bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Risk Factors and Overactive Bladder: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Jingzhen , Hu Xiaoyan , Dong Xingyou , Li Longkun 
Published: March 2018

Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods
The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were retrieved through May 2016. Odds ratios (OR) or standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the associations between risk factors and OAB. Heterogeneity among studies was examined using χ2 test based on the Q and I
2 tests.

Results
A total of 28 articles were analyzed in our study. The results suggested that age and body mass index were significantly higher in OAB patients than in non-OAB controls (SMDs [95% CIs], 0.30 [0.19–0.41] and 0.39 [0.24–0.53]). A significant negative association was found between employment status and OAB (OR [95% CIs], 0.64 [0.46–0.90]). However, sex, educational level, parity, vaginal delivery, race, menopause, marital status, smoking, and alcohol consumption were not significantly different in OAB and non-OAB control patients (ORs [95% CIs], 0.95 [0.59–1.55], 1.04 [0.82, 1.33], 0.98 [0.56–1.70], 1.66 [0.90–3.07], 0.98 [0.75–1.28], 1.84 [0.23–14.70], 0.97 [0.78–1.19], 0.91 [0.77–1.08], and 0.88 [0.71–1.09], respectively). In addition, the number of parities and vaginal deliveries in OAB patients also showed no significant differences compared with non-OAB control patients (SMDs [95% CI], 0.05 [−0.27 to 0.38] and −0.16 [0.40 to 0.09]).

Conclusions
This meta-analysis suggests that age and body mass index are associated with increased risks of OAB, whereas employment status is associated with a decreased risk of OAB. Further prospective studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm this conclusion.
Dementia Prevalence in Greece
Authors: Kosmidis Mary H. , Vlachos George S. , Anastasiou Costas A. , Yannakoulia Mary , Dardiotis Efthimios , Hadjigeorgiou Georgios , Sakka Paraskevi , Ntanasi Eva , Scarmeas Nikolaos 
Published: March 2018

Introduction:
Study of the epidemiology of dementia to gain insight into putative predisposing and prophylactic factors is the first step toward establishing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for this ever-growing public health problem. Relevant data in Greece are scattered and outdated.

Methods:
We investigated dementia prevalence as part of a population-representative epidemiological study [Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD)] in 2 Greek regions.

Results:
Our sample comprised 1792 adults 65 years of age or older, who received a full neurological and neuropsychological evaluation that led to a consensus diagnosis. The overall prevalence of dementia was 5.0%, with 75.3% of the cases attributed to Alzheimer disease. Dementia odds were 15.8% higher for every year of advancing age and 9.4% lower for every additional year of education. Carrying at least 1 APOE-ε4 allele doubled the risk of dementia, whereas sex did not exert a statistically significant effect.

Conclusions:
Our results are consistent with previous research in Southern European countries; dementia prevalence in Greece is in the lower range of what has been reported globally.
Proteome-level assessment of origin, prevalence and function of Leucine-Aspartic Acid (LD) motifs
Authors: Alam Tanvir , Alazmi Meshari , Naser Rayan , Huser Franceline , Momin Afaque A. , Walkiewicz Katarzyna W. , Canlas Christian G. , Huser Raphaël G. , Ali Amal J. , Merzaban Jasmeen , Bajic Vladimir B. , Gao Xin , Arold Stefan T. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTShort Linear Motifs (SLiMs) contribute to almost every cellular function by connecting appropriate protein partners. Accurate prediction of SLiMs is difficult due to their shortness and sequence degeneracy. Leucine-aspartic acid (LD) motifs are SLiMs that link paxillin family proteins to factors controlling (cancer) cell adhesion, motility and survival. The existence and importance of LD motifs beyond the paxillin family is poorly understood. To enable a proteome-wide assessment of these motifs, we developed an active-learning based framework that iteratively integrates computational predictions with experimental validation. Our analysis of the human proteome identified a dozen proteins that contain LD motifs, all being involved in cell adhesion and migration, and revealed a new type of inverse LD motif consensus. Our evolutionary analysis suggested that LD motif signalling originated in the common unicellular ancestor of opisthokonts and amoebozoa by co-opting nuclear export sequences. Inter-species comparison revealed a conserved LD signalling core, and reveals the emergence of species-specific adaptive connections, while maintaining a strong functional focus of the LD motif interactome. Collectively, our data elucidate the mechanisms underlying the origin and adaptation of an ancestral SLiM.
Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes screening in rural Ghana
Authors: Nyarko Bernard Effah , Amoah Rosemary Serwah , Crimi Alessandro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes is a growing worldwide disease with serious consequences to health and with a high financial burden. Ghana is one of the developing African countries where the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Moreover, many cases remain undiagnosed, when along with pre-diabetic cases they can be easily detected. Pre-diabetes condition occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes, and it is still reversible.The main objective of this study is to propose a novel method to increase diabetes and pre-diabetes early detection in rural areas. A secondary aim is to look for new related behavioral determinants specific to rural Ghana, by comparing subjects at risk with those already diagnosed as diabetic.MethodsThe screening approach was based on tests performed pro-actively by community nurses using glucometers and mobile phone apps. As a pilot for future policies, glycemic tests were carried out on 101 subjects from rural communities in Ghana deemed at risk and unaware of their diabetic/pre-diabetic status. A comparison of dietary and lifestyle habits of the screened people was conducted in regards to a cohort of 103 diabetic patients from the same rural communities.ResultsThe pilot screening detected 2 diabetic subjects (2% of the cohort) showing WHO diabetic glycemic values, and 20 pre-diabetic subjects (19.8% of the cohort) which showed the effectiveness of the user-friendly approach. The need for further campaigns about alcohol consumption and physical activities has emerged even in rural areas.ConclusionsPolicies based on prevention screening as reported in the manuscript have the potential to reduce diabetes incidence, if actions are taken while patients are pre-diabetic, reduce complication related to late diagnosis and indirectly related health-care costs in the country.
Chromatin accessibility is dynamically regulated across C. elegans development and ageing
Authors: Jänes Jürgen , Dong Yan , Schoof Michael , Serizay Jacques , Appert Alex , Cerrato Chiara , Woodbury Carson , Chen Ron , Gemma Carolina , Huang Ni , Kissiov Djem , Stempor Przemysław , Steward Annette , Zeiser Eva , Sauer Sasha , Ahringer Julie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn essential step for understanding the transcriptional circuits that control development and physiology is the global identification and characterization of regulatory elements. Here we present the first map of regulatory elements across the development and ageing of an animal, identifying 42,245 elements accessible in at least one C. elegans stage. Based on nuclear transcription profiles, we define 15,714 protein-coding promoters and 19,231 putative enhancers, and find that both types of element can drive orientation-independent transcription. Additionally, hundreds of promoters produce transcripts antisense to protein coding genes, suggesting involvement in a widespread regulatory mechanism. We find that the accessibility of most elements is regulated during development and/or ageing and that patterns of accessibility change are linked to specific developmental or physiological processes. The map and characterization of regulatory elements across C. elegans life provides a platform for understanding how transcription controls development and ageing.
Single-step Enzymatic Glycoengineering for the Construction of Antibody-cell Conjugates
Authors: Li Jie , Chen Mingkuan , Liu Zilei , Zhang Linda , Felding Brunie H. , Lauvau Gregoire , Abadier Michael , Ley Klaus , Wu Peng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEmploying live cells as therapeutics is a direction of future drug discovery. An easy and robust method to modify the surfaces of cells directly to incorporate novel functionalities is highly desirable. However, many current methods for cell-surface engineering interfere with cells’ endogenous properties. Here we report an enzymatic approach that enables the transfer of biomacromolecules, such as a full length IgG antibody, to the glycocalyx on the surfaces of live cells when the antibody is conjugated to the enzyme’s natural donor substrate GDP-fucose. This method is fast and biocompatible with little interference to cells’ endogenous functions. We applied this method to construct two antibody-cell conjugates (ACCs) using different immune cells, and the modified cells exhibited specific tumor targeting and resistance to inhibitory signals produced by tumor cells, respectively. Remarkably, Herceptin-NK-92MI conjugates exhibits enhanced activities to induce the lysis of HER2+ cancer cells both ex vivo and in a murine tumor model, indicating its potential for further development as a clinical candidate.
Thioredoxins induce oocyte maturation in holothuroids (Echinodermata)
Authors: Leonet Aline , Delroisse Jérôme , Schuddinck Christopher , Wattiez Ruddy , Jangoux Michel , Eeckhaut Igor 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTChromatographic fractions of a rough extract of echinoid spawn (REES) has been demonstrated to efficiently induce oocyte maturation in aspidochirote holothuroids. The method is so efficient that it is now used in holothuriculture to get fertilised eggs even outside the reproductive period of the aquacultured species. We here isolate and identify from echinoid spawns the molecule responsible for the induction of the oocyte maturation in the Mediterranean holothuroidHolothuria tubulosaand the Indo-PacificHolothuria scabra. The use of proteinase K and dialysing membranes indicates that the active molecule is a protein with a molecular weight superior to 12,000 kDa. The active molecule has been isolated on G-100 Sephadex chromatography column. Active chromatographic fractions include seven proteins identified with nanoLC-MS/MS technique. One of them, identify as a thioredoxin-2 and to which the nameTrx-REEShas been given, leads up to levels of maturation similar to those obtained with the REES and with a commercial thioredoxin extracted fromEscherichia coli. Occurrence of thioredoxin in REES was confirmed by immunoblot analysis, and the maturation-inducing properties of thioredoxin were positively checked in using anti-thioredoxin antibodies. A peptide of 6 AAs corresponding to the active site ofTrx-REES, composed of WCNPCK, was synthesised and its efficiency in holothuroid oocyte maturation tested. At some concentrations, the peptide was 1.2 times more active than the REES.
Identification of cyclic hexapeptides natural products with inhibitory potency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Singh Sheo B. , Odingo Joshua , Bailey Mai A. , Sunde Bjorn , Korkegian Aaron , O’Malley Theresa , Ovechkina Yulia , Ioerger Thomas R. , Sacchettini James C. , Young Katherine , Olsen David B. , Parish Tanya 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA set of ∼500 purified natural product compounds was screened for inhibition against the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A series of cyclic hexapeptides with anti-tubercular activity was identified. Five analogs from a set of sixteen closely related compounds were active, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 2.3-8.9 μM. Eleven structural analogs had no significant activity (MIC > 20 μM) demonstrating structure activity relationship. Sequencing of resistant mutant isolates failed to identify changes accounting for the resistance phenotype.
A nuclear hormone receptor and lipid metabolism axis are required for the maintenance and regeneration of reproductive organs
Authors: Zhang Shasha , Guo Longhua , Guerrero-Hernández Carlos , Ross Eric J , Gotting Kirsten , McKinney Sean A. , Wang Wei , Xiang Youbin , Hawley R. Scott , Sánchez Alvarado Alejandro 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTUnderstanding how stem cells and their progeny maintain and regenerate reproductive organs is of fundamental importance. The freshwater planarianSchmidtea mediterraneaprovides an attractive system to study these processes because its hermaphroditic reproductive system (RS) arises post-embryonically and when lost can be fully and functionally regenerated from the proliferation and regulation of experimentally accessible stem and progenitor cells. By controlling the function of a nuclear hormone receptor gene (nhr-1), we established conditions in which to study the formation, maintenance and regeneration of both germline and somatic tissues of the planarian RS. We found thatnhr-1(RNAi) not only resulted in the gradual degeneration and complete loss of the adult hermaphroditic RS, but also in the significant downregulation of a large cohort of genes associated with lipid metabolism. One of these,Smed-acs-1, a homologue of Acyl-CoA synthetase, was indispensable for the development, maintenance and regeneration of the RS, but not for the homeostasis or regeneration of other somatic tissues. Remarkably, supplementingnhr-1(RNAi) animals with either bacterial Acyl-CoA synthetase or the lipid metabolite Acetyl-CoA rescued the phenotype restoring the maintenance and function of the hermaphroditic RS. Our findings uncovered a likely evolutionarily conserved role for nuclear hormone receptors and lipid metabolism in the regulation of stem and progenitor cells required for the long-term maintenance and regeneration of animal reproductive organs, tissues and cells.
Longitudinal single cell fate of hematopoiesis in vivo using cellular barcoding and DiSNE movie visualization
Authors: Gao Jerry , Lin Dawn S. , Crampin Edmund , Naik Shalin H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIdentifying the progeny of many single progenitor cells simultaneously can be achieved by tagging progenitors with unique heritable DNA barcodes, and allows inferences of lineage relationships, including longitudinally. While this approach has shed new light on single cell fate heterogeneity, data interpretation remains a major challenge. In this study, we applied our developmental interpolated t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (DiSNE) movie approach to visualize the clonal dynamics of hematopoietic reconstitution in primates and identify novel developmental patterns, namely a potential cluster of hematopoietic progenitors with early T cell and later granulocyte production.Key pointsComplex single cell haematopoietic fate heterogeneity can be visualized and assessed with tSNE pie mapsDiSNE movie visualization of in vivo haematopoiesis allows “play back” of the waves of haematopoiesisIdentification of novel hematopoietic progenitors with early T cell and later granulocyte production
Experimental manipulation of nocturnal nest cavity temperature in wild blue tits
Authors: Simmonds Emily G. , Sheldon Ben C. , Coulson Tim , Cole Ella F. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAdvances in the timing of reproduction in temperate species are some of the most well documented biotic responses to increasing global temperatures. However, the magnitude and rate of these advances in timing are not equal across all taxonomic groups. These differences can lead to disruption of interspecific relationships if species respond differently to temperature changes. Understanding the relationship between temperature and phenology is a key step in predicting future population trends for species living in seasonal environments. However, experimentally manipulating temperature in the wild is logistically challenging and has consequently rarely been attempted. In this study we experimentally test whether in-nest temperatures in early spring act as a cue for breeding phenology in a population of wild blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We split nests into three treatments; heated, cooled, and control. In-nest temperature in the heated and cooled boxes was manipulated by an average of ± 0.6 °C from control temperatures using heating devices and ice packs respectively. We assessed the impact of our experimental manipulation on box occupancy and reproductive timing. We found trends towards earlier phenology in heated nest boxes in addition to a higher occupancy rate in cooled boxes, however neither of these trends was found to be statistically significant. Our ability to distinguish statistical signals was hampered by unexpectedly low occupancy rates across all experimental treatments. Based on the results we cannot say if nocturnal in-nest temperature is an important cue for nest box choice or the timing of laying.
Shoelaces: an interactive tool for ribosome profiling processing and visualization
Authors: Birkeland Åsmund , Chyżyńska Katarzyna , Valen Eivind 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe emergence of ribosome profiling to map actively translating ribosomes has laid the foundation for a diverse range of studies on translational regulation. The data obtained with different variations of this assay is typically manually processed, which has created a need for tools that would streamline and standardize processing steps.We present Shoelaces, a toolkit for ribosome profiling experiments automating read selection and filtering to obtain genuine translating footprints. Based on periodicity, favoring enrichment over the coding regions, it determines the read lengths corresponding to bona fide ribosome protected fragments. The specific codon under translation (P-site) is determined by automatic offset calculations resulting in sub-codon resolution. Shoelaces provides both a user-friendly graphical interface for interactive visualisation in a genome browser-like fashion and a command line interface for integration into automated pipelines. We process 79 libraries and show that studies typically discard excessive amounts of data in their manual analysis pipelines.Shoelaces streamlines ribosome profiling analysis offering automation of the processing, a range of interactive visualization features and export of the data into standard formats. Shoelaces stores all processing steps performed in an XML file that can be used by other groups to exactly reproduce the processing of a given study. We therefore anticipate that Shoelaces can aid researchers by automating what is typically performed manually and contribute to the overall reproducibility of studies. The tool is freely distributed as a Python package, with additional instructions and demo datasets available at https://bitbucket.org/valenlab/shoelaces
Post-mortem T2*- weighted MRI imaging of cortical iron reflects severity of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Bulk Marjolein , Kenkhuis Boyd , van der Graaf Linda M. , Goeman Jelle J. , Natté Remco , der Weerd Louise van 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe value of iron-based MRI changes for the diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) depends on an association between cortical iron accumulation and AD pathology. Therefore, this study determined the cortical distribution pattern of MRI contrast changes in cortical regions selected based on the known distribution pattern of tau pathology and investigated whether MRI contrast changes reflect the underlying AD pathology in the different lobes.-weighted MRI was performed on post-mortem cortical tissue of controls, late-onset AD, and early-onset AD followed by histology and correlation analyses. Combining ex-vivo high-resolution MRI and histopathology revealed that: LOAD and EOAD have a different distribution pattern of AD pathological hallmarks and MRI contrast changes over the cortex, with EOAD showing more severe MRI changes; (2) per lobe, severity of AD pathological hallmarks correlates with iron accumulation, and hence with MRI. Therefore, iron-sensitive MRI sequences allow detection of the cortical distribution pattern of AD pathology ex-vivo.AbbreviationsADAlzheimer’s diseaseEOADearly-onset ADGMgray matterIRPiron regulating proteinsLOADlate-onset ADMCImild cognitive impairmentPBSphosphate buffered salineQSMquantitative susceptibility mappingWMwhite matter
Excitatory TMS Boosts Memory Representations
Authors: Wang Wei-Chun , Wing Erik A. , Murphy David L.K. , Luber Bruce M. , Lisanby Sarah H. , Cabeza Roberto , Davis Simon W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBrain stimulation technologies have seen increasing application in basic science investigations, specifically towards the goal of improving memory functioning. However, proposals concerning the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive enhancement often rely on simplified notions of excitation and, most applications examining the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on functional neuroimaging measures have been limited to univariate analyses of brain activity. We present here analyses using representational similarity analysis (RSA) and encoding-retrieval similarity (ERS) analysis in order to quantify the effect of TMS on memory representations. To test whether an increase in local excitability in PFC can have measurable influences on upstream representations in earlier temporal memory regions, we compared 1Hz and 5Hz stimulation to the left dorsolateral PFC. We found that 10 minutes of 5Hz rTMS, relative to 1Hz, had multiple effects on neural representations: 1) greater RSA during both encoding and retrieval, 2) greater ERS across all items, and, critically, 3) increasing ERS in MTL with increasing univariate activity in DLPFC, and greater functional connectivity for hits than misses between these regions. These results provide the first evidence of rTMS enhancing semantic representations and strengthen the idea that rTMS may affect the reinstatement of previously experienced events in upstream regions.