bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The utility of the morphological variation of pollen for resolving the evolutionary history ofBillia(subfam. Hippocastanoideae, Sapindaceae)
Authors: Harris AJ , Lutz Sue , Acevedo Pedro , Wen Jun 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIn this study, we examined the utility of pollen morphology for resolving questions about the evolutionary history ofBillia, which is a poorly known genus of Neotropical trees.Billiahas been traditionally circumscribed with two species and treated as sister toAesculusL. However, the number of species inBilliais uncertain, because the genus exhibits abundant morphological diversity but little discontinuous variation. Therefore,Billiamay be monotypic and highly polymorphic, or it may have two species with blurred boundaries due to incipient speciation and/or hybridization. Moreover, one recent molecular phylogenetic study showsBillianested withinAesculus. Our work sought to address the following questions: (i) Are there discontinuities in the pollen ofBilliathat may suggest species boundaries? (ii) Does the pollen ofBilliashow evidence for inter‐specific hybridization? (iii) Do the exine morphology and size of pollen inBilliadiffer from those inAesculus? Our results from scanning electron microscopy showed that pollen exine morphology is not taxonomically informative inBilliabut that there are significant differences in pollen size between red‐ and white‐flowered individuals. Thus, our pollen data support the utility of flower color inBilliafor species delimitation. Our assessments of pollen viability do not support hybridization in the genus, but cannot be used to rule it out. Finally, pollen exine morphology may lend some support to an evolutionary origin ofBilliawithin eastern North AmericanAesculus. In contrast, data on pollen size suggest thatBilliamay belong in a topological position outside ofAesculus.
Development and Evaluation of an ELISA for the Quantitation of Anti‐Lagenidium giganteum forma caninum Antibodies in Dogs
Authors: Hartfield J.N. , Grooters A.M. , Waite K.J. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundLagenidium giganteum forma caninum infection causes severe cutaneous and disseminated disease in dogs. Currently, diagnosis requires culture and rRNA gene sequencing.ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate an ELISA for quantitation of anti‐L. giganteum f. caninum IgG in canine serum.AnimalsSera were evaluated from 22 dogs infected with L. giganteum f. caninum, 12 dogs infected with Paralagenidium karlingii, 18 dogs infected with Pythium insidiosum, 26 dogs with nonoomycotic fungal infections or other cutaneous or systemic diseases, and 10 healthy dogs.MethodsAntigen was prepared from a soluble mycelial extract of L. giganteum f. caninum. Optimal antigen and antibody concentrations were determined by checkerboard titration. Results were expressed as percent positivity (PP) relative to a strongly positive control serum.ResultsMedians and ranges for PP for each group were: L. giganteum f. caninum (73.9%, 27.9–108.9%), P. karlingii (55.0%, 21.0–90.6%), P. insidiosum (31.3%, 15.8–87.5%), nonoomycotic fungal infection or other cutaneous or systemic diseases (19.2%, 3.2–61.0%), and healthy dogs (9.9%, 7.6–24.6%). Using a PP cutoff value of 40%, sensitivity and specificity (with 95% CI) of the ELISA for detecting L. giganteum f. caninum infection in clinically affected dogs were 90.9% (72.2–97.5%) and 73.2% (60.4–83.0%), respectively. Specificity in dogs infected with P. karlingii was 41.7% (19.3–68.1%) and with P. insidiosum was 66.7% (43.8–83.7%).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceQuantitation of anti‐L. giganteum f. caninum antibodies for detection of this infection in dogs has moderately high sensitivity but poor specificity, the latter because of substantial cross‐reactivity with anti‐P. karlingii and anti‐P. insidiosum antibodies.
Pharmacokinetics of intravenous, plain oral and enteric‐coated oral omeprazole in the horse
Authors: Sykes B. W. , Underwood C. , McGowan C. M. , Mills P. C. 
Published: October 2014

The objectives were to document the pharmacokinetics of intravenous, enteric‐coated oral and plain oral omeprazole in fasted horses and to investigate the impact of feeding on the bioavailability of an enteric‐coated omeprazole. Twelve horses received four treatments: intravenous omeprazole (0.5 mg/kg) in the fasted state (IV‐Fasted), enteric‐coated omeprazole (4 mg/kg) orally in the fasted state (ECO‐Fasted), enteric‐coated omeprazole (4 mg/kg) orally in the fed state (ECO‐Fed) and plain omeprazole (4 mg/kg) orally in the fasted state (PL‐Fasted). Plasma omeprazole concentrations were determined by UHPLC‐MS. Bioavailability was higher (P = 0.038) in the ECO‐Fasted group (21.5 [9.0–27.7]%) than the PL‐Fasted group (10.1 [7.7–13.3]%). Similarly, AUC0‐∞ was higher in the ECO‐Fasted group than the PL‐Fasted group (P = 0.027). No significant differences were present between the ECO‐Fasted and ECO‐Fed groups with regards to bioavailability, Cmax, Tmax or AUC0‐∞. When the half‐life data from the oral formulations was pooled, it was longer than that observed in the IV‐Fasted group (100 [73–118] min) and 35 [34‐39] min, respectively; P < 0.0001). Bioavailability of enteric‐coated omeprazole was higher than previously reported and feeding had minimal impact. Bioavailability of plain omeprazole was approximately half that of enteric‐coated omeprazole. The longer half‐life observed following oral administration was consistent with the flip‐flop effect and has not previously been described for omeprazole in the horse.
Job satisfaction of Malaysian registered nurses: a qualitative study
Authors: Atefi Narges , Abdullah Khatijah L , Wong Li P 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundJob satisfaction is an important factor in health care settings. Strong empirical evidence supports a causal relationship between job satisfaction, patient safety and quality of care. However, there have not been any studies exploring the job satisfaction of Malaysian nurses.AimThe main purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the factors related to feelings of job satisfaction as well as job dissatisfaction experienced by registered nurses in Malaysia.MethodA convenient sample of 46 Malaysian nurses recruited from a large hospital (number of beds = 895) participated in the study. A total of seven focus group discussions were conducted with nurses from surgical, medical and critical care wards. A semi‐structured interview guide was used to facilitate the interviews, which were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and checked. The transcripts were used as data and were analysed using a thematic approach.FindingThe study identified three main themes that influenced job satisfaction: (1) nurses' personal values and beliefs; (2) work environment factors and (3) motivation factors. Concerning the nurses' personal values and beliefs, the ability to help people made the nurses felt honoured and happy, which indirectly contributed to job satisfaction. For work environment factors, team cohesion, benefit and reward, working conditions play an important role in the nurses' job satisfaction. Motivation factors, namely, professional development and clinical autonomy contributed to job satisfaction.ConclusionIt is important for nurse leaders to provide more rewards, comfortable work environments and to understand issues that affect nurses' job satisfaction.Relevance to clinical practiceOur findings highlight the importance of factors that can improve nurses' job satisfaction. The study provides basic information for hospital administrators in planning effective and efficient policies to improve nursing job satisfaction in order to increase the quality of patient care and decrease nursing turnover.
Intervention to improve intensive care nurses' knowledge of sedation assessment and management
Authors: Ramoo Vimala , Abdullah Khatijah L , Tan Patrick SK , Wong Li P , Chua Piaw Y 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundSedation management is an integral component of critical care practice. It requires the greatest attention of critical care practitioners because it carries significant risks to patients. Therefore, it is imperative that nurses are aware of potential adverse consequences of sedation therapy and current sedation practice recommendations.Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge of sedation assessment and management.Designs and methodsA quasi‐experimental design with a pre‐ and post‐test method was used. The educational intervention included theoretical sessions on assessing and managing sedation and hands‐on sedation assessment practice using the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale. Its effect was measured using self‐administered questionnaire, completed at the baseline level and 3 months following the intervention.ResultsParticipants were 68 registered nurses from an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Significant increases in overall mean knowledge scores were observed from pre‐ to post‐intervention phases (mean of 79·00 versus 102·00, p < 0·001). Nurses with fewer than 5 years of work experience, less than 26 years old, and with a only basic nursing education had significantly greater level of knowledge improvement at the post‐intervention phase compared to other colleagues, with mean differences of 24·64 (p = 0·001), 23·81 (p = 0·027) and 27·25 (p = 0·0001), respectively. A repeated‐measures analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant effect of educational intervention on knowledge score after controlling for age, years of work and level of nursing education (p = 0·0001, ηp2 = 0·431).ConclusionAn educational intervention consisting of theoretical sessions and hands‐on sedation assessment practice was found effective in improving nurses' knowledge and understanding of sedation management.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study highlighted the importance of continuing education to increase nurses' understanding of intensive care practices, which is vital for improving the quality of patient care.
Masticatory Muscles Dysfunction after CT‐guided Percutaneous Trigeminal Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Detailed Analysis
Authors: Zheng Shuyue , Wu Baishan , Zhao Ying , Wang Xiaoyu , Li Xuanying , Yang Liqiang , He Mingwei , Yue Jianning , Ni Jiaxiang 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the severity and the natural course of masticatory muscles weakness that developed after CT‐guided percutaneous trigeminal radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PT‐RFT) for the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN).MethodsTwenty‐seven patients with ITN were treated by CT‐guided percutaneous trigeminal radiofrequency thermocoagulation. Each patients' occlusal function and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity of the ipsilateral anterior temporalis (TA) and masseter muscles (MM) at mandibular postural position (MPP), and during a fast maximum voluntary clenching (MVC) from MPP to intercuspal position (ICP), were simultaneously recorded by the T‐Scan III system and Bio‐pak sEMG III system before (baseline), 3 days, 3 months, and 12 months after procedure. The incidence, degree, and prognosis of masticatory muscles dysfunction related to trigeminal nerve motor‐branch injury were analyzed.ResultsThree days and 3 months after procedure, both the occlusal symmetry and the sEMG activity of ipsilateral TA and MM became significantly decreased compared to the baseline (P < 0.05). However, they demonstrated a gradual improvement toward preoperative values in follow‐up, returning to complete in 23 patients at 12 months after procedure. None reported permanent masticatory paralysis. Pain relief was most significant on the third day after procedure. At the final clinical visit, a pain‐free status was observed in 25 patients (92.6%). Meanwhile, the intensity of facial dysesthesia was mildest, whereas there were statistic differences compared with baseline.ConclusionCT‐guided PT‐RFT for ITN remains an effective and safe surgical procedure, but there is a high rate of temporary masticatory dysfunction during a short time after procedure, appearing to be reversible in a period of 12 months.
Temperament, Parenting, and Moral Development: Specificity of Behavior and Context
Authors: Augustine Mairin E. , Stifter Cynthia A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis longitudinal study highlights the role of specific parenting behaviors in specific contexts when predicting moral development in children of varying temperament types. A sample of mother–child dyads took part in a competing demands task involving differing ‘do’ and ‘don't’ contextual demands when the child was 2 years of age. Child temperament was also assessed at this time, yielding inhibited, exuberant, and low‐reactive temperament groups. Children's moral behavior was assessed at 5.5 years of age. Models examining the interaction of temperament and mother behaviors in each context indicated that mother's reasoning/explanation and ignoring in the ‘do’ context predicted later moral behavior in inhibited children whereas redirection and commands in the ‘don't’ context predicted moral behavior in exuberant children.
Mothers' and Fathers' Emotion Socialization and Children's Emotion Regulation: A Within‐Family Model
Authors: Shewark Elizabeth A. , Blandon Alysia Y. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIn the current study, we examined whether mothers' and fathers' reactions to young children's positive and negative emotions were associated with children's negativity and emotion regulation. We utilized a within‐family design with 70 families (mother, father, and two siblings between the ages of 2 and 5 years). Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires about their emotion socialization as well as children's negativity and emotion regulation. Results indicated that mothers' and fathers' unsupportive reactions to children's positive emotions were associated with children's negativity. Fathers' unsupportive reactions to children's emotional displays were differentially associated with older and younger siblings' emotion regulation. Fathers' unsupportive responses to children's positive and negative emotions also contributed jointly to children's emotion regulation. The results suggest that exploring the within‐family correlates of children's emotion regulation and negativity is useful for understanding children's emotional development.
The Effect of GATT/WTO on Export and Import Price Volatility
Authors: Cao Vinh T. H. , Flach Lisandra 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDespite much interest and discussion concerning the trade‐promoting effects of membership in multilateral trade agreements, little is known about the effect of membership on world trade prices. This paper fills this gap by studying the effects of membership on export and import price volatility. We document a surprisingly strong and robust empirical regularity: GATT/WTO membership reduces the volatility of prices over time for both import and export countries, with similar results found for free trade agreements. We show that results are not driven by sample selection or endogeneity concerns and that the effect is captured by members subject to rigorous accession procedures.
A pulse‐dose topical 1% 5‐fluorouracil treatment regimen in a young dog with corneal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Overton Taryn L. , Allbaugh Rachel A. , Whitley David , Ben‐Shlomo Gil , Griggs Angel , Tofflemire Kyle L. , Whitley Elizabeth M. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPurposeTo describe the use of a pulse‐dose topical 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) treatment regimen in a Pug dog with corneal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).MethodsA 1‐year‐old, spayed female Pug was evaluated for a corneal perforation of the right eye, which was surgically stabilized with a conjunctival pedicle graft. At the time of medial canthoplasty 7 weeks later, two areas of gray–white discoloration had developed medial and lateral to the graft. Biopsy samples were obtained via superficial keratectomy while under general anesthesia.ResultsDefinitive diagnosis of cornealSCCwas made through histopathological examination of the surgical biopsies. Thoracic radiography and submandibular lymph node cytology revealed no evidence of metastatic neoplasia. Following healing of the corneal biopsy sites, topical 1% 5‐FUointment was applied four times daily for four consecutive days once a month, for six treatment cycles. Twenty‐three months after diagnosis, the patient remains visual and comfortable with no evidence ofSCCrecurrence. Long‐term therapy with once daily topical 1% cyclosporine solution was used to manage corneal pigmentation bilaterally.ConclusionsThe pulse‐therapy 1% 5‐FUprotocol was a successful, convenient, and cost‐effective adjunctive treatment with few adverse effects.
A Comprehensive Functional Map of the Hepatitis C Virus Genome Provides a Resource for Probing Viral Proteins
Authors: Remenyi Roland , Qi Hangfei , Su Sheng-Yao , Chen Zugen , Wu Nicholas C. , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja , Truong Shawna , Chu Virginia , Stokelman Tamar , Lo Hung-Hao , Olson C. Anders , Wu Ting-Ting , Chen Shu-Hwa , Lin Chung-Yen , Sun Ren 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
Pairing high-throughput sequencing technologies with high-throughput mutagenesis enables genome-wide investigations of pathogenic organisms. Knowledge of the specific functions of protein domains encoded by the genome of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major human pathogen that contributes to liver disease worldwide, remains limited to insight from small-scale studies. To enhance the capabilities of HCV researchers, we have obtained a high-resolution functional map of the entire viral genome by combining transposon-based insertional mutagenesis with next-generation sequencing. We generated a library of 8,398 mutagenized HCV clones, each containing one 15-nucleotide sequence inserted at a unique genomic position. We passaged this library in hepatic cells, recovered virus pools, and simultaneously assayed the abundance of mutant viruses in each pool by next-generation sequencing. To illustrate the validity of the functional profile, we compared the genetic footprints of viral proteins with previously solved protein structures. Moreover, we show the utility of these genetic footprints in the identification of candidate regions for epitope tag insertion. In a second application, we screened the genetic footprints for phenotypes that reflected defects in later steps of the viral life cycle. We confirmed that viruses with insertions in a region of the nonstructural protein NS4B had a defect in infectivity while maintaining genome replication. Overall, our genome-wide HCV mutant library and the genetic footprints obtained by high-resolution profiling represent valuable new resources for the research community that can direct the attention of investigators toward unidentified roles of individual protein domains.

IMPORTANCE
Our insertional mutagenesis library provides a resource that illustrates the effects of relatively small insertions on local protein structure and HCV viability. We have also generated complementary resources, including a website (http://hangfei.bol.ucla.edu) and a panel of epitope-tagged mutant viruses that should enhance the research capabilities of investigators studying HCV. Researchers can now detect epitope-tagged viral proteins by established antibodies, which will allow biochemical studies of HCV proteins for which antibodies are not readily available. Furthermore, researchers can now quickly look up genotype-phenotype relationships and base further mechanistic studies on the residue-by-residue information from the functional profile. More broadly, this approach offers a general strategy for the systematic functional characterization of viruses on the genome scale.
LpxC Inhibitors as New Antibacterial Agents and Tools for Studying Regulation of Lipid A Biosynthesis in Gram-Negative Pathogens
Authors: Tomaras Andrew P. , McPherson Craig J. , Kuhn Michael , Carifa Arlene , Mullins Lisa , George David , Desbonnet Charlene , Eidem Tess M. , Montgomery Justin I. , Brown Matthew F. , Reilly Usa , Miller Alita A. , O’Donnell John P. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

The problem of multidrug resistance in serious Gram-negative bacterial pathogens has escalated so severely that new cellular targets and pathways need to be exploited to avoid many of the preexisting antibiotic resistance mechanisms that are rapidly disseminating to new strains. The discovery of small-molecule inhibitors of LpxC, the enzyme responsible for the first committed step in the biosynthesis of lipid A, represents a clinically unprecedented strategy to specifically act against Gram-negative organisms such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
. In this report, we describe the microbiological characterization of LpxC-4, a recently disclosed inhibitor of this bacterial target, and demonstrate that its spectrum of activity extends to several of the pathogenic species that are most threatening to human health today. We also show that spontaneous generation of LpxC-4 resistance occurs at frequencies comparable to those seen with marketed antibiotics, and we provide an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of resistance utilized by target pathogens. Interestingly, these isolates also served as tools to further our understanding of the regulation of lipid A biosynthesis and enabled the discovery that this process occurs very distinctly between
P. aeruginosa
and members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
. Finally, we demonstrate that LpxC-4 is efficacious
in vivo
against multiple strains in different models of bacterial infection and that the major first-step resistance mechanisms employed by the intended target organisms can still be effectively treated with this new inhibitor.

IMPORTANCE
New antibiotics are needed for the effective treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens, and the responsibility of identifying new drug candidates rests squarely on the shoulders of the infectious disease community. The limited number of validated cellular targets and approaches, along with the increasing amount of antibiotic resistance that is spreading throughout the clinical environment, has prompted us to explore the utility of inhibitors of novel targets and pathways in these resistant organisms, since preexisting target-based resistance should be negligible. Lipid A biosynthesis is an essential process for the formation of lipopolysaccharide, which is a critical component of the Gram-negative outer membrane. In this report, we describe the
in vitro
and
in vivo
characterization of novel inhibitors of LpxC, an enzyme whose activity is required for proper lipid A biosynthesis, and demonstrate that our lead compound has the requisite attributes to warrant further consideration as a novel antibiotic.