bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation, characterization and identification of antigenotoxic and anticancerous indigenous probiotics and their prophylactic potential in experimental colon carcinogenesis
Authors: Chandel Deepika , Sharma Mridul , Chawla Vibhindika , Sachdeva Naresh , Shukla Geeta 
Published: October 2019

AbstractColorectal cancer, the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, is a lifestyle disease where diet and gut microbiome contribute intricately in its initiation and progression. Prophylactic bio-interventions mainly probiotics offer an alternate approach towards reducing or delaying its progression. Therefore, the present study was designed wherein a robust protocol for the isolation, characterization, and identification of indigenous probiotics having antigenotoxic and anticancerous activity was followed along with their prophylactic potential assessment in early experimental colorectal carcinogenesis. Among forty-six isolated lactic acid bacterial strains, only three were selected on the basis of antigenotoxicity against N,N-Dimethyl dihydrazine dihydrochloride and 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide and probiotic attributes. All three selected probiotic strains exhibited anticancerous potential as is evident by the reduced Aberrant Crypt Foci, reduced fecal pH, enhanced fecal lactic acid bacteria and altered fecal enzymes (β-glucuronidase, nitroreductase, β-glucosidase) that modulated gut microbiota and microenvironment resulting into restored histoarchitecture of the colon. The results are a clear indicator of the prophylactic potential of selected indigenous probiotics which may be used as an alternative prophylactic biological therapy against colon carcinogenesis particularly in highly susceptible individuals.
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 among people who used illicit drugs in the state of Pará, northern Brazil
Authors: Oliveira-Filho Aldemir B. , Araújo Ana Paula S. , Souza Andreia Polliana C. , Gomes Camila M. , Silva-Oliveira Gláucia C. , Martins Luísa C. , Fischer Benedikt , Machado Luiz Fernando A. , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos R. , Ishak Ricardo , Lemos José Alexandre R. , Kupek Emil 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPeople who used illicit drugs (PWUDs) represent an important population group for acquisition and viral dispersion. In Brazil, high rates of the human T lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) and 2 (HTLV-2) have been reported in epidemiological studies. However, the epidemiological scenario of HTLV-1/2 infections in PWUDs is still poorly understood. Thus, this cross-sectional study determined the prevalence, frequency of subtypes and factors associated with HTLV-1/2 infections among PWUDs in the Brazilian state of Pará, an area considered endemic for this virus and with poor health services. Among 826 PWUDs, 53 (6.4%) presented anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies by EIA and 44 (5.3%) presented proviral DNA by PCR. HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 were detected in 25 (3.0%) and 19 (2.3%) PWUDs, respectively. Subtypes 1a (25/44), transcontinental (23/44) and Japanese subgroups (2/44), 2b (6/44) and 2c (13/44) were identified. Involvement in illicit/criminal activity, daily use of illicit drugs, illicit drug use over 12 years, unprotected sex with other PWUDs, changes in genitalia (including ulcers and wounds), and more than 12 sexual partners were associated with HTLV-1/2 in PWUDs. This high prevalence and intense circulation of subtypes and subgroups of HTLV-1/2 is very worrying, and indicate the need for urgent actions for its control, prevention and treatment.
Towards genomic database of Alexander disease to identify variations modifying disease phenotype
Authors: Yasuda Rei , Nakano Masakazu , Yoshida Tomokatsu , Sato Ryuichi , Adachi Hiroko , Tokuda Yuichi , Mizuta Ikuko , Saito Kozo , Matsuura Jun , Nakagawa Masanori , Tashiro Kei , Mizuno Toshiki 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAlexander disease (AxD) is an extremely rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene mutations. Compared with the cerebral type, which is characterized by infantile onset, the bulbospinal type and intermediate form are associated with a late onset, spanning from juveniles to the elderly, and more diverse clinical spectrum, suggesting the existence of factors contributing to phenotypic diversity. To build a foundation for future genetic studies of this rare disease, we obtained genomic data by whole exome-sequencing (WES) and DNA microarray derived from thirty-one AxD patients with the bulbospinal type and intermediate form. Using this data, we aimed to identify genetic variations determining the age at onset (AAO) of AxD. As a result, WES- or microarray-based association studies between younger (<45 years; n = 13)- and older (≥45 years; n = 18)-onset patients considering the predicted GFAP-mutation pathogenicity identified no genome-wide significant variant. The candidate gene approach identified several variants likely correlated with AAO (p < 0.05): GAN, SLC1A2, CASP3, HDACs, and PI3K. Although we need to replicate the results using an independent population, this is the first step towards constructing a database, which may serve as an important tool to advance our understanding of AxD.
Evidence for a visuospatial bias in decimal number comparison in adolescents and in adults
Authors: Roell Margot , Viarouge Arnaud , Hilscher Emma , Houdé Olivier , Borst Grégoire 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThere is a close relation between spatial and numerical representations which can lead to interference as in Piaget’s number conservation task or in the numerical Stroop task. Using a negative priming (NP) paradigm, we investigated whether the interference between spatial and numerical processing extends to more complex arithmetic processing by asking 12 year olds and adults to compare the magnitude of decimal numbers (i.e., the prime) and, subsequently, the length of two lines or the luminance of two circles (i.e., the probe). We found NP effects when participants compare length but not luminance. Our finding suggests that decimal comparison is impacted by a visuospatial bias due to the interference between the magnitude of the numbers to be compared and their physical length. We discuss the educational implications of these findings.
Genetic prediction profile for adalimumab response in Slovenian Crohn’s disease patients
Authors: Gorenjak Mario , Repnik Katja , Jezernik Gregor , Jurgec Staša , Skok Pavel , Potočnik Uroš 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Introduction Response to anti-TNF therapy is crucial for life expectancy and life quality in patients with severe Crohn’s disease. We investigated if a previously reported gene expression profile predictive for infliximab response could be also applied to adalimumab response in an independent cohort.
Methods Forty-seven Slovene Crohn’s disease patients indicated for adalimumab therapy were enrolled in the study. Inflamed and non-inflamed colon biopsy samples were obtained during routine colonoscopy prior to adalimumab treatment. Response to adalimumab was measured with IBDQ. Gene expression in inflamed and non-inflamed colon biopsy samples was measured with RT-qPCR. Genotypes were extracted from previously available genotype data. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. The R package e1071 was used to train bootstrap aggregated support vector machines (SVM).
Results SVM prediction model analysis was used to analyze pooled, non-inflamed, and inflamed colon tissue datasets using IBDQ response after 4, 12, 20 and 30 weeks of adalimumab treatment. The bagging approach was used in an endeavor to obtain 100 % accuracy using 10 × 100 or 100 × 100 iterations. Average adalimumab response prediction accuracy is 75.5 % for pooled samples, 90.5 % for inflamed samples, and 100 % for non-inflamed samples. Moreover, models trained on selected SNPs from analyzed genes had an average accuracy of 92.8 %, confirming the involvement of genetic regions mapping the reported genes. Finally, using combined gene expression and SNP data we observed 100 % adalimumab response prediction accuracy for pooled, inflamed, and non-inflamed datasets.
Discussion Our study supports the reported genetic anti-TNF response profile and extends it for adalimumab prediction.
Koffein, das am häufigsten konsumierte Psychostimulans: eine narrative Übersichtsarbeit
Authors: Gahr Maximilian 
Published: October 2019

ZusammenfassungKoffein ist das weltweit am häufigsten konsumierte Psychostimulans. Es ist nahezu unbeschränkt verfügbar und unterliegt in Europa keiner staatlichen Regulation. Neben seiner primären Rolle als Inhalts- oder Zusatzstoff in zahlreichen Getränken findet es auch medizinische Verwendung in der adjuvanten Schmerztherapie, bei primärem Atemstillstand bei Neugeborenen und es ist zugelassen für die kurzfristige Beseitigung von Ermüdungserscheinungen. Der Wirkmechanismus von Koffein als Psychostimulans in typischerweise aufgenommen Dosierungen basiert vermutlich in erster Linie auf einem zentralen Antagonismus von Adenosinrezeptoren (A1- und A2A-Rezeptoren), was zu einer zentralen Hemmung der Adenosin-vermittelten Reduktion der Aktivität des dopaminergen und aufsteigenden Aktivierungssystems führt. Die Metabolisierung von Koffein ist hautsächlich abhängig von Cytochrom P450 1A2, sodass Faktoren, die die Aktivität von CYP 1A2 beeinflussen (z. B. Medikamente, Schwangerschaft), erhebliche Veränderungen der pharmakokinetischen Parameter induzieren können. Koffein führt insbesondere bei Individuen mit Schlafentzug zu einer Verbesserung der Vigilanz, Aufmerksamkeit und Reaktionszeit. Zudem kann es sportliche Ausdauerleistungen und muskuläre Kraft verbessern. Intoxikationen mit Koffein sind selten, können jedoch letal verlaufen. In üblicherweise aufgenommenen Mengen gilt Koffeingebrauch als nicht gesundheitsschädlich. Koffein weist zahlreiche, jedoch nicht alle Merkmale einer Substanz mit „Abhängigkeitspotential“ auf; Entzugssyndrome nach Beendigung einer längeren Anwendung und Toleranz sind bekannt. Im DSM-5 wird die „Koffeingebrauchsstörung“ als mögliche künftige Störung, die gegenwärtig weiterer Forschung bedarf, rubriziert. Das Koffeingebrauchsmuster von Patienten sollte im Rahmen der ärztlichen Tätigkeit berücksichtigt werden.
Efficacy of Stabilization Exercise for Neck Pain: A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Zang Cheng , Zhou Yanyan , Liu Yonghui , Wu Binbin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Introduction Stabilization exercise may be an important approach to alleviate neck pain. However, its use has not been well established. We conduct a narrative review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of stabilization exercise to control neck pain.
Methods PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials are searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the influence of stabilization exercise on neck pain are included. Two investigators independently have searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.
Results Five RCTs involving 217 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control intervention for neck pain, stabilization exercises has no notable impact on pain intensity (Std. MD=−0.55; 95% CI=−1.24 to 0.14; P=0.12), neck disability index (Std. MD=−0.44; 95% CI=−1.01 to 0.13; P=0.13), SF-36 physical health (Std. MD=−0.18; 95% CI=−0.61 to 0.26; P=0.43), SF-36 mental health (Std. MD=−0.03; 95% CI=−0.47 to 0.41; P=0.89), but can remarkably decrease depression scale (Std. MD=−1.05; 95% CI=−1.59 to −0.50; P=0.0002).
Conclusions Stabilization exercises shows similar impact on pain intensity, neck disability index, SF-36 physical health and SF-36 mental health, but significant reduced depression scale compared with control intervention in patients with neck pain.
Making ‘us’ better: High‐quality athlete leadership relates to health and burnout in professional Australian football teams
Authors: Fransen Katrien , Haslam S. Alexander , Steffens Niklas K. , Mallett Clifford J. , Peters Kim , Boen Filip 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOvertraining, exhaustion, and burnout are widely recognized problems amongst elite athletes. The present research addresses this issue by exploring the extent to which high‐quality athlete leadership is associated with elite athletes’ health and burnout. Participants (120 male athletes from three top‐division Australian football teams) were asked to rate the quality of each of their teammates in four different leadership roles (i.e. as task and motivational leaders on the field and as social and external leaders off the field), and also to indicate their identification with their team as well as their self‐reported health and burnout. Findings indicated that (a) being seen to be a good athlete leader by other members of the team and (b) having a good athlete leader on the team were both positively associated with better team member health and lower burnout. This relationship was mediated by athletes’ identification with their team, suggesting that leaders enhance athletes’ health and reduce athlete burnout by creating and maintaining a sense of shared identity in their team. This, in turn, suggests that coaches can foster an optimal team environment by developing the leadership potential of their athlete leaders – in particular, their skills that foster a sense of shared team identification. This is in the interests not only of team performance but also of team members’ health and burnout.
Evaluation and machine learning improvement of global hydrological model-based flood simulations
Authors: Yang Tao , Sun Fubao , Gentine Pierre , Liu Wenbin , Wang Hong , Yin Jiabo , Du Muye , Liu Changming 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
A warmer climate is expected to accelerate global hydrological cycle, causing more intense precipitation and floods. Despite recent progress in global flood risk assessment, the accuracy and improvement of global hydrological models (GHMs)-based flood simulation is insufficient for most applications. Here we compared flood simulations from five GHMs under the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project 2a (ISIMIP2a) protocol, against those calculated from 1032 gauging stations in the Global Streamflow Indices and Metadata Archive for the historical period 1971–2010. A machine learning approach, namely the long short-term memory units (LSTM) was adopted to improve the GHMs-based flood simulations within a hybrid physics- machine learning approach (using basin-averaged daily mean air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and the simulated daily discharge from GHMs-CaMa-Flood model chain as the inputs of LSTM, and observed daily discharge as the output value). We found that the GHMs perform reasonably well in terms of amplitude of peak discharge but are relatively poor in terms of their timing. The performance indicated great discrepancy under different climate zones. The large difference in performance between GHMs and observations reflected that those simulations require improvements. The LSTM used in combination with those GHMs was then shown to drastically improve the performance of global flood simulations (especially in terms of amplitude of peak discharge), suggesting that the combination of classical flood simulation and machine learning techniques might be a way forward for more robust and confident flood risk assessment.
Quantification of the water-use reduction associated with the transition from coal to natural gas in the US electricity sector
Authors: Kondash Andrew J , Patino-Echeverri Dalia , Vengosh Avner 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The transition from coal to natural gas and renewables in the electricity sector and the rise of unconventional shale gas extraction are likely to affect water usage throughout the US. While new natural-gas power plants use less water than coal-fired power plants, shale gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing has increased water utilization and intensity. We integrated water and energy use data to quantify the intensity of water use in the US throughout the electricity’s lifecycle. We show that in spite of the rise of water use for hydraulic fracturing, during 2013–2016 the overall annual water withdrawal (8.74 × 1010 m3) and consumption (1.75 × 109 m3) for coal were larger than those of natural gas (4.55 × 1010 m3, and 1.07 × 109 m3, respectively). We find that during this period, for every MWh of electricity that has been generated with natural gas instead of coal, there has been a reduction of ∼1 m3 in water consumption and ∼40 m3 in water withdrawal. Examining plant locations spatially, we find that only a small proportion of net electricity generation takes place in water stressed areas, while a large proportion of both coal (37%) and natural gas (50%) are extracted in water stressed areas. We also show that the growing contribution of renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar will reduce water consumption at an even greater magnitude than the transition from coal to natural gas, eliminating much of water withdrawals and consumption for electricity generation in the US.
Ecological responses to the coastal exploitation of urban agglomerations along the Pearl River Estuary
Authors: Zhang Rui , Ai Bin , Gu Fengguan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
With the rapid development of urban agglomerations in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), an increasing number of ecological problems have been exposed to the surrounding coastal zones. The timely and accurate understanding of the eco-environment in PRE has become of increasing concern. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate multi-temporal eco-environment conditions and then detect the conflicting patterns of the eco-environment under the influence of coastal exploitation in PRE. The ecological index was derived from remote sensing images by means of principal component analysis, and the composite coastal development index was then constructed to characterize the coastal exploitation from the perspective of ecological influence, which was implemented by using the panel data analysis. This method was verified with a significant test accuracy of 0.9. Based on this, the coupling coordination patterns of the coastal economy–environment system were disclosed for all six prefectural units at both the pixel scale and the city scale. The results showed that the coupling coordination degree and inner coupling relationships in each city presented periodical characteristics, with the highest values in 2008 and the lowest values in 1988. The dominant conflict between coastal exploitation and the eco-environment in each period was capricious. This evaluation will provide a reference for decision-making in coastal zone planning and ecological red line policy to encourage the sustainable development of coastal zones.
Why it is so difficult to end surgical castration of boars in Europe: Pros and cons of alternatives to piglet castration
Authors: Weiler U , Bonneau M 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEntire male pigs can accumulate sex specific off odours, i.e. boar taint, caused by the testicular steroid, androstenone, and the product of microbial protein degradation, skatole, which is formed in the large intestine. To avoid the off odour of pork and to reduce male specific behaviour, farmers have traditionally castrated their male piglets surgically and the procedure is still common in most countries. As this has usually been done without any pain relief, this measure faces strong public criticism. European stakeholders committed themselves to end this practice from 2018, but today, 75% of male piglets are still surgically castrated in the EU. Pain relief during and/or after surgery is increasingly used in some Western European countries to avoid suffering of the animals, but the surgery and risk of infections remain. Alternatives without surgical castration in pork production are raising entire males or immunocastration. Entire males have the advantage of a high growth potential and a good feed conversion rate, but the risk of boar taint and welfare problems due to male behavior limit the acceptance by the pork chain. Immunocastration reduces these problems but also decreases, in part, the anabolic advantage of males. To find country-specific, tailored solutions, there is a need to bundle the research activities along the pork chain and to spread scientific information to increase the acceptance of alternatives by farmers, industry and consumers.
The potential of condensed tannin-rich feedstuff to affect the nutritional and sensory qualities of ruminant-based products
Authors: Bee G , Dohme-Meier F , Girard M 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Over the last decade, interest has increased when it comes to using temperate forage legumes containing condensed tannins (CT) for ruminants. The reason for this is that CT have been shown to benefit animal health and performance, as CT reduce parasitic burden by gastrointestinal nematodes, prevent bloat and reduce urinary nitrogen losses. Less is known about their impact on the quality of ruminant-based products. This short review discusses various quality issues which could, based on the current knowledge on the mode of action of CT, be positively affected by forages that are rich in CT. The main focus is the fatty acid composition, as well as the sensory traits of the meat, milk and cheese. The results presented here show the potential for two tanniferous forage legumes to positively affect the deposition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially the n-3 fatty acids in meat, milk and cheese, and to improve the organoleptic quality of these products. From the two plants tested (birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin), it is evident the CT effect in the digestive tract depends on various factors like the CT level, the chemical composition of the CT and whether the CT in the plant are available in a soluble form or bound to proteins or carbohydrates of the plants.
Wild boar meat safety
Authors: Petrovic J M , Prodanov-Radulovic J Z , Mirceta J D 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The production chain for game meat is specific and differs from the production chain of meat from domestic livestock. The aim of this study is to present the most important hazards potentially associated with wild boar meat consumption in Serbia. The most important organism is Trichinella spp., as the only well-established causative agent of disease outbreaks after consumption of wild boar meat. Trichinella spp. are endemic in Serbia and this leads to outbreaks every year. The second most important species is Salmonella, and there are several reports about its prevalence in the game animal population in Serbia. Chemical hazards, cadmium and lead, have also been detected in the meat and internal organs of wild boar in Serbia. These hazards are considered highly important as they reflect environment pollution, meaning they are especially important for wild boar populations inhabiting areas close to industrial plants or agricultural areas intensively treated with agrochemicals. An adequate and reliable system for the control of wild boar meat safety has to be provided. The system should be based on relevant data from our country, and thus, wild boar meat safety is an issue that requires further, comprehensive research.