bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of heart disease in children with asymptomatic murmurs
Authors: Sackey Adziri H. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study was performed to determine the prevalence of CHD among children referred with asymptomatic murmurs and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the assessment of asymptomatic heart murmurs by general paediatricians. We reviewed the records of children who had been referred by general paediatricians to a cardiology clinic for further evaluation of a heart murmur. The referring paediatricians’ clinical assessment of the murmur was compared with the cardiologist’s echocardiographic diagnosis. A total of 150 children were referred by paediatricians to a paediatric cardiologist for further assessment of a heart murmur. Out of 150 children, 72 had a paediatrician’s diagnosis of innocent murmur; of these 72 patients, two (3%) had heart disease on echocardiography. In all, after echocardiography, a range of congenital heart lesions was found in 28 (19%) of the 150 children. CHD is not rare among children with asymptomatic heart murmurs. In this series of children with asymptomatic murmurs, 19% had heart lesions on echocardiography. Most, but not all, of the children with heart lesions were identified on clinical examination by general paediatricians.
High prevalence of undernutrition and low dietary diversity in institutionalised elderly living in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake Kumari M , Wimalathunga MPPM , Weech Michelle , Jackson Kim G , Lovegrove Julie A 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to assess nutritional status, dietary diversity and lifestyle risk factors associated with undernutrition in an institutionalised Sri Lankan elderly population.DesignThe study was of cross-sectional design followed by a stratified sampling method.SettingTwelve homes for the elderly recruited from six provinces in Sri Lanka.SubjectsA total of 311 institutionalised elderly aged ≥60 years.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 75 (sd8) years. Prevalence of undernutrition was 30 %. Mean food variety score, dietary diversity score and dietary serving score of the study population were 8·7 (sd1·5), 7·3 (sd1·2) and 10·9 (sd2·0), respectively. Mean daily intakes of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and pulses and dairy portions were below the national recommendations, whereas the mean consumption of sugar exceeded the national recommendation. Only the mean intake of starch was within the recommendation. Food allergies (OR=8·0; 95 % CI 3·9, 16·2), skipping meals (OR=3·8; 95 % CI 2·0, 7·5) and lack of leisure activities (OR=3·1; 95 % CI 1·5, 6·7) significantly increased the risk of undernutrition, whereas the use of dentures decreased the risk (OR=0·20; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·69).ConclusionsHigh prevalence of undernutrition and low dietary diversity were observed in an institutionalised elderly Sri Lankan population. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement nutrition interventions as part of geriatric care to reduce undernutrition and improve the diets of the institutionalised elderly population in Sri Lanka.
A NEGLECTED RESOLUTION OF RUSSELL’S PARADOX OF PROPOSITIONS
Authors: UZQUIANO GABRIEL 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBertrand Russell offered an influential paradox of propositions in Appendix B ofThe Principles of Mathematics, but there is little agreement as to what to conclude from it. We suggest that Russell’s paradox is best regarded as a limitative result on propositional granularity. Some propositions are, on pain of contradiction, unable to discriminate between classes with different members: whatever they predicate of one, they predicate of the other. When accepted, this remarkable fact should cast some doubt upon some of the uses to which modern descendants of Russell’s paradox of propositions have been put in recent literature.
Displacing Misinformation about Events: An Experimental Test of Causal Corrections
Authors: Nyhan Brendan , Reifler Jason 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMisinformation can be very difficult to correct and may have lasting effects even after it is discredited. One reason for this persistence is the manner in which people make causal inferences based on available information about a given event or outcome. As a result, false information may continue to influence beliefs and attitudes even after being debunked if it is not replaced by an alternate causal explanation. We test this hypothesis using an experimental paradigm adapted from the psychology literature on the continued influence effect and find that a causal explanation for an unexplained event is significantly more effective than a denial even when the denial is backed by unusually strong evidence. This result has significant implications for how to most effectively counter misinformation about controversial political events and outcomes.
When Do Conflicting Parties Share Political Power?
Authors: Battaglini Marco , Mechtenberg Lydia 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe conduct a laboratory experiment to study the incentives of a privileged group (the “yellows”) to share political power with another group (the “blues”). The yellows collectively choose the voting rule for a general election: a simple-majority rule that favors them, or a proportional rule. In two treatments, the blues can use a costly punishment option. We find that the yellows share power voluntarily only to a small extent, but they are more inclined to do so under the threat of punishment, despite the fact that punishments are not sub-game perfect. The blue group conditions punishments both on the voting rule and the electoral outcome.
Psychologie im Kontext der Kybernetik und im Kontext des Sozialismus
Authors: Schönpflug Wolfgang 
Published: April 2015

Die Kybernetik nach den Prinzipien der marxistisch-leninistischen Ideologie als Wissenschaft auszuarbeiten und zur Grundlage gegenstandsorientierter Forschung, Organisation und Planung zu machen, war ein Anliegen, das seit der zweiten Hälfte der 1950er Jahre in der DDR diskutiert wurde. Die SED hat unter Walter Ulbricht als ihrem Ersten Sekretär dieses Anliegen unterstützt. Nach der Machtübernahme durch Erich Honecker im Jahre 1971 hat die Partei jedoch die Kybernetik als universelles, gesellschaftspolitisches Programm verurteilt und nur noch als einzelwissenschaftlichen, technisch und ökonomisch orientierten Forschungsansatz gefördert. Als universeller Ansatz verstanden, der sich nach Disziplinen gliederte, schloss Kybernetik auch eine Kybernetische Psychologie ein, die in der DDR zunächst an der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena betrieben und dann an die Humboldt-Universität Berlin verlagert wurde; die Forschungsgruppe „Kybernetik und Psychologie” der Humboldt-Universität erweiterte sich in die Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR, als dort ein Zentralinstitut für Kybernetik und Informationsprozesse gegründet wurde. Dargestellt werden das Projekt der kybernetisch orientierten Psychologie in den Jahren 1960 bis 1972, der gleichzeitige Entwurf eines sozialistischen Reformprogramms nach Grundsätzen der Kybernetik sowie die einschlägige Wissenschaftspolitik der DDR. Im Mittelpunkt der Diskussion steht die Frage der Kontextualität oder der Autonomie der Psychologie als wissenschaftliches Projekt. Wie weit war sie in die Kybernetik sowie in die Wissenschaftspolitik der DDR eingebunden? Wie weit hat sie in ihrem regionalen Umfeld Selbständigkeit genossen?
Tracking the origins and drivers of subclonal metastatic expansion in prostate cancer
Authors: Hong Matthew K.H. , Macintyre Geoff , Wedge David C. , Van Loo Peter , Patel Keval , Lunke Sebastian , Alexandrov Ludmil B. , Sloggett Clare , Cmero Marek , Marass Francesco , Tsui Dana , Mangiola Stefano , Lonie Andrew , Naeem Haroon , Sapre Nikhil , Phal Pramit M. , Kurganovs Natalie , Chin Xiaowen , Kerger Michael , Warren Anne Y. , Neal David , Gnanapragasam Vincent , Rosenfeld Nitzan , Pedersen John S. , Ryan Andrew , Haviv Izhak , Costello Anthony J. , Corcoran Niall M. , Hovens Christopher M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTumour heterogeneity in primary prostate cancer is a well-established phenomenon. However, how the subclonal diversity of tumours changes during metastasis and progression to lethality is poorly understood. Here we reveal the precise direction of metastatic spread across four lethal prostate cancer patients using whole-genome and ultra-deep targeted sequencing of longitudinally collected primary and metastatic tumours. We find one case of metastatic spread to the surgical bed causing local recurrence, and another case of cross-metastatic site seeding combining with dynamic remoulding of subclonal mixtures in response to therapy. By ultra-deep sequencing end-stage blood, we detect both metastatic and primary tumour clones, even years after removal of the prostate. Analysis of mutations associated with metastasis reveals an enrichment of TP53 mutations, and additional sequencing of metastases from 19 patients demonstrates that acquisition of TP53 mutations is linked with the expansion of subclones with metastatic potential which we can detect in the blood.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β ubiquitination by TRAF6 regulates TLR3-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production
Authors: Ko Ryeojin , Park Jin Hee , Ha Hyunil , Choi Yongwon , Lee Soo Young 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTRAF6 is critical for the production of inflammatory cytokines in various TLR-mediated signalling pathways. However, it is poorly understood how TRAF6 regulates TLR3 responses. Here we demonstrate that GSK3β interacts with TRAF6 and positively regulates the TLR3-mediated signalling. Suppression of GSK3β expression or its kinase activity drastically reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines and the induction of c-Fos by decreasing ERK and p38 phosphorylation. GSK3β physically associates with TRAF6 in a TLR3 ligand poly I:C-dependent manner. TRAF6 is determined to be a direct E3 ligase for GSK3β, and TRAF6-mediated GSK3β ubiquitination is essential for poly I:C-dependent cytokine production by promoting the TLR3 adaptor protein TRIF-assembled signalling complex.
Effects of nitrogen stress on the photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll fluorescence and sugar-nitrogen ratio in corn
Authors: Jin Xiuliang , Yang Guijun , Tan Changwei , Zhao Chunjiang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA field experiment was conducted using three corn cultivars (Jingyu7, Nongda80 and Tangyu10) and three nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha−1). The objectives of this study were to investigate the responses of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (Ph), the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), leaf dry weight (LDW), leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), leaf sugar concentration (LSC) and the sugar-to-nitrogen concentration ratio (S/N) to N levels in three different field-grown corn cultivars on three sampling dates. The results showed that the LDW, Fv/Fm, Ph, LNC and LSC increased with increasing N levels and the variation patterns of Fv/Fm, Ph and LNC were “low-high-low”. In contrast, S/N decreased with increasing N levels and its variation pattern was “high-low-high”. The values of LDW, Fv/Fm, Ph, LNC, LSC and S/N were greatest under high N conditions, followed by medium N conditions and finally low N conditions. Significant interactions occurred between Ph, Fv/Fm, LNC, LSC, LDW and S/N, with the exception of the interaction between LSC and S/N and between LSC and LDW. The correlation coefficients between Ph and S/N and between Fv/Fm and S/N were −0.714 and −0.798, respectively.
Charging a Capacitor from an External Fluctuating Potential using a Single Conical Nanopore
Authors: Gomez Vicente , Ramirez Patricio , Cervera Javier , Nasir Saima , Ali Mubarak , Ensinger Wolfgang , Mafe Salvador 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe explore the electrical rectification of large amplitude fluctuating signals by an asymmetric nanostructure operating in aqueous solution. We show experimentally and theoretically that a load capacitor can be charged to voltages close to 1 V within a few minutes by converting zero time-average potentials of amplitudes in the range 0.5–3 V into average net currents using a single conical nanopore. This process suggests that significant energy conversion and storage from an electrically fluctuating environment is feasible with a nanoscale pore immersed in a liquid electrolyte solution, a system characteristic of bioelectronics interfaces, electrochemical cells and nanoporous membranes.
Printing 2-Dimentional Droplet Array for Single-Cell Reverse Transcription Quantitative PCR Assay with a Microfluidic Robot
Authors: Zhu Ying , Zhang Yun-Xia , Liu Wen-Wen , Ma Yan , Fang Qun , Yao Bo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis paper describes a nanoliter droplet array-based single-cell reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay method for quantifying gene expression in individual cells. By sequentially printing nanoliter-scale droplets on microchip using a microfluidic robot, all liquid-handling operations including cell encapsulation, lysis, reverse transcription and quantitative PCR with real-time fluorescence detection, can be automatically achieved. The inhibition effect of cell suspension buffer on RT-PCR assay was comprehensively studied to achieve high-sensitivity gene quantification. The present system was applied in the quantitative measurement of expression level of mir-122 in single Huh-7 cells. A wide distribution of mir-122 expression in single cells from 3061 copies/cell to 79998 copies/cell was observed, showing a high level of cell heterogeneity. With the advantages of full-automation in liquid-handling, simple system structure and flexibility in achieving multi-step operations, the present method provides a novel liquid-handling mode for single cell gene expression analysis and has significant potentials in transcriptional identification and rare cell analysis.
Faculty development programs improve the quality of Multiple Choice Questions items' writing
Authors: Abdulghani Hamza Mohammad , Ahmad Farah , Irshad Mohammad , Khalil Mahmoud Salah , Al-Shaikh Ghadeer Khalid , Syed Sadiqa , Aldrees Abdulmajeed Abdurrahman , Alrowais Norah , Haque Shafiul 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the utility of long term faculty development programs (FDPs) in order to improve the quality of multiple choice questions (MCQs) items' writing. This was a quasi-experimental study, conducted with newly joined faculty members. The MCQ items were analyzed for difficulty index, discriminating index, reliability, Bloom's cognitive levels, item writing flaws (IWFs) and MCQs' nonfunctioning distractors (NFDs) based test courses of respiratory, cardiovascular and renal blocks. Significant improvement was found in the difficulty index values of pre- to post-training (p = 0.003). MCQs with moderate difficulty and higher discrimination were found to be more in the post-training tests in all three courses. Easy questions were decreased from 36.7 to 22.5%. Significant improvement was also reported in the discriminating indices from 92.1 to 95.4% after training (p = 0.132). More number of higher cognitive level of Bloom's taxonomy was reported in the post-training test items (p<0.0001). Also, NFDs and IWFs were reported less in the post-training items (p<0.02). The MCQs written by the faculties without participating in FDPs are usually of low quality. This study suggests that newly joined faculties need active participation in FDPs as these programs are supportive in improving the quality of MCQs' items writing.
A hybrid chimeric system for versatile and ultra-sensitive RNase detection
Authors: Persano Stefano , Vecchio Giuseppe , Pompa Pier Paolo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe developed a new versatile strategy that allows the detection of several classes of RNases (i.e., targeting ss- or ds-RNA, DNA/RNA hetero-hybrid or junctions) with higher sensitivity than existing assays. Our two-step approach consists of a DNA-RNA-DNA chimeric Hairpin Probe (cHP) conjugated to magnetic microparticles and containing a DNAzyme sequence in its terminal region and molecular beacons for fluorescence signal generation. In the first step, the digestion of the RNA portion of the cHP sequences in presence of RNases leads to the release of multiple copies of the DNAzyme in solution. Then, after magnetic washing, each DNAzyme molecule elicits the catalytic cleavage of numerous molecular beacons, providing a strong amplification of the overall sensitivity of the assay. We successfully applied our approach to detect very low concentrations of RNase A, E. coli RNase I and RNase H. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of two antibiotics (penicillin and streptomycin) on RNase H activity, demonstrating the applicability of our strategy for the screening of inhibitors. Finally, we exploited our system to detect RNase activity directly in crude biological samples (i.e., blood and saliva) and in cell culture medium, highlighting its suitability as cheap and sensitive tool for the detection of RNase levels.
Biochemical and functional characterization of a periplasmic disulfide oxidoreductase from Neisseria meningitidis essential for meningococcal viability
Authors: Gand Adeline , Selme-Roussel Laure , Collin Sabrina , Branlant Guy , Jacob Christophe , Boschi-Muller Sandrine 
Published: April 2015

TlpAs (thioredoxin-like proteins) are bacterial thioredoxin-like periplasmic disulfide oxidoreductases generally involved in cytochrome c maturation (Ccm) process. They contain a characteristic CXXC active site motif involved in disulfide exchange reaction. In the human pathogenic Neisseria meningitidis species, no TlpA has been characterized so far. In the present study, using an in silico analysis, we identified a putative periplasmic TlpA, called TlpA2. Biochemical and kinetic characterizations of the soluble form of TlpA2, tTlpA2 (truncated TlpA2), were performed. A reduction potential of −0.230 V at pH 7 was calculated, suggesting that TlpA2 acts as a reductant in the oxidative environment of the periplasm. Using a second-order reactive probe, high pKapp (apparent pKa) values were determined for the two cysteines of the SCXXC motif. The tTlpA2 was shown to be efficiently reduced by the N-terminal domain of the DsbD, whereas tTlpA2 reduced a mimetic peptide of cytochrome c′ with a catalytic efficiency similar to that observed with other disulfide oxidoreductase like ResA. Moreover, the corresponding gene tlpA2 was shown to be essential for the pathogen viability and able to partially complement a Bordetella pertussis CcsX mutant. Together, these data support an essential role of TlpA2 in the Ccm process in N. meningitidis.
Novel reactivity of Fhit proteins: catalysts for fluorolysis of nucleoside 5′-phosphoramidates and nucleoside 5′-phosphosulfates to generate nucleoside 5′-phosphorofluoridates
Authors: Wojdyła-Mamoń Anna M. , Zimny Jarosław , Romanowska Joanna , Kraszewski Adam , Stawinski Jacek , Bieganowski Paweł , Guranowski Andrzej 
Published: April 2015

Fragile histidine triad (HIT) proteins (Fhits) occur in all eukaryotes but their function is largely unknown. Human Fhit is presumed to function as a tumour suppressor. Previously, we demonstrated that Fhits catalyse hydrolysis of not only dinucleoside triphosphates but also natural adenosine 5′-phosphoramidate (NH2-pA) and adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (SO4-pA) as well as synthetic adenosine 5′-phosphorofluoridate (F-pA). In the present study, we describe an Fhit-catalysed displacement of the amino group of nucleoside 5′-phosphoramidates (NH2-pNs) or the sulfate moiety of nucleoside 5′-phosphosulfates (SO4-pNs) by fluoride anion. This results in transient accumulation of the corresponding nucleoside 5′-phosphorofluoridates (F-pNs). Substrate specificity and kinetic characterization of the fluorolytic reactions catalysed by the human Fhit and other examples of involvement of fluoride in the biochemistry of nucleotides are described. Among other HIT proteins, human histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein (Hint1) catalysed fluorolysis of NH2-pA 20 times and human Hint2 40 times more slowly than human Fhit.
Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: Part I—Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis
Authors: Samartzis Dino , Gillis Christopher C. , Shih Patrick , O'Toole John E. , Fessler Richard G. 
Published: April 2015

Study Design Broad narrative review. Objectives Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) are rare neoplasms that can potentially lead to severe neurologic deterioration, decreased function, poor quality of life, or death. As such, a better understanding of these lesions is needed. The following article, part one of a two-part series, addresses IMSCT with regards to their epidemiology, histology, pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, and clinical manifestations. Methods The authors performed an extensive review of the peer-reviewed literature addressing the aforementioned objectives. Results Numerous IMSCT exist with varying epidemiology. Each IMSCT has its own hallmark characteristics and may vary with regards to how aggressively they invade the spinal cord. These lesions are often difficult to detect and are often misdiagnosed. Furthermore, radiographically and clinically, these lesions may be difficult to distinguish from one another. Conclusions Awareness and understanding of IMSCT is imperative to facilitate an early diagnosis and plan management.
Eluding catastrophic shifts
Authors: Villa Martín Paula , Bonachela Juan A. , Levin Simon A. , Muñoz Miguel A. 
Published: April 2015

SignificanceCatastrophic shifts such as desertification processes, massive extinctions, or stock market collapses are ubiquitous threats in nature and society. In these events, there is a shift from one steady state to a radically different one, from which recovery is exceedingly difficult. Thus, there is a huge interest in predicting and eventually preventing catastrophic shifts. Here we explore the influence of key mechanisms such as demographic fluctuations, heterogeneity, and diffusion, which appear generically in real circumstances. The mechanisms we study could ideally be exploited to smooth abrupt shifts and to make transitions progressive and easier to revert. Thus, our findings could be of potential importance for ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
α-Synuclein, a chemoattractant, directs microglial migration via H2O2-dependent Lyn phosphorylation
Authors: Wang Shijun , Chu Chun-Hsien , Stewart Tessandra , Ginghina Carmen , Wang Yifei , Nie Hui , Guo Mingri , Wilson Belinda , Hong Jau-Shyong , Zhang Jing 
Published: April 2015

Significanceα-Synuclein (α-syn) aggregates released from neurons activate microglia, leading to chronic neuroinflammation that causes damage to neurons in brains with synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, little is known about the mechanism by which α-syn affects microglial activity, especially motility, and why microglia migrate toward the injured neurons and preferentially accumulate along with α-syn aggregates in the affected areas, e.g., in the substantia nigra of PD brains. Here we show that neuron-derived α-syn aggregates are chemoattractants that direct microglial migration by acting on NADPH oxidase and several specific downstream proteins. Blocking the targets involved in α-syn–mediated microglial directional migration may represent a therapeutic strategy to protect against progressive neuronal loss in PD and related synucleinopathies.