bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suicide deaths in rural Andhra Pradesh – a cause for global health action
Authors: Joshi Rohina , Guggilla Rama , Praveen Devarsetty , Maulik Pallab K. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the proportion of deaths attributable to suicides in rural Andhra Pradesh, India over a 4‐year period using a verbal autopsy method.MethodsDeaths occurring in 45 villages (population 185 629) were documented over a 4‐year period from 2003 to 2007 by non‐physician healthcare workers trained in the use of a verbal autopsy tool. Causes of death were assigned by physicians trained in the International Classification of Diseases, version 10. All data were entered and processed electronically using a secure study website.ResultsVerbal autopsies were completed for 98.2% (5786) of the deaths (5895) recorded. The crude death rate was 8.0/1000. 4.8% (95% CI 4.3–5.4) of all deaths were suicides, giving a suicide rate of 37.5/100 000 population. Forty‐three percent of suicides occurred in the age group 15–29 years, and 62% were in men. In the younger age groups (10–29 years), suicides by women (56%) were more common than by men (44%). Poisoning (40%) was the most common method of self‐harm followed by hanging (12%).ConclusionThe suicide rate in this part of rural Andhra Pradesh is three times higher than the national average of 11.2/100 000, but is in line with that reported in the Million Death Study. There is an urgent need to develop strategies targeted at young individuals to prevent deaths by suicide in India.
Insect eggs induce a systemic acquired resistance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hilfiker Olivier , Groux Raphaël , Bruessow Friederike , Kiefer Karin , Zeier Jürgen , Reymond Philippe 
Published: October 2014

SummaryAlthough they constitute an inert stage of the insect's life, eggs trigger plant defences that lead to egg mortality or attraction of egg parasitoids. We recently found that salicylic acid (SA) accumulates in response to oviposition by the Large White butterfly Pieris brassicae, both in local and systemic leaves, and that plants activate a response that is similar to the recognition of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are involved in PAMP‐triggered immunity (PTI). Here we discovered that natural oviposition by P. brassicae or treatment with egg extract inhibit growth of different Pseudomonas syringae strains in Arabidopsis through the activation of a systemic acquired resistance (SAR). This egg‐induced SAR involves the metabolic SAR signal pipecolic acid, depends on ALD1 and FMO1, and is accompanied by a stronger induction of defence genes upon secondary infection. Although P. brassicae larvae showed a reduced performance when feeding on Pseudomonas syringae‐infected plants, this effect was less pronounced when infected plants had been previously oviposited. Altogether, our results indicate that egg‐induced SAR might have evolved as a strategy to prevent the detrimental effect of bacterial pathogens on feeding larvae.
The single‐subunit RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase RSL1 targets PYL4 and PYR1 ABA receptors in plasma membrane to modulate abscisic acid signaling
Authors: Bueso Eduardo , Rodriguez Lesia , Lorenzo‐Orts Laura , Gonzalez‐Guzman Miguel , Sayas Enric , Muñoz‐Bertomeu Jesús , Ibañez Carla , Serrano Ramón , Rodriguez Pedro L. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryMembrane‐delimited events play a crucial role for ABA signaling and PYR/PYL/RCAR ABA receptors, clade A PP2Cs and SnRK2/CPK kinases modulate the activity of different plasma membrane components involved in ABA action. Therefore, the turnover of PYR/PYL/RCARs in the proximity of plasma membrane might be a step that affects receptor function and downstream signaling. In this study we describe a single‐subunit RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase RSL1 that interacts with the PYL4 and PYR1 ABA receptors at the plasma membrane. Overexpression of RSL1 reduces ABA sensitivity and rsl1 RNAi lines that impair expression of several members of the RSL1/RFA gene family show enhanced sensitivity to ABA. RSL1 bears a C‐terminal transmembrane domain that targets the E3 ligase to plasma membrane. Accordingly, bimolecular fluorescent complementation (BiFC) studies showed the RSL1–PYL4 and RSL1–PYR1 interaction is localized to plasma membrane. RSL1 promoted PYL4 and PYR1 degradation in vivo and mediated in vitro ubiquitylation of the receptors. Taken together, these results suggest ubiquitylation of ABA receptors at plasma membrane is a process that might affect their function via effect on their half‐life, protein interactions or trafficking.
Is undertransfusion a problem in modern clinical practice?
Authors: Hibbs Stephen , Miles David , Staves Julie , Murphy Michael F. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundSignificant progress has been made in reducing inappropriate transfusion of blood products. However, there is also a need to monitor for their underutilization in patients who would benefit from transfusion. This study aimed to develop a method to monitor for undertransfusion and conduct a preliminary examination of whether it is a problem in modern clinical practice.Study Design and MethodsAll patients with a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration below 6 g/dL or platelet (PLT) count of fewer than 10 × 109/L were identified during a 1‐month period in an academic medical center in the United Kingdom. Patients who were transfused within 72 hours of the low reading were excluded from further analysis. For all other patients, records were examined against predefined criteria to ascertain whether the reason for nonadministration of transfusion was justified.ResultsDuring the study period there were 63 eligible Hb readings and 130 eligible PLT counts in 93 patients. Of these, 36 patients were not transfused within 72 hours of the low reading. The majority of nonadministration (n = 28) was justified by either an additional Hb or an additional PLT count on repeat sampling being above the transfusion threshold or the transfusion being medically inappropriate. No documentation was found to indicate that any cases of nonadministration of blood were unjustified.ConclusionThis study did not find that patients with low Hb readings or PLT counts were inappropriately undertransfused. However, systems similar to those described in this study should be developed to monitor for inappropriate undertransfusion as well as continuing efforts to monitor for and reduce inappropriate overtransfusion.
A novel immune competent murine hypertrophic scar contracture model: A tool to elucidate disease mechanism and develop new therapies
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed Magdy , Bond Jennifer , Bergeron Andrew , Miller Kyle J. , Ehanire Tosan , Quiles Carlos , Lorden Elizabeth R. , Medina Manuel A. , Fisher Mark , Klitzman Bruce , Selim M. Angelica , Leong Kam W. , Levinson Howard 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHypertrophic scar (HSc) contraction following burn injury causes contractures. Contractures are painful and disfiguring. Current therapies are marginally effective. To study pathogenesis and develop new therapies, a murine model is needed. We have created a validated immune‐competent murine HSc model. A third‐degree burn was created on dorsum of C57BL/6 mice. Three days postburn, tissue was excised and grafted with ear skin. Graft contraction was analyzed and tissue harvested on different time points. Outcomes were compared with human condition to validate the model. To confirm graft survival, green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were used, and histologic analysis was performed to differentiate between ear and back skin. Role of panniculus carnosus in contraction was analyzed. Cellularity was assessed with 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole. Collagen maturation was assessed with Picro‐sirius red. Mast cells were stained with Toluidine blue. Macrophages were detected with F4/80 immune. Vascularity was assessed with CD31 immune. RNA for contractile proteins was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Elastic moduli of skin and scar tissue were analyzed using a microstrain analyzer. Grafts contracted to ∼45% of their original size by day 14 and maintained their size. Grafting of GFP mouse skin onto wild‐type mice, and analysis of dermal thickness and hair follicle density, confirmed graft survival. Interestingly, hair follicles disappeared after grafting and regenerated in ear skin configuration by day 30. Radiological analysis revealed that panniculus carnosus doesn't contribute to contraction. Microscopic analyses showed that grafts show increase in cellularity. Granulation tissue formed after day 3. Collagen analysis revealed increases in collagen maturation over time. CD31 stain revealed increased vascularity. Macrophages and mast cells were increased. qRT‐PCR showed up‐regulation of transforming growth factor beta, alpha smooth muscle actin, and rho‐associated protein kinase 2 in HSc. Tensile testing revealed that human skin and scar tissues are tougher than mouse skin and scar tissues.
LTX-109 Is a Novel Agent for Nasal Decolonization of Methicillin-Resistant and -Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Nilsson Anna C. , Janson Håkan , Wold Hedda , Fugelli Anders , Andersson Karin , Håkangård Camilla , Olsson Pernilla , Olsen Wenche Marie 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Nasal decolonization has a proven effect on the prevention of severe
Staphylococcus aureus
infections and the control of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA). However, rising rates of resistance to antibiotics highlight the need for new substances for nasal decolonization. LTX-109 is a broad-spectrum, fast-acting bactericidal antimicrobial drug for topical treatment, which causes membrane disruption and cell lysis. This mechanism of action is not associated with cross-resistance and has a low propensity for development of resistance. In the present study, persistent nasal MRSA and methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
(MSSA) carriers were treated for 3 days with vehicle or with 1%, 2%, or 5% LTX-109. A significant effect on nasal decolonization was observed already after 2 days of LTX-109 treatment in subjects treated with 2% or 5% LTX-109 compared to vehicle (
P
≤ 0.0012 by Dunnett′s test). No safety issues were noted during the 9-week follow-up period. Minimal reversible epithelial lesions were observed in the nasal cavity. The systemic exposure was very low, with a maximum concentration of drug in plasma (
C
max
) at 1 to 2 h postdosing (3.72 to 11.7 ng/ml). One week after treatment initiation, LTX-109 was not detectable in any subject. Intranasal treatment of
S. aureus
with LTX-109 is safe and reduces the bacterial load already after a single day of treatment. Hence, LTX-109 has potential as a new and effective antimicrobial agent with a low propensity of resistance development that can prevent infections by MSSA/MRSA during hospitalization. (This study has been registered at
ClinicalTrials.gov
under registration no. NCT01158235.)
Contribution of the Nitroimidazoles PA-824 and TBA-354 to the Activity of Novel Regimens in Murine Models of Tuberculosis
Authors: Tasneen Rokeya , Williams Kathy , Amoabeng Opokua , Minkowski Austin , Mdluli Khisimuzi E. , Upton Anna M. , Nuermberger Eric L. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

New regimens based on two or more novel agents are sought in order to shorten or simplify the treatment of both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis. PA-824 is a nitroimidazo-oxazine now in phase II trials and has shown significant early bactericidal activity alone and in combination with the newly approved agent bedaquiline or with pyrazinamide with or without moxifloxacin. While the development of PA-824 continues, a potential next-generation derivative, TBA-354, has been discovered to have
in vitro
potency superior to that of PA-824 and greater metabolic stability than that of the other nitroimidazole derivative in clinical development, delamanid. In the present study, we compared the activities of PA-824 and TBA-354 as monotherapies in murine models of the initial intensive and continuation phases of treatment, as well as in combination with bedaquiline plus pyrazinamide, sutezolid, and/or clofazimine. The monotherapy studies demonstrated that TBA-354 is 5 to 10 times more potent than PA-824, but selected mutants are cross-resistant to PA-824 and delamanid. The combination studies revealed that TBA-354 is 2 to 4 times more potent than PA-824 when combined with bedaquiline, and when administered at a dose equivalent to that of PA-824, TBA-354 demonstrated superior sterilizing efficacy. Perhaps most importantly, the addition of either nitroimidazole significantly improved the sterilizing activities of bedaquiline and sutezolid, with or without pyrazinamide, confirming the value of each agent in this potentially universally active short-course regimen.
Does long-term use of proton pump inhibitors cause hypomagnesaemia in Japanese outpatients?
Authors: Takeda Yasuhito , Doyama Hisashi , Tsuji Kunihiro , Yamada Shinya , Takemura Kenichi 
Published: October 2014

AimHypomagnesaemia has been reported associated with long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. However, there have been no studies in Japanese patients. We therefore assessed the effects of long-term PPI use on serum magnesium concentrations in Japanese patients.MethodsData from 481 outpatients who visited our centre in October and November 2011 were reviewed to determine their underlying diseases, oral medications, including PPIs, and serum magnesium concentrations. The association between PPI use and serum Mg concentrations was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsSerum magnesium concentrations were significantly lower in PPI users (n=199) than in PPI non-users (n=282; 1.86±0.21 vs 1.91±0.19 mg/dL, p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the presence or absence of cirrhosis and PPI use was a significant predictor of magnesium concentration. In evaluating magnesium concentrations among PPI users and non-users with and without cirrhosis, we found that mean serum magnesium concentrations in patients with cirrhosis were significantly lower in PPI users than non-users (1.78±0.22 vs 1.87±0.22 mg/dL, p=0.03).ConclusionsOutpatients receiving long-term PPI treatment had significantly lower serum magnesium concentrations than those not treated with PPI. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show hypomagnesaemia in Japanese patients with cirrhosis receiving long-term PPI treatment.
HCV seropositivity in inmates and in the general population: an averaging approach to establish priority prevention interventions
Authors: Roux P , Sagaon-Teyssier L , Lions C , Fugon L , Verger P , Carrieri M P 
Published: October 2014

ObjectivesDespite the fact that a considerable portion of hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive individuals are viraemic, the risk of transmitting HCV to others is context dependent. Prison is a particularly risky environment as HCV prevention tools are often unavailable. Using data from a cross-sectional study conducted in centres for HCV testing in southeastern France, we aimed to compare the patterns of risk factors in HCV-positive inmates with those in the general population.Setting26 centres for HIV/HCV testing in southeastern France (23 in the general population and 3 in prison).Primary outcome measureHCV seropositivity measured with ELISA test.MethodsA propensity score method to ensure that the general and inmate populations could be compared and a multimodel averaging to estimate the degree (strong, weak, none) of the association of a number of specific factors with HCV seropositivity in each group.ResultsAmong the 52 082 participants, HCV infection prevalence was 1.5% and 5.2% in the general (n=46 125) and inmate (n=5957) populations, respectively. In both populations, ‘drug injection without snorting’ and ‘drug injection with snorting’ were very strongly associated with HCV seropositivity. Among inmates, ‘drug snorting alone’ (OR (95% CI) 2.21 (1.39 to 3.52) was also a strong correlate while tattoos, piercings (OR (95% CI) 1.22 (0.92 to 1.61)) and the sharing of toiletry items (OR (95% CI) 1.44 (0.84 to 2.47)) were weak correlates.ConclusionsThe pattern of risk factors associated with HCV seropositivity is different between the general and prison populations, injection and snorting practices being more prevalent in the latter. Access to prevention measures in prisons is not only a public health issue but also a human right for inmates who deserve equity of care and prevention.
Efficient digital neurons for large scale cortical architectures
Authors: Smith James E. 
Published: October 2014

Digital neurons are implemented with the goal of sup-porting research and development of architectures which implement the computational paradigm of the neocortex.
Four spiking digital neurons are implemented at the register transfer level in a manner that permits side-by-side comparisons. Two of the neurons contain two stages of ex-ponential decay, one for synapse conductances and one for membrane potential. The other two neurons contain only one stage of exponential decay for membrane potential.
The two stage neurons respond to an input spike with a change in membrane potential that has a non-infinite lead-ing edge slope; the one stage neurons exhibit a change in membrane potential with an abrupt, infinite leading edge slope. This leads to a behavioral difference when a number of input spikes occur in very close time proximity. However, the one stage neurons are as much as a factor of ten more energy efficient than the two stage neurons, as measured by the number of dynamic add-equivalent operations
A new two stage neuron is proposed. This neuron reduc-es the number of decay components and implements decays in both stages via piece-wise linear approximation. Togeth-er, these simplifications yield two stage neuron behavior with energy efficiency that is only about a factor of two worse than the simplest one stage neuron.
Chronic Intermittent Low-Level Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of Auricular Branch of Vagus Nerve Improves Left Ventricular Remodeling in Conscious Dogs With Healed Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Yu Lilei , Wang Songyun , Huang Bing , Liao Kai , Saren Gaowa , Tan Tuantuan , Jiang Hong 
Published: October 2014

Background—
Vagus nerve stimulation attenuates left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Our previous study found a noninvasive approach to deliver vagus nerve stimulation by transcutaneous electric stimulation of auricular branch of vagus nerve. So we hypothesize that chronic intermittent low-level tragus stimulation (LL-TS) could attenuate LV remodeling in conscious dogs with healed MI.

Methods and Results—

Thirty beagle dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups, MI group (left anterior descending artery and major diagonal branches ligation to introduce MI, n=10), LL-TS group (MI plus chronic intermittent LL-TS, n=10), and control group (sham surgery without stimulation, n=10). Tragus stimulation was delivered to bilateral tragus with ear-clips connected to a custom-made stimulator. The voltage slowing sinus rate was used as the threshold for setting LL-TS at 80% below that. LL-TS group was given 4 hours stimulation at 7–9
am
and 4–6
pm
on conscious dogs. At the end of 90-day follow-up, LL-TS group significantly reduced LA and LV dilatation, improved LV contractile and diastolic function, reduced infarct size by ≈50% compared with MI group. LL-TS treatment alleviated cardiac fibrosis and significantly decreased protein expression level of collagen I, collagen III, transforming growth factor β1, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 in LV tissues. The plasma level of high-specific C-reactive protein, norepinephrine, N-terminal pro-B-type-natriuretic peptide in LL-TS group was significantly lower than those in MI group from the 7th day to the end of follow-up.

Conclusions—
Chronic intermittent low-level transcutaneous electric stimulation of auricular branch of vagus nerve can attenuate LV remodeling in conscious dogs with healed MI.
Introduction
Authors: Bongmba Elias K. , Olivier Jill 
Published: October 2014

The world of study and engagement on religion and public life has become rather colorful and crowded of late, filled with all sorts of disciplinary specialists and actors. Working in this multi- and interdisciplinary space can be engaging or terrifying, given its opportunities and absence of clear boundaries and definitions. The papers in this edition examine the interdisciplinary space between “religion” and “the public” in Africa – with a focus on the intersection of religion, development and public health. The authors argue that achieving genuine dialogue, collaboration or transdisciplinarity in this space is elusive, but worthwhile.
Interannual Coupling between Summertime Surface Temperature and Precipitation over Land: Processes and Implications for Climate Change*
Authors: Berg Alexis , Lintner Benjamin R. , Findell Kirsten , Seneviratne Sonia I. , van den Hurk Bart , Ducharne Agnès , Chéruy Frédérique , Hagemann Stefan , Lawrence David M. , Malyshev Sergey , Meier Arndt , Gentine Pierre 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Widespread negative correlations between summertime-mean temperatures and precipitation over land regions are a well-known feature of terrestrial climate. This behavior has generally been interpreted in the context of soil moisture–atmosphere coupling, with soil moisture deficits associated with reduced rainfall leading to enhanced surface sensible heating and higher surface temperature. The present study revisits the genesis of these negative temperature–precipitation correlations using simulations from the Global Land–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment–phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (GLACE-CMIP5) multimodel experiment. The analyses are based on simulations with five climate models, which were integrated with prescribed (noninteractive) and with interactive soil moisture over the period 1950–2100. While the results presented here generally confirm the interpretation that negative correlations between seasonal temperature and precipitation arise through the direct control of soil moisture on surface heat flux partitioning, the presence of widespread negative correlations when soil moisture–atmosphere interactions are artificially removed in at least two out of five models suggests that atmospheric processes, in addition to land surface processes, contribute to the observed negative temperature–precipitation correlation. On longer time scales, the negative correlation between precipitation and temperature is shown to have implications for the projection of climate change impacts on near-surface climate: in all models, in the regions of strongest temperature–precipitation anticorrelation on interannual time scales, long-term regional warming is modulated to a large extent by the regional response of precipitation to climate change, with precipitation increases (decreases) being associated with minimum (maximum) warming. This correspondence appears to arise largely as the result of soil moisture–atmosphere interactions.