bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expanding our view of Bartonella and its hosts: Bartonella in nest ectoparasites and their migratory avian hosts
Authors: Williams Heather M. , Dittmar Katharina 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Bartonella is a genus of Gram-negative facultative intracellular Alphaproteobacteria of public health importance. Although they are known to mainly infect mammalian hosts with some blood-feeding arthropods having been confirmed as vectors, there is some evidence of Bartonella association with non-mammalian hosts including birds.

Methods
Here we used high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and Sanger sequencing of the citrate synthase (gltA) genes to test for the presence of Bartonellaceae in the blood of three migratory cavity nesting bird species, purple martins (Progne subis), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and their most prevalent and abundant nest ectoparasites, Dermanyssus prognephilus (mite), Ceratophyllus idius (flea) and Protocalliphora sialia (bird blow fly larva). We constructed maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees to verify the placement of the resulting sequences in the Bartonellaceae.

Results
We found evidence of Bartonella in all three bird species and all three arthropod species tested. We report multiple instances of identical Bartonella sequences in both birds and parasites, leading to the likely hypothesis that these ectoparasites are potential vectors of Bartonella. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that ‘avian Bartonella’ may form its own sub-clade within the genus Bartonella.

Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, we provide the first confirmation of overlapping Bartonella strains among bird hosts and various species of nest-associated ectoparasites from the same system, suggesting a possible Bartonella host–vector relationship between these arthropods and a non-mammalian host. Our study adds to the growing appreciation of the Bartonellaceae as a phylogenetically diverse group with a wide range of hosts.
Identifying clinical subgroups in IgG4-related disease patients using cluster analysis and IgG4-RD composite score
Authors: Li Jieqiong , Peng Yu , Zhang Yuelun , Zhang Panpan , Liu Zheng , Lu Hui , Peng Linyi , Zhu Liang , Xue Huadan , Zhao Yan , Zeng Xiaofeng , Fei Yunyun , Zhang Wen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
To explore the clinical patterns of patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) based on laboratory tests and the number of organs involved.

Methods
Twenty-two baseline variables were obtained from 154 patients with IgG4-RD. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), patients with IgG4-RD were classified into different subgroups using cluster analysis. Additionally, IgG4-RD composite score (IgG4-RD CS) as a comprehensive score was calculated for each patient by principal component evaluation. Multiple linear regression was used to establish the “IgG4-RD CS” prediction model for the comprehensive assessment of IgG4-RD. To evaluate the value of the IgG4-RD CS in the assessment of disease severity, patients in different IgG4-RD CS groups and in different IgG4-RD responder index (RI) groups were compared.

Results
PCA indicated that the 22 baseline variables of IgG4-RD patients mainly consisted of inflammation, high serum IgG4, multi-organ involvement, and allergy-related phenotypes. Cluster analysis classified patients into three groups: cluster 1, inflammation and immunoglobulin-dominant group; cluster 2, internal organs-dominant group; and cluster 3, inflammation and immunoglobulin-low with superficial organs-dominant group. Moreover, there were significant differences in serum and clinical characteristics among subgroups based on the CS and RI scores. IgG4-RD CS had a similar ability to assess disease severity as RI. The “IgG4-RD CS” prediction model was established using four independent variables including lymphocyte count, eosinophil count, IgG levels, and the total number of involved organs.

Conclusion
Our study indicated that newly diagnosed IgG4-RD patients could be divided into three subgroups. We also showed that the IgG4-RD CS had the potential to be complementary to the RI score, which can help assess disease severity.
Compensating for over-production inhibition of the Hsmar1 transposon in Escherichia coli using a series of constitutive promoters
Authors: Tellier Michael , Chalmers Ronald 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundTransposable elements (TEs) are a diverse group of self-mobilizing DNA elements. Transposition has been exploited as a powerful tool for molecular biology and genomics. However, transposition is sometimes limited because of auto-regulatory mechanisms that presumably allow them to cohabit within their hosts without causing excessive genomic damage. The papillation assay provides a powerful visual screen for hyperactive transposases. Transposition is revealed by the activation of a promoter-lesslacZgene when the transposon integrates into a non-essential gene on the host chromosome. Transposition events are detected as small blue speckles, or papillae, on the white background of the mainEscherichia colicolony.ResultsWe analysed the parameters of the papillation assay including the strength of the transposase transcriptional and translational signals. To overcome certain limitations of inducible promoters, we constructed a set of vectors based on constitutive promoters of different strengths to widen the range of transposase expression. We characterized and validated our expression vectors with Hsmar1, a member of themarinertransposon family. The highest rate of transposition was observed with the weakest promoters. We then took advantage of our approach to investigate how the level of transposition responds to selected point mutations and the effect of joining the transposase monomers into a single-chain dimer.ConclusionsWe generated a set of vectors to provide a wide range of transposase expression which will be useful for screening libraries of transposase mutants. The use of weak promoters should allow screening for truly hyperactive transposases rather than those that are simply resistant to auto-regulatory mechanisms, such as overproduction inhibition (OPI). We also found that mutations in the Hsmar1 dimer interface provide resistance to OPI in bacteria, which could be valuable for improving bacterial transposon mutagenesis techniques.
School-based caries prevention and longitudinal trends in untreated decay: an updated analysis with Markov chains
Authors: Ruff Ryan Richard , Saxena Deepak , Niederman Richard 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objective
Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most prevalent childhood disease in the world. A school-based program for the prevention of dental caries providing bi-annual sealants, interim therapeutic restorations, and fluoride varnish to children aged 5–12 years was previously associated with a significant reduction in the prevalence of untreated tooth decay over time. The objective of this study was to explore potential nonlinear change in the risk of untreated decay in children receiving caries prevention.

Results
Across all study participants, there was a significant increase in the odds of untreated tooth decay over time (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.51, 2.39), but the rate of this risk rapidly decreased with each observational visit (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.93, 0.91). Overall effects substantially depended on the oral health status of participants at baseline: for children with untreated decay at their first observation, the odds of untreated decay over time was 0.39 (95% CI 0.27, 0.55). A quadratic change for this subpopulation showed that the per-visit decrease in decay was attenuated with each subsequent observation (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.04, 1.20).
Association of rs780094 polymorphism of glucokinase regulatory protein with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mohammadi Saba , Farajnia Safar , Shadmand Masoud , Mohseni Fatemeh , Baghban Roghayyeh 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objective
GCK rs780094 polymorphism is a single nucleotide polymorphism that has been associated with obesity, type II diabetes and dyslipidemia in some populations, conditions that highly related to NAFL etiology. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between NAFLD and rs780094 polymorphism in patients with NAFLD in Tabriz city, northwest of Iran. The rs780094 polymorphism was determined in 74 patients with NAFLD by PCR–RFLP technique. Demographic information was collected using a questionnaire and biochemical analysis was performed using standard laboratory methods.

Results
There was a significant difference between case and control subjects for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, HDL-C and triglycerides (P < 0.05). Analysis by PCR–RFLP method revealed that there were no significant differences between NAFLD and healthy subjects for rs780094 polymorphism in the study population. The results of this study indicated that rs780094 polymorphism is not associated with NAFLD in subjects from Tabriz city.
KMT2C/D COMPASS complex-associated diseases [KCDCOM-ADs]: an emerging class of congenital regulopathies
Authors: Lavery William J. , Barski Artem , Wiley Susan , Schorry Elizabeth K. , Lindsley Andrew W. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe type 2 lysine methyltransferases KMT2C and KMT2D are large, enzymatically active scaffold proteins that form the core of nuclear regulatory structures known as KMT2C/D COMPASS complexes (complex of proteins associating with Set1). These evolutionarily conserved proteins regulate DNA promoter and enhancer elements, modulating the activity of diverse cell types critical for embryonic morphogenesis, central nervous system development, and post-natal survival. KMT2C/D COMPASS complexes and their binding partners enhance active gene expression of specific loci via the targeted modification of histone-3 tail residues, in general promoting active euchromatic conformations. Over the last 20 years, mutations in five key COMPASS complex genes have been linked to three human congenital syndromes: Kabuki syndrome (type 1 [KMT2D] and 2 [KDM6A]), Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (type 1 [CBP] and 2 [EP300]), and Kleefstra syndrome type 2 (KMT2C). Here, we review the composition and biochemical function of the KMT2 complexes. The specific cellular and embryonic roles of the KMT2C/D COMPASS complex are highlight with a focus on clinically relevant mechanisms sensitive to haploinsufficiency. The phenotypic similarities and differences between the members of this new family of disorders are outlined and emerging therapeutic strategies are detailed.
A cross-sectional and longitudinal study on the protective effect of bilingualism against dementia using brain atrophy and cognitive measures
Authors: Costumero Víctor , Marin-Marin Lidon , Calabria Marco , Belloch Vicente , Escudero Joaquín , Baquero Miguel , Hernandez Mireia , Ruiz de Miras Juan , Costa Albert , Parcet Maria-Antònia , Ávila César 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Evidence from previous studies suggests that bilingualism contributes to cognitive reserve because bilinguals manifest the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) up to 5 years later than monolinguals. Other cross-sectional studies demonstrate that bilinguals show greater amounts of brain atrophy and hypometabolism than monolinguals, despite sharing the same diagnosis and suffering from the same symptoms. However, these studies may be biased by possible pre-existing between-group differences.

Methods
In this study, we used global parenchymal measures of atrophy and cognitive tests to investigate the protective effect of bilingualism against dementia cross-sectionally and prospectively, using a sample of bilinguals and monolinguals in the same clinical stage and matched on sociodemographic variables.

Results
Our results suggest that the two groups did not differ in their cognitive status at baseline, but bilinguals had less parenchymal volume than monolinguals, especially in areas related to brain atrophy in dementia. In addition, a longitudinal prospective analysis revealed that monolinguals lost more parenchyma and had more cognitive decline than bilinguals in a mean follow-up period of 7 months.

Conclusion
These results provide the first prospective evidence that bilingualism may act as a neuroprotective factor against dementia and could be considered a factor in cognitive reserve.
Prognostic value of 99mTc-ECD brain perfusion SPECT in patients with atrial fibrillation and dementia
Authors: Hashimoto Hidenobu , Nakanishi Rine , Mizumura Sunao , Hashimoto Yukiko , Okamura Yuriko , Yamanaka Kyoko , Ikeda Takanori 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia experience reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Technetium 99m ECD brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-ECD brain perfusion SPECT) is a beneficial modality for diagnosing dementia and identifying high-risk patients with mild cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of brain perfusion using 99mTc-ECD SPECT in patients with AF and dementia.

Methods
Of a total of 405 consecutive patients diagnosed with AF as cardiac outpatients with dementia using the Mini-Mental State Examination by neurologists or psychiatrists, we identified 170 patients (81 ± 10 years) who underwent 99mTc-ECD brain perfusion SPECT. Of them, 73, 73, and 24 were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), vascular dementia (VD), and non-specified dementia, respectively. A multivariable Cox model was used to assess if higher Z-score by 99mTc-ECD brain perfusion SPECT and clinical parameters were associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for heart failure, and stroke.

Results
During a mean follow-up of 1258 ± 1044 days, 62 MACE occurred. There was no significant difference in MACE between AD and VD (33%, vs. 44%, p = 0.153). The multivariable Cox model confirmed that the higher Z-score of temporo-parieto-occipital lobe was associated with increased MACE compared to the lower group (HR 2.521, 95% CI 1.465–4.337, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that decreased cerebral blood flow in the temporo-parieto-occipital lobe could be a potential prognostic value in patients with both AF and dementia.
Precision cut lung slices: a novel versatile tool to examine host–pathogen interaction in the chicken lung
Authors: Bryson Karen Jane , Garrido Damien , Esposito Marco , McLachlan Gerry , Digard Paul , Schouler Catherine , Guabiraba Rodrigo , Trapp Sascha , Vervelde Lonneke 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe avian respiratory tract is a common entry route for many pathogens and an important delivery route for vaccination in the poultry industry. Immune responses in the avian lung have mostly been studied in vivo due to the lack of robust, relevant in vitro and ex vivo models mimicking the microenvironment. Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) have the major advantages of maintaining the 3-dimensional architecture of the lung and includes heterogeneous cell populations. PCLS have been obtained from a number of mammalian species and from chicken embryos. However, as the embryonic lung is physiologically undifferentiated and immunologically immature, it is less suitable to examine complex host–pathogen interactions including antimicrobial responses. Here we prepared PCLS from immunologically mature chicken lungs, tested different culture conditions, and found that serum supplementation has a detrimental effect on the quality of PCLS. Viable cells in PCLS remained present for ≥ 40 days, as determined by viability assays and sustained motility of fluorescent mononuclear phagocytic cells. The PCLS were responsive to lipopolysaccharide stimulation, which induced the release of nitric oxide, IL-1β, type I interferons and IL-10. Mononuclear phagocytes within the tissue maintained phagocytic activity, with live cell imaging capturing interactions with latex beads and an avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain. Finally, the PCLS were also shown to be permissive to infection with low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Taken together, immunologically mature chicken PCLS provide a suitable model to simulate live organ responsiveness and cell dynamics, which can be readily exploited to examine host–pathogen interactions and inflammatory responses.
Inter-Edge and Cloud conversion accelerated user-generated content for virtual brand community
Authors: Song Mengmeng , Duan Yucong , Huang Tianyi , Zhan Lougao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWeb-based enterprises have increasingly begun to build their own virtual brand community on the Cloud. How to encourage Web users to generate Web content in the Web community continuously and permanently has become the focal point. However, few studies have explored that how to drive the motivation of user-generated content (UGC) named self-enhancement (SE) internalized from the perspective of user’s personal characteristics and then enhance the intention of UGC. Even fewer studies have been devoted to drive the motivation of UGC from the perspective of information technology. Based on self-construal (SC) theory, self-determination (SD) theory, and current immersive applications of Edge computing, we proposed to a solution of user-generated content motivation internalized in the virtual brand community implemented through the manipulation of the tradeoff of inter-Edge and Cloud processing. Our survey shows that different types of self-construal (SC) users have different levels of internal motivation for self-enhancement (SE) accomplished through the organization of user characteristics. We build a detailed simulation of the change of time delay, availability, and cost of inter-Edge and Cloud conversion to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed mechanism of UGC motivation internalized in the virtual brand community in guiding enhancing the intention of UGC in the community in practice.
Experimental Investigation on Seismic Resistance of RC Shear Walls with CFRP Bars in Boundary Elements
Authors: Zhao Jun , Shen Fuqiang , Si Chenzhe , Sun Yuping , Yin Lu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractExperimental investigation on seismic performance of RC shear walls reinforced with CFRP bars in boundary elements to enhance the resilience was presented which is expected for stable resistance capacity and small residual deformation. Six RC shear walls reinforced with CFRP bars as longitudinal tensile materials in boundary elements were tested under reversed cyclic lateral loading while subjected to constant axial compression with different axial load ratios of 0.17, 0.26 and 0.33, respectively. Two forms of stirrups were used for each axial load ratio, which were rectangular and circular stirrups in boundary elements. A reference specimen, ordinary RC shear walls, was also introduced to certify the excellence of CFRP bars. The test results indicated that the walls utilizing CFRP bars had small residual deformations and residual crack widths. Lower crack propagation height and larger concrete crushing region, bearing capacity and equivalent viscous damping coefficient (EVDC) could be observed with the increase of axial load ratios. The effects of stirrup forms on experimental results had a relation to the axial load ratio. When the axial load ratio was small, the shear walls with circular stirrups had better energy dissipation than that with rectangular stirrups at a given drift level, while the cumulative energy dissipation (CED) were similar. With the increase of axial load ratio, the walls exhibited similar energy dissipation at the same drift level, however, the shear walls with rectangular stirrups had larger CED.
Faulty homocysteine recycling in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Kowluru Renu A. , Mohammad Ghulam , Sahajpal Nikhil 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough hyperglycemia is the main instigator in the development of diabetic retinopathy, elevated circulating levels of a non-protein amino acid, homocysteine, are also associated with an increased risk of retinopathy. Homocysteine is recycled back to methionine by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and/or transsulfurated by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) to form cysteine. CBS and other transsulfuration enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), through desulfuration, generates H2S. Methionine cycle also regulates DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification associated with the gene suppression. The aim of this study was to investigate homocysteine and its metabolism in diabetic retinopathy.MethodsHomocysteine and H2S levels were analyzed in the retina, and CBS, CSE and MTHFR in the retinal microvasculature from human donors with established diabetic retinopathy. Mitochondrial damage was evaluated in retinal microvessels by quantifying enzymes responsible for maintaining mitochondrial dynamics (fission-fusion-mitophagy). DNA methylation status ofCBSandMTHFRpromoters was examined using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation technique. The direct effect of homocysteine on mitochondrial damage was confirmed in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) incubated with 100 μM L-homocysteine.ResultsCompared to age-matched nondiabetic control human donors, retina from donors with established diabetic retinopathy had ~ 3-fold higher homocysteine levels and ~ 50% lower H2S levels. The enzymes important for both transsulfuration and remethylation of homocysteine including CBS, CSE and MTHFR, were 40–60% lower in the retinal microvasculature from diabetic retinopathy donors. While the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin related protein 1, and mitophagy markers optineurin and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3), were upregulated, the fusion protein mitofusin 2 was downregulated. In the same retinal microvessel preparations from donors with diabetic retinopathy, DNA at the promoters ofCBSandMTHFRwere hypermethylated. Incubation of HRECs with homocysteine increased reactive oxygen species and decreased transcripts of mtDNA-encodedCYTB.ConclusionsCompromised transsulfuration and remethylation processes play an important role in the poor removal of retinal homocysteine in diabetic patients. Thus, regulation of their homocysteine levels should ameliorate retinal mitochondrial damage, and by regulating DNA methylation status of the enzymes responsible for homocysteine transsulfuration and remethylation, should prevent excess accumulation of homocysteine.