bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional stress responses to environmental and husbandry stressors in aquaculture species
Authors: Eissa Nour , Wang Han‐Ping 
Published: September 2014

AbstractStress of aquatic animals occurs due to physical and physiological disturbances in the aquatic environment or system when transportation, crowding, handling or changes of physical and chemical factors take place. There are three regulatory systems having a vital role in stress response: the neural, endocrine and immune systems. Fish exhibit multiple genomic and physiological responses to adjust the compensatory or adaptive mechanism that allows them to mitigate the stressors, maintain their haemostasis and survive. In this review, we describe multiple important genes that are associated with responses to environmental and husbandry stressors and that could be used as biomarkers of environmental and husbandry stressors in fish. The described environmental and husbandry stressors include salinity, temperature, hypoxia and hyperoxia, confinement, density and handling. The main role of stress response in aquatic animals is to compensate or adapt their biological systems and arrange the metabolism to afford the energy required by the stressor and a wide array of metabolic processes and pathways are involved. We summarized and discussed highly significant genes in several organs and tissues that are involved and active during this adaption process. The traditional stress biomarkers in some circumstances have some difficulties in interpretation of results and lead to tricky diagnosis and searching and understanding alternative tools is critical for aquaculture, fisheries and fish welfare. Using genomic tools to study the candidate genes associated with stress responses are often unique signatures or imprints of specific stressors and could determine early signs of stressors.
Different ways of blowing the whistle: Explaining variations in decentralized enforcement in theUKandFrance
Authors: Etienne Julien 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe factors explaining decentralized enforcement – the monitoring and reporting of illegalities in organizations by employees – remain poorly understood. This article contributes to filling this gap by presenting a study of employee reports to regulatory authorities of incidents that have taken place inBritish andFrench high hazard industries. The article distinguishes between two different registers of “quiet” and “loud” reporting, reflecting the varying echo of employee reports, as intended either by employees themselves or by other stakeholders. The study finds quiet reporting to be widespread in theUK, while loud reporting was salient inFrance only. The contrast can be explained by making reference to the relationships between unions, regulators, and managers, and the history and institutions of industrial relations that shaped them in particular ways in each country. The comparison suggests also that whistleblower protection legislation has played little role in encouraging reporting.
The factors associated with medication errors in adult medical and surgical inpatients: a direct observation approach with medication record reviews
Authors: Härkänen Marja , Ahonen Jouni , Kervinen Marjo , Turunen Hannele , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri 
Published: September 2014

IntroductionObserving real situations in clinical practice can provide undetected information regarding problems in the medication process.AimsThe aims of this study were to describe the frequency, types, and severity of medication errors in medical and surgical inpatients as well as to study the relationship between medication errors and associating factors.MethodsA cross‐sectional study using direct observations and medication record reviews was conducted to assess how 32 registered nurses administered 1058 medications to 122 inpatients in four medical and surgical wards at a university hospital in Finland between April and May 2012. Observations were recorded using a structured observation form and patients' medication record reviews (n = 122) before and after the observations were conducted. A multiprofessional team analysed and classified all of the detected errors and assessed their severity. A logistic regression was used to analyse the factors (work environment, team, person‐specific, patient‐specific or medication‐related) associated with medication errors.ResultsAt least one error was found in 22.2% (235/1058) of administered medications, 63.4% of which were medication administration errors and 18.3% of which were documentation errors. Of the medication administration errors, 59.1% involved an incorrect administration technique. 3.4% of errors caused harm to patients. Statistically significant factors that increased the risk of medication errors included every other weekday, except Sunday; morning shifts; increased rushes; nurses asking for help; and increased number of medications that patients used. Factors that decreased the risk of errors included administering medications through an oral route, double‐checking the drugs, and additional people in the medication room at the same time.ConclusionMedication errors in inpatient care are frequent, and improvements to increase safety are vital. More attention to medication administration techniques, administration instructions and attitudes toward safety are needed to prevent problems.
Fiducial and Confidence Distributions for Real Exponential Families
Authors: Veronese Piero , Melilli Eugenio 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe develop an easy and direct way to define and compute the fiducial distribution of a real parameter for both continuous and discrete exponential families. Furthermore, such a distribution satisfies the requirements to be considered a confidence distribution. Many examples are provided for models, which, although very simple, are widely used in applications. A characterization of the families for which the fiducial distribution coincides with a Bayesian posterior is given, and the strict connection with Jeffreys prior is shown. Asymptotic expansions of fiducial distributions are obtained without any further assumptions, and again, the relationship with the objective Bayesian analysis is pointed out. Finally, using the Edgeworth expansions, we compare the coverage of the fiducial intervals with that of other common intervals, proving the good behaviour of the former.
A Hybrid Spatial Index for Massive Point Cloud Data Management and Visualization
Authors: Yang Jiansi , Huang Xianfeng 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWith the wide use of laser scanning technology, point cloud data collected from airborne sensors and terrestrial sensors are often integrated to depict a complete scenario from the top and ground views, even though points from different platforms and sensors have quite different densities. These massive point clouds with various structures create many problems for both data management and visualization. In this article, a hybrid spatial index method is proposed and implemented to manage and visualize integrated point cloud data from airborne and terrestrial scanners. This hybrid spatial index structure combines an extended quad‐tree model at the global level to manage large area airborne sensor data, with a 3‐D R‐tree to organize high density local area terrestrial point clouds. These massive point clouds from different platforms have diverse densities, but this hybrid spatial index system has the capability to organize the data adaptively and query efficiently, satisfying the requirements for fast visualization. Experiments using point cloud data collected from the Dunhuang area were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of our proposed method.
A Review and Evaluation of Uncertainty Classification and the Error‐Band Geometry Model
Authors: Foy Andrew S. , Carstensen Laurence W. , Prisley Stephen P. , Campbell James B. , Dymond Randel L. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAdvances in computer technologies have improved the quality of maps, making map comparison and analysis easier, but uncertainty and error still exist in GIS when overlaying geographic data with multiple or unknown confidence levels. The goals of this research are to review current geospatial uncertainty literature, present the Error‐Band Geometry Model (EBGM) for classifying the size and shape of spatial confidence intervals for vector GIS data, and to analyze the interpretability of the model by looking at how people use metadata to classify the uncertainty of geographic objects. The results from this research are positive and provide important insight into how people interpret maps and geographic data. They suggest that uncertainty is more easily interpreted for well defined point data and GPS data. When data is poorly defined, people are unable to determine an approach to model uncertainty and generate error‐bands. There is potential for using the EBGM to aid in the development of a GIS tool that can help individuals parameterize and model spatial confidence intervals, but more research is needed to refine the process by which people use the decision tree. A series of guiding questions or an “uncertainty wizard” tool that helps one select an uncertainty modeling approach might improve the way people apply this model to real‐world applications.
Clinical utility of serum biochemical variables for predicting acid–base balance in critically ill horses
Authors: Stämpfli Henry R. , Schoster Angelika , Constable Peter D. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundProfiles from serum biochemical analyzers include the concentration of strong electrolytes (includingl‐lactate), total carbon dioxide (tCO2), and total protein. These variables are associated with changes in acid–base balance. Application of physicochemical principles may allow predicting acid–base balance from serum biochemistry without measuring whole bloodpHandpCO2.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to determine if the acid–base status of critically ill horses could be accurately predicted using variables included in standard serum biochemical profiles.MethodsTwo jugular venous blood samples were prospectively obtained from critically ill horses and foals. Samples were analyzed using a whole blood gas andpHanalyzer (BG) and a serum biochemistry multi analyzer system (AMAS). Linear regression, Deming regression, and Bland–Altman plots were used for method comparison andP < .05 was considered significant.ResultsValues from 70 horses and foals for Na, K, Cl, and total protein concentrations, and consequently the calculated variables used for acid base interpretation, were different between the AMAS and BG analyzer. Using physicochemical principles, BG results accurately predictedpH, whereas the AMAS results did not when a fixed value forpCO2was used.ConclusionsMeasurement ofpCO2is required in critically ill horses for accurate prediction of whole bloodpH. Differences in the measured values of Na and Cl concentration exist when measured in serum by the AMAS and in whole blood or plasma by BG, indicating that the accurate prediction of whole bloodpHis analyzer‐dependent. Application of physicochemical principles to plasma or serum provides a practical method to evaluate analyzer accuracy.
NMDA and AMPA receptors contribute similarly to temporal processing in mammalian retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Stafford Benjamin K. , Manookin Michael B. , Singer Joshua H. , Demb Jonathan B. 
Published: September 2014

Key points
In most areas of the brain, NMDA‐type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) exhibit slower kinetics than do AMPA‐type receptors (AMPARs).
Most retinal ganglion cells express a combination of AMPARs and NMDARs, but whether NMDAR kinetics limit temporal encoding of light stimulation is not well understood.
In this study, we measured AMPAR‐ and NMDAR‐mediated conductances evoked by visual stimulation in two types of guinea pig retinal ganglion cell.
In both cell types, AMPAR‐ and NMDAR‐mediated responses encoded rapidly varying contrast modulation within the physiological range (up to 18 temporal cycles s–1).
In retinal ganglion cells, NMDARs and AMPARs act together to encode a wide range of temporal frequencies, suggesting that NMDARs in some sensory neurons have relatively fast kinetics.
AbstractPostsynaptic AMPA‐ and NMDA‐type glutamate receptors (AMPARs, NMDARs) are commonly expressed at the same synapses. AMPARs are thought to mediate the majority of fast excitatory neurotransmission whereas NMDARs, with their relatively slower kinetics and higher Ca2+ permeability, are thought to mediate synaptic plasticity, especially in neural circuits devoted to learning and memory. In sensory neurons, however, the roles of AMPARs and NMDARs are less well understood. Here, we tested in the in vitro guinea pig retina whether AMPARs and NMDARs differentially support temporal contrast encoding by two ganglion cell types. In both OFF Alpha and Delta ganglion cells, contrast stimulation evoked an NMDAR‐mediated response with a characteristic J‐shaped I–V relationship. In OFF Delta cells, AMPAR‐ and NMDAR‐mediated responses could be modulated at low frequencies but were suppressed during 10 Hz stimulation, when responses were instead shaped by synaptic inhibition. With inhibition blocked, both AMPAR‐ and NMDAR‐mediated responses could be modulated at 10 Hz, indicating that NMDAR kinetics do not limit temporal encoding. In OFF Alpha cells, NMDAR‐mediated responses followed stimuli at frequencies up to ∼18 Hz. In both cell types, NMDAR‐mediated responses to contrast modulation at 9–18 Hz showed delays of <10 ms relative to AMPAR‐mediated responses. Thus, NMDARs combine with AMPARs to encode rapidly modulated glutamate release, and NMDAR kinetics do not limit temporal coding by OFF Alpha and Delta ganglion cells substantially. Furthermore, glutamatergic transmission is differentially regulated across bipolar cell pathways: in some, release is suppressed at high temporal frequencies by presynaptic inhibition.
Complete Genome Sequence of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Degrader Comamonas testosteroni TK102 (NBRC 109938)
Authors: Fukuda Kohei , Hosoyama Akira , Tsuchikane Keiko , Ohji Shoko , Yamazoe Atsushi , Fujita Nobuyuki , Shintani Masaki , Kimbara Kazuhide 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Comamonas testosteroni
TK102 (NBRC 109938; JCM 19603) can utilize biphenyl as a sole carbon source and degrade polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The complete nucleotide sequence of the TK102 genome was determined. TK102 possesses several integrative and conjugative element-like regions, and one of them carries biphenyl-degradative genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Serratia marcescens Strain Isolated from a Preterm Neonatal Blood Sepsis Patient at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Authors: Kropp K. A. , Lucid A. , Carroll J. , Belgrudov V. , Walsh P. , Kelly B. , Smith C. , Dickinson P. , O'Driscoll A. , Templeton K. , Ghazal P. , Sleator R. D. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Herein, we report the draft genome sequence for isolate ED-NGS-1015 of
Serratia marcescens
, cultivated from a blood sample obtained from a neonatal sepsis patient at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
The General Practitioner and the military veteran
Authors: Simpson Robin G , Leach J 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesTo assess the knowledge of members of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) on veteran's health issues, assess present support, and establish what support is required for GPs when treating veterans.MethodsAn electronic survey of RCGP members across selected faculties.ResultsForty-seven per cent of respondents were ‘unsure’ or ‘didn't know’ how many veterans they were responsible for. However, many GPs replied that they had seen a veteran in the last month. Only 7.9% of respondents used the unique Read Code for veterans. Disappointingly, 75% of GPs indicated that they had not seen the RCGP leaflet on veterans’ health, and less than 2% had used the RCGP On-Line e-learning resource.ConclusionsSurveyed GPs had little understanding of how many veterans were registered with their practice, and only a few had accessed learning resources available. GPs requested more information on how to assess veterans and where they could be referred. Further work is required to identify the true size of the problem, while continuing to provide proactive guidance and support to GPs on the health needs of veterans.
Timing of the emergence of the Europe–Sicily bridge (40–17 cal ka BP) and its implications for the spread of modern humans
Authors: Antonioli Fabrizio , Lo Presti Valeria , Morticelli Maurizio Gasparo , Bonfiglio Laura , Mannino Marcello A. , Palombo Maria Rita , Sannino Gianmaria , Ferranti Luigi , Furlani Stefano , Lambeck Kurt , Canese Simonepietro , Catalano Raimondo , Chiocci Francesco Latino , Mangano Gabriella , Scicchitano Giovanni , Tonielli Renato 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

The submerged sill in the Strait of Messina, which is located today at a minimum depth of 81 m below sea level (bsl), represents the only land connection between Sicily and mainland Italy (and thus Europe) during the last lowstand when the sea level locally stood at about 126 m bsl. Today, the sea crossing to Sicily, although it is less than 4 km at the narrowest point, faces hazardous sea conditions, made famous by the myth of Scylla and Charybdis. Through a multidisciplinary research project, we document the timing and mode of emergence of this land connection during the last 40 kyr. The integrated analysis takes into consideration morphobathymetric and lithological data, and relative sea-level change (both isostatic and tectonic), resulting in the hypothesis that a continental land bridge lasted for at least 500 years between 21.5 and 20 cal ka BP. The emergence may have occurred over an even longer time span if one allows for seafloor erosion by marine currents that have lowered the seabed since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Modelling of palaeotidal velocities shows that sea crossings when sea level was lower than present would have faced even stronger and more hazardous sea currents than today, supporting the hypothesis that earliest human entry into Sicily most probably took place on foot during the period when the sill emerged as dry land. This hypothesis is compared with an analysis of Pleistocene vertebrate faunas in Sicily and mainland Italy, including a new radiocarbon date on bone collagen of an
Equus hydruntinus
specimen from Grotta di San Teodoro (23–21 cal ka BP), the dispersal abilities of the various animal species involved, particularly their swimming abilities, and the Palaeolithic archaeological record, all of which support the hypothesis of a relatively late land-based colonization of Sicily by
Homo sapiens
.
Effective Cancer Vaccine Platform Based on AttenuatedSalmonellaand a Type III Secretion System
Authors: Xu Xin , Hegazy Wael A.H. , Guo Linjie , Gao Xiuhua , Courtney Amy N. , Kurbanov Suhrab , Liu Daofeng , Tian Gengwen , Manuel Edwin R. , Diamond Don J. , Hensel Michael , Metelitsa Leonid S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractVaccines explored for cancer therapy have been based generally on injectable vector systems used to control foreign infectious pathogens, to which the immune system evolved to respond naturally. However, these vectors may not be effective at presenting tumor-associated antigens (TAA) to the immune system in a manner that is sufficient to engender antitumor responses. We addressed this issue with a novel orally administered Salmonella-based vector that exploits a type III secretion system to deliver selected TAA in the cytosol of professional antigen-presenting cells in situ. A systematic comparison of candidate genes from the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2) locus was conducted in the vaccine design, using model antigens and a codon-optimized form of the human TAA survivin (coSVN), an oncoprotein that is overexpressed in most human cancers. In a screen of 20 SPI2 promoter:effector combinations, a PsifB::sseJ combination exhibited maximal potency for antigen translocation into the APC cytosol, presentation to CD8 T cells, and murine immunogenicity. In the CT26 mouse model of colon carcinoma, therapeutic vaccination with a lead PsifB::sseJ-coSVN construct (p8032) produced CXCR3-dependent infiltration of tumors by CD8 T cells, reversed the CD8:Treg ratio at the tumor site, and triggered potent antitumor activity. Vaccine immunogenicity and antitumor potency were enhanced by coadministration of the natural killer T-cell ligand 7DW8-5, which heightened the production of IL12 and IFNγ. Furthermore, combined treatment with p8032 and 7DW8-5 resulted in complete tumor regression in A20 lymphoma-bearing mice, where protective memory was demonstrated. Taken together, our results demonstrate how antigen delivery using an oral Salmonella vector can provide an effective platform for the development of cancer vaccines. Cancer Res; 74(21); 6260–70. ©2014 AACR.
Human Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cells Are Sensitive to NK Cell–Mediated Lysis via ULBP2/5/6 and Chemoattract NK Cells
Authors: Wennerberg Erik , Pfefferle Aline , Ekblad Lars , Yoshimoto Yuya , Kremer Veronika , Kaminskyy Vitaliy O , Juhlin C Christofer , Höög Anders , Bodin Inger , Svjatoha Vitalijs , Larsson Catharina , Zedenius Jan , Wennerberg Johan , Lundqvist Andreas 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPurpose: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with no curative therapies available. To date, strategies to target ATC by immunotherapy have not been evaluated. We investigated whether ATC would be a suitable target for natural killer (NK) cell–based immunotherapy.Experimental Design: We first established seven new cell lines from ATC tumors, three from papillary thyroid carcinoma tumors and analyzed them together with eight additional ATC cell lines. Cells were analyzed for sensitivity to lysis by NK cells and their ability to chemoattract and regulate the activity of NK cells. In addition, fresh tumor samples and peripheral blood from six patients with ATC were analyzed for NK cell infiltration and phenotype.Results: We observed that ATC cell lines are sensitive to lysis by ex vivo expanded NK cells and that the lysis was abrogated upon blockade of NKG2D. Sensitivity of thyroid cancer cell lines to NK cell–mediated lysis correlated with surface expression of UL16-binding protein 2 on tumor cells. Moreover, ATC cell lines produced high levels of CXCL10 and stimulated migration of expanded NK cells and ATC tumors were enriched for NK cells expressing the cognate chemokine receptor CXCR3. However, compared with NK cells in peripheral blood, ATC tumor–derived NK cells displayed a suppressed phenotype with a downregulated expression of NKG2D. In vitro, suppression of NK cell–mediated lysis and NKG2D expression by ATC cells was restored upon neutralization of prostaglandin-E2.Conclusions: ATC cell lines are sensitive to NK cell–mediated lysis via ULBP2/5/6 and chemoattract CXCR3-positive NK cells. Patients with ATC may benefit from NK cell–based immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 20(22); 5733–44. ©2014 AACR.