bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ICT‐equipped bank boat and the financial inclusion of the riverine population of Marajó Island in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Joia Luiz Antonio , dos Santos Ricardo Paschoeto 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe challenge in offering public services in less developed areas in Brazil has mobilized the government in search of new and creative approaches that can reduce major interregional disparities, including lack of access to the financial system, which is the prevailing situation on Marajó Island in the state of Pará in the Brazilian Amazon. To transform this reality, an information and communication technology (ICT)–equipped travelling bank branch installed on a boat—named Agência Barco—was designed for the purpose of meeting the financial needs of the riverine population that lives in a vast territory with low population density, marked transportation difficulties, and a limited supply of ICT. Thus, this research aims to assess the impact of this bank boat in the financial inclusion of a riverine population of Marajó Island in the state of Pará, which is the unit of analysis of this work. The research outcomes indicate that Agência Barco, via ICT, has partially managed to provide access to financial products and services that might be of interest to the riverine population of Marajó Island. However, the lack of basic financial education and context‐based issues related to the ICT infrastructure has been obstacles to the financial inclusion of this riverine population. Finally, the absence of involvement of local people in this endeavour has not stimulated dynamics of empowerment and participation that could lead to sustainable financial inclusion.
Phylogeography, evolutionary history and effects of glaciations in a species (Zootoca vivipara) inhabiting multiple biogeographic regions
Authors: Horreo Jose L. , Pelaez Maria L. , Suárez Teresa , Breedveld Merel C. , Heulin Benoit , Surget‐Groba Yann , Oksanen Tuula A. , Fitze Patrick S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimDuring glaciations, the distribution of temperate species inhabiting the Northern Hemisphere generally contracts into southern refugia; and in boreo‐alpine species of the Northern Hemisphere, expansion from Northern refugia is the general rule. Little is known about the drivers explaining vast distributions of species inhabiting multiple biogeographic regions (major biogeographic regions defined by the European Environmental Agency). Here we investigate the fine‐scale phylogeography and evolutionary history of the Eurasian common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), the terrestrial reptile with the world's widest and highest latitudinal distribution, that inhabits multiple biogeographic regions.LocationEurasia.MethodsWe generated the largest molecular dataset to date of Z. vivipara, ran phylogenetic analyses, reconstructed its evolutionary history, determined the location of glacial refuges and reconstructed ancestral biogeographic regions.ResultsThe phylogenetic analyses revealed a complex evolutionary history, driven by expansions and contractions of the distribution due to glacials and interglacials, and the colonization of new biogeographic regions by all lineages of Z. vivipara. Many glacial refugia were detected, most were located close to the southern limit of the Last Glacial Maximum. Two subclades recolonized large areas covered by permafrost during the last glaciation: namely, Western and Northern Europe and North‐Eastern Europe and Asia.Main conclusionsIn Z. vivipara, most of the glacial refugia were located in the South of their current distribution. Previous studies suggested the existence of Northern refuges, but the species' inability to overwinter on permafrost and the lack of genetic support suggest that the presence of a refugia in the north of the Alps is unlikely. This species currently inhabits boreo‐alpine climates and retracted during previous glaciations into southern refugia, as temperate species. Two clades exhibited enormous geographic expansion that started from two distinct glacial refugia. These phylogeographic patterns were highly congruent with those of Vipera berus. Together they suggest that glacial retraction, the location of the refugia and absence of competition may have promoted the enormous geographic expansion of two clades.
Dysregulated plasma glucagon levels in Japanese young adult type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Kawamori Dan , Katakami Naoto , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Miyashita Kazuyuki , Sakamoto Fumie , Yasuda Tetsuyuki , Matsuoka Taka‐aki , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCurrently, the clinical dynamics of glucagon need to be revised based on previous data obtained from conventional glucagon radioimmunoassays. In the present study, we evaluated plasma glucagon levels in type 1 diabetes patients using a newly‐developed sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and its association with clinical parameters and markers of diabetes complications were statistically assessed. The plasma glucagon level in 77 Japanese type 1 diabetes patients was 28.1 ± 17.7 pg/mL, and comparable with that reported previously for type 2 diabetes patients. However, the values were widely spread and did not correlate with plasma glucose values. Additionally, the average glucagon levels in patients in a hypoglycemic state (glucose level <80 mg/dL) did not increase (21.7 ± 12.2 pg/mL). The average glucagon level of patients experiencing hypoglycemia unawareness was significantly lower. Plasma glucagon levels evaluated using the new enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were dysregulated in type 1 diabetes patients in respect to plasma glucose levels, suggesting dysregulation of secretion.
Carbohydrate knowledge, lifestyle and insulin: an observational study of their association with glycaemic control in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Smythe K. , Saw M. , Mak M. , Wong V. W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe ability to achieve optimal glycaemic control varies widely among individuals with type 1 diabetes. The present study aimed to explore the factors that are associated with optimal glycaemic control compared to suboptimal control.MethodsAn observational study design was used to explore the association of various factors with glycaemic control. Surveys were completed by individuals who attended the type 1 diabetes clinic at a tertiary hospital in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Clinical and demographic information and attendance at dietary review were also collected.ResultsOne hundred and three individuals completed the survey. Those with optimal control [glycated haemoglobin ≤7.0% (53 mmol mol−1)] had a significantly shorter mean (SD) duration of diabetes [10.1 (12.6) years versus 18.8 (12.8) years, P = 0.005), were less likely to omit basal and bolus insulin (18.2% versus 47.5%, P = 0.016; 36.4% versus 61.8%, P = 0.034, respectively), and were less likely to report low confidence in managing their diabetes (9.1% versus 35.4%, P = 0.017). Participants who were able to identify carbohydrate sources were significantly more likely to have attended dietary review in the past 12 months (60.5% versus 20.0%, P = 0.001). However, they were not more likely to have better glycaemic control.ConclusionsThe present study identified that consistency in taking insulin and confidence in self‐management was associated with better glycaemic control. An association was also found between recent dietary review and better carbohydrate knowledge, although this did not translate into better glycaemic control. Future investigation into the application of carbohydrate knowledge is required.
Association between expression of MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 and pelvic lymph node and para‐aortic lymph node metastasis in early cervical cancer
Authors: Guo Hui , Dai Yifei , Wang Anna , Wang Chunyan , Sun Lili , Wang Zheng 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimsTo investigate the association of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐7 and MMP‐9 with pelvic lymph node and para‐aortic lymph node metastasis in early cervical cancer.MethodsA total of 137 patients with early cervical cancer (Stage Ia2‐IIa2) were recruited from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tumor Hospital of Liaoning Province from January 2009 to May 2014. We evaluated the expression of MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 by immunohistochemistry and their association with the clinicopathological parameters such as pelvic, common iliac and para‐aortic lymph node metastasis. Spearman correlation was performed to analyze the correlation between MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 in cervical cancer. Finally, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 in pelvic lymph node metastasis were assessed.ResultsMMP‐7 expression was significantly higher in patients with adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas (P = 0.014), vascular cancer embolus (P = 0.041), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P = 0.000) and a higher level of Ki‐67 (P = 0.000). MMP‐9 expression was significantly associated with vascular cancer embolus (P = 0.003), depth of stromal invasion (P = 0.001), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P = 0.003), common iliac lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001) and para‐aortic lymph nodes metastasis (P = 0.004). Coexpression of MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 was significantly associated with vascular cancer embolus (P < 0.001), higher expression of Ki‐67 (P < 0.001) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 (r = 0.263, P = 0.002). Areas under the ROC of MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 were 0.707 and 0.646, respectively.ConclusionMMP‐7 and MMP‐9 expressions were associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with early cervical cancers, suggesting a positive correlation of MMP‐7 and MMP‐9 with invasive potential in early cervical cancers.
Melatonin attenuates osteosarcoma cell invasion by suppression of C‐C motif chemokine ligand 24 through inhibition of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase pathway
Authors: Lu Ko‐Hsiu , Su Shih‐Chi , Lin Chiao‐Wen , Hsieh Yi‐Hsien , Lin Ya‐Chiu , Chien Ming‐Hsien , Reiter Russel J. , Yang Shun‐Fa 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOsteosarcoma, with its high metastatic potential, is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Melatonin possesses multiple tumor‐suppressing properties for a myriad of tumors, but little is known about the effects of melatonin on osteosarcoma metastasis. In this study, we demonstrated that melatonin elicited very low cytotoxicity and significantly inhibited cellular motility, migration, and invasion in human osteosarcoma U2OS and HOS cells. Moreover, using RNA sequencing technology, we revealed that melatonin repressed C‐C motif chemokine ligand 24 (CCL24) gene expression in U2OS cells. Manipulation of CCL24 levels influenced the motility of osteosarcoma cells as cell migration and invasion were enhanced by the addition of recombinant human CCL24 and attenuated by the silencing of CCL24. Moreover, melatonin increased and decreased the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2, respectively, in a dose‐dependent manner in U2OS and HOS cells while exerting no evident influence on the level and activation of p38, Akt, FAK, steroid receptor coactivator, or Raf. In further functional experiments, the use of JNK inhibitors (SP600125 and DN‐JNK) confirmed that the pharmaceutic inhibition of JNK augmented the melatonin‐mediated CCL24 suppression and migration of U2OS cells. Overall, our results revealed that melatonin attenuated chemokine CCL24 levels through inhibition of the JNK pathway to hinder human osteosarcoma cell invasion, thereby highlighting the therapeutic potential of melatonin for osteosarcoma metastasis.
Melatonin improves endothelial function in vitro and prolongs pregnancy in women with early‐onset preeclampsia
Authors: Hobson Sebastian R. , Gurusinghe Seshi , Lim Rebecca , Alers Nicole O. , Miller Suzanne L. , Kingdom John C. , Wallace Euan M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPreeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There have been no material advances in the treatment of preeclampsia for nearly 50 years. Combining in vitro studies and a clinical trial, we aimed to determine whether melatonin could be a useful adjuvant therapy. In a xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) placental explant model, melatonin reduced oxidative stress (8‐isoprostane) and enhanced antioxidant markers (Nrf2 translocation, HO‐1), but did not affect explant production of anti‐angiogenic factors (sFlt, sEng, activin A). In cultured HUVECs, melatonin mitigated TNFα‐induced vascular cell adhesion molecule expression and rescued the subsequent disruption to endothelial monolayer integrity but did not affect other markers for endothelial activation and dysfunction. In a phase I trial of melatonin in 20 women with preeclampsia, we assessed the safety and efficacy of melatonin on (i) preeclampsia progression, (ii) clinical outcomes, and (iii) oxidative stress, matching outcomes with recent historical controls receiving similar care. Melatonin therapy was safe for mothers and their fetuses. Compared to controls, melatonin administration extended the mean ± SEM diagnosis to delivery interval by 6 ± 2.3 days reduced the need for increasing antihypertensive medication on days 3‐4 (13% vs 71%), days 6‐7 (8% vs 51%), and at delivery (26% vs 75%). All other clinical and biochemical measures of disease severity were unaffected by melatonin. We have shown that melatonin has the potential to mitigate maternal endothelial pro‐oxidant injury and could therefore provide effective adjuvant therapy to extend pregnancy duration to deliver improved clinical outcomes for women with severe preeclampsia.
Evolution and persistence of resistance‐associated substitutions of hepatitis C virus after direct‐acting antiviral treatment failures
Authors: Jeong Y. , Jin B. , Lee H. W. , Park H. J. , Park J. Y. , Kim D. Y. , Han K.‐H. , Ahn S. H. , Kim S. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryDaclatasvir plus asunaprevir (DCV+ASV) treatment is an all‐oral direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for the genotype 1b HCV‐infected patients. In this study, we investigated how resistance‐associated substitutions (RASs) evolved after treatment failures and assessed the effect of those substitutions on viral fitness. Sequencing of NS5A and NS3 revealed typical RASs after treatment failures. Interestingly, the RASs of NS3 reverted to the wild‐type amino acid within 1 year after treatment failures. However, the RASs of NS5A were stable and did not change. The effect of NS5A and NS3 RASs on viral RNA replication was assessed after mutagenic substitution in the genotype 1b HCV RNA. Among single substitutions, the effect of D168V was more substantial than the others and the effect of the triple mutant combination (D168V+L31V+Y93H) was the most severe. The RAS at NS5A Y93 affected both viral RNA replication and virus production. Finally, the effect of trans‐complementation of NS5A was demonstrated in our co‐transfection experiments and these results suggest that such a trans‐complementation effect of NS5A may help maintain the NS5A RASs for a long time even after cessation of the DAA treatment. In conclusion, the results from this investigation would help understand the emergence and persistence of RASs.
Gingival tissue reaction to direct adhesive restoration: A preliminary study
Authors: Bertoldi Carlo , Zaffe Davide , Generali Luigi , Lucchi Andrea , Cortellini Pierpaolo , Monari Emanuela 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionIt is debated whether composite resin marginal/submarginal direct restoration can be usefully performed without inflammatory consequences. This histological study is the first human analysis aimed to compare, in the same tooth, the gingival tissue close to composite resin restorations with gingival tissue close to hard tissue.MethodsEight healthy patients with almost a residual strategic tooth needing endodontic therapy, and post‐and‐core restoration, then indirect prosthetic restoration, were selected. Direct margin relocation with composite resin was necessary to perform endodontic treatment. The crown lengthening with a secondary flap harvested was necessary to perform prosthetic rehabilitation. Three months after marginal relocation, the secondary flap was harvested, embedded in PMMA, 4‐μm sectioned, and stained to analyze the inflammation degree.ResultsAll patients completed post‐and‐core reconstruction and the planned prosthetic therapy, maintaining the stringent hygienic protocol plan. The inflammation level comparison, slightly lower in gingiva close to the teeth (3.62 ± 0.38) than in gingiva close to the composite (3.75 ± 0.26), results in a p‐value of 0.11 after Wilcoxon test.ConclusionsResults highlight a minimal, statistically not significant difference in the inflammation degree after margin relocation, conceivably due to patients, teeth and cases selection, together with adopted stringent methodological and supportive measures.
Dermal non‐neural granular cell tumor in a 3‐year‐old child
Authors: Kabir Bilaal , Ramien Michele , Al Shammary Mofeedah , de Nanassy Joseph , El Demellawy Dina 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDermal non‐neural granular cell tumors, also known as primitive polypoid granular cell tumors, are a rare group of distinct cutaneous non‐neural granular cell tumors. Pediatric cases are rare, and to the best of our knowledge, we report the youngest patient with dermal non‐neural granular cell tumors.
Desiring Diversity: The Limits of White Settler Multiculturalism in Queer Organizations
Authors: Greensmith Cameron 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMulticulturalism in Canada is touted as an all‐inclusive policy and practice that celebrates difference and welcomes diversity. In 2012, gays and lesbians were included in the Discover Canada document amongst various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups, marking such inclusion as foundational in Canada's imagining of itself as tolerant and accepting. Despite these narratives of multicultural diversity, people of colour and Indigenous peoples continue to experience strife, violence, and erasure. This paper looks to the ways Canadian multiculturalism is utilized by queer and trans people as part of their understandings and imaginings of queer politics. In particular, it discusses the queer service sector and the ways queer and trans service providers do diversity and multiculturalism within their work. Findings highlight the complex ways in which queer and trans service providers utilize diversity as a tactic to create further exclusion and direct attention towards wanting, needing, and desiring diversity. The paper highlights the ways diversity is desired within the institutional walls of queer service provision and draws attention to the ways the whiteness and colonialism of the organizations themselves goes unquestioned and unexamined.
First Complete Genome Sequence of Yersinia massiliensis
Authors: Thomas Matthew C. , Arling Victoria , Goji Noriko , Janzen Timothy W. , Duceppe Marc-Olivier , Mathews Amit , Carrillo Catherine , Amoako Kingsley K. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Using a combination of Illumina paired-end sequencing, Pacific Biosciences RS II sequencing, and OpGen Argus whole-genome optical mapping, we report here the first complete genome sequence of
Yersinia massiliensis
. The completed genome consists of a 4.99-Mb chromosome, a 121-kb megaplasmid, and a 57-kb plasmid.
Complete Genome Sequence of Oyster Isolate Vibrio vulnificus Env1
Authors: Noorian Parisa , Sun Shuyang , McDougald Diane 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Vibrio vulnificus
, a ubiquitous inhabitant of coastal marine environments, has been isolated from a variety of sources. It is an opportunistic pathogen of both marine animals and humans. Here, the genome sequence of
V. vulnificus
Env1, an environmental isolate resistant to predation by the ciliate
Tetrahymena pyriformis
, is reported.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Fish Pathogen Flavobacterium columnare Strain MS-FC-4
Authors: Bartelme Ryan P. , Barbier Paul , Lipscomb Ryan S. , LaPatra Scott E. , Newton Ryan J. , Evenhuis Jason P. , McBride Mark J. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Flavobacterium columnare
MS-FC-4 is a highly virulent genetic group 1 (formerly genomovar I) strain isolated from rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
). The draft genome consists of three contigs totaling 3,449,277 bp with 2,811 predicted open reading frames.
F. columnare
MS-FC-4 is a model strain for functional genomic analyses.
Porcine Deltacoronavirus Accessory Protein NS6 Antagonizes Interferon Beta Production by Interfering with the Binding of RIG-I/MDA5 to Double-Stranded RNA
Authors: Fang Puxian , Fang Liurong , Ren Jie , Hong Yingying , Liu Xiaorong , Zhao Yunyang , Wang Dang , Peng Guiqing , Xiao Shaobo 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) has recently emerged as an enteric pathogen that can cause serious vomiting and diarrhea in suckling piglets. The first outbreak of PDCoV occurred in the United States in 2014 and was followed by reports of PDCoV in South Korea, China, Thailand, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Vietnam, leading to economic losses for pig farms and posing a considerable threat to the swine industry worldwide. Our previous studies have shown that PDCoV encodes three accessory proteins, NS6, NS7, and NS7a, but the functions of these proteins in viral replication, pathogenesis, and immune regulation remain unclear. Here, we found that ectopic expression of accessory protein NS6 significantly inhibits Sendai virus-induced interferon beta (IFN-β) production as well as the activation of transcription factors IRF3 and NF-κB. Interestingly, NS6 does not impede the IFN-β promoter activation mediated via key molecules in the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway, specifically RIG-I, MDA5, and their downstream molecules MAVS, TBK1, IKKε, and IRF3. Further analyses revealed that NS6 is not an RNA-binding protein; however, it interacts with RIG-I/MDA5. This interaction attenuates the binding of double-stranded RNA by RIG-I/MDA5, resulting in the reduction of RLR-mediated IFN-β production. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ectopic expression of NS6 antagonizes IFN-β production by interfering with the binding of RIG-I/MDA5 to double-stranded RNA, revealing a new strategy employed by PDCoV accessory proteins to counteract the host innate antiviral immune response.

IMPORTANCE
Coronavirus accessory proteins are species specific, and they perform multiple functions in viral pathogenicity and immunity, such as acting as IFN antagonists and cell death inducers. Our previous studies have shown that PDCoV encodes three accessory proteins. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that PDCoV accessory protein NS6 antagonizes IFN-β production by interacting with RIG-I and MDA5 to impede their association with double-stranded RNA. This is an efficient strategy of antagonizing type I IFN production by disrupting the binding of host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). These findings deepen our understanding of the function of accessory protein NS6, and they may direct us toward novel therapeutic targets and lead to the development of more effective vaccines against PDCoV infection.