bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preference of kittens for scratchers
Authors: Zhang Lingna , Plummer Rebekkah , McGlone John 
Published: August 2018

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine kitten preferences towards different scratchers and the effects of catnip and cat odor on kitten scratching behaviors. Methods Two-choice preference tests were conducted to compare scratchers and preferred scratchers with or without additives (ie, catnip, catnip oil, cat hair) in six studies. Kittens (n = 40, <8 weeks old) had access to two scratchers on the floor of a simulated living room for 20 mins and interactions were video-recorded. The time each kitten spent scratching each scratcher was compared. Results In study 1, the S-shaped cardboard was preferred over a hemp post with a toy on top, and no difference was observed in the other pairs of scratchers compared. In study 2, the S-shaped cardboard was preferred by kittens compared with a raised scratcher covered with window screen or with carpet, and no differences were observed between the latter two scratchers. In study 3, the scratcher covered with window screen set upright was preferred over the same scratcher laid horizontally on the floor. The S-shaped cardboard was preferred over the scratcher covered with bubble wrap. In study 4, kittens preferred the S-shaped cardboard over the scratchers covered with window screen or short-fiber carpet but not over the scratcher covered with long-fiber carpet. In study 5, the S-shaped cardboard was strongly preferred over the long cardboard and rectangular cardboard but not over the boat-shaped cardboard. In study 6, dried catnip plant, catnip oil spray or the hair from other cats did not alter the scratching behavior exhibited by the kittens vs the control S-shaped cardboard alone. Conclusions and relevance The S-shaped cardboard scratcher was a preferred scratcher for kittens. Catnip or odor of other cats did not alter this behavior in kittens. S-shaped cardboard may be a preferred scratching device for kittens.
Between exclusion and compulsory service: The treatment of the Jewish “Mischlinge” as an example for social inequality creation in the Hitler-Jugend
Authors: Benecke Jakob 
Published: August 2018

The National Socialist regime was, generally speaking, not interested in an outright levelling of social differentiation patterns, as they were present within the German society around 1933. On the contrary: old hierarchies were to be fought and new ones were to be established—both according to the Nazi administration’s social ideology and, deriving from it, its racial ideology. The Hitler-Jugend, the Nazi’s youth organization, can be subsumed under this conclusion. The following contribution takes a closer look at the particular fate of Jewish “Mischlinge,” classified as such by the Nazi regime, in order to explore the question as to what extent the phenomena of social inequality occurred in the Nazi youth organization and how it can be ordered in a systemized manner. Two difficult fields of research are being united here: on the one hand, there is the research field regarding the Hitler-Jugend that is hardly manageable, but shows desiderata; and on the other hand, the thus-far rarely consequently and systematically conducted analysis ofthe National Socialists’ repressive policies targeting the newly created population group of Jewish “Mischlinge” in Germany.
Peginterferon β-1a every 2 weeks increased achievement of no evidence of disease activity over 4 years in the ADVANCE and ATTAIN studies in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Arnold Douglas L. , Shang Shulian , Dong Qunming , Meergans Matthias , Naylor Maria L. 
Published: August 2018

Background: No evidence of disease activity (NEDA) is a composite measurement, incorporating clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) elements of disease activity to sensitively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of treatments for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Objective: To assess the NEDA status of patients treated with peginterferon β-1a in the ADVANCE and ATTAIN studies and explore its predictive value on longer-term clinical outcomes. Methods: ATTAIN was a 2-year extension of the pivotal 2-year ADVANCE study of peginterferon β-1a for RRMS. Achievement of clinical NEDA, MRI NEDA, or overall NEDA was calculated cumulatively and by year over 4 years. Clinical outcomes during ATTAIN were analyzed based on NEDA status at the end of ADVANCE. Results: Significantly more patients treated with peginterferon β-1a every 2 weeks than every 4 weeks achieved clinical NEDA (60.6% versus 50.6%, p = 0.0063) and MRI NEDA (28.3% versus 15.8%, p = 0.0005) through year 4 and overall NEDA through year 3 (20.9% versus 13.9%, p = 0.0160). Over 4 years, 15.8% of patients in the every 2 weeks group and 10.7% of patients in the every 4 weeks group maintained overall NEDA ( p = 0.0584). Achievement of clinical NEDA, MRI NEDA, or overall NEDA in ADVANCE was predictive of annualized relapse rate in ATTAIN; achievement of clinical NEDA in ADVANCE was also predictive of NEDA achievement and confirmed disability worsening in ATTAIN. Conclusions: Peginterferon β-1a every 2 weeks is associated with higher levels of NEDA compared with placebo in year 1 or peginterferon β-1a every 4 weeks in years 2–4. Overall NEDA within the first 2 years of treatment may be prognostic of long-term clinical outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01332019
Hemophagocytic syndrome in a cat
Authors: Wilkinson Ashley R , Carr Susan V , Klahn Shawna L , Dervisis Nikolaos G , Hanks Cory R 
Published: August 2018

Case summary A 12-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a 10 month history of weight loss. Thin body condition and a grade II/VI systolic parasternal heart murmur was noted during examination. Moderate-to-severe anemia and intermittent thrombocytopenia were identified on serial complete blood counts. Antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were detected, but vaccination for FIV occurred previously. Echocardiography revealed biatrial and biventricular enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy and pericardial effusion. Splenomegaly was present on abdominal ultrasound and cytological evaluation revealed macrophagic infiltration with erythrophagocytosis. Cytological evaluation of the bone marrow revealed similar findings. Histopathology of the spleen confirmed hemophagocytosis with no evidence of malignancy. A presumptive diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome was made. PCR testing for FIV on the splenic tissue was negative. The cat was treated with lomustine. Disease progression occurred approximately 6 months after diagnosis and the cat was euthanized. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this is one of the few reports describing the diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome in a cat.
SCID genotype and 6-month posttransplant CD4 count predict survival and immune recovery
Authors: Haddad Elie , Logan Brent R. , Griffith Linda M. , Buckley Rebecca H. , Parrott Roberta E. , Prockop Susan E. , Small Trudy N. , Chaisson Jessica , Dvorak Christopher C. , Murnane Megan , Kapoor Neena , Abdel-Azim Hisham , Hanson Imelda C. , Martinez Caridad , Bleesing Jack J. H. , Chandra Sharat , Smith Angela R. , Cavanaugh Matthew E. , Jyonouchi Soma , Sullivan Kathleen E. , Burroughs Lauri , Skoda-Smith Suzanne , Haight Ann E. , Tumlin Audrey G. , Quigg Troy C. , Taylor Candace , Dávila Saldaña Blachy J. , Keller Michael D. , Seroogy Christine M. , Desantes Kenneth B. , Petrovic Aleksandra , Leiding Jennifer W. , Shyr David C. , Decaluwe Hélène , Teira Pierre , Gillio Alfred P. , Knutsen Alan P. , Moore Theodore B. , Kletzel Morris , Craddock John A. , Aquino Victor , Davis Jeffrey H. , Yu Lolie C. , Cuvelier Geoffrey D. E. , Bednarski Jeffrey J. , Goldman Frederick D. , Kang Elizabeth M. , Shereck Evan , Porteus Matthew H. , Connelly James A. , Fleisher Thomas A. , Malech Harry L. , Shearer William T. , Szabolcs Paul , Thakar Monica S. , Vander Lugt Mark T. , Heimall Jennifer , Yin Ziyan , Pulsipher Michael A. , Pai Sung-Yun , Kohn Donald B. , Puck Jennifer M. , Cowan Morton J. , O'Reilly Richard J. , Notarangelo Luigi D. 
Published: August 2018

Key Points
The genetic cause of SCID impacts on survival and immune reconstitution and should be considered in tailoring HCT for individual patients. Total and naive CD4+ cell counts in SCID patients 6 and 12 months post-HCT predict long-term survival and sustained immune reconstitution.
Antiviral prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Chen Kaiwen , Cheng Matthew P. , Hammond Sarah P. , Einsele Hermann , Marty Francisco M. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are at risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and disease, which results in increased morbidity and mortality. Although universal antiviral prophylaxis against CMV improves outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients, data have been conflicting regarding such prophylaxis in patients undergoing allogeneic HCT. We conducted a systematic review of randomized trials of prophylactic antivirals against CMV after allogeneic HCT to summarize the evolution of the field over the last 35 years and evaluate the prophylactic potential of antiviral agents against CMV after allogeneic HCT. Electronic databases were queried from database inception through 31 December 2017. For included studies, incidence of CMV infection and all-cause mortality were collected as primary outcomes; CMV disease incidence, use of preemptive therapy, and drug toxicities were collected as secondary outcomes. Nineteen clinical trials conducted between 1981 and 2017 involving a total of 4173 patients were included for review. Prophylactic strategies included use of acyclovir, valacyclovir, ganciclovir, maribavir, brincidofovir, and letermovir compared with placebo or a comparator antiviral. Fourteen trials that compared antiviral prophylaxis with placebo demonstrated overall effectiveness in reducing incidence of CMV infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-0.58), CMV disease (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.80), and use of preemptive therapy (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42-0.62; 6 trials); however, none demonstrated reduction in all-cause mortality (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.78-1.18) except the phase 3 trial of letermovir (week-24 OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.98). Additional research is warranted to determine patient groups most likely to benefit from antiviral prophylaxis and its optimal deployment after allogeneic HCT.
Amphiregulin modifies the Minnesota Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease Risk Score: results from BMT CTN 0302/0802
Authors: Holtan Shernan G. , DeFor Todd E. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Khera Nandita , Levine John E. , Flowers Mary E. D. , Lee Stephanie J. , Inamoto Yoshihiro , Chen George L. , Mayer Sebastian , Arora Mukta , Palmer Jeanne , Cutler Corey S. , Arai Sally , Lazaryan Aleksandr , Newell Laura F. , Jagasia Madan H. , Pusic Iskra , Wood William A. , Renteria Anne S. , Yanik Gregory , Hogan William J. , Hexner Elizabeth , Ayuk Francis , Holler Ernst , Bunworasate Udomsak , Efebera Yvonne A. , Ferrara James L. M. , Pidala Joseph , Howard Alan , Wu Juan , Bolaños-Meade Javier , Ho Vincent , Alousi Amin , Blazar Bruce R. , Weisdorf Daniel J. , MacMillan Margaret L. 
Published: August 2018

Key PointsHigh-circulating AREG (≥33 pg/mL) reclassifies additional patients into HR categories and further refines the Minnesota aGVHD risk score. Patients with aGVHD and AREG ≥33 pg/mL have lower rates of steroid response, higher NRM, and poorer OS.
The relationship between sex hormones, the vaginal microbiome and immunity in HIV-1 susceptibility in women
Authors: Wessels Jocelyn M. , Felker Allison M. , Dupont Haley A. , Kaushic Charu 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
The role of sex hormones in regulating immune responses in the female genital tract has been recognized for decades. More recently, it has become increasingly clear that sex hormones regulate susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections through direct and indirect mechanisms involving inflammation and immune responses. The reproductive cycle can influence simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infections in primates and HIV-1 infection in ex vivo cervical tissues from women. Exogenous hormones, such as those found in hormonal contraceptives, have come under intense scrutiny because of the increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections seen in women using medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin-based contraceptive. Recent meta-analyses concluded that medroxyprogesterone acetate enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility in women by 40%. In contrast, estradiol-containing hormonal contraceptives were not associated with increased susceptibility and some studies reported a protective effect of estrogen on HIV/SIV infection, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent studies describe a key role for the vaginal microbiota in determining susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV-1. While Lactobacillus spp.-dominated vaginal microbiota is associated with decreased susceptibility, complex microbiota, such as those seen in bacterial vaginosis, correlates with increased susceptibility to HIV-1. Interestingly, sex hormones are inherently linked to microbiota regulation in the vaginal tract. Estrogen has been postulated to play a key role in establishing a Lactobacillus-dominated microenvironment, whereas medroxyprogesterone acetate is linked to hypo-estrogenic effects. The aim of this Review is to contribute to a better understanding of the sex-hormone–microbiome–immunity axis, which can provide key information on the determinants of HIV-1 susceptibility in the female genital tract and, consequently, inform HIV-1 prevention strategies.
Rab4A organizes endosomal domains for sorting cargo to lysosome-related organelles
Authors: Nag Sudeshna , Rani Shikha , Mahanty Sarmistha , Bissig Christin , Arora Pooja , Azevedo Cristina , Saiardi Adolfo , van der Sluijs Peter , Delevoye Cedric , van Niel Guillaume , Raposo Graca , Setty Subba Rao 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
Sorting endosomes (SEs) are the regulatory hubs for sorting cargo to multiple organelles, including lysosome-related organelles, such as melanosomes in melanocytes. In parallel, melanosome biogenesis is initiated from SEs with the processing and sequential transport of melanocyte-specific proteins toward maturing melanosomes. However, the mechanism of cargo segregation on SEs is largely unknown. Here, RNAi screening in melanocytes revealed that knockdown of Rab4A results in defective melanosome maturation. Rab4A-depletion increases the number of vacuolar endosomes and disturbs the cargo sorting, which in turn lead to the mislocalization of melanosomal proteins to lysosomes, cell surface and exosomes. Rab4A localizes to the SEs and forms an endosomal complex with the adaptor AP-3, the effector rabenosyn-5 and the motor KIF3, which possibly coordinates cargo segregation on SEs. Consistent with this, inactivation of rabenosyn-5, KIF3A or KIF3B phenocopied the defects observed in Rab4A-knockdown melanocytes. Further, rabenosyn-5 was found to associate with rabaptin-5 or Rabip4/4′ (isoforms encoded by Rufy1) and differentially regulate cargo sorting from SEs. Thus, Rab4A acts a key regulator of cargo segregation on SEs.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Neurodegeneration and locomotor dysfunction in Drosophila scarlet mutants
Authors: Cunningham Patrick C. , Waldeck Katherine , Ganetzky Barry , Babcock Daniel T. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, resulting in progressive locomotor dysfunction. Identification of genes required for the maintenance of these neurons should help to identify potential therapeutic targets. However, little is known regarding the factors that render dopaminergic neurons selectively vulnerable to PD. Here, we show that Drosophila melanogaster scarlet mutants exhibit an age-dependent progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, along with subsequent locomotor defects and a shortened lifespan. Knockdown of Scarlet specifically within dopaminergic neurons is sufficient to produce this neurodegeneration, demonstrating a unique role for Scarlet beyond its well-characterized role in eye pigmentation. Both genetic and pharmacological manipulation of the kynurenine pathway rescued loss of dopaminergic neurons by promoting synthesis of the free radical scavenger kynurenic acid (KYNA) and limiting the production of the free radical generator 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). Finally, we show that expression of wild-type Scarlet is neuroprotective in a model of PD, suggesting that manipulating kynurenine metabolism may be a potential therapeutic option in treating PD.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Nutritional cell cycle reprogramming reveals that inhibition of Cdk1 is required for proper MBF-dependent transcription
Authors: Rubio Angela , García-Blanco Natalia , Vázquez-Bolado Alicia , Belén Suárez María , Moreno Sergio 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
In nature, cells and in particular unicellular microorganisms are exposed to a variety of nutritional environments. Fission yeast cells cultured in nitrogen-rich media grow fast, divide with a large size and show a short G1 and a long G2. However, when cultured in nitrogen-poor media, they exhibit reduced growth rate and cell size and a long G1 and a short G2. In this study, we compared the phenotypes of cells lacking the highly conserved cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor Rum1 and the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activator Ste9 in nitrogen-rich and nitrogen-poor media. Rum1 and Ste9 are dispensable for cell division in nitrogen-rich medium. However, in nitrogen-poor medium they are essential for generating a proper wave of MluI cell-cycle box binding factor (MBF)-dependent transcription at the end of G1, which is crucial for promoting a successful S phase. Mutants lacking Rum1 and Ste9 showed premature entry into S phase and a reduced wave of MBF-dependent transcription, leading to replication stress, DNA damage and G2 cell cycle arrest. This work demonstrates how reprogramming the cell cycle by changing the nutritional environment may reveal new roles for cell cycle regulators.
LIF-dependent survival of embryonic stem cells is regulated by a novel palmitoylated Gab1 signalling protein
Authors: Sutherland Linda , Ruhe Madeleine , Gattegno-Ho Daniela , Mann Karanjit , Greaves Jennifer , Koscielniak Magdalena , Meek Stephen , Lu Zen , Waterfall Martin , Taylor Ryan , Tsakiridis Anestis , Brown Helen , Maciver Sutherland K. , Joshi Anagha , Clinton Michael , Chamberlain Luke H. , Smith Austin , Burdon Tom 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
The cytokine leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) promotes self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) through activation of the transcription factor Stat3. However, the contribution of other ancillary pathways stimulated by LIF in ESCs, such as the MAPK and PI3K pathways, is less well understood. We show here that naive-type mouse ESCs express high levels of a novel effector of the MAPK and PI3K pathways. This effector is an isoform of the Gab1 (Grb2-associated binder protein 1) adaptor protein that lacks the N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) membrane-binding domain. Although not essential for rapid unrestricted growth of ESCs under optimal conditions, the novel Gab1 variant (Gab1β) is required for LIF-mediated cell survival under conditions of limited nutrient availability. This enhanced survival is absolutely dependent upon a latent palmitoylation site that targets Gab1β directly to ESC membranes. These results show that constitutive association of Gab1 with membranes through a novel mechanism promotes LIF-dependent survival of murine ESCs in nutrient-poor conditions.
Meeting report – Dynamic Cell III
Authors: Garner Kirsten , Goddard Georgina K. , Johnston Mark , Moruzzi Megan , Woolner Sarah 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
Dynamic Cell III, a meeting jointly organized by the British Society of Cell Biology (BSCB) and the Biochemical Society, took place at the Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester, UK in March 2018. It brought together a diverse group of scientists from around the world, all with a shared interest in understanding how dynamic functions of the cell are fulfilled. A particular focus was the regulation of the cytoskeleton: in cell division, cell migration and cell-cell interactions. Moreover, a key theme that ran through all presented work was the development of new and exciting technologies to study dynamic cell behaviour.
A Stochastic Latent Moment Model for Electricity Price Formation
Authors: Gianfreda Angelica , Bunn Derek 
Published: August 2018

The wide range of models needed to support the various short-term operations for electricity generation demonstrates the importance of accurate specifications for the uncertainty in market prices. This is becoming increasingly challenging, since hourly price densities for electricity exhibit a variety of shapes, with their characteristic features changing substantially within the day and evolving over time. Furthermore, the influx of renewable power, wind, and solar, in particular, has made these density shapes very weather dependent. We develop a general four-parameter stochastic model for hourly prices, in which the four moments of the density function are dynamically estimated as latent state variables and, furthermore, modelled as functions of several plausible exogenous drivers. This provides a transparent and credible model that is sufficiently flexible to capture the shape-shifting effects, particularly with respect to the wind and solar output variations causing dynamic switches in the upside and downside risks. Extensive testing on German wholesale price data, benchmarked against quantile regression and other models in out-of-sample backtesting, validated the approach and its analytical appeal. The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/opre.2018.1733 .
Standardizing compression testing for measuring the stiffness of human bone
Authors: Zhao S. , Arnold M. , Ma S. , Abel R. L. , Cobb J. P. , Hansen U. , Boughton O. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesThe ability to determine human bone stiffness is of clinical relevance in many fields, including bone quality assessment and orthopaedic prosthesis design. Stiffness can be measured using compression testing, an experimental technique commonly used to test bone specimens in vitro. This systematic review aims to determine how best to perform compression testing of human bone.MethodsA keyword search of all English language articles up until December 2017 of compression testing of bone was undertaken in Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Studies using bulk tissue, animal tissue, whole bone, or testing techniques other than compression testing were excluded.ResultsA total of 4712 abstracts were retrieved, with 177 papers included in the analysis; 20 studies directly analyzed the compression testing technique to improve the accuracy of testing. Several influencing factors should be considered when testing bone samples in compression. These include the method of data analysis, specimen storage, specimen preparation, testing configuration, and loading protocol.ConclusionCompression testing is a widely used technique for measuring the stiffness of bone but there is a great deal of inter-study variation in experimental techniques across the literature. Based on best evidence from the literature, suggestions for bone compression testing are made in this review, although further studies are needed to establish standardized bone testing techniques in order to increase the comparability and reliability of bone stiffness studies. Cite this article: S. Zhao, M. Arnold, S. Ma, R. L. Abel, J. P. Cobb, U. Hansen, O. Boughton. Standardizing compression testing for measuring the stiffness of human bone. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:524–538. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.78.BJR-2018-0025.R1.