bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of alcohol use and teen dating violence for female youth: A latent transition analysis
Authors: Choi Hye Jeong , Elmquist JoAnna , Shorey Ryan C. , Rothman Emily F. , Stuart Gregory L. , Temple Jeff R.
Published: January 2017

Introduction and Aims

Alcohol use is one of the most widely accepted and studied risk factors for teen dating violence (TDV). Too little research has explored longitudinally if it is true that an adolescent's alcohol use and TDV involvement simultaneously occur. In the current study, we examined whether there were latent status based on past‐year TDV and alcohol use and whether female adolescents changed their statuses of TDV and alcohol use over time.

Methods

The sample consisted of 583 female youths in seven public high schools in Texas. Three waves of longitudinal data collected from 2011 to 2013 were utilised in this study. Participants completed self‐report assessments of alcohol use (past‐year alcohol use, number of drinks in the past month and episodic heavy drinking within the past month) and psychological and physical TDV victimisation and perpetration. Latent transition analysis was used to examine if the latent status based on TDV and alcohol use changed over time.

Results

Five separate latent statuses were identified: (i) no violence, no alcohol; (ii) alcohol; (iii) psychological violence, no alcohol; (iv) psychological violence, alcohol; and (v) physical and psychological violence, alcohol. Latent transition analysis indicated that adolescents generally remained in the same subgroup across time.

Discussion

This study provides evidence on the co‐occurrence of alcohol use and teen dating violence, and whether teens' status based on dating violence and alcohol use are stable over time. Findings from the current study highlight the importance of targeting both TDV and substance use in intervention and prevention programs. [Choi HJ, Elmquist J, Shorey RC, Rothman EF, Stuart GL,Temple JR. Stability of alcohol use and teen dating violence for female youth: Alatent transition analysis. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:80–87]
Application of the CRISPR gene‐editing technique in insect functional genome studies – a review
Authors: Cui Yubao , Sun Jin‐Lu , Yu LiLi
Published: January 2017

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) structural family form an acquired immune system in bacteria that is able to degrade invading virus or phage DNA. The CRISPR/Cas system has been co‐opted as an RNA‐mediated nuclease for use in targeted genome engineering. The CRISPR/Cas system provides a novel tool for manipulating genomic DNA using an approach that is simple, convenient, and easy to learn. Since its first description as a genome editor in 2012, it has been widely applied to bacteria, yeast, nematodes, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, and human cells. This review describes the basic principles of the system and its application. In particular, we focus on CRISPR as a tool to manipulate and study the functional genomes of the planet's most abundant organisms, insects, which have diverse impacts on humans and the environment.
Aromatic plants affect the selection of host tomato plants by Bemisia tabaci biotype B
Authors: Carvalho Mateus Gimenez , Bortolotto Orcial Ceolin , Ventura Maurício Ursi
Published: January 2017

The effects of intercropping aromatic plants (AP) on behavior and population development of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) were investigated in the field (adults) and in the greenhouse (nymphs). The responses of adults to the volatiles of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), plants plus AP [T + coriander (Co), rue (R), marigold (M), Greek basil (B), or citronella (Ci)] vs. humidified air or tomato volatiles only were assessed in laboratory Y‐tube olfactometer assays. We found higher responses of adult B. tabaci to the humidified air than to the T + Co, T + B, and T + Ci treatments. The responses to T + R and T + M were similar to those to the humidified air. Responses to tomato volatiles were also greater than to T + Co, T + B, and T + Ci. In field assays, populations of adult insects were evaluated in tomato alone, in tomato intercropped with coriander or Greek basil, and in tomato mulched with citronella grass for 6 weeks. Adult whiteflies were generally found in greater numbers in the tomato‐alone treatment compared to tomato intercropped with coriander or basil and tomato with citronella grass mulch. Reduction in adult whitefly populations compared to the population found in tomato alone was 84, 79, and 69% in intercrops of T + Co and T + B, and the tomato with citronella mulch treatment, respectively. Infestations of B. tabaci nymphs in plots of tomato plants cultivated alone or intercropped with reseeded coriander plants were also determined in a greenhouse. Nymph counts in the greenhouse assay were generally lower in tomato intercropped with coriander than in tomato alone for all six assessments. The mean reduction in nymphs in tomato intercropped with coriander was 37.7% compared with tomato alone. These results indicate that intercropping aromatic plants reduces infestations of B. tabaci.
Diversity, spatial distribution, and sampling for ant management decision‐making in integrated pest management programs in citrus groves
Authors: Martínez‐Ferrer María Teresa , Campos‐Rivela José Miguel
Published: January 2017

Ants play important ecological roles, such as predation on other arthropods, seed dispersal, and soil structure maintenance. In citrus agroecosystems, ants are considered a secondary pest. The damage they cause is indirect through the disruption of the biological control of pests, especially honeydew producers. In integrated pest management programs, adequate and precise sampling methods are required to accurately determine the need for chemical ant control to minimize the economic and environmental costs of unnecessary chemical treatments and to reduce the risk of crop loss by pests. In Mediterranean citrus groves, eight ant species that differed in abundance and frequency have been found foraging on citrus trees: Lasius grandis Forel, Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Formica gerardi Bondroit, Formica rufibarbis Fabricius, Camponotus sylvaticus (Olivier), Linepithema humile (Mayr), and Tapinoma erraticum (Latreille) (all Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The trunk was selected as the most efficient sampling unit to establish the monitoring method. Aggregation indices on the trunk of these species were calculated, and enumerative and binomial sampling methods were developed for the most frequent species, L. grandis and Ph. pallidula. Ant species differed in spatial distributions within citrus orchards, and required different sample sizes to estimate population abundance. The minimum sample size required, taking into account the maximum average abundance found – 44.1 L. humile, 17.3 L. grandis, and 3.5 Ph. pallidula per trunk per min –, would be 28, 25, and 54 trees, respectively.
Optimising irradiation dose in mass‐produced Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni, for sterile insect release: the incorporation of residual effects on F1 progeny
Authors: Bloomfield C.I.A. , Fanson B.G. , Mirrington R. , Gillespie P.S. , Dominiak B.C.
Published: January 2017

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a potential tool for the management and eradication of incursions of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Mass‐produced B. tryoni are irradiated during the pupal stage to induce reproductive sterility. As increasing irradiation dosage results in declining fly quality, determining the lowest possible dosage that induces sufficient reproductive sterility is of particular interest. However, in calculating reproductive sterility, previous research has not considered carryover irradiation effects to F1 progeny. To test for these effects, B. tryoni pupae were exposed to one of five target dose ranges: 0, 20–25, 40–45, 60–65, or 70–75 Gy. Upon adult eclosure, fly quality was assessed using standard quality control (QC) measures: adult eclosure rates, flight ability, sex ratio, and longevity under nutritional stress. No effect of irradiation dose on any of the QC measures was found. Residual fertility was assessed by measuring larval eclosure failure for all doses. For the 0–45 Gy doses, mortality was measured during development of F1 progeny and larval eclosure rates were measured in F2 progeny. For irradiated females, irradiation dose significantly affected egg production, as well as increasing mortality during pupation of F1 progeny. For irradiated males, irradiation dose strongly affected larval eclosure of F1 progeny and, similar to females, mortality increased during pupation with higher doses. Our results suggest that residual effects of irradiation dose decreases F1 progeny viability and current estimates of residual fertility for B. tryoni underestimate the actual residual fertility. We conclude by synthesising our results with the previous findings and we propose that the target irradiation dose for B. tryoni may be lowered to 55–60 Gy.
Characterizing spring emergence of adult Halyomorpha halys using experimental overwintering shelters and commercial pheromone traps
Authors: Bergh J. Christopher , Morrison William R. , Joseph Shimat V. , Leskey Tracy C.
Published: January 2017

To improve our understanding of adult Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) overwintering biology and to better inform models of its population dynamics, its temporal pattern of spring emergence was investigated using experimental overwintering shelters in screened cages within protective structures. In 2012, plastic shelters containing 100 adults were deployed in unheated, unlighted buildings, and adjacent woodlots in Virginia, USA. In 2013 and 2014, wooden shelters containing 300 paint‐marked adults were deployed in pairs in six woodlots across Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, USA; one in a closed cage and one in a cage with the top removed, enabling emerged adults to be counted or to disperse, respectively. In 2013 and 2014, pheromone‐baited and non‐baited pyramid traps encircled the shelters at each site. Regular counts of adults that emerged into the closed cage and of marked and ‘wild’ (unmarked) adults captured in traps were conducted from February or March through early July. In 2012, emergence patterns from shelters in buildings and woodlots were very similar and matched those recorded from woodlots in 2013 and 2014. In all years, a small peak of emergence occurred in about mid‐April, a larger and more prolonged peak was observed between mid‐May and early June, and emergence ended by early July. Of the 449 H. halys adults captured in traps between 2013 and 2014, only three were marked individuals from shelters in the open cage, suggesting that adults emerging from overwintering sites may require a dispersal flight before responding to pheromone‐baited traps. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, 98 and 93% of captures were in pheromone‐baited traps, but there was no correlation between the weekly number of adults that emerged from shelters in the closed cages and captures in traps.
Glutamine synthetase stabilizes the binding of GlnR to nitrogen fixation gene operators
Authors: Fernandes Gabriela de C. , Hauf Ksenia , Sant'Anna Fernando H. , Forchhammer Karl , Passaglia Luciane M. P.
Published: January 2017

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a high energy demanding process carried out by diazotrophic microorganisms that supply combined nitrogen to the biosphere. The genes related to BNF are strictly regulated, but these mechanisms are poorly understood in gram‐positive bacteria. The transcription factor GlnR was proposed to regulate nitrogen fixation‐related genes based on Paenibacillus comparative genomics. In order to validate this proposal, we investigated BNF regulatory sequences in Paenibacillus riograndensis SBR5T genome. We identified GlnR‐binding sites flanking σA‐binding sites upstream from BNF‐related genes. GlnR binding to these sites was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. GlnR‐DNA affinity is greatly enhanced when GlnR is in complex with feedback‐inhibited (glutamine‐occupied) glutamine synthetase (GS). GlnR–GS complex formation is also modulated by ATP and AMP. Thereby, gene repression exerted by the GlnR‐GS complex is coupled with nitrogen (glutamine levels) and energetic status (ATP and AMP). Finally, we propose a DNA‐looping model based on multiple operator sites that represents a strong and strict regulation for these genes.
Quantitative and integrative analysis of paracrine hepatocyte activation by nonparenchymal cells upon lipopolysaccharide induction
Authors: Beuke Katharina , Schildberg Frank A. , Pinna Federico , Albrecht Ute , Liebe Roman , Bissinger Michaela , Schirmacher Peter , Dooley Steven , Bode Johannes G. , Knolle Percy A. , Kummer Ursula , Breuhahn Kai , Sahle Sven
Published: January 2017

Gut‐derived bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulate the secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) from liver macrophages (MCs), liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which control the acute phase response in hepatocytes through activation of the NF‐κB pathway. The individual and cooperative impact of nonparenchymal cells on this clinically relevant response has not been analysed in detail due to technical limitations. To gain an integrative view on this complex inter‐ and intracellular communication, we combined a multiscale mathematical model with quantitative, time‐resolved experimental data of different primary murine liver cell types. We established a computational model for TNF‐induced NF‐κB signalling in hepatocytes, accurately describing dose‐responsiveness for physiologically relevant cytokine concentrations. TNF secretion profiles were quantitatively measured for all nonparenchymal cell types upon LPS stimulation. This novel approach allowed the analysis of individual and collective paracrine TNF‐mediated NF‐κB induction in hepatocytes, revealing strongest effects of MCs and LSECs on hepatocellular NF‐κB signalling. Simulations suggest that both cell types act together to maximize the NF‐κB pathway response induced by low LPS concentrations (0.1 and 1 ng/mL). Higher LPS concentrations (≥ 5 ng/mL) induced sufficient TNF levels from MCs or LSECs to induce a strong and nonadjustable pathway response. Importantly, these simulations also revealed that the initial cytokine secretion (1–2 h after stimulation) rather than final TNF level (10 h after stimulation) defines the hepatocellular NF‐κB response. This raises the question whether the current experimental standard of single high‐dose cytokine administration is suitable to mimic in vivo cytokine exposure.

Database

The computational models described in this manuscript are available in the JWS database via the following link: https://jjj.bio.vu.nl/database/beuke
Folding of intrinsically disordered plant LEA proteins is driven by glycerol‐induced crowding and the presence of membranes
Authors: Bremer Anne , Wolff Martin , Thalhammer Anja , Hincha Dirk K.
Published: January 2017

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are related to cellular dehydration tolerance. Most LEA proteins are predicted to have no stable secondary structure in solution, i.e., to be intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), but they may acquire α‐helical structure upon drying. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the LEA proteins COR15A and COR15B are highly induced upon cold treatment and are necessary for the plants to attain full freezing tolerance. Freezing leads to increased intracellular crowding due to dehydration by extracellular ice crystals. In vitro, crowding by high glycerol concentrations induced partial folding of COR15 proteins. Here, we have extended these investigations to two related proteins, LEA11 and LEA25. LEA25 is much longer than LEA11 and COR15A, but shares a conserved central sequence domain with the other two proteins. We have created two truncated versions of LEA25 (2H and 4H) to elucidate the structural and functional significance of this domain. Light scattering and CD spectroscopy showed that all five proteins were largely unstructured and monomeric in dilute solution. They folded in the presence of increasing concentrations of trifluoroethanol and glycerol. Additional folding was observed in the presence of glycerol and membranes. Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy revealed an interaction of the LEA proteins with membranes in the dry state leading to a depression in the gel to liquid‐crystalline phase transition temperature. Liposome stability assays revealed a cryoprotective function of the proteins. The C‐ and N‐terminal extensions of LEA25 were important in cryoprotection, as the central domain itself (2H, 4H) only provided a low level of protection.
αβ′‐NAC cooperates with Sam37 to mediate early stages of mitochondrial protein import
Authors: Ponce‐Rojas José Carlos , Avendaño‐Monsalve Maria Clara , Yañez‐Falcón Armando Roberto , Jaimes‐Miranda Fabiola , Garay Erika , Torres‐Quiroz Francisco , DeLuna Alexander , Funes Soledad
Published: January 2017

The mitochondrial proteome is mostly composed of nuclear‐encoded proteins. Such polypeptides are synthesized with signals that guide their intracellular transport to the surface of the organelle and later within the different mitochondrial subcompartments until they reach their functional destination. It has been suggested that the nascent‐polypeptide associated complex (NAC) – a cytosolic chaperone that recognizes nascent chains on translationally active ribosomes – has a role in the import of nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the NAC‐mediated cotranslational import are still not clear. Here, we show that a particular NAC heterodimer formed by subunits α and β′ in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is specifically involved in the process of mitochondrial import and functionally cooperates with Sam37, an outer membrane protein subunit of the sorting and assembly machinery complex. Mutants in both components display growth defects, incorrectly accumulate precursor forms of mitochondrial proteins in the cytosol, and have an altered mitochondrial protein content. We propose that αβ′‐NAC and Sam37 are members of the system that recognizes mitochondrial proteins at early stages of their synthesis, escorting them to the import machinery of mitochondria.
Motivation, opportunity, and ability: Understanding new habits and changes adopted for weight management
Authors: Willmott Taylor , Parkinson Joy
Published: January 2017

As obesity rates continue to rise, both effective prevention and treatment programs are urgently required. Combating obesity requires weight management programs that are accessible and scalable to large numbers of people. There is growing evidence that commercial programs, which combine behavior change techniques with the key motivators for changing habits, are effective as the first line in helping people adopt healthier dietary and activity patterns. In particular, digital programs have the potential to provide a service to large numbers of people, be widely accessible and cost effective for the individual. However, to date, digital programs have been relatively under‐utilized and under‐evaluated. There is little published evidence on the performance of programs on a large scale, outside of partnerships with primary care, where participants self‐refer and pay a nominal fee. The purpose of the following study was to examine the interrelated effect of motivation, opportunity, and ability on the behavioral outcomes of a digital commercial weight management program. To address this aim, a thematic content analysis of participants' qualitative responses to habits learned and changes adopted was conducted. Findings reveal that habits learned and changes adopted as a result of participating in the program influence not only weight loss outcomes but other health and well‐being outcomes as well.
Intralesional immunotherapy compared to cryotherapy in the treatment of warts
Authors: Khozeimeh Fahime , Jabbari Azad Farahzad , Mahboubi Oskouei Yaghoub , Jafari Majid , Tehranian Shahrzad , Alizadehsani Roohallah , Layegh Pouran
Published: January 2017

Background

Warts are the most common clinical manifestation of the human papilloma‐virus infection in the skin and mucous membranes. In spite of the various therapeutic modalities for nongenital skin warts, there is still no single method to be used as an approved treatment. In this study, we compared the efficacy of immunotherapy and cryotherapy on wart lesions.

Methods

Sixty patients with verruca vulgaris and plantar warts were randomly divided into two groups. One group received intralesional injection of candida antigen repeated every 3 weeks until complete improvement of all warts or for a maximum of three sessions. The second group was treated by cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for a maximum of ten sessions or until clearance of all lesions. T‐test and chi‐square test were used for statistical analysis, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The patients showed a significant therapeutic response to immunotherapy compared to cryotherapy (P = 0.023). Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the time‐elapsed before treatment and the therapeutic response between both groups (P = 0.041). 76.7% of patients were completely cured with immunotherapy, while only 56.7% responded to cryotherapy. Complete remission was observed with fewer sessions (20.17 ± 0.65) in immunotherapy compared to cryotherapy (3.82 ± 2.481), but no statistically significant difference was shown between groups. Immunotherapy was well‐tolerated except for the pain during injection that was the most common side effect.

Conclusions

Intralesional immunotherapy is an effective treatment of warts. This method has a better therapeutic response, needs fewer sessions, and is capable of treating distant warts.
Retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I)‐like receptors (RLRs) in fish: current knowledge and future perspectives
Authors: Chen Shan Nan , Zou Peng Fei , Nie Pin
Published: January 2017

Retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I) ‐like receptors (RLRs) are found conservatively present in teleost fish. All three members, RIG‐I, MDA5 and LGP2, together with the downstream molecules such as MITA, TRAF3 and TBK1, have been identified in a range of fish species. However, it is unexpected that RIG‐I has not been reported in fish of Acanthopterygii, and it would be important to clarify the presence and role of the RIG‐I gene in a broad range of taxa in Teleostei. RLRs in fish can be induced in vivo and in vitro by viral pathogens as well as synthetic dsRNA, poly(I:C), leading to the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and the expression of IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs). Bacterial pathogens, such as Edwardsiella tarda, and their components, such as lipopolysaccharide are also found to induce the expression of RLRs, and whether such induction was mediated through the direct recognition by RLRs or through crosstalk with other pattern recognition receptors recognizing directly bacterial pathogen‐associated molecular patterns awaits to be investigated. On the other hand, RLR‐activated type I IFN production can be negatively regulated in fish by molecules, such as TBK‐1‐like protein and IRF10, which are found to negatively regulate RIG‐I and MAVS‐activated type I IFN production, and to block MITA or bind ISRE motifs, respectively. It is considered that the evolutionary occurrence of RLRs in fish, and their recognized ligands, especially those from their fish pathogens, as well as the mechanisms involved in the RLR signalling pathways, are of significant interest for further investigation.
TIGIT signalling pathway negatively regulates CD4+ T‐cell responses in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mao Lie , Hou Hongyan , Wu Shiji , Zhou Yu , Wang Juan , Yu Jing , Wu Xiaohui , Lu Yanfang , Mao Liyan , Bosco Munyemana Jean , Wang Feng , Sun Ziyong
Published: January 2017

B‐lymphocyte hyperactivity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is T‐cell‐dependent, and CD4+ T‐cell activation is essential to SLE pathogenesis. However, the mechanism of the deregulation of CD4+ T cells in SLE is largely unknown. T‐cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) is a new inhibitory receptor preferentially expressed on activated CD4+ T cells. Here, we address the role of TIGIT in the pathogenesis of SLE. Our results showed that TIGIT expression on CD4+ T cells was significantly elevated in patients with SLE and highly correlated with the activity of the disease. TIGIT+ CD4+ T cells from both healthy individuals and patients with SLE had a more activated phenotype than TIGIT− CD4+ T cells. In contrast, the activation, proliferation and cytokine production potential of TIGIT+ CD4+ T cells were significantly lower than those of TIGIT− CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, activation of the TIGIT pathway by using CD155 could substantially down‐regulate the activities of CD4+ T cells from SLE patients in vitro, and in vivo administration of CD155 resulted in a delayed development of SLE in MRL/lpr mice. TIGIT is a powerful negative regulator of CD4+ T cells in SLE, which suggests that the TIGIT signalling pathway may be used as a potential therapeutic target for treating this disease.
The impact of dermoscopy on melanoma detection in the practice of dermatologists in Europe: results of a pan‐European survey
Authors: Forsea A.M. , Tschandl P. , Zalaudek I. , del Marmol V. , Soyer H.P. ,   Eurodermoscopy Working Group, Argenziano G. , Geller A.C.
Published: January 2017

Background

Dermoscopy is a widely used technique that can increase the sensitivity and specificity of melanoma detection. Information is lacking on the impact of dermoscopy use on the detection of melanoma in the real‐life practice of European dermatologists.

Objective

To identify factors that influence the benefit of using dermoscopy for increasing melanoma detection and lowering the number of unnecessary biopsies in the practice of European dermatologists.

Methods

We conducted a survey of dermatologists registered in 32 European countries regarding the following: the demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and use, opinions on dermoscopy and the self‐estimated impact of dermoscopy use on the number of melanomas detected and the number of unnecessary biopsies performed in practice.

Results

Valid answers were collected for 7480 respondents, of which 6602 reported using dermoscopy. Eighty‐six per cent of dermoscopy users reported that dermoscopy increased the numbers of melanomas they detected, and 70% reported that dermoscopy decreased the number of unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions they performed. The dermatologists reporting these benefits were more likely to have received dermoscopy training during residency, to use dermoscopy frequently and intensively, and to use digital dermoscopy systems and pattern analysis compared to dermatologists who did not perceive any benefit of dermoscopy for the melanoma recognition in their practice.

Conclusions

Improving dermoscopy training, especially during residency and increasing access to digital dermoscopy equipment are important paths to enhance the benefit of dermoscopy for melanoma detection in the practice of European dermatologists.
Clostridium butyricum B1 alleviates high‐fat diet‐induced steatohepatitis in mice via enterohepatic immunoregulation
Authors: Zhou Da , Pan Qin , Liu Xiao‐Lin , Yang Rui‐Xu , Chen Yuan‐Wen , Liu Chang , Fan Jian‐Gao
Published: January 2017

Background and Aim

Enterohepatic immunologic derangement is associated with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. Here, we investigated whether Clostridium butyricum B1 (CB) would be an effective immune‐targeted substance to attenuate steatohepatitis in mice.

Methods

Thirty mice were randomized into a control group fed with common forage, a high‐fat diet (HFD) group fed an HFD for 16 weeks, and an HFD + CB group treated with CB for the latter 8 weeks. Inflammation‐associated or metabolism‐associated genes in the liver or epididymal fat tissue were quantified; intrahepatic and intestinal immune factors were detected. Further short‐chain fatty acids in the cecal contents or liver were measured, and differentiations of T cells in vitro were analyzed.

Results

Characteristics of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in the HFD group were obvious and were significantly attenuated in the HFD + CB group. The messenger RNA levels of monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in the liver and epididymal fat tissue were increased in the HFD group compared with the control group and were downregulated in the HFD + CB group. Intrahepatic and intestinal interferon‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐17 were significantly increased, whereas forkhead box P3, IL‐4, and IL‐22 were significantly decreased in the HFD group compared with the control group. However, these intrahepatic or intestinal immune changes were reversed after CB intervention. Furthermore, butyrate in the cecal content and liver of the HFD + CB group was significantly elevated. An in vitro investigation showed that sodium butyrate promoted CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th2, Th22, or Treg, whereas it inhibited CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th1 or Th17 under a cytokine milieu, which was mimicked by Trichostatin A.

Conclusion

Clostridium butyricum B1 could attenuate HFD‐induced steatohepatitis in mice partially through butyrate‐induced enterohepatic immunoregulation.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Healthy Horses and in Horses with Heart Disease Using Pulsed‐Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging
Authors: Koenig T.R. , Mitchell K.J. , Schwarzwald C.C.
Published: January 2017

Background

Assessment of left ventricular (LV) function by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is not well established in horses with heart disease.

Objectives

To describe the use of pulsed‐wave (PW) TDI for the assessment of LV function, establish reference intervals, investigate effects of mitral regurgitation (MR), aortic regurgitation (AR), and primary myocardial disease (MD), and provide proof of concept for the use of PW TDI in Warmblood horses with heart disease.

Animals

Thirty healthy horses, 38 horses with MR, 25 with AR, 8 with MD.

Methods

Echocardiograms were retrospectively analyzed. Reference intervals were calculated. PW TDI indices of healthy horses and horses with MR, AR, and MD were compared by one‐way ANOVA and Dunnett's test.

Results

A complete set of PW TDI variables could be obtained in 94 of 101 horses. Variables corresponding to isovolumic intervals were most difficult to measure. Valvular regurgitation influenced variables describing isovolumic contraction and ejection. Horses with MD had significantly shortened ETm(−118.5 [−154.1 to −82.9] ms; mean difference [95% CI of difference of means]), increased PEPm/ETm(0.11 [0.05 to 0.17]), prolonged IMPm(0.28 [0.18 to 0.37]), increasedS1(8.9 [5.2 to 12.6] cm/s), and decreasedE1(−2.6 [−4.7 to −0.5] cm/s),Em(−14.2 [−19.9 to −8.5] cm/s), andEm/Amratio (−1.6 [−2.6 to −0.6]).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Pulsed‐wave TDI might be useful for detection of LV dysfunction in horses with primary MD. The clinical value of TDI in horses with MR and AR remains uncertain.
Real‐Time 3‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Assessment of Effective Regurgitant Orifice Area in Dogs With Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Tidholm A. , Bodegård‐Westling A. , Höglund K. , Häggström J. , Ljungvall I.
Published: January 2017

Background

Effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), calculated from the vena contracta width (VCW) as the narrowest portion of the proximal regurgitant jet, might be used to estimate severity of mitral regurgitation. However, this simplified assumption only holds when the EROA is circular, which might not be true in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Hypothesis

Effective regurgitant orifice area in dogs with MMVD is noncircular, and using color Doppler real‐time 3‐dimensional (RT3D) echocardiography, measured EROA in the en face view will be significantly different from calculated EROA.

Animals

Hundred and fifty‐eight privately owned dogs with naturally occurring MMVD.

Materials and Methods

Prospective observational study comparing en face view of EROA with calculated EROA using VCW in 4‐chamber (4Ch) and 2‐chamber (2Ch) view only or combined 4Ch and 2Ch views using RT3D echocardiography.

Results

The calculated EROA using the 2Ch view showed a systematic underestimation of 17% compared with the measured en face EROA corrected for body surface area. The calculated EROA using 4Ch and 4Ch + 2Ch views showed less agreement with the en face EROA, and the difference between methods increased with increasing EROA. The difference between calculated and measured EROA showed a systematic underestimation of the calculated EROA by 36% (4Ch) and 33% (4Ch + 2Ch), respectively, compared to measured en face EROA.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

When replacing measured EROA with calculated EROA using VCW measurements, the 2Ch view is preferred in dogs with MMVD.
Public Attitudes toward Fiscal Consolidation: Evidence from a Representative German Population Survey
Authors: Hayo Bernd , Neumeier Florian
Published: January 2017

The poor state of public finances in many countries has led to calls for fiscal consolidation. In practice, implementing concrete consolidation measures appears to meet with public resistance, suggesting that the success of consolidation efforts strongly depends on the popularity of the chosen measures. To identify public attitudes toward fiscal consolidation and alternative consolidation measures, we conducted a survey among 2,000 German citizens. Applying ordered and multinominal logit models, we test theory‐based hypotheses about the determinants of individual attitudes toward public debt. We find that, inter alia, personal economic situation, time preferences, fiscal illusion, and trust in politicians exert a significant impact on attitudes toward fiscal consolidation and preferences for alternative consolidation measures.
Shear‐induced platelet aggregation and distribution of thrombogenesis at stenotic vessels
Authors: Kamada Hiroki , Imai Yohsuke , Nakamura Masanori , Ishikawa Takuji , Yamaguchi Takami
Published: January 2017

Objective

SIPA, which is mediated by vWF, is a key mechanism in arterial thrombosis under an abnormally high shear rate of blood flow. We investigated the influence of SIPA on thrombogenesis, focusing on alterations in blood flow at stenotic vessels.

Methods

We carried out a computer simulation of thrombogenesis in stenotic vessels at three different injury positions (ie, upstream, apex, and downstream of the stenosis) to evaluate the effect of SIPA.

Results

The results demonstrated that thrombus volume increased downstream of the stenosis. In particular, growth was enhanced significantly as blood flow velocity and severity of stenosis increased. The influence of SIPA was induced by continuous exposure to high shear rate; thus, SIPA had a greater effect from the apex to downstream of the stenosis along the vessel wall. The asymmetry of the impact of SIPA contributed to the distribution of the thrombus. Furthermore, we found that the degree of SIPA was prolonged in a stenotic vessel with a distal injury, whereas it was moderate with thrombus growth in a nonstenosed vessel. This occurred because platelets and vWF that underwent a high shear rate around the apex were transported to the region downstream of the stenosis.

Conclusions

These results suggest that thrombus formation downstream of the stenosis is easily affected by SIPA and hemodynamics.
The use of methadone to facilitate opioid weaning in pediatric critical care patients: a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dervan Leslie A. , Yaghmai Beryl , Watson Robert Scott , Wolf Fredric M.
Published: January 2017

Background

Continuous opioid infusion therapy is commonly utilized in the pediatric intensive care setting to treat pain and facilitate tolerance of invasive therapies. Transitioning to methadone is one common strategy for weaning from continuous opioid infusions, but in practice this transition can be challenging, and many children still experience iatrogenic withdrawal.

Aim

We reviewed the literature to evaluate the best available evidence to guide methadone therapy in this setting, and to summarize associated adverse events.

Methods

We included all studies of methadone used to facilitate weaning from continuous opioid infusions in pediatric critical care patients, including medical, cardiac, and surgical patients, excluding case reports and studies treating neonatal abstinence syndrome, or acute or chronic pain. Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases from inception to May 2015 were queried; references of included works and conference proceedings were also reviewed. Two authors independently extracted data from each study. Meta‐analysis with fixed‐ and random‐effects models was used to pool results of studies when applicable.

Results

Twelve studies involving 459 patients met criteria for inclusion. A wide variety of methadone dosing and taper strategies were reported. Mean inpatient methadone taper times varied widely, from 4.3 to 26.2 days. Excessive sedation was the most frequently reported adverse event, occurring in up to 16% of patients. Withdrawal occurred in 27% of patients among studies reporting this outcome. In three of three studies in which a new methadone protocol was introduced, a decreased proportion of patients experienced withdrawal (standardized mean difference, SMD = −0.60, 95% CI = −0.998 to −0.195, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

We did not identify sufficient evidence to recommend any particular methadone weaning strategy, or to recommend methadone over other medications or prescribed infusion weaning, for successful weaning of continuous opioid infusions in the pediatric intensive care setting.
Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) and deleted in azoospermia‐like (DAZL) expression in the testes of donkeys
Authors: Lee YS , Jung HJ , Yoon MJ
Published: January 2017

Contents

Putative markers for each specific germ cell stage can be a useful tool to study the fate and functions of these cells. Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) is a putative marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia in humans, rats and horses. The deleted in azoospermia‐like (DAZL) protein is also expressed by differentiated spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in several species. However, whether the expression patterns of these molecular markers are identical and applicable to donkeys remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of UTF1 and DAZL in donkey testicular tissue, using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Testicular samples were collected from routine field castration of donkeys in Korea. The reproductive stages (pre‐ or post‐puberty) of the testes were determined from the morphological characteristics of cross‐sections of the seminiferous tubules. For IHC, the UTF1 and DAZL primary antibodies were diluted at 1:100 and 1:200, respectively. The immunolabelling revealed that UTF1 was expressed in approximately 50% of spermatogonia in the pre‐pubertal stage, whereas its expression was limited to an early subset of spermatogonia in the post‐pubertal stage. DAZL was expressed in some, but not all, spermatogonia in the pre‐pubertal spermatogonia, and interestingly, its expression was also observed in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in the post‐pubertal stage. Co‐immunolabelling of the germ cells with both UTF1 and DAZL revealed three types of protein expression patterns at both reproductive stages, namely UTF1 only, DAZL only and both UTF1 and DAZL. These protein molecules were not expressed in Sertoli and Leydig cells. In conclusion, a co‐immunolabelling system with UTF1 and DAZL antibodies may be used to identify undifferentiated (UTF1 only), differentiating (UTF1 and DAZL), and differentiated spermatogonia (DAZL only) in donkey testes.
Reproductive performance of breeder quails fed diets supplemented with L‐cysteine‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Mohammadi H , Farzinpour A , Vaziry A
Published: January 2017

Contents

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L‐cysteine‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reproductive performance in breeder quails. The five treatment diets consisted of (i) negative control diet not supplemented with iron, (ii) positive control diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg of Fe3O4 and (iii) experimental diets supplemented with 0.6, 6 and 60 mg/kg of L‐cysteine‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles. A total of 100 seven‐day‐old quail chicks were weighed and randomly placed to five groups of five replicate cages. Four quails (one male and three females) were raised in each cage (50 × 15 × 17 cm). Egg production, feed consumption and egg weight were recorded daily and calculated on a hen per day basis. Egg components, fertility, hatchability and day‐old chicks hatched from their eggs were measured at the end of the experiment. The percentage of egg production and egg mass of the 6 mg/kg Fe3O4‐Cys NPs group were significantly higher than those of the control groups. Throughout the experimental period, the highest weekly egg weight was recorded for the 60 mg/kg Fe3O4‐Cys NPs group. Fertility was improved by diet supplemented with iron, both FeSO4 and Fe3O4‐Cys NPs. The breeder fed Fe3O4‐Cys NPs had the highest day‐old chicks weight. The results of this study showed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles that were coated by L‐cysteine could improve availability and utilization of iron in diet. Finally, it was proposed that Fe3O4‐Cys NPs could be used as feed additives in quails.
Lack of effects of an equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration between days 9 and 15 postpartum on reproductive performance in a Holstein dairy herd
Authors: Freick M , Passarge O , Weber J
Published: January 2017

Contents

Recently, it has been demonstrated that administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in the postpartum period in dairy cows can enhance follicle growth, reduce the interval from calving to first ovulation and increase plasma estradiol concentrations, and, thus, could enhance reproductive performance in a dairy herd when administered on day 6 postpartum. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a single dose of eCG between days 9 and 15 postpartum on parameters of reproductive performance in dairy cows. German Holstein cows (n = 1937; primiparous cows: n = 748; pluriparous cows: n = 1189) in a commercial dairy farm were randomly assigned to three experimental groups. Animals within the group eCG received a single dose of 600 IU eCG intramuscularly (i.m.) between days 9 and 15 postpartum followed by an i.m. administration of 500 μg cloprostenol after 14 days. Those of treatment group PG received cloprostenol only between days 23 and 29 postpartum. Cows of the control group remained untreated. Starting on day 49 postpartum, cows were subjected to a Presynch‐Ovsynch protocol and inseminated artificially. The impact of application time (days postpartum) of eCG on the intervals calving to first service and calving to conception was statistically not significant. Outcomes of reproductive performance (i.e. first service conception rate, proportion of pregnant cows until 100 and 150 days in milk [DIM], number of inseminations until 150 DIM, calving to first service interval and calving to conception interval) did not differ significantly between treatment group eCG and group PG compared to control group. Regarding postpartum eCG administration, significant interactions between treatment and parity, season, milk yield, and early puerperal disorders, respectively, could not be shown. In conclusion, an eCG treatment of dairy cows between days 9 and 15 postpartum to increase reproductive performance cannot be recommended under the given circumstances.
Breadth of T Cell Responses After Immunization with Adenovirus Vectors Encoding Ancestral Antigens or Polyvalent Papillomavirus Antigens
Authors: Ragonnaud E. , Pedersen A. G. , Holst P. J.
Published: January 2017

Oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are in most cases eliminated by intervention of T cells. As many other pathogens, these oncogenic HPVs belong to an ancient and diverse virus family. Therefore, we found it relevant to investigate the potential and limitations of inducing a broad response—either by inducing cross‐reactive T cells or by administering a polyvalent vaccine. To test these strategies, we designed three ancestral and two circulating sequences based on the two domains of the E1 and E2 proteins of papillomaviruses (PVs) that exhibit the highest degree of conservation in comparison with the other PV proteins. The PV sequences were fused to a T cell adjuvant, the murine invariant chain and encoded in a recombinant adenoviral vector which was administered to naïve outbred mice. By measuring T cell responses induced by these different vaccines and towards peptide pools representing three circulating strains and a putative ancestor of oncogenic HPVs, we showed that the ancestral vaccine antigen has to be approximately 90% identical to the circulating PVs before a marked drop of ~90% mean CD8+ T cell responses ensues. Interestingly, the combination of two or three type‐specific PV vaccines did not induce a significant decrease in the CD8+ T cell response to the individual‐targeted PV types. Polyvalent HPV vaccine based on the E1 and E2 proteins seem to be capable of triggering responses towards more than one type of PV while the cross‐reactivity of ancestral vaccine seems insufficient in consideration of the sequence diversity between HPV types.
Integrated omics analysis of specialized metabolism in medicinal plants
Authors: Rai Amit , Saito Kazuki , Yamazaki Mami
Published: January 2017

Medicinal plants are a rich source of highly diverse specialized metabolites with important pharmacological properties. Until recently, plant biologists were limited in their ability to explore the biosynthetic pathways of these metabolites, mainly due to the scarcity of plant genomics resources. However, recent advances in high‐throughput large‐scale analytical methods have enabled plant biologists to discover biosynthetic pathways for important plant‐based medicinal metabolites. The reduced cost of generating omics datasets and the development of computational tools for their analysis and integration have led to the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways of several bioactive metabolites of plant origin. These discoveries have inspired synthetic biology approaches to develop microbial systems to produce bioactive metabolites originating from plants, an alternative sustainable source of medicinally important chemicals. Since the demand for medicinal compounds are increasing with the world's population, understanding the complete biosynthesis of specialized metabolites becomes important to identify or develop reliable sources in the future. Here, we review the contributions of major omics approaches and their integration to our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways of bioactive metabolites. We briefly discuss different approaches for integrating omics datasets to extract biologically relevant knowledge and the application of omics datasets in the construction and reconstruction of metabolic models.
Visible/near-infrared subdiffraction imaging reveals the stochastic nature of DNA walkers
Authors: Pan Jing , Cha Tae-Gon , Li Feiran , Chen Haorong , Bragg Nina A. , Choi Jong Hyun
Published: January 2017

Super-resolution imaging reveals the stochastic behavior of DNA walkers.
ASXL1 interacts with the cohesin complex to maintain chromatid separation and gene expression for normal hematopoiesis
Authors: Li Zhaomin , Zhang Peng , Yan Aimin , Guo Zhengyu , Ban Yuguang , Li Jin , Chen Shi , Yang Hui , He Yongzheng , Li Jianping , Guo Ying , Zhang Wen , Hajiramezanali Ehsan , An Huangda , Fajardo Darlene , Harbour J. William , Ruan Yijun , Nimer Stephen D. , Yu Peng , Chen Xi , Xu Mingjiang , Yang Feng-Chun
Published: January 2017

Asxl1 loss–induced myeloid malignancies are mediated partially through impaired ASXL1 cohesin interaction and cohesin functions.