bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of hepatitis B virus on steatosis in hepatitis C virus co‐infected subjects: A multi‐centre study and systematic review
Authors: Goossens N. , de Vito C. , Mangia A. , Clément S. , Cenderello G. , Barrera F. , D'Ambrosio R. , Coppola N. , Zampino R. , Stanzione M. , Adinolfi L. E. , Wedemeyer H. , Semmo N. , Müllhaupt B. , Semela D. , Malinverni R. , Moradpour D. , Heim M. , Trincucci G. , Rubbia‐Brandt L. , Negro F. ,   on behalf of the BOSTIC Study Group
Published: March 2018

SummaryIt remains unclear whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may modify the severity of viral steatosis in patients coinfected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). We examined the influence of coinfection with HBV on prevalence of steatosis in chronic hepatitis C in a multi‐centre cohort of HBV‐HCV subjects, and by performing a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature. We centrally and blindly assessed steatosis prevalence and severity in a cohort of HBV‐HCV coinfected subjects compared to HCV and HBV monoinfected controls and we performed a systematic review of studies addressing the prevalence of steatosis in HBV‐HCV subjects compared to HCV controls. In the clinical cohort, we included 85 HBV‐HCV, 69 HBV and 112 HCV subjects from 16 international centres. There was no significant difference in steatosis prevalence between the HBV‐HCV and the HCV groups (33% vs 45%, P = .11). In subgroup analysis, lean HBV‐HCV subjects with detectable HBV DNA had less steatosis than lean HCV subjects matched for HCV viremia (15% vs 45%, P = .02). Our literature search identified 5 additional studies included in a systematic review. Overall, prevalence of steatosis > 5% was similar in HBV‐HCV infection compared to HCV (pooled odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.53‐1.6) although there was significant heterogeneity (I2 69%, P = .007). In conclusion, although the prevalence of steatosis is similar in HBV‐HCV compared to HCV subjects, our analysis suggests that there may be an inhibitory effect of HCV‐induced steatogenesis by HBV in certain subgroups of patients.
Hepatitis B virus and risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: An updated meta‐analysis of 58 studies
Authors: Li M. , Gan Y. , Fan C. , Yuan H. , Zhang X. , Shen Y. , Wang Q. , Meng Z. , Xu D. , Tu H. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryPrevious studies have focused on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, the results remain inconsistent and somehow conflicting in different subgroups. The aim of this study was to combine the findings of independent studies to comprehensively assess the association between HBV and NHL using a meta‐analysis. Relevant studies were identified through structured keyword searches in PubMed, EMBASE and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, and 58 studies with a total of 53 714 NHL cases and 1 778 591 controls were finally included. Pooled estimates indicated a significantly increased NHL risk in HBV‐infected individuals (summary odds ratio [sOR]: 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.20‐2.83) regardless of the study design (case–control studies: sOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 2.16‐2.82; cohort studies: sOR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.78‐3.91). Considerable heterogeneity was observed across studies that was primarily attributed to the NHL subtypes (meta‐regression: P < .05). Overall, B‐cell NHL (sOR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.97‐3.07) presented a stronger association with HBV infection than T‐cell NHL (sOR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.34‐2.10). Within the B‐cell NHL subtypes, HBV infection was significantly associated with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL, sOR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.48‐2.88) and follicular lymphoma (FL, sOR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.11‐2.12), but not with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and Burkitt lymphoma. The results of this meta‐analysis support a positive link between HBV infection and NHL development. Further investigations for the mechanisms underlying HBV‐induced NHL are warranted.
Long‐term vegetation changes of treeless heath communities in northern Fennoscandia: Links to climate change trends and reindeer grazing
Authors: Maliniemi Tuija , Kapfer Jutta , Saccone Patrick , Skog Anu , Virtanen Risto 
Published: March 2018

AbstractQuestionIn recent decades, high‐latitude climate has shown regionally variable trends towards warmer and moister conditions. These changes have been predicted to cause afforestation or shrubification of open tundra, increases of warmth‐demanding southern species and plant groups favoured by increased moisture, and decline of species and habitats that are dependent on snow cover. In this study, we explore temporal changes in northern tundra upland plant communities along regional gradients and in local habitats. We ask how vegetation changes are linked with long‐term trends in regional climate and grazing pressure.LocationNorthern Europe.MethodsIn 2013–2014, we resurveyed a total of 108 vegetation plots on wind‐exposed and snow‐protected tundra habitats in three subareas along a bioclimatic gradient from the northern boreal to the arctic zone. Vegetation plots were originally sampled in 1964–1967. We related observed vegetation changes to changes in temperature, precipitation and grazing pressure, which all showed regionally variable increases over the study period.ResultsWe found a significant increase of the evergreen dwarf shrub Empetrum nigrum subsp. hermaphroditum in snow‐protected communities and a prominent decrease of lichens throughout the study area. No evidence for extensive tree or larger shrub (Betula spp., Salix spp. or Juniperus communis) encroachment despite climatic warming trends was found. Among studied communities, most pronounced changes in vegetation were observed in snow‐protected boreal heaths on small isolated uplands, where community composition showed low resemblance to the original composition described decades ago. Changes in plant communities correlated with changes in summer and winter temperatures, summer precipitation and reindeer grazing pressure, yet correlations varied depending on region and habitat.ConclusionsNorthern tundra uplands vary in their resistance to on‐going climate change and reindeer grazing. Isolated treeless heaths of boreal forest–tundra ecotone appear least resistant to climate change and have already shifted towards new community states.
Un‐precipitated acute kidney injury is uncommon among stable patients with cirrhosis and ascites
Authors: Wong Florence , Jepsen Peter , Watson Hugh , Vilstrup Hendrik 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground & aimsAcute episodes of renal dysfunction or acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhotic patients with ascites are mostly precipitated by an acute event. The prevalence of un‐precipitated AKI in stable ascitic cirrhotic patients is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine (i) the prevalence of un‐precipitated AKI in stable cirrhotics with ascites and (ii) any predictive factors for its development.MethodsA total of 1115 stable cirrhotic patients with mild liver and renal dysfunction but varying degrees of ascites severity from 3 previous satavaptan vs placebo randomized controlled trials (Group A, ascites requiring diuretics but not paracentesis; Group B, ascites requiring frequent paracentesis; Group C, refractory ascites) were included. AKI was diagnosed when there was either an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL in ≤48 hours or a 50% increase in serum creatinine, and staged according to the fold increase of the serum creatinine. Two serum creatinine levels measured maximally 7 days apart at screening and at randomization of the satavaptan studies with no acute intervening events were used.ResultsThe prevalence of un‐precipitated AKI was 1.8% overall, with the prevalence rising with increasing severity of ascites. Ninety‐five per cent of cases were stage 1, with 15% progression rate, 3 reaching the severity of type 1 acute hepatorenal syndrome. Ascites severity was the most powerful predictor for un‐precipitated AKI development, which did not predict overall mortality.ConclusionsIncreased prevalence of AKI with more severe ascites despite minimal baseline liver and renal dysfunction suggests that frequent monitoring of renal function in these patients is mandatory.
Noble gas composition, cosmic‐ray exposure age, 39Ar‐40Ar, and I‐Xe analyses of ungrouped achondrite NWA 7325
Authors: Hopp Jens , Schröter Natalie , Pravdivtseva Olga , Meyer Hans‐Peter , Trieloff Mario , Ott Ulrich 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNorthwest Africa (NWA) 7325 is an anomalous achondrite that experienced episodes of large‐degree melt extraction and interaction with melt under reducing conditions. Its composition led to speculations about a Mercurian origin and provoked a series of studies of this meteorite. We present the noble gas composition, and results of 40Ar/39Ar and 129I‐129Xe studies of whole rock splits of NWA 7325. The light noble gases are dominated by cosmogenic isotopes. 21Ne and 38Ar cosmic‐ray exposure ages are 25.6 and 18.9 Ma, respectively, when calculated with a nominal whole rock composition. This 38Ar age is in reasonable agreement with a cosmic‐ray exposure age of 17.5 Ma derived in our 40Ar/39Ar dating study. Due to the low K‐content of 19 ± 1 ppm and high Ca‐content of approximately 12.40 ± 0.15 wt%, no reliable 40Ar/39Ar age could be determined. The integrated age strongly depends on the choice of an initial 40Ar/36Ar ratio. An air‐like component is dominant in lower temperature extractions and assuming air 40Ar/36Ar for the trapped component results in a calculated integrated age of 3200 ± 260 (1σ) Ma. This may represent the upper age limit for a major reheating event affecting the K‐Ar system. Results of 129I‐129Xe dating give no useful chronological information, i.e., no isochron is observed. Considering the highest 129Xe*/128XeI ratio as equivalent to a lower age limit, we calculate an I‐Xe age of about 4536 Ma. In addition, elevated 129Xe/132Xe ratios of up to 1.65 ± 0.18 in higher temperature extractions indicate an early formation of NWA 7325, with subsequent disturbance of the I‐Xe system.
Chemical regulation of body feather microbiota in a wild bird
Authors: Jacob Staffan , Sallé Louis , Zinger Lucie , Chaine Alexis S. , Ducamp Christine , Boutault Léa , Russell Andrew F. , Heeb Philipp 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe microbiota has a broad range of impacts on host physiology and behaviour, pointing out the need to improve our comprehension of the drivers of host–microbiota composition. Of particular interest is whether the microbiota is acquired passively, or whether and to what extent hosts themselves shape the acquisition and maintenance of their microbiota. In birds, the uropygial gland produces oily secretions used to coat feathers that have been suggested to act as an antimicrobial defence mechanism regulating body feather microbiota. However, our comprehension of this process is still limited. In this study, we for the first time coupled high‐throughput sequencing of the microbiota of both body feathers and the direct environment (i.e., the nest) in great tits with chemical analyses of the composition of uropygial gland secretions to examine whether host chemicals have either specific effects on some bacteria or nonspecific broad‐spectrum effects on the body feather microbiota. Using a network approach investigating the patterns of co‐occurrence or co‐exclusions between chemicals and bacteria within the body feather microbiota, we found no evidence for specific promicrobial or antimicrobial effects of uropygial gland chemicals. However, we found that one group of chemicals was negatively correlated to bacterial richness on body feathers, and a higher production of these chemicals was associated with a poorer body feather bacterial richness compared to the nest microbiota. Our study provides evidence that chemicals produced by the host might function as a nonspecific broad‐spectrum antimicrobial defence mechanism limiting colonization and/or maintenance of bacteria on body feathers, providing new insight about the drivers of the host's microbiota composition in wild organisms.
Anthropogenic fragmentation may not alter pre‐existing patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation in perennial shrubs
Authors: Llorens Tanya M. , Ayre David J. , Whelan Robert J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMany plant species have pollination and seed dispersal systems and evolutionary histories that have produced strong genetic structuring. These genetic patterns may be consistent with expectations following recent anthropogenic fragmentation, making it difficult to detect fragmentation effects if no prefragmentation genetic data are available. We used microsatellite markers to investigate whether severe habitat fragmentation may have affected the structure and diversity of populations of the endangered Australian bird‐pollinated shrub Grevillea caleyi R.Br., by comparing current patterns of genetic structure and diversity with those of the closely related G. longifolia R.Br. that has a similar life history but has not experienced anthropogenic fragmentation. Grevillea caleyi and G. longifolia showed similar and substantial population subdivision at all spatial levels (global F′ST = 0.615 and 0.454; Sp = 0.039 and 0.066), marked isolation by distance and large heterozygous deficiencies. These characteristics suggest long‐term effects of inbreeding in self‐compatible species that have poor seed dispersal, limited connectivity via pollen flow and undergo population bottlenecks because of periodic fires. Highly structured allele size distributions, most notably in G. caleyi, imply historical processes of drift and mutation were important in isolated subpopulations. Genetic diversity did not vary with population size but was lower in more isolated populations for both species. Through this comparison, we reject the hypothesis that anthropogenic fragmentation has impacted substantially on the genetic composition or structure of G. caleyi populations. Our results suggest that highly self‐compatible species with limited dispersal may be relatively resilient to the genetic changes predicted to follow habitat fragmentation.
Glutamine‐rich toxic proteins GrtA, GrtB and GrtC together with the antisense RNA AsgR constitute a toxin–antitoxin‐like system in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Maeda Tomoya , Tanaka Yuya , Inui Masayuki 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe Corynebacterium glutamicum R grtA (cgR_2936), grtB (cgR_2934) and grtC (cgR_2933) genes were identified as paralogs encoding glutamine‐rich toxic proteins. We also identified a new antisense small RNA AsgR (antisense sRNA for grtA) that overlaps the 3′ end of the grtA gene. Single over‐expressions of grtA, grtB and grtC resulted in complete inhibition of Escherichia coli cell growth. This growth was rescued by co‐expression of AsgR. Similar effects were observed in C. glutamicum, although the toxicities of these proteins were moderate. Inhibition of AsgR transcription resulted in increased levels and prolonged half‐lives of grtA, grtB and grtC mRNAs. We also found that the expression levels of grtA, grtB and grtC were increased in an RNase III deletion mutant. Primer extension analysis revealed the RNase III cleavage site to be in the 3′ untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the grtA mRNA. The expression levels of grtA, grtB and grtC were increased after exposure to several stresses, including heat shock, treatment with penicillin G, lysozyme or H2O2. The deletions of grtABC and asgR genes resulted in decreased survival rate under several stresses. These results indicate that GrtABC and AsgR constitute a type I toxin–antitoxin‐like system in C. glutamicum.
Walker‐256 tumor alters morphology of intestinal myenteric plexus in rats
Authors: Marega P. , Liberti E. A. , Freitas J. J. S. , Kietzer K. S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundGastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility is common in patients with cancer. There are a few studies about the myenteric plexus in the presence of anatomically remote tumors.MethodsForty‐eight male Wistar rats were divided into a control (CT) or Walker‐256 (TW) group. Tumor cells were subcutaneously injected and saline was injected in the CT group. After 14 days, the small and large intestines were removed for histochemical analysis. The macroscopic morphology of the intestines and the fecal excretion were also observed.Key ResultsThe upper GI transit and weight of fecal pellets were reduced and the walls of the large intestine in tumor‐bearing rats showed multiple constrictions. In the capsules’ constitution of the myenteric plexus of the TW group, there were type III collagen fibers in addition to type I fibers, and the thin septa inside the capsule were absent. The large intestine in the TW group exhibited smaller neurons and the number of nitrergic‐positive neurons was also reduced in the myenteric plexus, compared to the CT group. In the TW group, the neuronal numbers and the staining intensity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were reduced in the large intestine. Staining was not different in the small intestine.Conclusions and InferencesThis study showed that the Walker‐256 tumor induced alterations in the morphology of nitrergic and cholinergic neurons in the myenteric plexus and decreased the upper GI transit with the presence of multiple constrictions in the colon. Therefore, these alterations can interfere on neurotransmission and can be related to the intestinal motility alterations observed in tumor‐bearing rats.
Beer effects on postprandial digestive symptoms and gastroesophagic physiology
Authors: Serrano Falcón B. , Megía Sánchez M. , Ruiz de León A. , Rey E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundBeer has been related to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and dyspepsia, based on its alcohol and gas content. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between moderate consumption of traditional and alcohol‐free beer and upper digestive symptoms, gastric accommodation and GER.MethodsHealthy adults without frequent gastrointestinal symptoms and GER disease were included. The intervention involved administration of traditional beer to 10 subjects (substudy 1) and alcohol‐free beer to 20 (substudy 2); control intervention entailed administration of water. Study duration was 2 weeks (control/intervention). Postprandial gastric accommodation was assessed through the maximum tolerated volume during a nutrient drink test after the ingestion of water (day 1) and beer (day 8), in which symptoms of dyspepsia were evaluated every 5 minutes. An impedance‐pH monitoring assessed 24 hours and post‐NDT GER (days 1 and 8). Symptoms were evaluated daily during the study. The defined variables were compared between visits and weeks using a nonparametric test for paired data.Key ResultsDyspepsia symptoms showed a progressive increase during the NDT for both interventions in the 2 substudies, though no significant differences were detected in the MTV analysis. No differences were detected in the sum of weekly symptoms. The analysis of impedance‐pH monitoring did not show any differences between intervention and control visits for both interventions.Conclusions and InferencesModerate consumption of traditional and alcohol‐free beer does not increase dyspeptic symptoms or GER in healthy subjects, whether in a controlled‐intake or real‐life situation. Neither gastric accommodation nor reflux episodes are modified in this context.
Temporal regularities allow saving time for maintenance in working memory
Authors: Fanuel Lison , Portrat Sophie , Tillmann Barbara , Plancher Gaën 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that working memory (WM) performance can be enhanced in the presence of an isochronous rhythm during the retention interval because it improves refreshing. Considering the cognitive load (CL) effect as an indicator of refreshing, the present study investigated whether an isochronous rhythm might benefit memory performance under varying cognitive load. For that goal, the presence of a regular rhythm and the cognitive load of the concurrent task (i.e., reading of digits that were either same or different within a trial) were systematically varied. Recall performance was decreased by high cognitive load compared with low cognitive load but was improved in the regular rhythm condition compared with the silent condition. No interaction between cognitive load and rhythm was observed. The present results suggest that temporal regularities might speed up the reading of the digits rather than improve the efficiency of refreshing, resulting in more time available for refreshing and, consequently, improved memory performance. These findings are interpreted in the framework of the dynamic attending theory and in the scope of recent models of working memory, which are also considering the temporal components of working memory and the importance of the temporal structure of working memory tasks.
What is attentional refreshing in working memory?
Authors: Camos Valérie , Johnson Matthew , Loaiza Vanessa , Portrat Sophie , Souza Alessandra , Vergauwe Evie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWorking memory is one of the most important topics of research in cognitive psychology. The cognitive revolution that introduced the computer metaphor to describe human cognitive functioning called for this system in charge of the temporary storage of incoming or retrieved information to permit its processing. In the past decades, one particular mechanism of maintenance, attentional refreshing, has attracted an increasing amount of interest in the field of working memory. However, this mechanism remains rather mysterious, and its functioning is conceived in very different ways across the literature. This article presents an up‐to‐date review on attentional refreshing through the joint effort of leading researchers in the domain. It highlights points of agreement and delineates future avenues of research.
Stability of anterior open bite treatment with bonded spurs associated with high‐pull chincup
Authors: Cassis M. A. , de Almeida R. R. , Janson G. , Aliaga‐Del Castillo A. , de Almeida M. R. 
Published: March 2018

Structured AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the stability of anterior open bite (AOB) treatment with bonded spurs associated with high‐pull chincup (BS/HPCC).MethodsThe experimental group consisted of 25 Class I AOB patients (15 female, 10 male) treated with BS/HPCC for 1 year. Cephalograms were analysed at pre‐treatment (T1), post‐treatment (T2) and at the 3‐year post‐treatment (T3) stage with the patients mean ages of 8.10, 9.14 and 12.18 years, respectively. The control group consisted of 23 subjects (13 female, 10 male) with normal occlusion, with comparable ages at the 3 stages (8.45, 9.45 and 12.50 years at T1, T2 and T3, respectively). T tests were used for intergroup comparisons at T1 and to compare the changes during the 3‐year post‐treatment period (T2‐T3). Intragroup comparison in the treated group was evaluated with dependent t tests between T1 and T2. Correlations between the overbite changes in the T2‐T3 period, the pre‐treatment AOB severity and the amount of correction achieved during treatment were evaluated with Pearson′s correlation coefficient.ResultsNo statistically significant relapse of the AOB was found at T3. Only 1 patient had a clinically significant AOB relapse. Neither the pre‐treatment AOB severity nor the amount of correction was related to overbite changes during the 3‐year post‐treatment period.ConclusionsThere was no statistically significant relapse of the AOB, and the clinical stability of AOB correction 3‐year post‐treatment was of 96%.