bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric renal transplantation: A retrospective single‐center study on epidemiology and morbidity due to EBV
Authors: Laurent A. , Klich A. , Roy P. , Lina B. , Kassai B. , Bacchetta J. , Cochat P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPediatric R‐Tx patients are at high risk of developing EBV primary infection. Although high DNA replication is a risk factor for PTLD, some patients develop PTLD with low viral load. In this retrospective single‐center study including all pediatric patients having received R‐Tx (2003‐2012 period), we aimed to identify risk factors for uncontrolled reactions to EBV (defined as the presence of a viral load >10 000 copies/mL or PTLD). A Cox proportional hazard model was performed. A total of 117 patients underwent R‐Tx at a mean age of 9.7 ± 5.3 years, 46 of them being seronegative for EBV at the time of R‐Tx. During follow‐up, 54 patients displayed positive EBV viral load, 22 of whom presenting with primary infection. An uncontrolled reaction to EBV was observed in 24 patients, whilst 4 patients developed PTLD. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested the following risk factors for an uncontrolled reaction: age below 5 years, graft from a deceased donor, ≥5 HLA mismatches, EBV‐seronegative status at the time of R‐Tx, and a secondary post‐Tx loss of anti‐EBNA. Monitoring anti‐EBNA after R‐Tx may contribute to the early identification of patients at risk for uncontrolled reaction.
Using image analysis for quantitative assessment of needle bladder rust disease of Norway spruce
Authors: Ganthaler A. , Losso A. , Mayr S. 
Published: February 2018

High elevation spruce forests of the European Alps are frequently infected by the needle rust Chrysomyxa rhododendri, a pathogen causing remarkable defoliation, reduced tree growth and limited rejuvenation. Exact quantification of the disease severity on different spatial scales is crucial for monitoring, management and resistance breeding activities. Based on the distinct yellow discolouration of attacked needles, it was investigated whether image analysis of digital photographs can be used to quantify disease severity and to improve phenotyping compared to conventional assessment in terms of time, effort and application range. The developed protocol for preprocessing and analysis of digital RGB images enabled identification of disease symptoms and healthy needle areas on images obtained in ground surveys (total number of analysed images n = 62) and by the use of a semiprofessional quadcopter (n = 13). Obtained disease severities correlated linearly with results obtained by manual counting of healthy and diseased needles for all approaches, including images of individual branches with natural background (R2 = 0.87) and with black background (R2 = 0.95), juvenile plants (R2 = 0.94), and top views and side views of entire tree crowns of adult trees (R2 = 0.98 and 0.88, respectively). Results underline that a well‐defined signal related to needle bladder rust symptoms of Norway spruce can be extracted from images recorded by standard digital cameras and using drones. The presented protocol enables precise and time‐efficient quantification of disease symptoms caused by C. rhododendri and provides several advantages compared to conventional assessment by manual counting or visual estimations.
Do “Resource‐Cursed States” Have Lower Levels of Social and Institutional Trust? Evidence from Africa and Latin America
Authors: Ishiyama John , Martinez Melissa , Ozsut Melda 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveThis study examines whether a state's abundance of natural resource wealth, such as oil or gas, leads to lower levels of social and institutional trust than in countries that are not as “cursed” with resources.MethodsTo test this we use survey data from both the Afrobarometer survey (2008–2009) and comparable data on Latin America from the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), using 44 countries, as well as subnational data from two large oil‐producing countries (Nigeria and Mexico).ResultsUsing multilevel logit analysis we find that individuals in countries that are oil and gas producers are less likely to exhibit high levels of social or institutional trust than individuals in countries that are not oil or gas producers. However, when examining oil‐producing regions within Nigeria and Mexico, we find that individuals in such regions tend to express relatively higher levels of individual social and institutional trust than regions that are not oil producers.ConclusionThese findings can be explained by the differential effects of oil and gas wealth—at the national level, oil and gas wealth promotes corruption and a general erosion of both institutional and interpersonal trust, especially for those who live in regions that do not directly benefit from oil and gas revenues. However, in regions within countries, people who reside in such regions are more likely to directly benefit from the economic spoils and patronage derived from resource revenues.
Assessing the Influence of Amicus Curiae Briefs on the Roberts Court*
Authors: Pacelle Richard L. , Scheb John M. , Sharma Hemant K. , Scott David H. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesOur objective is to assess the influence of amicus curiae briefs on judicial behavior on the U.S. Supreme Court. Our primary hypothesis is that amicus briefs have an impact on the justices across the ideological spectrum. Our secondary hypothesis is that this influence will be greater for justices nearer the ideological center.MethodsOur analysis is confined to the Roberts Court (2005 through 2014 terms, inclusive). The unit of analysis is the justice‐vote in each of the 793 full‐opinion decisions during this 10‐term period; thus, our data set contains 7,135 observations. We employ logistic regression to test the impact of amicus filings on the ideological direction of the vote cast by each justice in each case. We control for the direction of the lower court decision, the ideological orientations of the justices, the presence of the federal government (or agency or official) as party, and the presence of the solicitor general as amicus curiae.ResultsWe find statistical support for both the primary and secondary hypotheses. Amicus briefs appear to influence the justices across the ideological spectrum. The influence is somewhat greater among the more moderate justices, although the relationship between amicus influence and judicial moderation is a weak one.ConclusionsSupreme Court justices appear to respond positively to the persuasive attempts of amici. This impact is most noticeable for the justices in the middle of the Court—those who tend to be most influential in steering the Court's decision making.
EVOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS CAPACITY IN THE GENUS HOMO: COGNITIVE TIME SEQUENCE
Authors: Rappaport Margaret Boone , Corbally Christopher 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntrigued by the possible paths that the evolution of religious capacity may have taken, the authors identify a series of six major building blocks that form a foundation for religious capacity in genus Homo. Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens idaltu are examined for early signs of religious capacity. Then, after an exploration of human plasticity and why it is so important, the analysis leads to a final building block that characterizes only Homo sapiens sapiens, beginning 200,000–400,000 years ago, when all the other cognitive and neurological underpinnings gradually came together. Because the timing of cognitive evolution has become an issue, the authors identify the time periods for these building blocks based on findings from modern cognitive science, neuroscience, genomic science, the new cognitive archaeology, and traditional stones‐and‐bones archaeology. The result is a logical, and even a likely story 55–65 million years long, which leads to the evolution of religious capacity in modern human beings.
THE UNSUITABILITY OF EMERGENCE THEORY FOR PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY: A RESPONSE TO BRADNICK AND MCCALL
Authors: Leidenhag Mikael , Leidenhag Joanna 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this response to David Bradnick's and Bradford McCall's defense of Amos Yong's usage of emergence theory, we defend our previous argument regarding the tension between Yong's Pentecostal commitments and the philosophical entailments of emergence theory. We clarify and extend our previous concerns in three ways. First, we explore the difficulties of construing divine action naturalistically (i.e.natural divine causation). Second, we clarify the problems of employing supervenience in theology. Third, we show why Bradnick's and McCall's advice to Yong to adoptweak emergenceis theologically costly. In conclusion, it is suggested that theologians within the science and religion dialogue should not fear, but recover, the language of supernaturalism and dualism.
VAISHNAVISM, ANTIEVOLUTIONISM, AND AMBIGUITIES: REVISITING ISKCON'S DARWIN‐SKEPTICISM
Authors: Zambon Oliver , Aechtner Thomas 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna Movement, has disseminated a flurry of antievolutionist media since its inception in 1966. Such communications frequently co‐opt arguments employed by Christian creationists and Intelligent Design theorists. At the same time, however, there are indications that a scattering of ISKCON publications have articulated relatively ambiguous, less oppositional statements about evolutionary theory. This article reconsiders ISKCON's Darwin‐skepticism by appraising recent, largely unexamined Hare Krishna publications, as well as responses to evolutionary theory expressed by ISKCON's founder, A. C. Bhaktivedanta, and his immediate Vaishnava forerunners. The analysis reveals that, although the majority of contemporary ISKCON materials are vehemently opposed to evolution, some leading voices demonstrate less combative, cautiously accommodating stances. These cases are suggestive of complexities in ISKCON's responses to evolution, both past and present, which are not necessarily encapsulated in the terms Vedic creationism or antievolutionism.
Male Flat Jockeys Do Not Display Deteriorations in Bone Density or Resting Metabolic Rate in Accordance With Race Riding Experience: Implications for RED-S
Authors: Wilson George , Martin Dan , Morton James P. , Close Graeme L. 
Published: February 2018

Despite consistent reports of poor bone health in male jockeys, it is not yet known if this is a consequence of low energy availability or lack of an osteogenic stimulus. Given the rationale that low energy availability is a contributing factor in low bone health, we tested the hypothesis that both hip and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) should progressively worsen in accordance with the years of riding. In a cross-sectional design, male apprentice (n = 17) and senior (n = 14) jockeys (matched for body mass and fat-free mass) were assessed for hip and lumbar spine BMD, as well as both measured and predicted resting metabolic rate (RMR). Despite differences (p < .05) in years of race riding (3.4 ± 2 vs. 16.3 ± 6.8), no differences were apparent (p > .05) in hip (−0.9 ± 1.1 vs. −0.8 ± 0.7) and lumbar Z-scores (−1.3 ± 1.4 vs. −1.5 ± 1) or measured RMR (1,459 ± 160 vs. 1,500 ± 165 kcal/day) between apprentices and senior jockeys, respectively. Additionally, years of race riding did not demonstrate any significant correlations (p > .05) with either hip or lumbar spine BMD. Measured RMR was also not different (p > .05) from predicted RMR in either apprentice (1,520 ± 44 kcal/day) or senior jockeys (1,505 ± 70 kcal/day). When considered with previously published data examining underreporting of energy intake and direct assessments of energy expenditure, we suggest that low BMD in jockeys is not due to low energy availability per se but rather the lack of an osteogenic stimulus associated with riding.
Multiday Pomegranate Extract Supplementation Decreases Oxygen Uptake During Submaximal Cycling Exercise, but Cosupplementation With N-acetylcysteine Negates the Effect
Authors: Crum Emma M. , Barnes Matthew J. , Stannard Stephen R. 
Published: February 2018

Pomegranate extract (POMx) has been suggested as an ergogenic aid due to its rich concentration of polyphenols, which are proposed to enhance nitric oxide bioavailability, thereby improving the efficiency of oxygen usage and, consequently, endurance exercise performance. Although acute POMx supplementation improves aerobic exercise performance in untrained individuals, trained athletes appear to require chronic supplementation for a similar effect. Furthermore, the combination of POMx with a thiol antioxidant may prove more effective than POMx alone, due to the protective effects of thiols on nitric oxide. Thus, this study hypothesized that multiday POMx supplementation would decrease the oxygen uptake (VO2) required by trained cyclists to perform submaximal exercise and increase performance during a time trial, and that thiol (N-acetylcysteine [NAC]) cosupplementation would enhance these effects. Eight cyclists completed four 8-day supplementation periods: POMx only, NAC only, POMx + NAC (BOTH), and placebo. Following supplementation, they performed submaximal cycling and a 5-min time trial, with VO2 and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) being recorded. A three-way (POMx × NAC × Intensity) repeated-measures analysis of variance with a Fisher’s least significant difference post hoc assessment was performed for dependent variables (p ≤ .05). VO2 during submaximal exercise was reduced with POMx versus placebo (−2.6 ml·min−1·kg−1, p = .009) and BOTH (−2.5 ml·min−1·kg−1, p < .05) and increased with NAC (+1.9 ml·min−1·kg−1, p < .03), despite no main effect of treatment on SmO2 or performance. It appears that POMx’s high polyphenol content reduced the VO2 required during submaximal exercise. However, NAC cosupplementation annulled this effect; thus, NAC may interact with nitric oxide to reduce its bioavailability.
Evasion of Human Neutrophil-Mediated Host Defense duringToxoplasma gondiiInfection
Authors: Lima Tatiane S. , Gov Lanny , Lodoen Melissa B. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTNeutrophils are a major player in host immunity to infection; however, the mechanisms by which human neutrophils respond to the intracellular protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondiiare still poorly understood. In the current study, we found that, whereas primary human monocytes produced interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in response toT. gondiiinfection, human neutrophils from the same blood donors did not. Moreover,T. gondiiinhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-1β synthesis in human peripheral blood neutrophils. IL-1β suppression required active parasite invasion, since heat-killed or mycalolide B-treated parasites did not inhibit IL-1β release. By investigating the mechanisms involved in this process, we found thatT. gondiiinfection of neutrophils treated with LPS resulted in reduced transcript levels ofIL-1βandNLRP3and reduced protein levels of pro-IL-1β, mature IL-1β, and the inflammasome sensor NLRP3. InT. gondii-infected neutrophils stimulated with LPS, the levels of MyD88, TRAF6, IKKα, IKKβ, and phosphorylated IKKα/β were not affected. However, LPS-induced IκBα degradation and p65 phosphorylation were reduced inT. gondii-infected neutrophils, and degradation of IκBα was reversed by treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132. Finally, we observed thatT. gondiiinhibited the cleavage and activity of caspase-1 in human neutrophils. These results indicate thatT. gondiisuppression of IL-1β involves a two-pronged strategy wherebyT. gondiiinhibits both NF-κB signaling and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings represent a novel mechanism ofT. gondiievasion of human neutrophil-mediated host defense by targeting the production of IL-1β.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite that infects approximately one-third of humans worldwide and can invade virtually any nucleated cell in the human body. Although it is well documented that neutrophils infiltrate the site of acuteT. gondiiinfection, there is limited understanding of how human neutrophils respond toT. gondii. Neutrophils control infectious pathogens by a variety of mechanisms, including the release of the cytokine IL-1β, a major driver of inflammation during infection. This study reveals thatT. gondiiis able to inhibit IL-1β production in human neutrophils by impairing the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and by inhibiting the inflammasome, the protein complex responsible for IL-1β maturation. This two-pronged strategy of targeting the IL-1β pathway may facilitate the survival and spread ofT. gondiiduring acute infection.
Glycan-Glycan Interaction Determines
Shigella
Tropism toward Human T Lymphocytes
Authors: Belotserkovsky Ilia , Brunner Katja , Pinaud Laurie , Rouvinski Alexander , Dellarole Mariano , Baron Bruno , Dubey Gyanendra , Samassa Fatoumata , Parsot Claude , Sansonetti Philippe , Phalipon Armelle 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Direct interactions between bacterial and host glycans have been recently reported to be involved in the binding of pathogenic bacteria to host cells. In the case of
Shigella
, the Gram-negative enteroinvasive bacterium responsible for acute rectocolitis, such interactions contribute to bacterial adherence to epithelial cells. However, the role of glycans in the tropism of
Shigella
for immune cells whose glycosylation pattern varies depending on their activation state is unknown. We previously reported that
Shigella
targets activated, but not nonactivated, human CD4
+
T lymphocytes. Here, we show that nonactivated CD4
+
T lymphocytes can be turned into
Shigella
-targetable cells upon loading of their plasma membrane with sialylated glycosphingolipids (also termed gangliosides). The
Shigella
targeting profile of ganglioside-loaded nonactivated T cells is similar to that of activated T cells, with a predominance of injection of effectors from the type III secretion system (T3SS) not resulting in cell invasion. We demonstrate that gangliosides interact with the O-antigen polysaccharide moiety of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major bacterial surface antigen, thus promoting
Shigella
binding to CD4
+
T cells. This binding step is critical for the subsequent injection of T3SS effectors, a step which we univocally demonstrate to be dependent on actin polymerization. Altogether, these findings highlight the critical role of glycan-glycan interactions in
Shigella
pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Glycosylation of host cell surface varies with species and location in the body, thus contributing to species specificity and tropism of microorganisms. Cross talk by
Shigella
, the Gram-negative enteroinvasive bacterium responsible for bacillary dysentery, with its exclusively human host has been extensively studied. However, the molecular determinants of the step of binding to host cells are poorly defined. Taking advantage of the observation that human-activated CD4
+
T lymphocytes, but not nonactivated cells, are targets of
Shigella
, we succeeded in rendering the refractory cells susceptible to targeting upon loading of their plasma membrane with sialylated glycosphingolipids (gangliosides) that are abundantly present on activated cells. We show that interactions between the sugar polar part of gangliosides and the polysaccharide moiety of
Shigella
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promote bacterial binding, which results in the injection of effectors via the type III secretion system. Whereas LPS interaction with gangliosides was proposed long ago and recently extended to a large variety of glycans, our findings reveal that such glycan-glycan interactions are critical for
Shigella
pathogenesis by driving selective interactions with host cells, including immune cells.
What drives political commitment for nutrition? A review and framework synthesis to inform the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition
Authors: Baker Phillip , Hawkes Corinna , Wingrove Kate , Demaio Alessandro Rhyl , Parkhurst Justin , Thow Anne Marie , Walls Helen 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionGenerating country-level political commitment will be critical to driving forward action throughout the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025). In this review of the empirical nutrition policy literature, we ask: what factors generate, sustain and constrain political commitment for nutrition, how and under what circumstances? Our aim is to inform strategic ‘commitment-building’ actions.MethodWe adopted a framework synthesis method and realist review protocol. An initial framework was derived from relevant theory and then populated with empirical evidence to test and modify it. Five steps were undertaken: initial theoretical framework development; search for relevant empirical literature; study selection and quality appraisal; data extraction, analysis and synthesis and framework modification.Results75 studies were included. We identified 18 factors that drive commitment, organised into five categories: actors; institutions; political and societal contexts; knowledge, evidence and framing; and, capacities and resources. Irrespective of country-context, effective nutrition actor networks, strong leadership, civil society mobilisation, supportive political administrations, societal change and focusing events, cohesive and resonant framing, and robust data systems and available evidence were commitment drivers. Low-income and middle-income country studies also frequently reported international actors, empowered institutions, vertical coordination and capacities and resources. In upper-middle-income and high-income country studies, private sector interference frequently undermined commitment.ConclusionPolitical commitment is not something that simply exists or emerges accidentally; it can be created and strengthened over time through strategic action. Successfully generating commitment will likely require a core set of actions with some context-dependent adaptations. Ultimately, it will necessitate strategic actions by cohesive, resourced and strongly led nutrition actor networks that are responsive to the multifactorial, multilevel and dynamic political systems in which they operate and attempt to influence. Accelerating the formation and effectiveness of such networks over the Nutrition Decade should be a core task for all actors involved.