bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Self-Paced VO2max Test to Assess Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Highly Trained Runners
Authors: Hogg James S. , Hopker James G. , Mauger Alexis R. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:The novel self-paced maximal-oxygen-uptake (VO2max) test (SPV) may be a more suitable alternative to traditional maximal tests for elite athletes due to the ability to self-regulate pace. This study aimed to examine whether the SPV can be administered on a motorized treadmill.Methods:Fourteen highly trained male distance runners performed a standard graded exercise test (GXT), an incline-based SPV (SPVincline), and a speed-based SPV (SPVspeed). The GXT included a plateau-verification stage. Both SPV protocols included 5 × 2-min stages (and a plateau-verification stage) and allowed for self-pacing based on fixed increments of rating of perceived exertion: 11, 13, 15, 17, and 20. The participants varied their speed and incline on the treadmill by moving between different marked zones in which the tester would then adjust the intensity.Results:There was no significant difference (P = .319, ES = 0.21) in the VO2max achieved in the SPVspeed (67.6 ± 3.6 mL · kg−1 · min−1, 95%CI = 65.6–69.7 mL · kg−1 · min−1) compared with that achieved in the GXT (68.6 ± 6.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1, 95%CI = 65.1–72.1 mL · kg−1 · min−1). Participants achieved a significantly higher VO2max in the SPVincline (70.6 ± 4.3 mL · kg−1 · min−1, 95%CI = 68.1–73.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1) than in either the GXT (P = .027, ES = 0.39) or SPVspeed (P = .001, ES = 0.76).Conclusions:The SPVspeed protocol produces VO2max values similar to those obtained in the GXT and may represent a more appropriate and athlete-friendly test that is more oriented toward the variable speed found in competitive sport.
Characteristics Explaining Performance in Downhill Mountain Biking
Authors: Chidley Joel B. , MacGregor Alexandra L. , Martin Caoimhe , Arthur Calum A. , Macdonald Jamie H. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:To identify physiological, psychological, and skill characteristics that explain performance in downhill (DH) mountainbike racing.Methods:Four studies were used to (1) identify factors potentially contributing to DH performance (using an expert focus group), (2) develop and validate a measure of rider skill (using video analysis and expert judge evaluation), (3) evaluate whether physiological, psychological, and skill variables contribute to performance at a DH competition, and (4) test the specific contribution of aerobic capacity to DH performance.Results:Study 1 identified aerobic capacity, handgrip endurance, anaerobic power, rider skill, and self-confidence as potentially important for DH. In study 2 the rider-skill measure displayed good interrater reliability. Study 3 found that rider skill and handgrip endurance were significantly related to DH ride time (β = –0.76 and –0.14, respectively; R2 = .73), with exploratory analyses suggesting that DH ride time may also be influenced by self-confidence and aerobic capacity. Study 4 confirmed aerobic capacity as an important variable influencing DH performance (for a DH ride, mean oxygen uptake was 49 ± 5 mL · kg−1 · min−1, and 90% of the ride was completed above the 1st ventilatory threshold).Conclusions:In order of importance, rider skill, handgrip endurance, self-confidence, and aerobic capacity were identified as variables influencing DH performance. Practically, this study provides a novel assessment of rider skill that could be used by coaches to monitor training and identify talent. Novel intervention targets to enhance DH performance were also identified, including self-confidence and aerobic capacity.
The Functional Movement Screen’s Ability to Detect Changes in Movement Patterns After a Training Intervention
Authors: Minthorn Lindsay M. , Fayson Shirleeah D. , Stobierski Lisa M. , Welch Cailee E. , Anderson Barton E. 
Published: July 2014

Clinical Scenario:Appropriate movement patterns during sports and physical activities are important for both athletic performance and injury prevention. The assessment of movement dysfunction can assist clinicians in implementing appropriate rehabilitation programs after injury, as well as developing injury-prevention plans. No gold standard test exists for the evaluation of movement capacity; however, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) has been recommended as a tool to screen for movement-pattern limitations and side-to-side movement asymmetries. Limited research has suggested that movement limitations and asymmetries may be linked to increased risk for injury. While this line of research is continuing to evolve, the use of the FMS to measure movement capacity and the development of intervention programs to improve movement patterns has become popular. Recently, additional research examining changes in movement patterns after standardized intervention programs has emerged.Clinical Question:Does an individualized training program improve movement patterns in adults who participate in high-intensity activities?
Frequency of Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription on Discharge to Hospice Care
Authors: Furuno Jon P. , Noble Brie N. , Horne Kristi N. , McGregor Jessina C. , Elman Miriam R. , Bearden David T. , Walsh Eric W. , Fromme Erik K. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
The use of antibiotics is common in hospice care despite limited evidence that it improves symptoms or quality of life. Patients receiving antibiotics upon discharge from a hospital may be more likely to continue use following transition to hospice care despite a shift in the goals of care. We quantified the frequency and characteristics for receiving a prescription for antibiotics on discharge from acute care to hospice care. This was a cross-sectional study among adult inpatients (≥18 years old) discharged to hospice care from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012. Data were collected from an electronic data repository and from the Department of Care Management. Among 62,792 discharges, 845 (1.3%) patients were discharged directly to hospice care (60.0% home and 40.0% inpatient). Most patients discharged to hospice were >65 years old (50.9%) and male (54.6%) and had stayed in the hospital for ≤7 days (56.6%). The prevalence of antibiotic prescription upon discharge to hospice was 21.1%. Among patients discharged with an antibiotic prescription, 70.8% had a documented infection during their index admission. Among documented infections, 40.3% were bloodstream infections, septicemia, or endocarditis, and 38.9% were pneumonia. Independent risk factors for receiving an antibiotic prescription were documented infection during the index admission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.00; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 4.68 to 10.46), discharge to home hospice care (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.92 to 4.28), and having a cancer diagnosis (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.48 to 3.23). These data suggest that a high proportion of patients discharged from acute care to hospice care receive an antibiotic prescription upon discharge.
The Cry Toxin Operon of Clostridium bifermentans subsp. malaysia Is Highly Toxic to Aedes Larval Mosquitoes
Authors: Qureshi Nadia , Chawla Swati , Likitvivatanavong Supaporn , Lee Han Lim , Gill Sarjeet S. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The management and control of mosquito vectors of human disease currently rely primarily on chemical insecticides. However, larvicidal treatments can be effective, and if based on biological insecticides, they can also ameliorate the risk posed to human health by chemical insecticides. The aerobic bacteria
Bacillus thuringiensis
and
Lysinibacillus sphaericus
have been used for vector control for a number of decades. But a more cost-effective use would be an anaerobic bacterium because of the ease with which these can be cultured. More recently, the anaerobic bacterium
Clostridium bifermentans
subsp.
malaysia
has been reported to have high mosquitocidal activity, and a number of proteins were identified as potentially mosquitocidal. However, the cloned proteins showed no mosquitocidal activity. We show here that four toxins encoded by the Cry operon, Cry16A, Cry17A, Cbm17.1, and Cbm17.2, are all required for toxicity, and these toxins collectively show remarkable selectivity for
Aedes
rather than
Anopheles
mosquitoes, even though
C. bifermentans
subsp.
malaysia
is more toxic to
Anopheles
. Hence, toxins that target
Anopheles
are different from those expressed by the Cry operon.
Role of Oxidative Stress in Sclerotial Differentiation and Aflatoxin B1 Biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Grintzalis Konstantinos , Vernardis Spyros I. , Klapa Maria I. , Georgiou Christos D. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

We show here that oxidative stress is involved in both sclerotial differentiation (SD) and aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in
Aspergillus flavus
. Specifically, we observed that (i) oxidative stress regulates SD, as implied by its inhibition by antioxidant modulators of reactive oxygen species and thiol redox state, and that (ii) aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis and SD are comodulated by oxidative stress. However, aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis is inhibited by lower stress levels compared to SD, as shown by comparison to undifferentiated
A. flavus
. These same oxidative stress levels also characterize a mutant
A. flavus
strain, lacking the global regulatory gene
veA
. This mutant is unable to produce sclerotia and aflatoxin B1. (iii) Further, we show that hydrogen peroxide is the main modulator of
A. flavus
SD, as shown by its inhibition by both an irreversible inhibitor of catalase activity and a mimetic of superoxide dismutase activity. On the other hand, aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis is controlled by a wider array of oxidative stress factors, such as lipid hydroperoxide, superoxide, and hydroxyl and thiyl radicals.
Modulation of Medium pH by Caulobacter crescentus Facilitates Recovery from Uranium-Induced Growth Arrest
Authors: Park Dan M. , Jiao Yongqin 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The oxidized form of uranium [U(VI)] predominates in oxic environments and poses a major threat to ecosystems. Due to its ability to mineralize U(VI), the oligotroph
Caulobacter crescentus
is an attractive candidate for U(VI) bioremediation. However, the physiological basis for U(VI) tolerance is unclear. Here we demonstrated that U(VI) caused a temporary growth arrest in
C. crescentus
and three other bacterial species, although the duration of growth arrest was significantly shorter for
C. crescentus
. During the majority of the growth arrest period, cell morphology was unaltered and DNA replication initiation was inhibited. However, during the transition from growth arrest to exponential phase, cells with shorter stalks were observed, suggesting a decoupling between stalk development and the cell cycle. Upon recovery from growth arrest,
C. crescentus
proliferated with a growth rate comparable to that of a control without U(VI), although a fraction of these cells appeared filamentous with multiple replication start sites. Normal cell morphology was restored by the end of exponential phase. Cells did not accumulate U(VI) resistance mutations during the prolonged growth arrest, but rather, a reduction in U(VI) toxicity occurred concomitantly with an increase in medium pH. Together, these data suggest that
C. crescentus
recovers from U(VI)-induced growth arrest by reducing U(VI) toxicity through pH modulation. Our finding represents a unique U(VI) detoxification strategy and provides insight into how microbes cope with U(VI) under nongrowing conditions, a metabolic state that is prevalent in natural environments.
Sucrose Synthesis in the Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120 Is Controlled by the Two-Component Response Regulator OrrA
Authors: Ehira Shigeki , Kimura Satoshi , Miyazaki Shogo , Ohmori Masayuki 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The filamentous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120 accumulates sucrose as a compatible solute against salt stress. Sucrose-phosphate synthase activity, which is responsible for the sucrose synthesis, is increased by salt stress, but the mechanism underlying the regulation of sucrose synthesis remains unknown. In the present study, a response regulator, OrrA, was shown to control sucrose synthesis. Expression of
spsA
, which encodes a sucrose-phosphate synthase, and
susA
and
susB
, which encode sucrose synthases, was induced by salt stress. In the
orrA
disruptant, salt induction of these genes was completely abolished. The cellular sucrose level of the
orrA
disruptant was reduced to 40% of that in the wild type under salt stress conditions. Moreover, overexpression of
orrA
resulted in enhanced expression of
spsA
,
susA
, and
susB
, followed by accumulation of sucrose, without the addition of NaCl. We also found that SigB2, a group 2 sigma factor of RNA polymerase, regulated the early response to salt stress under the control of OrrA. It is concluded that OrrA controls sucrose synthesis in collaboration with SigB2.
Diversity of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Associated with Switchgrass in the Native Tallgrass Prairie of Northern Oklahoma
Authors: Bahulikar Rahul A. , Torres-Jerez Ivone , Worley Eric , Craven Kelly , Udvardi Michael K. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Switchgrass (
Panicum virgatum
L.) is a perennial C
4
grass native to North America that is being developed as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production. Industrial nitrogen fertilizers enhance switchgrass biomass production but add to production and environmental costs. A potential sustainable alternative source of nitrogen is biological nitrogen fixation. As a step in this direction, we studied the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) associated with native switchgrass plants from the tallgrass prairie of northern Oklahoma (United States), using a culture-independent approach. DNA sequences from the nitrogenase structural gene,
nifH
, revealed over 20 putative diazotrophs from the alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gammaproteobacteria and the firmicutes associated with roots and shoots of switchgrass. Alphaproteobacteria, especially rhizobia, predominated. Sequences derived from
nifH
RNA indicated expression of this gene in several bacteria of the alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gammaproteobacterial groups associated with roots. Prominent among these were
Rhizobium
and
Methylobacterium
species of the alphaproteobacteria,
Burkholderia
and
Azoarcus
species of the betaproteobacteria, and
Desulfuromonas
and
Geobacter
species of the deltaproteobacteria.
Effect of Nonheme Iron-Containing Ferritin Dpr in the Stress Response and Virulence of Pneumococci
Authors: Hua Chun-Zhen , Howard Angela , Malley Richard , Lu Ying-Jie 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniae(pneumococcus) produces hydrogen peroxide as a by-product of metabolism and provides a competitive advantage against cocolonizing bacteria. As pneumococci do not produce catalase or an inducible regulator of hydrogen peroxide, the mechanism of resistance to hydrogen peroxide is unclear. A gene responsible for resistance to hydrogen peroxide and iron in other streptococci is that encoding nonheme iron-containing ferritin,dpr, but previous attempts to study this gene in pneumococcus by generating adprmutant were unsuccessful. In the current study, we found thatdpris in an operon with the downstream genesdhfrandclpX. We generated adprdeletion mutant which displayed normal early-log-phase and mid-log-phase growth in bacteriologic medium but survived less well at stationary phase; the addition of catalase partially rescued the growth defect. We showed that thedprmutant is significantly more sensitive to pH, heat, iron concentration, and oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide. Using a mouse model of colonization, we also showed that thedprmutant displays a reduced ability to colonize and is more rapidly cleared from the nasopharynx. Our results thus suggest that Dpr is important for pneumococcal resistance to stress and for nasopharyngeal colonization.
Glucose-6–phosphatase Is a Key Metabolic Regulator of Glioblastoma Invasion
Authors: Abbadi Sara , Rodarte Julio J. , Abutaleb Ameer , Lavell Emily , Smith Chris L. , Ruff William , Schiller Jennifer , Olivi Alessandro , Levchenko Andre , Guerrero-Cazares Hugo , Quinones-Hinojosa Alfredo 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most aggressive primary brain cancer in adults. Similar to other cancers, GBM cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to promote proliferation and survival. Glycolytic inhibition is widely used to target such reprogramming. However, the stability of glycolytic inhibition in GBM remains unclear especially in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In this study, it was determined that glucose-6–phosphatase (G6PC/G6Pase) expression is elevated in GBM when compared with normal brain. Human-derived brain tumor–initiating cells (BTIC) use this enzyme to counteract glycolytic inhibition induced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) and sustain malignant progression. Downregulation of G6PC renders the majority of these cells unable to survive glycolytic inhibition, and promotes glycogen accumulation through the activation of glycogen synthase (GYS1) and inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase (PYGL). Moreover, BTICs that survive G6PC knockdown are less aggressive (reduced migration, invasion, proliferation, and increased astrocytic differentiation). Collectively, these findings establish G6PC as a key enzyme with promalignant functional consequences that has not been previously reported in GBM and identify it as a potential therapeutic target.
Implications: This study is the first to demonstrate a functional relationship between the critical gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic enzyme G6PC with the metabolic adaptations during GBM invasion.
Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/12/11/1547/F1.large.jpg.
Mol Cancer Res; 12(11); 1547–59. ©2014 AACR.
Joint Occurrence of Daily Temperature and Precipitation Extreme Events over Canada
Authors: Tencer Bárbara , Weaver Andrew , Zwiers Francis 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe occurrence of individual extremes such as temperature and precipitation extremes can have a great impact on the environment. Agriculture, energy demands, and human health, among other activities, can be affected by extremely high or low temperatures and by extremely dry or wet conditions. The simultaneous or proximate occurrence of both types of extremes could lead to even more profound consequences, however. For example, a dry period can have more negative consequences on agriculture if it is concomitant with or followed by a period of extremely high temperatures. This study analyzes the joint occurrence of very wet conditions and high/low temperature events at stations in Canada. More than one-half of the stations showed a significant positive relationship at the daily time scale between warm nights (daily minimum temperature greater than the 90th percentile) or warm days (daily maximum temperature above the 90th percentile) and heavy-precipitation events (daily precipitation exceeding the 75th percentile), with the greater frequencies found for the east and southwest coasts during autumn and winter. Cold days (daily maximum temperature below the 10th percentile) occur together with intense precipitation more frequently during spring and summer. Simulations by regional climate models show good agreement with observations in the seasonal and spatial variability of the joint distribution, especially when an ensemble of simulations was used.
Brazilian embauba (Cecropia pachystachya) extract reduces renal lesions in 5/6 nephrectomized rats
Authors: do C Maquiaveli Claudia , da Silva Edson R , Francescato Heloísa DC , Costa Roberto S , Silva Cleonice GA , Casarini Dulce E , Ronchi Fernanda A , Coimbra Terezila M 
Published: July 2014

Introduction: Cecropia pachystachya (CP) is a plant rich in polyphenols which inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro. Angiotensin II (AII) has an important role in the renal lesion provoked by 5/6 nephrectomy (NE). This study evaluated the CP extract effect on renal lesions provoked by 5/6 NE. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats submitted to 5/6 NE were treated or not treated with CP extract and followed for 90 days. Systemic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, renal functional and structural parameters, ACE activity, urinary levels of monocyte chemoattrant protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) were evaluated. Results: Albuminuria and hypertension were less intense in the treated (NE+CP) group compared to the untreated (NE) group. CP extract treatment reduced the fall in glomerular filtration rate observed in NE rats. Glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial lesions, increase of macrophages and AII positive cells in the renal cortex, as well as increases in renal ACE activity, urinary levels of MCP-1 and TGF-β were attenuated in NE rats by CP treatment. Conclusions: The treatment with CP extract reduced the SBP and functional and structural renal changes in 5/6 NE rats. These effects were associated with decreased AII expression, ACE activity and inflammation in the renal cortex.
Paying pharmacists for patient care
Authors: Houle Sherilyn K. D. , Grindrod Kelly A. , Chatterley Trish , Tsuyuki Ross T. 
Published: July 2014

Background: Expansion of scope of practice and diminishing revenues from dispensing are requiring pharmacists to increasingly adopt clinical care services into their practices. Pharmacists must be able to receive payment in order for provision of clinical care to be sustainable. The objective of this study is to update a previous systematic review by identifying remunerated pharmacist clinical care programs worldwide and reporting on uptake and patient care outcomes observed as a result. Methods: Literature searches were performed in several databases, including MEDLINE, Embase and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, for papers referencing remuneration, pharmacy and cognitive services. Searches of the grey literature and Internet were also conducted. Papers and programs were identified up to December 2012 and were included if they were not reported in our previous review. One author performed data abstraction, which was independently reviewed by a second author. All results are presented descriptively. Results: Sixty new remunerated programs were identified across Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, ranging in complexity from emergency contraception counseling to minor ailments schemes and comprehensive medication management. In North America, the average fee provided for a medication review is $68.86 (all figures are given in Canadian dollars), with $23.37 offered for a follow-up visit and $15.16 for prescription adaptations. Time-dependent fees were reimbursed at $93.60 per hour on average. Few programs evaluated uptake and outcomes of these services but, when available, indicated slow uptake but improved chronic disease markers and cost savings. Discussion: Remuneration for pharmacists’ clinical care services is highly variable, with few programs reporting program outcomes. Programs and pharmacists are encouraged to examine the time required to perform these activities and the outcomes achieved to ensure that fees are adequate to sustain these patient care activities.