bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIV‐1 Vpr inhibits autophagy during the early steps of infection of CD4 T cells
Authors: Alfaisal Jamal , Machado Alice , Galais Mathilde , Robert‐Hebmann Véronique , Arnauné‐Pelloquin Laetitia , Espert Lucile , Biard‐Piechaczyk Martine 
Published: October 2019

Background informationAutophagy is induced during HIV‐1 entry into CD4 T cells by the fusion of the membranes triggered by the gp41 envelope glycoprotein. This anti‐HIV‐1 mechanism is inhibited by the viral infectivity factor (Vif) neosynthesized after HIV‐1 integration to allow viral replication. However, autophagy is very rapidly controlled after HIV‐1 entry by a still unknown mechanism. As HIV‐1 viral protein R (Vpr) is the only auxiliary protein found within the virion in substantial amount, we studied its capability to control the early steps of HIV‐1 envelope‐mediated autophagy.ResultsWe demonstrated that ectopic Vpr inhibits autophagy in both the Jurkat CD4 T cell line and HEK.293T cells. Interestingly, Vpr coming from the virus also blocks autophagy in CD4 T cells, the main cell target of HIV‐1. Furthermore, Vpr decreases the expression level of two essential autophagy proteins (ATG), LC3B and Beclin‐1, and an important autophagy‐related protein, BNIP3 as well as the level of their mRNA. We also demonstrated in HEK.293T cells that Vpr degrades the FOXO3a transcription factor through the ubiquitin proteasome system.ConclusionVpr, the only well‐expressed HIV‐1 auxiliary protein incorporated into viruses, is able to negatively control autophagy induced during HIV‐1 entry into CD4 T cells.SignificanceWe provide insights of how HIV‐1 controls autophagy very early after its entry into CD4 T cells and discovered a new function of Vpr. These results open the route to a better understanding of the roles of Vpr during HIV‐1 infection through FOXO3a degradation and could be important to consider additional therapies that counteract the role of Vpr on autophagy.
Maize‐field complexity and farming system influence insectivorous birds’ contribution to arthropod herbivore regulation
Authors: Otieno Nickson E. , Jacobs Shayne M. , Pryke James S. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe contribution of insectivorous birds to reducing crop damage through suppression of herbivory remains underappreciated, despite their role as cropland arthropod predators. We examined the roles of farming system, crop cover pattern, and structural configuration in influencing assemblage composition of insectivorous birds and their herbivorous arthropod prey across maize fields, and determined how bird exclusion affects crop herbivory levels. To achieve these objectives, we collected data across a sample of organic and conventional small‐scale non‐Bt maize farms in western Kenya. Assessments of abundance, diversity, and richness of insectivorous birds and abundance of their arthropod prey were compared between organic and conventional small‐scale non‐Bt maize on monocultured and inter‐cropped farms. We also employed bird exclusion experiments to assess impacts of bird predation on herbivorous arthropod abundance. Results showed that higher structural heterogeneity supported higher insectivorous bird richness, particularly under organic systems, dense trees, large woodlots, and thick hedgerows. Bird abundance further increased with crop diversity but not in relation to cropping method, hedgerow type, or percent maize cover per se. Conversely, herbivorous arthropod abundance and richness increased on conventional farms and those with higher percent maize cover, but were unaffected by cropping methods, tree, or hedgerow characteristics. Birds’ arthropod prey was more abundant under completely closed experimental plots compared with open or semi‐closed plots, confirming a significant linkage between birds and herbivorous arthropod suppression. In this study, we demonstrate importance of structural heterogeneity in agricultural landscapes, including diverse croplands and on‐farm trees to maximize insectivorous birds’ contribution to reducing crop arthropod herbivory.Abstract in Swahili is available with online material.
Contributions of bats to the local economy through durian pollination in Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Sheherazade  , Ober Holly K. , Tsang Susan M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDurian is economically important for local livelihoods in Indonesia. Our study investigated the identity of pollinators of semi‐wild durian and subsequently estimated the economic contribution of these pollination services. We conducted pollination exclusion experiments and deployed camera traps at durian trees from October 2017 to January 2018 in an area where the local economy depends on durian production in West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Durian flowers in the experiment that were accessible to bats had significantly higher fruit set compared with flowers that were completely closed to animal visitors or those that could only be visited by insects, suggesting that bats were the primary durian pollinator. The small, highly nectarivorous cave nectar bat (Eonycteris spelaea) visited more inflorescences (n = 25) and had visits of much longer duration ( = 116.87 sec/visit) than the two species of flying foxes: Pteropus alecto (n = 7 inflorescences visited, = 11.07 sec/visit) and Acerodon celebensis (n = 6 inflorescences visited, = 11.60 sec/visit). Visits by large and small bats were influential in differentiating successful durian fruit production from unsuccessful. Using a bioeconomic approach, we conservatively estimate that bat pollination services are valued at ~$ 117/ha/fruiting season. By demonstrating an ecological link between bats and the local economy, this research provides an urgent message for Southeast Asian governments regarding the need to promote bat conservation in order to increase the production of durian grown under semi‐wild conditions.Abstract in Indonesia is available with online material.
The Evolution of Acculturation and Development Models for Understanding Immigrant Children and Youth Adjustment
Authors: Juang Linda P. , Syed Moin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAcculturation and developmental theories and frameworks have merged steadily to portray the development and adaptation of immigrant children more comprehensively. In this article, we trace this evolution to show how research has increasingly provided greater specificity in identifying the domains, dimensions, and contexts of acculturation processes, as integrated with greater concern for developmental principles. Although models have become more complex and comprehensive, we still need well‐formulated theoretical explanations for the many processes that link development with acculturation and subsequent adjustment. We argue that novel developmental and acculturation concepts could advance specific lines of research situated in these complex models. By continuing to integrate developmental science and acculturation research more explicitly, we can arrive at a clearer and more complete understanding of how immigrant children and youth adapt across the lifespan.
The Development of the Counterfactual Imagination
Authors: Nyhout Angela , Ganea Patricia A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWhen reasoning counterfactually, we think of alternative possibilities to what we know to be true about the world by imagining what would have happened had a situation been different. Research has yielded mixed findings and substantial debate over when this ability develops, how it is best conceptualized, and what functions it serves. In this article, we propose a framework of counterfactual reasoning in development. We argue that counterfactual reasoning is best understood by looking both at the representations of reality children manipulate counterfactually, and the cognitive processes that make up and contribute to counterfactual reasoning. In so doing, we highlight the fact that many of the component skills are present in early childhood. This framework yields testable predictions about children’s counterfactual reasoning across a range of situations. We also discuss recent work that examines the contribution of counterfactual reasoning to learning in childhood.
Immunological tolerance of low-risk HPV in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
Authors: Ivancic R , Iqbal H , deSilva B , Pan Q , Matrka L 
Published: October 2019

SummaryRecurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is characterized by benign exophytic lesions of the respiratory tract caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), in particular low-risk HPV6 and HPV11. Aggressiveness varies greatly among patients. Surgical excision is the current standard of care for RRP, with adjuvant therapy used when surgery cannot control disease recurrence. Numerous adjuvant therapies have been used to control RRP with some success, but none are curative. Current literature supports a polarization of the adaptive immune response to a T helper type 2 (Th2)-like or T regulatory phenotype, driven by a complex interplay between innate immunity, adaptive immunity and HPV6/11 proteins. Additionally, certain immunogenetic polymorphisms can predispose individuals to an HPV6/11-tolerant microenvironment. As a result, immunomodulatory efforts are being made to restore the host immune system to a more balanced T cell phenotype and clear viral infection. Literature has shown exciting evidence for the role of HPV vaccination with Gardasil or Gardasil-9 as both primary prevention, by decreasing incidence through childhood vaccinations, and secondary prevention, by treating active RRP disease. Multi-institution randomized clinical trials are needed to better assess their efficacy as treatment for active disease. Interestingly, a DNA vaccine has recently shown in-vitro success in generating a more robust CD8+ T cell response. Furthermore, clinical trials for programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors are under investigation for RRP management. Molecular insights into RRP, in particular the interplay between RRP and the immune system, are needed to advance our understanding of this disease and may lead to the identification of immunomodulatory agents to better manage RRP.
Immoral Professors and Malfunctioning Tools: Counterfactual Relevance Accounts Explain the Effect of Norm Violations on Causal Selection
Authors: Kominsky Jonathan F. , Phillips Jonathan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCausal judgments are widely known to be sensitive to violations of both prescriptive norms (e.g., immoral events) and statistical norms (e.g., improbable events). There is ongoing discussion as to whether both effects are best explained in a unified way through changes in the relevance of counterfactual possibilities, or whether these two effects arise from unrelated cognitive mechanisms. Recent work has shown that moral norm violations affect causal judgments of agents, but not inanimate artifacts used by those agents. These results have been interpreted as showing that prescriptive norm violations only affect causal reasoning about intentional agents, but not the use of inanimate artifacts, thereby providing evidence that the effect of prescriptive norm violations arises from mechanisms specific to reasoning about intentional agents, and thus casting doubt on a unified counterfactual analysis of causal reasoning. Four experiments explore this recent finding and provide clear support for a unified counterfactual analysis. Experiment 1 demonstrates that these newly observed patterns in causal judgments are closely mirrored by judgments of counterfactual relevance. Experiment 2 shows that the relationship between causal and counterfactual judgments is moderated by causal structure, as uniquely predicted by counterfactual accounts. Experiment 3 directly manipulates the relevance of counterfactual alternatives and finds that causal judgments of intentional agents and inanimate artifacts are similarly affected. Finally, Experiment 4 shows that prescriptive norm violations (in which artifacts malfunction) affect causal judgments of inanimate artifacts in much the same way that prescriptive norm violations (in which agents act immorally) affect causal judgments of intentional agents.
Bone mineral density in emphysema and chronic bronchitis phenotypes in hospitalized male chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Yormaz Burcu , Cebeci Hakan , Yılmaz Farise , Süerdem Mecit 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionRisk of osteoporosis known to increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but is usually overlooked, especially in male patients.ObjectivesThe present study compares the bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of male COPD patients with emphysema and the chronic bronchitis phenotype, and evaluates the association between density of emphysema and osteoporosis.MethodsNinety‐four patients with COPD, and with emphysema and the chronic bronchitis phenotype, were included in the prospective study. A high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was used for the diagnosis of emphysema, and a dual X‐ray absorptiometry was used to measure the BMD of the lumbar vertebrae and neck of the femur.ResultsEmphysema phenotype 45.75% and chronic bronchitis phenotype 54.25%, based on their clinical findings and a quantitative volumetric analysis by HRCT. Osteoporosis was found 60.47% and 17.65% of patients with emphysema and bronchitis, while osteopenia was detected 27.91% and 41.18% of patients with emphysema and bronchitis, respectively. A negative correlation was found between HRCT emphysema density and the bone densitometer t‐score in patients with osteoporosis. Among the patients with osteoporosis, a positive correlation was found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the bone densitometer t‐score. Only BMI and emphysema score were found to be independent risk factors for a low BMD. One unit drop in BMI increased the risk of osteoporosis by 28% (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.14‐1.45) (P < 0.001). One unit increase in emphysema score increased the risk of osteoporosis by 6% (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.03‐1.09) (P < 0.001).ConclusionEspecially male patients with emphysema, high dyspnea score, low BMI and frequent exacerbations should be evaluated for osteoporosis.
Outcomes after simultaneous kidney‐pancreas versus pancreas after kidney transplantation in the current era
Authors: Parajuli Sandesh , Arunachalam Annamalai , Swanson Kurtis J. , Aziz Fahad , Garg Neetika , Redfield Robert R. , Kaufman Dixon , Djamali Arjang , Odorico Jon , Mandelbrot Didier A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSimultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) and pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplant are both potential options for diabetic ESRD patients. Historically, PAK pancreas graft outcomes were felt to be inferior to SPK pancreas graft outcomes. Little is known about outcomes in the modern era of transplantation. We analyzed our SPK and PAK recipients transplanted between 01/2000 and 12/2016. There were a total of 635 pancreas and kidney transplant recipients during the study period, 611 SPK and 24 PAK. Twelve of the PAK patients received a living donor kidney. There were no significant differences between the two groups in kidney or pancreas graft rejection at 1 year. Similarly, 1‐year graft survival for both organs was not different. At last follow‐up, uncensored and death‐censored graft survival was not statistically different for kidney or pancreas grafts. In addition, in Cox regression analysis SPK and PAK were associated with similar graft survival. Although the majority of pancreas transplants are in the form of SPK, PAK is an acceptable alternative. Simultaneous pancreas and kidney avoids donor risks associated with live donation, so may be preferable in regions with short wait times, but PAK with a living donor kidney may be the best alternative in regions with long SPK wait times.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the transplant pancreas in the post‐operative setting
Authors: Swensson Jordan , Nagaraju Santosh , O'Brien Daniel , Tann Mark , Shah Angela , Mangus Richard , Powelson John , Fridell Jonathan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesVascular thrombosis is the most common cause of early graft loss after transplantation. Routine grayscale and Doppler ultrasound frequently fail to adequately visualize vascular compromise. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound is a novel approach to identifying these complications.MethodsThis was a prospective study of 22 consecutive patients who received pancreas transplant at our institution between 2017 and 2018. All allografts were implanted with systemic venous and enteric exocrine drainage. Perfusion was assessed in the immediate post‐operative period using grayscale, Doppler, and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound. Imaging findings were compared between those who required surgical re‐intervention and those who did not in order to evaluate for differences in perfusion.ResultsOf the 22 transplants, 15 did not require surgical re‐intervention and were considered normal. These allografts demonstrated prompt and uniform enhancement, with washout usually by 90 seconds. All patients who had abnormal CEUS underwent re‐exploration. Perfusion was acceptable or restored in all cases. Two patients ultimately required allograft pancreatectomy. Two patients had normal glands, and the remaining 3 grafts were salvaged following intervention.ConclusionsContrast‐enhanced ultrasound provides rapid evaluation of allograft perfusion following pancreas transplantation. The differences in perfusion provide a novel way of evaluating for complications in the immediate post‐transplant period.
The association of pregnane X receptor activation with outcomes after liver transplantation—A retrospective study
Authors: Amer Aimen , McColl Kirsty , Bouayyad Sarah , Kanwar Aditya , Sen Gourab , French Jeremy J. , Wilson Colin H. , Manas Derek M. , Wright Matthew C. , White Steve A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundMany complications following liver transplantation are linked to ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) has been shown to alleviate this process in animal models. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effect of early activation of human PXR (hPXR) on postoperative complications and survival following liver transplantation.MethodsThe study included deceased donor liver transplants at a single center over 6 years. Estimated hPXR activation value on day 7 (EPAV7) was calculated per patient based on potency/total dose of known hPXR‐activating drugs administered in the first week post‐transplantation. Patients were divided into low and high hPXR activation groups based on EPAV7.ResultsOverall, 240 liver transplants were included. Average EPAV7 was significantly lower in patients who developed anastomotic biliary strictures (17.7 ± 5.5 vs 35.1 ± 5.7 in stricture‐free patients; P = .03) and sepsis (16.4 ± 7.1 vs 34.9 ± 5.5; P = .04). Patient survival was significantly improved in the high hPXR group (5‐year survival: 88.7% ± 3.8% versus 70.7% ± 5.8% [low hPXR]; P = .023). Regression analysis identified EPAV7 as a significant independent predictor of patient survival.ConclusionhPXR activation within the first week of liver transplantation is a prognostic indicator of patient survival, possibly due to the associated lower biliary stricture and infection rates.
Assessing cardiovascular risk in the prerenal transplant population: Comparison of myocardial perfusion imaging and coronary angiography with risk factor stratification
Authors: Wilson Ryan S. , Lin Tony , Chambers Charles E. , Kadry Zakiyah , Jain Ashokkumar B. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionPatients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Hence, it is crucial to evaluate CAD before renal transplantation. This study compares the utility of pharmacologic single‐photon emission computed‐tomography (SPECT) imaging directly to coronary angiography for diagnosis of CAD with correlation to cardiovascular risk factors.MethodRetrospective review of asymptomatic renal failure patients who underwent both SPECT and coronary angiography to identify obstructive CAD between the years 2008‐2016. Ninety‐four ESRD subjects were evaluated.ResultsMyocardial perfusion SPECT study found, when compared to coronary angiography demonstrated for CAD, the sensitivity of 93.3% with a specificity of 73.4%. Importantly, the negative predictive value for coronary artery disease was 96%. With seven or more cardiac risk factors, 66.7% of patients had obstructive coronary artery disease. Among all the risk factors examined, patients with a previous history of coronary artery disease had a 68% risk of obstructive coronary artery disease.ConclusionComparing myocardial perfusion imaging SPECT findings with coronary angiography in patients with ESRD, a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 73% were observed. Of all the risk factors examined, patient with the previous history of CAD was the single most significant risk factor for CAD in 68% of cases.
Skin cancer in transplant recipients: Scientific retreat of the international immunosuppression and transplant skin cancer collaborative and skin care in organ transplant patients—Europe
Authors: Stevenson Mary L. , Carucci John , Colegio Oscar R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe International Immunosuppression and Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative (ITSCC) is an organization of more than 500 physicians and scientists focused on the treatment of cutaneous malignancies following solid organ transplantation and in other forms of immunosuppression. It is well known that solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have an approximate 100‐fold increase in the risk of developing skin cancer with consensus guidelines recommending these patients be managed as high risk for local recurrence and metastasis associated with poor outcomes. In September 2018, ITSCC and its European counterpart, the Skin Care in Organ Transplant Patients—Europe (SCOPE), held their biennial scientific retreat in Essex, MA to discuss novel findings in the pathogenesis of cutaneous malignancy including new treatment and prevention strategies in this at‐risk population for significant morbidity and mortality from their cutaneous disease. This meeting report is a summary of the novel findings discussed.