bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Connection between gut microbiome and brain development in preterm infants
Authors: Lu Jing , Claud Erika C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDysbiosis of the gut microbiome in preterm infants predisposes the neonate to various major morbidities including neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit, and adverse neurological outcomes later in life. There are parallel early developmental windows for the gut microbiota and the nervous system during prenatal to postnatal of life. Therefore, preterm infants represent a unique population in which optimization of initial colonization and microbiota development can affect brain development and enhance neurological outcomes. In this review, we will first discuss the factors affecting the assembly of neonatal gut microbiota and the contribution of dysbiosis in preterm infants to neuroinflammation and neurodevelopmental disorders. We then will discuss the emerging pathways connecting the gut microbiome and brain development. Further we will discuss the significance of current models for alteration of the gut microbiome (including humanized gnotobiotic models and exposure to antibiotics) to brain development and functions. Understanding the role of early optimization of the microbiome in brain development is of paramount importance for developing microbiome‐targeted therapies and protecting infants from prematurity‐related neurodevelopmental diseases.
Ensemble approach for potential habitat mapping of invasive Prosopis spp. in Turkana, Kenya
Authors: Ng Wai‐Tim , Cândido de Oliveira Silva Alexsandro , Rima Purity , Atzberger Clement , Immitzer Markus 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimProsopis spp. are an invasive alien plant species native to the Americas and well adapted to thrive in arid environments. In Kenya, several remote‐sensing studies conclude that the genus is well established throughout the country and is rapidly invading new areas. This research aims to model the potential habitat of Prosopis spp. by using an ensemble model consisting of four species distribution models. Furthermore, environmental and expert knowledge‐based variables are assessed.LocationTurkana County, Kenya.MethodsWe collected and assessed a large number of environmental and expert knowledge‐based variables through variable correlation, collinearity, and bias tests. The variables were used for an ensemble model consisting of four species distribution models: (a) logistic regression, (b) maximum entropy, (c) random forest, and (d) Bayesian networks. The models were evaluated through a block cross‐validation providing statistical measures.ResultsThe best predictors for Prosopis spp. habitat are distance from water and built‐up areas, soil type, elevation, lithology, and temperature seasonality. All species distribution models achieved high accuracies while the ensemble model achieved the highest scores. Highly and moderately suitable Prosopis spp. habitat covers 6% and 9% of the study area, respectively.Main conclusionsBoth ensemble and individual models predict a high risk of continued invasion, confirming local observations and conceptions. Findings are valuable to stakeholders for managing invaded area, protecting areas at risk, and to raise awareness.
Echocardiographic diastolic function evolution in patients with an anterior Q‐wave myocardial infarction: insights from the REVE‐2 study
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Bauters Christophe , Eschalier Romain , Lamiral Zohra , Fay Renaud , Huttin Olivier , Girerd Nicolas , Zannad Faiez , Pinet Florence , Rossignol Patrick 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimsMyocardial fibrosis plays a key role in the development of adverse left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to determine whether the circulating levels of BNP, collagen peptides, and galectin‐3 are associated with diastolic function evolution (both deterioration and improvement) at 1 year after an anterior MI.Methods and resultsThe REVE‐2 is a prospective multicentre study including 246 patients with a first anterior Q‐wave MI. Echocardiographic assessment was performed at hospital discharge and ±1 year after MI. BNP, galectin‐3, and collagen peptides were measured ±1 month after MI. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) was defined according to the presence of at least two criteria of echocardiographic parameters: septal e′ < 8 cm/s, lateral e′ < 10 cm/s, and left atrial volume ≥ 34 mL/m2. At baseline, 87 (35.4%) patients had normal diastolic function and 159 (64.6%) patients had DD. Follow‐up of 61 patients among the 87 patients with normal diastolic function at baseline showed that 22 patients (36%) developed DD at 1 year post‐MI. The circulating levels of amino‐terminal propeptide of type III procollagen > 6 mg/L [odds ratio (OR) = 5.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–26.66; P = 0.044], galectin‐3 > 13 μg/L (OR = 5.99; 95% CI = 1.18–30.45; P = 0.031), and BNP > 82 ng/L (OR = 10.25; 95% CI = 2.36–44.50; P = 0.002) quantified at 1 month post‐MI were independently associated with 1 year DD. Follow‐up of the 137 patients with DD at baseline among the 159 patients showed that 36 patients (26%) had a normalized diastolic function at 1 year post‐MI. Patients with a BNP > 82 ng/L were less likely to improve diastolic function (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01–0.28; P = 0.0003).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that circulating levels of amino‐terminal propeptide of type III procollagen, galectin‐3, and BNP may be independently associated with new‐onset DD in post‐MI patients.
Uncertainty in quantitative analyses of topographic change: error propagation and the role of thresholding
Authors: Anderson Scott W. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTopographic surveys inevitably contain error, introducing uncertainty into estimates of volumetric or mean change based on the differencing of repeated surveys. In the geomorphic community, uncertainty has often been framed as a problem of separating out real change from apparent change due purely to error, and addressed by removing measured change considered indistinguishable from random noise from analyses (thresholding). Thresholding is important when quantifying gross changes (i.e. total erosion or total deposition), which are systematically biased by random errors in stable parts of a landscape. However, net change estimates are not substantially influenced by those same random errors, and the use of thresholds results in inherently biased, and potentially misleading, estimates of net change and uncertainty. More generally, thresholding is unrelated to the important process of propagating uncertainty in order to place uncertainty bounds around final estimates. Error propagation methods for uncorrelated, correlated, and systematic errors are presented. Those equations demonstrate that uncertainties in modern net change analyses, as well as in gross change analyses using reasonable thresholds, are likely to be dominated by low‐magnitude but highly correlated or systematic errors, even after careful attempts to reduce those errors. In contrast, random errors with little to no correlation largely cancel to negligible levels when averaged or summed. Propagated uncertainty is then typically insensitive to the precision of individual measurements, and is instead defined by the relative mean error (accuracy) over the area of interest. Given that real‐world mean elevation changes in many landscape settings are often similar in magnitude to potential mean errors in repeat topographic analyses, reducing highly correlated or systematic errors will be central to obtaining accurate change estimates, while placing uncertainty bounds around those results provides essential context for their interpretation. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effect of complementary foods fortified with Moringa oleifera leaf powder on hemoglobin concentration and growth of infants in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Authors: Boateng Laurene , Quarpong Wilhemina , Ohemeng Agartha , Asante Matilda , Steiner‐Asiedu Matilda 
Published: November 2018

AbstractComplementary foods that are deficient in both macronutrients and micronutrients coupled with a high burden of infections during the complementary feeding period are major underlying causes of child malnutrition in developing countries. Among the recent efforts to combat malnutrition by improving the quality of complementary foods in the developing world is the use of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) as a food fortificant. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of feeding MLP‐fortified complementary food on hemoglobin concentration and growth of infants and young children after 4 months of feeding. Infants aged 8–12 months were randomly assigned to receive one of three study foods; Weanimix a cereal‐legume blend formulated with Moringa (MCL‐35g), MLP sprinkled on infants’ usual complementary foods (MS‐5g) and the control food Weanimix without Moringa (CF‐35g). Blood samples for hemoglobin determination as well as dietary intake and anthropometric data were collected at baseline and endline for 237 infants who completed the study. Data analysis was performed with SPSS (version 20) and comparisons were done by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There were no significant differences in hemoglobin concentration or growth indicators at endline between the three study groups. Findings of this study indicated that feeding infants a 5 g daily dose of MLP, either as part of a cereal‐legume blend or as a supplement which was sprinkled on infants’ usual complementary foods for 4 months, did not significantly improve infants’ hemoglobin concentration or growth indicators.
Region‐specific control of microglia by adenosine A2A receptors: uncoupling anxiety and associated cognitive deficits in female rats
Authors: Duarte Joana Mendes , Gaspar Rita , Caetano Liliana , Patrício Patrícia , Soares‐Cunha Carina , Mateus‐Pinheiro António , Alves Nuno Dinis , Santos Ana Rita , Ferreira Samira G , Sardinha Vanessa , Oliveira João Filipe , Fontes‐Ribeiro Carlos , Sousa Nuno , Cunha Rodrigo A. , Ambrósio António F. , Pinto Luísa , Rodrigues Ana João , Gomes Catarina A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractEpidemiologic studies have provided compelling evidence that prenatal stress, through excessive maternal glucocorticoids exposure, is associated with psychiatric disorders later in life. We have recently reported that anxiety associated with prenatal exposure to dexamethasone (DEX, a synthetic glucocorticoid) correlates with a gender‐specific remodeling of microglia in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a core brain region in anxiety‐related disorders. Gender differences in microglia morphology, the higher prevalence of anxiety in women and the negative impact of anxiety in cognition, led us to specifically evaluate cognitive behavior and associated circuits (namely mPFC‐dorsal hippocampus, dHIP), as well as microglia morphology in female rats prenatally exposed to dexamethasone (in utero DEX, iuDEX). We report that iuDEX impaired recognition memory and deteriorated neuronal synchronization between mPFC and dHIP. These functional deficits are paralleled by microglia hyper‐ramification in the dHIP and decreased ramification in the mPFC, showing a heterogeneous remodeling of microglia morphology, both postnatally and at adulthood in different brain regions, that differently affect mood and cognition. The chronic blockade of adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR), which are core regulators of microglia morphology and physiology, ameliorated the cognitive deficits, but not the anxiety‐like behavior. Notably, A2AR blockade rectified both microglia morphology in the dHIP and the lack of mPFC‐dHIP synchronization, further heralding their role in cognitive function.
A potential mechanism of the onset of acute eosinophilic pneumonia triggered by an anti‐PD‐1 immune checkpoint antibody in a lung cancer patient
Authors: Jodai Takayuki , Yoshida Chieko , Sato Ryo , Kakiuchi Yosuke , Sato Nahoko , Iyama Shinji , Kimura Tomoko , Saruwatari Koichi , Saeki Sho , Ichiyasu Hidenori , Fujii Kazuhiko , Tomita Yusuke 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe impact of immune checkpoint blockade on immunity in cancer patients is not completely elucidated due to the complexity of the immune network. Recent studies have revealed a significant role of programed cell death‐ligand 2 (PD‐L2) in negatively controlling the production of CD4+ T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines and airway hypersensitiveness, suggesting hypo‐responsive Th2 cells via the PD‐1/PD‐L2 inhibitory pathway in lung could be reawaken by PD‐1 blockade therapy.MethodsWe describe the first report of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP), which is known as Th2‐associated pulmonary disease, triggered by nivolumab, an anti‐PD‐1 antibody, in an advanced non‐small cell lung cancer patient. Based on the current case report and literature, the present study proposes a potential mechanism of the onset of AEP as an immune‐related adverse event (irAE).ResultsA 62‐year‐old man was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and nivolumab was selected as the third‐line regimen. After three cycles of nivolumab treatment, chest computed tomography revealed pulmonary infiltrates in both lungs. The patient was diagnosed with AEP based on the diagnostic criteria for AEP. Nivolumab was suspended and the patient was started on oral prednisolone. His symptoms and radiological findings had rapidly improved.ConclusionsGiven the increasing frequency of the use of anti‐PD‐1 antibodies, clinicians should be aware of the risk of AEP as a potential irAE. This study may improve our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying Th2‐associated irAEs and AEP.
Study of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the carbonyl ruthenium(II) compound, ct‐[RuCl(CO)(dppb)(bipy)]PF6 [dppb = 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane and bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine], by in vitro and in vivo assays
Authors: Carnizello Andréa P. , Alves Jacqueline M. , Pereira Daiane E. , Campos Jacqueline C. L. , Barbosa Marília I. F. , Batista Alzir A. , Tavares Denise C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractConsidering the promising previous results of ct‐[RuCl(CO)(dppb)(bipy)]PF6 (where dppb = 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane and bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) as an antitumor agent, novel biological assays evaluating its toxicogenic potential were performed. The genotoxicity of the compound was evaluated by the in vitro micronucleus test (V79, Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts; HepG2, hepatocellular carcinoma cells), in vivo bone marrow micronucleus test and comet assay in hepatocytes (Swiss mice). The animals were treated with 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the compound. Negative (water) and positive (cisplatin, 1.5 mg/kg bw; methyl methanesulfonate, 40 mg/kg bw) controls were included. The parameters considered in the comet assay were the percentage of tail DNA, tail moment and tail length. The results of the in vitro micronucleus tests showed the absence of genotoxicity in V79 cells, while the compound was genotoxic in HepG2 cells at a concentration of 1.25 μm. In the in vivo micronucleus test, the compound was not genotoxic at the different doses evaluated. In the comet assay, only the dose of 5.0 mg/kg bw resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage in hepatocytes when compared to the negative control. The genotoxic effect observed in HepG2 cells and in the liver comet assay indicates that the compound was metabolized by hepatic cells.
Cartilage/bone interface fabricated under perfusion: Spatially organized commitment of adipose‐derived stem cells without medium supplementation
Authors: Baumgartner Walter , Otto Lukas , Hess Samuel C. , Stark Wendelin J. , Märsmann Sonja , Bürgisser Gabriella Meier , Calcagni Maurizio , Cinelli Paolo , Buschmann Johanna 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTissue engineering of an osteochondral interface demands for a gradual transition of chondrocyte‐ to osteoblast‐prevailing tissue. If stem cells are used as a single cell source, an appropriate cue to trigger the desired differentiation is the use of composite materials with different amounts of calcium phosphate. Electrospun meshes of poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid and amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (PLGA/aCaP) in weight ratios of 100:0; 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 were seeded with human adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) and cultured in DMEM without chemical supplementation. After 2 weeks of static cultivation, they were either further cultivated statically for another 2 weeks (group 1), or placed in a Bose® bioreactor with a flow rate per area of 0.16 mL cm−2 min−1 (group 2). Markers for stem cell criteria, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, adipogenesis and angiogenesis were analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR. Cell distribution, Sox9 protein expression and proteoglycans were assessed by histology. In group 2 (perfusion culture), chondrogenic Sox9 was upregulated toward the cartilage‐mimicking side compared to pure PLGA. On the bone‐mimicking side, Sox9 experienced a downregulation, which was confirmed on the protein level. Vice versa, expression of osteocalcin was upregulated on the bone‐mimicking side, while it was unchanged on the cartilage‐mimicking side. In group 1 (static culture), CD31 was upregulated in the presence of aCaP compared to pure PLGA, whereas Sox9 and osteocalcin expression were not affected. aCaP nanoparticles incorporated in electrospun PLGA drive the differentiation behavior of human ASCs in a dose‐dependent manner. Discrete gradients of aCaP may act as promising osteochondral interfaces. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1833–1843, 2019.
Characteristics of Self-Reported Sleep and the Risk of Falls and Fractures: The Women's Health Initiative (WHI)
Authors: Cauley Jane A , Hovey Kathleen M , Stone Katie L , Andrews Chris A , Barbour Kamil E , Hale Lauren , Jackson Rebecca D , Johnson Karen C , LeBlanc Erin S , Li Wenjun , Zaslavsky Oleg , Ochs-Balcom Heather , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Crandall Carolyn J 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT

Sleep disturbances are common and may influence falls and fracture directly by influencing bone turnover and muscle strength or indirectly through high comorbidity or poor physical function. To investigate the association between self-reported sleep and falls and fractures, we prospectively studied 157,306 women in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) using information on sleep quality, sleep duration, and insomnia from questionnaires. Annual self-report of falling two or more times (ie, “recurrent falling”) during each year of follow-up was modeled with repeated measures logistic regression models fit by generalized estimating equations. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate sleep disturbance and time to first fracture. We examined the risks of recurrent falls and fracture by sleep duration with 7 hours as referent. We examined the risks across categories of sleep disturbance, insomnia status, and sleep quality. The average follow-up time was 7.6 years for falls and 12.0 years for fractures. In multivariable adjusted models, including adjustment for comorbidity, medications, and physical function, women who were short (≤5 hours) and long (≥10 hours) sleepers had increased odds of recurrent falls (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 1.34 and OR 1.25; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.43, respectively). Poor sleep quality, insomnia, and more sleep disturbances were also associated with an increased odds of recurrent falls. Short sleep was associated with an increased risk of all fractures, and upper limb, lower limb, and central body fractures, but not hip fractures, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.10 to 1.13 (p &lt; 0.05). There was little association between other sleep characteristics and fracture. In conclusion, short and long sleep duration and poor sleep quality were independently associated with increased odds of recurrent falls. Short sleep was associated with modest increase in fractures. Future long-term trials of sleep interventions should include falls and fractures as endpoints. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Association of VDR‐FokI and VDBP‐Thr420Lys polymorphisms with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A case‐control study in the population of China
Authors: Song De‐Wei , Wu Yu‐Dong , Tian Dong‐Dong 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundCervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), a common degenerative disorder, is characterized by chronic progressive compression of the cervical spinal cord. The present case‐control study aimed to explore the potential role of VDR‐FokI and VDBP‐Thr420Lys polymorphisms in the susceptibility to CSM in the Chinese population.MethodsThe study enrolled 318 CSM patients and 282 healthy individuals whose clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis was used to genotype VDR‐FokI and VDBP‐Thr420Lys polymorphisms. The severity of CSM was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical vertebra. A nonconditional binary logistic regression model was conducted for assessing the risk factors of CSM.ResultsPatients in the CSM group had longer time duration to bend over desk working than the control group. The ff genotype and f allele frequency of VDR‐FokI were elevated in CSM patients. Elevated Ff + ff genotype and f allele frequency of VDR‐FokI might increase the risk of CSM. The VDR‐FokI polymorphism was associated with nucleus pulposus capillary invasion, necrosis, hyaline degeneration and fibrosis, genesis and hyperplasia of cartilage‐like cells, and fibrocyst in the fibrous ring. The VDR‐FokI and VDBP‐Thr420Lys genotypes conformed to Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium which showed that VDR‐FokI and VDBP‐Thr420Lys had group representation characteristics.ConclusionBinary logistic regression analysis confirmed that VDR‐FokI polymorphism and the time to bend over desk working were risk factors of CSM. Our results indicate that VDR‐FokI polymorphism may be closely associated with the risk of CSM.
A low cost and input tailing method of quality control on multiple annealing, and looping‐based amplification cycles‐based whole‐genome amplification products
Authors: Chen Changyue , Li Jing , Wan JueFeng , Lu Yuan , Zhang Zhen , Xu ZengHui 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundSingle‐cell whole‐genome sequencing provides novel insights into the nature of genetic heterogeneity in normal and diseased cells. However, amplification of formalin‐fixed tissues with low cell numbers is still problematic and multiple annealing, and looping‐based amplification cycles (MALBAC) is a commonly used whole‐genome amplification (WGA) method with low cell numbers.MethodsWe developed a low‐input tailing method to evaluate the MALBAC‐based WGA from sub‐nanogram or less quantities of input DNA. The tailing method uses 2100 BioAnalyzer to evaluate the size distribution of MALBAC products, and comparing the tailing with 10380 bp.ResultsCompared with a 22 loci qPCR panel, the tailing method provided a similar WGA evaluation efficiency in 13 samples on one set of study, with lower input, cheaper cost, shorter manual time, and a clear filtering cut off. Later, we demonstrated a strong correlation between tailing size and coverage breadth in another 29 samples on two sets of assays. As a result, the tailing method showed that it could predict whether a sequence breadth achieved 70% or not with 100% accuracy on these three sets of assays. Although further studies are needed, this tailing method is expected to be used as an excellent tool to select high‐quality WGA products before library construction.ConclusionsOur tailing method can provide a new WGA quality test to evaluate the WGA efficiency with 100% accuracy (42/42). Compared with qPCR panel, our tailing method needs lower input, cheaper cost, shorter manual time, a clear filtering cut off, and extendable high throughput as well as the same sensitivity.