bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stimulating effects of a diet negative in dietary cation–anion difference on calcium absorption from the rumen in sheep
Authors: Wilkens M.R. , Praechter C. , Breves G. , Schröder B. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe concept of feeding anionic salts in late gestation is widely used to prevent milk fever in dairy cows. While the effects of these diets on renal Ca excretion and tissue responsiveness towards parathyroid hormone have clearly been demonstrated, data on a potential impact on gastrointestinal Ca absorption are conflicting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of feeding a diet negative in dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) on ruminal mineral concentrations, fermentation products, electrophysiological properties of rumen epithelia and Ca flux rates. For this purpose, sheep were kept for 3 weeks on diets that were either positive or negative in DCAD. The induction of a compensated hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis could be demonstrated by increased plasma Cl and enhanced concentrations of ionised Ca, while plasma concentrations of and base excess were decreased with the low DCAD diet. Neither transmural potential differences nor fermentation products were affected, but ruminal concentrations of Cl and Mg as well as the relation of ionised to total Ca were increased. Ussing chamber experiments revealed alterations of electrophysiological parameters and an increase in the electroneutral component of Ca flux rates from the mucosal to the serosal side of rumen epithelium. As plasma calcitriol concentrations were not affected, it can be concluded that the administration of anionic salts results in a vitamin D‐independent stimulation of ruminal Ca transport.
Dispersal potential mediates effects of local and landscape factors on plant species richness in maeulsoop forests of Korea
Authors: Koh Insu , Reineking Björn , Park Chan‐Ryul , Lee Dowon 
Published: February 2015

AbstractQuestionsAt what spatial scales do plant species with different dispersal potentials respond to landscape characteristics? Do seed rain data support these scale‐dependent responses? Does the relative importance of local factors and surrounding landscape characteristics vary according to species dispersal potential?LocationAgricultural landscape, Jinan County, Korea.MethodsForest plant species from 15 traditional Korean village forests, maeulsoops, were recorded and categorized into short‐distance dispersal (SDD) and long‐distance dispersal (LDD) species based on dispersal mode. Seed rain samples were collected every 2 wk for 4 mo and identified at the genus level. Local factors (anthropogenic influence and maeulsoop area) were assessed through field surveys and satellite imagery. Landscape characteristics surrounding maeulsoops (forest cover diversity, composition and fragmentation) were assessed at multiple spatial scales using Shannon‐Wiener index and PCA. The best regression model at each scale was identified by model selection based on AICc, and the effect of each explanatory variable on species richness was quantified with hierarchical partitioning.ResultsA total of 107 forest plant species (39 SDD and 68 LDD) were recorded, and a total of 25 bird‐dispersed genera were identified in seed rain samples. Species richness in plant records and genus richness in seed samples were strongly affected by anthropogenic influence and maeulsoop area, respectively. SDD species richness was significantly and positively influenced by total forest cover at small scales of around 150 m. In contrast, LDD species richness was significantly influenced by deciduous forest cover at large scales (1500–3500 m). At these larger scales, the relative importance of landscape characteristics for species richness was higher for LDD than for SDD. These results for LDD species were most notably supported by genus richness in seed rain data.ConclusionsThe most important findings of the study highlight that (1) plant species responses to forest cover are scale‐dependent; and (2) dispersal potential mediates the effects of local and landscape factors on plant species richness. The results suggest that conservation strategies for native forest species in maeulsoops should not only focus on habitat‐specific characteristics but also consider species‐specific interactions with surrounding landscapes.
Embedded Damage Localization Subsystem Based on Elastic Wave Propagation
Authors: Wandowski Tomasz , Malinowski Pawel , Ostachowicz Wieslaw , Rawski Mariusz , Tomaszewicz Pawel , Luba Tadeusz , Borowik Grzegorz 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article presents an embedded signal processing subsystem constituting a part of a whole structural health monitoring system (SHM). Typical SHM system is responsible for elastic wave generation and sensing, signal acquisition, and signal processing. Signal processing subsystem was designed with the aim of localizing damage utilizing elastic wave propagation in the interrogated structure. The embedded signal processing subsystem is realized in a field programmable gate array chip, which also implements a damage localization algorithm designed for creating damage maps that can indicate elastic wave reflection sites within the investigated structure. Elastic waves are generated and received using a prototype electronic system developed specially for this purpose. Piezoelectric transducers are arranged in networks with different geometrical configurations (strip, cross, and square). Elastic waves are excited by a five‐cycle tone burst signal with carrier frequency of 220 kHz. The investigated structure is a simple isotropic panel made out of aluminum alloy. First, dispersion curves are computed on the basis of registered elastic wave signals. These are subsequently used in the damage localization process. The damage localization process utilizes the base antisymmetric A0 mode. This article presents results of experimental verification of the developed damage localization algorithm as well as results of damage localization by the embedded subsystem.
Divisome‐dependent subcellular localization of cell–cell joining protein SepJ in the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena
Authors: Ramos‐León Félix , Mariscal Vicente , Frías José E. , Flores Enrique , Herrero Antonia 
Published: February 2015

SummaryHeterocyst‐forming cyanobacteria are multicellular organisms that grow as filaments that can be hundreds of cells long. Septal junction complexes, of which SepJ is a possible component, appear to join the cells in the filament. SepJ is a cytoplasmic membrane protein that contains a long predicted periplasmic section and localizes not only to the cell poles in the intercellular septa but also to a position similar to a Z ring when cell division starts suggesting a relation with the divisome. Here, we created a mutant of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 in which the essential divisome gene ftsZ is expressed from a synthetic NtcA‐dependent promoter, whose activity depends on the nitrogen source. In the presence of ammonium, low levels of FtsZ were produced, and the subcellular localization of SepJ, which was investigated by immunofluorescence, was impaired. Possible interactions of SepJ with itself and with divisome proteins FtsZ, FtsQ and FtsW were investigated using the bacterial two‐hybrid system. We found SepJ self‐interaction and a specific interaction with FtsQ, confirmed by co‐purification and involving parts of the SepJ and FtsQ periplasmic sections. Therefore, SepJ can form multimers, and in Anabaena, the divisome has a role beyond cell division, localizing a septal protein essential for multicellularity.
The Brassica napus receptor‐like protein RLM2 is encoded by a second allele of the LepR3/Rlm2 blackleg resistance locus
Authors: Larkan Nicholas J. , Ma Lisong , Borhan Mohammad Hossein 
Published: February 2015

SummaryLeucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like proteins (LRR‐RLPs) are highly adaptable parts of the signalling apparatus for extracellular detection of plant pathogens. Resistance to blackleg disease of Brassica spp. caused by Leptosphaeria maculans is largely governed by host race‐specific R‐genes, including the LRR‐RLP gene LepR3. The blackleg resistance gene Rlm2 was previously mapped to the same genetic interval as LepR3. In this study, the LepR3 locus of the Rlm2 Brassica napus line ‘Glacier DH24287’ was cloned, and B. napus transformants were analysed for recovery of the Rlm2 phenotype. Multiple B. napus, B. rapa and B. juncea lines were assessed for sequence variation at the locus. Rlm2 was found to be an allelic variant of the LepR3 LRR‐RLP locus, conveying race‐specific resistance to L. maculans isolates harbouring AvrLm2. Several defence‐related LRR‐RLPs have previously been shown to associate with the RLK SOBIR1 to facilitate defence signalling. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and co‐immunoprecipitation of RLM2‐SOBIR1 studies revealed that RLM2 interacts with SOBIR1 of Arabidopsis thaliana when co‐expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. The interaction of RLM2 with AtSOBIR1 is suggestive of a conserved defence signalling pathway between B. napus and its close relative A. thaliana.
Exploration of peptides bound to MHC class I molecules in melanoma
Authors: Pritchard Antonia L. , Hastie Marcus L. , Neller Michelle , Gorman Jeffrey J. , Schmidt Chris W. , Hayward Nicholas K. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAdvancements in high‐resolution HPLC and mass spectrometry have reinvigorated the application of this technology to identify peptides eluted from immunopurified MHC class I molecules. Three melanoma cell lines were assessed using w6/32 isolation, peptide elution and HPLC purification; peptides were identified by mass spectrometry. A total of 13 829 peptides were identified; 83–87% of these were 8–11 mers. Only approximately 15% have been described before. Subcellular locations of the source proteins showed even sampling; mRNA expression and total protein length were predictive of the number of peptides detected from a single protein. HLA‐type binding prediction for 10 078 9/10 mer peptides assigned 88–95% to a patient‐specific HLA subtype, revealing a disparity in strength of predicted binding. HLA‐B*27‐specific isolation successfully identified some peptides not found using w6/32. Sixty peptides were selected for immune screening, based on source protein and predicted HLA binding; no new peptides recognized by antimelanoma T cells were discovered. Additionally, mass spectrometry was unable to identify several epitopes targeted ex vivo by one patient's T cells.
Skin colour, skin redness and melanin biometric measurements: comparison study between Antera® 3D, Mexameter® and Colorimeter®
Authors: Matias Ana Rita , Ferreira Marta , Costa Paulo , Neto Patrícia 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundThe actual skin colorimeters analyse reflect values from a limited number of broad spectral bands and consequently present limited reproducibility and specificity when measuring skin colour. Here, Antera 3D®, a new device which uses reflectance mapping of seven different light wavelengths spanning the entire visible spectrum, has been compared with Mexameter® MX‐18, an established narrow‐band reflectance spectrophotometer and with Colorimeter® CL‐400, an established tristimulus colorimetric instrument.MethodsThirty volunteers were exposed to a controlled ultra‐violet B light. Measurements with Antera 3D®, Mexameter® MX‐18 and Colorimeter® CL‐400 were done before treatment and after 2, 7 and 14 days.ResultsAntera 3D® showed to have a better sensitivity and specificity than Mexameter® MX‐18 regarding the melanin parameter. A similar sensitivity between Antera 3D® and Mexameter® MX‐18 was found for erythema determination and also for the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage L*, a* and b* parameters between Antera 3D® and Colorimeter® CL‐400. Good correlations were observed for all the parameters analysed. Repeatability of Mexameter® MX‐18 and Colorimeter® CL‐400 values were lower than that of Antera 3D® for all the parameters analysed.ConclusionAntera 3D®, such as Mexameter® MX‐18 and Colorimeter® CL‐400, are robust, sensitive and precise equipment for the skin colour analysis.
Efficacy of education followed by computerized provider order entry with clinician decision support to reduce red blood cell utilization
Authors: Zuckerberg Gabriel S. , Scott Andrew V. , Wasey Jack O. , Wick Elizabeth C. , Pawlik Timothy M. , Ness Paul M. , Patel Nishant D. , Resar Linda M.S. , Frank Steven M. 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDTwo necessary components of a patient blood management program are education regarding evidence‐based transfusion guidelines and computerized provider order entry (CPOE) with clinician decision support (CDS). This study examines changes in red blood cell (RBC) utilization associated with each of these two interventions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe reviewed 5 years of blood utilization data (2009‐2013) for 70,118 surgical patients from 10 different specialty services at a tertiary care academic medical center. Three distinct periods were compared: 1) before blood management, 2) education alone, and 3) education plus CPOE. Changes in RBC unit utilization were assessed over the three periods stratified by surgical service. Cost savings were estimated based on RBC acquisition costs.RESULTSFor all surgical services combined, RBC utilization decreased by 16.4% with education alone (p = 0.001) and then changed very little (2.5% increase) after subsequent addition of CPOE (p = 0.64). When we compared the period of education plus CPOE to the pre–blood management period, the overall decrease was 14.3% (p = 0.008; 2102 fewer RBC units/year, or a cost avoidance of $462,440/year). Services with the highest massive transfusion rates (≥10 RBC units) exhibited the least reduction in RBC utilization.CONCLUSIONSAdding CPOE with CDS after a successful education effort to promote evidence‐based transfusion practice did not further reduce RBC utilization. These findings suggest that education is an important and effective component of a patient blood management program and that CPOE algorithms may serve to maintain compliance with evidence‐based transfusion guidelines.
Does offering human immunodeficiency virus testing at the time of blood donation reduce transfusion transmission risk and increase disclosure counseling? Results of a randomized controlled trial, São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Goncalez Thelma T. , Blatyta Paula F. , Santos Fernanda M. , Montebello Sandra , Esposti Sandra P.D. , Hangai Fatima N. , Salles Nanci A. , Mendrone Alfredo , Truong Hong‐Ha M. , Sabino Ester C. , McFarland Willi 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDIn a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a blood bank in São Paulo, we tested the hypotheses that offering client‐centered human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing to blood donors would: 1) reduce the risk of HIV contamination in the blood supply by diverting higher‐risk, test‐seeking donors away from donation and 2) increase return for results and referrals to care.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe randomly selected weeks between August 2012 and May 2013 when donors were offered HIV counseling and testing (n = 6298), leaving usual procedure weeks as control (n = 5569).RESULTSFew candidate donors chose HIV testing (n = 81, 1.3%). There was no significant difference in herpes simplex virus Type 2 (HSV‐2) prevalence (a marker of sexual risk) among donors during intervention weeks compared to control (10.4% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.245). No donor choosing testing was HIV infected, and there was no difference in HSV‐2 prevalence between testers and donors (9.9% vs. 10.4%, p = 0.887). Returning for positive results did not differ between testers and donors (three of three vs. 58 of 80, p = 0.386). A higher proportion of donors acknowledged that HIV testing was a strong motivation to donate during intervention weeks compared to control (2.6% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.032).CONCLUSIONThe evidence of our RCT is that offering HIV counseling and testing at the time of donation would not change the risk of contamination in the blood supply, nor improve results disclosure and referral to care.
Exploring the heterogeneity of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell pool in cord blood: simultaneous staining for side population, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and CD34 expression
Authors: Frändberg Sofia , Boreström Cecilia , Li Susann , Fogelstrand Linda , Palmqvist Lars 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDThe stem cell content in cord blood (CB) units is routinely assessed regarding nucleated cells, CD34+ cell count, and number of colony‐forming units (CFUs). Efforts are made toward finding better ways of defining stemness of CB units. Side population (SP) phenotype and activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) are functional markers of stemness that can be assayed using flow cytometry.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe have developed a protocol for simultaneous determination of CD34+, SP, and ALDH+ populations in relation to immature white blood cells (CD45dim) in CB. Viable nucleated cells were consecutively stained for SP and ALDH activity and with antibodies against the CD45, CD34, and CD117 antigens.RESULTSThe SP and ALDH+ populations could reliably be measured simultaneously. The median sizes of the SP and the ALDH+ populations were 0.85 and 3.3% of CD45dim cells, respectively. There was no overlap between the SP and ALDH+ populations. Cells that were ALDH+ expressed CD34 and CD117, but SP cells were negative for these markers. The ALDH+ cell content correlated with CD34+ cell content (p < 0.001) and with CFU–granulocyte‐macrophage (GM; p = 0.03) but not with total CFUs. SP did not correlate with CD34+, CFU‐GM, or total CFU.CONCLUSIONSWe show that simultaneous detection of the CD34, SP, and ALDH+ cells is clearly feasible using only small amounts of CB. In CB, ALDH+, and CD34+ cells are overlapping populations distinctly separated from the SP population. The difference in relation to the capacity for colony growth between ALDH+ and SP underlines that they define different cell populations.
Impact of genetic variation in the SMIM1 gene on Vel expression levels
Authors: Haer‐Wigman Lonneke , Stegmann Tamara C. , Solati Shabnam , Ait Soussan Aïcha , Beckers Erik , van der Harst Pim , van Hulst‐Sundermeijer Marga , Ligthart Peter , van Rhenen Dick , Schepers Hein , de Haas Masja , van der Schoot C. Ellen 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDSerologic determination of the Vel– phenotype is challenging due to variable Vel expression levels. In this study we investigated the genetic basis for weak Vel expression levels and developed a high‐throughput genotyping assay to detect Vel– donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn 548 random Caucasian and 107 Vel+w donors genetic variation in the SMIM1 gene was studied and correlated to Vel expression levels. A total of 3366 Caucasian, 621 black, and 333 Chinese donors were screened with a high‐throughput genotyping assay targeting the SMIM1*64_80del allele.RESULTSThe Vel+w phenotype is in most cases caused by the presence of one SMIM1 allele carrying the major allele of the rs1175550 SNP in combination with a SMIM1*64_80del allele or in few cases caused by the presence of the SMIM1*152T>A or SMIM1*152T>G allele. In approximately 6% of Vel+w donors genetic factors in SMIM1 could not explain the weak expression. We excluded the possibility that lack of expression of another blood group system was correlated with weak Vel expression levels. Furthermore, using a high‐throughput Vel genotyping assay we detected two Caucasian Vel– donors.CONCLUSIONWeak Vel expression levels are caused by multiple genetic factors in SMIM1 and probably also by other genetic or environmental factors. Due to the variation in Vel expression levels, serologic determination of the Vel– phenotype is difficult and a genotyping assay targeting the c.64_80del deletion in SMIM1 should be used to screen donors for the Vel– phenotype.
ω-Hydroxyemodin Limits Staphylococcus aureus Quorum Sensing-Mediated Pathogenesis and Inflammation
Authors: Daly Seth M. , Elmore Bradley O. , Kavanaugh Jeffrey S. , Triplett Kathleen D. , Figueroa Mario , Raja Huzefa A. , El-Elimat Tamam , Crosby Heidi A. , Femling Jon K. , Cech Nadja B. , Horswill Alexander R. , Oberlies Nicholas H. , Hall Pamela R. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are a global health threat. Small molecules that inhibit bacterial virulence have been suggested as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional antibiotics, as they may limit pathogenesis and increase bacterial susceptibility to host killing.
Staphylococcus aureus
is a major cause of invasive skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in both the hospital and community settings, and it is also becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant. Quorum sensing (QS) mediated by the accessory gene regulator (
agr
) controls virulence factor production essential for causing SSTIs. We recently identified ω-hydroxyemodin (OHM), a polyhydroxyanthraquinone isolated from solid-phase cultures of
Penicillium restrictum
, as a suppressor of QS and a compound sought for the further characterization of the mechanism of action. At concentrations that are nontoxic to eukaryotic cells and subinhibitory to bacterial growth, OHM prevented
agr
signaling by all four
S. aureus agr
alleles. OHM inhibited QS by direct binding to AgrA, the response regulator encoded by the
agr
operon, preventing the interaction of AgrA with the
agr
P2 promoter. Importantly, OHM was efficacious in a mouse model of
S. aureus
SSTI. Decreased dermonecrosis with OHM treatment was associated with enhanced bacterial clearance and reductions in inflammatory cytokine transcription and expression at the site of infection. Furthermore, OHM treatment enhanced the immune cell killing of
S. aureus
in vitro
in an
agr
-dependent manner. These data suggest that bacterial disarmament through the suppression of
S. aureus
QS may bolster the host innate immune response and limit inflammation.
Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Plasma and Intracellular Ribavirin Concentrations in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Wu Liviawati S. , Rower Joseph E. , Burton James R. , Anderson Peter L. , Hammond Kyle P. , Baouchi-Mokrane Fafa , Everson Gregory T. , Urban Thomas J. , D'Argenio David Z. , Kiser Jennifer J. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Ribavirin, a guanosine analog, is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent. Ribavirin has been a fundamental component of the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for decades, but there is a very limited understanding of the clinical pharmacology of this drug. Furthermore, it is associated with a major dose-limiting toxicity, hemolytic anemia. Ribavirin undergoes intracellular phosphorylation by host enzymes to ribavirin monophosphate (RMP), ribavirin diphosphate (RDP), and ribavirin triphosphate (RTP). The intracellular forms have been associated with antiviral and toxic effects
in vitro
, but the kinetics of these phosphorylated moieties have not been fully elucidated
in vivo
. We developed a model to characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics of ribavirin and the difference between intracellular phosphorylation kinetics in red cells (nonnucleated) and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (nucleated). A time-independent two-compartment model with first-order absorption described the plasma data well. The cellular phosphorylation kinetics was described by a one-compartment model for RMP, with the formation rate driven by plasma concentrations and the first-order degradation rate. RDP and RTP rapidly reached equilibrium with RMP. Concomitant telaprevir use, inosine triphosphatase genetics, creatinine clearance, weight, and sex were significant covariates. The terminal ribavirin half-life in plasma and phosphorylated anabolites in cells was approximately 224 h. We found no evidence of time-dependent kinetics. These data provide a foundation for uncovering concentration-effect associations for ribavirin and determining the optimal dose and duration of this drug for use in combination with newer direct-acting HCV agents. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01097395.)