bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is the intrapatient variability of mycophenolic acid trough levels?
Authors: Todorova Ekaterina K. , Huang Shih‐Han S. , Kobrzynski Marta C. , Filler Guido 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTDM of MPA, the active compound of MMF, is rarely used despite its substantial intra‐ and interpatient variability. Little is known about the utility of long‐term MPA TDM. Data are expressed as mean (one standard deviation). All available data from 27 renal transplant recipients (mean age at transplantation: 7.7 [5.0] yr) with an average follow‐up of 9.3 (4.6) yr were analyzed. MPA levels were measured using the EMIT. GFR was measured using cystatin C and eGFR was calculated using the Filler formula. Intrapatient CV of the trough level was calculated as the ratio of the mean divided by one standard deviation. Mean cystatin C eGFR was 56.9 (24.4) mL/min/1.73 m2. There was a weak but significant correlation between the MPA trough level and the AUC (Spearman r = 0.6592, p < 0.0001). A total of 1964 MPA trough levels (73 [45]/patient) were measured, as compared to 3462 Tac trough levels (144 [71]/patient). The average MPA trough level was 3.01 (1.26) mg/L and the average trough Tac level was 7.3 (1.8) ng/mL. Intrapatient CV was statistically higher (p = 0.00093) for MPA at 0.68 (0.29) when compared to Tac with a CV of 0.46 (0.12). CV did not correlate with eGFR. Intrapatient MPA trough level CV is significantly higher than for Tac, while CV for both MPA and Tac was high. MPA trough level monitoring may be a feasible monitoring option to improve patient exposure and possibly outcomes.
Performance and responses to competition in two congeneric annual species: does seed heteromorphism matter?
Authors: Sendek A. , Herz K. , Auge H. , Hensen I. , Klotz S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractVariations in seed characteristics observed in heteromorphic species may affect various stages of their life cycles, e.g. seed dormancy, germination characteristics or even adult plant performance. Highly specialised seed morphs – described as colonisers and maintainers – exhibit a trade‐off between colonisation capacity and competitive traits. The performance of distinct seed morph progeny under competitive conditions, and especially in multi‐species arrangements, had previously not been given much attention. In this study, we compared performance and response to competition among distinct seed morph progenies in two congeneric, co‐occurring species: the invasive Bidens frondosa and the non‐invasive Bidens tripartita. We hypothesised that maintainer seed morphs of both species would perform better under increased plant densities and within inter‐morphic mixtures, while coloniser morphs would show stronger responses to increased densities and perform relatively poorly in inter‐morphic mixtures. We conducted a growth trial and a greenhouse experiment, which revealed that seed morph progeny differed significantly in plant height when grown without competition, while under competitive conditions such differences became less apparent. The observed pattern was more strongly pronounced in B. frondosa, which showed a general predominance in stature and biomass over its non‐invasive congener. Although seed morphs performed equally well under competitive conditions, increased plant height and more rapid germination can favour the maintainer seed morph on sites where vegetation is already present.
A transcriptome‐wide study on the microRNA‐ and the Argonaute 1‐enriched small RNA‐mediated regulatory networks involved in plant leaf senescence
Authors: Qin J. , Ma X. , Yi Z. , Tang Z. , Meng Y. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLeaf senescence is an important physiological process during the plant life cycle. However, systemic studies on the impact of microRNAs (miRNAs) on the expression of senescence‐associated genes (SAGs) are lacking. Besides, whether other Argonaute 1 (AGO1)‐enriched small RNAs (sRNAs) play regulatory roles in leaf senescence remains unclear. In this study, a total of 5,123 and 1,399 AGO1‐enriched sRNAs, excluding miRNAs, were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa), respectively. After retrieving SAGs from the Leaf Senescence Database, all of the AGO1‐enriched sRNAs and the miRBase‐registered miRNAs of these two plants were included for target identification. Supported by degradome signatures, 200 regulatory pairs involving 120 AGO1‐enriched sRNAs and 40 SAGs, and 266 regulatory pairs involving 64 miRNAs and 42 SAGs were discovered in Arabidopsis. Moreover, 13 genes predicted to interact with some of the above‐identified target genes at protein level were validated as regulated by 17 AGO1‐enriched sRNAs and ten miRNAs in Arabidopsis. In rice, only one SAG was targeted by three AGO1‐enriched sRNAs, and one SAG was targeted by miR395. However, five AGO1‐enriched sRNAs were conserved between Arabidopsis and rice. Target genes conserved between the two plants were identified for three of the above five sRNAs, pointing to the conserved roles of these regulatory pairs in leaf senescence or other developmental procedures. Novel targets were discovered for three of the five AGO1‐enriched sRNAs in rice, indicating species‐specific functions of these sRNA–target pairs. These results could advance our understanding of the sRNA‐involved molecular processes modulating leaf senescence.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, RADIOGRAPHIC, AND ENDOSCOPIC TRACHEAL DIMENSIONS IN ENGLISH BULLDOGS WITH GRADE 1 CLINICAL SIGNS OF BRACHYCEPHALIC AIRWAY SYNDROME
Authors: Kaye Benjamin M. , Boroffka Susanne A. E. B. , Haagsman Annika N. , Haar Gert Ter 
Published: July 2015

Tracheal hypoplasia is commonly seen in English Bulldogs affected with brachycephalic airway syndrome. Previously published diagnostic criteria for tracheal hypoplasia in this breed have been a radiographic tracheal diameter:tracheal inlet ratio (TD:TI) < 0.12 or a tracheal diameter:third rib diameter ratio (TD:3R) < 2.0. Computed tomography has become increasingly used for airway evaluation, however published information is lacking regarding CT tracheal dimensions in English Bulldogs. Objectives of this prospective cross‐sectional study were to describe radiographic and CT tracheal dimensions in a sample of clinically normal English Bulldogs and compare these values with tracheoscopy scores. Computed tomography (n= 40), radiography (n= 38), and tracheoscopy (n= 40) studies were performed during a single general anesthesia session for each included dog. Tracheal measurements were recorded at three locations: cervical, thoracic inlet, and thorax. Tracheal diameters were narrowest at the thoracic inlet with all techniques. Computed tomographic measurements averaged 19% greater than radiographic measurements. All included dogs had radiographic tracheal measurements greater than the previously published criteria for tracheal hypoplasia. Mean CT TD:TI was 0.26 (± 0.03, 0.20–0.33), and mean CT TT:3R was 2.27 (± 0.24, 1.71–2.74). Radiographic TD:TI and CT TD:TI were significantly correlated (P= 0.00); however radiographic TT:3R and CT TT:3R were not significantly correlated (P= 0.25). Tracheoscopy identified hypoplastic changes in all dogs and tracheoscopy scores were not correlated with CT or radiography diameter measurements. In conclusion, findings indicated that some CT and radiographic tracheal diameter measurements were comparable in English Bulldogs however diameters for both imaging techniques were not comparable with tracheoscopy scores.
Fibrosis impairs the formation of new myofibers in the soft palate after injury
Authors: Carvajal Monroy Paola L. , Grefte Sander , Kuijpers‐Jagtman Anne Marie , Helmich Maria P.A.C. , Wagener Frank A.D.T.G. , Von den Hoff Johannes W. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTMuscle repair is a crucial component of palatoplasty but little is known about muscle regeneration after cleft palate repair. We hypothesized that the formation of new myofibers is hampered by collagen accumulation after experimental injury of the soft palate of rats. One‐millimeter excisional defects were made in the soft palates of 32 rats. The wound area was evaluated after 3, 7, 28, and 56 days using azocarmine G and aniline blue to stain for collagen and immunohistochemistry to identify myofibroblasts and to monitor skeletal muscle differentiation. To evaluate age effects, 16 unwounded animals were evaluated at 3 and 56 days. Staining was quantified by image analysis, and one‐way ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis. At day 56, the area percentage of collagen‐rich tissue was higher in the injured palatal muscles (46.7 ± 6.9%) than in nonwounded controls (15.9 ± 1.0%, p < 0.05). Myofibroblasts were present in the injured muscles at days 3 and 7 only. The numbers of proliferating and differentiating myoblasts within the wound area were greater at day 7 (p < 0.05), but only a few new myofibers had formed by 56 days. No age effects were found. The results indicate that surgical wounding of the soft palate results in muscle fibrosis. Although activated satellite cells migrated into the wound area, no new myofibers formed. Thus, regeneration and function of the soft palate muscles after injury may be improved by regenerative medicine approaches.
Combined Effect of Irradiation, Temperature, and Water Coolant Flow on Corrosion of Zr-, Ni–Cr-, and Fe–Cr-Based Alloys
Authors: Bakai O. S. , Boriskin V. M. , Dovbnya A. M. , Dyuldya S. V. , Guzonas D. A. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Investigation of the role of irradiation on the corrosion resistance of structural alloys is of vital importance for selection of supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) materials. Gamma heating under SCWR conditions, which induces enhancement of radiolysis and corrosion kinetics at interfaces, can be efficiently simulated by electron beam irradiation over a wide range of deposited dose and temperature. The NSC KIPT-sited Canada–Ukraine Electron Irradiation Test Facility (CU-EITF) still remains the only operating facility capable of in situ irradiation of specimens in a supercritical water (SCW) natural circulation loop. This paper reports the results of postirradiation studies of Zr–1%Nb and Ni–Cr Inconel 690/52MSS alloys after a ~500-h-long exposure in the CU-EITF in the near-critical (23.5 MPa/360–385°C) regime. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the sample microstructure are presented along with those of the electron-irradiated loop piping, SS X18H10T. The results of corrosion tests under electron-irradiation are correlated to the calculated three-dimensional (3D) fields of absorbed dose and temperature and to the reference data obtained in-pile for topical materials. The paper also discusses the prospects for the use of the CU-EITF facility within a cooperative SCWR program and presents an outlook of the facility development.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Struck Christopher J. 
Published: July 2015

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes a catalog of Acoustical American National Standards. To receive a copy of the latest Standards catalog, please contact Susan B. Blaeser.
Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.
This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the National Catalog of Acoustical Standards and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
Ultradeep Sequencing for Detection of Quasispecies Variants in the Major Hydrophilic Region of Hepatitis B Virus in Indonesian Patients
Authors: Yamani Laura Navika , Yano Yoshihiko , Utsumi Takako , Juniastuti  , Wandono Hadi , Widjanarko Doddy , Triantanoe Ari , Wasityastuti Widya , Liang Yujiao , Okada Rina , Tanahashi Toshihito , Murakami Yoshiki , Azuma Takeshi , Soetjipto  , Lusida Maria Inge , Hayashi Yoshitake 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTQuasispecies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with variations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) can evolve during infection, allowing HBV to evade neutralizing antibodies. These escape variants may contribute to chronic infections. In this study, we looked for MHR variants in HBV quasispecies using ultradeep sequencing and evaluated the relationship between these variants and clinical manifestations in infected patients. We enrolled 30 Indonesian patients with hepatitis B infection (11 with chronic hepatitis and 19 with advanced liver disease). The most common subgenotype/subtype of HBV was B3/adw (97%). The HBsAg titer was lower in patients with advanced liver disease than that in patients with chronic hepatitis. The MHR variants were grouped based on the percentage of the viral population affected: major, ≥20% of the total population; intermediate, 5% to <20%; and minor, 1% to <5%. The rates of MHR variation that were present in the major and intermediate viral population were significantly greater in patients with advanced liver disease than those in chronic patients. The most frequent MHR variants related to immune evasion in the major and intermediate populations were P120Q/T, T123A, P127T, Q129H/R, M133L/T, and G145R. The major population of MHR variants causing impaired of HBsAg secretion (e.g., G119R, Q129R, T140I, and G145R) was detected only in advanced liver disease patients. This is the first study to use ultradeep sequencing for the detection of MHR variants of HBV quasispecies in Indonesian patients. We found that a greater number of MHR variations was related to disease severity and reduced likelihood of HBsAg titer.
Commentary: Outbreak of Colistin-Resistant, Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: Are We at the End of the Road?
Authors: van Duin David , Doi Yohei 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains that produce
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) have spread globally in the last decade. Colistin is a key agent in treating infections caused by this pathogen. In this issue of the
Journal of Clinical Microbiolog
y, Giani et al. (T. Giani, F. Arena, G. Vaggelli, V. Conte, A Chiarell, L. H. De Angelis, R. Fornaini, M. Grazzini, F. Niccolini, P. Pecile, and G. M. Rossolini, J Clin Microbiol 53:3341–3344, 2015,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01017-15
) describe a sustained outbreak of colistin-resistant KPC-producing
K. pneumoniae
.
Transmission of H7N9 Influenza Viruses with a Polymorphism at PB2 Residue 627 in Chickens and Ferrets
Authors: Luk Geraldine S. M. , Leung Connie Y. H. , Sia Sin Fun , Choy Ka-Tim , Zhou Jie , Ho Candy C. K. , Cheung Peter P. H. , Lee Elaine F. , Wai Chris K. L. , Li Pamela C. H. , Ip Sin-Ming , Poon Leo L. M. , Lindsley William G. , Peiris Malik , Yen Hui-Ling 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
Poultry exposure is a major risk factor for human H7N9 zoonotic infections, for which the mode of transmission remains unclear. We studied the transmission of genetically related poultry and human H7N9 influenza viruses differing by four amino acids, including the host determinant PB2 residue 627. A/Silkie chicken/HK/1772/2014 (SCk1772) and A/HK/3263/14 (HK3263) replicated to comparable titers in chickens, with superior oropharyngeal over cloacal shedding; both viruses transmitted efficiently among chickens via direct contact but inefficiently via the airborne route. Interspecies transmission via the airborne route was observed for ferrets exposed to the SCk1772- or HK3263-infected chickens, while low numbers of copies of influenza viral genome were detected in the air, predominantly at particle sizes larger than 4 μm. In ferrets, the human isolate HK3263 replicated to higher titers and transmitted more efficiently via direct contact than SCk1772. We monitored “intrahost” and “interhost” adaptive changes at PB2 residue 627 during infection and transmission of the Sck1772 that carried E627 and HK3263 that carried V/K/E polymorphism at 60%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. For SCk1772, positive selection for K627 over E627 was observed in ferrets during the chicken-to-ferret or ferret-to-ferret transmission. For HK3263 that contained V/K/E polymorphism, mixed V627 and E627 genotypes were transmitted among chickens while either V627 or K627 was transmitted to ferrets with a narrow transmission bottleneck. Overall, our results suggest direct contact as the main mode for H7N9 transmission and identify the PB2-V627 genotype with uncompromised fitness and transmissibility in both avian and mammalian species.

IMPORTANCE
We studied the modes of H7N9 transmission, as this information is crucial for developing effective control measures for prevention. Using chicken (SCk1772) and human (HK3263) H7N9 isolates that differed by four amino acids, including the host determinant PB2 residue 627, we observed that both viruses transmitted efficiently among chickens via direct contact but inefficiently via the airborne route. Chicken-to-ferret transmission via the airborne route was observed, along with the detection of viral genome in the air at low copy numbers. In ferrets, HK3263 transmitted more efficiently than SCk1772 via direct contact. During the transmission of SCk1772 that contained E and HK3263 that contained V/K/E polymorphism at PB2 residue 627, positive selections of E627 and K627 were observed in chickens and ferrets, respectively. In addition, PB2-V627 was transmitted and stably maintained in both avian and mammalian species. Our results support applying intervention strategies that minimize direct and indirect contact at the poultry markets during epidemics.
Type I Interferon Released by Myeloid Dendritic Cells Reversibly Impairs Cytomegalovirus Replication by Inhibiting Immediate Early Gene Expression
Authors: Holzki Julia Katharina , Dağ Franziska , Dekhtiarenko Iryna , Rand Ulfert , Casalegno-Garduño Rosaely , Trittel Stephanie , May Tobias , Riese Peggy , Čičin-Šain Luka 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous beta-herpesvirus whose reactivation from latency is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Mouse CMV (MCMV) is a well-established model virus to study virus-host interactions. We showed in this study that the CD8-independent antiviral function of myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) is biologically relevant for the inhibition of MCMV replication
in vivo
and
in vitro. In vivo
ablation of CD11c
+
DC resulted in higher viral titers and increased susceptibility to MCMV infection in the first 3 days postinfection. We developed
in vitro
coculture systems in which we cocultivated MCMV-infected endothelial cells or fibroblasts with T cell subsets and/or dendritic cells. While CD8 T cells failed to control MCMV replication, bone marrow-derived mDC reduced viral titers by a factor of up to 10,000. Contact of mDC with the infected endothelial cells was crucial for their antiviral activity. Soluble factors secreted by the mDC blocked MCMV replication at the level of immediate early (IE) gene expression, yet the viral lytic cycle reinitiated once the mDC were removed from the cells. On the other hand, the mDC did not impair MCMV replication in cells deficient for the interferon (IFN) alpha/beta receptor (IFNAR), arguing that type I interferons were critical for viral control by mDC. In light of our recent observation that type I IFN is sufficient for the induction of latency immediately upon infection, our results imply that IFN secreted by mDC may play an important role in the establishment of CMV latency.

IMPORTANCE
Numerous studies have focused on the infection of DC with cytomegaloviruses and on the establishment of latency within them. However, almost all of these studies have relied on the infection of DC monocultures
in vitro
, whereas DC are just one among many cell types present in an infection site
in vivo
. To mimic this aspect of the
in vivo
situation, we cocultured DC with infected endothelial cells or fibroblasts. Our data suggest that direct contact with virus-infected endothelial cells activates CD11c
+
DC, which leads to reversible suppression of MCMV replication at the level of IE gene expression by a mechanism that depends on type I IFN. The effect matches the formal definition of viral latency. Therefore, our data argue that the interplay of dendritic cells and infected neighboring cells might play an important role in the establishment of viral latency.
The Epstein-Barr Virus BDLF4 Gene Is Required for Efficient Expression of Viral Late Lytic Genes
Authors: Watanabe Takahiro , Narita Yohei , Yoshida Masahiro , Sato Yoshitaka , Goshima Fumi , Kimura Hiroshi , Murata Takayuki 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gammaherpesvirus, associated with infectious mononucleosis and various types of malignancy. We focused here on the BDLF4 gene of EBV and identified it as a lytic gene, expressed with early kinetics. Viral late gene expression of the BDLF4 knockout strain was severely restricted; this could be restored by an exogenous supply of BDLF4. These results indicate that BDLF4 is important for the EBV lytic replication cycle, especially in late gene expression.
Adhesins Involved in Attachment to Abiotic Surfaces by Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Berne Cécile , Ducret Adrien , Hardy Gail G. , Brun Yves V. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
During the first step of biofilm formation, initial attachment is dictated by physicochemical and electrostatic interactions between the surface and the bacterial envelope. Depending on the nature of these interactions, attachment can be transient or permanent. To achieve irreversible attachment, bacterial cells have developed a series of surface adhesins promoting specific or nonspecific adhesion under various environmental conditions. This article reviews the recent advances in our understanding of the secretion, assembly, and regulation of the bacterial adhesins during biofilm formation, with a particular emphasis on the fimbrial, nonfimbrial, and discrete polysaccharide adhesins in Gram-negative bacteria.