bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic envelope vaccination in combination with antiretroviral therapy temporarily rescues SIV‐specific CD4+ T‐cell‐dependent natural killer cell effector responses in chronically infected rhesus macaques
Authors: Vargas‐Inchaustegui Diego A. , Xiao Peng , Demberg Thorsten , Pal Ranajit , Robert‐Guroff Marjorie 
Published: January 2015

SummaryNatural killer (NK) cells are essential components of the immune system, and due to their rapid response potential, can have a great impact during early anti‐viral immune responses. We have previously shown that interleukin‐2‐dependent NK and CD4+ T‐cell co‐operative immune responses exist in long‐term simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) ‐infected controlling macaques and can be rescued in SIV‐infected non‐controlling macaques by a short course of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Given that co‐operative responses may play an important role in disease prevention and therapeutic treatment, in the present study we sought to determine if these responses can be enhanced in chronically SIV‐infected macaques by vaccination with a single‐dose of envelope protein given during ART. To this end, we treated 14 chronically SIV‐infected macaques with ART for 11 weeks and gave 10 of these macaques a single intramuscular dose of SIV gp120 at week 9 of treatment. ART significantly decreased plasma and mucosal viral loads, increased the numbers of circulating CD4+ T cells in all macaques, and increased T‐cell‐dependent envelope‐ and gag‐specific interferon‐γ and tumour necrosis factor‐α production by circulatory CD56+ NK cells. The therapeutic envelope immunization resulted in higher envelope‐specific responses compared with those in macaques that received ART only. Functional T‐cell responses restored by ART and therapeutic Env immunization were correlated with transiently reduced plasma viraemia levels following ART release. Collectively our results indicate that SIV‐specific T‐cell‐dependent NK cell responses can be efficiently rescued by ART in chronically SIV‐infected macaques and that therapeutic immunization may be beneficial in previously vaccinated individuals.
Physical and verbal workplace violence against nurses in Jordan
Authors: Al‐Omari H. 
Published: January 2015

AimsTo explore the prevalence of physical and verbal workplace violence among nurses working in general hospitals in Jordan, and to investigate the relation between physical violence, verbal violence, anxiety about violence, and some certain demographic variables.BackgroundViolence against nurses at the workplace is an alarming problem in both developed and developing countries. This study explicates physical and psychological workplace violence and its relation to anxiety about violence at workplace and to some demographic variables.MethodsA cross‐sectional correlational study was conducted on a convenience sample of nurses working in general hospitals in Jordan.ResultsA total of 468 nurses completed the questionnaire, 52.8% of the participants reported that they were physically attacked, and 67.8% were verbally attacked in the last 12 months. Of those who were physically attacked, 26.5% reported a physical violence with a weapon. The logistic regression analysis revealed that female nurses were 0.5 times less likely to report being physically attacked and were 1.5 times more likely to report being verbally abused than male nurses.DiscussionViolence against nurses is highly prevalent in Jordan. More than half of the participants were victims of violence at their workplace during the last year. Verbal abuse was more common among females than males.Nursing ImplicationsNurses are in the frontline of the healthcare system and their safety is a high priority. They need to be involved in the development and formulation of workplace violence policy decisions.ConclusionsPhysical and verbal workplace violence in Jordan, like other countries, is a dangerous behavior that negatively affects general hospital nurses.
Geographic variation of life‐history traits in the sand lizard,Lacerta agilis: testing Darwin's fecundity‐advantage hypothesis
Authors: Roitberg E. S. , Eplanova G. V. , Kotenko T. I. , Amat F. , Carretero M. A. , Kuranova V. N. , Bulakhova N. A. , Zinenko O. I. , Yakovlev V. A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe fecundity‐advantage hypothesis (FAH) explains larger female size relative to male size as a correlated response to fecundity selection. We exploredFAHby investigating geographic variation in female reproductive output and its relation to sexual size dimorphism (SSD) inLacerta agilis, an oviparous lizard occupying a major part of temperate Eurasia. We analysed how sex‐specific body size andSSDare associated with two putative indicators of fecundity selection intensity (clutch size and the slope of the clutch size–female size relationship) and with two climatic variables throughout the species range and across two widespread evolutionary lineages. Variationwithinthe lineages provides no support forFAH. In contrast, the divergencebetweenthe lineages is in line withFAH: the lineage with consistently female‐biasedSSD(L. a. agilis) exhibits higher clutch size and steeper fecundity slope than the lineage with an inconsistent and variableSSD(L. a. exigua).L. a. agilisshows lower offspring size (egg mass, hatchling mass) and higher clutch mass relative to female mass thanL. a. exigua, that is both possible ways to enhance offspring number are exerted. As theSSDdifference is due tomalesize (smaller males inL. a. agilis), fecundity selection favouring larger females, together with viability selection for smaller size in both sexes, would explain the female‐biasedSSDand reproductive characteristics ofL. a. agilis. The pattern of intraspecific life‐history divergence inL. agilisis strikingly similar to that between oviparous and viviparous populations of a related speciesZootoca vivipara. Evolutionary implications of this parallelism are discussed.
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of a Canned Sardine Product from Portugal
Authors: Almeida Cheila , Vaz Sofia , Ziegler Friederike 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThis study aims to assess the environmental impacts of canned sardines in olive oil, by considering fishing, processing, and packaging, using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The case study concerns a product of a canning factory based in Portugal and packed in aluminum cans. It is the first LCA of a processed seafood product made with the traditional canning method. The production of both cans and olive oil are the most important process in the considered impact categories. The production of olives contributes to the high environmental load of olive oil, related to cultivation and harvesting phases. The production of aluminum cans is the most significant process for all impact categories, except ozone depletion potential and eutrophication potential, resulting from the high energy demand and the extraction of raw materials. To compare to other sardine products consumed in Portugal, such as frozen and fresh sardines, transport to the wholesaler and store was added. The environmental cost of canned sardines is almost seven times higher per kilogram of edible product. The main action to optimize the environmental performance of canned sardines is therefore to replace the packaging and diminish the olive oil losses as much as possible. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by half when plastic packaging is considered rather than aluminum. Frozen and fresh sardines represent much lower environmental impacts than canned sardines. Nevertheless, when other sardine products are not possible, it becomes feasible to use sardines for human consumption, preventing them from being wasted or used suboptimally as feed.
Unpacking the Institutional Complexity in Adoption of CSR Practices in Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Marano Valentina , Kostova Tatiana 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTMultinational enterprises (MNEs) operate in complex transnational organizational fields with multiple, diverse, and possibly conflicting institutional forces. This paper examines how such complex environments affect a firm's adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. To capture the effect of transnational fields, we consider the institutional influences of all country environments to which the firm is linked through its portfolio of operations and propose that these effects will be weighted depending on their relative salience. We identify a set of factors that make certain pressures more salient than others, including firm's economic dependence on a particular country, heterogeneity of institutional forces within the firm's transnational field, exposure to leading countries with more stringent CSR templates, and intensity and commitment to particular economic linkages (i.e., foreign direct investment versus international trade). Our hypotheses are tested and supported in a study of 710 US MNEs from 2007 to 2011 with global ties to over 100 countries.
Predicting Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Machine Learning Classification of Multimodal Multicenter Diffusion‐Tensor and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data
Authors: Dyrba Martin , Barkhof Frederik , Fellgiebel Andreas , Filippi Massimo , Hausner Lucrezia , Hauenstein Karlheinz , Kirste Thomas , Teipel Stefan J. ,   the EDSD study group
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAlzheimer's disease (AD) patients show early changes in white matter (WM) structural integrity. We studied the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in assessing WM alterations in the predementia stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).METHODSWe applied a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier to DTI and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging data from 35 amyloid‐β42 negative MCI subjects (MCI‐Aβ42−), 35 positive MCI subjects (MCI‐Aβ42+), and 25 healthy controls (HC) retrieved from the European DTI Study on Dementia. The SVM was applied to DTI‐derived fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity (MD), and mode of anisotropy (MO) maps. For comparison, we studied classification based on gray matter (GM) and WM volume.RESULTSWe obtained accuracies of up to 68% for MO and 63% for GM volume when it came to distinguishing between MCI‐Aβ42− and MCI‐Aβ42+. When it came to separating MCI‐Aβ42+ from HC we achieved an accuracy of up to 77% for MD and a significantly lower accuracy of 68% for GM volume. The accuracy of multimodal classification was not higher than the accuracy of the best single modality.CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that DTI data provide better prediction accuracy than GM volume in predementia AD.
Characterisation of a novel oral iron chelator: 1-(N-Acetyl-6-Aminohexyl)-3-Hydroxy-2-Methylpyridin-4-one
Authors: Pangjit Kanjana , Banjerdpongchai Ratana , Phisalaphong Chada , Fucharoen Suthat , Xie Yuan Yuan , Lu Zi Dong , Hider Robert C , Srichairatanakool Somdet 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Desferrioxamine (DFO), deferiprone (DFP) and deferasirox (DFX) are iron chelators currently in clinical use for the treatment of iron overload. Due to difficulties with administration and associated side effects with these three molecules, the search continues for an efficient nontoxic orally active iron chelator. This communication describes the properties of one such candidate, 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1).

Methods
Physicochemical characterisation techniques, including partition coefficient, pKa values and logK values for iron(III). Iron scavenging assays, from iron citrate, nontransferrin bound iron and iron-loaded rats. Cytotoxicity studies using white cells, hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes.

Key findings
CM1 possesses high affinity and selectivity for iron(III) and a suitable partition coefficient to permeate membranes. CM1 forms a neutral 3 : 1 iron(III) complex under physiological conditions and so, it is predicted to be capable of entry into mammalian cells to scavenge excess intracellular iron and to efflux from cells as the neutral 3 : 1 complex. CM1 is demonstrated to be orally active and to possess a higher efficacy than DFP in rats. CM1 displays no toxicity to a range of cell types.

Conclusion
The above promising studies will be extended to monitor the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of CM1. CM1 is an excellent candidate for phase 1 clinical trials.
Pinealectomy interferes with the circadian clock genes expression in white adipose tissue
Authors: de Farias Talita da Silva Mendes , de Oliveira Ariclécio Cunha , Andreotti Sandra , do Amaral Fernanda Gaspar , Chimin Patrícia , de Proença André Ricardo Alves , Torres Leal Francisco Leonardo , Sertié Rogério Antonio Laurato , Campana Amanda Baron , Lopes Andressa Bolsoni , de Souza Arnaldo Henrique , Cipolla‐Neto José , Lima Fabio Bessa 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMelatonin, the main hormone produced by the pineal gland, is secreted in a circadian manner (24‐hr period), and its oscillation influences several circadian biological rhythms, such as the regulation of clock genes expression (chronobiotic effect) and the modulation of several endocrine functions in peripheral tissues. Assuming that the circadian synchronization of clock genes can play a role in the regulation of energy metabolism and it is influenced by melatonin, our study was designed to assess possible alterations as a consequence of melatonin absence on the circadian expression of clock genes in the epididymal adipose tissue of male Wistar rats and the possible metabolic repercussions to this tissue. Our data show that pinealectomy indeed has impacts on molecular events: it abolishes the daily pattern of the expression of Clock, Per2, and Cry1 clock genes and Pparγ expression, significantly increases the amplitude of daily expression of Rev‐erbα, and affects the pattern of and impairs adipokine production, leading to a decrease in leptin levels. However, regarding some metabolic aspects of adipocyte functions, such as its ability to synthesize triacylglycerols from glucose along 24 hr, was not compromised by pinealectomy, although the daily profile of the lipogenic enzymes expression (ATP‐citrate lyase, malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase, and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase) was abolished in pinealectomized animals.
Structure also supports autonomy: Measuring and defining autonomy‐supportive teaching in Japanese elementary foreign language classes
Authors: Oga‐Baldwin William Ludwell Quint , Nakata Yoshiyuki 
Published: January 2015

AbstractRecent discussions of autonomy have included the perspective that, as a basic human need across cultural environments, it includes not only choice but also personal endorsement of action. The present study focused on the cultural experience of autonomy‐support in Japanese elementary school foreign language classes. Three studies were conducted to investigate how students understand autonomy‐supportive teaching. In Study 1, exploratory focus groups defined cultural perspectives on autonomy‐support and structure. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that clarity, pacing, and teachers' positive affect correspond to students' perception of supportive teaching. Study 2 investigated teacher support in relation to in‐class engagement using longitudinal structural equation modeling. The results indicated a strong relationship between perceptions of support and classroom behavioral engagement, with stable effects over time. Study 3 longitudinally investigated teacher support in relation to students' perceptions of personal autonomy, relatedness, and competence need satisfaction. Findings show a strong positive relationship between teacher support and need satisfaction with high test‐retest reliability. Discussion focuses on how autonomy need satisfaction is experienced in different cultures with differing social norms.
Sequentially contingent fires, droughts and pluvials structured a historical dry forest landscape and suggest future contingencies
Authors: Dugan Alexa J. , Baker William L. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractQuestionsDry forests throughout the world were historically influenced by fires and climatic events, evidenced by tree recruitment pulses in forest age structures, but did these influences act randomly or were recruitment pulses contingent on the type, magnitude, order and timing of events? If recruitment was random or contingent, what are the implications for future forests?LocationUnlogged, old‐growth ponderosa pine landscape in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona,US.MethodsWe spatially reconstructed and compared tree recruitment pulses evident in forest age structures within plots with tree ring reconstructions of pluvials, droughts, fires and fire quiescence (longer fire‐free periods). We used chi‐square analysis to test for sequential contingency of combinations and permutations of pulse influences.ResultsOf 20 recruitment pulses, 17 were influenced to some extent by fire quiescence, 13 by fires and droughts each, and 11 by pluvials. Prevalence of pulses across the landscape did not correspond to the pronounced spatial variability in fire rotation. Analysis of combinations and permutations of these influences showed that potentially mortality‐inducing influences of fire and drought likely initiated pulses, whereas pluvials and quiescence, which enhance recruitment conditions, sustained 75% of pulses.ConclusionsSuccessful tree recruitment pulses in dry forests historically were sequentially contingent on mortality‐inducing influences, followed by recruitment‐enhancing conditions. The impacts of climate change projections, including prolonged droughts and intense fires, on dry forests may depend on the order, timing and magnitude of influences.
Widespread parallel population adaptation to climate variation across a radiation: implications for adaptation to climate change
Authors: Thorpe Roger S. , Barlow Axel , Malhotra Anita , Surget‐Groba Yann 
Published: January 2015

AbstractGlobal warming will impact species in a number of ways, and it is important to know the extent to which natural populations can adapt to anthropogenic climate change by natural selection. Parallel microevolution within separate species can demonstrate natural selection, but several studies of homoplasy have not yet revealed examples of widespread parallel evolution in a generic radiation. Taking into account primary phylogeographic divisions, we investigate numerous quantitative traits (size, shape, scalation, colour pattern and hue) in anole radiations from the mountainous Lesser Antillean islands. Adaptation to climatic differences can lead to very pronounced differences between spatially close populations with all studied traits showing some evidence of parallel evolution. Traits from shape, scalation, pattern and hue (particularly the latter) show widespread evolutionary parallels within these species in response to altitudinal climate variation greater than extreme anthropogenic climate change predicted for 2080. This gives strong evidence of the ability to adapt to climate variation by natural selection throughout this radiation. As anoles can evolve very rapidly, it suggests anthropogenic climate change is likely to be less of a conservation threat than other factors, such as habitat loss and invasive species, in this, Lesser Antillean, biodiversity hot spot.
Left Ventricular Three‐Dimensional Quadripolar Lead Acute Clinical Study: The LILAC Study
Authors: PHILIPPON FRANÇOIS , LIU LILI , FUNG JEFFREY WING‐HONG , DEHARO JEAN‐CLAUDE , ANSELME FREDERIC , DELNOY PETER PAUL , CRIJNS HARRY , MORILLO CARLOS A. , KRAHN ANDREW D. , GUTLEBEN KLAUS , DELUMEAU JULIEN , MOLIN FRANCK 
Published: January 2015

AimsThis multicenter acute clinical study was designed to verify novel three‐dimensional (3D) quadripolar lead designs that can achieve ≤2.5 V average pacing capture threshold (PCT) not only at the apex, but also at the base of the left ventricle with phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) avoidance for cardiac resynchronization.MethodsDuring the implant procedure, up to two different left ventricular investigational leads were introduced and tested in the same target coronary vein based on the coronary sinus venogram in a wedged and unwedged position. Adverse events were collected in 30 days following the procedure.ResultsEighty‐seven leads were tested in 50 patients. When the best performing spiral electrode was chosen from each lead testing, the average of the best PCT on spiral in a wedged position was similar to the unwedged position (1.7 ± 1.5 V vs 1.9 ± 1.5 V, P = ns) and was similar to the wedged tip electrode average PCT (1.7 ± 1.5 V vs 1.6 ± 1.6 V, P = ns). In the majority of patients (89–96%), pacing was achievable in a mid‐basal ventricular location without PNS.ConclusionsThis acute study demonstrated that a 3D quadripolar spiral lead design can achieve acceptable PCTs and avoid PNS without repositioning the lead at implant in the vast majority of patients. It also demonstrated that this lead design can achieve mid‐basal ventricular stimulation with low PCT and good acute stability.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Acutely Improves Ventricular‐Arterial Coupling by Reducing the Arterial Load: Assessment by Pressure–Volume Loops
Authors: PIERAGNOLI PAOLO , PEREGO GIOVANNI BATTISTA , RICCIARDI GIUSEPPE , SACCHI STEFANIA , PADELETTI MARGHERITA , MICHELUCCI ANTONIO , VALSECCHI SERGIO , PADELETTI LUIGI 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been demonstrated to improve ventricular‐arterial coupling by reducing effective arterial elastance (Ea) on long‐term follow‐up. Detailed invasive studies showing possible acute peripheral effects of CRT are not available. We evaluated the hemodynamic effects of CRT in patients with systolic dysfunction, in order to investigate the impact on ventricular‐arterial coupling and, in particular, on Ea immediately after the initiation of pacing.MethodsWe studied 37 heart failure patients undergoing CRT implantation based on conventional criteria. On implantation, left ventricular (LV) pressure and volume data were determined via a conductance catheter. Twelve patients with a standard indication for electrophysiologic study and preserved LV function served as a control group.ResultsIn comparison with the control group, heart failure patients showed reduced systolic and diastolic function. LV end‐systolic elastance (Ees: end‐systolic pressure/volume) was impaired (0.79 ± 0.33 mm Hg/mL vs 1.84 ± 0.89 mm Hg/mL, P = 0.012) and Ees/Ea reduced (0.36 ± 0.17 vs 1.19 ± 1.81, P = 0.022). In heart failure patients, CRT immediately improved systolic function, increasing stroke work from 3.9 ± 1.8 L*mm Hg to 6.9 ± 3.3 L*mm Hg (P < 0.001) and Ees to 1.02 ± 0.62 mm Hg/mL (P = 0.001). Ea decreased from 2.59 ± 1.35 mm Hg/mL to 1.68 ± 0.91 mm Hg/mL (P < 0.001), leading to an increase in Ees/Ea to 0.70 ± 0.38 (P < 0.001).ConclusionOur data indicate that switching CRT on induces an immediate reduction in arterial load, conceivably as a consequence of restored autonomic balance.