglected in quantitative provenance analysis of sand and sandstone even in the case of ultra‐long‐distance transport in high‐energy environments dominated by strong persistent winds and waves.