bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implications for human adipose‐derived stem cells in plastic surgery
Authors: Banyard Derek A. , Salibian Ara A. , Widgerow Alan D. , Evans Gregory R. D. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAdipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a subset of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that possess many of the same regenerative properties as other MSCs. However, the ubiquitous presence of ADSCs and their ease of access in human tissue have led to a burgeoning field of research. The plastic surgeon is uniquely positioned to harness this technology because of the relative frequency in which they perform procedures such as liposuction and autologous fat grafting. This review examines the current landscape of ADSC isolation and identification, summarizes the current applications of ADSCs in the field of plastic surgery, discusses the risks associated with their use, current barriers to universal clinical translatability, and surveys the latest research which may help to overcome these obstacles.
Using record linkage to investigate perinatal factors and neonatal thyroid‐stimulating hormone
Authors: Lain Samantha J , Roberts Christine L , Wilcken Bridget , Wiley Veronica , Jack Michelle M , Nassar Natasha 
Published: November 2014

AimStudies examining the relationship between maternal and infant thyroid parameters have shown conflicting results. Record linkage provides an opportunity to examine the association between maternal and infant thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of record linkage of newborn screening (NBS), laboratory and birth databases for research by investigating the association between maternal and newborn TSH levels.MethodsThe records of 2802 women with first trimester serum TSH concentrations were linked with population‐based birth data and NBS data containing infant TSH levels. Association between moderately high neonatal TSH levels (>5 mIU/L) and maternal and infant characteristics was evaluated. The correlation and association between maternal and infant TSH levels were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariable linear regression, respectively.ResultsOf maternal and birth records, 99.3% linked with an NBS record. Mother's country of birth, gestational age (>41 weeks) and lower birthweight were associated with neonatal TSH levels >5 mIU/L. Neonatal and maternal first trimester TSH levels were not correlated, although statistically significant (r = 0.05, P = 0.008). The association between neonatal TSH and maternal TSH, after adjusting for maternal age, gestational age and age at NBS testing, was also small (b = 0.039, P = 0.009).ConclusionsRecord linkage is a feasible and cost‐efficient way to investigate the association between maternal factors and neonatal hormone levels. First trimester maternal thyroid levels are not correlated with neonatal TSH levels. This method of outcome assessment can be used for future research examining long‐term outcomes for infants with different NBS results.
Prevalence of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on Pepper in Brazil
Authors: Areas Maysa S. , Gonçalves Ricardo M. , Soman José M. , Sakate Renate K. , Gioria Ricardo , da Silva Júnior Tadeu A. F. , Maringoni Antonio C. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas spp., is one of the major diseases of pepper in Brazil, causing considerable losses to crop productivity. The efficient management of the disease is hampered by the high variability of the causal agents. In Brazil, there is no knowledge of which species of Xanthomonas occurs on pepper. In this study, 59 strains of Xanthomonas spp. isolated from different pepper‐producing regions of Brazil were characterized by biochemical and molecular techniques. Results showed the prevalence of X. euvesicatoria as the causal agent of bacterial spot on pepper in Brazil.
Qualitative Accounts of Patients' Determinants of Vaginal Dilator Use after Pelvic Radiotherapy
Authors: Bakker Rinske M. , Vermeer Willemijn M. , Creutzberg Carien L. , Mens Jan Willem M. , Nout Remi A. , ter Kuile Moniek M. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Treatment with pelvic external beam radiotherapy with brachytherapy (EBRT/BT) for gynecological cancers may cause sexual dysfunction because of vaginal shortening and tightening. Regular vaginal dilator use is thought to reduce vaginal shortening and/or tightening, but compliance is poor.

Aims
This study identified determinants of patients' adherence with dilator use after EBRT/BT.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 women, aged 32–67 years, treated with EBRT/BT for gynecological cancers at two university medical centers in the past 36 months. Transcriptions were coded and analyzed with N-Vivo software.

Main Outcome Measures
Determinants of dilator use were clustered based on the Health Action Process Approach, which describes (i) motivation processes that lead to a behavioral intention and (ii) volition processes that lead to the initiation or maintenance of actual behavior.

Results
Almost all women attempted to perform long-term regular vaginal dilator use. Intended dilator use was determined by the expectation that it would prevent the development of vaginal adhesions and stenosis. Planning dilator use and making it part of a routine, using it under the shower, using lubricants, a smaller dilator size, or vibrators helped women. Others reported a lack of time or privacy, forgetting, or feeling tired. Women self-regulated dilator use by rotating the dilator and timing dilator use. Influencing factors were negative emotions regarding dilator use or its hard plastic design, (being anxious for) pain or blood loss, and an association with EBRT/BT. Some women mentioned a lack of instrumental support, for example, lubricants. Others received reassurance through informational support or were supported socially.

Conclusion
Motivation and volition processes that determined dilator use were identified and used in the development of a sexual rehabilitation intervention. It is important to provide sufficient patient information and support, and enlarge patients' perceived self-efficacy.
Mineral nutrition of campos rupestres plant species on contrasting nutrient‐impoverished soil types
Authors: Oliveira Rafael S. , Galvão Hugo C. , de Campos Mariana C. R. , Eller Cleiton B. , Pearse Stuart J. , Lambers Hans 
Published: November 2014

Summary

In Brazil, the campos rupestres occur over the Brazilian shield, and are characterized by acidic nutrient‐impoverished soils, which are particularly low in phosphorus (P). Despite recognition of the campos rupestres as a global biodiversity hotspot, little is known about the diversity of P‐acquisition strategies and other aspects of plant mineral nutrition in this region.

To explore nutrient‐acquisition strategies and assess aspects of plant P nutrition, we measured leaf P and nitrogen (N) concentrations, characterized root morphology and determined the percentage arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of 50 dominant species in six communities, representing a gradient of soil P availability. Leaf manganese (Mn) concentration was measured as a proxy for carboxylate‐releasing strategies.

Communities on the most P‐impoverished soils had the highest proportion of nonmycorrhizal (NM) species, the lowest percentage of mycorrhizal colonization, and the greatest diversity of root specializations. The large spectrum of leaf P concentration and variation in root morphologies show high functional diversity for nutritional strategies. Higher leaf Mn concentrations were observed in NM compared with AM species, indicating that carboxylate‐releasing P‐mobilizing strategies are likely to be present in NM species.

The soils of the campos rupestres are similar to the most P‐impoverished soils in the world. The prevalence of NM strategies indicates a strong global functional convergence in plant mineral nutrition strategies among severely P‐impoverished ecosystems.
Early evolution of the Eukaryota
Authors: Butterfield Nicholas J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe evolution of eukaryotes represents one of the most fundamental transitions in the history of life on Earth; however, there is little consensus as to when or over what timescale it occurred. Review of recent hypotheses and data in a phylogenetic context yields a broadly coherent account. Critical re‐assessment of the palaeontological record provides convincing evidence for the presence of crown‐group eukaryotes in the late Palaeoproterozic, and stem‐group eukaryotes extending back to the early Archaean. Despite their relatively early establishment, crown‐eukaryotes appear not to have become ecologically significant until the middle Neoproterozoic. I argue that this billion‐year delay was due to the singular, contingent evolution of crown‐group animals and their unique capacity to drive co‐evolutionary change.
Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients: Transition to home and chronic illness care
Authors: Lerret Stacee M. , Weiss Marianne E. , Stendahl Gail L. , Chapman Shelley , Menendez Jerome , Williams Laurel , Nadler Michelle L. , Neighbors Katie , Amsden Katie , Cao Yumei , Nugent Melodee , Alonso Estella M. , Simpson Pippa 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPediatric SOT recipients are medically fragile and present with complex care issues requiring high‐level management at home. Parents of hospitalized children have reported inadequate preparation for discharge, resulting in problems transitioning from hospital to home and independently self‐managing their child's complex care needs. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the transition from hospital to home and chronic illness care for parents of heart, kidney, liver, lung, or multivisceral recipients. Fifty‐one parents from five pediatric transplant centers completed questionnaires on the day of hospital discharge and telephone interviews at three wk, three months, and six months following discharge from the hospital. Care coordination (p = 0.02) and quality of discharge teaching (p < 0.01) was significantly associated with parent readiness for discharge. Readiness for hospital discharge was subsequently significantly associated with post‐discharge coping difficulty (p = 0.02) at three wk, adherence with medication administration (p = 0.03) at three months, and post‐discharge coping difficulty (p = 0.04) and family management (p = 0.02) at six months post‐discharge. The results underscore the important aspect of education and care coordination in preparing patients and families to successfully self‐manage after hospital discharge. Assessing parental readiness for hospital discharge is another critical component for identifying risk of difficulties in managing post‐discharge care.
Lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein and leptin are associated with stress‐induced interleukin‐6 cytokine expression ex vivo in obesity
Authors: Huang Chun‐Jung , Stewart Jennifer K. , Shibata Yoshimi , Slusher Aaron L. , Acevedo Edmund O. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObesity is associated with enhanced inflammation and mental stress, but limited information has addressed the potential additive effect of psychological stress on obesity‐associated inflammation. This study examined whether obese subjects would elicit a greater host immune response (IL‐6 mRNA and cytokine) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in response to mental stress. Blood samples for LPS‐stimulated IL‐6 mRNA and cytokine were collected prior to and following mental stress. Results showed that obese subjects elicited a greater LPS‐induced IL‐6 along with its mRNA expression following mental stress compared to normal‐weight subjects. Stress‐induced IL‐6 cytokine response to LPS was correlated with the baseline levels of plasma LPS binding protein (LBP) and leptin. These findings are consistent with the idea that endogenous inflammatory agents (e.g., LBP and leptin), often elevated with obesity, enhance inflammatory responses to psychological stress.
Acute onset of generalized tremors, mild ataxia, and hyperesthesia in a young dog after presumptive ingestion of a giant sea hare belonging to the genus Aplysia
Authors: Chia Michael P. C. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo describe an unusual case of canine toxicosis from presumptive sea hare ingestion, its management, and outcome.Case SummaryA young dog was treated for acute toxicosis after partially ingesting a giant sea hare washed up on a beach. The primary symptoms of generalized tremors, mild ataxia, and hyperesthesia occurred rapidly within 20 minutes of ingestion. Decontamination procedures were performed early and the dog made a full recovery within an approximate period of 6 hours.New or Unique Information ProvidedSea hare toxicosis should be considered as a potential cause of acute onset of tremors, ataxia, and hyperesthesia in previously healthy dogs living in coastal areas.
Chromosomal Transfers in Mycoplasmas: When Minimal Genomes Go Mobile
Authors: Dordet-Frisoni Emilie , Sagné Eveline , Baranowski Eric , Breton Marc , Nouvel Laurent Xavier , Blanchard Alain , Marenda Marc Serge , Tardy Florence , Sirand-Pugnet Pascal , Citti Christine 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a main driving force of bacterial evolution and innovation. This phenomenon was long thought to be marginal in mycoplasmas, a large group of self-replicating bacteria characterized by minute genomes as a result of successive gene losses during evolution. Recent comparative genomic analyses challenged this paradigm, but the occurrence of chromosomal exchanges had never been formally addressed in mycoplasmas. Here, we demonstrated the conjugal transfer of large chromosomal regions within and among ruminant mycoplasma species, with the incorporation of the incoming DNA occurring by homologous recombination into the recipient chromosome. By combining classical mating experiments with high-throughput next-generation sequencing, we documented the transfer of almost every position of the mycoplasma chromosome. Mycoplasma conjugation relies on the occurrence of an integrative conjugative element (ICE) in at least one parent cell. While ICE propagates horizontally from ICE-positive to ICE-negative cells, chromosomal transfers (CTs) occurred in the opposite direction, from ICE-negative to ICE-positive cells, independently of ICE movement. These findings challenged the classical mechanisms proposed for other bacteria in which conjugative CTs are driven by conjugative elements, bringing into the spotlight a new means for rapid mycoplasma innovation. Overall, they radically change our current views concerning the evolution of mycoplasmas, with particularly far-reaching implications given that over 50 species are human or animal pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Horizontal gene transfers (HGT) shape bacterial genomes and are key contributors to microbial diversity and innovation. One main mechanism involves conjugation, a process that allows the simultaneous transfer of significant amounts of DNA upon cell-to-cell contact. Recognizing and deciphering conjugal mechanisms are thus essential in understanding the impact of gene flux on bacterial evolution. We addressed this issue in mycoplasmas, the smallest and simplest self-replicating bacteria. In these organisms, HGT was long thought to be marginal. We showed here that nearly every position of the
Mycoplasma agalactiae
chromosome could be transferred via conjugation, using an unconventional mechanism. The transfer involved DNA blocks containing up to 80 genes that were incorporated into the host chromosome by homologous recombination. These findings radically change our views concerning mycoplasma evolution and adaptation with particularly far-reaching implications given that over 50 species are human or animal pathogens.
An Inner Membrane Cytochrome Required Only for Reduction of High Redox Potential Extracellular Electron Acceptors
Authors: Levar Caleb E. , Chan Chi Ho , Mehta-Kolte Misha G. , Bond Daniel R. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria, such as
Geobacter sulfurreducens
, transfer electrons beyond their outer membranes to Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxides, heavy metals, and electrodes in electrochemical devices. In the environment, metal acceptors exist in multiple chelated and insoluble forms that span a range of redox potentials and offer different amounts of available energy. Despite this, metal-reducing bacteria have not been shown to alter their electron transfer strategies to take advantage of these energy differences. Disruption of
imcH
, encoding an inner membrane
c-
type cytochrome, eliminated the ability of
G. sulfurreducens
to reduce Fe(III) citrate, Fe(III)-EDTA, and insoluble Mn(IV) oxides, electron acceptors with potentials greater than 0.1 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), but the
imcH
mutant retained the ability to reduce Fe(III) oxides with potentials of ≤−0.1 V versus SHE. The
imcH
mutant failed to grow on electrodes poised at +0.24 V versus SHE, but switching electrodes to −0.1 V versus SHE triggered exponential growth. At potentials of ≤−0.1 V versus SHE, both the wild type and the
imcH
mutant doubled 60% slower than at higher potentials. Electrodes poised even 100 mV higher (0.0 V versus SHE) could not trigger
imcH
mutant growth. These results demonstrate that
G. sulfurreducens
possesses multiple respiratory pathways, that some of these pathways are in operation only after exposure to low redox potentials, and that electron flow can be coupled to generation of different amounts of energy for growth. The redox potentials that trigger these behaviors mirror those of metal acceptors common in subsurface environments where
Geobacter
is found.

IMPORTANCE
Insoluble metal oxides in the environment represent a common and vast reservoir of energy for respiratory microbes capable of transferring electrons across their insulating membranes to external acceptors, a process termed extracellular electron transfer. Despite the global biogeochemical importance of metal cycling and the ability of such organisms to produce electricity at electrodes, fundamental gaps in the understanding of extracellular electron transfer biochemistry exist. Here, we describe a conserved inner membrane redox protein in
Geobacter sulfurreducens
which is required only for electron transfer to high-potential compounds, and we show that
G. sulfurreducens
has the ability to utilize different electron transfer pathways in response to the amount of energy available in a metal or electrode distant from the cell.
Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli
Authors: Segato Fernando , Damásio André R. L. , de Lucas Rosymar C. , Squina Fabio M. , Prade Rolf A. 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARY

Biomass is constructed of dense recalcitrant polymeric materials: proteins, lignin, and holocellulose, a fraction constituting fibrous cellulose wrapped in hemicellulose-pectin. Bacteria and fungi are abundant in soil and forest floors, actively recycling biomass mainly by extracting sugars from holocellulose degradation. Here we review the genome-wide contents of seven
Aspergillus
species and unravel hundreds of gene models encoding holocellulose-degrading enzymes. Numerous apparent gene duplications followed functional evolution, grouping similar genes into smaller coherent functional families according to specialized structural features, domain organization, biochemical activity, and genus genome distribution. Aspergilli contain about 37 cellulase gene models, clustered in two mechanistic categories: 27 hydrolyze and 10 oxidize glycosidic bonds. Within the oxidative enzymes, we found two cellobiose dehydrogenases that produce oxygen radicals utilized by eight lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases that oxidize glycosidic linkages, breaking crystalline cellulose chains and making them accessible to hydrolytic enzymes. Among the hydrolases, six cellobiohydrolases with a tunnel-like structural fold embrace single crystalline cellulose chains and cooperate at nonreducing or reducing end termini, splitting off cellobiose. Five endoglucanases group into four structural families and interact randomly and internally with cellulose through an open cleft catalytic domain, and finally, seven extracellular β-glucosidases cleave cellobiose and related oligomers into glucose. Aspergilli contain, on average, 30 hemicellulase and 7 accessory gene models, distributed among 9 distinct functional categories: the backbone-attacking enzymes xylanase, mannosidase, arabinase, and xyloglucanase, the short-side-chain-removing enzymes xylan α-1,2-glucuronidase, arabinofuranosidase, and xylosidase, and the accessory enzymes acetyl xylan and feruloyl esterases.
Plant-Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzymes from Basidiomycetes
Authors: Rytioja Johanna , Hildén Kristiina , Yuzon Jennifer , Hatakka Annele , de Vries Ronald P. , Mäkelä Miia R. 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARY

Basidiomycete fungi subsist on various types of plant material in diverse environments, from living and dead trees and forest litter to crops and grasses and to decaying plant matter in soils. Due to the variation in their natural carbon sources, basidiomycetes have highly varied plant-polysaccharide-degrading capabilities. This topic is not as well studied for basidiomycetes as for ascomycete fungi, which are the main sources of knowledge on fungal plant polysaccharide degradation. Research on plant-biomass-decaying fungi has focused on isolating enzymes for current and future applications, such as for the production of fuels, the food industry, and waste treatment. More recently, genomic studies of basidiomycete fungi have provided a profound view of the plant-biomass-degrading potential of wood-rotting, litter-decomposing, plant-pathogenic, and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) basidiomycetes. This review summarizes the current knowledge on plant polysaccharide depolymerization by basidiomycete species from diverse habitats. In addition, these data are compared to those for the most broadly studied ascomycete genus,
Aspergillus
, to provide insight into specific features of basidiomycetes with respect to plant polysaccharide degradation.