bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facing emotions in narcolepsy with cataplexy: haemodynamic and behavioural responses during emotional stimulation
Authors: de Zambotti Massimiliano , Pizza Fabio , Covassin Naima , Vandi Stefano , Cellini Nicola , Stegagno Luciano , Plazzi Giuseppe 
Published: February 2014

SummaryNarcolepsy with cataplexy is a complex sleep disorder that affects the modulation of emotions: cataplexy, the key symptom of narcolepsy, is indeed strongly linked with emotions that usually trigger the episodes. Our study aimed to investigate haemodynamic and behavioural responses during emotional stimulation in narco‐cataplexy. Twelve adult drug‐naive narcoleptic patients (five males; age: 33.3 ± 9.4 years) and 12 healthy controls (five males; age: 30.9 ± 9.5 years) were exposed to emotional stimuli (pleasant, unpleasant and neutral pictures). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and mean cerebral blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral arteries were continuously recorded using photoplethysmography and Doppler ultrasound. Ratings of valence and arousal and coping strategies were scored by the Self‐Assessment Manikin and by questionnaires, respectively. Narcoleptic patients' haemodynamic responses to pictures overlapped with the data obtained from controls: decrease of heart rate and increase of mean cerebral blood flow velocity regardless of pictures' content, increase of systolic blood pressure during the pleasant condition, and relative reduction of heart rate during pleasant and unpleasant conditions. However, when compared with controls, narcoleptic patients reported lower arousal scores during the pleasant and neutral stimulation, and lower valence scores during the pleasant condition, respectively, and also a lower score at the ‘focus on and venting of emotions’ dimensions of coping. Our results suggested that adult narcoleptic patients, compared with healthy controls, inhibited their emotion‐expressive behaviour to emotional stimulation, and that may be related to the development of adaptive cognitive strategies to face emotions avoiding cataplexy.
Qualitative and Quantitative Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonographic Assessment of Cerulein‐Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs
Authors: Lim S.Y. , Nakamura K. , Morishita K. , Sasaki N. , Murakami M. , Osuga T. , Ohta H. , Yamasaki M. , Takiguchi M. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundAcute pancreatitis (AP) is the most common disease of the canine exocrine pancreas, and accurate noninvasive diagnosis is challenging.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine the feasibility of using quantitative contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) to detect pancreatic perfusional changes in cerulein‐inducedAPin dogs.AnimalsSix adult female Beagles.MethodsEach dog received 2 hours ofIVinfusion with 7.5 μg/kg/h of cerulein diluted in saline. As control, all dogs received 2 hours ofIVinfusion of saline 2 weeks before cerulein infusion.CEUSof the pancreas and duodenum were performed before (0 hour), and at 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after saline and cerulein infusion. Time‐intensity curves were created from regions of interest in the pancreas and duodenum. Five perfusional parameters were measured for statistical analysis: time to initial up‐slope, peak time, time to wash‐out, peak intensity (PI), and area under the curve (AUC).ResultsIn cerulein‐inducedAP, pancreaticPIincreased at 2 and 4 hours when compared to 0 hour, and at 2, 4, and 6 hours when compared to control.AUCincreased at 4 hours when compared to 0 hour, and at 2 and 4 hours when compared to control. Time to wash‐out was prolonged at 4 hours when compared to control. For saline control, peak time was faster at 2 hours when compared to 0 hour.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCEUSparametersPIandAUCcan provide useful information in differentiating acute pancreatitis from normal pancreas. Cerulein‐inducedAPwas characterized by prolonged hyperechoic enhancement onCEUS.
DEA1 Expression on Dog Erythrocytes Analyzed by Immunochromatographic and Flow Cytometric Techniques
Authors: Acierno M.M. , Raj K. , Giger U. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe Dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 blood group system was thought to contain typesDEA1.1 and 1.2 (and possibly 1.3 [A3]). However,DEA1.2+ dogs are very rare and newer typing methods reveal varying degrees ofDEA1 positivity.ObjectivesTo assess if variation inDEA1 positivity is because of quantitative differences in surface antigen expression. To determine expression patterns in dogs over time and effects of blood storage (4°C). To evaluateDEA1.2+ samples byDEA1 typing methods.AnimalsAnticoagulated blood samples from 66 dogs in a research colony and from a hospital, and 9 previously typedDEA1.2+ dogs from an animal blood bank.MethodsResearch study: Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunochromatographic strip using a monoclonal anti‐DEA1 antibody.ResultsTwenty dogs wereDEA1−, whereas 46 dogs were weakly to stronglyDEA1+. Antigen quantification revealed excellent correlation between strip and flow cytometry (r = 0.929). Both methods reclassifiedDEA1.2+ samples as weakly to moderatelyDEA1+, but they were not retyped with the polyclonal anti‐DEA1.1/1.X antibodies. Dogs and blood samples retained their relativeDEA1 antigen densities over time.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe blood group systemDEA1 is a continuum from negative to strongly positive antigen expression. Previously typedDEA1.2+ appears to beDEA1+. These findings further the understanding of theDEA1 system and suggest that all alleles within theDEA1 system have a similarly based epitope recognized by the monoclonal antibody.
Evaluation of Quality of Life in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy
Authors: Wessmann A. , Volk H.A. , Parkin T. , Ortega M. , Anderson T.J. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe impact of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life (QoL) is considered an important part of treatment supervision in human epilepsy.ObjectivesTo develop a list of key questions evaluating QoL in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) and their carers.AnimalsOne hundred fifty‐nine dogs with IE.MethodsCross‐sectional study. An online project questionnaire was developed containing 90 QoL‐associated questions that were initially allocated to 14 themes representing specific areas associated with the treatment and care of an epileptic dog. Principal component analysis was applied with the aim of refining the questionnaire to the least number of questions representing useful themes without loss of descriptive value. Carers were recruited by paper mail, primary practices, and canine epilepsy websites. Data were acquired from January to November 2011.ResultsPrincipal component analysis removed 54 questions, leaving 7 themes with 36 questions with a minimum Cronbach's alpha value of 0.7 indicating a good internal consistency: “Seizure severity and frequency”, “Adverse effects of antiepileptic drug (AED)”, “Restrictions on the carer's life”, “Frustrations over caring for a dog with IE”, “Carer distaste of AED adverse effects”, “Carer anxiety around the seizure event”, “Perceptions on rectal diazepam use”.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePrincipal component analysis successfully reduced the number of questions without loss in descriptive value. The remaining questions correlate well with each other in capturing valuable details about aspects of QoL and represent valuable key questions (EpiQoL) in the assessment of QoL for the carers of dogs with IE.
Predator community structure and trophic linkage strength to a focal prey
Authors: Lundgren Jonathan G. , Fergen Janet K. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPredator abundance and community structure can affect the suppression of lower trophic levels, although studies of these interactions under field conditions are relatively few. We investigated how the frequency of consumption (measured using PCR‐based gut content analysis) is affected by predator abundance, community diversity and evenness under realistic conditions. Soil arthropod communities in sixteen maize fields were measured (number of predators, diversity [Shannon H] and evenness [J]), and predator guts were searched for DNA of the focal subterranean herbivore, the corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera). Predator abundance and diversity were positively correlated with trophic linkage strength (the proportion positive for rootworm DNA), although the latter characteristic was not significantly so. The diversity and evenness of the predator community with chewing mouthparts were strongly correlated with their linkage strength to rootworms, whereas the linkage strength of fluid‐feeding predators was unaffected by their community characteristics. Within this community, chewing predators are more affected by the rootworm's hemolymph defence. This research clearly shows that predator abundance and diversity influence the strength of a community's trophic linkage to a focal pest and that these community characteristics may be particularly important for less palatable or protected prey species. We also make the case for conserving diverse and abundant predator communities within agroecosystems as a form of pest management.
BrlR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a c‐di‐GMP‐responsive transcription factor
Authors: Chambers Jacob R. , Liao Julie , Schurr Michael J. , Sauer Karin 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe transcriptional regulator BrlR is a member of the MerR family of multidrug transport activators that contributes to the high‐level drug tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. While MerR regulators are known to activate both the expression of multidrug efflux pump genes and their own transcription upon inducer binding, little is known about BrlR activation. We demonstrate using promoter reporter strains, in vivo and in vitro DNA‐binding assays combined with 5′RACE, that BrlR binds to its own promoter, likely via a MerR‐like palindromic sequence. Unlike known MerR multidrug transport activators, BrlR and brlR expression are not activated by multidrug transporter substrates. Instead, BrlR–DNA binding was enhanced by the secondary messenger c‐di‐GMP. In addition to enhanced BrlR–DNA binding, c‐di‐GMP levels contributed to PbrlR promoter activity in initial attached cells with elevated c‐di‐GMP levels correlating with increased expression of brlR. While not harbouring amino acid motifs resembling previously defined c‐di‐GMP‐binding domains, BrlR was found to bind c‐di‐GMP in vitro at a ratio of one c‐di‐GMP per two BrlR. Cross‐linking assays confirmed dimer formation to be enhanced in the presence of elevated c‐di‐GMP levels. Our findings demonstrate BrlR to be an unusual MerR‐family member in that BrlR function and expression require the secondary messenger c‐di‐GMP.
An evolutionarily conserved RNase‐based mechanism for repression of transcriptional positive autoregulation
Authors: Wurtmann Elisabeth J. , Ratushny Alexander V. , Pan Min , Beer Karlyn D. , Aitchison John D. , Baliga Nitin S. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryIt is known that environmental context influences the degree of regulation at the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels. However, the principles governing the differential usage and interplay of regulation at these two levels are not clear. Here, we show that the integration of transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in a characteristic network motif drives efficient environment‐dependent state transitions. Through phenotypic screening, systems analysis, and rigorous experimental validation, we discovered an RNase (VNG2099C) in Halobacterium salinarum that is transcriptionally co‐regulated with genes of the aerobic physiologic state but acts on transcripts of the anaerobic state. Through modelling and experimentation we show that this arrangement generates an efficient state‐transition switch, within which RNase‐repression of a transcriptional positive autoregulation (RPAR) loop is critical for shutting down ATP‐consuming active potassium uptake to conserve energy required for salinity adaptation under aerobic, high potassium, or dark conditions. Subsequently, we discovered that many Escherichia coli operons with energy‐associated functions are also putatively controlled by RPAR indicating that this network motif may have evolved independently in phylogenetically distant organisms. Thus, our data suggest that interplay of transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation in the RPAR motif is a generalized principle for efficient environment‐dependent state transitions across prokaryotes.
Elucidation of the structures of all members of the Avsunviroidae family
Authors: Giguère Tamara , Adkar‐Purushothama Charith Raj , Bolduc François , Perreault Jean‐Pierre 
Published: February 2014

SummaryViroids are small single‐stranded RNA pathogens which cause significant damage to plants. As their nucleic acids do not encode for any proteins, they are dependant solely on their structure for their propagation. The elucidation of the secondary structures of viroids has been limited because of the exhaustive and time‐consuming nature of classic approaches. Here, the method of high‐throughput selective 2′‐hydroxyl acylation analysed by primer extension (hSHAPE) has been adapted to probe the viroid structure. The data obtained using this method were then used as input for computer‐assisted structure prediction using RNAstructure software in order to determine the secondary structures of the RNA strands of both (+) and (–) polarities of all Avsunviroidae members, one of the two families of viroids. The resolution of the structures of all of the members of the family provides a global view of the complexity of these RNAs. The structural differences between the two polarities, and any plausible tertiary interactions, were also analysed. Interestingly, the structures of the (+) and (–) strands were found to be different for each viroid species. The structures of the recently isolated grapevine hammerhead viroid‐like RNA strands were also solved. This species shares several structural features with the Avsunviroidae family, although its infectious potential remains to be determined. To our knowledge, this article represents the first report of the structural elucidation of a complete family of viroids.
Virulence of the maize smut Ustilago maydis is shaped by organ‐specific effectors
Authors: Schilling Lena , Matei Alexandra , Redkar Amey , Walbot Virginia , Doehlemann Gunther 
Published: February 2014

SummaryWith the exception of Ustilago maydis, smut fungi infecting monocotyledonous hosts systemically colonize infected plants and cause symptoms exclusively in the inflorescences. Ustilago maydis infects primordia of all aerial organs of maize (Zea mays L.) and results in the formation of large plant tumours. Previously, we have found that U. maydis infection of seedling leaves, adult leaves and tassels causes organ‐specific transcriptional changes in both the pathogen and the host. Of particular interest, U. maydis genes encoding secreted proteins are differentially expressed depending on the colonized maize organ. Therefore, we hypothesized that the fungus secretes virulence‐related proteins (effectors) that act in an organ‐specific manner. Here, we present the identification and functional characterization of 20 presumptive organ‐specific U. maydis effector genes. Ustilago maydis deletion strains for these genes were generated and tested for infectivity of maize seedling leaves and tassels. This approach identified 11 effector genes required for the full virulence of U. maydis. In nine cases, virulence was only affected in one of the tested plant organs. These results demonstrate that individual fungal effector proteins contribute to fungal virulence in an organ‐specific manner.
Disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV‐infected patients: determinants of relapse and mortality in a north‐eastern area of Brazil
Authors: Damasceno Lisandra Serra , Ramos Alberto Novaes , Alencar Carlos Henrique , Gonçalves Maria Vânia Freitas , de Mesquita Jacó Ricarte Lima , Soares Anne Taumaturgo Dias , Coutinho Anna Gisele Nunes , Dantas Carolina Cavalcante , Leitão Terezinha do Menino Jesus Silva 
Published: February 2014

SummaryMany relapses and deaths resulting from disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients have been observed in an endemic area in north‐eastern Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with the clinical outcomes of DH/AIDS coinfection in patients from the state of Ceará, Brazil. A retrospective cohort of AIDS patients, after their hospital discharge due to first DH episode in the period 2002–2008, was followed until December 31, 2010, to investigate the factors associated with relapse and mortality. A total of 145 patients were evaluated in the study. Thirty patients (23.3%) relapsed and the overall mortality was 30.2%. The following variables were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with relapse and overall mortality (univariate analysis): non‐adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), irregular use of an antifungal, non‐recovery of the CD4+ count and having AIDS before DH; histoplasmosis relapse was also significantly associated with mortality. In the multivariate analysis, non‐adherence to HAART was the independent risk factor that was associated with both relapse (Adj OR = 6.28) and overall mortality (Adj OR = 8.03); efavirenz usage was discovered to be significant only for the overall mortality rate (Adj OR = 4.50). Adherence to HAART was the most important variable that influenced the outcomes in this specific population.
Heterogeneity of mucosal mast cell infiltration in subgroups of patients with esophageal chest pain
Authors: Lee H. , Chung H. , Park J. C. , Shin S. K. , lee S. K. , Lee Y. C. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundAlthough there is growing evidence that an increase in mucosal mast cells (MMCs) in the small and large intestine is associated with visceral hypersensitivity, few studies have evaluated MMCs in humans with esophageal symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate esophageal MMC distribution in patients with non‐cardiac chest pain (NCCP) and to examine the association between the number of gut MMCs and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.MethodsForty‐two consecutive NCCP patients and 10 healthy controls completed a questionnaire for bowel symptoms, chest pain intensity score, and psychologic depression. Esophageal, duodenal, and rectal MMCs were identified immunohistochemically and quantified by image analysis.Key ResultsNumbers of MMCs were significantly higher in NCCP patients vs healthy controls (11.8 ± 5.6 vs 7.6 ± 3.7 MMCs/high‐power field, p = 0.026). In comparison of subgroups classified by 24‐h impedance–pH monitoring, esophageal MMC counts were highest in the hypersensitive esophagus group (p < 0.01) and were also significantly increased in the functional chest pain group (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between esophageal and duodenal MMC counts was observed in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD; Spearman ρ = 0.604, p = 0.037). In particular, patients with clinical overlap with irritable bowel syndrome showed a strong positive correlation between esophageal and rectal MMC numbers (Spearman ρ = 0.857, p = 0.010).Conclusions & InferencesAmong NCCP patients, increased MMC infiltration occurs in subgroups with hypersensitive esophagus and functional chest pain. In subpopulations with overlap with FD or irritable bowel syndrome, esophageal MMC counts demonstrated significant positive correlations with duodenal or rectal MMC counts.
The tommotiid Kelanella and associated fauna from the early Cambrian of southern Montagne Noire (France): implications for camenellan phylogeny
Authors: Devaere Léa , Clausen Sébastien , Monceret Eric , Vizcaïno Daniel , Vachard Daniel , Genge Marie C. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA carbonate bed of the Pardailhan Formation, early Cambrian, southern Montagne Noire (southern France), provided microfossils such as Hyolithellus sp., Torellella cf. mutila and Torellella sp. along with numerous disarticulated pieces of composite skeletons such as valves of the brachiopod Eoobolus priscus and of the bradoriid Monceretia erisylvia, and chancelloriid sclerites (Chancelloria sp.). The assemblage also furnished a rich set of sclerites from the tommotiid Kelanella altaica. Five morphological variations of the latter have been identified. The presence of concentric ribs formed by distal inflation of selected shell laminae in Kelanella supports its assignment to the camenellans. More particularly, the presence of transverse structures within the internal cavity (septa) of Kelanella suggests a close relationship with the Lapworthellidae. However, the latter differ from Kelanella by the continuous morphological variation along their scleritome which is also composed of simple conical elements with uniform ornamentation. Several forms of Kelanella are similar to mitral and sellate sclerites of Camenella, whereas some other forms are comparable to Kennardia. The new material suggests that Kelanella occupies a transitional position between Lapworthellidae and the grouping of Tommotiidae and Kennardiidae. Such a phylogenetic position also implies that the number of sclerite morphotypes tends to decrease within the camenellan scleritome during evolution.
Elevated CO2 alters the feeding behaviour of the pea aphid by modifying the physical and chemical resistance of Medicago truncatula
Authors: GUO HUIJUAN , SUN YUCHENG , LI YUEFEI , LIU XIANGHUI , WANG PINGYAN , ZHU‐SALZMAN KEYAN , GE FENG 
Published: February 2014

AbstractElevated CO2 compromises the resistance of leguminous plants against chewing insects, but little is known about whether elevated CO2 modifies the resistance against phloem‐sucking insects or whether it has contrasting effects on the resistance of legumes that differ in biological nitrogen fixation. We tested the hypothesis that the physical and chemical resistance against aphids would be increased in Jemalong (a wild type of Medicago truncatula) but would be decreased in dnf1 (a mutant without biological nitrogen fixation) by elevated CO2. The non‐glandular and glandular trichome density of Jemalong plants increased under elevated CO2, resulting in prolonged aphid probing. In contrast, dnf1 plants tended to decrease foliar trichome density under elevated CO2, resulting in less surface and epidermal resistance to aphids. Elevated CO2 enhanced the ineffective salicylic acid‐dependent defence pathway but decreased the effective jasmonic acid/ethylene‐dependent defence pathway in aphid‐infested Jemalong plants. Therefore, aphid probing time decreased and the duration of phloem sap ingestion increased on Jemalong under elevated CO2, which, in turn, increased aphid growth rate. Overall, our results suggest that elevated CO2 decreases the chemical resistance of wild‐type M. truncatula against aphids, and that the host's biological nitrogen fixation ability is central to this effect.