bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and laboratory impact of concomitant syphilis infection during acute HIV
Authors: Chan P , Colby DJ , Kroon E , Sacdalan C , Pinyakorn S , Paul R , Robb M , Valcour V , Ananworanich J , Marra C , Spudich S 
Published: March 2021

IntroductionCognitive impairment has been reported in people living with HIV‐1 (PLWH) with prior syphilis, while PLWH who present with incident syphilis have reduced blood CD4 T‐lymphocyte and elevated HIV‐1 RNA levels. However, the clinical, virological and neurocognitive effects of syphilis during acute HIV‐1 (AHI) remain unknown.MethodsPre‐antiretroviral therapy laboratory outcomes and neurocognitive performance in a four‐test battery in the SEARCH10/RV254 AHI cohort were compared according to syphilis status, determined by serum Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and syphilis treatment history. Impaired cognitive performance was defined as having z‐scores ≤ −1 in at least two tests or ≤ −2 in at least one test.ResultsOut of 595 AHI participants (97% male, median age of 26 years and estimated duration of HIV‐1 infection of 19 days), 119 (20%) had history of syphilis (TPHA‐positive), of whom 51 (9%) had untreated syphilis (TPHA‐positive/VDRL‐positive/without prior treatment). Compared with those without syphilis (TPHA‐negative), individuals with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T‐lymphocyte levels but not higher plasma HIV‐1 RNA or lower CD4 T‐lymphocyte levels. Taking into account estimated duration of HIV‐1 infection (P < 0.001), and later Fiebig stages (III–V) (P < 0.001), those with untreated syphilis had higher CD8 T‐lymphocyte levels (P = 0.049). Individuals with any syphilis (TPHA‐positive), but not untreated syphilis, had higher odds of impaired cognitive performance than those without (P = 0.002).ConclusionsDuring AHI, individuals with any history of syphilis (TPHA‐positive) had poorer cognitive performance than those without syphilis. However, syphilis was not associated with worsened HIV disease measures as described in chronic infection.
Spectral optimization of beacon lights for the protection of night‐swarming mayflies
Authors: Mészáros Ádám , Kriska György , Egri Ádám 
Published: March 2021

Abstract1. Negative ecological effects of artificial night‐time illumination on wildlife are becoming more and more widely investigated. Flight‐to‐light behaviour of insects is a well‐known phenomenon, which becomes really conspicuous when numerous individuals are simultaneously attracted to light. Mass mortality of night‐swarming mayflies at lamp‐lit urbanized areas, particularly at bridges, is a well‐known phenomenon. 2. White beacon lights are able to keep the mayfly swarms above the water surface. Firstly, it is beneficial for the offspring particularly in the case of protected species. Secondly, this method facilitates maintaining traffic safety on the bridge. 3. Our primary aim was to find the optimal emission spectrum for the mayfly‐protecting beacons. With equal‐intensity quasi‐monochromatic light sources, we measured the attraction of Ephoron virgo and Caenis macrura mayflies to light as a function of wavelength in the 432–744 nm spectral range. 4. We established that phototaxis of these mayflies increases with decreasing wavelength. We also estimated the attractiveness of different light source types widely used in public lighting to E. virgo. According to our results, lamp types emitting light rich in short wavelengths (cool white/bluish to the human eye) are noticeably more attractive to E. virgo and to other night‐swarming mayflies than lamp types with longer‐wavelength‐dominated emission spectra (warm white/yellowish to the human eye). 5. Finally, we report on the construction of the very first, permanently installed, spectrally optimized mayfly‐protecting beacon system on the bridge of Tahitótfalu (Northern Hungary), which was realized as a practical application of our results.
Moths are strongly attracted to ultraviolet and blue radiation
Authors: Brehm Gunnar , Niermann Julia , Jaimes Nino Luisa Maria , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Axmacher Jan Christoph , Warrant Eric , Fiedler Konrad 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We carried out three choice experiments with 6116 nocturnal lepidopteran individuals (95 species, 7 families, 32 075 counts), each replicated 105 times during the seasons of 2 years. Moths were released indoors at the centre of a 10 × 10 m area with different lamps placed at each corner.
In experiment 1, lamps emitted ultraviolet (UV) (peak at 365 nm), blue (450 nm), green (520 nm) or cool white (450 and 520 nm) radiation. In experiment 2, UV was replaced by red (640 nm). In experiment 3, we used UV and three mixed radiation lamps of different emission intensities (365–520 nm).
We applied a linear mixed effect model to test for differences in attraction to the light sources.
Among all counts, 12.2% (males) and 9.2% (females) were attracted to a lamp. Among the lamp counts, 84% were made at the UV lamp in experiment 1. In experiment 2, 63% of the counts were made at the blue lamp. In experiment 3, most counts were made at the strongest mixed radiation lamp (31%), and the UV lamp (28%). Patterns were generally similar across Lepidopteran families, and for both sexes.
Moths are clearly preferentially attracted to short‐wave radiation. Even small quantities of UV radiation, emitted, for example, by metal halide lamps and certain mercury vapour tubes, will disproportionately contribute to light pollution. Since blue light also attracts moths strongly, lamps with a low proportion of blue light should be given priority in lighting planning.
Tribological investigations of the glass‐to‐metal contact during glass forming at an industrial scale
Authors: Orzol Dominik Karl , Roos Christian , Wondraczek Lothar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAn industrial‐scale dynamic friction test set‐up was installed and optimized at the gob‐stage of a prototype container glass forming line. The set‐up was used to generate a fundamental understanding of the tribological interactions during container forming, considering the real‐size glass gob in the viscoelastic range and the respective contact material. The findings are universally applicable for other glass‐forming situations such as spinning, pressing, and blowing, where similar hot contact situations occur. The measured friction loss within that tribological system is correlated to different material properties. In doing so, existing knowledge is further developed, leading to new insights into the matter of glass‐metal interactions. With that a better fundamental understanding of the process at an industry level is obtained.
The increasing problem of treatment‐resistant fungal infections: a call for antifungal stewardship programs
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Venkataraman Maanasa , Renaud Helen J. , Summerbell Richard , Shear Neil H. , Piguet Vincent 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAntimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs have been widely recognized among the public health community. These programs focus majorly on bacterial infections, efficient antibiotic use, and measures to curb increasing antibacterial resistance. AMS programs are successfully established around the globe; however, very few include antifungal stewardship (AFS). The increasing incidence of superficial and invasive fungal infections, combined with delayed or inaccurate diagnosis, has contributed to the overprescribing and overuse of antifungal agents. Such increased exposure to antifungal agents may be a reason for the emergence of increasing antifungal resistance among fungal pathogens. With mounting reports of treatment failures and resistant infections, the evidence to support the need for AFS programs is increasing. AFS is an emerging branch of AMS programs that requires global attention and recognition.
Maternal glucose in pregnancy is associated with child's adiposity and leptin at 5 years of age
Authors: Blais Kasandra , Arguin Mélina , Allard Catherine , Doyon Myriam , Dolinsky Vernon W. , Bouchard Luigi , Hivert Marie‐France , Perron Patrice 
Published: March 2021

SummaryBackgroundExposure to maternal hyperglycaemia in pregnancy has been associated with childhood obesity. Leptin regulation might be involved in this ‘adiposity programming’ and may depend on timing of exposure.ObjectivesTo investigate associations of maternal glycaemia at different periods in pregnancy with childhood adiposity and leptin levels at 5 years of age.MethodsIn a prospective pre‐birth cohort, we measured maternal glucose levels after a 50 g oral glucose challenge test at first trimester (9.8 ± 2.3 weeks) and during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at second trimester (26.5 ± 0.9 weeks). We followed up children at 5 years; we measured anthropometry and body composition using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). We measured fasting leptin levels using immunoassays (Luminex) in 328 children. We conducted linear regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsMaternal glycaemia at first trimester was associated with childhood leptin levels at 5 years, independently of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and other confounders (β = .09 ± .04; P = .03). Higher post‐load glucose levels at second trimester were associated with greater total body fat percentage measured by DXA (1 hour‐glucose: β = .010 ± .004; P = .03 and 2 hours‐glucose: β = .016 ± .005; P = .002), but not with leptin levels.ConclusionsOur results suggest that programming of leptin regulation may be sensitive to maternal hyperglycaemia specifically in early pregnancy.
Association of LncRNA‐GAS5 gene polymorphisms and PBMC LncRNA‐GAS5 level with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese population
Authors: Liu Chun‐Hong , Lu Yu‐Lan , Huang Hua‐Tuo , Wang Chun‐Fang , Luo Hong‐Cheng , Wei Gui‐Jiang , Lei Ming , Tan Tan , Wang Yan , Huang Yan‐Yun , Wei Ye‐Sheng , Lan Yan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGrowth arrest‐specific 5 (GAS5) is a kind of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Previous studies showed that down‐regulation of LncRNA‐GAS5 was involved in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the regulatory mechanism of down‐expressed LncRNA‐GAS5 in SLE remains obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of LncRNA‐GAS5 polymorphism with SLE risk. And further explore how LncRNA‐GAS5 is involved in the occurrence of SLE. Here, we evaluated the relationship between the risk for the development of SLE and the 5‐base pair (AGGCA/‐) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs145204276) in the LncRNA‐GAS5 promoter region. A custom 36‐Plex SNPscan kit was used for genotyping the LncRNA‐GAS5 polymorphisms. The LncRNA‐GAS5 and miR‐21 target prediction was performed using bioinformatics software. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) were performed to assess GAS5 and miR‐21 mRNA expression and PTEN protein expression. The results revealed that rs145204276 resulted in a decreased risk of SLE (DD genotypes vs II genotypes: adjusted OR = 0.538, 95% CI, 0.30‐0.97, P = .039; ID genotypes vs II genotypes: adjusted OR = 0.641, 95% CI, 0.46‐0.89, P = .007; ID/DD genotypes vs II genotypes: adjusted OR = 0.621, 95% CI, 0.46‐0.84, P = .002; D alleles vs I alleles: adjusted OR = 0.680, 95% CI, 0.53‐0.87, P = .002). A reduced incidence of renal disorders in SLE was found to be related to ID/DD genotypes and D alleles (ID/DD genotypes vs II genotypes: OR = 0.57, 95% CI, 0.36‐0.92, P = .020; D alleles vs I alleles: OR = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.43‐0.93, P = .019). However, no significant association of rs2235095, rs6790, rs2067079 and rs1951625 polymorphisms with SLE risk was observed (P > .05). Additionally, haplotype analysis showed that a decreased SLE risk resulted from the A‐A‐C‐G‐D haplotype (OR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.49‐0.91, P = .010). Also, patients in the SLE group showed a down‐regulated expression of LncRNA‐GAS5 and PTEN than the healthy volunteers; however, patients with rs145204276 ID/DD genotypes showed up‐regulated expression of LncRNA‐GAS5 and PTEN compared with patients carrying the II genotype. Furthermore, the miR‐21 levels were considerably up‐regulated in the SLE group than the healthy volunteers, and patients with rs145204276 ID/DD genotype had lower miR‐21 levels than the ones with the II genotype. Thus, we found that the LncRNA‐GAS5/miR‐21/PTEN signalling pathway was involved in the development of SLE, where LncRNA‐GAS5 acted as an miR‐21 target, and miR‐21 regulated the expression of PTEN. These findings indicated that the rs145204276 ID/DD genotypes in the LncRNA‐GAS5 gene promoter region may be protected against SLE by up‐regulating the expression of LncRNA‐GAS5, which consecutively regulated miR‐21 and PTEN levels.
Well‐being and COVID‐19‐related worries of German children and adolescents: A longitudinal study from pre‐COVID to the end of lockdown in Spring 2020
Authors: Vogel Mandy , Meigen Christof , Sobek Carolin , Ober Peggy , Igel Ulrike , Körner Antje , Kiess Wieland , Poulain Tanja 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is concern that pandemic measures put a strain on the health and well‐being of children. We investigated the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the lockdown, and social distancing on the well‐being, media use, and emotions of children and adolescents between 9 and 18 years.MethodsWe used linear and proportional odds logistic regression correcting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES) and to compare media use, peers/social support, physical, and psychological well‐being between 2019 (pre‐COVID baseline) and two time points shortly after the start of the lockdown (last week of March and April 2020, respectively) in 391 9–19‐year‐old healthy children and adolescents of the LIFE Child cohort. COVID‐19‐related feelings and their relationship to age, sex, and SES were assessed at two time points during lockdown.ResultsWe found significantly lower scores in physical and psychological well‐being during lockdown compared to baseline. The effect was significantly stronger in children with medium/low SES. Perceived social support scores were also significantly lower during the lockdown. The percentage of children who had no contact with their peers (in‐person or online) increased from 3% pre‐COVID to 14% and 13% in April and March 2020, respectively. About 80% of the children missed in‐person contacts with friends. Most of the children worried more about the health of their families than their own. Sixty percent worried about the international situation at least moderately, whereas only 20% were afraid of COVID‐19 itself. The percentage of children who believed it would never be as before COVID‐19 rose from 7.4% at the beginning lockdown end of March to 16.2% a month later. In contrast, all other COVID‐19‐related worries, showed a (nonsignificant) decline during the same period.ConclusionOur study supports the notion that pandemic measures have to be balanced against adverse public health effects. Especially vulnerable groups have to be protected.
Food insecurity: Its prevalence and relationship to fruit and vegetable consumption
Authors: Turnbull O. , Homer M. , Ensaff H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundFood insecurity in UK households is a substantial and growing concern. The present study identified those at risk of food insecurity and explored the relationship between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption.MethodsData were examined from the Food and You survey (2016) for a large representative sample (n = 3118) living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A ‘Food Security Score’ and a ‘Food Changes Score’ (relating to financially driven changes to food habits) were compiled and relationships with fruit and vegetable consumption were examined.ResultsThe prevalence of marginal, low and very low food security was 12.6%, 5.4% and 2.8%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption. Food security and food changes, independently, were significant predictors for fruit and vegetable consumption. With every unit increment in the Food Security Score (i.e., more food insecure), an 11% decrease in the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer was evident. Likewise, the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer decreases by 5% with every increment in the financially driven Food Changes Score.ConclusionsA notable proportion (more than one‐fifth) experienced marginal, low or very low food security. Food insecurity and financially driven food changes were accompanied by decreases in the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer. Findings underline the potential consequences of food insecurity, and point to further work aiming to examine other dietary implications, as well as strategies to mitigate against food insecurity and its detriment.
The Pumilio RNA‐binding protein APUM24 regulates seed maturation by fine‐tuning the BPM‐WRI1 module in Arabidopsis
Authors: Huang Ruihua , Liu Mengling , Gong Guanping , Wu Pingzhi , Patra Barunava , Yuan Ling , Qin Hongting , Wang Xiaoxu , Wang Guohe , Liao Huimei , Gao Lu , Yang Chengwei , Li Hongqing , Zhang Shengchun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPumilio RNA‐binding proteins participate in messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation and translational repression, but their roles in plant development are largely unclear. Here, we show that Arabidopsis PUMILIO PROTEIN24 (APUM24), an atypical Pumilio‐homology domain‐containing protein, plays an important part in regulating seed maturation, a major stage of plant development. APUM24 is strongly expressed in maturing seeds. Reducing APUM24 expression resulted in abnormal seed maturation, wrinkled seeds, and lower seed oil contents, and APUM24 knockdown resulted in lower levels of WRINKLED 1 (WRI1), a key transcription factor controlling seed oil accumulation, and lower expression of WRI1 target genes. APUM24 reduces the mRNA stability of BTB/POZMATH (BPM) family genes, thus decreasing BPM protein levels. BPM is responsible for the 26S proteasome‐mediated degradation of WRI1 and has important functions in plant growth and development. The 3′ untranslated regions of BPM family genes contain putative Pumilio response elements (PREs), which are bound by APUM24. Reduced BPM or increased WRI1 expression rescued the deficient seed maturation of apum24‐2 knockdown mutants, and APUM24 overexpression resulted in increased seed size and weight. Therefore, APUM24 is crucial to seed maturation through its action as a positive regulator fine‐tuning the BPM‐WRI1 module, making APUM24 a promising target for breeding strategies to increase crop yields.
The different mechanisms of peripheral and central TLR4 on chronic postsurgical pain in rats
Authors: Han Xuemin , Shao Jinping , Ren Xiuhua , Li Yaru , Yu Wenli , Lin Caihong , Li Lei , Sun Yanyan , Xu Bo , Luo Huan , Zhu Changlian , Cao Jing , Li Zhisong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractChronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication after surgery; however, the underlying mechanisms of CPSP are poorly understood. As one of the most important inflammatory pathways, the Toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor‐kappa B (TLR4/NF‐κB) signaling pathway plays an important role in chronic pain. However, the precise role of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway in CPSP remains unclear. In the present study, we established a rat model of CPSP induced by skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) and verified the effects and mechanisms of central and peripheral TLR4 and NF‐κB on hyperalgesia in SMIR rats. The results showed that TLR4 expression was increased in both the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of SMIR rats. However, the TLR4 expression pattern in the spinal cord was different from that in DRGs. In the spinal cord, TLR4 was expressed in both neurons and microglia, whereas it was expressed in neurons but not in satellite glial cells in DRGs. Further results demonstrate that the central and peripheral TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway is involved in the SMIR‐induced CPSP by different mechanisms. In the peripheral nervous system, we revealed that the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway induced upregulation of voltage‐gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) in DRGs, triggering peripheral hyperalgesia in SMIR‐induced CPSP. In the central nervous system, the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway participated in SMIR‐induced CPSP by activating microglia in the spinal cord. Ultimately, our findings demonstrated that activation of the peripheral and central TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway involved in the development of SMIR‐induced CPSP.
Diagnostic evaluation of urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio in dogs with gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Stiller Jenny , Defarges Alice M. , Brisson Brigitte A. , Bersenas Alexa M. E. , Pomrantz Jill S. , Lang Brittany , Pearl David L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundUrea nitrogen/creatinine ratio (UCR) is a marker for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in people.ObjectivesTo assess the usefulness of UCR to predict occult GIB and distinguish upper from lower GIB in dogs.AnimalsEighty‐nine dogs with GIB and 65 clinically healthy dogs. Dogs were grouped according to 65 overt GIB and 24 occult GIB, and based on lesion localization (37 upper, 13 lower, and 8 both).MethodsSeventy‐four dogs were included retrospectively and 15 dogs prospectively. Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, UCR, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were compared between groups. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess if variables could distinguish occult GIB from being healthy and upper from lower GIB.ResultsThe UCR was significantly higher in dogs with overt GIB compared to control dogs (P = .02) and dogs with occult GIB (P = .05). The UCR was not significantly associated with occult GIB vs being healthy, or upper vs lower GIB (P > .05 each). Dogs with higher hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit had significantly lower odds of having occult GIB than being healthy (P < .0001 each).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe UCR does not seem to be a clinically useful marker of occult GIB and appears to have poor discriminatory ability between upper and lower GIB. An increased UCR in a dog without signs of overt GIB, especially if its hematocrit is within the middle or upper reference interval, does not appear to warrant prompt prescription of gastrointestinal protectants.