bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Transmission Dynamics of Clonorchiasis in Foshan, China
Authors: Yuan Ruixia , Huang Jicai , Zhang Xinan , Ruan Shigui 
Published: October 2018

AbstractClonorchiasis, known as the Chinese liver fluke disease, is caused by Clonorchis sinensis infection with food-borne liver fluke, which is transmitted via snails to freshwater fish and then to human beings or other piscivorous mammals. Clonorchis sinensis infection is mainly related to liver and biliary disorders, especially cholangiocarcinoma, and has an increased human-health impact due to the greater consumption of raw freshwater fish. In this article, we propose a deterministic model to describe the spread of clonorchiasis among human-snail-fish populations and use the model to simulate the data on the numbers of inspected and infected individuals of Foshan City, located in Guangdong Province in the southeast of P.R China, from 1980–2010. Mathematical and numerical analyses of the model are carried out to understand the transmission dynamics of clonorchiasis and explore effective control measures for the local outbreaks of the disease. We find that (i) the transmission of clonorchiasis from cercariae to fish plays a more important role than that from eggs to snails and from fish to humans; (ii) As the cycle of infection-treatment-reinfection continues, it is unlikely that treatment with drugs alone can control and eventually eradicate clonorchiasis. These strongly suggest that a more comprehensive approach needs to include environmental modification in order to break the cercariae-fish transmission cycle, to enhance awareness about the disease, and to improve prevention measures.
The Impact of Caesarean Section on the Risk of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: New Evidence from a Contemporary Cohort Study
Authors: Masukume Gwinyai , O’Neill Sinéad M. , Baker Philip N. , Kenny Louise C. , Morton Susan M. B. , Khashan Ali S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCaesarean section (CS) rates are increasing globally and exceed 50% in some countries. Childhood obesity has been linked to CS via lack of exposure to vaginal microflora although the literature is inconsistent. We investigated the association between CS birth and the risk of childhood obesity using the nationally representative Growing-Up-in-Ireland (GUI) cohort. The GUI study recruited randomly 11134 infants. The exposure was categorised into normal vaginal birth (VD) [reference], assisted VD, elective (planned) CS and emergency (unplanned) CS. The primary outcome measure was obesity defined according to the International Obesity Taskforce criteria. Statistical analysis included multinomial logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Infants delivered by elective CS had an adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) = 1.32; [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.74] of being obese at age three years. This association was attenuated when macrosomic children were excluded (aRRR = 0.99; [95% CI 0.67–1.45]). Infants delivered by emergency CS had an increased risk of obesity aRRR = 1.56; [95% CI 1.20–2.03]; this association remained after excluding macrosomic children. We found insufficient evidence to support a causal relationship between elective CS and childhood obesity. An increased risk of obesity in children born by emergency CS, but not elective, suggests that there is no causal effect due to vaginal microflora.
Comparative Safety of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors Versus Sulfonylureas and Other Glucose-lowering Therapies for Three Acute Outcomes
Authors: Gamble John-Michael , Donnan Jennifer R. , Chibrikov Eugene , Twells Laurie K. , Midodzi William K. , Majumdar Sumit R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAlthough the glucose lowering effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors is well established, several potential serious acute safety concerns have been raised including acute kidney injury, respiratory tract infections, and acute pancreatitis. Using the UK-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), we identified initiators (365-day washout period) of DPP4 inhibitors and relevant comparators including initiators of sulfonylureas, metformin, thiazolidinediones, and insulin between January 2007 and January 2016 to quantify the association between DPP4 inhibitors and three acute health events – acute kidney injury, respiratory tract infections, and acute pancreatitis. The associations between drug and study outcomes were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for deciles of high-dimensional propensity scores and number of additional glucose lowering agents. After controlling for potential confounders, the risk was not significantly increased or decreased for initiators of DPP4 inhibitors compared to sulfonylureas (hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for acute kidney injury: 0.81 [0.56–1.18]; HR for respiratory tract infections: 0.93 [0.84–1.04]; HR for acute pancreatitis 1.03 [0.42–2.52], metformin (HR for respiratory tract infection 0.91 [0.65–1.27]), thiazolidinediones (HR for acute kidney injury: 1.12 [0.60–2.10]; HR for respiratory tract infections: 1.02 [0.86–1.21]; HR for acute pancreatitis: 1.21 [0.25–5.72]), or insulin (HR for acute kidney injury: 1.40 [0.77–2.55]; HR for respiratory tract infections: 0.74 [0.60–0.92]; HR for acute pancreatitis: 1.01 [0.24–4.19]). Initiators of DPP4 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury when compared to metformin initiators (HR [95% CI] for acute kidney injury: 1.85 [1.10–3.12], although this association was attenuated when DPP4 inhibitor monotherapy was compared to metformin monotherapy exposure as a time-dependent variable (HR 1.39 [0.91–2.11]). Initiation of a DPP4 inhibitor was not associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury, respiratory tract infections, or acute pancreatitis compared to sulfonylureas or other glucose-lowering therapies.
Development of lentiviral vectors for efficient glutamatergic-selective gene expression in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Egashira Yoshihiro , Mori Yasunori , Yanagawa Yuchio , Takamori Shigeo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTargeting gene expression to a particular subset of neurons helps study the cellular function of the nervous system. Although neuron-specific promoters, such as the synapsin I promoter and the α-CaMKII promoter, are known to exhibit selectivity for excitatory glutamatergic neurons in vivo, the cell type-specificity of these promoters has not been thoroughly tested in culture preparations. Here, by using hippocampal culture preparation from the VGAT-Venus transgenic mice, we examined the ability of five putative promoter sequences of glutamatergic-selective markers including synapsin I, α-CaMKII, the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1), Dock10 and Prox1. Among these, a genomic fragment containing a 2.1 kb segment upstream of the translation start site (TSS) of the VGLUT1 implemented in a lentiviral vector with the Tet-Off inducible system achieved the highest preferential gene expression in glutamatergic neurons. Analysis of various lengths of the VGLUT1 promoter regions identified a segment between −2.1 kb and −1.4 kb from the TSS as a responsible element for the glutamatergic selectivity. Consistently, expression of channelrhodopsin under this promoter sequence allowed for selective light-evoked activation of excitatory neurons. Thus, the lentiviral system carrying the VGLUT1 promoter fragment can be used to effectively target exogenous gene expression to excitatory glutamatergic neurons in cultures.
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation prevents methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity by modulating autophagy in an in vivo mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lee Sang-Bin , Kim Hee-Tae , Yang Hyun Ok , Jang Wooyoung 
Published: October 2018

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of protein inclusions and the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain-stimulating technique that has demonstrated promising results in clinical studies of PD. Despite accumulating evidence indicating that tDCS exerts a protective effect, the mechanism underlying its activity remains unknown. In the present study, we first investigated the neuroprotective effect of tDCS in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse model and then evaluated the effect of tDCS on the autophagy pathway. tDCS improved behavioral alterations, increased tyrosine hydroxylase protein levels and suppressed α-synuclein protein levels in MPTP-treated mice. MPTP-treated mice subjected to tDCS also had lower levels of autophagy-related proteins, such as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 and AMP-activated protein kinase, and higher levels of mechanistic target of rapamycin and p62. In addition, the protein levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were higher, and the levels of unc-51-like kinase 1 were lower in MPTP-treated mice subjected to tDCS. Our findings suggest that tDCS protected against MPTP-induced PD in a mouse model by modulating autophagy.
The effect of breastmilk and saliva combinations on the in vitro growth of oral pathogenic and commensal microorganisms
Authors: Sweeney E. L. , Al-Shehri S. S. , Cowley D. M. , Liley H. G. , Bansal N. , Charles B. G. , Shaw P. N. , Duley J. A. , Knox C. L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNeonates are exposed to microbes in utero and at birth, thereby establishing their microbiota (healthy microbial colonisers). Previously, we reported significant differences in the neonatal oral microbiota of breast-fed and formula-fed babies after first discovering a primal metabolic mechanism that occurs when breastmilk (containing the enzyme xanthine oxidase) and neonatal saliva (containing highly elevated concentrations of the substrates for xanthine oxidase: xanthine and hypoxanthine). The interaction of neonatal saliva and breast milk releases antibacterial compounds including hydrogen peroxide, and regulates the growth of bacteria. Using a novel in vitro experimental approach, the current study compared the effects of this unique metabolic pathway on a range of bacterial species and determined the period of time that microbial growth was affected. We demonstrated that microbial growth was inhibited predominately, immediately and for up to 24 hr following breastmilk and saliva mixing; however, some microorganisms were able to recover and continue to grow following exposure to these micromolar amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Interestingly, growth inhibition was independent of whether the organisms possessed a catalase enzyme. This study further confirms that this is one mechanism that contributes to the significant differences in the neonatal oral microbiota of breast-fed and formula-fed babies.
Quinoxaline protects zebrafish lateral line hair cells from cisplatin and aminoglycosides damage
Authors: Rocha-Sanchez Sonia M. , Fuson Olivia , Tarang Shikha , Goodman Linda , Pyakurel Umesh , Liu Huizhan , He David Z. , Zallocchi Marisa 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHair cell (HC) death is the leading cause of hearing and balance disorders in humans. It can be triggered by multiple insults, including noise, aging, and treatment with certain therapeutic drugs. As society becomes more technologically advanced, the source of noise pollution and the use of drugs with ototoxic side effects are rapidly increasing, posing a threat to our hearing health. Although the underlying mechanism by which ototoxins affect auditory function varies, they share common intracellular byproducts, particularly generation of reactive oxygen species. Here, we described the therapeutic effect of the heterocyclic compound quinoxaline (Qx) against ototoxic insults in zebrafish HCs. Animals incubated with Qx were protected against the deleterious effects of cisplatin and gentamicin, and partially against neomycin. In the presence of Qx, there was a reduction in the number of TUNEL-positive HCs. Since Qx did not block the mechanotransduction channels, based on FM1-43 uptake and microphonic potentials, this implies that Qx’s otoprotective effect is at the intracellular level. Together, these results unravel a novel therapeutic role for Qx as an otoprotective drug against the deleterious side effects of cisplatin and aminoglycosides, offering an alternative option for patients treated with these compounds.
An extracellular [NiFe] hydrogenase mediating iron corrosion is encoded in a genetically unstable genomic island in Methanococcus maripaludis
Authors: Tsurumaru Hirohito , Ito Naofumi , Mori Koji , Wakai Satoshi , Uchiyama Taku , Iino Takao , Hosoyama Akira , Ataku Hanako , Nishijima Keiko , Mise Miyako , Shimizu Ai , Harada Takeshi , Horikawa Hiroshi , Ichikawa Natsuko , Sekigawa Tomohiro , Jinno Koji , Tanikawa Satoshi , Yamazaki Jun , Sasaki Kazumi , Yamazaki Syuji , Fujita Nobuyuki , Harayama Shigeaki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCertain methanogens deteriorate steel surfaces through a process called microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). However, the mechanisms of MIC, whereby methanogens oxidize zerovalent iron (Fe0), are largely unknown. In this study, Fe0-corroding Methanococcus maripaludis strain OS7 and its derivative (strain OS7mut1) defective in Fe0-corroding activity were isolated. Genomic analysis of these strains demonstrated that the strain OS7mut1 contained a 12-kb chromosomal deletion. The deleted region, termed “MIC island”, encoded the genes for the large and small subunits of a [NiFe] hydrogenase, the TatA/TatC genes necessary for the secretion of the [NiFe] hydrogenase, and a gene for the hydrogenase maturation protease. Thus, the [NiFe] hydrogenase may be secreted outside the cytoplasmic membrane, where the [NiFe] hydrogenase can make direct contact with Fe0, and oxidize it, generating hydrogen gas: Fe0 + 2 H+ → Fe2+ + H2. Comparative analysis of extracellular and intracellular proteomes of strain OS7 supported this hypothesis. The identification of the MIC genes enables the development of molecular tools to monitor epidemiology, and to perform surveillance and risk assessment of MIC-inducing M. maripaludis.
Food predictability and social status drive individual resource specializations in a territorial vulture
Authors: van Overveld Thijs , García-Alfonso Marina , Dingemanse Niels J. , Bouten Willem , Gangoso Laura , de la Riva Manuel , Serrano David , Donázar José A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDespite increasing work detailing the presence of foraging specializations across a range of taxa, limited attention so far has been given to the role of spatiotemporal variation in food predictability in shaping individual resource selection. Here, we studied the exploitation of human-provided carrion resources differing in predictability by Canarian Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus majorensis). We focussed specifically on the role of individual characteristics and spatial constraints in shaping patterns of resource use. Using high-resolution GPS data obtained from 45 vultures tracked for 1 year, we show that individual vultures were repeatable in both their monthly use of predictable and semi-predicable resources (feeding station vs. farms) and monthly levels of mobility (home range size and flight activity). However, individual foraging activities were simultaneously characterized by a high degree of (temporal) plasticity in the use of the feeding station in specific months. Individual rank within dominance hierarchy revealed sex-dependent effects of social status on resource preference in breeding adults, illustrating the potential complex social mechanisms underpinning status-dependent resource use patterns. Our results show that predictable food at feeding stations may lead to broad-scale patterns of resource partitioning and affect both the foraging and social dynamics within local vulture populations.
Root-zone fertilization improves crop yields and minimizes nitrogen loss in summer maize in China
Authors: Jiang Chaoqiang , Lu Dianjun , Zu Chaolong , Zhou Jianmin , Wang Huoyan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIt is urgently to minimize nitrogen (N) loss while simultaneously ensuring high yield for maize in China. A two-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of root-zone fertilization (RZF) and split-surface broadcasting (SSB) on grain yield, N use efficiency (NUE), and urea-15N fate under different N rates (135, 180 and 225 kg ha−1). Results showed that RZF increased grain yield by 11.5%, and the N derived from fertilizer (Ndff%) by 13.1–19.6%, compared with SSB. The percentage of residual 15N in the 0–80 cm soil was 37.2–47.4% after harvest; most 15N (64.4–67.4%) was retained in the top 20 cm. RZF significantly increased the N apparent recovery efficiency (NARE) and 15N recovery in maize by 14.3–37.8% and 21.9–30.0%, respectively; while decreased N losses by 11.2–24.2%, compared with SSB. The RZF of urea can be considered a slow-release fertilizer, which better matches maize N demand and effectively reduces N losses. Overall, RZF achieved yields as high as the SSB, but with a 20–25% reduction in N application. These results help improve our understanding of N fate in the maize cropping system, and may help guide recommendations for N management in southeastern China.
Short-term effect of Eucalyptus plantations on soil microbial communities and soil-atmosphere methane and nitrous oxide exchange
Authors: Cuer Caroline A. , Rodrigues Renato de A. R. , Balieiro Fabiano C. , Jesus Jacqueline , Silva Elderson P. , Alves Bruno José R. , Rachid Caio T. C. C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSoil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a significant environmental problem resulting from microbially-mediated nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycling. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Eucalyptus plantations on the structure and function of a soil microbial community, and how resulting alterations may be linked to GHG fluxes. We sampled and monitored two adjacent Eucalyptus plantations—a recently logged site that harbored new seedlings and an adult plantation—and compared them to a site hosting native vegetation. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR amplifications of key nitrogen and methane cycle genes to characterize microbial structure and functional gene abundance and compared our data with soil parameters and GHG fluxes. Both microbial community attributes were significantly affected by land use and logging of Eucalyptus plantations. The genes nosZ and archaeal amoA were significantly more abundant in native forest than in either young or old Eucalyptus plantations. Statistical analyses suggest that land use type has a greater impact on microbial community structure and functional gene abundance than Eucalyptus rotation. There was no correlation between GHG fluxes and shifts in microbial community, suggesting that microbial community structure and functional gene abundance are not the main drivers of GHG fluxes in this system.
Targeted cleavage of nad6 mRNA induced by a modified pentatricopeptide repeat protein in plant mitochondria
Authors: Colas des Francs-Small Catherine , Vincis Pereira Sanglard Lilian , Small Ian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMitochondrial genes encode key components of the cellular energy machinery, but their genetic analysis is difficult or impossible in most organisms (including plants) because of the lack of viable transformation approaches. We report here a method to block the expression of the mitochondrial nad6 gene encoding a subunit of respiratory complex I in Arabidopsis thaliana, via the modification of the specificity of the RNA-binding protein RNA PROCESSING FACTOR 2 (RPF2). We show that the modified RPF2 binds and specifically induces cleavage of nad6 RNA, almost eliminating expression of the Nad6 protein and consequently complex I accumulation and activity. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a targeted block in expression of a specific mitochondrial transcript by a custom-designed RNA-binding protein. This opens the path to reverse genetics studies on mitochondrial gene functions and leads to potential applications in agriculture.
Sense of Effort and Fatigue Associated With Talking After Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Searl Jeff , Knollhoff Stephanie 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Sense of effort and fatigue associated with talking was compared in individuals with and without a total laryngectomy.

Method

An online survey of individuals using tracheoesophageal speech (TES;
n
= 222), electrolaryngeal speech (ELS;
n
= 132), esophageal speech (
n
= 41), and laryngeal speech (LS;
n
= 112) asked about 3 domains of effort when talking: frequency of occurrence, withdrawal from talking, and location in the body. Three aspects of fatigue were explored: frequency of occurrence, fatigue type, and duration of talking before fatigue.

Results
Alaryngeal groups reported significantly more talking-related effort and fatigue than the LS group. Sixty-three percent of all respondents indicated that effort caused them to talk less, with no group differences on this item. Significantly more effort was localized to the lips and tongue by ELS compared with TES and LS groups. Both the ELS and TES groups had higher shoulder/arm effort when talking compared with the esophageal speech and LS groups. ELS respondents reported less fatigue than the TES group. When fatigue was present, the TES group had more physical and less mental fatigue than the ELS group. The duration of talking before experiencing fatigue was significantly shorter for the alaryngeal groups compared with the LS group.

Conclusions
Effort and fatigue associated with talking are a common report for individuals using alaryngeal speech. The location of effort within the body and the type of fatigue experienced vary to some extent across alaryngeal speaking methods.
Pilot Study of Audiometric Patterns in Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy
Authors: Reed Nicholas S. , Deal Jennifer A. , Huddle Matthew G. , Betz Joshua F. , Bailey Bethany E. , McGlumphy Elyse J. , Eghrari Allen O. , Riazuddin S. Amer , Lin Frank R. , Gottsch John D. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Although Fuchs corneal dystrophy (FCD) is considered an eye disease, a small number of studies have identified genes related to both FCD and hearing loss. Whether FCD is related to hearing loss is unknown.

Method
This is a case–control study comparing pure-tone audiometry hearing thresholds in 180 patients with FCD from a hospital-based ophthalmology clinic with 2,575 population-based controls from a nationally representative survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (from cycles 2005-06 and 2009-10). Generalized estimating equations were used to compare mean better-hearing ear thresholds in the 2 groups adjusted for age, sex, race, and noise exposure.

Results
Patients with FCD had higher hearing thresholds (worse hearing) in lower frequencies (mean difference at 0.5 kHz = 3.49 dB HL) and lower hearing thresholds (better hearing) in higher frequencies (difference at 4 kHz = −4.25 dB HL) compared with population-based controls.

Conclusion
In the first study to use objectively measured hearing, FCD was associated with poorer low-frequency and better high-frequency audiometric thresholds than population controls. Further studies are needed to characterize this relationship.