bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impairment measures versus inflammatory RODS in GBS and CIDP: a responsiveness comparison
Authors: Vanhoutte Els K. , Draak Thomas H. P. , Gorson Kenneth C. , van Nes Sonja I. , Hoeijmakers Janneke G. J. , Van der Pol W.‐Ludo , Notermans Nicolette. C. , Lewis Richard A. , Nobile‐Orazio Eduardo , Léger Jean‐Marc , Van den Bergh Peter Y. K. , Lauria Giuseppe , Bril Vera , Katzberg Hans , Lunn Michael P. T. , Pouget Jean , van der Kooi Anneke J. , Hahn Angelika F. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Cornblath David R. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Faber Catharina G. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. ,   on behalf of the PeriNomS Study Group
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to ‘define responder’ through the concept of minimum clinically important differences using the individually obtained standard errors (MCID‐SE) and a heuristic ‘external criterion’ responsiveness method in patients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). One hundred and fourteen newly diagnosed or relapsing patients (GBS: 55, CIDP: 59) were serially examined (1‐year follow‐up). The inflammatory Rasch‐built overall disability scale (I‐RODS), Rasch‐transformed MRC sum score (RT‐MRC), and Rasch‐transformed modified‐INCAT‐sensory scale (RT‐mISS) were assessed. Being‐a‐responder was defined as having a MCID‐SE cut‐off ≥1.96. Also, the correlations between patients' scores on each scale and the EuroQoL health‐status ‘thermometer’ (external criterion) were determined (higher correlation indicated better responsiveness). In both diseases, the SEs showed a characteristic ‘U’‐shaped dynamic pattern across each scales' continuum. The number of patients showing a meaningful change were higher for the I‐RODS > RT‐MRC > RT‐mISS and were in GBS higher than CIDP patients. The MCID‐SE concept using Rasch‐transformed data demonstrated an individual pattern of ‘being‐a‐responder’ in patients with immune‐mediated neuropathies, and the findings were validated by the external criterion responsiveness method. The I‐RODS showed greater responsiveness compared with the MRC and INCAT‐sensory scales, and its use is therefore recommended in future trials in GBS and CIDP.
Improving assessment in small fiber neuropathy
Authors: Brouwer Brigitte A. , Bakkers Mayienne , Hoeijmakers Janneke G. J. , Faber Catharina G. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractInterval measures at the impairment level addressing symptoms and at the activity/participation level addressing daily and social restrictions have not been developed for small fiber neuropathy (SFN). We developed an SFN‐specific Rasch‐built overall disability scale (SFN‐RODS©), an activity/participation scale at the interval level. A preliminary SFN‐RODS containing 146 activity/participation items was assessed twice (reliability studies) in 238 patients with SFN. The ordinal‐based 13‐item SFN‐symptoms inventory questionnaire (SFN‐SIQ©) and pain‐visual‐analogue‐scale were also assessed (validity studies). The pre‐SFN‐RODS and SFN‐SIQ data were subjected to the Rasch analyses. The pre‐SFN‐RODS did not meet Rasch model expectations. Based on requirements, such as misfit statistics, differential item functioning, and local dependency, items were systematically removed and model fit improved. Finally, a 32‐item SFN‐RODS© scale was constructed that fulfilled all Rasch requirements, demonstrating acceptable reliability and validity scores. The 13‐item SFN‐SIQ© was successfully transformed to an interval Rasch‐built measure fulfilling model's requirements. In conclusion, the 32‐item SFN‐RODS© is a disease‐specific interval measure suitable for detecting activity limitations and participation restrictions in patients with SFN. The 13‐item SFN‐SIQ© was transformed through Rasch to an interval measure. The use of these scales is recommended in future clinical interventional trials involving patients with SFN.
Discrepancy in Personality Perceptions Is Related to Relationship Satisfaction: Findings from Dyadic Latent Discrepancy Analyses
Authors: Schaffhuser Kathrin , Allemand Mathias , Werner Christina S. , Martin Mike 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe current study investigated discrepancies in self‐, partner‐, and meta‐perceptions of the Big Five traits and their associations with relationship satisfaction in intimate couples. The study was based on a subsample of the Swiss study “Co‐Development in Personality: Longitudinal Approaches to Personality Development in Dyads Across the Life Span” (CoDiP) including cross‐sectional data of 216 heterosexual couples. We adapted the Latent Congruence Model (LCM) for the study of discrepancies in personality perceptions in dyads. Beyond personality trait levels, the discrepancies between self‐ and partner‐perceptions and between partner‐ and meta‐perceptions of the Big Five traits were related to relationship satisfaction as actor and partner effects. In general, flattering and favorable partner‐perceptions in relation to self‐ and meta‐perceptions seem to positively contribute to relationship satisfaction. The present study implies that not only personality trait levels but also discrepancies between personality perceptions are important for understanding relationship satisfaction.
Combining lived experience with the facilitation of enquiry‐based learning: a ‘trigger’ for transformative learning
Authors: Stacey G , Oxley R , Aubeeluck A 
Published: June 2015

Accessible summary
What is known on the subject
The values underpinning recovery‐orientated practice are recited in the literature and influential in the content of mental health nurse education internationally. However, scepticism exists regarding the degree to which students' assimilate the principles of recovery into their practice due to the troublesome and challenging nature of learning at a transformational level, also known as threshold concept learning.
Evaluation suggests that this combination of educational approaches positively influences students' prior understandings, beliefs and values in relation to the prospect for people with significant mental health problems to recover.
The components of threshold concepts are useful as a deductive framework for the evaluation of educational initiatives which attempt to initiate transformative learning.
While this forum clearly holds significant potential for student development, support and preparation is needed for both the student and the facilitator in order to enable the possibility of learning which influences attitudes, beliefs and practice.
AbstractThe aim of this paper is to discuss the potential for combining lived experience of mental distress with the facilitation of enquiry‐based learning (EBL) to act as a trigger for transformative learning in the context of promoting the understanding of mental health ‘recovery’ in nurse education.The values underpinning recovery‐orientated practice are recited in the literature and influential in mental health nurse education internationally. However, scepticism exists regarding the degree to which students assimilate into their practice. An open‐ended was distributed to a cohort of pre‐registration nursing students receiving the co‐facilitated EBL (n = 112). Data demonstrated how the specific attributes of this educational approach were identified by students as impacting positively on ill‐informed preconceptions, understanding of complex theory and their future practice. Results were considered in light of the identification of ‘recovery’ as a ‘threshold concept’ and offered evidence to support the value of this specific educational forum in the promotion of learning which is transformative, integrative, bounded and at times troublesome. Support and significant preparation is needed for both the student and the facilitator in order to enable the possibility of transformatory learning.
Sound Pressure Levels in 2 Veterinary Intensive Care Units
Authors: Fullagar B. , Boysen S.R. , Toy M. , Makwana C. , Pang D.S.J. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundIntensive care units (ICUs) in human hospitals are consistently noisy environments with sound levels sufficient to substantially decrease sleep quality. Sound levels in veterinary ICUs have not been studied previously, but environmental sound has been shown to alter activity in healthy dogs.HypothesisVeterinary ICUs, like those in human medicine, will exceed international guidelines for hospital noise.AnimalsNA.MethodsProspective, observational study performed consecutively and simultaneously over 4 weeks in 2 veterinary ICUs. Conventional A‐weighted sound pressure levels (equivalent continuous level [a reflection of average sound], the sound level that is exceeded 90% of the recording period time [reflective of background noise], and maximum sound levels) were continuously recorded and the number of spikes in sound >80 dBA were manually counted.ResultsNoise levels were comparable to ICUs in human hospitals. The equivalent continuous sound level was higher in ICU1 than in ICU2 at every time point compared, with greatest differences observed on week day (ICU1, 60.1 ± 3.7 dBA; ICU2, 55.9 ± 2.5 dBA, P < .001) and weekend nights (ICU1, 59.9 ± 2.4 dBA; ICU2, 53.4 ± 1.7 dBA, P < .0001) reflecting a 50% difference in loudness. Similar patterns were observed for the maximum and background noise levels. The number of sound spikes was up to 4 times higher in ICU1 (162.3 ± 84.9 spikes) than in ICU2 (40.4 ± 12.2 spikes, P = .001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThese findings show that sound in veterinary ICUs is loud enough to potentially disrupt sleep in critically ill veterinary patients.
Plasma pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur metabolite desfuroylceftiofur cysteine disulfide in holstein steers: application of nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling
Authors: Chiesa O. A. , Feng S. , Kijak P. , Smith E. A. , Li H. , Qiu J. 
Published: June 2015

Eight clinically normal and drug‐naïve Holstein steers were dosed with ceftiofur sodium at 2.2 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly. Doses were given at 24‐h intervals for 5 days. Prior to the first dose and after all injections, blood samples were collected serially for determination of plasma concentrations of one of ceftiofur's main metabolites, desfuroylceftiofur cysteine disulfide (DCCD). A nonlinear mixed‐effect model was used to analyze the plasma concentration data. A stochastic approximation expectation maximization (SAEM) algorithm inMONOLIXversion 4.2.2 was used to approximate the likelihood of the nonlinear mixed‐effect model and to estimate the population parameters. In addition, simulation studies were conducted to justify the model and demonstrate how to interpret the model parameters given different scenarios.
A review of vital rates and cause‐specific mortality of elk Cervus elaphus populations in eastern North America
Authors: Keller Barbara J. , Montgomery Robert A. , Campa Henry R. , Beyer Dean E. , Winterstein Scott R. , Hansen Lonnie P. , Millspaugh Joshua J. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
A review of elk vital rates in eastern North America is warranted given continued interest in restoring the species to the region and the variation in habitat conditions, anthropogenic influence on population dynamics and predator fauna between eastern and western North America.
We reviewed 23 studies of elk demographics from populations in eastern North America and summarized adult (>2 years old), subadult (1–2 years old) and juvenile (0–1 years old) annual survival and fecundity. We also reviewed and compared studies in which causes of mortality in eastern and western North American elk populations were reported.
Annual survival of adult and subadult elk in populations in eastern North America was similar to those reported for western North American elk populations. Annual juvenile survival [Ŝ = 0.76, standard error (SE) = 0.07] in eastern North American elk populations was 53% higher than that in western North American populations.
Fecundity rates in elk populations in eastern North America were low (0.75 juveniles per female per year, SE = 0.06) compared with fecundity rates typical of western North American populations. Juvenile survival and adult fecundity were lower in recently restored populations (Ŝ = 0.65, SE = 0.09; 0.62 juveniles per female per year) than in established populations (Ŝ = 0.83, SE = 0.07; 0.80 juveniles per female per year) in eastern North America.
Brainworm Parelaphostrongylus tenuis infection, vehicle collisions and nuisance culling were important factors contributing to mortality in eastern North American, but not in western North American, elk populations. Eastern North American elk populations have the potential to exhibit high population growth rates (λ = 1.02–1.29). Variation in vital rates between recently restored and established elk populations highlights the need for continued long‐term monitoring of translocated elk populations.
The MinD homolog FlhG regulates the synthesis of the single polar flagellum of Vibrio alginolyticus
Authors: Ono Hiroki , Takashima Akari , Hirata Hikaru , Homma Michio , Kojima Seiji 
Published: June 2015

SummaryFlhG, a MinD homolog and an ATPase, is known to mediate the formation of the single polar flagellum of Vibrio alginolyticus together with FlhF. FlhG and FlhF work antagonistically, with FlhF promoting flagellar assembly and FlhG inhibiting it. Here, we demonstrate that purified FlhG exhibits a low basal ATPase activity. As with MinD, the basal ATPase activity of FlhG can be activated and the D171A residue substitution enhances its ATPase activity sevenfold. FlhG‐D171A localizes strongly at the cell pole and severely inhibits motility and flagellation, whereas the FlhG K31A and K36Q mutants, which are defective in ATP binding, do not localize to the poles, cannot complement a flhG mutant and lead to hyperflagellation. A strong polar localization of FlhF is observed with the K36Q mutant FlhG but not with the wild‐type or D171A mutant FlhG. Unexpectedly, an Ala substitution at the catalytic residue (D60A), which abolishes ATPase activity but still allows ATP binding, only slightly affects FlhG functions. These results suggest that the ATP‐dependent polar localization of FlhG is crucial for its ability to downregulate the number of polar flagella. We speculate that ATP hydrolysis by FlhG is required for the fine tuning of the regulation.
Orthocaspases are proteolytically active prokaryotic caspase homologues: the case of Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Klemenčič Marina , Novinec Marko , Dolinar Marko 
Published: June 2015

SummaryCaspases are a family of cysteine‐dependent proteases known to be involved in the process of programmed cell death in metazoans. Recently, cyanobacteria were also found to contain caspase‐like proteins, but their existence has only been identified in silico up to now. Here, we present the first experimental characterisation of a prokaryotic caspase homologue. We have expressed the putative caspase‐like gene MaOC1 from the toxic bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 in Escherichia coli. Kinetic characterisation showed that MaOC1 is an endopeptidase with a preference for arginine in the P1 position and a pH optimum of 7.5. MaOC1 exhibited high catalytic rates with the kcat/KM value for Z‐RR‐AMC substrate of the order 106 M−1 s−1. In contrast to plant or metazoan caspase‐like proteins, whose activity is calcium‐dependent or requires dimerisation for activation, MaOC1 was activated by autocatalytic processing after residue Arg219, which separated the catalytic domain and the remaining 55 kDa subunit. The Arg219Ala mutant was resistant to autoprocessing and exhibited no proteolytic activity, confirming that processing of MaOC1 is a prerequisite for its activity. Due to their structural and functional differences to other known caspase‐like proteins, we suggest to name these evolutionary primitive proteins orthocaspases.
Cysteine scanning reveals minor local rearrangements of the horizontal helix of respiratory complex I
Authors: Steimle Stefan , Schnick Christian , Burger Eva‐Maria , Nuber Franziska , Krämer Dorothée , Dawitz Hannah , Brander Sofia , Matlosz Bartlomiej , Schäfer Jacob , Maurer Katharina , Glessner Udo , Friedrich Thorsten 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, respiratory complex I, couples electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane. The complex consists of a peripheral arm catalyzing the redox reaction and a membrane arm catalyzing proton translocation. The membrane arm is almost completely aligned by a 110 Å unique horizontal helix that is discussed to transmit conformational changes induced by the redox reaction in a piston‐like movement to the membrane arm driving proton translocation. Here, we analyzed such a proposed movement by cysteine‐scanning of the helix of the Escherichia coli complex I. The accessibility of engineered cysteine residues and the flexibility of individual positions were determined by labeling the preparations with a fluorescent marker and a spin‐probe, respectively, in the oxidized and reduced states. The differences in fluorescence labeling and the rotational flexibility of the spin probe between both redox states indicate only slight conformational changes at distinct positions of the helix but not a large movement.
Comparison of reproductive parameters for populations of eastern North Pacific common dolphins: Delphinus capensis and D. delphis
Authors: Chivers Susan J. , Perryman Wayne L. , Lynn Morgan S. , Gerrodette Tim , Archer Frederick I. , Danil Kerri , Berman‐Kowalewski Michelle , Dines James P. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractReproductive parameters were estimated and compared for eastern North Pacific populations of common dolphins using specimen and photogrammetric data. Age and length data for Delphinus capensis and D. delphis specimens recovered as bycatch or strandings were used to estimate the postnatal growth rates needed to estimate age for calves measured in aerial photographs. Bayesian methods propagated uncertainty among models and revealed that the 2009 cohort of calves had birth dates centered on 6 March 2009 for D. capensis and 12 December 2008 for D. delphis. The evidence for discrete calving seasons suggests a mechanism of reproductive isolation has evolved between species. Photogrammetric data and Bayesian methods were also used to estimate the average length at which calves swim independently: 145.1 cm (≈ 11.1 mo) in D. capensis and 140.1 cm (≈ 14.0 mo) in D. delphis, and the proportion of calves (calves/dolphins counted): 0.045 in D. capensis and 0.069 in D. delphis. The latter parameter was converted to an index of calf production (calf/female dolphin) that was >50% lower than pregnancy rates suggesting few births occurred during the study year. Comparisons of regional differences in calf production suggest variability in habitat use patterns within the study area.
Recurrent mutations of CD79B and MYD88 are the hallmark of primary central nervous system lymphomas
Authors: Nakamura T. , Tateishi K. , Niwa T. , Matsushita Y. , Tamura K. , Kinoshita M. , Tanaka K. , Fukushima S. , Takami H. , Arita H. , Kubo A. , Shuto T. , Ohno M. , Miyakita Y. , Kocialkowski S. , Sasayama T. , Hashimoto N. , Maehara T. , Shibui S. , Ushijima T. , Kawahara N. , Narita Y. , Ichimura K. 
Published: June 2015

AimsPrimary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) manifest aggressive clinical behaviour and have poor prognosis. Although constitutive activation of the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway has been documented, knowledge about the genetic alterations leading to the impairment of the NF‐κB pathway in PCNSLs is still limited. This study was aimed to unravel the underlying genetic profiles of PCNSL.MethodsWe conducted the systematic sequencing of 21 genes relevant to the NF‐κB signalling network for 71 PCNSLs as well as the pyrosequencing of CD79B and MYD88 mutation hotspots in a further 35 PCNSLs and 46 glioblastomas (GBMs) for validation.ResultsThe results showed that 68 out of 71 PCNSLs had mutations in the NF‐κB gene network, most commonly affecting CD79B (83%), MYD88 (76%), TBL1XR1 (23%), PRDM1 (20%) and CREBBP1 (20%). These mutations, particularly CD79B and MYD88, frequently coincided within each tumour in various combinations, simultaneously affecting diverse pathways within the network. No GBMs had hotspot mutation of CD79B Y196 and MYD88 L265.ConclusionsThe prevalence of CD79B and MYD88 mutations in PCNSLs was considerably higher than reported in systemic diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas. This observation could reflect the paucity of antigen stimuli from the immune system in the central nervous system (CNS) and the necessity to substitute them by the constitutive activation of CD79B and MYD88 that would initiate the signalling cascades. These hotspot mutations may serve as a genetic hallmark for PCNSL serving as a genetic marker for diagnose and potential targets for molecular therapy.
Overexpression of a small heat‐shock‐protein gene enhances tolerance to abiotic stresses in rice
Authors: Wang Anquan , Yu Xiaohong , Mao Yun , Liu Ying , Liu Guoqing , Liu Yongsheng , Niu Xiangli 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important crops in the world which survives from various abiotic stresses in natural environments with specific stress‐involved genes expressed. Plant sHSPs (small heat‐shock proteins) were reported to respond to abiotic stresses. To improve the understanding of sHSPs in rice, we characterized heat‐shock‐protein gene OsHSP18.6 here. OsHSP18.6 could be induced by diverse stresses, such as drought, salt and cold, especially under heat. The gene was found expressed in root, stem, leaf, internode and spikelet. Overexpression of OsHSP18.6 results in increased thermotolerance and exhibits universal tolerance to stresses tested, including heat, drought, salt and cold. Lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and greater activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed in OsHSP18.6‐overexpression rice under heat and drought. OsHSP18.6‐overexpression lines indicated decreased sterile rates under hot weather without remarkable changes in most of other agronomic traits compared with wild‐type plants.
PTEN regulates IGF‐1R‐mediated therapy resistance in melanoma
Authors: Wang Jun , Sinnberg Tobias , Niessner Heike , Dölker Rebecca , Sauer Birgit , Kempf Wolfgang E. , Meier Friedegund , Leslie Nick , Schittek Birgit 
Published: June 2015

SummaryInhibition of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a major advance in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, its therapeutic success is limited by the rapid emergence of drug resistance. The insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) is overexpressed in melanomas developing resistance toward the BRAFV600 inhibitor vemurafenib. Here, we show that hyperactivation of BRAF enhances IGF‐1R expression. In addition, the phosphatase activity of PTEN as well as heterocellular contact to stromal cells increases IGF‐1R expression in melanoma cells and enhances resistance to vemurafenib. Interestingly, PTEN‐negative melanoma cells escape IGF‐1R blockade by decreased expression of the receptor, implicating that only in melanoma patients with PTEN‐positive tumors treatment with IGF‐1R inhibitors would be a suitable strategy to combat therapy resistance. Our data emphasize the crosstalk and therapeutic relevance of microenvironmental and tumor cell‐autonomous mechanisms in regulating IGF‐1R expression and by this sensitivity toward targeted therapies.