bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toxoplasma gondii excreted‐secreted antigens suppress Foxp3 promoter activity via a SP1‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Chen Jinling , Wang Jingjing , Gao Xuyang , Zhu Dandan , Chen Liuting , Duan Yinong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractToxoplasma gondii excreted‐secreted antigens (ESA) could result in adverse outcomes of pregnancy including abortion, stillbirth, foetal infection or teratogenesis in mice during early stage of pregnancy. Defective generation or function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) may account for those adverse pregnancy outcomes. Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), which is the key transcriptional factor of Tregs, modulates its development and maintains inhibitory function. We previously demonstrated that ESA inhibited Foxp3 expression by attenuating transforming growth factor β RII/Smad2/Smad3/Smad4 pathway. In this study, we propose to study the role of ESA on the activity of Foxp3 promoter and explore potential mechanisms. We demonstrated that ESA suppressed Foxp3 promoter activity using dual‐luciferase reporter assay. ESA functioned at −443/−96 region of Foxp3 promoter to suppress its activity using truncated fragments of Foxp3 promoter. Further analysis revealed that suppressive role of ESA on Foxp3 promoter activity is related to specificity protein 1 (SP1). Transfection of expression plasmid of pcDNA3.1‐SP1 could restore the down‐regulation of Foxp3 induced by ESA. In conclusion, this study provides a new mechanism by which ESA could inhibit the Foxp3 promoter activity via SP1.
Epidemiology of paediatric Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and implications for the control of coronavirus virus disease 2019
Authors: MacIntyre Chandini R , Chen Xin , Adam Dillon C , Chughtai Abrar A 
Published: July 2020

AimTo compare the clinical features of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) infection between paediatric and adult cases.MethodsUsing multiple public data sources, we created an enhanced open‐source surveillance dataset of all MERS‐CoV cases between 20 September 2012 and 31 December 2018 in Saudi Arabia including available risk factor data.ResultsOf the 1791 cases of MERS‐CoV identified, 30 cases (1.7%) were aged under 18 years and 1725 cases (96.3%) were aged 18 years and over. Three paediatric cases were fatal, aged 0, 2 and 15 years. The odds of asymptomatic MERS‐CoV infection among cases under 18 years (n = 10/23; 44%) was significantly higher (odds ratio (OR) = 4.98; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.15–11.51; P = 0.001) compared to adults (n = 199/1487; 13%). The odds of hospitalisation were significantly lower (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08–0.39; P < 0.001) among cases under 18 years (n = 12/24; 50%) compared to adults (n = 1231/1443; 85%). Children were more likely to have a known source of exposure compared to adults (OR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.29–5.56; P = 0.008).ConclusionsClinically severe illness is less common in children, although death can occur, and the proportion of paediatric cases (1.7%) is similar to that reported for COVID‐19. Age‐specific differences in the clinical presentation of MERS‐CoV cases could have implications for transmission for other betacoronaviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Children may be at risk within the household with an infected adult. More studies are required on the role of children in transmission of betacoronaviruses.
Blood levels of lead and dental caries in permanent teeth
Authors: Yepes Juan F. , McCormick‐Norris Jayme , Vinson LaQuia A. , Eckert George J. , Hu Howard , Wu Yue , Jansen Erica C. , Peterson Karen E. , Téllez‐Rojo Martha M. , Mier Esperanza Angeles Martinez 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between lead exposure within the ages of 1–4 years and dental caries in the permanent dentition between ages 9–17 among Mexican youth.MethodsData were collected for the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohort from a group of 490 children born and reared in Mexico City. Among ages 1–4 years, blood lead levels were measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL) and the presence of caries in adolescence was determined using the International Caries and Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The relationship between blood levels of lead and decayed, missing, or filled surfaces (DMFS) was examined using negative binomial regression. Covariates were selected based on previous studies and included age, gender, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene, body mass index, and diet. The nonlinear relationship between lead and DMFS was examined using smoothing splines.ResultsThe mean overall blood lead level (BLL) was 4.83 μg/dL (S.D. of 2.2). The mean overall caries level (DMFS) was 4.1. No statistically significant association was found between early childhood blood lead levels and dental caries in adolescence.ConclusionThis study shows a lack of association between exposure to lead between the ages of 1–4 years of age and dental caries in permanent dentition later in life. Other covariates, such as age and sugar consumption, appeared to play a more prominent role in caries development.
Beneficial effects of curcumin as a native or nanoparticles form on productive efficiency, liver and kidney functions, antioxidative status and immunity of heat‐stressed growing rabbits
Authors: El‐Ratel Ibrahim T. , Tag El‐Din Tag El‐Din Hassan , Bedier Merna Mohamed 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the influence of dietary supplementation with curcumin in a native (CUR) or solid nanoparticles (CURNPs) form as natural antioxidants on productive traits and some physiological functions of heat‐stressed growing rabbits. Total of 100 weaned APRI line rabbits (5 weeks old) was distributed according to body weight (BW) into five treatments (n = 20). Rabbits in the first treatment were fed a basal diet (BD, control), while those in treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed BD containing CUR (25 or 50 mg) and CURNPs (2.5 or 5 mg) per kg diet up to 13 week of age. The mean of air temperature and relative humidity during the growing period were 32.77°C and 43.23% respectively. Final BW, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and viability were positively affected by treatments compared with the control diet. Also, CUR and CURNPs treatments significantly increased total proteins, immunoglobulins, total antioxidants capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione in blood serum and hepatic tissues and significantly decreased serum total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoproteins, urea, aspartate transaminases and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatic tissues. Albumin and high‐density lipoproteins were significantly increased, while alanine transaminases and MDA were significantly decreased by both CURNPs levels. The CUR or CURNPs supplementation may enhance productive performance, lipid profile, liver function, immunity and antioxidant activity, with reducing liver lipid peroxidation of heat‐stressed growing rabbits. The best results were obtained by adding 2.5 mg CURNPs/kg diet under the experimental condition of this study.
Not playing by the rules: mixed support of ecogeographic rules in an arid‐adapted African ground squirrel
Authors: LaFlèche L. J. , Waterman J. M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBody size impacts nearly all aspects of an animal's life and can be subject to considerable variation in response to differences in climate and resource availability. We studied the impact of temperature and resource availability on arid‐living Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris), relative to body size and degree of sexual dimorphism, over three locations differing in annual rainfall and temperature to test Bergmann's rule, the resource rule and Rensch's rule. We found that squirrels were the largest where resources were the highest and temperatures were the lowest but squirrels were similar in mass where resources were medium or low and temperatures medium and highest, partially supporting Bergmann's rule and the resource rule. Hind‐feet were the largest where resources were medium and temperatures were medium and similarly small in low and high resource and high‐ and low‐temperature areas. The degree of sexual dimorphism of hind‐foot and mass was constant no matter the resource abundance or temperature, suggesting no impact of resource availability or temperature on the degree of sexual dimorphism, contradicting Rensch's rule. Our findings suggest that, while resource availability and temperature may have an impact on body size, other mechanisms may be important in limiting both body size and degree of sexual dimorphism in this species.
A strategic road map for conserving the Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus in India
Authors: Srivathsa Arjun , Sharma Sushma , Singh Priya , Punjabi Girish A. , Oli Madan K. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Large carnivores face high extinction risks, often exacerbated by the absence of adequate information on their ecological requirements, and the high economic and socio‐political commitments that their conservation warrants. Country‐scale conservation plans can serve as effective frameworks to prioritise areas, actions, and conservation investments.

We explore conservation tenets of retention, recovery, and restoration for the Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus in India – a global stronghold for the species. Specifically, we: 1) examine the current status of dholes in India’s states using a recent distribution assessment; 2) identify areas for directing management interventions – zones to be targeted for population recovery and for habitat recovery; 3) identify potential areas for range expansion; 4) use eco‐socio‐political criteria to determine state‐wise conservation priority scores and likelihood of conservation action; and 5) conduct an exhaustive review of all published literature on dholes.

Dholes occupy ~49% of potential habitats in 685 of mainland India’s 2342 sub‐districts. We identified 143 sub‐districts with potential for dhole population recovery, 145 for habitat recovery, and 404 for range expansion. Of the 34 mainland states/union territories, 17 were identified as high priority for dhole conservation. Of these, nine are adequately equipped to implement management actions to conserve dholes, while eight need to improve capacity towards increasing likelihood of conservation success.

Literature on dholes (from 1874 to 2019; n=237) was dominated by natural history notes, followed by distribution records and studies of population ecology. A majority of the reviewed studies were from India (55% of 215 country‐specific papers). The number of studies showed an exponential increase over time: 43% were published in the last decade.

Our review of published literature revealed significant knowledge gaps in terms of quantitative ecological assessments across all dhole range‐countries. Given this context, our results provide a comprehensive, multi‐dimensional, and administratively feasible road map for dhole conservation in India, with potential applicability in other dhole range‐countries and also for other threatened species.
“Imagining a More Just World”: Interview with Julie Maldonado
Authors: Maldonado Julie , Schuller Mark , Benedeck Lacey , Boddy Halle , Kramer Katelyn , Blankenberger Evan , Cieslak Ardyn , Jenkins Christine 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIt is difficult to canonize anthropology and anthropological concepts, in part because of the creative tensions within the discipline's contradictions: a desire and deep respect for local knowledge with a global, comparative perspective, what might be called the “anthropological imagination.” Firmly rooted in—and in defense of—an inclusive vision of humanity, an anthropological imagination inspires “radical empathy.” It offers the scaffolding of a coalitional politics that values the specificity of local struggles but also reaffirms and defends humanity. We must identify the humanity in others, and the common humanity in their struggle, while affirming particular identities and challenging differential privilege: an anthropological imagination inspires radical empathy and solidarity, reminding us, in the words of the World Social Forum, that “another world is possible.” How people learn to cultivate this anthropological imagination and bring it in the service of marginalized groups is not generally discussed, and rarely taught. This article aims to bridge this gap. On October 10, 2018, Julie Maldonado, Associate Director for the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), discussed her new book, Seeking Justice in an Energy Sacrifice Zone: Standing on Vanishing Land in Coastal Louisiana, via video‐conference with Mark Schuller's Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems class at Northern Illinois University. This interview offers one perspective of a career focused around advocacy anthropology that aims to reach public audiences and policy‐ and decision‐makers in ways that translates scholarly research into information that is most useful for problem solving and enacting change in response to our climate crisis.
Planting Orange Trees in Twenty Cultures: The Practice of International Negotiations
Authors: Mahdavi Mehdi , Fatehi‐Rad Navid , Graham John L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractInternational commerce has always driven human progress. Its inherent cultural diversity has maximized the new ideas that improve consumers’ lives around the world. The best international business relationships are maintained over the long term and managed through inventive negotiation processes. Investments in time and money are required to build the trust and honest information exchange that allow for exploitation of mutually beneficial opportunities. This article provides a database and associated tools to help international negotiators understand the cultural differences that may impact buyer–seller relationships between parties from twenty countries and cultures including the United States and Iran.
Transcriptome analysis of leafy near‐isogenic lines provides molecular insights into floral transition in maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Du Xuemei , Wang Xiaoli , Zhang Jie , Zhen Sihan , Liu Yunjun , Fu Junjie , Wang Jianhua , Gu Riliang , Wang Guoying 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLeafy (Lfy1) is a typical late‐flowering mutant with locus being fine‐mapped, but its underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, two near‐isogenic lines, with and without the Lfy1 locus, were developed for phenotypic and transcriptional analysis of Lfy1‐mediated floral transition. Phenotypic observation showed that wild‐type (WT) plants transited into the tassel primordium at the V6 (6 expanded leaves) stage, whereas the Lfy1 mutant maintained the vegetative stage up to the V9 stage. Transcriptome analysis of shoot tips of both lines revealed more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the V5 (394) than the V3 stage (227). Functional enrichment analysis showed that circadian clock pathway genes exhibited lower expression levels in the Lfy1 mutant than in the WT at the V5 stage. A few integrator genes that functioned as downstream regulators of circadian clock genes also showed a lower transcript abundance in mutant lines, suggesting that the Lfy1‐mediated late‐flowering phenotype was partially caused by inefficient expression of circadian clock pathway genes. These results provide molecular clues for the late‐flowering phenotype of the Lfy1 mutant.
Acute inflammatory Demodex‐induced pustulosis in an immunocompetent patient related to topical steroid use
Authors: Guzman Anthony K. , Gittler Julia K. , Amin Bijal , Srikantha Rithu , Balagula Yevgeniy 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDemodex spp. mites are a common colonizer of sebaceous adult skin. Though usually clinically insignificant, demodicosis may be associated with a wide spectrum of skin diseases in immunocompetent hosts, such as erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea, Demodex folliculorum, and blepharitis. We present a case of a healthy 9‐year‐old boy with an exuberant, inflammatory, Demodex‐associated pustular eruption of the face, induced by the use of a high‐potency topical steroid and successfully treated with oral ivermectin.
Enzymatic fish protein hydrolysates in finfish aquaculture: a review
Authors: Siddik Muhammad A.B. , Howieson Janet , Fotedar Ravi , Partridge Gavin J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn intensive farming systems, fish are held at high densities, which may increase stress, leading to susceptibility to diseases that result in economic losses. Therefore, effective feeding practices incorporating health‐promoting compounds such as proteins, hydrolysates and bioactive peptides that can stimulate the defence mechanisms of fish and achieve better growth are some of the priorities for sustainable aquaculture development. Globally, the fish processing industries generate and discard a large volume of waste every year, estimated at up to 60% of the harvested biomass. This waste can be converted to value‐added products such as fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) with the addition of various proteolytic enzymes. FPH from fish processing waste including skin, heads, muscle, viscera, liver and bones is a good source of protein, amino acids, peptides and antioxidants and has been found to possess desirable functional and bioactive peptides. A moderate inclusion of FPH in aquafeeds has the potential to improve growth, feed utilization, immune functions and disease resistance of fish. Production of FPH, targeted to more precise molecular weight ranges, has superior functionalities that are in high demand. With interest in FPH as an aquafeed supplement, this review aimed to summarize the source, production processes and functional properties of FPH and the reported impact of FPH in aquafeed supplement on fish growth, survival, feed utilization, immune response and disease resistance. Possible limitations of using FPH and future research potential as an opportunity for the use of processing fish waste are also discussed.
Pulmonary toxicity of systemic lung cancer therapy
Authors: Long Kathryn , Suresh Karthik 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. As new therapies are developed, it is important to understand the pulmonary toxicities associated with systemic lung cancer therapies. Cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for NSCLC often include taxanes. Pulmonary toxicity from taxanes presents as an ILD‐type reaction characterized by increasing dyspnoea, dry cough, fever and bilateral pulmonary interstitial infiltrates. The incidence of taxane‐induced pneumonitis is rare, and many patients respond to steroid therapy; however, fatal cases have been reported. Patients with NSCLC are routinely tested for the presence of tumour oncogenes to determine their candidacy for targeted therapies, such as TKI. EGFR‐TKI can cause pneumonitis characterized by progressive dyspnoea and hypoxia. EGFR‐TKI‐associated ILD rarely presents as an AIP with rapidly progressive respiratory failure and high mortality rates. The most recent development in lung cancer therapy has been the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). ICI pneumonitis has been increasingly recognized as a common complication of ICI therapy, with reported incidence as high as 19% in some clinical settings. Early‐grade ICI pneumonitis may be asymptomatic; however, high‐grade ICI pneumonitis can result in progressive dyspnoea, hypoxia and respiratory failure. ICI pneumonitis is unique in that only half of the patients will improve with steroid treatment, and mortality rates are high. As treatment of NSCLC evolves, providers must be able to recognize and respond to the development of drug‐induced pulmonary toxicities.
Comparison of comparable scald and contact burns in a porcine model: A preliminary report
Authors: Singer Adam J. , Zhou Juin W. , Osman Omar B. , Harris Zachery B. , Khani Mahmoud E. , Baer Evyatar , Zhang Nigel , McClain Steve A. , Arbab M. Hassan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhether the depth and healing of scalds and contact burns are similar is controversial. Due to water's greater heat capacity, we hypothesized that when exposed to similar temperatures and durations of exposure, burns caused by hot water would be deeper than those caused by contact with hot metal. Forty standardized burns were created in two anesthetized female domestic pigs using a brass bar or circulating heated water. In one pig, the temperature was kept constant (95°C) while the duration of exposure varied (5, 10, 15 seconds) In the second pig, the exposure time was kept constant (10 seconds) while the temperature of exposure varied (70°C, 80°C, 98°C). Periodic punch biopsies were taken to determine burn depth immediately after injury, percentage burns reepithelialized within 21 days, and depth of scar at 28 days. The analysis was performed using analysis of variance. When the temperature was held constant, duration of exposure (5, 10, and 15 seconds) was associated with scar depth (2.1 vs 3.8 vs 5.0 mm, respectively, P = 0.001) but not with burn depth (2.0 vs 2.2 vs 2.3 mm, respectively, P = 0.10). When exposure duration was held constant, temperature (70°C, 80°C, 98°C) was associated with scar depth (0.6 vs 1.7 vs 3.6, P < 0.001) but not with burn depth (1.2 vs 1.5 vs 1.7 mm, respectively, P = 0.21). Burn depths were greater for scald than contact burns although not significantly greater. After controlling for temperature, the difference in scar depth between scalds and contact burns was statistically significant (marginal means 3.0 for contact burns, 4.3 for scalds, P = 0.008). We conclude that burns created in swine with circulating hot water result in deeper scars than those created by contact with a brass bar when controlling for temperature and duration of exposure.