bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insertable cardiac monitors after cryptogenic stroke – a risk factor based approach to enhance the detection rate for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Poli S. , Diedler J. , Härtig F. , Götz N. , Bauer A. , Sachse T. , Müller K. , Müller I. , Stimpfle F. , Duckheim M. , Steeg M. , Eick C. , Schreieck J. , Gawaz M. , Ziemann U. , Zuern C. S. 
Published: October 2015

Background and purposeRecently, the CRYSTAL AF trial detected paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in 12.4% of patients after cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (IS) or cryptogenic transient ischaemic attack (TIA) by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) within 1 year of monitoring. Our aim was (i) to assess if an AF risk factor based pre‐selection of ICM candidates would enhance the rate of AF detection and (ii) to determine AF risk factors with significant predictive value for AF detection.MethodsSeventy‐five patients with cryptogenic IS/TIA were consecutively enrolled if at least one of the following AF risk factors was present: a CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≥4, atrial runs, left atrium (LA) size >45 mm, left atrial appendage (LAA) flow ≤0.2 m/s, or spontaneous echo contrast in the LAA. The electrocardiographic and echocardiographic criteria were chosen as they have been repeatedly reported to predict AF; the same applies for four of the six items of the CHA2DS2‐VASc score. The study end‐point was the detection of one or more episodes of AF (≥2 min).ResultsSeventy‐four patients underwent implantation of an ICM; one patient had AF at the date of implantation. After 6 months, AF was detected in 21/75 patients (28%), after 12 months in 25/75 patients (33.3%). 92% of AF episodes were asymptomatic. LA size >45 mm and the presence of atrial runs were independently associated with AF detection [hazard ratio 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.6–8.4), P = 0.002, and 2.7 (1.2–6.7), P = 0.023, respectively].ConclusionsThe detection rate of AF is one‐third after 1 year if candidates for an ICM after cryptogenic IS/TIA are selected by AF risk factors. LA dilation and atrial runs independently predict AF.
Carbon cost of plant nitrogen acquisition: global carbon cycle impact from an improved plant nitrogen cycle in the Community Land Model
Authors: Shi Mingjie , Fisher Joshua B. , Brzostek Edward R. , Phillips Richard P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPlants typically expend a significant portion of their available carbon (C) on nutrient acquisition – C that could otherwise support growth. However, given that most global terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) do not include the C cost of nutrient acquisition, these models fail to represent current and future constraints to the land C sink. Here, we integrated a plant productivity‐optimized nutrient acquisition model – the Fixation and Uptake of Nitrogen Model – into one of the most widely used TBMs, the Community Land Model. Global plant nitrogen (N) uptake is dynamically simulated in the coupled model based on the C costs of N acquisition from mycorrhizal roots, nonmycorrhizal roots, N‐fixing microbes, and retranslocation (from senescing leaves). We find that at the global scale, plants spend 2.4 Pg C yr−1 to acquire 1.0 Pg N yr−1, and that the C cost of N acquisition leads to a downregulation of global net primary production (NPP) by 13%. Mycorrhizal uptake represented the dominant pathway by which N is acquired, accounting for ~66% of the N uptake by plants. Notably, roots associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi – generally considered for their role in phosphorus (P) acquisition – are estimated to be the primary source of global plant N uptake owing to the dominance of AM‐associated plants in mid‐ and low‐latitude biomes. Overall, our coupled model improves the representations of NPP downregulation globally and generates spatially explicit patterns of belowground C allocation, soil N uptake, and N retranslocation at the global scale. Such model improvements are critical for predicting how plant responses to altered N availability (owing to N deposition, rising atmospheric CO2, and warming temperatures) may impact the land C sink.
The Impact of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder on the Burden of Migraine: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey‐Replication
Authors: Rao Aruna S. , Scher Ann I. , Vieira Rebeca V.A. , Merikangas Kathleen R. , Metti Andrea L. , Peterlin B. Lee 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundPost‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked with migraine in prior studies.ObjectiveTo evaluate the individual and joint burdens of migraine and PTSD in a population‐based cohort.MethodsThe National Comorbidity Survey‐Replication (NCS‐R) is a general population study conducted in the United States from February 2001–April 2003. PTSD and migraine were assessed, and four groups defined based on their migraine and PTSD status. The four groups included those with no migraine and no PTSD (controls, n=4535), those with migraine and without PTSD (migraine alone, n=236), those with PTSD and without migraine (PTSD alone, n=244), and those with both migraine and PTSD (mig+PTSD, n=68). Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between dichotomous/multilevel outcome variables indicating financial, health, and interpersonal burdens and each migraine/PTSD group.ResultsCompared to controls, those with Mig+PTSD were more likely to be in the low poverty index (48% vs 41%, AOR 2.16; CI: 1.10, 4.24) and were less likely to be working for pay or profit in the past week (50% vs 68%, AOR 0.42; CI: 0.24, 0.74) but not those with migraine or PTSD alone. Additionally, the number of days where work quality was cut due to physical or mental health or substance abuse in the past month was greater in all groups compared to controls: (1) migraine alone: mean 2.57 (SEM 0.32) vs mean 1.09 (SEM 0.08) days, ARR=2.39; CI: 2.19, 2.62; (2) PTSD alone: mean 2.43 (SEM 0.33) vs mean 1.09 (SEM 0.08) days, ARR=2.09; CI: 1.91, 2.29; (3) mig+PTSD: mean 8.2 (SEM 0.79) vs 1.09 (SEM 0.08) days, ARR 6.79; CI 6.16, 7.49; and was over 2.5‐fold greater in those mig+PTSD than migraine alone (mean 8.0 [SEM 0.79] vs 2.6 days [SEM 0.72], ARR 2.77; CI: 2.45, 3.14). The likelihood of having difficulty getting along or maintaining a social life was also increased in all groups relative to controls: (1) migraine alone: 21% vs 5.4%, AOR 4.20; CI: 2.62, 6.74; (2) PTSD alone: 18% vs 5.4%, AOR 3.40; CI: 2.40, 4.82; (3) Mig+PTSD: 39% vs 5.4%, AOR 9.95; CI: 5.72, 17.32, and was 2‐fold greater in those with Mig+PTSD as compared to those with migraine alone (AOR 2.32; CI: 1.15, 4.69).ConclusionsThese findings support the need for those who treat migraine patients to be aware of the comorbidity with PTSD, as these patients may be particularly prone to adverse financial, health, and interpersonal disease burdens.
Presentation of available CTL epitopes that induction of cell‐mediated immune response against HIV‐1 Koran clade B strain using computational technology
Authors: Park H , Chung Y‐S , Yoon C‐H , Lee SH , Kim SS , Kang C , Choi B‐S 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveTheoretical predicting cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes are an important tool in vaccine design and CTL therapy for enhancing our understanding of the cellular immune system. We would like to identify available CTL epitopes against HIV‐1 Korean clade B. CTL activity was assessed in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Korean HIV patients in order to assess whether these CTL epitopes induce a cell‐mediated immune response (CMI).MethodsNetCTLpan1.1 software, which is the most popular prediction computer software package, and full atom‐based simulation (FABS), which is a 3D modelling system for binding activity between epitopes and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, were used to predict the peptide‐spanning Env region binding to HLA‐A*24:02, HLA‐A*02:01 and HLA‐B*15:01, which are frequently found in the Korean population. Granzyme B and interferon‐γ ELISPOT assays were used to determine whether identified CTL epitopes induce CMI.ResultsThree HIV‐1 Korean clade B‐specific Env CTL epitopes were identified: Gp41‐RYL and Gp41‐RQG are localized within gp41, and Gp120‐LLQ within gp120. In in vitro assays using granzyme B ELISPOT, Gp120‐LLQ and Gp41‐RQG induced epitope‐specific CTL responses in HLA‐restricted cells. In ex vivo assay using IFN‐γ ELISPOT, cell‐mediated immune responses to Gp41‐RYL were present in 50% of HLA‐matched patients, and responses to Gp120‐LLQ and Gp41‐RQG were found in 33% of HLA‐matched patients.ConclusionIn this study, we found that a prediction pipeline for CTL epitopes might be based on the most popular computer prediction software and FABS methods. Our results suggest that these CTL epitopes may provide useful tools and information for the development of a therapeutic vaccine against HIV‐1 Korean clade B.
The globalization of whitening: prevalence of skin lighteners (or bleachers) use and its social correlates among university students in 26 countries
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa , James Caryl 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the use of skin lighteners and its social correlates in university students from 26 low, middle income, and emerging economy countries.MethodsUsing anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 19,624 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between sociodemographic, social, health risk, mental health and abuse, and the use of skin lighteners.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of previous 12‐month skin lightener use was 24.5, and 16.7% in male and 30.0% in female students. The use of skin lighteners varied by country, ranging from 0% in Turkey to 83.8% in Thailand. In multivariate logistic regression analysis among both men and women, social variables (highly‐organized religious activity and lack of personal mastery) and health variables (inconsistent condom use) were associated with skin lightening use. In addition, male students from a lower income country, having a lack of social support, and a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to use skin lighteners, and women aged 20–21 years old, residing on the university campus, being a student of health and welfare, and having a lack of personal control, inadequate physical activity, and depressive symptoms were more likely users of skin‐lightening products.ConclusionA high prevalence of skin lightener use was found in this large sample of university students, and social and health‐related risk factors were identified.
Comorbidity as a predictor for drug survival of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Jacobi Arnd , Rustenbach Stephan J. , Augustin Matthias 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis often requires lifelong therapy, and adherence to treatment is considered a marker for treatment success. Data on the drug survival of biologics in psoriasis patients with comorbidities are lacking.ObjectivesThis study was designed to estimate the long‐term drug survival rates of different biologic agents in a cohort of psoriasis patients and to evaluate reasons and predictors for treatment adherence.MethodsDrug survival rates and outcome parameters in psoriasis patients treated with biologic agents were analyzed.ResultsA total of 125 treatment periods with adalimumab (n = 37), efalizumab (n = 9), etanercept (n = 55), infliximab (n = 13), and ustekinumab (n = 11) were administered to 67 psoriasis patients. Patients with psoriatic arthritis (P = 0.010) and without comorbidity (P = 0.033) demonstrated significantly greater rates of drug survival.ConclusionsThe overall efficacy of biologic agents is reduced with time. Patients with the comorbidity of metabolic syndrome demonstrate a loss of adherence to biologic treatment.
HLA‐C and TNF gene polymorphisms are associated with psoriasis in Brazilian patients
Authors: Cardili Renata N. , Deghaide Neifi S. , Mendes‐Junior Celso T. , Donadi Eduardo A. , Souza Cacilda S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundPolymorphisms at the human leukocyte antigens (HLA‐C) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) genes have been associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in several worldwide populations. In this study, HLA‐C and TNF (–238/–308) polymorphisms were performed in 125 Brazilian patients and 202 healthy controls.MethodsHLA‐C and TNF promoter region alleles were typed by polymerase chain reaction using sequence‐specific primer‐polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe presence of HLA‐C*06 was associated with psoriasis onset, particularly in younger patients, being more frequent for patients with disease onset before the age of 20 years (P = 0.03), 25 years (P = 0.01), or 30 years (P = 0.03). No association between HLA‐C*06 and psoriasis was observed for patients older than 35 years. Susceptibility to psoriatic arthritis was associated with the TNF –238 G/A genotype (P = 0.02). The TNF –308A allele was overrepresented in patients (P = 0.0061), and the TNF –308 G/A genotype was increased in generalized forms (erythrodermic and generalized pustular psoriasis) compared to plaque psoriasis (P < 0.001). The TNF –238A/HLA‐C*06 haplotype was overrepresented in patients (P = 0.025), while the TNF –238G/HLA‐C*15 haplotype was increased in controls (P = 0.037).ConclusionsThe strong association of HLA‐C*06 allele with disease susceptibility, particularly in early onset psoriasis, indicates that younger ages could be considered to stratify psoriasis into early and late types. TNF –308 polymorphisms can be associated with psoriasis susceptibility and severity. Potential genetic markers of psoriasis in populations with a complex mixture of ethnicities should be investigated.
Primary treatment of female urethral stricture by nurses leads to improved outcomes
Authors: Ranjan Nikhil , Singh Rana Pratap , Kumari Amrita , Upadhyay Rohit 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTFemale urethral stricture (FUS) is a distressing disease in the field of urology both for the patient and for the health care provider. It has been treated using various techniques such as urethral dilatation (UD), urethrotomy and urethroplasty. The disease's recurrence after urethral dilation, however, is not uncommon. Female urethroplasty carries the risk of stress urinary incontinence, and long‐term studies on its success are lacking. We present our study of treating FUS by repeated UD in a dedicated cystoscopy and dilation clinic managed by nurses. After the initial cystoscopy and dilation of FUS to 30 Fr, patients were followed up with in the dilation clinic at regular intervals. Over the past 5 years, 190 patients have been treated at our cystoscopy and dilation clinic and at are various stages of follow up. We find that the primary treatment of FUS by nurses at our institute leads to improved outcomes. Nurse‐led cystoscopies have been in vogue in Australia and the UK for some time now. There is an urgent need to expand the conventional indications of nurse‐led surgical interventions in order to allow medical care to reach the community at large.
Functional analysis of recombinant 2‐Cys peroxiredoxin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis
Authors: Kusakisako K. , Masatani T. , Miyata T. , Galay R. L. , Maeda H. , Talactac M. R. , Tsuji N. , Mochizuki M. , Fujisaki K. , Tanaka T. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTicks are obligate haematophagous arthropods that feed on vertebrate blood containing high levels of iron. The host‐derived iron reacts to oxygen in the tick's body, and then high levels of reactive oxygen species, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), may be generated. High levels of H2O2 cause oxidative stress to aerobic organisms. Therefore, antioxidant responses are necessary to control H2O2. We focused on peroxiredoxins (Prxs), H2O2‐scavenging enzymes. The sequence of Haemaphysalis longicornis 2‐Cys Prx (HlPrx2) was identified from fat body cDNA libraries of this tick and recombinant HlPrx2 was then prepared using Escherichia coli. By comparison with the 2‐Cys Prxs of other organisms, we found two conserved cysteines in HlPrx2, Cys51 and Cys172. We examined the antioxidant activity of HlPrx2 and mutant proteins produced by a single base substitution, converting one or both of these cysteines into serines. The assays revealed that proteins containing Cys51 showed antioxidant activity when H2O2 was removed. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size‐exclusion chromatography demonstrated that only the wild‐type HlPrx2 formed homodimers and that all of the proteins that we made had a high molecular weight peak. These results indicate that both Cys51 and Cys172 are essential for the dimerization of HlPrx2, whereas only the Cys51 residue is necessary for antioxidant activity.
Can technologies make a difference for hospitalized youth: Findings from research
Authors: Maor D. , Mitchem K.J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractChildren and youth who are hospitalized for a short or long term become socially isolated from their family, school and classmates. As their isolation increases, so does their vulnerability as a result of disrupted schooling. Research studies suggest different ways of using technologies to overcome this isolation and support children during this critical time of their lives. With technology for children in hospitals becoming increasingly commonplace, evaluating how it is used and its impact on children's learning and well‐being is necessary. In this paper, we systematically evaluated existing research on use of technologies for communication, support and educational purposes and its contribution to the well‐being of hospitalized children. A rigorous selection process yielded 14 research articles meeting the following criteria: empirical studies, using technologies for network of support, targeting hospitalized children and adolescents and targeting learning or social and emotional well‐being in the last decade. This review indicates that the use of technologies with children and youth in hospitals generally increased their potential for learning and improved connectivity with school. Our findings revealed that implementing digital pedagogies and creating online communities were helpful but underutilized features in the research.
Reduction of blood pressure by store‐operated calcium channel blockers
Authors: Xu Yan‐Jun , Elimban Vijayan , Dhalla Naranjan S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe voltage‐operated Ca2+ channels (VOCC), which allow Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space, are inhibited by anti‐hypertensive agents such as verapamil and nifedipine. The Ca2+ entering from outside into the cell triggers Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) stores. To refill the depleted Ca2+ stores in the SR, another type of Ca2+ channels in the cell membrane, known as store‐operated Ca2+ channels (SOCC), are activated. These SOCCs are verapamil and nifedipine resistant, but are SKF 96465 (SK) and gadolinium (Gd3+) sensitive. Both SK and Gd3+ have been shown to reduce [Ca2+]i in the smooth muscle, but their effects on blood pressure have not been reported. Our results demonstrated that both SK and Gd3+ produced a dose‐dependent reduction in blood pressure in rat. The combination of SK and verapamil produced an additive action in lowering the blood pressure. Furthermore, SK, but not Gd3+ suppressed proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in the absence or presence of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). SK decreased the elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by LPA, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and angiotensin II (Ang II), but did not affect the norepinephrine (NE)‐evoked increase in [Ca2+]i. On the other hand, Gd3+ inhibited the LPA and Ang II induced change in [Ca2+]i, but had no effect on the ET‐1 and NE induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The combination of verapamil and SK abolished the LPA‐ or adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP)‐induced [Ca2+]i augmentation. These results suggest that SOCC inhibitors, like VOCC blocker, may serve as promising drugs for the treatment of hypertension.
In vitro morphology, viability and cytokine secretion of uterine telocyte‐activated mouse peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Chi Chi , Jiang Xiao‐Juan , Su Lei , Shen Zong‐Ji , Yang Xiao‐Jun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTelocytes (TCs), a distinct interstitial cell population, have been identified in the uterus, oviduct and placenta, with multiple proposed potential biological functions. Their unique structure allows them to form intercellular junctions with various immunocytes, both in normal and diseased tissues, suggesting a potential functional relationship with the local immune response. It has been hypothesized that through direct heterocellular junctions or indirect paracrine effects, TCs influence the activity of local immunocytes that are involved in the inflammatory process and in immune‐mediated reproductive abnormalities. However, no reliable cytological evidence for this hypothesis is currently available. In this study, we cultured primary murine uterine TCs and collected TC conditioned media (TCM). Mouse peritoneal macrophages (pMACs) were co‐cultured for 48 hrs with TCM or with DMEM/F12 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as negative and positive controls, respectively. Normal uterine TCs with a typical structure and a CD‐34‐positive/vimentin‐positive/c‐kit‐negative immunophenotype were observed during culture. Morphologically, TCM‐treated pMACs displayed an obvious activation/immunoresponse, in contrast to over‐stimulation and cell death after LPS treatment and no sign of activation in the presence of DMEM/F12. Accordingly, a cell counting kit 8 (CCK‐8) assay indicated significant activation of pMACs by TCM and LPS compared to DMEM/F12, thus supporting the marked morphological differences among these groups of cells. Furthermore, within a panel of macrophage‐derived cytokines/enzymes, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase were significantly elevated in TCM‐treated pMACs; tumour necrosis factor α, IL1‐R1, and IL‐10 were slightly, but significantly, up‐regulated; and no changes were observed for transforming growth factor‐β1, IL‐1β, IL‐23α and IL‐18. Our results indicate that TCs are not simply innocent bystanders but are rather functional players in the activation of pMACs; they trigger and maintain the immune response, likely through indirect paracrine effects. Thus, we provide preliminary in vitro evidence of immunoregulatory and immunosurveillance roles for TCs.
Induction and characterization of a lysogenic bacteriophage of Lactococcus garvieae isolated from marine fish species
Authors: Hoai T D , Yoshida T 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study investigated the presence of prophages in Lactococcus garvieae isolated from several marine fish species in Japan. Representative strains of 16 bacterial genotypes (S1–S16) selected from more than 400 L. garvieae isolates were used to induce lysogenic bacteriophages. These strains were treated with 500 ng mL−1 freshly prepared mitomycin C. A cross‐spotting assay was performed to validate the lysogenic and indicator strains. The lysogenic strains were selected for isolation and concentration of the phages. Phage DNA was digested with EcoRI for biased sinusoidal field gel electrophoresis analysis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect integrated prophage DNA. Of the 16 representative bacterial genotypes, 12 strains integrated prophages as indicated by the PCR assay, and 10 phages were detected and isolated using two indicator bacterial strains. Analysis of genomic DNA showed that these phages were homologous and named as PLgT‐1. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the morphology of PLgT‐1 was consistent with the virus family Siphoviridae. PCR analysis of the prophage DNA revealed that all of the S1 genotype strains were lysogenic (30/30), but none of the S16 genotype strains were lysogenic (0/30). This is the first study to investigate lysogenic bacteriophages from L. garvieae.