bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecological resistance surfaces predict fine‐scale genetic differentiation in a terrestrial woodland salamander
Authors: Peterman William E. , Connette Grant M. , Semlitsch Raymond D. , Eggert Lori S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLandscape genetics has seen tremendous advances since its introduction, but parameterization and optimization of resistance surfaces still poses significant challenges. Despite increased availability and resolution of spatial data, few studies have integrated empirical data to directly represent ecological processes as genetic resistance surfaces. In our study, we determine the landscape and ecological factors affecting gene flow in the western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula). We used field data to derive resistance surfaces representing salamander abundance and rate of water loss through combinations of canopy cover, topographic wetness, topographic position, solar exposure and distance from ravine. These ecologically explicit composite surfaces directly represent an ecological process or physiological limitation of our organism. Using generalized linear mixed‐effects models, we optimized resistance surfaces using a nonlinear optimization algorithm to minimize model AIC. We found clear support for the resistance surface representing the rate of water loss experienced by adult salamanders in the summer. Resistance was lowest at intermediate levels of water loss and higher when the rate of water loss was predicted to be low or high. This pattern may arise from the compensatory movement behaviour of salamanders through suboptimal habitat, but also reflects the physiological limitations of salamanders and their sensitivity to extreme environmental conditions. Our study demonstrates that composite representations of ecologically explicit processes can provide novel insight and can better explain genetic differentiation than ecologically implicit landscape resistance surfaces. Additionally, our study underscores the fact that spatial estimates of habitat suitability or abundance may not serve as adequate proxies for describing gene flow, as predicted abundance was a poor predictor of genetic differentiation.
Comparison of regional vs systemic analgesia for post‐thoracotomy care in infants
Authors: Di Pede Alessandra , Morini Francesco , Lombardi Mary H. , Sgrò Stefania , Laviani Raoul , Dotta Andrea , Picardo Sergio G. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundIn infants, post‐thoracotomy analgesia traditionally consists of systemic opiates, while regional techniques have gained more favor in recent years. We compare the two techniques for thoracotomy in infants.MethodsAll consecutive patients below 6 months of age who underwent thoracotomy for congenital pulmonary malformations in the study period were retrospectively divided according to the chosen postoperative analgesia: Group S systemic opiates, Group R continuous regional (epidural or extrapleural paravertebral) block. We studied the following outcomes: need for NICU and mechanical ventilation, pain score, requirement for additional analgesics, heart rate 1 h postsurgery, time to pass first stool and to full feed, complications, and duration of hospitalization.ResultsForty consecutive patients were included, 19 in Group S and 21 in Group R. Median age at surgery was 89 days (40–110) and 90 days (46–117), respectively. Five of 19 patients in Group S vs none in Group R required postoperative intensive care (P = 0.017). Patients in Group R had significantly lower postoperative heart rate (145 [138–150] vs 160 [152–169] b·min−1, P = 0.007), earlier passage of first stools (24 h [12–24] vs 36 h [24–48] P = 0.004), and earlier time to full feed (36 h [24–48] vs 84 h [60–120] P = 0.0001) than those in Group S. The only observed complication was one catheter dislocation.ConclusionIn infants undergoing thoracotomy, loco‐regional analgesia is effective and associated with a reduced intensity of postoperative care and earlier full feeding than systemic analgesia; it should therefore be considered a better option.
Delayed graft function in pediatric deceased donor kidney transplantation: Donor‐related risk factors and impact on two‐yr graft function and survival: A single‐center analysis
Authors: Cesca Eleonora , Ghirardo Giulia , Kiblawi Rim , Murer Luisa , Gamba Piergiorgio , Zanon Giovanni Franco 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThere is mounting evidence that the quality of organs from cadaver donors may be influenced by events occurring around the time of brain death. Aim of this present study was to analyze the correlation of DGF with brain‐dead donor variables in a single‐center pediatric population and to evaluate DGF influence on patients‐ and grafts outcome. End‐points of the study were DGF prevalence, DGF donor‐related risk factors, graft function, patient‐ and graft survival rate, respectively, at six, 12, and 24 months FU. The univariate analysis showed that donor age above 15 yr and vascular cause of donor brain death represented risk factors for DGF. The multivariate analysis confirmed as independent risk factors for DGF donor age >15 yr. At six months FU, DGF showed a negative impact on graft function. In conclusion, among all considered brain‐dead donor resuscitation parameters, just non‐traumatic cause of death turned out to be of impact for DGF. Donor age >15 yr represented the only independent risk factor for prolonged DGF in our series of children. At two‐yr FU, DGF showed a transient negative impact on six‐month graft function.
Advocacy Coalitions and Mental Health Policy: The Adoption of Community Treatment Orders inOntario
Authors: Swigger Alexandra , Heinmiller Bruce Timothy 
Published: April 2014

InCanada, the provincial level of government is primarily responsible for the provision of mental health‐care services. In 2000, theOntario government introduced community treatment orders (CTOs) as a new instrument for treating the mentally ill.CTOswere more coercive than prevailing practices, allowing mentally ill individuals to be compelled to receive treatment for their mental illness, including pharmacological treatment, on an outpatient basis. Using the advocacy coalition framework, this article explains the introduction ofCTOsby identifying the prevailing advocacy coalitions in theOntario mental health policy subsystem and by examining the power resources available to them in their efforts to influence policy decision makers. Ultimately, the pro‐CTOcoalition was successful because it had public opinion, information, and credibility advantages that the anti‐CTOcoalition simply could not match.Related ArticlesMcGrath,Robert J.2009. “”Politics & Policy37():309‐336.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2009.00174.x/abstractBarnes,Nielan.2011. “”Politics & Policy39():69‐89.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00283.x/abstractMorris,Mary Hallock.2007. “”Politics & Policy35():836‐871.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00086.x/abstractRelated Media.2013. “” April 18.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5v77FqydYk.2000. “ ” May 24.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/brian‐s‐law‐gets‐hearing‐in‐ottawa‐1.232466Paikin,Steve.2011. “” [video file]. January 10.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOk_Qdjo48
Dothistromin toxin is a virulence factor in dothistroma needle blight of pines
Authors: Kabir M. S. , Ganley R. J. , Bradshaw R. E. 
Published: April 2014

Dothistromin is a broad‐spectrum mycotoxin produced by the Dothideomycete pine needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum. It accumulates in lesions, causing characteristic red bands on needles infected with this fungus. Dothistromin is similar in structure to the aflatoxin precursor versicolorin B and the biosynthetic pathways of these toxins share many common gene products. Although dothistromin is not essential for pathogenicity in dothistroma needle blight, its presence in infected needles suggests it might have a role in the disease process. The hypothesis that dothistromin is a virulence factor was tested by studying Pinus radiata infected with dothistromin‐deficient mutants of D. septosporum. The mutants were able to infect pine needles and complete their life cycle as previously shown, and were unaffected in spore germination, epiphytic growth or needle penetration. However, colonization of the mesophyll by the mutants was restricted compared to the wild type. Correspondingly, lesions produced by the mutants were smaller and produced significantly fewer spores than lesions produced by wildtype strains. Interestingly, ‘green islands’, in which chlorophyll was maintained at a higher level than in adjacent chlorotic and necrotic regions, surrounded early‐appearing lesions caused by both wildtype and mutant strains. At a later stage of disease development green islands were still present in the mutant but appeared to be masked by the extended dothistromin‐containing lesions in the wild type. Overall the results support a role for dothistromin in virulence in dothistroma needle blight.
Monitoring of plant and airborne inoculum of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in spring oilseed rape using real‐time PCR
Authors: Almquist C. , Wallenhammar A.‐C. 
Published: April 2014

Sclerotinia stem rot of spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In Sweden, the disease leads to severe crop damage that varies from year to year. A real‐time PCR assay was developed and used to determine the incidence of S. sclerotiorum DNA on petals and leaves of spring oilseed rape as well as in air samples, with the aim of finding tools to improve precision in disease risk assessment. Five field experiments were conducted from 2008 to 2010 to detect and study pathogen development. Assessments of stem rot showed significant differences between experimental sites. The real‐time PCR assay proved fast and sensitive and the relationship between percentage of infected petals determined using a conventional agar test and the PCR assay was linear (R2 > 0·76). There were significant differences in S. sclerotiorum incidence at different stages of flowering. The incidence of S. sclerotiorum DNA on the leaves varied (0–100%), with significantly higher incidence on leaves at lower levels. In one field experiment, S. sclerotiorum DNA was not detected on petals during flowering, whereas the pathogen was detected on leaves, with a corresponding stem rot incidence of 7%. The amount of S. sclerotiorum DNA in sampled air revealed that spore release did not coincide with flowering on that experimental site. Thus, using a real‐time PCR assay to determine the incidence of S. sclerotiorum on oilseed rape leaves, rather than on petals, could potentially improve disease risk assessment.
Effects of biochars and hydrochars produced from lignocellulosic and animal manure on fertility of a Mollisol and Entisol
Authors: Novak J. M. , Spokas K. A. , Cantrell K. B. , Ro K. S. , Watts D. W. , Glaz B. , Busscher W. J. , Hunt P. G. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBiochar and hydrochars (HC) are emerging soil fertility amendments; however, their ability to improve fertility levels in soils possessing vastly different pedogenic characteristics has not been well investigated. In this study, several plant and manure biochars and two blended HC applied at 3.84 g/kg (ca.10 t/ha) were incubated in pots containing a highly fertile‐Mollisol (Waukegan series; Sandy‐skeletal, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Hapludoll) and an infertile Entisol (Margate series; Siliceous, hyperthermic, Mollic Psammaquent). During the 124–125 day laboratory incubations, pots were leached four times with deionized H2O with the leachates analysed for the concentrations of dissolved phosphorus (DP) and potassium (DK). After the incubations, both soils were analysed for fertility characteristics (i.e. pH, cation‐exchange capacity (CEC), and extractable P and K). In both soils after biochar additions, there were mixed pH and CEC responses. Both the Mollisol and Entisol treated with swine solid biochar had greater plant extractable P and K contents, which was reflective of the elevated P and K contents in the swine solid biochar. However, most biochars and HC additions to the Mollisol and Entisol had minimal impact on soil fertility characteristics indicating a low direct fertilization potential. These nutrient contents could be altered through feedstock blending to target a particular fertilizer requirement.
Applying STAAR Interventions in Incremental Bundles: Improving Post‐CABG Surgical Patient Care
Authors: Bates Ondrea L. , O'Connor Nancy , Dunn Deborah , Hasenau Susan M. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundRehospitalization within 30 days of discharge after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is a contributing factor to higher‐than‐acceptable overall hospital readmission rates throughout the United States. CABG rehospitalizations are of such concern that they are specifically targeted for action in 2015 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010). The phenomenon of increasing readmission rates has prompted the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to devise the Triple Aim initiative and the STate Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations (STAAR) initiative to reduce 30‐day readmission rates nationally.AimsThis study explored the impact of implementing STAAR interventions delivered as part of a quality improvement project in incremental bundles on 30‐day readmission rates and the experience of care in CABG patients. Specifically, the use of the teach‐back patient education method and the scheduling of follow‐up cardiology appointments prior to discharge using existing staff were examined.MethodsA quantitative comparative study was conducted with 189 post‐CABG patients at a tertiary care facility in the United States over a 2‐year period, comparing outcomes between the group of patients prior to implementation of the STAAR interventions and those who later received them. Outcome variables included 30‐day readmission rate and patient perception of experience of care.ResultsThe overall 30‐day readmission rate for CABG patients in the postintervention group was decreased to 12.0%, compared to 25.8% in the preintervention group. Of the demographic and health characteristics explored, only chronic lung disease was significantly related to 30‐day readmission rates, and only in the postintervention group.Linking Evidence to ActionThirty‐day readmission rates among CABG patients can be reduced and the experience of care can be enhanced through the use of targeted interventions utilizing existing staff and resources. The deliberate incremental implementation of bundled initiatives is an effective strategy in reducing 30‐day readmissions in post‐CABG patients.
Zoonotic Disease Surveillance – Inventory of Systems Integrating Human and Animal Disease Information
Authors: Wendt A. , Kreienbrock L. , Campe A. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryAlthough 65% of recent major disease outbreaks throughout the world have a zoonotic origin, there is still a sharp division among the disciplines into the human and animal health sectors. In the last few decades, a global integrative concept, often referred to as ‘One Health’, has been strongly endorsed. Surveillance and monitoring efforts are major components for effective disease prevention and control. As human health and animal health are inextricably linked, it is assumed that a cross‐sectoral data interpretation of zoonotic disease information will improve their prevention, prediction and control. To provide an overview of existing systems throughout the world which integrate information from humans and animals on zoonotic diseases, a literature review was conducted. Twenty projects were identified and described regarding their concepts and realization. They all vary widely depending on their surveillance purpose, their structure and the source of information they use. What they have in common is that they quite often use data which have already been collected for another purpose. Therefore, the challenges of how to make use of such secondary data are of great interest.
Biosynthesis of the Unique Wall Teichoic Acid of Staphylococcus aureus Lineage ST395
Authors: Winstel Volker , Sanchez-Carballo Patricia , Holst Otto , Xia Guoqing , Peschel Andreas 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

The major clonal lineages of the human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
produce cell wall-anchored anionic poly-ribitol-phosphate (RboP) wall teichoic acids (WTA) substituted with
d
-Alanine and
N
-acetyl-
d
-glucosamine. The phylogenetically isolated
S. aureus
ST395 lineage has recently been found to produce a unique poly-glycerol-phosphate (GroP) WTA glycosylated with
N
-acetyl-
d
-galactosamine (GalNAc). ST395 clones bear putative WTA biosynthesis genes on a novel genetic element probably acquired from coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). We elucidated the ST395 WTA biosynthesis pathway and identified three novel WTA biosynthetic genes, including those encoding an α-
O
-GalNAc transferase TagN, a nucleotide sugar epimerase TagV probably required for generation of the activated sugar donor substrate for TagN, and an unusually short GroP WTA polymerase TagF. By using a panel of mutants derived from ST395, the GalNAc residues carried by GroP WTA were found to be required for infection by the ST395-specific bacteriophage Φ187 and to play a crucial role in horizontal gene transfer of
S. aureus
pathogenicity islands (SaPIs). Notably, ectopic expression of ST395 WTA biosynthesis genes rendered normal
S. aureus
susceptible to Φ187 and enabled Φ187-mediated SaPI transfer from ST395 to regular
S. aureus
. We provide evidence that exchange of WTA genes and their combination in variable, mosaic-like gene clusters have shaped the evolution of staphylococci and their capacities to undergo horizontal gene transfer events.

IMPORTANCE
The structural highly diverse wall teichoic acids (WTA) are cell wall-anchored glycopolymers produced by most Gram-positive bacteria. While most of the dominant
Staphylococcus aureus
lineages produce poly-ribitol-phosphate WTA, the recently described ST395 lineage produces a distinct poly-glycerol-phosphate WTA type resembling the WTA backbone of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Here, we analyzed the ST395 WTA biosynthesis pathway and found new types of WTA biosynthesis genes along with an evolutionary link between ST395 and CoNS, from which the ST395 WTA genes probably originate. The elucidation of ST395 WTA biosynthesis will help to understand how Gram-positive bacteria produce highly variable WTA types and elucidate functional consequences of WTA variation.
Mycobacterial RNA Polymerase Requires a U-Tract at Intrinsic Terminators and Is Aided by NusG at Suboptimal Terminators
Authors: Czyz Agata , Mooney Rachel A. , Iaconi Ala , Landick Robert 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT

Intrinsic terminators, which encode GC-rich RNA hairpins followed immediately by a 7-to-9-nucleotide (nt) U-rich “U-tract,” play principal roles of punctuating and regulating transcription in most bacteria. However, canonical intrinsic terminators with strong U-tracts are underrepresented in some bacterial lineages, notably mycobacteria, leading to proposals that their RNA polymerases stop at noncanonical intrinsic terminators encoding various RNA structures lacking U-tracts. We generated recombinant forms of mycobacterial RNA polymerase and its major elongation factors NusA and NusG to characterize mycobacterial intrinsic termination. Using
in vitro
transcription assays devoid of possible mycobacterial contaminants, we established that mycobacterial RNA polymerase terminates more efficiently than
Escherichia coli
RNA polymerase at canonical terminators with imperfect U-tracts but does not terminate at putative terminators lacking U-tracts even in the presence of mycobacterial NusA and NusG. However, mycobacterial NusG exhibits a novel termination-stimulating activity that may allow intrinsic terminators with suboptimal U-tracts to function efficiently.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria rely on transcription termination to define and regulate units of gene expression. In most bacteria, precise termination and much regulation by attenuation are accomplished by intrinsic terminators that encode GC-rich hairpins and U-tracts necessary to disrupt stable transcription elongation complexes. Thus, the apparent dearth of canonical intrinsic terminators with recognizable U-tracts in mycobacteria is of significant interest both because noncanonical intrinsic terminators could reveal novel routes to destabilize transcription complexes and because accurate understanding of termination is crucial for strategies to combat mycobacterial diseases and for computational bioinformatics generally. Our finding that mycobacterial RNA polymerase requires U-tracts for intrinsic termination, which can be aided by NusG, will guide future study of mycobacterial transcription and aid improvement of predictive algorithms to annotate bacterial genome sequences.
Certification for vision impairment: researching perceptions, processes and practicalities in health and social care professionals and patients
Authors: Boyce T , Leamon Shaun , Slade J , Simkiss P , Rughani S , Ghanchi Faruque 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo explore the patient experience, and the role of ophthalmologists and other health and social care professionals in the certification and registration processes and examine the main barriers to the timely certification of patients.DesignQualitative study.SettingTelephone interviews with health and social care professionals and patients in three areas in England.Participants43 health and social care professionals who are part of the certification or registration process. 46 patients certified as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) within the previous 12 months.ResultsCertification and registration are life changing for patients and the help they receive can substantially improve their lives. Despite this, ophthalmologists often found it difficult to ascertain when it is appropriate to certify patients, particularly for people with long-term conditions. Ophthalmologists varied in their comprehension of the certification process and many regarded certification as the ‘final stage’ in treatment. Administrative procedures meant the process of certification and registration could vary from a few weeks to many months. The avoidable delays in completing certification can be helped by Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLO).ConclusionsA better understanding of the certification and registration processes can help improve standards of support and service provision for people who are severely sighted impaired or sight impaired. Better education and support are required for ophthalmologists in recognising the importance of timely referral for rehabilitative support through certification and registration. ECLOs can improve the process of certification and registration. Finally, better education is needed for patients on the benefits of certification and registration.