bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of loop‐mediated isothermal amplification to detect six groups of pathogens causing secondary lower respiratory bacterial infections in horses
Authors: Kinoshita Yuta , Niwa Hidekazu , Katayama Yoshinari
Published: April 2015

Microbial substitution occasionally occurs following the administration of antimicrobials to horses that have pneumonia or pleuropneumonia. Four specific loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays were developed to detect some equine respiratory pathogens, namely strains of the Bacteroides–Prevotella group, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Staphylococcus aureus. These four LAMP assays and two previously published LAMP assays targeting Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used on clinical respiratory specimens and a high accordance found between the results of the LAMP assays and bacterial culture. Use of these LAMP assays could enable rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria and swift administration of the appropriate antimicrobials.
Physicochemical control of bacterial and protist community composition and diversity in Antarctic sea ice
Authors: Torstensson Anders , Dinasquet Julie , Chierici Melissa , Fransson Agneta , Riemann Lasse , Wulff Angela
Published: April 2015

Due to climate change, sea ice experiences changes in terms of extent and physical properties. In order to understand how sea ice microbial communities are affected by changes in physicochemical properties of the ice, we used 454‐sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes to examine environmental control of microbial diversity and composition in Antarctic sea ice. We observed a high diversity and richness of bacteria, which were strongly negatively correlated with temperature and positively with brine salinity. We suggest that bacterial diversity in sea ice is mainly controlled by physicochemical properties of the ice, such as temperature and salinity, and that sea ice bacterial communities are sensitive to seasonal and environmental changes. For the first time in Antarctic interior sea ice, we observed a strong eukaryotic dominance of the dinoflagellate phylotype SL163A10, comprising 63% of the total sequences. This phylotype is known to be kleptoplastic and could be a significant primary producer in sea ice. We conclude that mixotrophic flagellates may play a greater role in the sea ice microbial ecosystem than previously believed, and not only during the polar night but also during summer when potential food sources are abundant.
Do Improvements in the Information Environment Enhance Insiders’ Ability to Learn from Outsiders?
Authors: LOUREIRO GILBERTO , TABOADA ALVARO G.
Published: April 2015

We examine whether and how an exogenous shock to the information environment changes insiders’ ability to learn from outsiders. We document three main findings. First, we find an increase in investment‐to‐price sensitivity following the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Second, we show that the relation between the market reaction to M&A deal announcements and the likelihood of deal completion becomes stronger after IFRS adoption. Third, we find significant improvements in post‐acquisition operating and stock return performance post‐IFRS adoption. These results are more pronounced for firms that experienced significant increases in foreign institutional ownership around IFRS adoption, especially when these foreign investors are from countries that matter for the firm’s growth opportunities. Taken together, our findings suggest that insiders’ ability to learn from outsiders improves post‐IFRS, and this improved ability to learn from outsiders leads to real economic gains.
Generalized affiliation indices extract affiliations from social network data
Authors: Whitehead Hal , James Richard
Published: April 2015

In the analysis of animal social networks, a common challenge has been distinguishing affiliations – active preferences of pairs of individuals to interact or associate with one another – from other, structural, causes of association or interaction. Such structural factors can include patterns of use of the habitat in time and space, gregariousness and differential association rates among age/sex classes.

In an approach with similarities to the multiple regression quadratic assignment procedures test, we suggest calculating generalized affiliation indices as the residuals from a regression of the measures of association or interaction on structural predictor variables, such as gregariousness and spatiotemporal overlap. If the original data are association indices or counts of interactions, then generalized linear models with binomial or Poisson error structures, respectively, can be used in place of linear regression. Anscombe or deviance residuals can be used to assess the significance of particular affiliation indices.

Generalized affiliation indices can be used as the weights of links in a social network representation. They can then be portrayed in network diagrams or cluster diagrams and used to calculate network statistics, to delineate communities by maximizing modularity and to test for overall affiliation using data‐stream permutation tests.

We evaluate the effectiveness of such generalized affiliation indices using simulated and real association data, finding that the method removes much of the effect of structural variables on association patterns, revealing real affiliations. While the approach is very promising, it is limited by the extent to which the input predictor variables represent important structural factors.
Unintended allergens in precautionary labelled and unlabelled products pose significant risks to UK allergic consumers
Authors: Remington B. C. , Baumert J. L. , Blom W. M. , Houben G. F. , Taylor S. L. , Kruizinga A. G.
Published: April 2015

Background

Allergens in food may pose a risk to allergic consumers. While there is EU regulation for allergens present as an ingredient, this is not the case for unintended allergen presence (UAP). Food companies use precautionary allergen labels to inform allergic individuals of a potential risk from UAPs. This study investigates the risk of an allergic reaction within the milk‐, wheat‐, hazelnut‐ and peanut‐allergic populations when ingesting UK foods across multiple product categories with and without precautionary allergen labelling.

Methods

Allergen risk assessment using probabilistic techniques enables the estimation of the residual risk after the consumption of a product that unintentionally contains an allergen.

Results

Within this selection of UK products, the majority that tested positive for an allergen contained a concentration of allergen predicted to cause a reaction in >1% of the allergic population. The concentrations of allergens measured were greater than the VITAL® 2.0 action levels and would trigger precautionary allergen labelling. This was found for products both with and without precautionary allergen labelling.

Conclusions

The results highlight the need for the food industry and regulators to adopt a transparent, risk‐based approach for the communication of the risk associated with potential cross‐contact that could occur in the processing facility or production chain.
Corneal hypoesthesia with normal sub‐basal nerve density following surgery for trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Dhillon Virinder K. , Elalfy Mohamed S. , Al‐Aqaba Mouhamed , Gupta Ankur , Basu Surajit , Dua Harminder S.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the corneal sub‐basal nerve plexus in patients presenting with hypoesthesia following surgery for trigeminal neuralgia.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients who had unilateral medically uncontrolled trigeminal neuralgia and underwent ipsilateral surgery from 2006 to 2012 were included. Of these, 10 had microvascular decompression (MVD group) and 11 had balloon compression of the trigeminal ganglion (BC group). Slit lamp examination, Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometery and in vivo confocal microscopy were carried out on both eyes of each patient. Nerve density data were statistically analysed.

Results

Corneal sensations and sub‐basal nerve densities in MVD group were normal and equal in both the operated and unoperated sides, indicating that there was no intra‐operative damage of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1). However, those in BC group, despite having significantly reduced corneal sensations on the operated side (p = 0.007), did not demonstrate any significant difference in their sub‐basal nerve densities (p = 0.477). No patient had any ocular symptoms.

Conclusions

This study supports the hypothesis that complete ganglionic damage and/or postganglionic damage of V1 results in corneal hypoesthesia and neurotrophic keratitis, but partial ganglionic or preganglionic damage would preserve trophic function despite hypoesthesia and not result in clinically significant symptoms or signs of neurotrophic keratitis. The trophic and sensory functions of V1 are therefore independent and can be dissociated by disease or injury.
Mode of delivery and childhood hospitalizations for asthma and other wheezing disorders
Authors: Leung J. Y. Y. , Li A. M. , Leung G. M. , Schooling C. M.
Published: April 2015

Background

Observationally, delivery by Caesarean section is associated with higher risk of childhood asthma and wheeze in developed Western settings, but associations are less consistent in other settings.

Objective

To examine the association of mode of delivery with hospitalizations for asthma and other wheezing disorders in a developed non‐Western setting with high rates of Caesarean section.

Methods

Using Cox regression, we examined the adjusted association of mode of delivery with public hospital admissions for asthma, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Version Clinical Modification 466, 490 and 493) from 9 days to 12 years of age in a population‐representative prospective birth cohort of 8327 Chinese children in Hong Kong. Confounders included sex, birth and parental characteristics, and socio‐economic position (SEP).

Results

Delivery by Caesarean section accounted for 27% of all births and was not clearly associated with hospitalizations for asthma and other wheezing disorders to 12 years [hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91 to 1.36] compared to vaginal delivery. Similarly, there were no clear associations to 2 years (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.38) or 6 years (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.37), although we cannot rule out residual confounding by SEP.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

We cannot rule out an association, but our findings suggest that the observed associations of delivery by Caesarean section with childhood wheezing disorders may vary with setting and may not be biologically mediated. Further studies with different designs are needed to clarify the role of the microbiome and mode of delivery in the aetiology of asthma and other childhood wheezing disorders.
The performance of three mortality risk‐adjustment comorbidity indices in a community epilepsy cohort
Authors: Keezer Mark R. , Bell Gail S. , Jetté Nathalie , Sander Josemir W.
Published: April 2015

Mortality risk‐adjustment comorbidity indices are an efficient means of controlling for the important confounding effect of somatic and psychiatric comorbidities in observational mortality studies. We carried out an external validation study and compared the performance of the Charlson, Elixhauser and Epilepsy‐specific (ES) indices using the National General Practice Study of Epilepsy, a community‐based prospective cohort of 558 people with incident epilepsy followed for 23.3 years (median). The minimum and maximum crude mortality rates were similar between the three indices, but mid‐range Elixhauser scores predicted lower rates relative to the two other indices. Two of the stratified Charlson Kaplan‐Meier survival probability curves crossed, and a low Elixhauser score was associated with a counterintuitive increase in mortality. Each comorbidity index was a significant predictor of mortality in the Cox proportional hazards models, although there was evidence that the unadjusted Charlson regression model violated the proportionality assumption. Harrell's c‐statistics were >0.87 in all adjusted models. All three indices performed well, but there is evidence that the ES index may be more discriminating and have a better model fit than the Charlson or Elixhauser indices in a community‐based clinical cohort of people with epilepsy.
Constraints to nitrogen acquisition of terrestrial plants under elevated CO2
Authors: Feng Zhaozhong , Rütting Tobias , Pleijel Håkan , Wallin Göran , Reich Peter B. , Kammann Claudia I. , Newton Paul C.D. , Kobayashi Kazuhiko , Luo Yunjian , Uddling Johan
Published: April 2015

A key part of the uncertainty in terrestrial feedbacks on climate change is related to how and to what extent nitrogen (N) availability constrains the stimulation of terrestrial productivity by elevated CO2 (eCO2), and whether or not this constraint will become stronger over time. We explored the ecosystem‐scale relationship between responses of plant productivity and N acquisition to eCO2 in free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments in grassland, cropland and forest ecosystems and found that: (i) in all three ecosystem types, this relationship was positive, linear and strong (r2 = 0.68), but exhibited a negative intercept such that plant N acquisition was decreased by 10% when eCO2 caused neutral or modest changes in productivity. As the ecosystems were markedly N limited, plants with minimal productivity responses to eCO2 likely acquired less N than ambient CO2‐grown counterparts because access was decreased, and not because demand was lower. (ii) Plant N concentration was lower under eCO2, and this decrease was independent of the presence or magnitude of eCO2‐induced productivity enhancement, refuting the long‐held hypothesis that this effect results from growth dilution. (iii) Effects of eCO2 on productivity and N acquisition did not diminish over time, while the typical eCO2‐induced decrease in plant N concentration did. Our results suggest that, at the decennial timescale covered by FACE studies, N limitation of eCO2‐induced terrestrial productivity enhancement is associated with negative effects of eCO2 on plant N acquisition rather than with growth dilution of plant N or processes leading to progressive N limitation.
Influence of rapid chilling on biochemical parameters governing the water‐holding capacity of pork longissimus dorsi
Authors: Liu Nian , Liu Rui , Hu Yaya , Zhou Guanghong , Zhang Wangang
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rapid chilling (RC) of carcasses on the quality of pork longissimus dorsi (LD) compared to conventional chilling (CC). Carcasses subjected to RC were chilled at −20 °C for 1.5 h and then moved to 4 °C until 24 h post‐mortem, while carcasses that were CC were placed directly in a chill at 4 °C for 24 h post‐mortem. RC accelerated the rates of temperature decline post‐mortem (P < 0.01) and increased pH values at 1.5 and 8 h post‐mortem (P < 0.05). RC could significantly decrease the denaturation of myosin and sarcoplasmic proteins during post‐mortem ageing. Samples of RC had a significant lower purge loss compared to CC group during post‐mortem ageing (P < 0.05). Our study implies that RC could influence the biochemical changes of pork LD which may further regulate water‐holding capacity during post‐mortem ageing.
Synergism of phosphatidylcholine on the antioxidant properties of α‐tocopherol in corn oils under different relative humidity
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Oh Sumi , Yi BoRa , Kim Mi‐Ja , Lee JaeHwan
Published: April 2015

The effects of phosphatidylcholine on the antioxidant properties of α‐tocopherol (84 ppm) were determined in stripped corn oil with various moisture contents at 60 °C. The degree of oxidation in the oils was determined by analysing headspace oxygen content and conjugated dienoic acids (CDA). Generally, phosphatidylcholine acted as an antioxidant in stripped corn oils, whereas it accelerated the rate of lipid oxidation in nonstripped corn oils. As the relative humidity and moisture content increased, the antioxidant properties of phosphatidylcholine increased significantly (P < 0.05). Strong synergistic antioxidant effects were observed in samples containing both phosphatidylcholine and α‐tocopherol compared to samples with only phosphatidylcholine or α‐tocopherol. Oils containing phosphatidylcholine or α‐tocopherol under different moisture contents had different oxidative stabilities.
Evaluating the Effects of Autofluorescence during Raman Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Emry Julienne R. , Olcott Marshall Alison , Marshall Craig P.
Published: April 2015

Raman hyperspectral imaging is becoming a popular technique to analyse geological materials. Autofluorescence can affect the quality of the spectra that comprise hyperspectral data sets. Few studies have addressed potential misinterpretation of Raman images from hyperspectral data sets affected by autofluorescence. Additionally, little work has been done to develop methods for identifying the spatial distribution of spectra affected by autofluorescence. This study illustrates how autofluorescence may lead to misinterpretation of the distribution of materials based on intensity at a point images. A method is proposed utilising signal to axis analysis to create images that identify regions affected by autofluorescence. Post‐processing baseline correction is often used to address autofluorescence, and most software programs utilise a form of partial least squares regression modelling based on a subjective choice of polynomial order. This study shows that an inappropriate choice of polynomial order can introduce error, which may lead to misinterpretation of Raman images. A signal to axis analysis method is proposed to statistically compare seemingly ‘appropriate’ baseline correction trials. Although post‐processing of hyperspectral data sets and creating Raman images seem simple, data quality issues such as autofluorescence must be considered. If baseline correction is deemed necessary, it should be addressed as an experiment involving statistical comparison.
Peptide modulators of alpha‐glucosidase
Authors: Roskar Irena , Molek Peter , Vodnik Miha , Stempelj Mateja , Strukelj Borut , Lunder Mojca
Published: April 2015

Aims/Introduction

Acute glucose fluctuations during the postprandial period pose great risk for cardiovascular complications and thus represent an important therapeutic approach in type 2 diabetes. In the present study, screening of peptide libraries was used to select peptides with an affinity towards mammalian intestinal alpha‐glucosidase as potential leads in antidiabetic agent development.

Materials and Methods

Three phage‐displayed peptide libraries were used in independent selections with different elution strategies to isolate target‐binding peptides. Selected peptides displayed on phage were tested to compete for an enzyme‐binding site with known competitive inhibitors, acarbose and voglibose. The four best performing peptides were synthesized. Their binding to the mammalian alpha‐glucosidase and their effect on enzyme activity were evaluated.

Results

Two linear and two cyclic heptapeptides with high affinity towards intestinal alpha‐glucosidase were selected. Phage‐displayed as well as synthetic peptides bind into or to the vicinity of the active site on the enzyme. Both cyclic peptides inhibited enzyme activity, whereas both linear peptides increased enzyme activity.

Conclusions

Although natural substrates of glycosidase are polysaccharides, in the present study we successfully isolated novel peptide modulators of alpha‐glucosidase. Modulatory activity of selected peptides could be further optimized through peptidomimetic design. They represent promising leads for development of efficient alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors.
Characterization and evolutionary analysis of tributyltin‐binding protein and pufferfish saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin‐binding protein genes in toxic and nontoxic pufferfishes
Authors: Hashiguchi Y. , Lee J. M. , Shiraishi M. , Komatsu S. , Miki S. , Shimasaki Y. , Mochioka N. , Kusakabe T. , Oshima Y.
Published: April 2015

Understanding the evolutionary mechanisms of toxin accumulation in pufferfishes has been long‐standing problem in toxicology and evolutionary biology. Pufferfish saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin‐binding protein (PSTBP) is involved in the transport and accumulation of tetrodotoxin and is one of the most intriguing proteins related to the toxicity of pufferfishes. PSTBPs are fusion proteins consisting of two tandem repeated tributyltin‐binding protein type 2 (TBT‐bp2) domains. In this study, we examined the evolutionary dynamics of TBT‐bp2 and PSTBP genes to understand the evolution of toxin accumulation in pufferfishes. Database searches and/or PCR‐based cDNA cloning in nine pufferfish species (6 toxic and 3 nontoxic) revealed that all species possessed one or more TBT‐bp2 genes, but PSTBP genes were found only in 5 toxic species belonging to genus Takifugu. These toxic Takifugu species possessed two or three copies of PSTBP genes. Phylogenetic analysis of TBT‐bp2 and PSTBP genes suggested that PSTBPs evolved in the common ancestor of Takifugu species by repeated duplications and fusions of TBT‐bp2 genes. In addition, a detailed comparison of Takifugu TBT‐bp2 and PSTBP gene sequences detected a signature of positive selection under the pressure of gene conversion. The complicated evolutionary dynamics of TBT‐bp2 and PSTBP genes may reflect the diversity of toxicity in pufferfishes.
Casey Meets the Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Authors: Hill B. Jessie
Published: April 2015

Recent cases about the constitutionality of compelled speech in the reproductive health care context contain an irony that is difficult to ignore. Whereas courts tend to be highly permissive when considering governmentally-mandated speech by physicians to patients seeking abortions, they have often been more skeptical of disclosure requirements imposed on crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), which are nonmedical centers whose entire mission is to dissuade women from choosing abortion, and which have at least in some cases utilized deceptive techniques to accomplish that goal. In other words, it appears that non-physicians seeking to keep women from seeking a legal form of medical treatment have greater First Amendment protections than physicians who care directly for those women and who are generally entrusted by the state to exercise professional judgment.
When States Regulate Emergency Contraceptives like Abortion, What Should Guide Disclosure?
Authors: Flynn Cameron O'Brien , Wilson Robin Fretwell
Published: April 2015

State law efforts to regulate abortions have accelerated. Between 2011 and 2013, state legislatures enacted 205 abortion laws — 16 more than in the entire decade before. Most laws take direct aim at surgical abortions, although some also target chemical abortions that use drugs like RU-486, a common chemical abortifacient sold under the trade name Mifeprex.

A crop of new state laws focus on the subject of this Symposium, that is, what information abortion providers must give women about the procedures or drugs they seek. In the most controversial iteration of these “informed consent” statutes, abortion providers must “perform an ultrasound on each wom[a]n seeking an abortion and…show and describe the image” (the “speech and display provisions”). Some state laws regulating chemical abortions also force particular disclosures to women when receiving such drugs.