bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The preservative 2‐(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole: A potential allergen in leather products
Authors: Herman Anne , Goossens An , Tennstedt Dominique , Bergendorff Ola , Isaksson Marléne , Mowitz Martin , Baeck Marie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundAllergic contact dermatitis caused by leather is common, and several responsible allergens, such as tanning agents, glues, mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives, and dyes, but also antimicrobials and antifungals, are involved.Material and methodsThree female patients were referred to the Departments of Dermatology in a Belgian university hospital following skin reactions caused by leather products (shoes, belt, and car seats). They were patch tested with the European baseline series and samples of suspected leather products, and additionally with 2‐(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole (TCMTB), an antifungal agent previously reported to be a contact allergen in footwear. Chromatographic analyses of samples of all the leather materials tested were performed at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology in Malmö, Sweden.ResultsThe patients reacting to the leather samples were shown to be sensitized to TCMTB, the presence of which could be confirmed by chemical analyses of samples obtained from the patients.ConclusionPatch tests with TCMTB should be considered in patients with contact dermatitis caused by leather items.
Determine safety of outpatient chemotherapy and autotransplants using refrigerated, non‐frozen grafts in persons with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Gale Robert Peter , Gómez‐Cruz Gisela Berenice , Olivares‐Gazca Juan Carlos , León‐Peña Andrés A. , Gómez‐Almaguer David , Gómez‐De‐León Andrés , González‐López Elías Eugenio , Ruiz‐Argüelles Alejandro , Soto‐Vega Elena , Muñoz‐Pérez María José , Ruiz‐Delgado Guillermo José , Ruiz‐Argüelles Guillermo José 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundPersons with multiple sclerosis are increasingly treated with intermediate‐ or high‐dose chemotherapy and a hematopoietic cell autotransplant. This is often done in an inpatient setting using frozen blood cell grafts.ObjectiveDetermine if chemotherapy and a hematopoietic cell autotransplant can be safely done in an outpatient setting using refrigerated, non‐frozen grafts.MethodsWe developed an autotransplant protocol actionable in an outpatient setting using a refrigerated, non‐frozen blood graft collected after giving cyclophosphamide, 50 mg/kg/d × 2 days and filgrastim, 10 μg/kg/d. A second identical course was given 9 days later followed by infusion of blood cells stored at 4°C for 1‐4 days. The co‐primary outcomes were rates of granulocyte and platelet recovery and therapy‐related mortality.ResultsWe treated 426 consecutive subjects. Median age was 47 years (range, 21‐68 years). A total of 145 (34%) were male. Median graft refrigeration time was 1 day (range, 1‐4 days). Median interval to granulocytes >0.5 × 10E + 9/L was 8 days (range, 2‐12) and to platelets >20 × 10E + 9/L, 8 days (range, 1‐12). Only 15 subjects (4%) were hospitalized, predominately for iatrogenic pneumothorax (N = 5) and neutropenic fever (N = 4). There was only 1 early death from infection.ConclusionIntermediate‐dose chemotherapy and a hematopoietic cell autotransplant can be safely done in an outpatient setting using, refrigerated, non‐frozen grafts.
Influence of Rifampin‐Mediated Organic Anion‐Transporting Polypeptide 1B1/1B3 Inhibition on the Pharmacokinetics of Clazosentan
Authors: Juif Pierre‐Eric , Voors‐Pette Christine , Ufer Mike , Dogterom Peter , Dingemanse Jasper 
Published: April 2019

Clazosentan is a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist in development for the prevention and treatment of vasospasm postsubarachnoid hemorrhage. It is a substrate of organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1B1/1B3 based on preclinical data. This randomized, double‐blind, two‐period, cross‐over study investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of an intravenous infusion of clazosentan (15 mg/hour for 3 hours) after the intravenous administration of placebo or rifampin (600 mg/100 mL in 30 minutes). A total of 14 healthy male participants were enrolled resulting in 13 completers. Clazosentan exposure was three to four times higher after organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1B1/1B3 inhibition, as reflected by the geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval) of area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from zero to infinity: 3.88 (3.24–4.65). Clearance and volume of distribution decreased to a similar extent. Elimination half‐life was not affected. A similar pattern but a higher incidence and frequency of adverse events were observed when clazosentan was given with rifampin than with placebo.
Sensitivity to amplitude envelope rise time in infancy and vocabulary development at 3 years: A significant relationship
Authors: Kalashnikova Marina , Goswami Usha , Burnham Denis 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHere we report, for the first time, a relationship between sensitivity to amplitude envelope rise time in infants and their later vocabulary development. Recent research in auditory neuroscience has revealed that amplitude envelope rise time plays a mechanistic role in speech encoding. Accordingly, individual differences in infant discrimination of amplitude envelope rise times could be expected to relate to individual differences in language acquisition. A group of 50 infants taking part in a longitudinal study contributed rise time discrimination thresholds when aged 7 and 10 months, and their vocabulary development was measured at 3 years. Experimental measures of phonological sensitivity were also administered at 3 years. Linear mixed effect models taking rise time sensitivity as the dependent variable, and controlling for non‐verbal IQ, showed significant predictive effects for vocabulary at 3 years, but not for the phonological sensitivity measures. The significant longitudinal relationship between amplitude envelope rise time discrimination and vocabulary development suggests that early rise time discrimination abilities have an impact on speech processing by infants.
Brittle diabetes revisited: a description of erratic and difficult‐to‐control diabetes in an elderly woman with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Newman C. , Dinneen S. F. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackground‘Brittle diabetes’ is frequently attributed to psychological stressors causing insulin omission in young women with Type 1 diabetes. It has received little attention in the recent medical literature.Case reportWe report the case of an 87‐year‐old woman who had recurrent episodes of unexplained diabetic ketoacidosis. Despite frequent inpatient monitoring of capillary glucose, her blood glucose levels remained erratic. She experienced a total of 12 episodes of ketoacidosis (some occurring during hospitalization), with 11 episodes occurring over a 3‐month period. Several episodes of ketoacidosis required care in a high‐dependency unit and up to 32 h of intravenous insulin and fluids. Extensive investigations failed to identify any underlying cause of the recurrent ketoacidosis. Ultimately, the introduction of a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump resulted in improved glycaemic control and avoided the need for further hospitalizations.ConclusionIndividuals of advanced age can benefit from insulin pump therapy. The original definition of ‘brittle diabetes’ referred to patients whose lives were ‘constantly disrupted by episodes of hypo‐ or hyperglycaemia’. Our case reminds us that this clinical entity can result from altered biology and is not always related to psychological stressors.
Plants, microbes, and odorants involved in host plant location by a specialist moth: who's making the message?
Authors: Wolfin Michael S. , Volo Sara L. , Chilson Ronald R. , Liu Yuxi , Cha Dong H. , Cox Kerik D. , Loeb Gregory M. , Linn Charles E. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe grape berry moth (GBM), Paralobesia viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a specialist pest insect of cultivated grape, Vitis spp. (Vitaceae), in the eastern USA. A blend of volatile compounds has been isolated from plant material that attracts female GBM in the flight tunnel and field. However, the origin of the volatile cue is potentially complicated by the presence of microbes (bacteria and fungi) living on the surface of the plant. Microbial volatile organic compounds can affect insect behavior, and therefore must be considered to fully understand olfaction‐mediated behaviors. We report here the chemical and behavioral analysis of the volatile profiles produced from both the sanitized and control shoot treatments. The sanitization treatment removed 96.4% of the surface microbes up to 24 h, covering the duration of the behavioral assays and volatile collections. Overall, the surface microbes did not significantly contribute to the volatile profile of the grape shoots, as all of the peaks in the volatile profile of sanitized shoots were found in the profile of control shoots. In flight tunnel assays, female GBM displayed the same level of upwind oriented flight to sanitized shoots (flew upwind 57.4%, landed 30.9%) as they did to control shoots (flew upwind 57.8%, landed 31.0%), suggesting further that surface microbes did not contribute to the production of the previously identified blend of behaviorally active volatiles for GBM.
Effect of rain on trap building by Myrmeleon brasiliensis in a riparian woodland from the Cerrado biome in Brazil
Authors: Freire Luciane Gomes , Lima Tatiane do Nascimento 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn areas of the Cerrado biome (Brazilian savanna) with well‐defined rainy and dry seasons, changes in climate and landscape affect the abundance and seasonality of insects. Larvae of the antlion Myrmeleon brasiliensis (Návas) (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) are predators that build traps in dry sandy soil to capture prey. Here we determined the effect of rain on trap building by M. brasiliensis larvae in a riparian forest in the Cerrado biome. Differences in population size and developmental stage were found between the rainy and dry seasons. In the laboratory, the effect of rain‐soaked soil on trap building was evaluated. Fewer antlion larvae were found in the rainy season. Moreover, a greater abundance of larvae in the final stage of development (third instar) was found in the dry season, whereas more first instars were found in the rainy season. The latter revealed that wet soil affects the trap building of the larvae, as smaller traps were built in the treatment with soaked soil (simulated rain), whereas the larvae in the control treatment (no rain) continued building traps with no change in size. The findings indicate that seasonality in the Cerrado biome exerts a short‐term influence on M. brasiliensis larvae (larvae build fewer traps) as well as a long‐term influence (association with life cycle).
Molecular identification of the powdery mildew fungus infecting rubber trees in China
Authors: Wu Hua , Pan Yingwen , Di Rong , He Qiguang , Rajaofera Mamy Jayne Nelly , Liu Wenbo , Zheng Fucong , Miao Weiguo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPowdery mildew is a foliar disease of rubber trees. It is one of the most important leaf diseases in rubber plantations worldwide. The causal agent of this powdery mildew, previously known as Oidium heveae, has been identified under various names. To precisely identify the causal agents of this disease, 57 conidial samples were collected from 2013 to 2017 in Hainan, Yunnan and Guangdong provinces, the main rubber tree planting regions in China. Based on morphological observations using light and scanning electron microscopy, pathogenicity testing, and nrDNA ITS and 28S sequences, Erysiphe quercicola is suggested as the only causal agent of rubber tree powdery mildew in China.
First‐in‐man study of ACT‐709478, a novel selective triple T‐type calcium channel blocker
Authors: Richard Muriel , Kaufmann Priska , Kornberger Rüdiger , Dingemanse Jasper 
Published: April 2019

SummaryObjectiveIncreased activity of T‐type Ca2+ channels is linked to idiopathic generalized epilepsies, thus blocking these channels may be a new treatment option. ACT‐709478 is an orally available triple T‐type Ca2+ channel blocker. The aim of this first‐in‐man study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, tolerability, and safety of single doses of ACT‐709478 in healthy subjects.MethodsThis double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized study included 65 healthy male subjects. Ascending single oral doses of 1‐400 mg ACT‐709478 or placebo were administered to sequential groups of eight subjects (6 on active, 2 on placebo). Effect of food was tested in a crossover part at 60 mg. Blood and saliva sampling for pharmacokinetic evaluations and safety assessments was performed regularly. Effects on the central nervous system were assessed with a battery of pharmacodynamic tests.ResultsThe maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was reached within 3 to 4 hours (≤60 mg) and within 20 to 28 hours (>60 mg), and across all dose levels the terminal half‐life (95% confidence interval) ranged from 36 (29‐45) to 43 (22‐86) hours. Multiple peaks were observed and Cmax and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC)0‐∞ increased in a less than dose‐proportional manner. A 1.6‐fold increase in Cmax and no change in AUC0‐∞ was observed in fed compared to fasted conditions. A significant correlation (P < 0.0001) between plasma and saliva concentrations was established using linear regression. All adverse events were transient and of mild or moderate intensity. No treatment‐related effects on vital signs, clinical laboratory, telemetry, or electrocardiography were detected. The results of pharmacodynamic tests did not show relevant mean changes compared to baseline or placebo.SignificanceACT‐709478 exhibits good tolerability and safety after single‐dose administration and its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties warrant further investigations.
Natural Wolbachia infections are common in the major malaria vectors in Central Africa
Authors: Ayala Diego , Akone‐Ella Ousman , Rahola Nil , Kengne Pierre , Ngangue Marc F. , Mezeme Fabrice , Makanga Boris K. , Nigg Martha , Costantini Carlo , Simard Frédéric , Prugnolle Franck , Roche Benjamin , Duron Olivier , Paupy Christophe 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDuring the last decade, the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia has emerged as a biological tool for vector disease control. However, for long time, it was believed that Wolbachia was absent in natural populations of Anopheles. The recent discovery that species within the Anopheles gambiae complex host Wolbachia in natural conditions has opened new opportunities for malaria control research in Africa. Here, we investigated the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia infection in 25 African Anopheles species in Gabon (Central Africa). Our results revealed the presence of Wolbachia in 16 of these species, including the major malaria vectors in this area. The infection prevalence varied greatly among species, confirming that sample size is a key factor to detect the infection. Moreover, our sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed the important diversity of Wolbachia strains that infect Anopheles. Co‐evolutionary analysis unveiled patterns of Wolbachia transmission within some Anopheles species, suggesting that past independent acquisition events were followed by co‐cladogenesis. The large diversity of Wolbachia strains that infect natural populations of Anopheles offers a promising opportunity to select suitable phenotypes for suppressing Plasmodium transmission and/or manipulating Anopheles reproduction, which in turn could be used to reduce the malaria burden in Africa.
Species interactions mediate thermal evolution
Authors: Tseng M. , Bernhardt Joey R. , Chila Alexander E. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractUnderstanding whether populations and communities can evolve fast enough to keep up with ongoing climate change is one of the most pressing issues in biology today. A growing number of studies have documented rapid evolutionary responses to warming, suggesting that populations may be able to persist despite temperature increases. The challenge now is to better understand how species interactions, which are ubiquitous in nature, mediate these population responses to warming. Here, we use laboratory natural selection experiments in a freshwater community to test hypotheses related to how thermal evolution of Daphnia pulex to two selection temperatures (12 and 18°C) is mediated by rapid thermal evolution of its algal resource (Scenedesmus obliquus) or by the presence of the zooplankton predator Chaoborus americanus. We found that cold‐evolved algae (a high‐quality resource) facilitated the evolution of increased thermal plasticity in Daphnia populations selected at 12°C, for both body size and per capita growth rates (r). Conversely, warm‐evolved algae facilitated the evolution of increased r thermal plasticity for Daphnia selected at 18°C. Lastly, we found that the effect of selection temperature on evolved Daphnia body size was more pronounced when Daphnia were also reared with predators. These data demonstrate that trait evolution of a focal population to the thermal environment can be affected by both bottom‐up and top‐down species interactions and that rapid temperature evolution of a resource can have cascading effects on consumer thermal evolution. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating species interactions when estimating ecological and evolutionary responses of populations and communities to ongoing temperature warming.
Turning a potent family‐9 free cellulase into an operational cellulosomal component and vice versa
Authors: Vita Nicolas , Borne Romain , Perret Stéphanie , de Philip Pascale , Fierobe Henri‐Pierre 
Published: April 2019

Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum and Lachnoclostridium phytofermentans are cellulolytic clostridia either producing extracellular multienzymatic complexes termed cellulosomes or secreting free cellulases respectively. In the free state, the cellulase Cel9A secreted by L. phytofermentans is much more active on crystalline cellulose than any cellulosomal family‐9 enzyme produced by R. cellulolyticum. Nevertheless, the incorporation of Cel9A in vitro in hybrid cellulosomes was formerly shown to generate artificial complexes with altered activity, whereas its incorporation in vivo in native R. cellulolyticum cellulosomes resulted in a strain displaying a weakened cellulolytic phenotype. In this study, we investigated why Cel9A is so potent in the free state but functions poorly as a cellulosomal component, in contrast to the most similar enzyme synthesized by R. cellulolyticum, Cel9G, weakly active in the free state but whose activity on crystalline cellulose is drastically increased in cellulosomes. We show that the removal of the C‐terminal moiety of Cel9A encompassing the two X2 modules and the family‐3b carbohydrate binding module (CBM3b), reduces its activity on crystalline cellulose. Grafting a dockerin module further diminishes the activity, but this truncated cellulosomal form of Cel9A displays important synergies in hybrid cellulosomes with the pivotal family‐48 cellulosomal enzyme of R. cellulolyticum. The exact inverse approach was applied to the cellulosomal Cel9G. Grafting the two X2 modules and the CBM3b of Cel9A to Cel9G strongly increases its activity on crystalline cellulose, to reach Cel9A activity levels. Altogether these data emphasize the specific features required to generate an efficient free or cellulosomal family‐9 cellulase.
Colorectal cancer‐associated ~ 6 kDa hyaluronan serves as a novel biomarker for cancer progression and metastasis
Authors: Zhang Guoliang , Lu Renquan , Wu Man , Liu Yiwen , He Yiqing , Xu Jing , Yang Cuixia , Du Yan , Gao Feng 
Published: April 2019

Low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW‐HA) is believed to accumulate in tumors and to exert protumor effects. This study aimed to identify colorectal cancer (CRC)‐associated LMW‐HA, precisely determine its MW, and elucidate its role in predicting tumor progression. The MW distribution of HA extracted from CRC and paired noncancerous tissues was evaluated. We found that the level of HA with a MW below 30 kDa was markedly elevated in CRC tissues, and we defined HA with a MW of ~ 6 kDa as CRC‐associated LMW‐HA. In line with this finding, ~ 6 kDa HA was significantly accumulated in cancer tissues relative to total HA, and this LMW‐HA played a critical role in tumor metastasis. Moreover, serum ~ 6 kDa HA levels in CRC patients were significantly increased and positively correlated with the levels in matched cancer tissues. Elevated serum ~ 6 kDa HA levels could be used to discriminate patients with or without CRC and was associated with early relapse, advanced tumor–node–metastasis stage, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node (LN) metastasis. Notably, serum ~ 6 kDa HA levels were significantly reduced after tumor resection. Our study suggests that ~ 6 kDa HA may serve as a new biomarker for estimating tumor progression, predicting LN metastasis, and monitoring tumor recurrence.
Effectiveness of acute in‐hospital occupational therapy for older patients with hip fracture
Authors: Uruma Makiko , Momosaki Ryo , Chono Masayuki , Fukumoto Miki , Watanabe Tomomi , Nakamura Mikako , Abo Masahiro 
Published: April 2019

AimTo test the hypothesis that hip fracture patients who receive occupational therapy (OT) have better functional ability than those who do not.MethodsThis retrospective observational study utilized data from the Japan Rehabilitation Database spanning 2005–2015. In‐hospital hip fracture patients admitted to acute hospitals were identified. In total, 1266 patients were eligible based on the exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) efficiency.ResultsPatients who received OT were 50.9% of hip fracture patients. Patients who received OT had significantly higher scores in motor FIM efficiency (mean 0.79 vs 0.70; P = 0.02) and FIM effectiveness (mean 0.49 vs 0.41; P < 0.01) than the patients who did not receive OT. From multivariate linear regression analysis, OT was identified as a significant factor in motor FIM efficiency (coefficient 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.14–1.47; P < 0.01) and FIM effectiveness (coefficient 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.12; P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe present cohort analysis showed that OT for hip fracture patients in the acute phase likely contributes to improved functional ability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 611–615.
Black porcelain solar plate and its thermal performance
Authors: Xiu Dapeng , Zhao Guochen , Zhou Jixue , Zhang Suqing 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this study, a new percentage named “A value” was proposed, which was the key to evaluate whether solar thermal systems could be put into massive industrial application. A novel type of solar energy collector—black porcelain solar plate was developed. The solar absorptance of black coating was as high as 0.95 and did not decay against time. The performance of black porcelain solar roof systems (BPRSs) was investigated, which could be integrated with buildings and had the A value 2.49‐2.67 times higher than traditional solar thermal systems. The experimental results showed that the thermal efficiencies of BPRSs were more than 50%, which was about 20% higher than traditional solar thermal systems. BPRSs were widely known as low cost, long lifetime, no corrosion, and no aging. They could provide many applications for civil buildings, such as hot water of four seasons, summer air conditioning and winter heating. Once applied widely, solar energy collected by black porcelain solar plates might prospectively be the major source of human energy demand.