bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A glycoside analog of mammalian oligomannose formulated with a TLR4-stimulating adjuvant elicits HIV-1 cross-reactive antibodies
Authors: Bruxelle Jean-François , Kirilenko Tess , Trattnig Nino , Yang Yiqiu , Cattin Matteo , Kosma Paul , Pantophlet Ralph 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe occurrence of oligomannose-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) has spurred efforts to develop immunogens that can elicit similar antibodies. Here, we report on the antigenicity and immunogenicity of a CRM197-conjugate of a previously reported oligomannose mimetic. Oligomannose-specific bnAbs that are less dependent on interactions with the HIV envelope protein sequence showed strong binding to the glycoconjugates, with affinities approximating those reported for their cognate epitope. The glycoconjugate is also recognized by inferred germline precursors of oligomannose-specific bnAbs, albeit with the expected low avidity, supporting its potential as an immunogen. Immunization of human-antibody transgenic mice revealed that only a TLR4-stimulating adjuvant formulation resulted in antibodies able to bind a panel of recombinant HIV trimers. These antibodies bound at relatively modest levels, possibly explaining their inability to neutralize HIV infectivity. Nevertheless, these findings contribute further to understanding conditions for eliciting HIV-cross-reactive oligomannose-specific antibodies and inform on next steps for improving on the elicited response.
Tuberculosis case notifications in Malawi have strong seasonal and weather-related trends
Authors: Kirolos Amir , Thindwa Deus , Khundi McEwen , Burke Rachael M. , Henrion Marc Y. R. , Nakamura Itaru , Divala Titus H. , Nliwasa Marriott , Corbett Elizabeth L. , MacPherson Peter 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSeasonal trends in tuberculosis (TB) notifications have been observed in several countries but are poorly understood. Explanatory factors may include weather, indoor crowding, seasonal respiratory infections and migration. Using enhanced citywide TB surveillance data collected over nine years in Blantyre, Malawi, we set out to investigate how weather and seasonality affect temporal trends in TB case notification rates (CNRs) across different demographic groups. We used data from prospective enhanced surveillance between April 2011 and December 2018, which systematically collected age, HIV status, sex and case notification dates for all registering TB cases in Blantyre. We retrieved temperature and rainfall data from the Global Surface Summary of the Day weather station database. We calculated weekly trends in TB CNRs, rainfall and temperature, and calculated 10-week moving averages. To investigate the associations between rainfall, temperature and TB CNRs, we fitted generalized linear models using a distributed lag nonlinear framework. The estimated Blantyre population increased from 1,068,151 in April 2011 to 1,264,304 in December 2018, with 15,908 TB cases recorded. Overall annual TB CNRs declined from 222 to 145 per 100,000 between 2012 and 2018, with the largest declines seen in HIV-positive people and adults aged over 20 years old. TB CNRs peaks occurred with increasing temperature in September and October before the onset of increased rainfall, and later in the rainy season during January-March, after sustained rainfall. When lag between a change in weather and TB case notifications was accounted for, higher average rainfall was associated with an equivalent six weeks of relatively lower TB notification rates, whereas there were no changes in TB CNR associated with change in average temperatures. TB CNRs in Blantyre have a seasonal pattern of two cyclical peaks per year, coinciding with the start and end of the rainy season. These trends may be explained by increased transmission at certain times of the year, by limited healthcare access, by patterns of seasonal respiratory infections precipitating cough and care-seeking, or by migratory patterns related to planting and harvesting during the rainy season.
Exploring the genetic architecture of feed efficiency traits in chickens
Authors: Marchesi Jorge Augusto Petroli , Ono Rafael Keith , Cantão Maurício Egídio , Ibelli Adriana Mércia Guaratini , Peixoto Jane de Oliveira , Moreira Gabriel Costa Monteiro , Godoy Thaís Fernanda , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Munari Danísio Prado , Ledur Mônica Corrêa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChicken feed efficiency (FE) traits are the most important economic traits in broiler production. Several studies evaluating genetic factors affecting food consumption in chickens are available. However, most of these studies identified genomic regions containing putative quantitative trait loci for each trait separately. It is still a challenge to find common gene networks related to these traits. Therefore, here, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to explore candidate genomic regions responsible for Feed Intake (FI), Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) traits and their gene networks. A total of 1430 broilers from an experimental population was genotyped with the high density Affymetrix 600K SNP array. A total of 119 associated SNPs located in 20 chromosomes were identified, where some of them were common in more than one FE trait. In addition, novel genomic regions were prospected considering the SNPs dominance effects and sex interaction, identifying putative candidate genes only when these effects were fit in the model. Relevant candidate genes such as ATRNL1, PIK3C2A, PTPRN2, SORCS3 and gga-mir-1759 were highlighted in this study helping to elucidate the genomic architecture of feed efficiency traits. These results provide new insights on the mechanisms underlying the consumption and utilization of food in chickens.
Comparison of E. coli based self-inducible expression systems containing different human heat shock proteins
Authors: Shariati Fatemeh Sadat , Keramati Malihe , Valizadeh Vahideh , Cohan Reza Ahangari , Norouzian Dariush 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIPTG-inducible promoter is popularly used for the expression of recombinant proteins. However, it is not suitable at the industrial scale due to the high cost and toxicity on the producing cells. Recently, a Self-Inducible Expression (SILEX) system has developed to bypass such problems using Hsp70 as an autoinducer. Herein, the effect of other heat shock proteins on the autoinduction of green fluorescent protein (EGFP), romiplostim, and interleukin-2 was investigated. For quantitative measurements, EGFP expression was monitored after double-transformation of pET28a-EGFP and pET21a-(Hsp27/Hsp40/Hsp70) plasmids into E.coli using fluorimetry. Moreover, the expression level, bacterial growth curve, and plasmid and expression stability were compared to an IPTG- inducible system using EGFP. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in EGFP expression between autoinducible and IPTG-inducible systems. The expression level was higher in Hsp27 system than Hsp70/Hsp40 systems. However, the highest amount of expression was observed for the inducible system. IPTG-inducible and Hsp70 systems showed more lag-time in the bacterial growth curve than Hsp27/Hsp40 systems. A relatively stable EGFP expression was observed in SILEX systems after several freeze–thaw cycles within 90 days, while, IPTG-inducible system showed a decreasing trend compared to the newly transformed bacteria. Moreover, the inducible system showed more variation in the EGFP expression among different clones than clones obtained by SILEX systems. All designed SILEX systems successfully self-induced the expression of protein models. In conclusion, Hsp27 system could be considered as a suitable autoinducible system for protein expression due to less metabolic burden, lower variation in the expression level, suitable plasmid and expression stability, and a higher expression level.
Circulating cell free DNA response to exhaustive exercise in average trained men with type I diabetes mellitus
Authors: Walczak Konrad , Stawski Robert , Perdas Ewelina , Brzezinska Olga , Kosielski Piotr , Galczynski Szymon , Budlewski Tomasz , Padula Gianluca , Nowak Dariusz 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIt is believed that neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs) formation is responsible for the increase in cf DNA after exercise. Since T1DM is accompanied by enhanced NETs generation, we compared exercise-induced increase in cf DNA in 14 men with T1DM and 11 healthy controls and analyzed its association with exercise load. Subjects performed a treadmill run to exhaustion at speed corresponding to 70% of their personal VO2max. Blood was collected before and just after exercise for determination of plasma cf nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (cf n-DNA, cf mt-DNA) by real-time PCR, blood cell count and metabolic markers. Exercise resulted in the increase in median cf n-DNA from 3.9 ng/mL to 21.0 ng/mL in T1DM group and from 3.3 ng/mL to 28.9 ng/mL in controls. Median exercise-induced increment (∆) in cf n-DNA did not differ significantly in both groups (17.8 ng/mL vs. 22.1 ng/mL, p = 0.23), but this variable correlated with run distance (r = 0.66), Δ neutrophils (r = 0.86), Δ creatinine (r = 0.65) and Δ creatine kinase (r = 0.77) only in controls. Pre- and post-exercise cf mt-DNA were not significantly different within and between groups. These suggest low usefulness of Δ cf n-DNA as a marker of exercise intensity in T1DM men.
Aptamer-targeting of Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) can be an effective strategy to inhibit virus replication
Authors: Lu Taofeng , Zhang Hui , Zhou Jie , Ma Qin , Yan Wenzhuo , Zhao Lili , Wu Shuguang , Chen Hongyan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAleutian mink disease (AMD), which is caused by Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV), is an important contagious disease for which no effective vaccine is yet available. AMD causes major economic losses for mink farmers globally and threatens some carnivores such as skunks, genets, foxes and raccoons. Aptamers have exciting potential for the diagnosis and/or treatment of infectious viral diseases, including AMD. Using a magnetic beads-based systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) approach, we have developed aptamers with activity against AMDV after 10 rounds of selection. After incubation with the ADVa012 aptamer (4 μM) for 48 h, the concentration of AMDV in the supernatant of infected cells was 47% lower than in the supernatant of untreated cells, whereas a random library of aptamers has no effect. The half-life of ADVa012 was ~ 32 h, which is significantly longer than that of other aptamers. Sequences and three dimensions structural modeling of selected aptamers indicated that they fold into similar stem-loop structures, which may be a preferred structure for binding to the target protein. The ADVa012 aptamer was shown to have an effective and long-lasting inhibitory effect on viral production in vitro.
Isotopic discrimination in helminths infecting coral reef fishes depends on parasite group, habitat within host, and host stable isotope value
Authors: Riekenberg Philip M. , Briand Marine J. , Moléana Thibaud , Sasal Pierre , van der Meer Marcel T. J. , Thieltges David W. , Letourneur Yves 
Published: February 2021

AbstractStable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen characterize trophic relationships in predator–prey relationships, with clear differences between consumer and diet (discrimination factor Δ13C and Δ15N). However, parasite–host isotopic relationships remain unclear, with Δ13C and Δ15N remaining incompletely characterized, especially for helminths. In this study, we used stable isotopes to determine discrimination factors for 13 parasite–host pairings of helminths in coral reef fish. Differences in Δ15N values grouped according to parasite groups and habitat within the host with positive Δ15N values observed for trematodes and nematodes from the digestive tract and variable Δ15N values observed for cestodes and nematodes from the general cavity. Furthermore, Δ13C values showed more complex patterns with no effect of parasite group or habitat within host. A negative relationship was observed between Δ15N and host δ15N values among different host-parasite pairings as well as within 7 out of the 13 pairings, indicating that host metabolic processing affects host-parasite discrimination values. In contrast, no relationships were observed for Δ13C values. Our results indicate that parasite group, habitat within host, and host stable isotope value drive Δ15N of helminths in coral reef fish while their effect on Δ13C is more idiosyncratic. These results call for use of taxon- or species-specific and scaled framework for bulk stable isotopes in the trophic ecology of parasites.
The Association Between Brain Reserve, Cognitive Reserve, and Neuropsychological and Functional Outcomes in Males With Chronic Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Pettemeridou Eva , Constantinidou Fofi 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to significant neural and cognitive impairment, affecting functional outcome. This study investigated the chronic effects of moderate-to-severe TBI on brain reserve (BR), cognitive reserve (CR), and neuropsychological and functional outcome.

Method

The group with TBI consisted of 41 male participants with a primary diagnosis of moderate-to-severe closed head injury (time since injury [TSI],
M
= 6.12 years, range: 1–23,
SD
= 5.99,
Mdn
= 4). TBI survivors were compared to 24 neurotypical male participants, matched on age and education. Magnetic resonance imaging T1 anatomical images were used to calculate gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid volume. BR was calculated using the ventricle-to-brain ratio. CR was assessed using two hold measures: the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Pseudowords task. Functional outcome was measured using the Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended.

Results
Neuropsychological performance of TBI survivors was significantly lower than their neurotypical controls, as measured by theoretically driven composites of verbal and visual memory, executive functions, attention, and CR. They presented greater ventricle-to-brain ratio volume, compared to noninjured controls, with higher scores indicating lower BR levels. Both BR and TSI were significantly associated with CR. Also, a median-split analysis revealed a TSI effect on CR. Significant associations were evident between the Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended and the BR and CR measures.

Conclusions
Lingering neuropsychological deficits in chronic TBI support the role of BR and CR in functional outcome. Furthermore, TSI interferes with CR supporting the notion that TBI sets off a chronic neurodegenerative and progressive course that interferes with semantic knowledge.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14049923
Combined Memory Training: An Approach for Episodic Memory Deficits in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: D'Angelo Elisabeth Cochran , Ober Beth A. , Shenaut Gregory K. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The study aimed to test a combination of semantic memory and traditional episodic memory therapies on episodic memory deficits in adults with traumatic brain injury.

Method

Twenty-five participants who had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and had episodic memory deficits were randomly assigned either to a combined memory treatment group (
n
= 16) or to a wait-list control group (
n
= 9). Before and after treatment, they completed standardized neuropsychological testing for episodic memory and related cognitive domains, including the California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test, the University of Southern California Repeatable Episodic Memory Test, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence–Second Edition Matrices, the Test of Everyday Attention, the Memory Assessment Clinics Self-Rating Scale, the Expressive Vocabulary Test–Second Edition, and the Story Recall subtest from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. In addition to a traditional episodic memory therapy, the treatment group received a novel semantic memory–focused therapy, which involved participants finding meaningful connections between diverse concepts represented by sets of two or three words.

Results
The treatment group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in memory for list learning tasks, and there was a significant difference from pretest to posttest between the treatment group and the wait-list control group. Clinical significance was demonstrated for the treatment group using minimally important difference calculations.

Conclusion
Combined memory therapy resulted in significant improvements in episodic memory, semantic memory, and attention, in comparison to no treatment.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14049968
Comparing Lexical Cues in Listener Processing of Dysarthria and Speech in Noise
Authors: Fletcher Annalise , McAuliffe Megan 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The frequency of a word and its number of phonologically similar neighbors can dramatically affect how likely it is to be accurately identified in adverse listening conditions. This study compares how these two cues affect listeners' processing of speech in noise and dysarthric speech.

Method
Seven speakers with moderate hypokinetic dysarthria and eight healthy control speakers were recorded producing the same set of phrases. Statements from control speakers were mixed with noise at a level selected to match the intelligibility range of the speakers with dysarthria. A binomial mixed-effects model quantified the effects of word frequency and phonological density on word identification.

Results

The model revealed significant effects of word frequency (
b
= 0.37,
SE
= 0.12,
p
= .002) and phonological neighborhood density (
b
= 0.40,
SE
= 0.12,
p
= .001). There was no effect of speaking condition (i.e., dysarthric speech vs. speech in noise). However, a significant interaction was observed between speaking condition and word frequency (
b
= 0.26,
SE
= 0.04,
p
< .001).

Conclusions
The model's interactions indicated that listeners were more strongly influenced by the effects of word frequency when decoding moderate hypokinetic dysarthria as compared to speech in noise. Differences in listener reliance on lexical cues may have important implications for the selection of communication-based treatment strategies for speakers with dysarthria.
Formant Trajectory Patterns of American English /l/ Produced by Adults and Children
Authors: Chung Hyunju , Weismer Gary 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Most acoustic and articulatory studies on /l/ have focused on either duration, formant frequencies, or tongue shape during the constriction interval. Only a limited set of data exists for the transition characteristics of /l/ to and from surrounding vowels. The aim of this study was to examine second formant (F2) transition characteristics of /l/ produced by young children and adults. This was to better understand articulatory behaviors in the production of /l/ and potential clinical applications of these data to typical and delayed /l/ development.

Method
Participants included 17 children with typically developing speech between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and 10 female adult speakers of Southern American English. Each subject produced single words containing pre- and postvocalic /l/ in two vowel contexts (/i, ɪ/ and /ɔ, ɑ/). F2 transitions, out of and into /l/ constriction intervals from the adjacent vowels, were analyzed for perceptually acceptable /l/ productions. The F2 transition extent, duration, and rate, as well as F2 loci data, were compared across age groups by vowel context for both pre- and postvocalic /l/.

Results
F2 transitions of adults' /l/ showed a great similarity across and within speakers. Those of young children showed greater variability, but became increasingly similar to those of adults with age. The F2 loci data seemed consistent with greater coarticulation among children than adults. This conclusion, however, must be regarded as preliminary due to the possible influence of different vocal tract size across ages and variability in the data.

Conclusions
The results suggest that adult patterns can serve as a reliable reference to which children's /l/ productions can be evaluated. The articulatory configurations associated with the /l/ constriction interval and the vocal tract movements into and out of that interval may provide insight into the underlying difficulties related to misarticulated /l/.
Physical properties of brightest cluster galaxies up to redshift 1.80 based on HST data
Authors: Chu A. , Durret F. , Márquez I. 
Published: February 2021

Context. Brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) grow by accreting numerous smaller galaxies, and can be used as tracers of cluster formation and evolution in the cosmic web. However, there is still controversy regarding the main epoch of formation of BCGs; some authors believe they already formed before redshift z = 2, while others find that they are still evolving at more recent epochs.
Aims. We study the physical properties of a large sample of BCGs covering a wide redshift range up to z = 1.8 and analyzed in a homogeneous way, to see if their characteristics vary with redshift. As a first step we also present a new tool to determine for each cluster which galaxy is the BCG.
Methods. For a sample of 137 clusters with HST images in the optical and/or infrared, we analyzed the BCG properties by applying GALFIT with one or two Sérsic components. For each BCG we thus computed the Sérsic index, effective radius, major axis position angle, and surface brightness. We then searched for correlations of these quantities with redshift.
Results. We find that the BCGs follow the Kormendy relation (between the effective radius and the mean surface brightness), with a slope that remains constant with redshift, but with a variation with redshift of the ordinate at the origin. Although the trends are faint, we find that the absolute magnitudes and the effective radii tend to become respectively brighter and bigger with decreasing redshift. On the other hand, we find no significant correlation of the mean surface brightnesses or Sérsic indices with redshift. The major axes of the cluster elongations and of the BCGs agree within 30° for 73% of our clusters at redshift z ≤ 0.9.
Conclusions. Our results agree with the BCGs being mainly formed before redshift z = 2. The alignment of the major axes of BCGs with their clusters agree with the general idea that BCGs form at the same time as clusters by accreting matter along the filaments of the cosmic web.
East Asia has delinked – can Ethiopia delink too?
Authors: Pérez Francisco 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
The possible emergence of a developmental state in Ethiopia has renewed the debate among African activists, scholars and policymakers over how to explain the remarkable success of the ‘East Asian model’. Rapid industrialisation in South Korea, Taiwan and China supposedly invalidates dependency theory, yet Samir Amin’s framework of delinking can better explain the success of these countries than can competing theories of the developmental state, since it highlights the role of international and domestic political alliances. Delinking means submitting international trade and financial relations to domestic priorities and is necessary for capitalist or socialist development.