bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance and intestinal microbiota of chickens receiving probiotic in the feed and submitted to antibiotic therapy
Authors: Pereira Rafaela , Bortoluzzi Cristiano , Durrer Ademir , Fagundes Naiara Simarro , Pedroso Adriana Ayres , Rafael Jaqueline Moreira , Perim Júlia Elidia de Lima , Zavarize Kelen Cristiane , Napty Glaucia Samira , Andreote Fernando Dini , Costa Diogo Paes , Menten José Fernando Machado 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to verify the ability of a probiotic in the feed to maintain the stability of the gut microbiota in chickens after antibiotic therapy and its association with growth performance. One thousand six hundred twenty 1‐day‐old Cobb male were housed in floor pens (36 pens, 45 birds/pen) and were fed corn‐/soya bean meal‐based diets supplemented with or without probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) during the entire rearing phase. From 21 to 24 days of age (three consecutive days), the chickens were submitted to antibiotic therapy via drinking water (bacitracin and neomycin) in order to mimic a field treatment and induce dysbiosis. Growth performance was monitored until 42 days of age. At 2, 4 and 6 days after antibiotic therapy, three chickens from each pen were euthanized and the contents of the small intestine and caeca were collected and pooled. The trial was conducted with four treatments and nine replicates in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for performance characteristics (with and without probiotic × with and without antibiotic therapy); for the intestinal microbiota, it was in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (with and without probiotic × with and without antibiotic therapy × 2, 4 and 6 days after the antibiotic therapy) with three replicates per treatment. Terminal restriction length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis showed that the structure of gut bacterial community was shaped by the intestinal segment and by the time after the antibiotic therapy. The number of 16S rDNAs copies in caecum contents decreased with time after the therapeutic treatment. The antibiotic therapy and dietary probiotic supplementation decreased richness and diversity indexes in the caecal contents. The improved performance observed in birds supplemented with probiotic may be related to changes promoted by the feed additive in the structure of the intestinal bacterial communities and phylogenetic groups. Antibiotic therapy modified the bacterial structure, but did not cause loss of broiler performance.
Effects of L‐citrulline supplementation on heat stress physiology, lactation performance and subsequent reproductive performance of sows in summer
Authors: Liu Fan , de Ruyter Emily M. , Athorn Rebecca Z. , Brewster Chris J. , Henman David J. , Morrison Rebecca S. , Smits Robert J. , Cottrell Jeremy J. , Dunshea Frank R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLactating sows are susceptible to heat stress (HS). Part of the thermoregulatory response to HS is to increase peripheral blood flow, which is mediated in part by the vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of supplementation of L‐citrulline, a NO precursor, on symptoms of HS, lactation performance and subsequent reproductive performance of sows in summer. A total of 221 summer farrowing mixed parity sows were fed either a control diet or supplemented with 1% L‐citrulline upon entry to the farrowing house (6 ± 1.8 days for mean ± standard deviation [SD] before farrowing) until weaning (26 ± 1.5 days). The average daily minimum and maximum temperature in the farrowing house was 21.0 ± 1.88 and 29.2 ± 3.82°C (mean ± SD). Rectal temperature, respiration rate, and plasma and urinary nitrite and nitrate (NOx) of sows were measured on the 19th day post‐farrowing. Supplemental L‐citrulline in the diet did not affect the number of piglets born alive, feed intake of sows, body weight or backfat thickness of sows at weaning, or litter weight gain. L‐citrulline tended to reduce piglet pre‐weaning mortality rate from 18.6% to 15.6% (p = 0.058). L‐citrulline reduced the respiration rate of sows compared to the control diet at 17:00 hr (Time × Diet, p < 0.001); however, rectal temperature was not affected. L‐citrulline tended to increase urinary NOx concentrations (127 vs. 224 µM, p = 0.057) but not plasma NOx concentrations. L‐citrulline did not affect farrowing rate or number of piglets born alive in the subsequent parity. In conclusion, L‐citrulline supplementation reduced respiration rate of lactating sows and reduced piglet pre‐weaning mortality rate in summer. Whether the effects were due to a NO‐dependent mechanism requires further validation.
Oxygen‐dependent regulation of SPI1 type three secretion system by small RNAs in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Kim Kyungsub , Golubeva Yekaterina A. , Vanderpool Carin K. , Slauch James M. 
Published: November 2018

SummarySalmonella Typhimurium induces inflammatory diarrhea and uptake into intestinal epithelial cells using the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) type III secretion system (T3SS). Three AraC‐like regulators, HilD, HilC and RtsA, form a feed‐forward regulatory loop that activates transcription of hilA, encoding the activator of the T3SS structural genes. Many environmental signals and regulatory systems are integrated into this circuit to precisely regulate SPI1 expression. A subset of these regulatory factors affects translation of hilD, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we identified two sRNAs, FnrS and ArcZ, which repress hilD translation, leading to decreased production of HilA. FnrS and ArcZ are oppositely regulated in response to oxygen, one of the key environmental signals affecting expression of SPI1. Mutational analysis demonstrates that FnrS and ArcZ bind to the hilD mRNA 5′ UTR, resulting in translational repression. Deletion of fnrS led to increased HilD production under low‐aeration conditions, whereas deletion of arcZ abolished the regulatory effect on hilD translation aerobically. The fnrS arcZ double mutant has phenotypes in a mouse oral infection model consistent with increased expression of SPI1. Together, these results suggest that coordinated regulation by these two sRNAs maximizes HilD production at an intermediate level of oxygen.
Long‐distance pollen dispersal during recent colonization favors a rapid but partial recovery of genetic diversity in Picea sitchensis
Authors: Elleouet Joane S. , Aitken Sally N. 
Published: November 2018

Summary

Tree species in the northern hemisphere are currently subject to rapid anthropogenic climate change and are shifting their ranges in response. This prompts questions about the mechanisms allowing tree populations to respond quickly to selection pressures when establishing into new areas. Focusing on the northern expanding range edge of Picea sitchensis, a widespread conifer of western North America, we ask how genetic structure and diversity develop during colonization, and assess the role of demographic history in shaping the evolutionary trajectory of an establishing population.

We combined 500 yr of tree‐ring and genotyping‐by‐sequencing data in 639 trees at the expansion front on the Kodiak Archipelago.

We show that alleles accumulated rapidly during an increase in recruitment rate in the early 1700s. A shift from foreign to local pollen flow subsequently homogenized genetic structure at the expansion front.

Taking advantage of the exceptional longevity of conifers, we highlight the major role of long‐distance pollen dispersal in the rapid but incomplete recovery of genetic diversity during the initial stages of colonization. We also warn that slow initial population growth as well as long‐lasting dominance of local gene flow by early founders could increase evolutionary load under a rapidly changing climate.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Microencapsulated Chondrocytes on Repairing of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Zhang Zi‐qi , Wang Chun‐sheng , Yang Pei , Wang Kun‐zheng 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells induced by microencapsulated chondrocytes on repairing of intervertebral disc degeneration.MethodsRabbit chondrocytes and bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were derived. Chondrocytes were microencapsulated by a microcapsule generator to produce microencapsulated chondrocytes (MEC). MSC were then co‐cultured with MEC (MSC‐MEC) and the properties and the therapeutic effects on repairing of intervertebral disc degeneration were studied. For the in vitro study, cell proliferation, type II collagen, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were studied. The MSC induced by chondrocytes in the Transwell system (MSC‐MLC) and pure MSC were used as the control group. For the in vivo studied, MSC‐MEC were implanted into the intervertebral disc degenerated (IDD) models, and the radiological images, biomechanical properties, collagen II, and histology of the discs were studied. The IDD, MSC, and MSC‐MLC groups were used as the control group.ResultsIn the in vitro study, no significant differences were found among the three groups, indicating that the microcapsule co‐culture system will not affect the proliferation of MSC. The type II collagen quantity secreted by MSC‐MEC was 23.57 ± 2.46 ng/μL, which was more than for MSC‐MLC (15.14 ± 2.31 ng/μL) and MSC groups (4.17 ± 1.23 ng/μL, all P < 0.025). GAG secreted by MSC‐MEC was 0.184 ± 0.006 mg/well, which was more than for the MSC‐MLC (0.151 ± 0.011 mg/well) and MSC groups (0.023 ± 0.002 mg/well, all P < 0.025). In the in vivo study, no obvious degenerative or protrusive disc was found in the MSC‐MEC group, while protrusive discs could be found in the MSC‐MLC group, and both degenerative and protrusive discs were found in MSC and IDD groups, which indicated that the reparative effects of MSC‐MEC on degenerated discs were better than for the control groups. Biomechanical properties of discs in the MSC‐MEC group were maintained at all four time points (2nd, 4th, 8th, and 16th week after implantation). The compressive strength (CS) and the elastic modulus (EM) of MSC and IDD groups were consistently decreased. The CS of the MSC‐MLC group was increased in the 4th week but decreased again in the 8th week, while the EM of the MSC‐MLC group consistently decreased. Western blot results indicated that discs of the MSC‐MEC group had more collagen II, which is an important component of discs. Histology staining showed that the nucleus pulposus of MSC‐MEC was complete; no obvious fragment of component loss was found, while those of MSC‐MLC, MSC, and IDD groups were widened, broken, and hollow.ConclusionThe microencapsulation method for half‐contact co‐culturing improves the differentiation extent of MSC, and MSC induced by chondrocytes could also be used for treatment of IDD.
Disinfect Porphyromonas gingivalis Biofilm on Titanium Surface with Combined Application of Chlorhexidine and Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Cai Zhiyu , Li Yijun , Wang Yanhuang , Chen Shuai , Jiang Shan , Ge Huan , Lei Lishan , Huang Xiaojing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractVarious antimicrobial modalities have been proposed to treat peri‐implantitis but resulted in limited outcomes. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the disinfection efficacy of combined application of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) of titanium surfaces previously contaminated with Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm. P. gingivalis biofilms were grown on 32 polished and 32 sandblasted large‐grit acid‐etched (SLA) titanium surfaces. Titanium disks were allocated into four groups as follows: (1) immersed in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), (2) immersed in 0.2% CHX, (3) application of aPDT and (4) immersed in 0.2% CHX and subsequent aPDT. Residual bacteria were determined by microbial culture analysis and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging. Combination protocol (CHX+ aPDT) was the most effective in eradicating P. gingivalis (P < 0.05) on both polished and SLA surfaces. There was no significant difference in the number of remaining P. gingivalis between polished titanium disks and the SLA ones in four groups (P > 0.05). Under the limitation of this study, combined technique of preceding application of CHX and subsequent aPDT was shown to be an efficient method in reducing P. gingivalis numbers in both polished and SLA titanium surfaces.
Photolyases and Cryptochromes in UV‐resistant Bacteria from High‐altitude Andean Lakes
Authors: Portero Luciano Raúl , Alonso‐Reyes Daniel G. , Zannier Federico , Vazquez Martín P. , Farías María Eugenia , Gärtner Wolfgang , Albarracín Virginia Helena 
Published: November 2018

Abstract“High‐altitude Andean Lakes” (HAAL) are pristine environments harboring poly‐extremophilic microbes that show combined adaptations to physical and chemical stress such as large daily ambient thermal amplitude, extreme solar radiation levels, intense dryness, alkalinity, high concentrations of arsenic (up to 200 ppm) and dissolved salts. In this work, we compared the UV resistance profiles, pigment content and photoreactivation abilities of three UV‐resistant bacteria isolated from distinct niches from HAALs, that is Acinetobacter sp. Ver3 (water, Lake Verde; 4400 m), Exiguobacterium sp. S17 (stromatolite, Lake Socompa, 3570 m) and Nesterenkonia sp. Act20 (soil, Lake Socompa, 3570 m). UV resistance ability of HAAL's strains indicate a clear adaptation to high radiation exposure encountered in their original habitat, which can be explained by genetic and physiological mechanisms named as the UV‐resistome. Thus, the UV‐resistome depends on the expression of a diverse set of genes devoted to evading or repairing the damage it provoked direct or indirectly. As pigment extraction and photoreactive assays indicate the presence of photoactive molecules, we characterized more in detail proteins with homology to photolyases/cryptochromes members (CPF). Phylogenetic analyses, sequence comparison and 3D modeling with bona fide CPF members were used to prove the presence of functional domains and key residues in the novel proteins.
Physiological and population genetic analysis of Botrytis field isolates from vineyards in Castilla y León, Spain
Authors: Acosta Morel W. , Marques‐Costa T. M. , Santander‐Gordón D. , Anta Fernández F. , Zabalgogeazcoa I. , Vázquez de Aldana B. R. , Sukno S. A. , Díaz‐Mínguez J. M. , Benito E. P. 
Published: November 2018

Grey mould is reported in the vineyards of Castilla y León, Spain, every year. However, the natural populations of the pathogen have yet to be properly characterized. Vineyards from six wine‐producing areas were surveyed in 2002 and 2007, sampling from bunches of grapes with and without symptoms. A total of 283 Botrytis field isolates were selected for physiological and genetic analyses. Botrytis cinerea isolates predominated in the population, although isolates belonging to Botrytis pseudocinerea and Botrytis prunorum were also identified. These two species are recorded for the first time in Spain in this work. In addition, two isolates closely related to Botrytis californica were identified. Physiologically, the B. cinerea population is very diverse, displaying a normal distribution of aggressiveness values in Vitis vinifera leaves, suggesting a quantitative nature for this trait. Several isolates unable to cause infection were identified, most of them belonging to a mycelial morphotype. Population genetic analysis revealed that genotypic diversity is high and that multiple infections of the same bunch of grapes by different genotypes occur frequently. The high genotypic diversity observed, an even distribution of both mating types and the linkage disequilibrium values detected support a mixed mode of reproduction with low levels of clonality. The wine‐producing area in which each isolate was collected imposed a low degree of population differentiation, an effect that does not depend solely on the geographic distances but rather on the management practices used by growers and wine producer associations.
Non‐take up of the supplemental child benefit for children with a disability in Belgium: A mixed‐method approach
Authors: Vinck Julie , Lebeer Jo , Van Lancker Wim 
Published: November 2018

AbstractFamilies with disabled children run a great risk of being poor. Although policies providing poor families with financial benefits should be effective in reducing poverty, the actual effectiveness is often jeopardized by the issue of non‐take up (NTU). Yet, NTU of benefits aimed at disabled children is for the most part uncharted territory. In this article, we fill this gap using a mixed‐methods approach to (a) estimate the magnitude and characteristics of NTU in the Belgian “supplemental child benefit” by drawing on a large‐scale administrative dataset on childhood disabilities and (b) explore the determinants of NTU by means of semistructured interviews with experts and parents. We estimate an NTU rate of at least 10%, a substantial figure given that the benefit is not income tested. This mainly concerns children with “less visible disabilities” (autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual and psychological disorders) and results from insufficient information provision about the benefit's existence and eligibility criteria; process costs, for instance, the complexity of the procedure; and the way the scale to assess a child's disability is constructed.
Bacterial surveillance of apheresis platelets in South Africa (January 2011 to December 2016)
Authors: Jentsch Ute , Swanevelder Ronel 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundGlobally, bacterial contamination of platelets remains the major transfusion‐related infectious risk. Limited data are available from low‐middle income countries. The South African National Blood Service routinely tests a percentage of apheresis platelets for bacterial contamination. We report on contamination rates from January 2011 to December 2016.MethodsA retrospective analysis of the surveillance data from apheresis platelets was performed. Two to 4 ml of each apheresis product was collected aseptically and divided equally into an aerobic and anaerobic culture bottle using the BacT/ALERT (bioMerieux) or BACTEC™ (Beckton Dickinson) systems. Bacterial identification was done using the MicroScan (Beckman Coulter) system.ResultsA total of 87 841 apheresis platelets were collected between 2011 and 2016 of which 18% were tested. The average positive culture rate was 2·7%, ranging between 0·6% (2011) and 5·22% (2015). Gram‐positive bacteria constituted 94% of all isolates (269/285), ten (4%) gram‐negative bacteria and 6 (2%) fungi were detected. The most common bacterial isolates were Cutibacterium acnes (35%), coagulase‐negative Staphylococci (26%), Bacillus spp. (8%), Corynebacteria spp. (8%). A total of nine highly pathogenic bacteria were isolated: two Acinetobacter spp, one each of Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., Klebsiella spp., one Staphylococcus aureus and three Listeria spp. Average time to positivity for bacteria was 5·9 days. No cases of sepsis or death were reported during this time.ConclusionBacterial contamination rates, mostly due to gram‐positive bacteria, increased since 2011. Bacterial screening must be aligned with international recommendations, and novel technologies should be explored to reduce the residual risk.
Modelling cell-cell collision and adhesion with the filament based lamellipodium model
Authors: Sfakianakis Nikolaos , Peurichard Diane , Brunk Aaron , Schmeiser Christian 
Published: November 2018

We extend the live-cell motility Filament Based Lamellipodium Model (FBLM) to incorporate the forces exerted on the lamellipodium of the cells due to cell-cell collision and cadherinВ induced cell-cell adhesion. We take into account the nature of these forces via physical and biological constraints and modelling assumptions. We investigate the effect these new components have in the migration and morphology of the cells through particular experiments. We exhibit moreover the similarities between our simulated cells and HeLa cancer cells.
Impact of peroral cholangioscopy on the management of indeterminate biliary conditions: a multicentre prospective trial
Authors: Prat Frederic , Leblanc Sarah , Foissac Frantz , Ponchon Thierry , Laugier René , Bichard Philippe , Maire Frédérique , Coumaros Dimitri , Charachon Antoine , Vedrenne Bruno , Boytchev Isabelle , Chaussade Stanislas , Kaddour Nadira , Laquière Arthur , Gaujoux Sèbastien 
Published: November 2018

Background and aimsSingle-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) can help diagnose biliopancreatic conditions. The impact of SOC on patient outcome has never been specifically addressed.Patients and methodsConsecutive patients bearing indeterminate biliary strictures (IDBS), or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with suspected cholangiocarcinoma, were included. Patients with IDBS had at least one previous inconclusive endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) + cytology. Primary endpoint was the difference in adequacy of management planned before and after SOC with regard to final diagnosis obtained after surgery or 24 months follow-up.DesignProspective open-label multicentre trial.Results61 patients were included (IDBS: 48; PSC: 13); 70.5% had a benign lesion (IDBS 66.7%, PSC 84.6%). The management adequacy rate was significantly higher after SOC than before SOC overall (p<10–5), in IDBS (p<0.001) and PSC (p<0.05) patients. SOC induced changes in the management of the majority of patients in all groups (60.3%). The overall sensitivity of combined visual impression and biopsy ranged from 52% to 63.6% depending on investigator or independent expert rating (κ 0.92–0.96), whereas specificity, positive and negative predictive values of SOC were, respectively, 100%, 100% and 83.6%. Patient management observed at the end of follow-up was consistent with that anticipated after SOC in 88.5% overall.ConclusionDespite a moderate sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignancy, SOC has a dramatic impact on the management of patients with IDBS and PSC with suspected carcinoma. Cholangioscopy might be implemented in the workup of selected patients with challenging diagnosis, when a significant impact on outcome (essentially resection vs conservative management) is to be expected.
ED-SHO: A framework for solving nonlinear economic load power dispatch problem using spotted hyena optimizer
Authors: Dhiman Gaurav , Guo Sen , Kaur Satnam 
Published: November 2018

This paper presents the application of recently developed metaheuristic optimization algorithm, the spotted hyena optimizer, for solving both convex and non-convex economic dispatch problems. The proposed algorithm has been tested on various test systems (i.e. 6, 10, 20, and 40 generators systems) and compared with other well-known approaches to demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency. The results show that the proposed algorithm is able to solve economic load power dispatch problem and converge toward the optimum with low computational efforts.
Approximate convex decomposition and transfer for animated meshes
Authors: Thul Daniel , Ladický L'ubor , Jeong Sohyeon , Pollefeys Marc 
Published: November 2018

Many geometric quantities can be computed efficiently for convex meshes. For general meshes, methods for approximate convex decomposition have been developed that decompose a static, non-convex object into a small set of approximately convex parts. The convex hulls of those parts can then be used as a piecewise convex approximation to the original mesh.
While previous work was only concerned with static meshes, we present a method for decomposing animated 3D meshes into temporally coherent approximately convex parts. Given a mesh and several training frames---that is, different spatial configurations of its vertices---we precompute an approximate convex decomposition that is independent of any specific frame. Such a decomposition can be transferred in real-time to novel, unseen frames. We apply our method to a variety of pre-animated meshes as well as a 3D character interactively controlled by a user's body pose. We further demonstrate that our method enables real-time physics simulations to interact with animated meshes.