bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a dietary screening questionnaire to predict excessive weight gain in pregnancy
Authors: Hrolfsdottir Laufey , Halldorsson Thorhallur I. , Birgisdottir Bryndis E. , Hreidarsdottir Ingibjörg Th. , Hardardottir Hildur , Gunnarsdottir Ingibjorg 
Published: July 2018

AbstractExcessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is a risk factor for several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including macrosomia. Diet is one of the few modifiable risk factors identified. However, most dietary assessment methods are impractical for use in maternal care. This study evaluated whether a short dietary screening questionnaire could be used as a predictor of excessive GWG in a cohort of Icelandic women. The dietary data were collected in gestational weeks 11–14, using a 40‐item food frequency screening questionnaire. The dietary data were transformed into 13 predefined dietary risk factors for an inadequate diet. Stepwise backward elimination was used to identify a reduced set of factors that best predicted excessive GWG. This set of variables was then used to calculate a combined dietary risk score (range 0–5). Information regarding outcomes, GWG (n = 1,326) and birth weight (n = 1,651), was extracted from maternal hospital records. In total, 36% had excessive GWG (Icelandic criteria), and 5% of infants were macrosomic (≥4,500 g). A high dietary risk score (characterized by a nonvaried diet, nonadequate frequency of consumption of fruits/vegetables, dairy, and whole grain intake, and excessive intake of sugar/artificially sweetened beverages and dairy) was associated with a higher risk of excessive GWG. Women with a high (≥4) versus low (≤2) risk score had higher risk of excessive GWG (relative risk = 1.23, 95% confidence interval, CI [1.002, 1.50]) and higher odds of delivering a macrosomic offspring (odds ratio = 2.20, 95% CI [1.14, 4.25]). The results indicate that asking simple questions about women's dietary intake early in pregnancy could identify women who should be prioritized for further dietary counselling and support.
Small‐scale spatial variation in infection risk shapes the evolution of a Borrelia resistance gene in wild rodents
Authors: Cornetti Luca , Hilfiker Daniela , Lemoine Mélissa , Tschirren Barbara 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSpatial variation in pathogen‐mediated selection is predicted to influence the evolutionary trajectory of host populations and lead to spatial variation in their immunogenetic composition. However, to date few studies have been able to directly link small‐scale spatial variation in infection risk to host immune gene evolution in natural, nonhuman populations. Here, we use a natural rodent–Borrelia system to test for associations between landscape‐level spatial variation in Borrelia infection risk along replicated elevational gradients in the Swiss Alps and Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) evolution, a candidate gene for Borrelia resistance, across bank vole (Myodes glareolus) populations. We found that Borrelia infection risk (i.e., the product of Borrelia prevalence in questing ticks and the average tick load of voles at a sampling site) was spatially variable and significantly negatively associated with elevation. Across sampling sites, Borrelia prevalence in bank voles was significantly positively associated with Borrelia infection risk along the elevational clines. We observed a significant association between naturally occurring TLR2 polymorphisms in hosts and their Borrelia infection status. The TLR2 variant associated with a reduced likelihood of Borrelia infection was most common in rodent populations at lower elevations that face a high Borrelia infection risk, and its frequency changed in accordance with the change in Borrelia infection risk along the elevational clines. These results suggest that small‐scale spatial variation in parasite‐mediated selection affects the immunogenetic composition of natural host populations, providing a striking example that the microbial environment shapes the evolution of the host's immune system in the wild.
Induced conformational changes activate the peptidoglycan synthase PBP1B
Authors: Egan Alexander J. F. , Maya‐Martinez Roberto , Ayala Isabel , Bougault Catherine M. , Banzhaf Manuel , Breukink Eefjan , Vollmer Waldemar , Simorre Jean‐Pierre 
Published: July 2018

SummaryBacteria surround their cytoplasmic membrane with an essential, stress‐bearing peptidoglycan (PG) layer consisting of glycan chains linked by short peptides into a mesh‐like structure. Growing and dividing cells expand their PG layer using inner‐membrane anchored PG synthases, including Penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs), which participate in dynamic protein complexes to facilitate cell wall growth. In Escherichia coli, and presumably other Gram‐negative bacteria, growth of the mainly single layered PG is regulated by outer membrane‐anchored lipoproteins. The lipoprotein LpoB is required to activate PBP1B, which is a major, bi‐functional PG synthase with glycan chain polymerising (glycosyltransferase) and peptide cross‐linking (transpeptidase) activities. In this work we show how the binding of LpoB to the regulatory UB2H domain of PBP1B activates both activities. Binding induces structural changes in the UB2H domain, which transduce to the two catalytic domains by distinct allosteric pathways. We also show how an additional regulator protein, CpoB, is able to selectively modulate the TPase activation by LpoB without interfering with GTase activation.
Promoting Grammatical Development Through Textually Enhanced Captions: An Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: LEE MINJIN , RÉVÉSZ ANDREA 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study launched an investigation into the extent to which textual enhancement in captions can promote learner attention to and subsequent development in second language (L2) grammar. Using eye‐tracking, it also intended to extend research on the relationship between attention and L2 learning. A pretest–posttest experimental design was employed, with 3 treatment sessions. Forty‐eight Korean learners of L2 English were randomly assigned into a captions group (n = 24) and an enhanced captions group (n = 24). For the enhanced captions group, the components of pronominal anaphoric reference were boldfaced in the treatment task input. Learner attention to anaphora antecedents and personal pronouns was assessed with eye‐movement indices, and a written and an oral grammaticality judgment test were used to measure learning gains. Textual enhancement succeeded in directing learner attention to the anaphora antecedents, and led to increased gains in receptive knowledge of pronominal anaphoric reference. However, significant links between attention and L2 development were only observed for the unenhanced captions group. The findings, overall, demonstrate that textually enhanced captioning is a useful pedagogical tool to facilitate development in L2 grammatical knowledge.
Protax‐fungi: a web‐based tool for probabilistic taxonomic placement of fungal internal transcribed spacer sequences
Authors: Abarenkov Kessy , Somervuo Panu , Nilsson R. Henrik , Kirk Paul M. , Huotari Tea , Abrego Nerea , Ovaskainen Otso 
Published: July 2018

Summary

Incompleteness of reference sequence databases and unresolved taxonomic relationships complicates taxonomic placement of fungal sequences. We developed Protax‐fungi, a general tool for taxonomic placement of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, and implemented it into the PlutoF platform of the UNITE database for molecular identification of fungi.

With empirical data on root‐ and wood‐associated fungi, Protax‐fungi reliably identified (with at least 90% identification probability) the majority of sequences to the order level but only around one‐fifth of them to the species level, reflecting the current limited coverage of the databases.

Protax‐fungi outperformed the Sintax and Rdb classifiers in terms of increased accuracy and decreased calibration error when applied to data on mock communities representing species groups with poor sequence database coverage. We applied Protax‐fungi to examine the internal consistencies of the Index Fungorum and UNITE databases. This revealed inconsistencies in the taxonomy database as well as mislabelling and sequence quality problems in the reference database. The according improvements were implemented in both databases.

Protax‐fungi provides a robust tool for performing statistically reliable identifications of fungi in spite of the incompleteness of extant reference sequence databases and unresolved taxonomic relationships.
Nutritional disorders resulting from food allergy in children
Authors: Meyer Rosan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe elimination of food allergens that contribute essential nutrients in paediatrics may lead to the development of nutritional disorders. The most common nutritional disorders include poor growth, micronutrient deficiencies and feeding difficulties. Of the aforementioned, growth faltering has been well studied and is seen as a common presenting factor in paediatric food allergy. However, the use of different criteria and cut‐off values makes it difficult to establish the overall effect. The impact of number and type of foods eliminated and comorbidities has yielded varying results, although there seems to be a trend towards worsening growth with atopic dermatitis and the avoidance of cow's milk. Low micronutrient intake is common in paediatric food allergy; however, a low intake does not necessarily translate into a deficiency as measured by biomarkers. Vitamin D and calcium have been well studied, and a long‐lasting impact on bone mineral density has been found. However, other micronutrient deficiencies have also been found and should also be considered. Feeding difficulties is a common complaint in clinical practice, but limited data have been published in food allergy. Poor growth and reflux/vomiting have been shown to be associated with feeding difficulties, in particular in non‐IgE‐mediated food allergies. There seems to be a long‐lasting effect on feeding, in particular in cow's milk allergy, which needs to be taken into account with dietary input. The interplay between growth, feeding difficulties and micronutrient deficiencies has been implied in some studies, but cause and effect is not well established and requires further research.
Annexin A8 (ANXA8) regulates proliferation of porcine endometrial cells via Akt signalling pathway
Authors: Jiang Xiaona , Xue Songyi , Kang Tingting , Liu Huijing , Ren Huihui , Hua Renwu , Ni Debin , Lei Minggang 
Published: July 2018

ContentsAnnexin A8 (ANXA8) gene, a member of the annexin family, encodes an anticoagulant protein involved in blood coagulation cascade and acts as an indirect inhibitor of the thromboplastin‐specific complex. However, little is known about the function of ANXA8 in porcine endometrial cells so far. Here, ANXA8 mRNA was found to be abundant in porcine endometrium on days 11–13 of pregnancy. Real‐time RT–PCR analysis indicated that the mRNA expression of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) was upregulated by ANXA8 in porcine endometrial cells. Immunofluorescence technology and cell cycle analysis revealed that ANXA8 promoted the proliferation of endometrial cells, as evidenced by the abundant proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and an increase in the S phase. Western blot analysis results indicated that ANXA8 activated the phosphorylation of the target protein kinase B (Akt) protein. Immunofluorescence technology results showed that the PCNA protein had no significant change in porcine endometrial cells with both ANXA8 overexpression and the addition of Akt inhibitor. Furthermore, the number of implantation sites was significantly reduced by injection of mus‐siRNA‐ANXA8 into the uterine horn of mice. Collectively, these results suggest that ANXA8 promotes the proliferation of endometrial cells through the Akt signalling pathway.
Evaluation of pheromone‐based kit: A noninvasive approach of estrus detection in buffalo
Authors: Muthukumar Subramanian , Muniasamy Samuthirapandi , Srinivasan Mahalingam , Ilangovan Andivelu , Satheshkumar Soundarapandian , Rajagopal Thangavel , Ramesh Saravana Kumar Velusamy , Sivakumar Karuppusamy , Archunan Govindaraju 
Published: July 2018

ContentsIn view of the silent nature of estrus in buffalo, a noninvasive assay kit has long been felt necessary for easy and effective estrus detection. This study was designed to detect estrus in buffalo using a kit formulated in our laboratory based on pheromone compound. Group I: Urine samples collected at estrus phase and group II: randomly collected urine samples were subjected to the test using the kit. No colour developed (i.e., positive reaction) in estrus urine after adding the kit solution. By contrast, pale and/or dark pink colour developed (i.e., negative reaction) in urine from the proestrus and diestrus buffaloes, respectively. Field evaluation of the kit in groups I and II revealed that 60.87% and 71.43% of urine samples were correctly identified as estrus and nonestrus (i.e., proestrus and diestrus), respectively. Therefore, the first of its kind estrus detection kit formulated based on urinary pheromone can as well be used as a simple device to detect estrus in buffalo.
Relationship between post‐thaw adenosine triphosphate content, motility and viability in cryopreserved bovine semen applying two different preservation methods
Authors: Alm‐Kristiansen Anne Hege , Standerholen Fride B. , Bai Godlove , Waterhouse Karin E. , Kommisrud Elisabeth 
Published: July 2018

ContentsMotility and energy level in sperm cells are tightly linked, but not totally understood. The aim of this study was to examine whether adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content as a sperm quality parameter for bull semen could give additional information together with viability and motility. The objective was therefore to examine the relationships between alterations in sperm ATP content, motility and viability in bovine semen samples immediately after thawing and following post‐thaw incubation at physiological temperature. Two different cryopreservation methods were compared. Ejaculates from ten young bulls were split into two and cryopreserved using conventional procedure with Biladyl® (B) extender and with SpermVital® (SV) immobilization technology. From each sample, simultaneous analysis of ATP content, motility and viability was performed post‐thaw (T0) and after incubation at physiological temperature for three hours (T3). Multivariate correlation analysis showed high correlation at T0 between ATP content and viability (p < 0.05), ATP and total motility (p < 0.05), as well as progressive motility and viability (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between progressive motility and ATP content at T3, neither for B nor SV semen. We conclude that both preservation method and post‐thaw incubation at physiological temperature affect ATP level in bull sperm cells partly independent of motility and viability. The ATP level of bovine spermatozoa post‐thaw is therefore implicated to give supplementary information of sperm quality.
Corruption and the shadow economy at the regional level
Authors: Gillanders Robert , Parviainen Sinikka 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe links between corruption and the shadow economy have mostly been studied empirically at the country level. This paper contributes to this literature by examining the relationship at the sub‐national level. We also add value to the existing literature in that we employ data capturing the extent to which the shadow economy and corruption are viewed as problems by firms as opposed to the standard measures of corruption and the size of the shadow economy. Using World Bank Enterprise Survey data, we find that sub‐national units in which more firms report that corruption is an obstacle to their operations also tend to have more firms that report that the practices of informal competitors are an obstacle and vice versa. Sub‐Saharan Africa is different in that neither of these findings is evident in that sub‐sample.
Effectiveness of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion on Parental Quality of Life and Glycemic Control Among Children With T1D: Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Anita Yuk‐ling , So Winnie Kwok‐wei , Leung Doris Yin‐ping 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundType 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. Daily diabetes management poses a major challenge for parents. Intensive insulin therapy using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI) are recommended for patients with T1D, but evidence for their effectiveness on parental quality of life (QOL) and glycemic control among children with T1D is inconclusive.ObjectivesA systematic review was conducted to determine the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of CSII compared to MDI on parental QOL and glycemic control among children with T1D.MethodsStudies in English and Chinese from 1978 to March 2015 were identified by searching electronic databases, published references, and unpublished studies. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CSII with MDI related to parental QOL and glycemic control (HbA1c) among patients aged 18 years or below with T1D were included. Secondary outcomes were episodes of severe hypoglycemia (SH) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).ResultsSeven RCTs were identified. Parental QOL was reported in two studies, with one study reporting no significant improvement in the CSII group and one reporting a significant reduction in diabetes‐related worry in the CSII group but increased frequency of stress relating to child medical care in the MDI group. Meta‐analysis of seven RCTs involving 220 patients demonstrated that CSII was associated with significant decrease in HbA1c level (MD = −0.24%, 95% CI = −0.41 to −0.07, p = .006) compared to MDI. There were no significant differences in episodes of SH and DKA between the CSII and MDI groups.Linking Evidence to ActionCSII slightly reduced HbA1c by .24% compared to MDI. Based on two RCTs with small sample sizes, there is insufficient evidence to draw any conclusions on the beneficial effects of CSII compared with MDI on parental QOL among children with T1D. More RCTs with larger samples are needed.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTIGATION ANALYSIS OF AN ARX-BASED GENERALIZED LIKELIHOOD RATIO (GLR) STICTION DETECTION METHOD
Authors: Abdul Samat Nur Amalina Shairah , Zabiri Haslinda , Kamaruddin Bashariah 
Published: July 2018

Control valve stiction is one of the main sources of nonlinearity which can result in many deleterious effects on the control loop performance of a process. The study of stiction detection methods has now becoming one of the essential research areas in process control. In this present work, an ARX-based Generalized Likelihood Ratio (GLR) stiction detection method is proposed and its effectiveness is analyzed. The implementation of the proposed method involves three main stages; 1) ARX model identification, 2) GLR test, and 3) statistical hypothesis testing. The proposed detection method was applied to two benchmark simulated case studies. Results showed that the method effectively detect stiction. The presence of stiction is declared if the GLR test statistics, exceeds the decision threshold limit, , and the null hypothesis is rejected at 5% significance level. On the other hand, if value lies below , the null hypothesis is accepted and the absence of stiction is confirmed. In addition, it is also observed that the proposed method is reasonably insensitive and robust to the changes in the process gain, and time constant, as it generally allows up to ±10% changes in the two parameters for both case studies.
MODELING OF SATELLITE DATA TO IDENTIFY THE SEASONAL PATTERNS AND TRENDS OF VEGETATION INDEX IN KATHMANDU VALLEY, NEPAL FROM 2000 TO 2015
Authors: Sharma Ira , Ueranantasun Attachai , Tongkumchum Phattrawan 
Published: July 2018

Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) data were analysed to identify the seasonal patterns and the time series trends of vegetation in Kathmandu. The data were managed in three steps: reordering, removal of unreliable values and validating. A cubic spline function was used to examine annual seasonal patterns that revealed regular seasonal peaks (day 225 to 280) and troughs (day 50 to 81) of vegetation and start of greening from April and of browning from November. Linear regression models were fitted to seasonally adjusted NDVI, which statistically showed 40.70% of the grid cells had a significant increase and 24.71% of it had decreasing trends. To adjust for autocorrelation, generalized estimating equations (GEE) were fitted to the data for whole area that showed, the overall vegetation has been significantly declining at a rate of -0.005 ̊C and -0.006 ̊C per decade for 2000-2004 and 2010-2015 respectively. The recent period of decline is alarming for a growing city like Kathmandu.
Insulin transport across the blood–brain barrier can occur independently of the insulin receptor
Authors: Rhea Elizabeth M. , Rask‐Madsen Christian , Banks William A. 
Published: July 2018

Key points
Insulin enters the brain from the blood via a saturable transport system.
It is unclear how insulin is transported across the blood–brain barrier (BBB).
Using two models of the signalling‐related insulin receptor loss or inhibition, we show insulin transport can occur in vivo without the signalling‐related insulin receptor.
Insulin in the brain has multiple roles including acting as a metabolic regulator and improving memory.
Understanding how insulin is transported across the BBB will aid in developing therapeutics to further increase CNS concentrations.
AbstractA saturable system transports insulin from blood across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and into the central nervous system. Whether or not the classic or signalling‐related insulin receptor plays a role in mediating this transport in vivo is controversial. Here, we employed kinetics methods that distinguish between transport across the brain endothelial cell and reversible luminal surface receptor binding. Using a previously established line of mice with endothelial‐specific loss of the signalling‐related insulin receptor (EndoIRKO) or inhibiting the insulin receptor with the selective antagonist S961, we show insulin transport across the BBB is maintained. Rates of insulin transport were similar in all groups and transport was still saturable. Unlike transport, binding of insulin to the brain endothelial cell was decreased with the loss or inhibition of the signalling‐related insulin receptor. These findings demonstrate that the signalling‐related insulin receptor is not required for insulin transport across the BBB.