bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles
Authors: Kurosawa Yuko , Nirengi Shinsuke , Homma Toshiyuki , Esaki Kazuki , Ohta Mitsuhiro , Clark Joseph F. , Hamaoka Takafumi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOur aim was to determine the quantitative effects of a single-dose of Nattokinase (NK) administration on coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters comprehensively in healthy male subjects. A double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over NK intervention study was carried out in 12 healthy young males. Following the baseline blood draw, each subject was randomized to receive either a single-dose of 2,000 FU NK (NSK-SD, Japan Bio Science Laboratory Co., Ltd) or placebo with subsequent cross-over of the groups. Subjects donated blood samples at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours following administration for analysis of coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters. As a result, D-dimer concentrations at 6 and 8 hours and blood fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products at 4 hours after NK administration elevated significantly (p < 0.05, respectively). Factor VIII activity declined at 4 and 6 hours (p < 0.05, respectively), blood antithrombin concentration was higher at 2 and 4 hours (p < 0.05, respectively) and the activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged significantly at 2 and 4 hours following NK administration (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). All the changes, however, were within the normal range. In conclusion, thus, a single-dose of NK administration appears enhancing fibrinolysis and anti-coagulation via several different pathways simultaneously.
Hierarchical Assembly of SnO2/ZnO Nanostructures for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Zhu Liangliang , Hong Minghui , Wei Ho Ghim 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSnO2/ZnO hierarchical heterostructures have been successfully synthesized by combining electrospinning technique and hydrothermal method. Various morphologies of the secondary ZnO nanostructures including nanorods (NRs) and nanosheets (NSs) can be tailored by adding surfactants. Photocatalytic performance of the heterostructures was investigated and obvious enhancement was demonstrated in degradation of the organic pollutant, compared to the primary SnO2-based nanofibers (NFs) and bare ZnO. Furthermore, it was found that the H2 evolution from water splitting was achieved by photocatalysis of heterostructured nanocomposites after sulfurization treatment. This synthetic methodology described herein promises to be an effective approach for fabricating variety of nanostructures for enhanced catalytic applications. The heterostructured nanomaterials have considerable potential to address the environmental and energy issues via degradation of pollutant and generation of clean H2 fuel.
Warmer temperature accelerates methane emissions from the Zoige wetland on the Tibetan Plateau without changing methanogenic community composition
Authors: Cui Mengmeng , Ma Anzhou , Qi Hongyan , Zhuang Xuliang , Zhuang Guoqiang , Zhao Guohui 
Published: June 2015

AbstractZoige wetland, locating on the Tibet Plateau, accounts for 6.2% of organic carbon storage in China. However, the fate of the organic carbon storage in the Zoige wetland remains poorly understood despite the Tibetan Plateau is very sensitive to global climate change. As methane is an important greenhouse gas and methanogenesis is the terminal step in the decomposition of organic matter, understanding how methane emissions from the Zoige wetland is fundamental to elucidate the carbon cycle in alpine wetlands responding to global warming. In this study, microcosms were performed to investigate the effects of temperature and vegetation on methane emissions and microbial processes in the Zoige wetland soil. A positive correlation was observed between temperature and methane emissions. However, temperature had no effect on the main methanogenic pathway—acetotrophic methanogenesis. Moreover, methanogenic community composition was not related to temperature, but was associated with vegetation, which was also involved in methane emissions. Taken together, these results indicate temperature increases methane emissions in alpine wetlands, while vegetation contributes significantly to methanogenic community composition and is associated with methane emissions. These findings suggest that in alpine wetlands temperature and vegetation act together to affect methane emissions, which furthers a global warming feedback loop.
Phytotoxic Mechanism of Nanoparticles: Destruction of Chloroplasts and Vascular Bundles and Alteration of Nutrient Absorption
Authors: Nhan Le Van , Ma Chuanxin , Rui Yukui , Liu Shutong , Li Xuguang , Xing Baoshan , Liu Liming 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis study focused on determining the phytotoxic mechanism of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs): destroying chloroplasts and vascular bundles and altering absorption of nutrients on conventional and Bt-transgenic cottons. Experiments were designed with three concentrations of CeO2 NPs including: 0, 100 and 500 mg·L−1 and each treatment was three replications. Results indicate that absorbed CeO2 nanoparticles significantly reduced the Zn, Mg, Fe and P levels in xylem sap compared with the control group and decreased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations in the roots of conventional cotton. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that CeO2 NPs were absorbed into the roots and subsequently transported to the stems and leaves of both conventional and Bt-transgenic cotton plants via xylem sap. In addition, the majority of aggregated CeO2 NPs were attached to the external surface of chloroplasts, which were swollen and ruptured, especially in Bt-transgenic cotton. The vascular bundles were destroyed by CeO2 nanoparticles and more damage was observed in transgenic cotton than conventional cotton.
Competition-cooperation relationship networks characterize the competition and cooperation between proteins
Authors: Li Hong , Zhou Yuan , Zhang Ziding 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBy analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, one can find that a protein may have multiple binding partners. However, it is difficult to determine whether the interactions with these partners occur simultaneously from binary PPIs alone. Here, we construct the yeast and human competition-cooperation relationship networks (CCRNs) based on protein structural interactomes to clearly exhibit the relationship (competition or cooperation) between two partners of the same protein. If two partners compete for the same interaction interface, they would be connected by a competitive edge; otherwise, they would be connected by a cooperative edge. The properties of three kinds of hubs (i.e., competitive, modest and cooperative hubs) are analyzed in the CCRNs. Our results show that competitive hubs have higher clustering coefficients and form clusters in the human CCRN, but these tendencies are not observed in the yeast CCRN. We find that the human-specific proteins contribute significantly to these differences. Subsequently, we conduct a series of computational experiments to investigate the regulatory mechanisms that avoid competition between proteins. Our comprehensive analyses reveal that for most yeast and human protein competitors, transcriptional regulation plays an important role. Moreover, the human-specific proteins have a particular preference for other regulatory mechanisms, such as alternative splicing.
Influence of carbapenem resistance on mortality of patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Qianqian , Li Xiaoqing , Li Wenzhang , Du Xinmiao , He Jian-Qing , Tao Chuanmin , Feng Yulin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTreatment of infectious diseases caused by the carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is becoming more challenging with each passing year. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of carbapenem resistance on mortality of patients with P. aeruginosa infection. We searched PUBMED, Web of science, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library up to December 25, 2014, to identify published cohort or case-control studies. 17 studies, including 6660 patients carrying P. aeruginosa, were identified. The pooling analysis indicated that patients infected with CRPA had significantly higher mortality than those infected with carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa (CSPA) (crude OR = 1.64; 95%CI = 1.40, 1.93; adjusted OR = 2.38; 95%CI = 1.53, 3.69). The elevated risk of mortality in patients with CRPA infection was not lessened when stratified by study design, sites of infection, or type of carbapenem, except that the estimate effect vanished in CRPA high-incidence region, South America (crude OR = 1.12; 95%CI = 0.64, 1.99). Begg’s (z = 0.95, p = 0.34) and Egger’s test (t = 1.23, p = 0.24) showed no evidence of publication bias. Our results suggest that carbapenem resistance may increase the mortality of patients with P. aeruginosa infection, whether under univariate or multivariate analysis.
Treatment for Alexia With Agraphia Following Left Ventral Occipito-Temporal Damage: Strengthening Orthographic Representations Common to Reading and Spelling
Authors: Kim Esther S. , Rising Kindle , Rapcsak Steven Z. , Beeson Pélagie M. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
Damage to left ventral occipito-temporal cortex can give rise to written language impairment characterized by pure alexia/letter-by-letter (LBL) reading, as well as surface alexia and agraphia. The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of a combined treatment approach to address concurrent LBL reading with surface alexia/agraphia.

Method
Simultaneous treatment to address slow reading and errorful spelling was administered to 3 individuals with reading and spelling impairments after left ventral occipito-temporal damage due to posterior cerebral artery stroke. Single-word reading/spelling accuracy, reading latencies, and text reading were monitored as outcome measures for the combined effects of multiple oral re-reading treatment and interactive spelling treatment.

Results
After treatment, participants demonstrated faster and more accurate single-word reading and improved text-reading rates. Spelling accuracy also improved, particularly for untrained irregular words, demonstrating generalization of the trained interactive spelling strategy.

Conclusion
This case series characterizes concomitant LBL with surface alexia/agraphia and demonstrates a successful treatment approach to address both the reading and spelling impairment.
The Effectiveness of Two Grammar Treatment Procedures for Children With SLI: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Smith-Lock Karen M. , Leitão Suze , Prior Polly , Nickels Lyndsey 
Published: June 2015

PurposeThis study compared the effectiveness of two grammar treatment procedures for children with specific language impairment.MethodA double-blind superiority trial with cluster randomization was used to compare a cueing procedure, designed to elicit a correct production following an initial error, to a recasting procedure, which required no further production. Thirty-one 5-year-old children with specific language impairment participated in 8 small group, classroom-based treatment sessions. Fourteen children received the cueing approach and 17 received the recasting approach.ResultsThe cueing group made significantly more progress over the 8-week treatment period than the recasting group. There was a medium–large treatment effect in the cueing group and a negligible effect size in the recasting group. The groups did not differ in maintenance of treatment effects 8 weeks after treatment. In single-subject analyses, 50% of children in the cueing group and 12% in the recasting group showed a significant treatment effect. Half of these children maintained the treatment effect 8 weeks later.ConclusionTreatment that used a structured cueing hierarchy designed to elicit a correct production following a child's error resulted in significantly greater improvement in expressive grammar than treatment that provided a recast following an error.Supplemental Materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170285
Improvement in Health State Utility after Sacroiliac Joint Fusion: Comparison to Normal Populations
Authors: Cher Daniel J. , Polly David W. 
Published: June 2015

Study Design Prospective cohort study. Objective The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is an important cause of lower back pain. The degree to which minimally invasive surgical fusion of the SIJ improves health state utility has not been previously documented. Methods Health state utility values were calculated using the EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline and 6 and 12 months after SIJ fusion surgery in subjects participating in a prospective, multicenter clinical trial ( n = 172). Values were compared with individuals who participated in a nationally representative cross-sectional survey (National Health Measurement Study [NHMS], n = 3,844). Health utility values in the SIJ cohort were compared with those of the NMHS participants using both weighted linear regression and calculation of “health quantile” (i.e., percentile of health normalized to the NHMS cohort adjusted for age and gender). Results Baseline health state utility was significantly depressed in SIJ patients compared with normal subjects (SF-6D 0.509 versus 0.789, SF-36 physical component summary 31.7 versus 49.2, SF-36 mental component summary 8.5 versus 53.8, EQ-5D 0.433 versus 0.868; all p < 0.0001 after adjustment for age and gender). In the SIJ cohort, all the measures improved by 6 months postoperatively, and improvements were sustained at 12 months. Baseline health quantile was low (fifth percentile) in the SIJ cohort and improved significantly at follow-up. Conclusions Quality of life is markedly impaired in patients with SIJ pain compared with age- and gender-matched cohorts. SIJ fusion in this cohort resulted in a substantial improvement in health state utility, bringing the population back toward the expected levels of overall health. The quantile approach helps to explain the degree to which health is improved compared with age- and gender-matched cohorts.
Men's Sheds function and philosophy: towards a framework for future research and men's health promotion
Authors: Wilson Nathan J. , Cordier Reinie , Doma Kenji , Misan Gary , Vaz Sharmila 
Published: June 2015

Issue addressedThe Men's Shed movement supports a range of men's health promotion initiatives. This paper examines whether a Men's Shed typology could inform future research and enable more efficient and targeted health promotion activities through Men's Sheds.MethodsThe International Men's Shed Survey consisted of a cross‐sectional exploration of sheds, their members, and health and social activities. Survey data about shed ‘function’ and ‘philosophy’ were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsA framework of Men's Sheds based on function and philosophy demonstrated that most sheds serve a primary utility function, a secondary social function, but most importantly a primary social opportunity philosophy. Sheds with a primary health philosophy participated in fewer health promotion activities when compared with sheds without a primary health philosophy.ConclusionsIn addition to the uniform health promotion resources distributed by the Men's Shed associations, specific health promotion activities, such as prostate education, are being initiated from an individual shed level. This framework can potentially be used to enable future research and health promotion activities to be more efficiently and effectively targeted.
Biologically recycled continental iron is a major component in banded iron formations
Authors: Li Weiqiang , Beard Brian L. , Johnson Clark M. 
Published: June 2015

Significance
Combined Fe- and Nd-isotope signatures suggest that banded iron formations (BIFs) contain a major component of continentally derived iron that was mobilized by microbial iron reduction followed by transport through an iron shuttle to the site of BIF formation in deep basin environments. This Fe source is in addition to the widely accepted submarine hydrothermal source of Fe in BIFs, and the two sources of Fe may be comparable in importance, although their proportions change over time dependent on basin-scale circulation.
Infectious Disease: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Wayne Marta , Bolker Benjamin 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Infectious disease is a moving target: new diseases emerge every year, old diseases evolve into new forms, and ecological and socioeconomic upheavals change the transmission pathways by which diseases spread. By taking an approach focused on the general evolutionary and ecological dynamics of disease, Infectious Disease: A Very Short Introduction considers where particular diseases come from, how they are transmitted from one person to another, why some individuals are more susceptible than others, and what strategies can be used to combat these diseases. It explains the general principles of infection, the management of outbreaks, and the evolutionary and ecological approaches that are now central to much research about infectious disease.
Potential Influence of Staphylococcus aureus Clonal Complex 30 Genotype and Transcriptome on Hematogenous Infections
Authors: Sharma-Kuinkel Batu K. , Mongodin Emmanuel F. , Myers Jason R. , Vore Kelly L. , Canfield Greg S. , Fraser Claire M. , Rude Thomas H. , Fowler Vance G. , Gill Steven R. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground.  The contemporary Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) 30 lineage is associated with complicated infections, including endocarditis and osteomyelitis. This lineage diverged from the phage-type 80/81 S aureus clone responsible for a major bacterial epidemic of the 20th century. The genome and transcriptome features that contribute to complicated infections of the CC30 lineage are unknown.Methods.  Twenty-nine clinical methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) strains (8 from CC30 and 21 from other major CCs were evaluated for virulence using murine and Galleria mellonella sepsis models. Genomic features of CC30 were ide.jpegied by comparative genome sequencing and RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis of the 29 strains and 31 previously sequenced S aureus genomes.Results.  The CC30 isolates displayed lower virulence in the sepsis models compared with other CCs [P &lt; .0001]. Comparisons of orthologous proteins and transcriptome analysis ide.jpegied genes (eg, nitric oxide reductase) and changes in metabolic pathways (eg, pyrimidine metabolism) that contribute to the distinct CC30 phenotype. Previously reported nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in accessory gene regulator C (agrC) and α-hemolysin (hla), molecules important for virulence. Additional nonsynonymous SNPs conserved across clinical CC30 isolates when compared with the first sequenced contemporary CC30 clone, MRSA-16, were ide.jpegied in multiple genes, suggesting continuing evolutionary divergence in this lineage.Conclusions.  Genomic and transcriptional analyses suggest that the CC30 lineage has acquired metabolic features that contribute to persistent and complicated infections. Absence of sepsis-induced mortality in animal models may be due in part to its unique genomic profile and suggests that specific genotypes of S aureus elicit distinct types of infection types.
Patients’ Decision Making About Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Olsson Karin , Näslund Ulf , Nilsson Johan , Hörnsten Åsa 
Published: June 2015

Background:
Aortic stenosis is the most common valve disease in Western countries, and its prevalence is increasing because of the aging population. Some patients, denied surgery because of high risk, can be offered transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). These patients are old and have comorbidities, and it is not always easy for them to make the decision about accepting TAVI.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to describe the decision-making process about undergoing TAVI treatment among people with severe aortic stenosis who are denied surgery.

Methods:
The Swedish participants (n = 24) with a mean age of 80 years who had been offered TAVI all agreed to participate in a presurgical interview. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results:
Three patterns in the decision-making process about TAVI treatment—ambivalent, obedient, and reconciled—were identified. The ambivalent patient is unsure of the value of treatment and aware of the risks; the obedient patient is unsure of the value of one’s own decision and wants to leave the decision to others; the reconciled patient has reached a point where there is no choice anymore and is always sure that the decision to undergo TAVI is right.

Conclusions:
People with aortic stenosis who are offered TAVI need to discuss the risks and benefits in order to participate in decision making about the treatment. They have different patterns in decision making and would benefit from healthcare professionals being observant of them to support them in this process in a manner consistent with their values.
Presenting Pattern of Pediatric Celiac Disease
Authors: Khatib Maan , Baker Robert D. , Ly Erin K. , Kozielski Rafal , Baker Susan S. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTObjectives:Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that can be complicated by impaired nutrition and growth. With the development of sensitive serologic tests, safe endoscopy, and efforts to educate primary care physicians, more children are diagnosed as having CD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern of the presentation of pediatric CD in western New York.Methods:Chart review of pediatric patients with CD was undertaken. Patients’ demographics, presenting features, disaccharidase assay (DA), celiac serology, and Marsh score were reviewed from patients seen at the Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Center, State University of New York at Buffalo from January 2003 through March 2013.Results:A total of 165 patients with CD were evaluated. Mean age was 10.7 ± 4.3 years, 76 male patients. The presenting features were abdominal pain (n = 87, 52.7%), constipation (n = 65, 38.9%), diarrhea (n = 52, 31.1%), family history of first‐degree relative (n = 47, 28.1%), diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 37, 22.2%), failure to thrive (n = 36, 21.8%), reflux (n = 25, 15.1%), vomiting (n = 24, 14.5%), fatigue (n = 15, 9%), short stature (n = 9, 5.4%), thyroid disease (n = 9, 5.4%), Down syndrome (n = 8, 4.8%). We found no correlation between Marsh score and serum tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin (Ig) A level at diagnosis and no correlation between DA and serum tTG IgA level, presenting feature and tTG IgA level, presenting feature and Marsh score, tTG IgA and DA, or between the age and the presenting feature.Conclusions:Children newly diagnosed as having CD in western New York presented most frequently with abdominal pain and constipation and were older at the time of diagnosis than those described in the classical presentation of CD. We speculate that our patients may have a different long‐term natural history and risk factors than originally described for patients with CD.