bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Weakly Expressed Trypanosoma cruzi Membrane Proteins Using High‐Performance Probes
Authors: Cruz‐Bustos Teresa , Moreno Silvia N.J. , Docampo Roberto 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMembrane proteins in trypanosomatids are, in general, weakly expressed and confirmation of their subcellular localization frequently requires their overexpression with epitope tags. However, overexpression can lead to mislocalization of the probes. Viswanathan et al. (Nat. Methods, 2015, 12:568) described high performance tags for localization of weakly expressed proteins. We report here the use of these protein tags, named “spaghetti monster,” for CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated C‐terminal endogenous tagging of Trypanosoma cruzi to localize two weakly expressed transient receptor potential channels to acidic compartments. The results indicate that this method will improve the detection of membrane proteins in T. cruzi.
Nephroblastoma in bester sturgeon, a cultured hybrid of Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus: Diagnostic imaging, clinical and histopathological study
Authors: Rahmati‐Holasoo H , Soltani M , Masoudifard M , Shokrpoor S , Taheri Mirghaed A , Ahmadpoor M 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAbdominal distention occurred at an incidence of 1% (15 from 1500 fish) in the population of 1‐year‐old bester (Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus). Computed tomography (CT) images and radiographs showed a soft tissue mass compressed the posterior part of the swim bladder. Ultrasonography showed that the masses had different patterns. Internal examination revealed the abdominal cavities to be filled with large masses which appeared to encompass most of the visceral organs, including the swim bladder. The masses originated from the posterior kidney. Histologically, the masses were composed of mixtures of embryonal epithelial (tubules and glomeruli), blastema and mesenchymal tissues. The tubules showed cystic, papillary and tubular patterns. Tubules and glomeruloid structures were surrounded by proliferating blastema cells. The primitive mesenchyme was composed of loose streams and whorls of spindle to stellate cells with elongate nuclei. Histological findings in the skeletal muscles, hypoderm and spleen confirmed the metastatic tumour from the kidney in two cases. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells of the tubules and glomeruloid structures were positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Sections stained with Masson's trichrome showed blue staining of the stroma. The histopathologic findings were consistent with nephroblastoma.
Although there is no Physical Short‐Term Scarcity of Phosphorus, its Resource Efficiency Should be Improved
Authors: Scholz Roland W. , Wellmer Friedrich‐Wilhelm 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe German government has adopted a law that requires sewage plants to go beyond the recovery of phosphorus from wastewater and to promote recycling. We argue that there is no physical global short‐ or mid‐term phosphorus scarcity. However, we also argue that there are legitimate reasons for policies such as those of Germany, including: precaution as a way to ensure future generations’ long‐term supply security, promotion of technologies for closed‐loop economics in a promising stage of technology development, and decrease in the current supply risk with a new resource pool.
Automatic deformable registration of histological slides to μCT volume data
Authors: Chicherova N. , Hieber S.E. , Khimchenko A. , Bikis C. , Müller B. , Cattin P. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryLocalizing a histological section in the three‐dimensional dataset of a different imaging modality is a challenging 2D‐3D registration problem. In the literature, several approaches have been proposed to solve this problem; however, they cannot be considered as fully automatic. Recently, we developed an automatic algorithm that could successfully find the position of a histological section in a micro computed tomography (μCT) volume. For the majority of the datasets, the result of localization corresponded to the manual results. However, for some datasets, the matching μCT slice was off the ground‐truth position. Furthermore, elastic distortions, due to histological preparation, could not be accounted for in this framework.In the current study, we introduce two optimization frameworks based on normalized mutual information, which enabled us to accurately register histology slides to volume data. The rigid approach allocated 81 % of histological sections with a median position error of 8.4 μm in jaw bone datasets, and the deformable approach improved registration by 33 μm with respect to the median distance error for four histological slides in the cerebellum dataset.
Effects of a Web‐Based Antenatal Care System on Maternal Stress and Self‐Efficacy During Pregnancy: A Study in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Yi‐Jing , Hsu Yu‐Yun , Hou Ting‐Wei , Chang Chiung‐Hsin 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionWomen may experience significant stress during pregnancy, and antenatal care and education provide a means to address this. E‐health, the use of computer and information technology for health care, has been incorporated into antenatal care and education, but e‐health has not been evaluated for its usefulness in addressing stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a web‐based antenatal care and education system on pregnancy‐related stress, general self‐efficacy, and satisfaction with antenatal care.MethodsA quasi‐experimental design enrolled pregnant women at 16 to 24 weeks’ gestation with a low‐risk pregnancy. Women in the control group (n = 67) received routine antenatal care; women in the experimental group (n = 68) also received a web‐based antenatal care and education program in the second trimester. Pregnancy stress and general self‐efficacy were assessed at study entry and again at 36 to 38 weeks’ gestation; satisfaction with care was assessed at the study endpoint.ResultsWhen the pretest scores were controlled, the women in the experimental group reported significantly lower pregnancy‐related stress (F  =  12.9, P < .001) and significantly higher self‐efficacy (F = 17.61, P < .001) than did the women in the control group. Women in the experimental group reported lower pregnancy‐related stress (t = 5.09, P < .001) and a higher general self‐efficacy (t = −3.17, P = .001) at posttest compared to pretest. However, the women in the control group reported a lower general self‐efficacy at posttest compared to pretest (t = 2.86, P = .006). Women in the experimental group reported significantly higher satisfaction levels with antenatal care than those in the control group.DiscussionA web‐based antenatal care and education system can improve pregnancy‐related stress and general self‐efficacy among pregnant women. Integrating health care with web‐based or internet‐based interventions may improve the quality of antenatal care.
Corticosterone and serotonin similarly influence GABAergic and purinergic pathways to affect cortical inhibitory networks
Authors: Wotton C. A. , Quon E. F. , Palmer A. C. , Bekar L. K. 
Published: March 2018

Both serotonin (5‐HT) and stress exert changes in cortical inhibitory tone to shape the activity of cortical networks. Because astrocytes are also known to affect inhibition through established purinergic pathways, we assessed the role of GABA and purinergic pathways with respect to the effects of rapid corticosterone (CORT) and 5‐HT on cortical inhibition. We used a paired‐pulse paradigm (P1 and P2) in acutely isolated mouse brain slices to evaluate changes in cortical evoked inhibition. Normally, 5‐HT decreases the amplitude of the first pulse P1, whereas it increases the amplitude of P2 (increasing frequency transmission). Interestingly, it was observed that CORT application decreased P1 and increased P2 similar to that of 5‐HT application. Given that CORT and 5‐HT are known to modulate inhibition, we applied the GABAA antagonist bicuculline in the presence of both and found that the increase in P2 and the P2/P1 was lost, providing evidence for a common mechanism involving GABAA receptor signalling. Additional occlusion experiments (ie, 5‐HT in presence of CORT and CORT in presence of 5‐HT) provide further support for a common mechanism. Because both 5‐HT and CORT blocked the increase in P2 and P2/P1 with respect to the other, we suggest 5‐HT/CORT already utilise the shared mechanism to affect cortical inhibition. Using low concentrations of the GAPDH inhibitor iodoacetate, as commonly used to selectively disrupt astrocyte metabolism, we found that the increase in P2 and P2/P1 was similarly blocked in response to both CORT and 5‐HT. Because astrocyte signalling depends in large part on purinergic pathways, the purinergic contribution was assessed using Ab129 (P2Y antagonist) and SCH 58261 (A2A antagonist). Once again, P2Y and A2A receptor blockade similarly disrupted 5‐HT‐ or CORT‐mediated increases in P2 and P2/P1. Taken together, these results support the common involvement of GABAergic and purinergic pathways in the effects of CORT and 5‐HT that may also involve astrocytes.
Chemical fertilizer in transformations in world agriculture and the state system, 1870 to interwar period
Authors: Dixon Marion W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe role of fertilizer in spreading commercial agriculture during the first food regime (ca 1870 to the First World War) is well established. What is less understood is the role of fertilizer in industry at this time. This paper details superphosphate fertilizer, part of a class of chemical fertilizers that emerged in the metropoles from the 1870s, and its role in the transformations in world agriculture as well as in industry. Superphosphate fertilizer was not just for the soil. The manufacture of superphosphates also provided a base for the growth of chemical industries. This growth was constitutive of industrial transformations in imperial states—the second industrial revolution—in which mass production units became integrated through a handful of chemicals. One of these chemicals is sulphuric acid, of which superphosphates require large amounts in their manufacture. As the main market for sulphuric acid through the interwar period, superphosphate manufacturing created synergies with other industries and thus made sulphuric acid cheaper. By connecting the manufacturing centres of fertilizer to the multiple farming regions undergoing accelerated commodity production, this study shows that the first food regime and the second industrial revolution were mutually constitutive moments to explain transformations in agriculture and the state system in the long 19th century.
Improvement of skin barrier dysfunction by Scutellaria baicalensis GEOGI extracts through lactic acid fermentation
Authors: Lee Hyeon Yong 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundThe development of an alternative medicine to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) from natural sources is necessary.AimsTo improve skin barrier dysfunction by enhancing the differentiation of human keratinocytes with the fermented Scutellaria baicalensis.MethodsScutellaria baicalensis was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum and extracted with 70% ethanol (FE). Antioxidant activities and the regulation of the gene expression related to keratinocyte differentiation were measured as well as its proliferation.ResultThis work first proved that the FE had multiple activities, both increasing keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation: The FE greatly up‐regulated expression of the genes of keratinocyte differentiation such as involucrin, keratin 10, and transglutaminase‐1 (TG‐1) up to 4.06‐fold, which was 3 times higher than the 2 other extracts. The effect of baicalein on keratinocyte differentiation was also first found; however, its efficacy was lower than that of the fermented extract. The FE proved to effectively accelerate keratinocyte differentiation, rather than to initiate the differentiation, and also showed an ability of stimulating keratinocyte proliferation up to 2.8 × 106 viable cells/mL as well as 70.24 ng/mL of collagen production in fibroblasts. High efficacy of the FE was confirmed by synergistic effects of large amounts of various bioactive substances in the extracts as baicalein alone did not show remarkable effects and even positive controls had not much better activities than the FE.ConclusionThe fermented extract was able to improve skin barrier dysfunction, and the ointment with 1%‐5% (v/v) of the extract be directly used for skin clinical trials to treat AD.
Lactase persistence, milk intake, hip fracture and bone mineral density: a study of 97 811 Danish individuals and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Bergholdt H. K. M. , Larsen M. K. , Varbo A. , Nordestgaard B. G. , Ellervik C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundWhether a causal relationship exists between milk intake and reduced risk of fractures is unclear.ObjectivesWe tested the hypothesis that genetically determined milk intake reduces the risk of fractures and increases bone mineral density (BMD).MethodsWe investigated the association between milk intake, LCT‐13910 C/T (rs4988235), which is associated with lactase persistence (TT/TC) in Northern Europeans, and hip fractures in three Danish prospective studies (N = 97 811, age ≥20 years). We added meta‐analyses of LCT‐13910 and fractures and BMD from five published Northern European population studies.ResultsIn the Danish studies, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture per one glass per week higher milk intake was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99–1.01). The per T‐allele milk intake was 0.58 (0.49–0.68) glasses per week, but HR was 1.01 (0.94–1.09) for hip fracture. In meta‐analyses of Danish studies with published Northern European population studies, the random effects odds ratio for any fracture was 0.86 (0.61–1.21; I2 = 73%) for TT vs. CC and 0.90 (0.68–1.21; I2 = 63%) for TC vs. CC. The standardized mean difference in femoral neck BMD was 0.10 (0.02–0.18; I2 = 0%) g cm−2 for TT vs. CC and 0.06 (−0.04 to 0.17; I2 = 17%) g cm−2 for TC vs. CC. There were no differences in lumbar spine or total hip BMD comparing TT or TC with CC.ConclusionGenetically lifelong lactase persistence with high milk intake was not associated with hip fracture in Danish population‐based cohorts. A meta‐analysis combining Danish studies with published Northern European population studies also showed that lactase persistence was not associated with fracture risk. Genetic lactase persistence was associated with a higher femoral neck BMD, but not lumbar spine or total hip BMD.
The Effects of Middle School Weight Climate on Youth With Higher Body Weight
Authors: Juvonen Jaana , Lessard Leah M. , Schacter Hannah L. , Enders Craig 
Published: March 2018

This study examines whether social‐emotional difficulties associated with higher body weight vary across schools as a function of the school's weight climate. Weight climate, characterized by weight‐policing, was assessed indirectly by examining how strongly self‐reported weight predicts victim reputation within 26 ethnically diverse middle schools. Social‐emotional indicators included self‐reported loneliness, school belonging, and self‐esteem. In schools with stronger weight‐policing at seventh grade, loneliness was intensified by eighth grade among both girls (n = 2,101) and boys (n = 1,985) with higher weight. Similar effects were found for low self‐esteem among girls. Additionally, boys—regardless of their weight—reported lower sense of belonging in schools with stronger weight‐policing. The study offers a new method to estimate school weight climate, and the findings provide insights for interventions.
Resistance to Phytophthora pathogens is dependent on gene silencing pathways in plants
Authors: Guo Na , Zhao Jinming , Yan Qiang , Huang Jing , Ma Huifei , Rajput Nasir Ahmed , Jiang Hua , Xing Han , Dou Daolong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRNA silencing is one of the main defence mechanisms employed by plants to fight pathogens. p19 protein encoded by the tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSVp19) is known as a suppressor of RNA silencing via siRNA sequestration to prevent the assembly of RISC. To better understand the impact of TBSVp19 on silencing and its roles in Phytophthora pathogens, we used the transient expression assay in Nicotiana benthamiana and found that the leaves expressing TBSVp19 were more susceptible to Phytophthora parasitica. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TBSVp19‐mediated plant susceptibility in N. benthamiana is dependent on RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6). We also tested the role of RNA silencing in resistance of soybean hairy roots to Phytophthora. The lesion size induced by P. sojae on TBSVp19‐expressing soybean hairy roots was slightly, but significantly larger than GFP‐expressing soybean hairy roots. Finally, the Arabidopsis gene silencing mutants ago1‐27, zip‐1, sgs3‐11 and rdr6‐11 were also examined for their resistance to P. parasitica. The results clearly showed that resistance levels of the mutants were visibly reduced compared with the wild type. Taken together, these results suggest that the gene silencing system in plants is essential for resistance to Phytophthora pathogens.
Glucantime reduces mechanical hyperalgesia in cutaneous leishmaniasis and complete Freund's adjuvant models of chronic inflammatory pain
Authors: da Silva Suelen S , Mizokami Sandra S , Fanti Jacqueline R , Costa Idessania N , Bordignon Juliano , Felipe Ionice , Pavanelli Wander R , Verri Waldiceu A , Conchon Costa Ivete 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the analgesic effect of Glucantime (antimoniate N-methylglucamine) in Leishmania amazonensis infection and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), chronic paw inflammation model, in BALB/c mice.

Methods
Two models of chronic inflammatory pain in BALB/c mice paw were used: infection with L. amazonensis and CFA stimulation. Both animals models received daily treatment with Glucantime (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and during the treatment was measured the mechanical hyperalgesia with electronic version of von Frey filaments. After the treatment, the paw skin sample was collected for analysis of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, and IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines production by ELISA.

Key findings
Leishmania amazonensis-induced chronic inflammation with significant increase in mechanical hyperalgesia, MPO and NAG activity, and IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 production in the paw skin. Glucantime (10 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited L. amazonensis-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and IL-1β and IL-6 cytokines productions. In chronic inflammatory model induced by CFA, Glucantime treatment during 7 days inhibited CFA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia, MPO and NAG activity, and IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ production as well as increased IL-10 production.

Conclusions
Our data demonstrated that Glucantime reduced the chronic inflammatory pain induced by L. amazonensis and CFA stimuli by inhibiting the hyperalgesic cytokines production.
Development of an enteric nanoparticle of marine sulfated polysaccharide propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate for oral administration: formulation design, pharmacokinetics and efficacy
Authors: Li Pengli , Hao Jiejie , Li Haihua , Guan Huashi , Li Chunxia 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Objectives
Propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate (PSS) is poorly absorbed by oral administration due to its large molecular weight and slightly degradability in stomach acidic environment. Here, a novel enteric-coated nano formulation of PSS (enteric PSS-NP) was prepared to improve its bioavailability and efficacy.

Methods
The enteric PSS-NP was prepared by double (W1/O/W2) emulsion and solvent evaporation method. The drug release characteristics in vitro were studied in artificial gastrointestinal fluid. And the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of enteric PSS-NP were separately investigated in normal rats and type 2 diabetic db/db mice.

Key findings
The enteric PSS-NP were in spherical shape and exhibited negative zeta potential. The releasing characteristics of enteric PSS-NP in vitro showed that it possessed a strong pH-sensitive release character. Single-dose (50 mg/kg) oral pharmacokinetic study in rat plasma showed that enteric PSS-NP could improve the relative bioavailability significantly compared with PSS solution. Furthermore, the efficacy of enteric PSS-NP in vivo was better than that of PSS solution at equivalent doses.

Conclusions
The study showed that enteric-coated formulation of PSS had the intestinal-targeted absorption and improved pharmacodynamics, which indicated that enteric PSS-NP could be developed into a new formulation product in the future.
Intraspecific interactions between algae with different nutritional histories
Authors: Venuleo Marianna , Giordano Mario 
Published: March 2018

The diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was cultured in five different growth regimes to obtain cells with different composition. Pairs of populations subjected to different treatments were then mixed in a communal culture regime that differed from those of origin. After 6 h, the ratio between the two populations was verified by flow cytometry. Alterations in this ratio were found when cells previously grown at 1 mM NH4+ were mixed with GeO2‐ and 0.5 mM NH4+‐grown cells. The nutritional background may thus make cells differently suited to new environmental conditions and afford advantages in terms of reproductive potential. Competitive interactions between populations may result from the differences in the expressed proteome and/or in the availability of tools for regulatory responses. This may have relevance to the persistence of phenotypically neutral variants present in the population best suited to the new condition, after the interaction of the conspecifics with different nutritional histories.
HBsAg and HBcrAg as predictors of HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg‐positive patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues
Authors: Wang B. , Carey I. , Bruce M. , Montague S. , Dusheiko G. , Agarwal K. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryHBeAg seroconversion marks an important spontaneous change and treatment end‐point for HBeAg‐positive patients and is a pre‐requisite for HBsAg loss or functional cure. In this retrospective analysis, we aimed to identify predictors of seroconversion using serum quantitative HBsAg and HBcrAg, in HBeAg‐positive patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA). Data and samples from 118 HBeAg‐positive adults (genotypes A‐G) started on NA between Jan 2005 and Sept 2016 were retrospectively analysed at several time‐points. The predictive power of on‐treatment levels of HBsAg and HBcrAg was determined using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and cut‐off values determined by maximized Youden's index. About 36.4% of patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion after a median of 39 months’ treatment. On treatment kinetics of HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBcrAg differed between HBeAg seroconverters and nonseroconverters. A combination of HBsAg and HBcrAg had the greatest predictive value for HBeAg seroconversion: at 6 months, HBsAg of 3.9 log10 IU/mL and HBcrAg of 5.7 log10 U/mL had a sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 79.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 65.2% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 83.8%, with AUROC of 0.769 (0.668, 0.869; 95%CI), and at 12 months, HBsAg 3.8 log10 IU/mL and HBcrAg 5.5 log10 U/mL had a sensitivity of 73.7%, specificity of 79.5%, PPV of 63.6% and NPV of 86.1%, with AUROC 0.807 (0.713, 0.901; 95% CI). In conclusion, our results may be used to identify patients who are unlikely to achieve treatment end‐points, which will be important as the future management of chronic hepatitis B looks to therapies that offer functional cure.