bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Muscle disuse alters skeletal muscle contractile function at the molecular and cellular levels in older adult humans in a sex‐specific manner
Authors: Callahan Damien M. , Miller Mark S. , Sweeny Andrew P. , Tourville Timothy W. , Slauterbeck James R. , Savage Patrick D. , Maugan David W. , Ades Philip A. , Beynnon Bruce D. , Toth Michael J. 
Published: July 2014

Key points
Muscle disuse that accompanies ageing and chronic disease may hasten physical disability by impairing skeletal muscle contractility.
We compared skeletal muscle contractile function at the various anatomic levels between two groups of older men and women matched for sex, health status and body size, of which one group was habitually active and the other inactive.
Muscle disuse reduced force generation, power output and contractile velocity in single muscle fibres, with differential adaptations in some parameters in men and women. Sex‐specific cellular phenotypes were explained by differential adaptations in molecular muscle function. Moreover, aspects of the molecular functional phenotype apparent in inactive women could be recapitulated in vitro by chemical modification of protein thiols.
Our results identify molecular and cellular contractile dysfunction in skeletal muscle that may contribute to reduced physical function with muscle disuse, with sex‐specific differences that may explain a greater disposition towards disability in women.
AbstractPhysical inactivity that accompanies ageing and disease may hasten disability by reducing skeletal muscle contractility. To characterize skeletal muscle functional adaptations to muscle disuse, we compared contractile performance at the molecular, cellular and whole‐muscle levels in healthy active older men and women (n = 15) and inactive older men and women with advanced‐stage, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) (n = 16). OA patients showed reduced (P < 0.01) knee extensor function. At the cellular level, single muscle fibre force production was reduced in OA patients in myosin heavy chain (MHC) I and IIA fibres (both P < 0.05) and differences in IIA fibres persisted after adjustments for fibre cross‐sectional area (P < 0.05). Although no group differences in contractile velocity or power output were found for any fibre type, sex was found to modify the effect of OA, with a reduction in MHC IIA power output and a trend towards reduced shortening velocity in women, but increases in both variables in men (P < 0.05 and P = 0.07, respectively). At the molecular level, these adaptations in MHC IIA fibre function were explained by sex‐specific differences (P ≤ 0.05) in myosin–actin cross‐bridge kinetics. Additionally, cross‐bridge kinetics were slowed in MHC I fibres in OA patients (P < 0.01), attributable entirely to reductions in women with knee OA (P < 0.05), a phenotype that could be reproduced in vitro by chemical modification of protein thiol residues. Our results identify molecular and cellular functional adaptations in skeletal muscle that may contribute to reduced physical function with knee OA‐associated muscle disuse, with sex‐specific differences that may explain a greater disposition towards disability in women.
Comparison of Between-Training-Sessions Recovery Strategies for World-Class BMX Pilots
Authors: Marquet Laurie-Anne , Hausswirth Christophe , Hays Arnaud , Vettoretti Fabrice , Brisswalter Jeanick 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:To assess the impact of between-training-sessions recovery strategies (passive [PAS], active [ACT], cold-water immersion [CWI], and ingestion of a recovery drink [NUTR]) on maximal cycling performance, perceptions of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and fatigue in world-class BMX riders.Methods:Eleven elite BMX athletes, members of the French national team (top country in the 2011 international ranking, 4 medals at the 2012 World Championships, top European country), participated in the study, which involved standardized training periods. Athletes performed 3 maximal-sprint power tests: the first day of the week before the training session and before and after training on the third day of the week (D3). The recovery strategy was randomly assigned to each participant on day 2 immediately after the last training period of the day. Perceptions of DOMS and general fatigue were recorded on D3.Results:After training on D3, the decrease in maximal-sprint power (Pmax) was significantly greater for PAS than with CWI (P = .02) and NUTR (P = .018). Similar results were found with ACT (vs CWI P = .044, and vs NUTR P = .042). Self-reported DOMS and fatigue were significantly greater after PAS than after other strategies.Conclusions:For elite BMX riders, between training days, nutritional and/or CWI recovery strategies appear to be best for reducing muscle fatigue and increasing the capacity to withstand the training schedule.
Statins Increase Rifampin Mycobactericidal Effect
Authors: Lobato Lívia Silva , Rosa Patrícia Sammarco , Ferreira Jessica da Silva , Neumann Arthur da Silva , da Silva Marlei Gomes , do Nascimento Dejair Caitano , Soares Cleverson Teixeira , Pedrini Silvia Cristina Barbosa , Oliveira Diego Sá Leal de , Monteiro Cláudia Peres , Pereira Geraldo Moura Batista , Ribeiro-Alves Marcelo , Hacker Mariana Andrea , Moraes Milton Ozório , Pessolani Maria Cristina Vidal , Duarte Rafael Silva , Lara Flávio Alves 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium leprae
and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
antimicrobial resistance has been followed with great concern during the last years, while the need for new drugs able to control leprosy and tuberculosis, mainly due to extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), is pressing. Our group recently showed that
M. leprae
is able to induce lipid body biogenesis and cholesterol accumulation in macrophages and Schwann cells, facilitating its viability and replication. Considering these previous results, we investigated the efficacies of two statins on the intracellular viability of mycobacteria within the macrophage, as well as the effect of atorvastatin on
M. leprae
infections in BALB/c mice. We observed that intracellular mycobacteria viability decreased markedly after incubation with both statins, but atorvastatin showed the best inhibitory effect when combined with rifampin. Using Shepard's model, we observed with atorvastatin an efficacy in controlling
M. leprae
and inflammatory infiltrate in the BALB/c footpad, in a serum cholesterol level-dependent way. We conclude that statins contribute to macrophage-bactericidal activity against
Mycobacterium bovis
,
M. leprae
, and
M. tuberculosis
. It is likely that the association of statins with the actual multidrug therapy effectively reduces mycobacterial viability and tissue lesion in leprosy and tuberculosis patients, although epidemiological studies are still needed for confirmation.
Synergy of Silver Nanoparticles and Aztreonam against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Biofilms
Authors: Habash Marc B. , Park Amber J. , Vis Emily C. , Harris Robert J. , Khursigara Cezar M. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Pathogenic bacterial biofilms, such as those found in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), exhibit increased antimicrobial resistance, due in part to the inherent architecture of the biofilm community. The protection provided by the biofilm limits antimicrobial dispersion and penetration and reduces the efficacy of antibiotics that normally inhibit planktonic cell growth. Thus, alternative antimicrobial strategies are required to combat persistent infections. The antimicrobial properties of silver have been known for decades, but silver and silver-containing compounds have recently seen renewed interest as antimicrobial agents for treating bacterial infections. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of various sizes, alone and in combination with the monobactam antibiotic aztreonam, to inhibit
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 biofilms. Among the different sizes of AgNPs examined, 10-nm nanoparticles were most effective in inhibiting the recovery of
P. aeruginosa
biofilm cultures and showed synergy of inhibition when combined with sub-MIC levels of aztreonam. Visualization of biofilms treated with combinations of 10-nm AgNPs and aztreonam indicated that the synergistic bactericidal effects are likely caused by better penetration of the small AgNPs into the biofilm matrix, which enhances the deleterious effects of aztreonam against the cell envelope of
P. aeruginosa
within the biofilms. These data suggest that small AgNPs synergistically enhance the antimicrobial effects of aztreonam against
P. aeruginosa
in vitro
, and they reveal a potential role for combinations of small AgNPs and antibiotics in treating patients with chronic infections.
Transient and Sustained Bacterial Adaptation following Repeated Sublethal Exposure to Microbicides and a Novel Human Antimicrobial Peptide
Authors: Forbes Sarah , Dobson Curtis B. , Humphreys Gavin J. , McBain Andrew J. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Microbicides (biocides) play an important role in the prevention and treatment of infections. While there is currently little evidence for in-use treatment failures attributable to acquired reductions in microbicide susceptibility, the susceptibility of some bacteria can be reduced by sublethal laboratory exposure to certain agents. In this investigation, a range of environmental bacterial isolates (11 genera, 18 species) were repeatedly exposed to four microbicides (cetrimide, chlorhexidine, polyhexamethylene biguanide [PHMB], and triclosan) and a cationic apolipoprotein E-derived antimicrobial peptide (apoEdpL-W) using a previously validated exposure system. Susceptibilities (MICs and minimum bactericidal concentrations [MBCs]) were determined before and after 10 passages (P10) in the presence of an antimicrobial and then after a further 10 passages without an antimicrobial to determine the stability of any adaptations. Bacteria exhibiting >4-fold increases in MBCs were further examined for alterations in biofilm-forming ability. Following microbicide exposure, ≥4-fold decreases in susceptibility (MIC or MBC) occurred for cetrimide (5/18 bacteria), apoEdpL-W (7/18), chlorhexidine (8/18), PHMB (8/18), and triclosan (11/18). Of the 34 ≥4-fold increases in the MICs, 15 were fully reversible, 13 were partially reversible, and 6 were nonreversible. Of the 26 ≥4-fold increases in the MBCs, 7 were fully reversible, 14 were partially reversible, and 5 were nonreversible. Significant decreases in biofilm formation in P10 strains occurred for apoEdpL-W (1/18 bacteria), chlorhexidine (1/18), and triclosan (2/18), while significant increases occurred for apoEdpL-W (1/18), triclosan (1/18), and chlorhexidine (2/18). These data indicate that the stability of induced changes in microbicide susceptibility varies but may be sustained for some combinations of a bacterium and a microbicide.
Antibiotic Pressure Is a Major Risk Factor for Rectal Colonization by Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Gómez-Zorrilla Silvia , Camoez Mariana , Tubau Fe , Periche Elisabet , Cañizares Rosario , Dominguez M. Angeles , Ariza Javier , Peña Carmen 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The intestinal reservoir is central to the epidemiology of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, but the dynamics of intestinal colonization by different phenotypes have been poorly described. To determine the impact of antimicrobial exposure on intestinal colonization by multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR)
P. aeruginosa
, we screened intensive care unit (ICU) patients for rectal colonization on admission and at weekly intervals. During an 18-month study period, 414 ICU patients were enrolled, of whom 179 (43%) were colonized; 112 (63%) of these were identified at ICU admission and 67 (37%) during their ICU stay. At 10 days after ICU admission, the probabilities of carriage were 44%, 24%, and 24% for non-MDR, MDR-non-XDR, and XDR
P. aeruginosa
strains, respectively (log rank, 0.02). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed 10 pairs of non-MDR
P. aeruginosa
and subsequent MDR-non-XDR strains isolated from the same patients to be clonally identical and another 13 pairs (8 MDR-non-XDR and 5 XDR) to be unrelated. There was one specific clone between the 8 MDR-non-XDR strains and an identical genotype in the 5 XDR isolates. The Cox regression analysis identified MDR
P. aeruginosa
acquisition as associated with the underlying disease severity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 3.18;
P
= 0.006) and prior use of fluoroquinolones (aHR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.04;
P
= 0.039), group 2 carbapenems (aHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07;
P
= 0.041), and ertapenem (aHR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.14;
P
= 0.004). The epidemiology of MDR
P. aeruginosa
is complex, and different clusters may coexist. Interestingly, ertapenem was found to be associated with the emergence of MDR isolates.
Staphylococcal Esx Proteins Modulate Apoptosis and Release of Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus during Infection in Epithelial Cells
Authors: Korea Charalampia G. , Balsamo Giuliana , Pezzicoli Alfredo , Merakou Christina , Tavarini Simona , Bagnoli Fabio , Serruto Davide , Unnikrishnan Meera 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The opportunistic pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
is one of the major causes of health care-associated infections.
S. aureus
is primarily an extracellular pathogen, but it was recently reported to invade and replicate in several host cell types. The ability of
S. aureus
to persist within cells has been implicated in resistance to antimicrobials and recurrent infections. However, few staphylococcal proteins that mediate intracellular survival have been identified. Here we examine if EsxA and EsxB, substrates of the ESAT-6-like secretion system (Ess), are important during intracellular
S. aureus
infection. The Esx proteins are required for staphylococcal virulence, but their functions during infection are unclear. While isogenic
S. aureus esxA
and
esxB
mutants were not defective for epithelial cell invasion
in vitro
, a significant increase in early/late apoptosis was observed in
esxA
mutant-infected cells compared to wild-type-infected cells. Impeding secretion of EsxA by deleting C-terminal residues of the protein also resulted in a significant increase of epithelial cell apoptosis. Furthermore, cells transfected with
esxA
showed an increased protection from apoptotic cell death. A double mutant lacking both EsxA and EsxB also induced increased apoptosis but, remarkably, was unable to escape from cells as efficiently as the single mutants or the wild type. Thus, using
in vitro
models of intracellular staphylococcal infection, we demonstrate that EsxA interferes with host cell apoptotic pathways and, together with EsxB, mediates the release of
S. aureus
from the host cell.
Ehrlichia chaffeensis Exploits Host SUMOylation Pathways To Mediate Effector-Host Interactions and Promote Intracellular Survival
Authors: Dunphy Paige Selvy , Luo Tian , McBride Jere W. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Ehrlichia chaffeensis
is an obligately intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that selectively infects mononuclear phagocytes. We recently reported that
E. chaffeensis
utilizes a type 1 secretion (T1S) system to export tandem repeat protein (TRP) effectors and demonstrated that these effectors interact with a functionally diverse array of host proteins. By way of these interactions, TRP effectors modulate host cell functions; however, the molecular basis of these interactions and their roles in ehrlichial pathobiology are not well defined. In this study, we describe the first bacterial protein posttranslational modification (PTM) by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). The
E. chaffeensis
T1S effector TRP120 is conjugated to SUMO at a carboxy-terminal canonical consensus SUMO conjugation motif
in vitro
and in human cells. In human cells, TRP120 was selectively conjugated with SUMO2/3 isoforms. Disruption of TRP120 SUMOylation perturbed interactions with known host proteins, through predicted SUMO interaction motif-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
E. chaffeensis
infection did not result in dramatic changes in the global host SUMOylated protein profile, but a robust colocalization of predominately SUMO1 with ehrlichial inclusions was observed. Inhibiting the SUMO pathway with a small-molecule inhibitor had a significant impact on
E. chaffeensis
replication and recruitment of the TRP120-interacting protein polycomb group ring finger protein 5 (PCGF5) to the inclusion, indicating that the SUMO pathway is critical for intracellular survival. This study reveals the novel exploitation of the SUMO pathway by
Ehrlichia
, which facilitates effector-eukaryote interactions necessary to usurp the host and create a permissive intracellular niche.
Assessing the potential for bias in direct observation of adult commuter cycling and helmet use
Authors: Kraemer John D , Zaccaro Heather N , Roffenbender Jason S , Baig Sabeeh A , Graves Megan E , Hauler Katherine J , Hussain Aamir N , Mulroy Faith E 
Published: July 2014

ObjectivesBicycling and helmet surveillance, research, and programme evaluation depend on accurate measurement by direct observation, but it is unclear whether weather and other exogenous factors introduce bias into observed counts of cyclists and helmet use.MethodsTo address this issue,a time series was created of cyclists observed at two observation points in Washington, DC, at peak commuting times and locations between September 2012 and February 2013. Using multiple linear regression with Newey-West SEs to account for possible serial correlation, the association between various factors and cyclist counts and helmet use was investigated.ResultsThe number of cyclists observed per 1 h session was significantly associated with predicted daily high temperature, chance of rain, and actual rain. Additionally, fewer cyclists were observed on Fridays. Helmet use was significantly lower during evening commutes than morning and also lower on Fridays. Helmet use was not associated with weather variables. Controlling for observable cyclists characteristics weakened the association between helmet use and the time of day and day of the week, but it did not eliminate that association.ConclusionsDirect observation to measure commuter cycling trends or evaluate interventions should control for weather and day of week. Measurement of helmet use is unlikely to be meaningfully biased by weather factors, but time of day and day of week should be taken into account. Failing to control for these factors could lead to significant bias in assessments of the level of, and trends in, commuter cycling and helmet use.
Functional map networks for analyzing and exploring large shape collections
Authors: Huang Qixing , Wang Fan , Guibas Leonidas 
Published: July 2014

The construction of networks of maps among shapes in a collection enables a variety of applications in data-driven geometry processing. A key task in network construction is to make the maps consistent with each other. This consistency constraint, when properly defined, leads not only to a concise representation of such networks, but more importantly, it serves as a strong regularizer for correcting and improving noisy initial maps computed between pairs of shapes in isolation. Up-to-now, however, the consistency constraint has only been fully formulated for point-based maps or for shape collections that are fully similar.
In this paper, we introduce a framework for computing consistent functional maps within heterogeneous shape collections. In such collections not all shapes share the same structure --- different types of shared structure may be present within different (but possibly overlapping) sub-collections. Unlike point-based maps, functional maps can encode similarities at multiple levels of detail (points or parts), and thus are particularly suitable for coping with such diversity within a shape collection. We show how to rigorously formulate the consistency constraint in the functional map setting. The formulation leads to a powerful tool for computing consistent functional maps, and also for discovering shared structures, such as meaningful shape parts. We also show how to adapt the procedure for handling very large-scale shape collections. Experimental results on benchmark datasets show that the proposed framework significantly improves upon state-of-the-art data-driven techniques. We demonstrate the usefulness of the framework in shape co-segmentation and various shape exploration tasks.
A comprehensive framework for rendering layered materials
Authors: Jakob Wenzel , d'Eon Eugene , Jakob Otto , Marschner Steve 
Published: July 2014

We present a general and practical method for computing BSDFs of layered materials. Its ingredients are transport-theoretical models of isotropic or anisotropic scattering layers and smooth or rough boundaries of conductors and dielectrics. Following expansion into a directional basis that supports arbitrary composition, we are able to efficiently and accurately synthesize BSDFs for a great variety of layered structures.
Reflectance models created by our system correctly account for multiple scattering within and between layers, and in the context of a rendering system they are efficient to evaluate and support texturing and exact importance sampling. Although our approach essentially involves tabulating reflectance functions in a Fourier basis, the generated models are compact to store due to the inherent sparsity of our representation, and are accurate even for narrowly peaked functions. While methods for rendering general layered surfaces have been investigated in the past, ours is the first system that supports arbitrary layer structures while remaining both efficient and accurate.
We validate our model by comparing to measurements of real-world examples of layered materials, and we demonstrate an interactive visual design tool that enables easy exploration of the space of layered materials. We provide a fully practical, high-performance implementation in an open-source rendering system.
Molecular Pathways: Myeloid Complicity in Cancer
Authors: Stromnes Ingunn M. , Greenberg Philip D. , Hingorani Sunil R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractCancer-induced inflammation results in accumulation of myeloid cells. These myeloid cells include progenitors and progeny of monocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. It has become increasingly evident that tumor-dependent factors can condition myeloid cells toward an immunosuppressive and protumorigenic phenotype. Thus, myeloid cells are not simply bystanders in malignancy or barometers of disease burden. Reflecting their dynamic and plastic nature, myeloid cells manifest a continuum of cellular differentiation and are intimately involved at all stages of neoplastic progression. They can promote tumorigenesis through both immune-dependent and -independent mechanisms and can dictate response to therapies. A greater understanding of the inherent plasticity and relationships among myeloid subsets is needed to inform therapeutic targeting. New clinical trials are being designed to modulate the activities of myeloid cells in cancer, which may be essential to maximize the efficacy of both conventional cytotoxic and immune-based therapies for solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 20(20); 5157–70. ©2014 AACR.
Sobre el concepto de ley permisiva y su función argumentativa en el § 2 de la Rechtslehre
Authors: Tomassini Fiorella 
Published: July 2014

Este trabajo se propone analizar por qué Kant señala en el § 2 de la Rechtslehre que el postulado jurídico de la razón práctica puede denominarse una ley permisiva, considerando que luego de esa mención el autor no ofrece ninguna definición ulterior ni desarrollo teórico de ese concepto. El modo en que se interpreta la función argumentativa del concepto jurídico de lex permissiva en el desarrollo de la doctrina de la propiedad, que Kant presenta en la sección “El derecho privado” del texto que nos ocupa, tiene consecuencias fundamentales en la comprensión de la relación entre la propiedad y el Estado en el pensamiento político de Kant.