bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RNA components of the spliceosome regulate tissue- and cancer-specific alternative splicing
Authors: Dvinge Heidi , Guenthoer Jamie , Porter Peggy L. , Bradley Robert K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAlternative splicing of pre-mRNAs plays a pivotal role during the establishment and maintenance of human cell types. Characterizing thetrans-acting regulatory proteins that control alternative splicing in both healthy and malignant cells has therefore been the focus of much research. Recent work has established that even core protein components of the spliceosome, which are required for splicing to proceed, can nonetheless contribute to splicing regulation by modulating splice site choice. We here demonstrate that the RNA components of the spliceosome likewise influence alternative splicing decisions and contribute to the establishment of global splicing programs. Although these small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), termed U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNA, are present in equal stoichiometry within the spliceosome, we found that their relative levels vary by an order of magnitude during development, across tissues, and between normal and malignant cells. Physiologically relevant perturbation of individual snRNAs drove widespread gene-specific differences in alternative splicing, but not transcriptome-wide splicing failure. Genes that were particularly sensitive to variations in snRNA abundance in a breast cancer cell line model were likewise preferentially mis-spliced within a clinically diverse cohort of invasive breast ductal carcinomas. As aberrant mRNA splicing is prevalent in many solid and liquid tumors, we propose that a full understanding of dysregulated pre-mRNA processing in cancers requires study of the RNA as well as protein components of the splicing machinery.
Genome sequence and description of Blautia brookingsii str SG772 nov., a new species of anaerobic bacterium isolated from healthy human gut
Authors: Ghimire Sudeep , Kumar Roshan , Nelson Eric , Christopher-Hennings Jane , Scaria Joy 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStrain SG-772 is a Gram positive, strictly anoxic bacterium isolated from the feces of a healthy human fecal donor. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain showed maximum similarity (94.39%) with Blautia stercoris GAM6-1 in EZ-Taxon server and thus assigned the genus Blautia. The scanning electron micrograph of the bacterium revealed the characteristic coccobacillus shape as well as the complete absence of flagellum, suggesting its non-motile phenotype. This strain was found to utilize 27 substrates based on Biolog AN plates assay, with maximum preference for D-mannitol. Additionally, the strain was found to be resistant to tetracycline and streptomycin. Genome sequencing and analysis revealed an overall genome size of 3.49 Mbp and GC content of 43.97%. Based on RAST annotation server, the closest neighbor was Blautia hansenii DSM20583. Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) of these strains were 81.69%, suggesting a high level of genomic variation. The comparative genome analysis of strain SG772 with B. hansenii DSM20583 revealed a total of 411 orthologous genes coding for basic metabolic functions. Furthermore, the genomes were functionally distinct based on COG categories. Thus, based on all these differences, we propose a novel species of genus Blautia named as Blautia brookingsii SG772.
Identification of a post-transcriptional regulatory element that responds to glucose in the African trypanosome
Authors: Qiu Yijian , Shankar Vijay , Noorai Rooksana E. , Yeung Nelson , McAlpine Sarah Grace , Morris James 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThe ability to adapt to varying nutrient availability in changing environments is critical for successful parasitism. The lifecycle stages of the African trypanosome,Trypanosoma brucei, that infect the host mammalian bloodstream utilize glucose exclusively for ATP production. The finding that trypanosomes also inhabit other tissues that frequently contain lower glucose concentrations suggests blood stage parasites may have to respond to a dynamic environment with changing nutrient availability in order to survive. However, little is known about how the parasites coordinate gene expression with nutrient availability. Through transcriptome analysis, we have found blood stage parasites deprived of glucose alter gene expression in a pattern similar to transcriptome changes triggered by other stresses. A surprisingly low concentration of glucose (<10 μM) was required to initiate the response. To further understand the dynamic regulation of gene expression that occurs in response to altered glucose availability in the environment, we have interrogated the 3’UTR of cytochrome c oxidase subunit VI, a known lifecycle stage regulated gene, and have identified a stem-loop structure that confers glucose-responsive regulation at the translational level.
The Host Fruit Amplifies Mutualistic Interactions between Ceratitis Capitata Larvae and Associated Bacteria
Authors: Zaada Doron Shalom Yishai , Ben-Yosef Michael , Yuval Boaz , Jurkevitch Edouard 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground:The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata is a major pest in horticulture. The development of fly larvae is mediated by bacterial decay in the fruit tissue. Despite the importance of bacteria on larval development, very little is known about the interaction between bacteria and larvae in their true ecological context. Understanding their relationship and inter-dependence in the host fruit is important for the development of new pest control interfaces to deal with this pest.Results:We find no negative effects on egg hatch or larval development brought about by the bacterial isolates tested. The various symbionts inhabiting the fly’s digestive system differ in their degree of contribution to the development of fly larvae depending on the given host and their sensitivity to induced inhibition caused by female produced antimicrobial peptides. These differences were observed not only at the genus or species level but also between isolates of the same species. We demonstrate how the microbiota from the mother’s gut supports the development of larvae in the fruit host and show that larvae play a major role in spreading the bacterial contagion in the infected fruit itself. In addition, we present (for the first time) evidence for horizontal transfer of bacteria between larvae of different maternal origin that develop together in the same fruit.Conclusions:Larvae play a major role in the spread and shaping of the microbial population in the fruit. The transfer of bacteria between different individuals developing in the same fruit suggests that the infested fruit serves as a microbial hub for the amplification and spread of bacterial strains between individuals.
The new intellectual property race
Authors: Silvernagel Craig , Langelett George , Tande Brian 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how entrepreneurs are reacting to the recent change in patent priority rules under the America Invents Act (AIA). The authors sought to examine the relationship between a significant change in policy concerning a class of intellectual property (IP), patents in this case, and resulting perceptions and attitudes among entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors designed a survey and collected data from 36 practicing entrepreneurs in the upper Midwest. The survey respondents completed either a paper hard-copy survey that was available at a regional entrepreneurship and innovation conference, or an electronic version of the survey (administered through QuestionPro.com). The survey included questions about entrepreneurship experience, area of expertise, IP use history and knowledge, risk tolerance, and demographics.

Findings
The empirical findings suggest that entrepreneur practitioners have not thoroughly reviewed FTF, but they are seeking legal advice. Also, entrepreneurs disagree with the notion that they are more likely to innovate under FTF. With regard to entrepreneurial knowledge, speaking with an attorney had a significant impact on entrepreneurs’ attitudes toward FTF, leading them to worry more about how they might compete with larger firms and about sharing their ideas. Finally, after controlling for demographics, the authors find that attitudes toward FTF have already significantly impacted recent past and future intended entrepreneurial behavior.

Originality/value
While the literature is rich with information about the AIA, the history of IP and patenting in the USA, and the merits and challenges of first-to-file vs first-to-invent patenting policy, little has been done to study entrepreneur attitudes and perceptions regarding the implementation of AIA and its policy provisions. Understanding entrepreneur perspectives concerning AIA is a critical component in assessing impacts regarding the critical area of innovation and new venture creation.
Concurrent sponsorship: implications for sponsoring brands and sponsored property
Authors: Yousaf Anish , Mishra Abhishek , Gupta Anil 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the interesting dynamics of image transfer when multiple brands get together to sponsor a property, referred to as concurrent sponsorship, and its effects on the consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) of the sponsor or the sponsored property, in the context of Indian Premier League of cricket.

Design/methodology/approach
Two pre-tests, for identifying the sponsored property and sponsors, were followed by the main experiment, involving 500 respondents. A general linear model was used for data analysis.

Findings
The findings reveal that for brands with high CBBE, investment in concurrent sponsorship leads to larger benefits, especially if they have similar associations to the sponsored property. This study also shows that image of the sponsored property is strongly dependent on combined CBBE of the sponsors. Finally, it is found that brands with high (low) CBBE are benefited more in concurrent (solo) sponsorship conditions.

Originality/value
This paper is an original contribution in this field, with limited works studying the impact of concurrent sponsorship on the brand equity of sponsors or the sponsored property.
Aridity preferences alter the relative importance of abiotic and biotic drivers on plant species abundance in global drylands
Authors: Berdugo Miguel , Maestre Fernando T. , Kéfi Sonia , Gross Nicolas , Le Bagousse‐Pinguet Yoann , Soliveres Santiago 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Disentangling the interplay between species‐specific environmental preferences and micro‐ and macroscale determinants of species abundance within plant communities remains challenging. Most existing studies addressing this issue either lack empirical data regarding species interactions and local abundances or cover a narrow range of environmental conditions.

We merged species distribution models and local spatial patterns to investigate the relative importance of key macro‐ (aridity) and micro(facilitation and competition)scale determinants of plant species abundance along aridity gradients in drylands world‐wide. We used information derived from the environmental niches of species to evaluate how species‐specific aridity preferences modulate the importance of such factors to drive species relative abundance.

Facilitation and aridity preferences were more important than competition to explain species local abundances in global drylands. The specialization of communities (i.e. their compositional shifts from species with a large range of aridity preferences towards only aridity specialists) also modulated the effect of aridity and plant–plant interactions on species abundances. The importance of facilitation to drive species abundances decreased with aridity, as species preferred arid conditions and did not need neighbours to thrive. Instead, competition showed stronger relationships with species abundances under high levels of aridity. As composition became dominated by aridity specialists, the importance of aridity in shaping dryland plant communities did not increase further from moderate to high aridity levels.

Synthesis. Our results showed that: (a) the degree of community specialization to aridity mediates the relative importance of plant–plant interactions in determining species abundances and (b) facilitation and competition were more strongly related to species abundance in communities dominated by generalists and specialists, respectively. We observed a shift from facilitation to competition as drivers of species abundances as aridity increases in global drylands. Our findings also pave the way to develop more robust predictions about the consequences of ongoing climate change on the assemblage of plant communities in drylands, the largest terrestrial biome.
Is there a disease‐free halo at species range limits? The codistribution of anther‐smut disease and its host species
Authors: Bruns Emily L. , Antonovics Janis , Hood Michael 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

While disease is widely recognized as affecting host population size, it has rarely been considered to play a role in determining host range limits. Many diseases may not be able to persist near the range limit if host population density falls below the critical threshold level for pathogen invasion. However, in vector‐ and sexually transmitted diseases, pathogen transmission may be largely independent of host density and theory demonstrates that diseases with frequency‐dependent transmission may persist in small populations near the range limit.

Empirical studies of disease at species range limits have lagged behind the theory, and to date, no previous study has tested the hypothesis that vector or sexually transmitted diseases can be maintained at host range limits.

We studied the distribution of anther‐smut disease, a sterilizing pollinator‐transmitted disease, on four alpine plant species to determine whether disease was present at the host range limits.

We found that host abundance declined towards the elevational range limits, and disease extended to the most extreme elevational range limits in three of the four host species. Maximum likelihood estimation of the magnitude of the disease‐free halo showed that it was small or nonexistent for all host species. Moreover, disease prevalence within populations was often higher nearer the host's range limit than in the range centre and was independent of host density.

Synthesis. Our results show that diseases where transmission is frequency‐dependent have the potential to affect host distributions not just in theory, but also in real world populations.
Cyanidin‐3‐glucoside inhibits inflammatory activities in human fibroblast‐like synoviocytes and in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis
Authors: Sun Yan , Li Lingling 
Published: May 2018

SummaryRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint tissue inflammation. Cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (C3G) is a major component in the flavonoid family and has shown anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant and anti‐tumour activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of C3G on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐induced inflammation on human rheumatoid fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) and on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mice model. We treated FLS with C3G followed by LPS induction, the expressions of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) and IL‐6 and the activation of nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway were analyzed. CIA was induced in mice and the arthritic mice were treated with C3G for 3 weeks. The disease severity was compared between control and C3G treated mice. The serum levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 were analyzed by ELISA. C3G inhibited LPS‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 expression in FLS. Moreover, C3G inhibited LPS‐induced p65 production and IκBa, p38, ERK and JNK phosphorylation. Administration of C3G significantly attenuated disease in mice with CIA and decreased the serum level of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6. C3G inhibited LPS‐induced inflammation in human FLS by inhibiting activation of NF‐κB and MAPK signalling pathway. C3G exhibited therapeutic effects in mice with CIA.
Pericardial Cyst: Cause of Sudden Cardiac Death?
Authors: Ley Marie Brix , Larsen Maiken Kudahl 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of sudden death in the world. The etiology of sudden cardiac death involves a wide range of diseases, but seldom pericardial cysts. A pericardial cyst is an uncommon cyst usually located in the middle mediastinum and rarely in the posterior part. They are usually harmless and asymptomatic. Here, we present a case of a 63‐year‐old woman who presented with dyspnea and hoarseness, but died suddenly after a CT scan was attempted. The detailed forensic pathologic and histologic examination revealed a pericardial cyst located in the posterior mediastinum. Toxicology and biochemistry tests, including tryptase, found no competing cause of death.
Hot Off the Press: SGEM #215 Aortic Dissection—Love Will Tear Us Apart
Authors: Heitz Corey , Morgenstern Justin , Bond Christopher , Milne William K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis systematic review provides an assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of various historical, physical, and clinical examination features for aortic dissection. Nine articles were included, with moderate to high heterogeneity. Limitations to general practice include risk of selection bias and partial verification bias. Risk scores were included, but their use is not recommended at this time.
Fetal assessment in buprenorphine‐maintained women using fetal magnetoencephalography: a pilot study
Authors: Escalona‐Vargas Diana , Coker Jessica L. , Ray‐Griffith Shona , Siegel Eric R. , Lowery Curtis L. , Stowe Zachary N. , Eswaran Hari 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsIn‐utero exposure to opioids including buprenorphine (BUP) has been shown to affect fetal activity, specifically heart‐rate variability (FHRV) and fetal movement (FM). Our objective was to extract simultaneous recordings of fetal cardiac and brain‐related activity in BUP‐maintained and non‐opioid exposed pregnant women using a novel non‐invasive biomagnetic technique.DesignA pilot study was conducted, recording and analyzing biomagnetic data from fetuses of BUP‐maintained and non‐opioid exposed pregnant women. Signals were acquired with the non‐invasive 151‐channel SARA (SQUID‐Array for Reproductive Assessment) system. Advanced signal‐processing techniques were applied to extract fetal heart and brain activity.SettingUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA).ParticipantsEight BUP‐maintained pregnant women from UAMS Women's Mental Health Program between gestational ages (GA) of 29–37 weeks who were treated with 8–24 mg of BUP daily. Sixteen pregnant women with no known opioid exposure in the same GA range were also included.MeasurementsOutcome measures from the fetal heart and brain signals included: heart rate (FHR), FM, FHR accelerations, FHR–FM coupling, FHRV, fetal behavioral states (FBS) and power spectral density (PSD) of spontaneous brain activity. These measures were analyzed at three GA intervals.FindingsFetal heart and brain activity parameters were extracted and quantified successfully from 18 non‐opioid and 16 BUP recordings. Overall analysis in both groups show that: FHR and FM ranged from 131 to 141 beats per minute (b.p.m.) and 5 to 11 counts, respectively. In the 35–37 weeks GA, the coupling duration (~9 s) was the shortest, while three of the FHRV parameters were the highest. The PSD of brain activity revealed highest power in 0.5‐4 Hz bandwidth. Transitions in FBS from quiet to active sleep were > 50% of sessions.ConclusionsThis pilot study showed that a novel biomagnetic technique allows simultaneous quantification of cardiac and brain activities of a group of buprenorphine‐exposed and non‐exposed fetuses in the third trimester.
Modelling the impact of a national scale‐up of interventions on hepatitis C virus transmission among people who inject drugs in Scotland
Authors: Fraser Hannah , Mukandavire Christinah , Martin Natasha K. , Goldberg David , Palmateer Norah , Munro Alison , Taylor Avril , Hickman Matthew , Hutchinson Sharon , Vickerman Peter 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsTo reduce hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID), Scottish Government‐funded national strategies, launched in 2008, promoted scaling‐up opioid substitution therapy (OST) and needle and syringe provision (NSP), with some increases in HCV treatment. We test whether observed decreases in HCV incidence post‐2008 can be attributed to this intervention scale‐up.DesignA dynamic HCV transmission model among PWID incorporating intervention scale‐up and observed decreases in behavioural risk, calibrated to Scottish HCV prevalence and incidence data for 2008/09.SettingScotland, UK.ParticipantsPWID.MeasurementsModel projections from 2008 to 2015 were compared with data to test whether they were consistent with observed decreases in HCV incidence among PWID while incorporating the observed intervention scale‐up, and to determine the impact of scaling‐up interventions on incidence.FindingsWithout fitting to epidemiological data post‐2008/09, the model incorporating observed intervention scale‐up agreed with observed decreases in HCV incidence among PWID between 2008 and 2015, suggesting that HCV incidence decreased by 61.3% [95% credibility interval (CrI) = 45.1–75.3%] from 14.2/100 person‐years (py) (9.0–20.7) to 5.5/100 py (2.9–9.2). On average, each model fit lay within 84% (10.1/12) of the confidence bounds for the 12 incidence data points against which the model was compared. We estimate that scale‐up of interventions (OST + NSP + HCV treatment) and decreases in high‐risk behaviour from 2008 to 2015 resulted in a 33.9% (23.8–44.6%) decrease in incidence, with the remainder [27.4% (17.6–37.0%)] explained by historical changes in OST + NSP coverage and risk pre‐2008. Projections suggest that scaling‐up of all interventions post‐2008 averted 1492 (657–2646) infections over 7 years, with 1016 (308–1996), 404 (150–836) and 72 (27–137) due to scale‐up of OST + NSP, decreases in high‐risk behaviour and HCV treatment, respectively.ConclusionsMost of the decline in hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence in Scotland between 2008 and 2015 appears to be attributable to intervention scale‐up (opioid substitution therapy and needle and syringe provision) due to government strategies on HCV and drugs.